Accelerated Online Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina 2026

Many colleges and universities based in North Carolina offer accelerated online bachelor's degree programs. Busy working adults and transfer students may benefit from flexible, self-paced learning that can be completed anywhere and at any time.

Learners who complete an accelerated bachelor's degree online may also reduce the overall time it takes to earn a degree in comparison to traditional on-campus students. You can earn degrees from top, accredited colleges and universities in areas such as education, criminal justice, and nursing.

How Long Does It Take To Earn an Online Bachelor's Degree in North Carolina?

Those following the traditional bachelor's degree path will typically earn their degree in about 120 credit hours, or four years. However, it is possible to complete your degree at an accelerated rate to reduce this timeframe.

Although the average time to complete an online bachelor's degree varies according to factors, including program type and institution, the quickest way to get a bachelor's degree is to earn an associate degree or complete other college-level coursework and then transfer the credits to an accredited program. Various universities allow students to transfer previously earned credits, with some academic programs requiring a minimum of 24 transferable credits to apply.

Accelerated Online Bachelor's Degree Programs in North Carolina

Selecting the right program depends on each learner's individual needs and areas of interest. Below, we've highlighted some of the best accelerated online bachelor's degree programs in North Carolina.

1. University of North Carolina Charlotte Online

University of North Carolina (UNC) Charlotte Online offers a flexible distance education program to working professionals who want to earn their bachelor's degree. Those who have completed an associate degree or other college-level coursework at another institution may transfer their credits and lessen the overall time it takes to earn their undergraduate degree.

Learners who enroll in UNC Charlotte Online's distance education program can earn degrees in areas such as business administration, social work, and political science. The university also offers a completion program open to registered nurses who want to obtain their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), as well as a teacher education program that helps teaching assistants become elementary education teachers.

Time to completion: 12 months to two years

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

2. North Carolina State University Online and Distance Education

North Carolina State University's Online and Distance Education option offers two fully online undergraduate programs in agricultural science and leadership in the public sector. The program is open to students who have completed a high school diploma or GED and to transfer students.

Learners who are interested in the leadership in the public sector concentration must be admitted as transfer students and have previously earned 60 credits that can be transferred. The credits should also satisfy the general education requirements of the major. The university has partnerships with 15 local community colleges that allow students to transfer credits into the leadership concentration.

Besides offering accredited online bachelor's degrees, the university also offers online graduate degree programs and undergraduate and graduate certificate programs.

Time to completion: Two years (may vary)

Accreditation: SACSCOC

3. University of North Carolina at Greensboro

University of North Carolina at Greensboro offers online and on-campus learning opportunities for adults who are pursuing higher education. UNC Greensboro offers more than 60 online degree programs, including master's degree and doctoral degree programs as well as graduate certificates. Here, you can choose from online degrees in areas such as business administration (with concentrations in business studies and human resources), finance, information technology (with concentrations in supply chain management and cybersecurity), and marketing.

Time to completion: One to five years (varies by concentration and program)

Accreditation: SACSCOC

4. Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University offers a Flight Path program in which learners can enroll in accelerated online courses to earn their bachelor's degree. Courses are typically offered in eight-week terms, and students have the flexibility to learn at their own pace.

The Flight Path program is aimed at students who have already earned 24 or more hours of transferable credit and maintained a cumulative GPA of at least 2.25 across all coursework.

Students completing an online education via the Flight Path program can earn degrees in accounting, criminal justice, health care management, or supply chain management. In addition to the Flight Path option, the university offers other online programs such as the RN to BSN program, which helps nurses who have already received their licensure to expand their scope of practice.

Time to completion: Two to four years (varies)

Accreditation: SACSCOC

5. East Carolina University

East Carolina University (ECU) offers an online Flight Path option to students who have previously completed some college-level coursework. A minimum of 24 hours of transferable college-level coursework and a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA are required for admission into the program.

The online Flight Path option allows you to earn your bachelor's degree in criminal justice, information and cybersecurity technology, security studies, or psychology.

Time to completion: 12 to 36 months (varies)

Accreditation: SACSCOC

6. North Carolina Central University

North Carolina Central University offers online learning programs, including the accelerated Flight Path program, to students who want to finish or earn their bachelor's degree. The Flight Path program offers concentrations in areas such as business administration and healthcare at affordable tuition rates.

A total of 120 credit hours is needed to complete the program, and transfer students must have completed at least 24 transferable credit hours at a past or current institution to apply. Besides undergraduate programs, the university also offers online master's programs, including graduate and post-master's certificate programs.

Time to completion: As early as 14 to 15 months (varies)

Accreditation: SACSCOC

7. Campbell University

Campbell University's online accelerated program offers flexibility to busy adults who want to earn their bachelor's degree. Courses are designed in eight-week terms with available concentrations in areas such as accounting, special education, homeland security, and communication studies.

The program offers affordable tuition prices with options for financial aid, including scholarships, and reduced tuition prices for members of the U.S. military.

Time to completion: Three years (varies)

Accreditation: SACSCOC

Other Accelerated Online Bachelor's Degrees in the U.S.

