10 Accredited Flexible Online Colleges in 2025
Several top accredited colleges and universities offer flexible online degree programs that allow students to study while working or taking care of family.
For many online students, flexibility is a top priority. Flexible programs allow students to pursue higher education while still tending to their responsibilities outside of school.
Some students may prefer self-paced online colleges, while others prefer those with condensed, short terms. Online colleges with weekly start dates and those with rolling admissions allow students to start right when they're ready. Keep reading to discover online colleges with flexible schedules.
Accredited Online Colleges With Flexible Schedules
While not all online degree programs are flexible, many do provide flexibility — this is usually why people choose them over on-campus programs. Below, we've listed a few of the top accredited online schools that offer flexible online degree programs.
1. Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research institution in Tempe, AZ. It offers numerous bachelor's, master's, and even a few doctoral degrees online.
ASU uses advanced technology and a robust interface for online courses, allowing students to work at their own pace within syllabus deadlines. Classes are accelerated and condensed into two sessions per semester to provide even greater flexibility.
2. Charter Oak State College
At Charter Oak State College, students can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees online in fields like business administration, cybersecurity, criminal justice, and healthcare.
This public online college is based in New Britain, CT. It offers condensed terms and six start dates each year so students can start as soon as they're ready.
3. Columbia College
A wide selection of online associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees are available at Columbia College. The private school is based in Columbia, MO, and has been offering flexible online programs for 25 years.
Courses are offered in eight-week sessions, and six start dates are available each year. Course materials are available online 24/7, allowing students to complete coursework at the time that works best for them.
4. Franklin University
Franklin University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees online in various fields, such as computer science, healthcare, marketing, and organizational leadership. It's designed its online learning programs to fit within busy schedules.
Franklin University, located in Columbus, OH, is a private school that caters specifically to working adults. Courses are offered in convenient six-week terms with multiple start dates each year.
5. National University
National University is a private institution in San Diego. It offers online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees for busy adult learners balancing their college education with work, family life, or military duties.
National uses the latest technology to provide dynamic, interactive online learning environments available 24/7. Courses run on accelerated four-week terms with new start dates every month.
6. Southern New Hampshire University
Students at Southern New Hampshire University can find flexible, career-focused undergraduate and graduate programs online. Associate and bachelor's degree programs have eight-week terms and six start dates per year, while master's degrees have 10-week terms and five start dates each year.
SNHU is a private school based in Manchester, NH. It's committed to providing students with a quality education that works for their schedules.
7. Touro University Worldwide
Online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees are available through Touro University Worldwide. This online branch of the private university system is based in Los Alamitos, CA.
The online college courses at Touro provide students an opportunity to flexibly complete their higher education and advance their careers. With eight-week terms, students can adjust their courseload based on their home and work obligations.
8. University of Maryland Global Campus
The University of Maryland Global Campus is the online branch of the public University System of Maryland. It offers associate degrees through doctoral programs with eight-week terms and multiple start dates each year.
The Global Campus was founded 75 years ago specifically to serve the higher education needs of working adults and servicemembers. Its online learning experience gives students the flexibility and convenience to study on their own schedules while still making key personal connections.
9. University of Massachusetts Global
The University of Massachusetts Global offers online undergraduate and graduate degrees in fields like business administration, education, social science, and technology.
UMass Global, based in Aliso Viejo, CA, is a private online affiliate of the University of Massachusetts System. In addition to courses offered in standard eight-week terms, it offers numerous bachelor's degrees in its MyPath format. These self-paced programs allow students to proceed through courses at their own pace.
10. University of Wisconsin
Through the University of Wisconsin Online, students will find programs at the undergraduate and graduate degree levels. The University of Wisconsin system is the public university system of Wisconsin.
Programs are offered in both semester-based and accelerated schedules, but online bachelor's degrees are also available through the UW Flexible Option. This self-paced option allows students to learn independently with their instructors to build upon the knowledge they already have.
Our Selection Criteria
To choose the schools listed above, we focused on:
- Accreditation: All schools hold regional accreditation.
- Type: Every school on this list is a four-year public or private nonprofit school.
- Flexibility: These schools offer flexible programs with shortened terms, 24-hour access to coursework, and in some cases, self-paced programs.
What Are the Benefits of Attending a Flexible Online College?
Flexible online colleges are a great option for busy students and working adults who have more going on in their lives than just school. The online asynchronous format is far more convenient than trying to make it on campus multiple times a week.
Additionally, the flexibility of these programs allows you to adjust your course load as needed. For example, if you have a job that's busy in the winter, you can take a lighter course load during those months and a heavier course load when things are less busy.
FAQs About Flexible Higher Education Programs Online
Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about flexible online programs.
Can I Do Online College at My Own Pace?
While self-paced programs aren't super common, a few institutions, like UMass Global and the University of Wisconsin, offer a selection of these. Otherwise, shorter terms allow you some control over the pace of your program, although there are still set start and end dates, so it isn't completely at your own pace.
How Much Do Online Classes Cost?
All of the online programs featured above also value affordability. All offer bachelor's degrees for less than $500 per credit hour, with most being less than $400.
The final cost of your degree depends on several factors, like whether you're completing a bachelor's or master's program and what financial aid you qualify for. All programs above come from FAFSA-approved online colleges.
What Should I Look for in a Flexible Online College Program?
There are several things to look for in a flexible online college program. These include:
- Accreditation: Only attend colleges that are accredited, preferably ones that are regionally accredited.
- Majors: Some majors are only available at certain colleges.
- Scheduling: Depending on the college, courses may be completely self-paced or range from four to 16-week terms.
- Cost: Different colleges have different tuition rates, and may offer financial aid options to help online students pay for their programs.
Find Flexible Online Colleges Near You
Find the right flexible degree option by exploring the online programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and the next steps.