Studying Artificial Intelligence

To the outsider looking in, artificial intelligence (AI) seems daunting and maybe even downright scary. Are we creating a monster with these new advancements in machine learning?

The fact is that artificial intelligence is, in many ways, just the next logical step in the relationship between humans and computers. Already, smartphones and other devices have normalized human interaction with computers.

The amount of data we create and cultivate each year is staggering. This data has the potential to inform business strategies and decisions in a wide range of fields. The question is, how can we gather useful intelligence from a data set this big? Making sense of these massive data sets requires the use of computer technology.

Learning to interact with a computer wisely and creatively has the potential to teach us a lot about the world that we live in and the world that we humans are, in fact, creating. From a business standpoint, business analytics that makes use of artificial intelligence technology allows us to gain valuable advantages over our competitors. The intelligence we have gleaned by using artificial intelligence to make sense of data gives companies an opportunity to strategically hone their products and skills.

RELATED: What Kind of Degree Should I Get if I Want to Get into the Field of Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial intelligence is so much more than just a tool to help us succeed in business. It has the potential to be whatever we need it to be to serve our purposes.

To achieve the full potential available to us with artificial intelligence on our side, we need more people with these skills to work in the world today. That’s where specialized AI degree programs come in. If we want to wield this technology wisely, we need to understand it. An online intelligence degree is ideally situated to equip students with the skills to leverage artificial intelligence technology.

RELATED: The 20 Best Masters in Cyber Security Online

What Are the Best Artificial Intelligence Degree Programs?

Are you looking to break into this exciting field? Check out our picks for the 20 best online programs in artificial intelligence.

The best online AI degrees on our list include programs of study at the bachelor’s and master’s levels, as well as graduate certificate programs. Whether you are just embarking on your college career or you’re ready to go back to school to advance your knowledge of artificial intelligence, there’s an AI program for you.

Some of these programs of study award an AI degree specifically. In other programs, artificial intelligence is a concentration or specialization in a broader curriculum of data science or computer science. Some of the best artificial intelligence colleges even award related degrees in areas like machine learning and autonomous systems. The title of your degree matters less than the knowledge and technical skills you develop by studying computer science and artificial intelligence.

1. Stanford University

Stanford University is a private four-year institution located in Stanford, California. With a history dating back to 1885, Stanford has a long record of academic excellence.

This prestigious university has repeatedly been ranked among the top universities in the nation. U.S. News & World Report has also ranked Stanford University on its lists of the best value schools, most innovative schools and top schools for several areas of computer science – most notably, artificial intelligence.

Studying Artificial Intelligence at Stanford University

At this time, students can’t earn a comprehensive artificial intelligence degree completely online at Stanford University. However, those who already have a bachelor’s degree can pursue a graduate certificate or professional certificate in artificial intelligence online.

Stanford University offers two separate online artificial intelligence programs. Both artificial intelligence (AI) programs are offered through the Stanford School of Engineering. These program offerings, combined with the institution’s reputation for excellence, make Stanford a great artificial intelligence school.

In the Artificial Intelligence Graduate Certificate program, students customize a curriculum that consists of four graduate courses. Students in this program must take a required course in either machine learning or the principles and techniques of artificial intelligence. Beyond that, they complete three electives of their choice. Examples of electives in Stanford University’s Artificial Intelligence Graduate Certificate program include the following:

• Introduction to robotics
• Principles of robot autonomy
• Machine learning theory
• Machine learning with graphs
• Computational logic
• Natural language understanding
• Natural language processing with deep learning
• Deep reinforcement learning
• Computer vision
• Deep multi-task and meta learning
• Mining massive data sets
• Decision making under uncertainty

Students usually finish this program in one to two years. However, they may take as long as three academic years to complete their coursework, if needed.

In the Artificial Intelligence Professional Program, students earn a professional certificate rather than a graduate certificate. The biggest difference between the Graduate Certificate and Professional Certificate programs is that the Professional program is intended for working adult students who need more flexibility than traditional graduate students. Courses are 10 weeks in length and include the following:

• Principles and techniques of artificial intelligence
• Machine learning
• Machine learning with graphs
• Reinforcement learning
• Natural language processing with deep learning
• Natural language understanding
• Deep multi-task and meta learning

Upon completing three of the courses included in the program, students earn their Professional Certificate. In addition to building up to a certificate, these courses count for Continuing Education Units.

