Should you get a degree online? Discover how accredited online degree programs offer flexibility, lower costs, and career-ready skills.
The landscape of higher education is rapidly changing, with online degrees becoming an increasingly popular option for students looking to avoid the high costs associated with traditional campus-based education.
While many students worry about excessive student debt or graduating into a saturated job market, getting an online degree can offer unique benefits, particularly in terms of flexibility, networking opportunities, and gaining relevant practical experience.
Contents
Should You Get a Degree At All?
Whether a degree makes sense depends on your goals, field of interest, and financial situation. Here’s a breakdown to help you think it through:
When a Degree Makes Sense
- Fields that require certification or licensing (medicine, law, engineering, education, etc.).
- You’re pursuing a long-term career path where a degree is a base requirement for growth.
- You want access to alumni networks, internships, or specific mentorship.
- You’re seeking immigration or international job opportunities where a degree is valued or required.
When a Degree Might Not Be Worth It
- You’re entering a skill-based or entrepreneurial field like coding, design, trades, or sales.
- You’ll graduate with a large debt and low income prospects.
- You already have experience, skills, or certifications that are more valuable than formal education.
- You can build a portfolio or start working sooner through apprenticeships or online learning.
Reality Check
- Many graduates are overqualified because the job market has shifted — employers now often want skills and experience, not just a diploma.
- But at the same time, a degree still opens doors and reduces long-term unemployment risk on average.
- What’s often missing in the “is it worth it?” debate is how you use the degree — networking, internships, and practical experience are just as important.
Why Get a Degree Online Instead
Opting for an online degree — especially through accredited online degree programs — offers more than just convenience. Getting a degree online can prepare you for the world of work and provide a variety of valuable benefits.
Whether you’re looking to avoid excessive student debt, gain real-world experience, or build a professional network, an online degree can help you get ahead while ensuring you are ready for the future of work.
#1. Gain Flexibilty & Avoid Student Debt
One of the most significant advantages of getting a degree online is the flexibility it provides.
Traditional college programs often require students to move to a new city, pay for room and board, and take time off work. Accredited online degree programs allow you to learn at your own pace while continuing to work or manage other commitments.
This flexibility can significantly reduce the financial burden of attending school, allowing you to avoid the excessive student debt that often accompanies traditional education. You can study at your own pace and avoid high campus-related costs, making it easier to graduate without overwhelming debt.
Moreover, online degree programs are often more affordable than their in-person counterparts, which means you can graduate with less financial strain, freeing you to focus on launching your career rather than struggling with loan repayments.
#2. Build Valuable Connections
Networking is a crucial part of career development, and one of the most underestimated benefits of getting a degree online is the opportunity to connect with professionals and peers from around the world.
Many online degree programs for adults offer robust virtual communities, where students can interact with their professors, alumni, and industry professionals through forums, virtual events, and collaborative projects.
Networking online gives you the chance to connect with a more diverse group of individuals than you might in a traditional classroom setting.
Whether you’re participating in global forums or attending virtual career fairs, these connections can open doors to internships, job opportunities, and valuable advice from professionals in your field.
#3. Prepare for the World of Work
While traditional degrees often have internship requirements that may be harder to navigate in an online setting, many online degree programs have adapted to provide opportunities for gaining hands-on experience.
Schools increasingly partner with companies to offer remote internships, allowing students to gain practical skills while earning credit towards their degree. This allows you to build a portfolio of real-world work while still attending classes.
In addition to internships, many online degree courses focus on real-world application, from capstone projects to remote internships that build your resume.. They offer project-based learning where students work on real-world problems, collaborating with peers, professors, and even industry leaders.
These experiences provide practical knowledge and demonstrate to future employers that you are not just a graduate with theoretical knowledge, but someone ready to contribute immediately to the workforce.
#4. Learn In-Demand Skills
In today’s fast-paced, ever-changing job market, employers increasingly value skills and practical experience over formal qualifications. Online degree programs are often designed to equip students with up-to-date skills that are directly applicable to today’s industries.
