10 Fastest & Best Online Degree Completion Programs in 2025

Degree completion programs are an ideal way for students to complete their bachelor's degrees. They're often available online for busy students who cannot attend in-person classes.

Some of the top online colleges offer accelerated options for students trying to finish their degrees. Keep reading to discover some of the fastest online degree completion programs.

What Is an Online Degree Completion Program?

Degree completion programs are bachelor's degree programs designed for students who already have some amount of college credits. Most are meant for students who have completed an associate degree.

Associate degrees are typically around 60 credit hours and allow students to finish their general education requirements. Students can then pursue the upper-level courses for their major in a degree completion program.

This is an ideal option for students who want to save money. They can earn their associate degree at a low-cost community college, and then complete the last two or so years of their program at a four-year college or university.

Many schools offer degree completion programs online to accommodate adult learners and working professionals with busy schedules. As a result, they can be a great way for working adults to reach their career goals.

How Fast Can You Finish an Online Bachelor's Degree Program?

How long it takes you to complete an online bachelor's degree program depends on a few factors, including how many transfer credits you have, if your school accepts other types of prior learning, and the pace of your program.

All bachelor's degrees require around 120 semester credits. However, you can reduce the number of credits you have left by transferring in prior coursework and earning credit for things like military training, standardized exams, and professional certificates.

Some schools offer accelerated formats for online courses, as well as courses during the summer. This can allow you to complete your remaining credits faster than usual.

For example, if you have an associate degree and transfer in 60 credits, you'll have 60 credits left. This would typically take four semesters, or about two years of full-time study; however, if your school offers summer courses, you could finish in less than a year and a half.

Fastest Online Degree Completion Programs

Several schools across the U.S. offer degree completion programs or accept a high number of transfer credits � and many of these institutions provide accelerated course options, allowing students to complete their degree more quickly. We've highlighted some of the best online degree completion programs and transfer-friendly schools below.

1. University of Michigan-Flint

The University of Michigan-Flint is a public institution in Flint, MI. It offers fast-track degree completion programs online in business administration, healthcare management, interdisciplinary studies, and psychology.

These online programs allow students to finish two classes at a time with accelerated, seven-week courses. In addition to accepting transfer credits, UM-Flint allows transfer students to earn credit for military and professional training and standardized exams, as well as through a portfolio project.

• Estimated tuition cost: $14,704 per year (in-state); $28,320 per year (out-of-state)
• Program length: As little as one year
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. University of Oklahoma

At the University of Oklahoma, students will find bachelor's degree completion programs online in fields such as business administration, criminal justice leadership, healthcare management, and organizational leadership. Students can transfer in up to 90 credit hours.

OU is a public research university located in Norman, OK. Online courses here are offered in an accelerated, eight-week format, and while most students take two courses at a time, you may be able to take more and finish more quickly.

• Estimated tuition cost: $9,797 per year (in-state); $27,377 per year (out-of-state)
• Program length: As little as one year
• Accreditation: HLC

3. Thomas Jefferson University

Thomas Jefferson University offers accelerated Bachelor of Science (BS) degree completion programs in several areas, including health science, human resource management, information technology, and organizational leadership. Jefferson is a private, nonprofit university in Philadelphia, PA.

The university allows students to earn up to 87 credits through transfer courses, life experience, and work experience. Online classes are offered through accelerated, eight-week terms and offer opportunities for real-world experiences.

• Estimated tuition cost: $47,505 per year
• Program length: As little as one year
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

4. National University

Transfer-friendly undergraduate degrees are available in various fields at National University, including business administration, cybersecurity, education, and healthcare administration. National accepts as many transfer credits as possible and offers credit for other types of prior learning as well.

National University, located in San Diego, is a nonprofit, private institution. It offers short, accelerated courses to students and provides robust scholarships for students transferring from local community colleges.

• Estimated tuition cost: $13,284 per year
• Program length: As little as one year
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WASCUC)

5. Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a public research institution in Tempe, AZ. It offers numerous online, transfer-friendly bachelor's degrees, including degrees in business administration, healthcare innovation, information systems, and organizational leadership.

ASU allows students to transfer in up to 90 credit hours, although the total amount varies by program. Classes are offered in 7.5-week terms. Transfer students receive a personalized transfer map, allowing you to see exactly which courses you need to complete your degree.

