10 Online Colleges With Certificate Programs in 2025

Certificate programs are a great way to learn the basics of a field or develop skills in a specific specialty. These programs take less time than degree programs, but they often offer transfer credits if you want to continue your education later on.

Online colleges with graduate certificates are common, but some offer a greater variety than others. Additionally, several online colleges offer undergraduate certificates as well. Keep reading to discover top online colleges that offer certificate programs.

Best Online Colleges With Certificate Programs

Many colleges across the U.S. offer certificates you can get online. These certificates are available in numerous fields, like business, education, and tech. Below, we've listed some of the top online colleges with certificate programs.

1. Penn State World Campus

Penn State World Campus is the online campus of the public Pennsylvania State University system. In addition to degree programs, it offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate certificates in fields such as:

• human resources management
• information technology
• public health
• real estate law

All Penn State schools, including the World Campus, are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Tuition for undergraduate certificates is $632 per credit, while tuition for graduate certificates varies by program.

2. National University

At National University, students can choose from nearly 70 online certificate programs. Areas of study for undergraduate and graduate degrees include business administration, construction management, early childhood education, and paralegal studies.

National University is a private, nonprofit institution based in San Diego and accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WASCUC). The tuition rate varies by program, but prices can be found on individual program web pages.

3. University of Maryland Global Campus

The University of Maryland Global Campus offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees, as well as over 50 certificate programs. UMGC is the online campus of the University System of Maryland and is accredited by the MSCHE.

Certificates are available in fields such as artificial intelligence, business analytics, criminal justice, and data analytics. In-state tuition is $324 per credit for undergraduate certificates and $534 for graduate certificates. For out-of-state students, the rate is $499 per credit for undergraduate certificates and $659 for graduate certificates.

4. Arizona State University

More than 50 online graduate certificates at Arizona State University are available in areas of study, such as criminal justice, healthcare innovation, project management, and sustainability leadership. While the university offers online bachelor's degrees, it does not offer undergraduate certificates online.

ASU, based in Tempe, AZ, is a public research university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The tuition rate varies by program, and there are separate rates for in-state and out-of-state students.

5. University of Massachusetts Global

The University of Massachusetts Global is a private nonprofit affiliate of the University of Massachusetts System. It offers over 40 online undergraduate and graduate certificates in fields such as:

• business administration
• entrepreneurship
• healthcare administration
• paralegal studies

Additionally, UMass Global offers online bootcamps in tech areas like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data science.

Tuition for certificate programs at UMass Global varies by area of study. UMass Global is headquartered in Aliso Viejo, CA, and is accredited by the WASCUC.

6. Thomas Edison State University

Students at Thomas Edison State University can choose from nearly 40 undergraduate and graduate certificate programs online. Areas of study include criminal justice, data analytics, health and wellness, and human resources management.

This public institution is located in Trenton, NJ, and is accredited by the MSCHE. Undergraduate tuition is $427 per credit hour for New Jersey residents and $556 for out-of-state residents. Graduate tuition is $675 regardless of the state of residency.

7. Empire State University

Empire State University offers over 30 undergraduate and graduate certificates through online learning. The public institution is based in Saratoga Springs, NY, and accredited by the MSCHE.

Online certificates are available in fields such as business management, environmental sustainability, instructional design, and public administration.

New York residents pay $295 per credit hour for undergraduate programs and $635 for graduate programs. Online out-of-state residents have a tuition rate of $353 for undergraduate and $565 for graduate programs.

8. Florida International University

Just over 30 online certificates are available from Florida International University. Areas of study include African studies, cybersecurity, public health, and social media analytics.

FIU, located in Miami, is a public research university accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). In-state undergraduate students pay $205.57 per credit hour, while out-of-state undergraduates pay $618.87. In-state graduate students have a tuition rate of $455.64 while non-residents have a rate of $1,0011.69.

9. Columbia College

Columbia College is a private, nonprofit school based in Columbia, MO. It offers nearly 25 online certificate programs in areas of study like:

• business analytics
• human resources
• project management
• real estate

Students in undergraduate programs pay $375 per credit hour, while those in graduate programs pay a rate of $585. Columbia College is accredited by the HLC.

10. Southern New Hampshire University

Through Southern New Hampshire University, students can choose from two dozen online certificates. Areas of study include business analytics, information technology, public administration, and social media marketing.