Many colleges and universities based in North Carolina offer an accelerated online bachelor's degree option for those seeking flexibility in their education path. Other universities in the U.S., including fully online colleges, have similar options. Below, we’ll dive into some of the fastest online degrees you can earn around the country.

Simmons University

Simmons University offers accelerated 3+1 and 4+1 programs that allow learners to earn their bachelor's degree in four or five years, depending on the program. Examples of available programs include a 4+1 BSN to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and a 3+1 Bachelor of Science (BS) in computer science to a Master of Science (MS) in library and information science.

Time to completion: Three years (bachelor’s degree in the 3+1 program)

Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

University of the People

University of the People (UoP) is a 100% online, tuition-free college that allows students to complete a bachelor's degree in less than two and a half years. Students are still responsible for additional fees, including application fees, assessment fees, certification fees, and others.

Here, you can transfer up to 75% of credits earned at another institution for $17 per course. In addition, the program is asynchronous, meaning you can complete your coursework within the flexibility of your own schedule.

UoP offers bachelor's degree programs in business administration, computer science, and health science. The university also offers online graduate programs where you can earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA), an MS in Information Technology, or a Master of Education (MEd).

Time to completion: Less than two and a half years

Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)

Columbia Southern University

Columbia Southern University (CSU) offers a fully online bachelor's degree program that allows you to transfer up to 90 previously earned credits. Since a total of 120 credits is needed to complete the program, transferring previously earned credits may reduce the overall time it takes to earn your degree.

CSU's program offers students the opportunity to earn degrees in areas including accounting, communication, organizational leadership, and strategic leadership. This fully online program may be beneficial to adults who want to earn or finish their degree while working full-time.

Time to completion: One to two years or more (varies)

Accreditation: SACSCOC

How We Rank Schools

In compiling this list, we focused on multiple factors, such as:

• Accreditation: All schools included in this list have received accreditation, a process that ensures the institution has met certain quality standards.
• Program length: We focused on schools that offered accelerated online degree programs where students can earn their bachelor's degree in the shortest timeframe possible.
• Program reputation and quality: We focused on programs offered by top colleges and universities, including those ranked in lists highlighting the best online colleges.
• Tuition cost: We focused on programs with affordable tuition rates and the option to transfer previously earned credits.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

How To Accelerate Your Bachelor’s Degree in North Carolina

One benefit to accelerating your bachelor’s degree is the reduced cost. Unlike the traditional four-year course, you’ll only need one to three years to complete an accelerated bachelor’s program. This will save you at least a year of academic fees. In addition, because you’ll be graduating early, you’ll also be able to start building your career immediately.

If you want to pursue this cost-effective method of earning a diploma, there are several ways to do it:

• Apply in a Flight Path program: In order to do this, you need at least 24 transferable credits. You can earn them by completing your general education requirements through accredited online course providers such as Study.com. Once you’re in a Flight Path program, you’ll be able to get a degree in as early as one to two years.
• Earn college credit through dual enrollment: Did you know that high school students can simultaneously enroll in college-level classes? The credits you earn through this will count towards both your high school diploma and college degree. Moreover, this will be helpful in your transition to being a college student.
• Apply in online colleges: Online colleges offer more flexibility compared to physical universities. With an online college, there are no fixed class times. This means that you can attend classes and complete coursework any time, every day. Furthermore, since you do not need to commute to and from school, you’ll have more time to allocate to your studies.

FAQs About the Fastest Bachelor's Degrees in North Carolina

If you still have questions about completing your degree online quickly, review the answers to these commonly asked questions about cost, program duration, and more.

What Is the Quickest Way To Get a Bachelor's Degree in North Carolina?

The quickest way to get a bachelor's degree in North Carolina is to complete an associate degree or other college-level coursework and then transfer the credits to an accelerated bachelor's degree program, such as a Flight Path program. Flight Path programs require transfer students to have completed at least 24 transferable credits to apply.

Are There Any One-Year Online Bachelor's Degrees in North Carolina?

Yes, you can earn your degree in as little as one year in North Carolina. UNC Greensboro Online, for example, offers an accelerated RN to BSN degree option that may be completed in one year. Students who enroll in Columbia Southern University's accelerated online bachelor's degree program may also finish the program in a year. The university allows students to transfer up to 90 credits to satisfy its 120-credit requirement to earn a degree.

What Are the Admission Requirements for Accelerated Bachelor’s Programs?

The admission requirements for accelerated bachelor’s programs vary depending on the school. It is important to check your university’s policies to determine if there are specific transfer credit requirements before enrollment. You also need to be aware of whether there is a minimum GPA that you have to meet.

Research these details early so you have enough time to complete them before enrollment opens.

Can You Start an Accelerated Bachelor’s Degree at Any Time of Year?

Yes, you can start an accelerated bachelor’s program at an online university anytime. Online colleges typically have rolling admissions, so you can begin your program at any time of the year.

Meanwhile, traditional universities that offer accelerated bachelor’s programs are now offering multiple start dates. This allows you to begin your program outside of the usual spring or fall semesters.

Explore Online Bachelor's Degrees

If you're ready to pursue an accelerated bachelor's degree online, explore resources on Learn.org or contact individual schools for more information.