View program details.

2. Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, has the distinction of being the first research university in America. The school dates back to 1876 and has a long history of contributions to scientific research, including making possible the purification of water through chlorination and discovering restriction enzymes, which launched the field of genetic engineering. It’s no wonder that the institution is still known for its cutting-edge research, including in the field of computer science and, more specifically, artificial engineering.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked Johns Hopkins University highly on its lists of national universities, best value schools, most innovative schools and top schools for undergraduate research and creative projects.

Artificial Intelligence Studies at Johns Hopkins University

What makes Johns Hopkins University’s program one of the best artificial intelligence master’s online degrees? The curriculum does an excellent job of blending theoretical understanding with practical technical skills needed to solve real-world problems. The field of artificial intelligence research is constantly evolving, and the institution’s leading role in this research allows for the continuous advancement of the master’s program curriculum.

This is one of the first online master’s degree programs in artificial intelligence in the nation. The school is also home to the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab.

The core courses in Johns Hopkins University’s artificial intelligence master’s online program include:

• Introduction to algorithms
• Algorithms for data science
• Applied machine learning
• Artificial intelligence
• Creating AI-enabled systems

In addition to these required courses, students complete six electives of their choice. Some of the electives available in this program include:

• Introduction to pattern recognition
• Human robotics interaction
• Social media analytics
• Neural networks
• Data visualization
• cloud computing
• Advanced machine learning
• Advanced artificial intelligence
• Values and ethics in artificial intelligence
• Integrating humans and technology

Johns Hopkins University also offers a graduate certificate in artificial intelligence for students who aren’t ready to commit to the full master’s curriculum.

Applicants to this program should have a background in programming using Python and the foundations of data structures.

View program details.

3. Duke University

The Duke University online degree in artificial intelligence is another of the best educational programs in the field of AI and machine learning.

The private institution located in Durham, North Carolina, has a strong reputation for excellence in both online and on-campus education. U.S. News & World Report has named Duke University on its rankings lists of best value schools, national universities, most innovative schools and top schools for co-ops and internships and for undergraduate research and creative projects.

Earning a Master’s Degree in Artificial Intelligence at Duke University

Online artificial intelligence studies at Duke Univerisity take the form of a 30-credit Master of Engineering degree.

Coursework in Duke University’s Master of Engineering in Artificial Intelligence program includes:

• Sourcing data for analytics
• Business fundamentals for engineers
• Modeling process & algorithms
• Management of high-tech industries
• Deep learning applications
• Legal, societal & ethical implications of AI
• Operationalizing

Technical electives, a capstone project and a summer internship or industry project round out the curriculum. Although courses are offered online, prospective students should be aware that two on-campus residences, held in the spring of each year of study, are required.

The online master’s program at Duke University takes as little as 24 months to complete. This program is intended for part-time students. By the time students graduate, they will have compiled a portfolio full of their hands-on artificial intelligence and machine learning projects to demonstrate their skills to prospective employers.

Duke University also offers a Graduate Certificate in AI Foundations for Product Innovation online. Students can complete this program in just 15 months. Coursework begins with a summer boot camp in Python programming language and data science. Students take one graduate course per semester:

• Sourcing data for analytics
• Modeling process & algorithms
• Building products using deep learning
• AI in practice

Students who decide to further their education at the master’s level can apply the credits they earned in the certificate program to Duke’s online master’s program. This flexibility is another feature that makes Duke University a great artificial intelligence school.

View program details.

4. Northeastern University

Another school offering specialized artificial intelligence degree options is Northeastern University. The private Boston, Massachusetts, school was founded in 1898.

U.S. News & World Report has recognized Northeastern University on its lists of national universities, best value schools and most innovative schools. Northeastern is a research university, as evidenced by its R1 Carnegie classification.