• Estimated tuition cost: $11,478 per year (in-state); $13,776 per year (out-of-state)
• Program length: Varies by program
• Accreditation: HLC

6. Thomas Edison State University

Students at Thomas Edison State University will find transfer pathways for bachelor's degrees in fields like criminal justice, cybersecurity, healthcare, and information technology. The school has transfer agreements with community colleges throughout the country.

TESU, a public university, is located in Trenton, NJ. It accepts up to 90 credit hours and offers new start dates every month.

• Estimated tuition cost: $6,838 per year (in-state); $8,856 per year (out-of-state)
• Program length: As little as one year
• Accreditation: MSCHE

7. Franklin University

Franklin University offers several online undergraduate programs, including degrees in fields like business administration, computer science, operations management, and social sciences. Franklin is a private, nonprofit university in Columbus, OH.

The university is highly transfer-friendly, allowing students to bring in up to 94 credit hours. It also has transfer agreements with many nationwide community colleges and offers six and 12-week schedule options.

• Estimated tuition cost: $9,577 per year
• Program length: As little as one year
• Accreditation: HLC

8. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a nonprofit, private institution in Manchester, NH. It's best known for its online degrees, including bachelor's programs in fields like business administration, communications, criminal justice, and information technology.

The university allows students to transfer in up to 90 credit hours, and 68% of online students were transfer students in the 2023-2024 school year. SNHU offers courses in 8-week terms year-round and has transfer agreements with schools across the country.

• Estimated tuition cost: $17,200 per year
• Program length: As little as one year
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

9. University of Massachusetts Global

Through the University of Massachusetts Global, students can find various bachelor's degrees, including those in areas such as business, criminal justice, education, and psychology. The university accepts as many transfer credits as possible and offers credit for other types of prior learning.

UMass Global, a private, nonprofit affiliate of the public University of Massachusetts system, is located in Aliso Viejo, CA. It has agreements with community colleges in California, Massachusetts, and several other states, and its courses are accelerated so students can finish faster.

• Estimated tuition cost: $12,540 per year
• Program length: As little as one year
• Accreditation: WASCUC

10. Empire State University

Empire State University offers bachelor's degrees in fields like education, human development, healthcare, and technology. It's part of the public State University of New York (SUNY) system and is based in Saratoga Springs, NY.

About 75% of the university's students are transfer students, and the school makes it easy to transfer from other SUNY schools. Students are able to bring in up to 93 previous credits.

• Estimated tuition cost: $7,648 per year (in-state); $17,558 per year (out-of-state)
• Program length: As little as one year
• Accreditation: MSCHE

FAQs About Accelerated Degree Completion Programs Online

Accelerated degree completion programs allow you to finish quicker and reach your career goals faster. We've answered some frequently asked questions about these degrees below.

What Is the Fastest Online Degree You Can Get?

The fastest degree you can earn online without any prior education is an associate degree. These take about two years of full-time study, but some schools may allow you to finish faster if they offer accelerated course schedules.

With previous credits, you could finish as quickly as a year. Look for fast-track bachelor's degrees online, as these are geared toward students who want to finish quickly.

Can I Finish an Online Bachelor's Degree in One Year?

It is possible to finish an online bachelor's degree in one year. To do so, you'll need to have about 90 credits already completed.

If your school offers an accelerated schedule and summer classes, you could finish a bachelor's degree online in a year, even if you only have 60 credit hours. Speak with your advisor to see what's possible and what your options are for 1-year bachelor's degrees online.

What Is the Easiest Online Degree Program?

Everyone has different strengths, so what may be an easy degree to one person won't necessarily be easy to another. That being said, generally, the easiest options are degrees in areas like liberal arts or university studies.

These programs give students more freedom to choose their courses. As a result, you can choose courses that you know will be easier for you. Additionally, programs that are fully asynchronous will be easier, as they don't require you to be on campus at all.

How Much Does a Degree Completion Program Cost?

The cost of a degree completion program depends on multiple factors, including the school you choose, whether you're an in-state or out-of-state student, how many credits you have left, and the financial aid you qualify for.

Many colleges and universities charge under $10,000 per year. Look for financial aid options specifically for transfer students to help bring your costs down, and consider applying to one of the cheapest online colleges that accept financial aid.

What Is the Cheapest Degree Completion Program?

The cheapest online degree completion program will depend on how many credit hours you still need to finish your degree. From our list above, TESU has the cheapest annual tuition for in-state students, and Franklin University has the least expensive annual tuition for out-of-state students.

Enroll in a Degree Completion Program

Find the perfect degree completion program for you by exploring the options featured on Learn.org. Reach out to specific schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.