Accelerated Online Bachelor's Programs in New Jersey 2026

If you're looking to earn a bachelor's degree quickly and conveniently, accelerated bachelor's degree online programs might be the right choice for you. These programs give students flexibility to ensure they can balance their busy lives with their education.

Several colleges and universities in New Jersey offer accelerated programs so students can start their career paths sooner. Read on to learn about the best accelerated online bachelor's programs in New Jersey.

How Long Does It Take To Earn an Online Bachelor's Degree in New Jersey?

While the average time it takes to earn a bachelor's degree is four years, this timeframe may vary by program and school. Additionally, there are accelerated programs that can shorten the time it takes to graduate. Below, we'll talk more about the fastest way to get a bachelor's degree.

Accelerated Online Bachelor's Degree Programs in New Jersey

Online learning has made earning a degree easier for working adults. Full-time students can take advantage of accelerated online programs to earn their degrees quickly. Below is our list of the best accelerated online bachelor's degrees in New Jersey.

1. Thomas Edison State University

Thomas Edison State University offers numerous accelerated online and hybrid bachelor's degrees. Additionally, TESU allows students to apply previous education and professional experience toward their degrees to shorten the time it takes to graduate.

Time to completion: Completion time varies by program

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

2. William Paterson University

Located in Wayne, NJ, William Paterson University offers an accelerated BA in criminology and criminal justice. This accelerated online bachelor's degree program is available to law enforcement professionals who have completed the police academy, are two years post-high school, and have a minimum of a 2.0 GPA.

Time to completion: Three years

Accreditation: MSCHE

3. New Jersey Institute of Technology

New Jersey Institute of Technology's Martin Tuchman School of Management offers an accelerated online bachelor's degree in business. This program is specifically geared toward students who have already earned an associate's degree in business, allowing them to earn a four-year degree in as little as two years. Additionally, this program also sets students up for a master's degree in business.

Time to completion: Two years

Accreditation: MSCHE

4. Ramapo College

Ramapo College in Mahwah, NJ, offers several degree completion programs (DCPs) aimed at helping students earn their bachelor's degrees quickly by accepting previous education and professional experiences for credit. Students can choose from in-person or online courses. In-person students can complete each course in eight weeks. Online students can enjoy asynchronous work over 15 weeks each.

Time to completion: Two to three years, depending on the program

Accreditation: MSCHE

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

If you're looking for accelerated online bachelor's degree programs, you don't have to limit yourself to options available in New Jersey. Below are a few out-of-state schools that offer accelerated online bachelor's degrees.

San Jose State University

A great choice for students considering master's programs after earning their undergraduate degrees, San Jose State University's Spartan Accelerated Graduate Program allows you to earn your bachelor's degree faster as you pursue a graduate degree. The school's flexible online structure ensures adult learners can balance their busy lives with their education.

Time to completion: Two to three years, depending on the intensity of coursework

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Empire State University

If you're looking for a school in the tri-state area, Empire State University in New York offers over 120 online bachelor's and certificate programs. You can even customize your bachelor's degree to align with your future goals and interests. Students can apply their real-life experiences toward credit to reduce the time it takes to graduate.

Time to completion: Two years

Accreditation: MSCHE

Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is one of the most transfer-friendly schools, accepting up to 90 credits from community colleges or other schools toward your degree. The school also offers accelerated bachelor's-to-master's online degree programs that help students complete their undergrad degrees sooner as they pursue graduate school.

Time to completion: As little as one year

Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

University of Phoenix

In addition to accepting up to 87 credits from previous programs, the University of Phoenix also considers your professional and personal experiences for credit toward your degree. The school has hundreds of undergraduate programs, ranging from business administration to information technology, ensuring you have options to find what you're passionate about.

Time to completion: Two to three years

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Excelsior University

While the typical on-campus course runs for 15 to 16 weeks, Excelsior University's online courses run for eight weeks, meaning students can complete their courses and earn their degrees in half the time. Like many online colleges, Excelsior also accepts transfer credits, further helping students complete their degrees sooner.

