Search programs
x
Compare School Options

Most schools have rolling admissions and financial help so you can start your degree in a few weeks!

Find a School That's Right for You

Most schools have rolling admissions and financial help so you can start your degree in a few weeks!

Jump to this section:
Find a School That's Right for You
Table of Contents
Best Online Degrees for Working Adults of 2025
Find a School That's Right for You
Back to top

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), as of 2018, 43% of full-time undergraduate students and 81% of part-time undergraduates were employed while enrolled in school. Post-traditional students (25 and older) were more likely to work while attending college than their traditional counterparts.

Given these statistics, it’s no surprise that an increasing number of colleges are offering online degree programs designed specifically for working adults. There are several key things to know for those considering joining the ranks of working students. In this article, college admissions and education advisor Blanca Villagomez, a program coordinator and counselor at UC-Irvine, reviews working adults’ specific needs, how to choose an online degree program, the pros and cons of earning an online degree as a working adult, and application guidance.

How Working Adults Differ From Traditional Students

Depending on where they are in life, college students have different priorities, needs, and experiences that inform their choice of school and program.

According to Villagomez, flexibility, convenience, and the ability to balance work and family commitments with their studies are often the top priorities for working adults attending college. For students with set work schedules, attending classes on a traditional weekday daytime schedule might not be possible. Juggling work, school, and family commitments also means learning must be as accessible as possible to help students stay on track.

Meanwhile, students entering college directly from high school typically place a higher premium on creating a more traditional collegiate experience. When choosing a school, they’re more likely to prioritize academic prestige, availability and range of extracurricular activities, and campus life highlights.

Being a working adult also means having the experience that can help students prepare for a degree and possibly even earn them college credit. It can also give them clarity on what they want out of their career, which will inform where and what they study.

“Because of their professional experiences so far, working adults commonly search for programs that offer specialized opportunities for career advancement and enhance their skills,” says Villagomez.

Even if students are using an online degree to pivot to a new career, their work experience still gives them valuable time management, organizational, and self-motivation skills.

What to Consider When Choosing Online Degree Programs for Working Adults

While the specific needs and preferences of working adults will inform their decisions about which online degree program to attend, there are also some considerations that apply to all prospective students.

Accreditation and program quality

Regardless of your student status or the type of degree program you’re pursuing, confirming the accreditation status of any schools you’re considering is an important first step in the research process. In the U.S., accreditation is a review process guaranteeing the quality of higher education institutions and programs. Schools in the U.S. can be regionally or nationally accredited, with regional accreditation being the more widely accepted of the two. A school’s accreditation status is not only an indicator of program quality. It can also affect financial aid eligibility, cost, transfer credits, and future job prospects.

Flexibility and convenience

These are particularly important considerations for working adults, who likely have to fit their classes and schoolwork around their job schedule. One reason online degree programs are so popular for working adults is that many offer classes on a self-paced schedule. This means there are no set meeting times, and students can access their lessons via pre-recorded lectures, videos, and reading assignments whenever is most convenient for them. Even synchronous online programs that have scheduled times for virtual classes make learning more accessible because students can attend from any location and don’t need to spend precious time commuting to campus.

Student support

Like traditional students, working adults need academic, technical, mental, or emotional support in their educational journey. Students in online programs should find out what resources the school provides regarding access to libraries, tutoring, healthcare, and more. They should also gain an understanding of how communication between students and faculty is handled to ensure that they have the necessary support in classes, especially if work or life responsibilities interfere with their studies. Beyond the school’s resources, working adults should also make sure they have a strong support network of friends, family, and colleagues to provide assistance and encouragement when needed.

Credit for work experience

A key benefit of enrolling in a degree program as a working adult is that you’ve likely already gained some knowledge that is applicable to your area of study. Many schools and programs recognize this, offering what’s commonly known as credit for prior learning, or CPL. Specific CPL policies vary by school and program, but generally speaking, schools will award students credit towards their degree for knowledge gained through workplace training, military experience, certifications, and more. By seeking out schools with generous CPL policies, you can save time and money by earning credit for knowledge and skills you already have.

Tuition assistance benefits

For many working adults, their steady paycheck helps pay for their degrees. But an increasing number of companies are taking it a step further and paying employees to further their education through tuition assistance benefits. If you’re currently employed, it’s important to consider what, if any, tuition assistance benefits your employer provides and how you can use them to cover some or all of the cost of your online degree. Exact policies will vary by company, but tuition assistance can help students overcome financial obstacles to earning a degree.

