10 Accelerated Online Degree Programs For Working Adults 2025

Accelerated online degree programs can allow working adults to complete their undergraduate or graduate degrees in as little as two years. This can enable students with full-time jobs, family obligations, or typical real-world responsibilities the chance to obtain a degree at a high-quality institution.

Anyone can study at an online university — whether you're right out of high school or an adult with ample work experience, an accelerated online degree could be right for you.

With lower tuition rates, flexible pacing, and a commitment to quality education, these fast online degrees are both attainable and high-quality.

Can You Get an Online Degree While Working Full Time?

Going to college while working full-time can be daunting, but many online degree programs are available at affordable online colleges for working adults. These programs make it easier to finish college with asynchronous coursework that allows students to complete their degree in their own time. Accelerated online degree programs for working adults can also allow students to move swiftly through their studies in the most efficient way possible.

Online institutions also often take prior learning into account by accepting transfer credits. Online learners can therefore potentially get through their degree even faster, allowing them to work full-time while in school.

How Do Accelerated Online Degrees Work?

Accelerated online degrees take the traditional learning experience and streamline it for their students. Instead of 16-week courses, accelerated offerings are typically five to 10 weeks in length.

Many online programs also allow students to take one or two courses at a time, instead of the traditional four or five. This allows students to commit to other obligations outside of school, such as family or work.

Even with the reduced course load, students can typically complete an online bachelor's degree in as little as two years. Certain online master's degrees can be obtained in as little as one year, compared to their in-person counterparts, which can take up to three.

Accelerated online degree programs can allow students to not only finish their degree faster, but also balance their careers, families, or other obligations with school. Many institutions also accept previous college credits and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for federal aid, which can make a college degree even more attainable.

Accelerated Degree Programs Online For Working Adults

These accelerated degree programs for working adults allow students to finish their degree in their own time. Many of the course loads are reduced or at least streamlined for efficiency.

1. Western Governors University

Western Governors University (WGU) offers various accelerated degree programs in valuable fields such as nursing, cybersecurity, and information technology (IT).

WGU offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with decorated faculty and an emphasis on real-world skills. Students can earn their accelerated BSN in as little as one year.

WGU also offers accelerated degree programs in accounting, marketing, IT, and more. The cybersecurity program is another highlight of WGU, with 15 certifications available and ample professional development skills.

Almost every program at WGU can be completed in 12 to 29 months, depending on the program. Tuition is $8,300 per year for bachelor's degree programs, and $8,856 per degree for graduate programs.

2. American InterContinental University

American Intercontinental University offers numerous accelerated online programs in business, criminal justice, education, healthcare management, and more. Degree levels range from associate to master's degrees and can be completed in as little as two years on the accelerated track.

Students can transfer up to 75% of their previously obtained credits. This is a good fit for students who have already begun their higher education journey and now seek an accelerated program.

Bachelor's degree programs cost $352 per credit hour, and master's programs can cost up to $652 per credit hour, though some are as low as $333, depending on the program.

3. Keiser University

Keiser University offers online students the chance to study criminal justice, homeland security, business administration, and more. They offer associate degrees to doctoral degrees, suiting online learners of all levels.

The bachelor's programs typically take about four years; however, students at Keiser University can earn both a bachelor's and a master's in about the same timeframe, while this usually takes six years at other schools.

While tuition costs $550 per credit hour, the school offers ample military waivers for in-person and online students. Those discounts, plus the accelerated programs, make it a relatively affordable choice.

Keiser University offers various online programs to help students meet their career goals, from accounting to nursing to sports management and more.

4. National University

The accelerated program at National University requires good academic standing and a letter to the dean, but it can be worth the hassle for committed students. Accelerated options here include business, criminal justice, early childhood education, and more.

To meet the requirements for an accelerated degree at National University, a student must have:

• completed 13.5 quarter units at National University prior to the request
• maintained a 3.5 GPA (for undergraduate students) or a 3.7 (for graduate students)
• completed all prior coursework with no outstanding incomplete grades
• maintained a current account balance, unless the student had an approved financial aid packet
• demonstrated a compelling, exceptional need

The accelerated program at National University can be completed in around two years, depending on the level of the degree and commitment of the student. Most undergrad programs cost $370 per credit, making the total cost of attendance around $20,000 depending the course load.

5. University of Massachusetts Global

University of Massachusetts (UMass) Global allows students to seek a self-paced course of study. This can afford students the chance to complete their degree on a shorter timeline with their competency-based learning model.

Competency-based learning allows students to work toward their degree at their own pace. Once a student shows ''competency'' in an area of study, they're free to move on to the next, with no set deadlines or exam dates.

As is in the name, UMass offers global enrollment for online courses, allowing you to study at a top university from anywhere in the world. The price per three-hour course is $1,500 for undergrad, $2,190 for master's courses, and $3,240 for doctorate courses.

Options for accelerated bachelor's degree programs for working adults include communications, information technology (IT), legal studies, and more. A graduate program in organizational leadership is also available.

6. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University offers several accelerated degree programs for working adults. Students have the option to obtain a ''faster master's'' by streamlining their bachelor's degree process with online classes. Accelerated options include:

• accounting
• communication
• marketing
• nursing
• finance
• sports management

Online undergraduate credits cost $330 per credit hour, for a total of $39,600 for a bachelor's degree. With the accelerated track, students can complete their bachelor's degree in as little as two years, and obtain both their bachelor's and master's degrees in as little as five.

7. Georgia Highlands College

Georgia Highlands College allows students to take accelerated eight- or 10-week courses instead of the traditional 16-week option afforded by most universities. With this, students can speed up their education without sacrificing quality — many students at Georgia Highlands College can complete their degrees in as little as two years.

They also offer the NOW Program, which stands for ''Nights, Online, Weekends,'' to help working adults achieve their education while balancing full-time employment.

The average total cost of attendance at Georgia Highlands College is just over $6,000 after financial aid, though it could be less for in-state students. Their accelerated options include criminal justice and organizational leadership.

8. University of Texas Permian Basin

University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) participates in the Finish@UT program, a degree completion program that allows working adults to finish their degree at an accelerated pace. Accelerated options include communication, marketing, management, political science, and an RN to BSN program.

Texas residents will pay an estimated $12,000 per year, while out-of-state students should expect to pay around $24,000. Since UTPB programs are self-paced, students can complete their bachelor's degrees between two and four years; they can also pursue master's degrees at UTPB.

9. Capella University

Capella University offers FlexPath, which allows its students to complete their degree in their own time. A bachelor's degree can be obtained in as little as 22 months with flexible pacing and student-set deadlines — a master's degree can take as little as 15 months. Accelerated options at Capella University include:

• business
• computer science
• health care administration
• nursing

The flat-rate tuition pricing program at Capella University allows students to pay per semester rather than per credit hour. This allows students to take as many or as few classes as they want each semester to speed up their degree. Students can expect to pay $2,500 per semester for undergrad and graduate programs, and $3,000 for a PhD.

10. LeTourneau University

LeTourneau University offers online degree options in criminal justice, human services, cyber security, and aviation management. Courses take seven weeks instead of the traditional 16-week semester; these classes prepare students for various career paths. Undergraduate students should expect to pay between $380 and $410 per credit hour, depending on its intensity.

The time to complete an online bachelor's degree at LeTourneau University is about two years. The school also offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with accelerated seven-week courses.

Explore Fast-Track Degree Programs

Navigating an online degree program can be tricky. Students must meet the eligibility requirements, determine accreditation, and calculate earnings potential before enrolling in courses. Find the best accelerated online degree programs for working adults featured here on Learn.org and choose the right program for you.