Studying Artificial Intelligence Online at Northeastern University

The Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence program at Northeastern University is only available on campus. Don’t let that discourage you, though. Northeastern also offers a multidisciplinary machine learning online masters degree. This degree offering makes Northeastern University a great artificial intelligence school.

In Northeastern’s online Master of Professional Studies degree in Applied Machine Intelligence, students can focus their studies on one of four fields:

• Healthcare
• Finance
• Human resources
• Business ventures

The combination of experiential courses and a curriculum that spans introductory through advanced levels of study in artificial intelligence make this artificial intelligence online program uniquely engaging and effective at preparing the next generation of AI experts. Core coursework in this professional master’s program in Applied Machine Intelligence program includes:

• Data management and big data
• Fundamentals of artificial intelligence
• Applications of artificial intelligence
• AI system technologies
• Usability and human interaction

In the AI for Healthcare Concentration, coursework includes:

• Data mining applications
• Healthcare/pharmaceutical data and applications
• Healthcare information processing
• Advanced analytical utilization
• AI communication and visualization

The AI for Finance Concentration encompasses coursework in the following topics:

• Data mining applications
• Finance information processing
• Advanced analytical utilization
• AI communication and visualization
• Accounting fundamentals for financial institutions

In the AI for Human Resources Concetnatrion, students take classes such as:

• Data mining applications
• Human resources information processing
• Advanced analytical utilization
• AI communication and visualization
• Workforce Analytics

The AI for Business Ventures Concentration requires studies in the following areas:

• Data mining applications
• Advanced analytical utilization
• AI communication and visualization
• Issues in education
• Enterprise Information Architecture

No matter which concentration students choose, they should expect to devote some of their studies in this professional master’s program to experiential learning opportunities.

View program details.

5. University of Colorado Boulder

If you’re serious about finding the best artificial intelligence online options, don’t limit your search exclusively to programs that include AI or machine learning in the title. Some excellent options in the field of artificial intelligence are actually part of the best online IT degree programs. That’s what puts the University of Colorado Boulder on our list of great artificial intelligence school options.

This public university dates back to 1876. The school’s considerable research efforts have garnered global recognition. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the University of Colorado Boulder on its lists of top public schools, national universities and best value schools, among others.

Studying Computer Science at the University of Colorado Boulder

The relevant online program at the University of Colorado Boulder isn’t an artificial intelligence degree program specifically. Instead, it’s a Master of Science in Computer Science program that incorporates machine learning and other AI-related subject matter into a broader curriculum. As such, students gain a breadth of knowledge not only in the topics related to artificial intelligence but also in how this field fits into the larger discipline of computer science.

In this 30-credit computer science degree program, students take at least one course in the foundations of data structures and algorithms and one in an area that represents software architecture for big data. Beyond these requirements, computer science students must take breadth courses in the principles and practice of network systems; computing, ethics and society; and – most importantly, for students interested in AI – a course in machine learning.

Machine learning coursework in this computer science degree program includes:

• Introduction to machine learning (supervised)
• Unsupervised algorithms in machine learning
• Introduction to deep learning

Students customize their curriculum through their elective courses, to which they devote 15 credits. Elective coursework for this computer science program includes several areas of study relevant to artificial intelligence, such as:

• Data mining methods
• Modeling of autonomous systems
• Robotics
• Deep learning and natural language processing
• Deep learning applications for computer vision

View program details.

6. Colorado State University

A second Colorado institution deserves a spot on our list of the best artificial intelligence degree programs: Colorado State University. Colorado State University is a public university located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The school was founded in 1870.

The online extension of Colorado State University is CSU Global. CSU Global offers more than 40 fully online programs of study. The institution bills itself as “the nation’s first 100% online, public, not-for-profit, regionally accredited online state university.”

U.S. News & World Report has included Colorado State University on its lists of national universities, top public schools and best value schools.

Colorado State University’s Master’s in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

The online Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning at CSU prepares students for roles like AI engineer or machine learning engineer. Students can also use this degree to break into broader careers like software developer, computer systems designer and computer and information research scientist.

In the 30-credit program, students learn to use and apply principles of software development, artificial intelligence and machine learning. The objective of the program is to equip students with the knowledge and skills to develop and refine solutions to real-world problems that successfully model human behavior.