Time to completion: Two to three years

Accreditation: MSCHE

Drexel University

Drexel University offers a number of online accelerated, combined, and bridge degree programs designed to help students graduate faster. Prospective students can apply now to any of these programs, with bachelor's degree options including accounting, math, English, and engineering.

Time to completion: Two to three years

Accreditation: MSCHE

How We Rank Schools

Choosing the best bachelor's degrees online can be difficult. With so many options out there, it can be confusing to know which choice is the right one. That's why we have specific criteria for schools to make our list.

• Accreditation: Each school on our list has received accreditation from a nationally recognized institution.
• Program length: We only selected programs that could be completed faster than the typical bachelor's degree.
• Program reputation and quality: The schools and programs on our list carry a strong reputation for providing high-quality education.
• Tuition cost: Affordable tuition is a priority for us. Each school we chose either offers affordable tuition or financial aid options for students.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

How To Accelerate Your Bachelor’s Degree in New Jersey

Enrolling in a quick online degree program can help you graduate faster. As we’ve outlined above, you can earn a diploma in as few as two years if you take this route. As a result, you can enter the workforce earlier than your peers. 

Apart from this, you can also expedite your studies by doing any of the following:

• Leverage dual-enrollment programs: You can earn college credit in high school by joining dual-enrollment programs. This will help you save time and money, and will decrease your coursework in university. Moreover, they will prepare you for the academic challenges that college brings.
• Earn credits through professional certifications: Some universities may count professional certifications toward your degree requirements. You can use certificates that are aligned with specific coursework to earn credits and skip certain classes. ‍
• Take your prerequisites online: Complete your general education requirements faster by taking them online. Digital courses are flexible, and they are accessible anytime, anywhere. As a result, you can finish them faster than their traditional counterparts. Furthermore, online course providers (like Study.com, for example) have numerous college partners. So, you can transfer the credits you earned to any school of your choice.

FAQs About the Fastest Bachelor's Degrees in New Jersey

If you're considering an online bachelor's degree, you might have a few questions. Below are some FAQs about the fastest bachelor's degrees in New Jersey.

Are There Any One-Year Online Bachelor's Degrees in New Jersey?

Yes, there are one-year bachelor's degree online programs in New Jersey. However, students must have the appropriate experience or previous college credits to reduce the time to graduate.

Are Accelerated Bachelor’s Degrees Respected by Employers?

Yes, most employers respect accelerated bachelor’s degrees. In fact, they are typically viewed as equal to traditional degrees. Completing an accelerated bachelor’s program requires excellent time management skills, determination, and hard work. And these are values that plenty of employers appreciate. 

In addition, accelerated degrees are often more rigorous compared to their traditional counterparts. Because of this, completing them is very impressive.

How Fast Can You Complete an Accelerated Bachelor’s Degree?

You can complete an accelerated bachelor’s degree in one to three years, depending on the program you joined. The speed at which you graduate may also depend on the amount of allowable transfer credits, as well as the other strategies you employed to expedite your studies.

For instance, if your school or program allows up to 90 transfer credits, you can earn a diploma in 12 to 15 months.

Are Accelerated Bachelor’s Degrees Fully Online?

Yes, most accelerated bachelor’s degrees are fully online and flexible, to allow for early graduation. This means that classes, coursework, and other degree requirements are all digital. However, there are some accelerated programs offered in hybrid or in-person formats.

An accelerated program in a hybrid format blends both online and in-person teaching. Meanwhile, an in-person format entails face-to-face instruction.

Explore Online Bachelor's Degrees

An accelerated online program is perfect for working adults returning to school to earn their degrees. However, with so many options out there, making the right choice can feel overwhelming. Explore more online bachelor's degree programs on Learn.org to find the perfect option for you.