This nonprofit private university is based in Manchester, NH. It's accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and charges $330 per credit hour for undergraduate certificates and $637 for graduate certificates.

Our Selection Criteria

To choose the online programs listed above, we focused on:

• Accreditation: All schools listed are regionally accredited.
• Program Reputation: We focused on schools known for their online programs.
• Program Variety: The schools listed above all offer dozens of undergraduate and graduate certificates online.

What To Expect from Online Certificate Programs

Online certificate programs are, in some ways, similar to degree programs. You have a set list of courses that you need to take in order to earn the credential. However, certificates are much shorter than full degrees. The length can vary, but they often require three to six classes and take six to 12 months to complete.

Typically, online courses are asynchronous, meaning you complete the coursework on your schedule without set meeting times. You'll generally have due dates but can do the work at any time before then.

How Do Certificate Programs Earn Accreditation?

There are two primary types of accreditation to look for when pursuing a certificate program. The first is programmatic accreditation. This refers to the accreditation for the individual program.

For example, business programs may be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and nursing programs may be accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (ACEN). However, programmatic accreditation isn't always required; some fields of study don't have programmatic accreditation agencies.

The other type of accreditation is institutional accreditation, which looks at the school as a whole. A school can be either nationally or regionally accredited. Regional accreditation is more generally considered more prestigious; all the schools listed above are regionally accredited.

Common Areas of Study for Online Programs

There are a number of common areas of study for online certificates. Some of the most popular include:

• artificial intelligence
• business administration
• cybersecurity
• data analytics
• healthcare administration
• human resources
• project management
• public administration

Additionally, many schools offer professional certificates in areas like education and nursing. These are usually for students who already have advanced degrees but want to add another credential or specialty to their area of expertise.

Types of Certificate Programs

When looking at certificate programs, you'll likely come across undergraduate, graduate, and non-credit options. We've explained a little about these below.

Undergraduate Certificate

Undergraduate certificates are typically for students who do not yet have a bachelor's degree. They are usually worth college credit, and often that credit will transfer into a bachelor's degree program.

These types of certificates are commonly offered in fields like business administration, information technology, or healthcare. They can help students get entry-level jobs in their field or provide advanced understanding about a specific aspect of their field.

Graduate Certificate

Graduate certificates are for students who have at least a bachelor's degree, although some require a more advanced degree. They're usually meant to expand on what the student learned in their undergraduate program. For example, a student with a bachelor's degree in computer science may choose to earn a graduate certificate in artificial intelligence.

As mentioned, some graduate certificates are meant to include additional credentials to a degree. For example, someone with a degree in elementary education may choose to get a certificate in special education to teach children with special needs. Someone who has an advanced nursing degree and works as a nurse practitioner may choose a certificate in an additional field of nursing practice to expand their scope of practice.

Non-Credit Certificate

Non-credit certificates are those that are not worth college credit, and therefore cannot be transferred into a degree program. There are a wide variety of non-credit certificates available on all sorts of topics.

Some colleges offer non-credit certificates, but you're more likely to find these on online learning platforms like edX or Coursera — although it's important to note that these platforms do offer for-credit programs as well. Non-credit certificates can be a great way to develop basic knowledge on a topic or fine-tune your skills.

FAQs About Online Certification Programs

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about online certificate programs to help you better understand your options.

What Is an Easy Certificate To Get That Pays Well?

Easy certificates that pay well can vary depending on your strengths and your prior education and work experience. However, there are a few easy certificate programs that pay well in general. Business certificates, for example, can help you develop skills in areas like human resources or project management and further your career.

Are Online Certificate Programs Worth It?

As with other types of education, what you receive from the program depends on what you put into it. However, there are many benefits to earning an online certificate. Primarily, these certificates allow you to sharpen and acquire new skills that can help you continue or change your career path. They are often worth it since they provide helpful skills for specific roles but are much cheaper than degree programs.

Can You Get Financial Aid for Certificate Programs?

Not all certificate programs qualify for financial aid. In general, the program needs to be a for-credit certificate to qualify for financial aid. Look for FAFSA-approved online certificate programs; these will allow you to use federal financial aid like the Pell Grant to pay for your tuition.

Discover Online Certificate Programs

Find the perfect online certificate for you by exploring the programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.