Core coursework in the program includes:

• Principles of programming
• Management for the computer science professional
• Ethical leadership in software development
• Principles of software development
• Design and analysis of algorithms
• Foundations of operating systems
• Foundations of artificial intelligence
• Foundations of computer vision
• Principles of machine learning

A capstone course also gives students the opportunity to apply what they have learned about machine learning and neural networks.

View program details.

7. Lewis University

Another top school for an artificial intelligence online degree is Lewis University. The private university was founded in 1932 as a Catholic institution. Lewis University is headquartered in Romeoville, Illinois, about 35 miles from Chicago. The school has a total enrollment of 6,500 as of 2023.

U.S. News & World Report has included Lewis University on its lists of the best regional universities in the Midwest, the best value schools and the best colleges for veterans.

Studying Artificial Intelligence at Lewis University

Lewis University doesn’t offer an online degree program in artificial intelligence specifically. Instead, the school offers an Artificial Intelligence Concentration within its Master of Science in Computer Science program.

Core coursework in the Master of Science program includes studies in the following areas:

• Programming fundamentals
• Computer organization
• Algorithms and data structures
• Discrete structures
• Operating systems
• Communications and networking

Students devote six credits to research coursework in computer science, including a master’s thesis or project.

Students take as many credits in their concentration as they do in core computer science coursework. This means that, in spite of the general computer science degree title, students have plenty of exposure to their field of specialization. The concentration coursework required for artificial intelligence students includes:

• Artificial intelligence 1
• Artificial intelligence 2
• Statistical programming
• Supervised machine learning
• Natural language processing
• Robotics

Total credit hours for Lewis University’s online Master of Science in Computer Science program amount to anywhere from 33 to 51.

By the time students complete the program with an artificial intelligence concentration, they will have the skills to design intelligent and autonomous systems that draw upon machine learning techniques.

View program details.

8. Drexel University

For an excellent graduate artificial intelligence degree online, don’t overlook Drexel University. The private Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, institution is a prestigious school that dates back to 1891. Drexel is a research university that has been awarded R1 status for its very high level of research.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked the school highly on numerous fronts. Drexel has landed a spot on the publication’s lists of national universities, best value schools and most innovative schools.

The Master’s in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence at Drexel

Drexel offers its Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning both online and on-campus formats. The curriculum encompasses 45 quarter credits.

Coursework consists of five required classes, split into computational and applied courses. Computational courses include introduction to artificial intelligence, machine learning and deep learning. Applied coursework includes an introduction to programming, applications of machine learning and applied artificial intelligence. A capstone course is also required.

Students complete one required elective course of study in each of three areas:

• Data science and analytics
• Foundations of computation and algorithms
• Applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning

Students fill up their curriculum with seven free electives. Examples of electives include:

• Applications of machine learning
• Game artificial intelligence
• Applied machine learning for data science
• Explainable artificial intelligence
• Human-artificial intelligence interaction

Full-time students finish Drexel’s master’s program in two to three years. Part-time students generally take two to four years to complete the program.

View program details.

9. University of Advancing Technology

The University of Advancing Technology is, as the name suggests, all about tech. It should be no surprise that a university with a focus on advancing cutting-edge technology is also a great artificial intelligence school.

The school offers more than 20 technology degrees in fields like cyber security, creation and simulation, digital arts, game studies and software engineering. There are also tech-related degrees in business and innovation.

This for-profit institution of higher learning may not be nationally known, but it has a strong regional reputation. In fact, U.S. News & World Report has ranked the school #32 in the nation on its Regional Colleges West list as of 2023. The school is also regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

Studying Artificial Intelligence at the University of Advancing Technology

The University of Advancing Technology’s artificial intelligence degree is a Bachelor of Science program in the category of software engineering degrees. Coursework in this program includes the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to achieve the following objectives:

• Design machines that learn
• Develop AI-powered tools for real-world applications and specific industries
• Create physical smart devices that use AI
• Integrate into AI tools cloud databases and voice and facial recognition
• Use advanced coding skills and knowledge of multiple programming languages to create original algorithms

Foundational courses introduce students in this artificial intelligence program to the principles of programming and the skills for programming using Java, C# and C++. Skills development courses, of which students take at least 12 credits, may expand students’ knowledge of programming or cover topics like the following:

• Databases
• Software engineering principles
• Software quality assurance
• Data structures and algorithms
• Mobile platform software development
• Artificial life

The curriculum also includes a Synthesis Core in which students may take classes in AI theories and techniques, special topics in artificial life and advanced software development.