Perfect for professionals seeking the best online degree programs for working adults or anyone balancing family and career. Whether it’s through coding boot camps, business case studies, or healthcare simulations, online degrees are structured to make sure you graduate with a strong skill set employers demand.
Furthermore, the online learning format encourages self-motivation, time management, and tech literacy, all of which are highly valued by employers. These skills will prepare you for the workplace, where independence and problem-solving abilities are often key to success.
#5. Pivot Fast with an Online Degree
One of the most underrated benefits of an online degree is agility — the ability to pivot quickly as industries shift. In today’s world of rapid technological change, especially with AI and automation transforming the job landscape, this flexibility is critical.
Why Agility Matters:
- Career Change Without Starting Over: With online degree programs, you can reskill or upskill without putting your life on hold. This is ideal if your current field is shrinking or becoming obsolete.
- Faster, Targeted Learning: Many online degree courses are designed with evolving job markets in mind, offering streamlined, industry-relevant paths that let you respond to demand.
- Stackable Credentials: Some accredited online degree programs allow you to earn certifications along the way, giving you the option to shift directions or expand your expertise at any point.
Jobs Disrupted by Automation and AI:
- Data Entry Clerks
- Telemarketers
- Cashiers
- Travel Agents
- Bank Tellers
- Paralegals (in some contexts)
If your current or prospective field is vulnerable, pursuing one of the best online degree programs for working adults gives you the power to pivot fast. You can move into growing industries like cybersecurity, digital marketing, healthcare administration, data science, or AI ethics.
In a world where change is constant, an online degree isn’t just a credential—it’s a tool to stay relevant, resilient, and in control of your career.
#6. Create Work-Life Balance
For many adults looking to change careers or advance in their current profession, online degrees offer a perfect balance between work, family, and education.
Accelerated online degree programs for working adults help you earn your credentials quickly without sacrificing quality. The ability to study on your own schedule allows you to continue gaining experience in your current job or even switch careers while earning your degree.
This flexibility ensures you can gain practical, hands-on experience while simultaneously advancing your education, making you more attractive to potential employers.
#7. Access Global Opportunities
The digital nature of online education opens up opportunities that may not be available in a traditional classroom. You can access online courses from top universities and learning platforms that are known for their cutting-edge research and expertise in various fields.
From specialized tech programs to business leadership degrees, online education allows you to tap into resources that can help you stay ahead of industry trends and developments.
Unlock Your Ideal Path with Career Tests
Before you commit to getting a degree online, it’s wise to pinpoint your strengths, interests, and values — career tests can help you do just that.
Leveraging a quick career assessment will ensure that every credit and opportunity supports a clear, debt‐smart career trajectory. By completing a reputable career quiz, you can:
- Align Your Path: Pinpoint your top interests and strengths to choose a degree that truly fits you.
- Save Time & Money: Avoid costly major changes by confirming your direction up front.
- Increase Engagement: Seeing how each course connects to your future role keeps you motivated.
- Customize Your Experience: Use insights to select internships, projects, and electives that strengthen your profile.
Want to know your core strengths and weaknesses, how much money you can earn in your perfect career, and more? Answer this free online career test and get your free career report.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Degree?
The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. It depends on your chosen program, pace, and goals, but with online degree programs, you have more control than ever.
🎓 Typical Timelines:
- Bachelor’s Degree: Usually takes about four years for full-time students.
- Accelerated Online Degree Programs for Working Adults: Can cut that time down significantly — some finish in as little as 18–24 months.
- Vocational Programs: It typically takes about 21 hours to get a degree in vocational school, though many complete these programs within 6–24 months.
The best online degree programs don’t just hand you a diploma—they prepare you to thrive. With a focus on in-demand skills, hands-on experience, and professional connections, these programs offer a smart, strategic path forward.
Whether you’re switching careers or leveling up, an online degree is more than education—it’s an investment in your future.
© 2025, Priya Florence Shah. All rights reserved.
Priya Florence Shah is a bestselling author and an award-winning blogger. Check out her book on emotional self-care for women. Priya writes short stories and poetry and chills with her two-legged and four-legged kids in her spare time.
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