6 Fastest Online Bachelor Degree Programs in 2025
Learn if it is possible to earn your degree online in a year and find examples of accredited institutions that offer the fastest online degree programs on this page.
It is possible to earn your degree online in a year. However, it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to meet that educational goal.
If you choose an accelerated degree program or have approved transfer credits, you can expect to complete your degree in less than the normal number of years it takes to finish.
The best, fastest online degree programs are competency-based education programs taught by accredited colleges or universities.
CBE programs allow you to earn your degree at your own pace and complete a test to prove your understanding and move forward to the next course.
Fastest Online Undergraduate Degrees
Find some of the fastest online degree programs that you may be able to complete in a year below.
Capella University
Capella University offers several undergraduate degree programs that you can complete in its FlexPath learning format which consists of online courses that you move through at your own pace.
Earn your Bachelor of Science in business or healthcare administration. Other BS degree programs that you can complete in the FlexPath learning format include:
- nursing
- psychology
- information technology
Tuition for FlexPath undergraduate degrees is $2,500 to $3,370 per every 12-week session.
Rasmussen University
Choose an empowered learning program at Rasmussen University if you are interested in trying to earn your online bachelor's degree in a year.
Rasmussen University offers over ten online empowered learning programs to earn your bachelor's degree. Examples of online bachelor's degrees include:
- finance
- graphic design
- business management
Computer science and early childhood education are a couple of other examples of undergraduate empowered programs. Tuition is about $11,241 per academic year.
University of Phoenix
If you are an active registered nurse you can complete your BSN degree in a year or less at the University of Phoenix through the competency-based education program.
The program involves completing 120 credit hours of required courses such as health information technology for nursing, promoting health communities, and influencing quality within health care.
The cost of tuition is $300 per credit hour with no additional fees for competency-based programs.
University of Wisconsin
Try to earn your online undergraduate degree in a year at the University of Wisconsin. The University of Wisconsin offers five competency-based bachelor's degree programs. Choose an area of study below:
- RN to BSN
- business administration
- information science and technology
You can also choose between a BS in biomedical sciences in health sciences or in biomedical sciences in diagnostic imaging degree.
The cost of tuition is $9,000 per academic year for flexible option students.
Walden University
Walden University offers seven bachelor's degree programs that you may be able to complete in a year through its tempo-based learning format.
Tempo-based learning allows you to move at your own pace and complete assessments when you feel like you can move to the next level. Tuition is a fixed price for every three months.
Examples of tempo learning programs include criminal justice, early childhood studies, healthcare management, and public health.
Western Governors University
Prove your understanding of a course to save time and money at Western Governors University. WGU provides many online competency-based programs to earn your bachelor's degree.
Earn a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education or educational studies. Other examples of bachelor's degree programs include:
- business administration
- health and human services
- mathematics education for middle grades
The cost of tuition is about $8,010 per academic year. Transfer credits to save more time and money toward earning your degree.
What is the Fastest Online Undergraduate Degree Program?
The fastest online undergraduate degree program is not one area of study. The fastest online degree program depends on learning format options, your ability to transfer credits, and more.
Competency-based educational programs are the fastest way to earn your online bachelor's degree. Complete courses as fast as you understand the topic.
Are There One Year Bachelor's Degree Programs?
There are not any one-year bachelor's degree programs. Bachelor's degree programs consist of 120 or more credit hours of required courses.
It usually takes about four years to complete an online bachelor's degree program. However, you can complete your degree faster with other options such as accelerated and CBE programs.
What Do I Need to Complete a Degree in a Year?
You need to have a lot of time on your hands to complete an online bachelor's degree in one year. You also need great academic behavior.
Examples of great academic behaviors include:
- strong study habits
- effective communication skills
- understanding and completing coursework at a fast pace
Transfer credits and choose a learning format that allows you to move through coursework quickly.
Earn Your Bachelor's Degree in a Year
Choose one of the fastest online degree programs listed on this page to pursue your bachelor's degree in one year at an accredited institution that accepts transfer credits to save time and money.