Pros and Cons of Online Degree Programs for Working Adults

Pros

  • tickAccessibility

     For many people balancing work schedules and family obligations, online learning is the most accessible form of education. Individuals with 9-5 jobs can select programs with evening or weekend classes, while those with unpredictable work schedules can opt for asynchronous programs. Students can also continue their current job and relocate to a new place to pursue the degree they want or spend valuable time commuting to campus.

  • tickTailored to working adults' needs

    Many online degree programs are designed with the specific needs and preferences of working adults in mind. This can mean flexible schedules, curriculums that maximize credit for prior learning or hands-on experience in a work setting, and support services dedicated to working students.

  • tickFaster completion time

    Most traditional in-person undergraduate degrees take a minimum of four years to complete, while in-person graduate programs can take 2-3 years. Because of the flexible nature of online classes, many schools offer accelerated degree programs that take less overall time to complete. Although these types of programs are even more rigorous than a traditionally paced program, for motivated, well-organized students, they can be an ideal way to obtain the education they need as quickly as possible.

Cons

  • tickTime management

    Strong time management skills and discipline are essential to succeeding in an online degree program as a working adult. Moreso than traditional students, working adults have a lot of things competing for their attention. Villagomez recommends students create a consistent routine by identifying their optimal hours for attending classes, completing coursework, and studying. She also advises setting realistic goals for each week and term and breaking them up into smaller daily tasks.

  • tickDistractions

    Another drawback of online learning is that it can be harder to focus when learning in the same space where you live the rest of your life. Says Villagomez, “It’s impossible to remove all distractions, but there are ways to minimize them. Use the “Do Not Disturb” feature on phones, find a quiet space and time to study, and use apps or online tools like the Pomodoro Method that help break down long stretches of studying into smaller time frames.

  • tickHarder to connect and stay engaged

    “Without face-to-face interactions and the traditional classroom setting, some students can find it challenging to stay engaged and motivated in an online learning environment,” Villagomez says. Particularly in asynchronous classes where there is limited interaction with faculty and classmates, students will need to take the initiative if they need extra help or want to network with others in their program.  

Applying to Online Degree Programs for Working Adults

Generally speaking, the application process is the same for working adults as it is for any other student. Careful research and planning are the essential first step to choosing the online degree program that’s right for you.

“Not all online programs are designed equally,” Villagomez says. “The quality of education, program’s accreditation and reputation, faculty investment, cost, and student support resources will vary across online programs. That’s why I recommend students invest time in their research process to filter their best options.”

Students should also pay attention to a program’s admission criteria to ensure they’re qualified for the programs to which they’re applying and learn more about how they can get credit for their educational and work experience.

“Since this process can be overwhelming, I suggest reaching out to the admissions office for guidance,” Villagomez says. “Attend informational sessions to gain a better sense of programs and their resources. This can help you get a feel for their values, level of support for working adults, and investment in students to help determine which school is the best fit for you.”

Best Online Degrees for Working Adults – Top Picks

Best Online Degrees for Working Adults badge
01

Charter Oak State College
01

Bethel University
01

Excelsior College
01

Union Institute & University
01

Thomas Edison State University
01

Regis University
01

Maryville University of Saint Louis
01

Colorado State University Global
01

University of Maryland Global Campus
01

Azusa Pacific University
01

Northcentral University
01

Northeastern University
01

Southern New Hampshire University
01

Columbia College
01

University of Alaska Fairbanks
01

Davenport University
01

University of Illinois
01

Troy University
01

Florida Institute of Technology
01

University of Missouri at St. Louis
01

Liberty University
01

Ohio Christian University
01

Peirce College
01

Regent University
01

Northeastern State University
01

University of Texas at Arlington
01

Western Governors University
01

Oregon Institute of Technology
01

Weber State University
01

University of Massachusetts Global
01

Clayton State University
01

Arizona State University
01

Ursuline College
01

Bellevue University
01

Saint Leo University
01

Fresno Pacific University
01

Northwestern State University
01

Trine University
01

Endicott College
01

Keiser University
01

LeTourneau University
01

Thomas Jefferson University
01

Clarkson College
01

Baker University
01

Herzing University
01

University of Massachusetts Boston
01

Adelphi University
01

Albertus Magnus College

Discover More Options