Online students at the University of Advancing Technology pursue their studies through the school’s SyncFlex Learning approach. This learning model is designed with adult students in mind and emphasizes project-based and experiential learning.

View program details.

10. Davenport University

Davenport University is a private college that dates back to 1866. The Grand Rapids, Michigan, school is a career-focused no-for-profit institution that first began offering online courses over 20 years ago.

U.S. News & World Report has included Davenport University on its lists of regional universities in the Midwest and top performers on social mobility.

Undergraduate and Graduate Courses in AI at Davenport University

What makes Davenport University a great artificial intelligence school for both graduate and undergraduate students is its inclusion of AI coursework in computer science programs at both levels of study.

In the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program, artificial intelligence is one of three possible specialties. Other specializations students can consider include computer theory and algorithms and gaming and simulations.

Undergraduate students begin their computer science coursework with foundational courses in areas like programming, database design and discrete structures. They devote 51 credits to major coursework that includes studies in the following topics:

• Concepts of program languages
• Operating systems
• Software engineering
• Data structures and algorithms
• Security foundations
• Parallel and distributed systems
• Assembly language and computer architecture
• Artificial intelligence
• Computer vision
• Game design
• Biometric fundamentals

For the artificial intelligence specialty, coursework includes:

• Pattern recognition
• Deep learning
• Design and analysis of algorithms
• Special topics: Advances in biometrics

Computer science majors at Davenport University also complete a capstone course and a computer science internship or field experience.

The graduate degree in AI at Davenport is a Master of Science degree. Artificial intelligence isn’t a distinct concentration area within the school’s online computer science master’s degree. Instead, AI – along with machine learning and pattern recognition – fit under the umbrella of the traditional computer science concentration. The other concentration available to students in this program is security.

The core curriculum of Davenport University’s Master of Science in Computer Science program includes graduate courses in the following areas:

• Theory of computation
• Operating systems
• Data communications and network
• Design and analysis of algorithms

In the Computer Science concentration, students take the following classes:

• Artificial intelligence
• Computer vision
• Secure software analysis and design
• Pattern recognition and machine learning

Graduate students at Davenport also complete either a thesis or a master’s project.

View program details.

11. Worcester Polytechnic Institute

If you’d like to situate your knowledge of artificial intelligence within the broader context of computer science or data science, consider a master’s degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. This technical university dates back to 1865. The Worcester, Massachusetts, school has always emphasized the practical application of technical knowledge. That’s one reason the computer science and artificial intelligence courses WPI offers today are project-based. This emphasis on project-based learning for graduate students makes Worcester Polytechnic Institute a great artificial intelligence school.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked Worcester Polytechnic Institute on numerous of its best schools lists, including national universities, best value schools, most innovative schools and best schools for co-ops/internships and senior capstone experiences.

AI-Related Degree Programs at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester Polytechnic Institute doesn’t offer an artificial intelligence degree, per se, but the school does incorporate concentrations in AI into two separate online master’s degree programs.

The Master of Computer Science program begins with foundational courses in systems and network programming and an introduction course that covers programming concepts, data structures and algorithms. The Design Core curriculum within this computer science degree includes the following topics of study:

• Algorithm design and analysis
• Software systems design
• Database management systems
• Human-computer interaction
• Mobile and ubiquitous computing

Computer science students who choose the Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Focus devote nine credits to this specialization. AI coursework includes:

• Artificial intelligence
• Knowledge discovery and data mining
• Deep learning

This computer science master degree program doesn’t require a thesis, but it does require a capstone project.

In Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s Master of Science in Data Science program, students start their education with coursework in math foundations for data science and introductory studies in programming concepts, data structures and algorithms. Again, the Design Core is a major component of students’ coursework. Data science graduate students complete coursework in the following areas:

• Introduction to data science
• Statistical methods for data science
• Big Data management
• Database management system
• Data mining business applications
• Business intelligence
• Machine learning
• Big data analytics
• Knowledge discovery and data mining

The Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning Focus track in the Data Science program includes six credits of coursework in areas like the following:

• Artificial intelligence
• Machine learning
• Knowledge discovery and data mining
• Big data management
• Data visualization

For either program, a computer science undergraduate degree is not required. That feature makes WPI a great artificial intelligence school for aspiring career changers.

View program details.

12. University of Wisconsin Milwaukee

The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public university that was founded in 1956. The school, which encompasses more than 23,000 students and 213 academic programs, prizes affordability and educational opportunities for all age, grade and career levels.

The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee offers extensive online learning options. The school, which bills itself as the state’s largest online education program,” offers 47 degree and certificate programs that can be completed entirely online. All told, the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee offers close to 900 online classes.

U.S. News & World Report has awarded the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee spots on rankings lists including national universities, top public schools and top performers on social mobility.

Studying Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Online at the University of Wisconsin

The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee offers its Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Graduate Certificate both on campus and online. The 15-credit program costs around $14,000 total, regardless of whether you live in-state or out-of-state. One benefit of studying AI online at the University of Wisconsin is the ability to “stack” this program with another graduate certificate program to add up to a master’s degree.

Required coursework for this program includes either an introductory course in database systems or a class in programming for machine learning. Students must also take either an introduction to machine learning course or a course on machine learning and applications. Students also take at least two and potentially three Application Elective courses. The subjects of these courses include the following:

• Advanced machine learning
• Advanced digital signal processing
• Artificial intelligence planning techniques
• Natural language processing
• Image processing
• Robotics
• Intermediate control systems
• Text retrieval applications in biomedicine
• Optimal control theory
• Operations research in engineering management

Students must generally complete the program within three years. However, students can complete this coursework in as little as one year.

View program details.

13. Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University has an excellent reputation for research. In fact, the private university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is particularly well-known for its programs in computer science, engineering and other areas of technology.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked Carnegie Mellon University highly on several of its college rankings lists, including national universities, best value schools and most innovative schools. As of 2023, the publication had awarded Carnegie Mellon University the first-place spot (tied) for the subject of computer science and several of its subfields – most notably, artificial intelligence.

Studying AI Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University

At Carnegie Mellon University, students can pursue an online Graduate Certificate in a specific but valuable niche. The AI Engineering Fundamentals for Mechanical Engineering equips established mechanical engineers with the technical skills to apply artificial intelligence and machine learning to the practical problems they encounter on a daily basis. The 100% online program is taught by the same Carnegie Mellon University instructors as on-campus coursework. It takes nine months to complete this program, which consists of just two graduate-level courses taught in a live online format:

• Machine learning & artificial intelligence for engineers
• Deep learning for engineers

The objectives of this program emphasize preparation for real-world engineering challenges, so the hands-on nature of the curriculum makes perfect sense. By the time students finish their certificate, they have developed proficiency in the use of AI and machine learning techniques in engineering design and how deep neural networks apply to engineering.

Carnegie Mellon does offer a more extensive curriculum in artificial intelligence – the Masters of AI Engineering for Mechanical Engineering program. However, this program is only available on campus for full-time students.

View program details.

14. University of San Diego

If you want to dig deeper into the applications of artificial intelligence studies, the University of San Diego may be for you. The private Catholic institution has a strong reputation for research as well as education.

U.S. News & World Report has included the University of San Diego on its lists of national universities, best value schools, best colleges for veterans and top performers on social mobility.

Studying Applied Artificial Intelligence at the University of San Diego

The University of San Diego is home to an online Master of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence program.

Courses in the program include the following:

• Probability and statistics for artificial intelligence
• Introduction to artificial intelligence
• Data analytics and Internet of Things
• Ethics in artificial intelligence
• Fundamentals and applications of machine learning
• Neural networks and deep learning
• Natural language processing
• Computer vision
• Machine learning operations

In addition to their coursework, students must complete a capstone project that simulates real-world application of AI. The capstone course also requires students to compile a portfolio that showcases the work they have done over the course of earning a master’s degree in artificial intelligence.

Although the program emphasizes application over theoretical knowledge, the curriculum won’t shy away from bigger questions about the field. The University of San Diego views its program as a “ thought leader” in the field of AI and aims to ensure that its graduates practice “ethical and socially responsible” use of artificial intelligence technology.

The 30-unit program takes only 20 months to complete. Because students take one seven-week course at a time, they can devote their full attention to each class. Students should expect to devote 15 to 20 hours to their studies each week.

View program details.

15. Dakota State University

Dakota State University is a public institution located in Madison, South Dakota. Although Dakota State University began as a teacher education school in 1881, it now offers more than 40 academic programs through four colleges.

More than 1,700 of the school’s 3,200 total student body are online students. Other notable facts are the school’s placement rate for graduates and its 76% rate of students who receive financial aid.

RELATED: 50 Top Artificial Intelligence Degree Scholarships  

U.S. News & World Report has recognized Dakota State University on its lists of regional universities in the Midwest, top public schools and top performers on social mobility.

Dakota State University’s Bachelor of Science in AI program

The online artificial intelligence degree option at Dakota State University is intended for undergraduate students. In the school’s Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence program, coursework covers everything from theoretical underpinnings of the field to practical technical skills, ethics and the social impact of AI.

Dakota State University’s AI degree program is offered through the Beacom College of Computer and Cyber Sciences. Required coursework for this bachelor’s degree includes studies in the following subject areas:

• Introduction to computers
• Introduction to AI
• Computer science
• Programming for analytics
• Predictive analytics
• Concepts in artificial intelligence
• Artificial intelligence tools and frameworks
• Applied artificial intelligence
• Applications of deep learning
• Algorithms and optimization
• Mathematical foundations of AI
• Data structures
• Special topics in AI
• Ethics in computer security
• Foundations of scripting programming

This major isn’t for those who despise math. Besides their core major coursework and general education coursework, students complete 15 credits of Support Courses in mathematics, including statistics, linear algebra and calculus.

Built into the Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence curriculum at Dakota State University is the opportunity to minor in another area of interest. Students may apply 18 credits of coursework to meet the requirements for a minor in any area outside of AI and machine learning. Minoring in another subject, with options ranging from business to science and more, can help students build up valuable content knowledge that can put them on a path to applying their AI knowledge to their field of interest.

View program details.

16. Indiana University

Indiana University is a global leader in research and education. This public institution encompasses more than 930 academic programs and 90,000 students across nine campuses. The Bloomington campus is not only the largest and oldest campus but also the most highly ranked. U.S. News & World Report has included Indiana University—Bloomfield on numerous rankings lists, including national universities, top public schools and best value schools.

The Bachelor’s Degree in Artificial Intelligence at Indiana University

The online artificial intelligence program at Indiana University is a bachelor’s degree. AI degrees at this level are rare as it is, but even more unique is that this program is a Bachelor of Arts, not a Bachelor of Science.

Students core courses make up only 13 credit hours of this 120-credit bachelor’s degree program. These courses include:

• Introduction to artificial intelligence
• AI ethics
• Recent trends in AI
• Collaborative human-AI systems
• Introductory data science

Human-centered computing AI courses make up considerably more of the program’s curriculum. This coursework includes studies in the following areas:

• Programming
• Social Impact of Bots and Automation
• Social informatics
• Mathematical foundations of informatics
• Information infrastructure
• Information representation
• Applications of data mining
• Cognitive automation and bots development
• Deep learning neural networks
• Enterprise cognitive automation
• Natural language processing

In addition to these major courses, students also choose four AI Selective courses. Examples of these courses include Internet-of-Things interface design for business innovation, visualizing information and web mining.

Students who earn the Bachelor of Arts in Artificial Intelligence degree at Indiana University can go on to work in roles such as the following:

• Artificial intelligence architect
• AI UX researcher
• A bots developer
• Conversation developer
• Human factors engineer
• Software applications developer
• Business intelligence analyst

View program details.

17. Kansas State University

Located in Manhattan, Kansas – otherwise known as the “Little Apple” – Kansas State University dates back to 1863. The longstanding public college has an undergraduate enrollment of more than 15,000.

Kansas State University offers more than 100 online programs of study. The online division of the school boasts a 97% job placement rate.

U.S. News & World Report has recognized Kansas State University on its lists of national universities, best value schools and top public schools.

The Bachelor’s in Machine Learning and Autonomous Systems Program at Kansas State University

Most artificial intelligence programs are offered at the graduate or post-baccalaureate level. At Kansas State University, students can earn a bachelor’s degree in Machine Learning and Autonomous Systems. The fully online degree program prepares students for roles like the following:

• Artificial intelligence engineering
• Machine learning engineer
• Big data engineer
• Artificial intelligence data analyst
• Data scientist
• Data mining analyst
• Business intelligence developer

Major requirements for the Bachelor’s in Machine Learning and Autonomous Systems degree program include the following:

• Applied data analysis and tools
• Fundamentals of visual literacy
• Survey of machine learning and autonomous systems
• Applied data analysis and tools
• Supervised learning in autonomous systems
• Unsupervised learning in autonomous systems
• Reinforcement learning in autonomous systems
• Introduction to automata and cybernetic systems theory
• Computer systems studio
• autonomous systems senior capstone

The program encompasses two tracks: Web Development and Computational Core.

Students who choose the Web Development Track take classes in subjects such as:

• Programming
• Computing principles
• Web fundamentals
• Hardware and network fundamentals
• System and software fundamentals
• Database systems
• System administration
• Web development project
• Data structures for machine learning

In the computational Core Track, students can expect to take classes such as:

• Introduction to Computing
• Fundamental computer programming concepts
• Advanced programming
• Full stack web development
• Data structures and algorithms
• Web page development
• Database essentials
• Computer systems administration
• Applied data science

Students can further focus their studies through the major electives they choose. Options include robotics programming, machine vision, fundamental methods of biostatistics and programming techniques for data science.

View program details.

18. Southern Methodist University

Southern Methodist University is a private institution located in Dallas, Texas. The school, which was founded in 1911, is known for its research and community service, among other attributes.

U.S. News & World Report has included Southern Methodist University on its lists of national universities, best value schools, top performers on social mobility and more.

Concentrating on Artificial Intelligence at Southern Methodist University

At Southern Methodist University, students have the option of completing a Master of Science program online with a concentration in AI. The core coursework for the general Computer Science program includes studies in two of the following areas:

• Operating systems
• Algorithm engineering
• Computer architecture
• File organization and database management

For the artificial intelligence and machine learning specialization, the required coursework includes the principles of artificial intelligence and machine learning in Python. Students customize their coursework within their area of concentration through Specialization Depth electives that may include two of the following subjects of study:

• Data mining
• Advanced data mining
• File organization and database management
• Information storage and retrieval
• Information retrieval and web search
• Logic programming
• Machine learning and neural networks
• Mobile applications for sensing and learning

Students can complete this 30-credit program in as little as 20 months. Both thesis options and coursework-only options are available.

Southern Methodist University also offers an online AI Boot Camp through its Continuing & Professional Education division. This non-credit program of study equips students with proficiency in the most cutting-edge AI tools and technologies in just 24 weeks.

View program details.

19. Maryville University

Maryville University is a nationally recognized, regionally accredited private institution of higher learning founded in 1872. The St. Louis, Missouri, school has embraced online education for more than a decade. Maryville University offers upwards of 65 online programs of study at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked Maryville University on its lists of national universities and top performers on social mobility.

The Online Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence at Maryville University

Maryville University offers a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence program that is 100% online. The program can be completed in as little as two years. Features like no GRE requirement, no application fee and three start dates spread across the calendar year make it easy for students to start their education at Maryville.

Coursework in the MS in Artificial Intelligence program at Maryville follows a project-based learning format. Students complete core courses in the following areas:

• Fundamentals of artificial intelligence
• Mathematics for artificial intelligence
• Ethics of artificial intelligence
• Python
• Machine learning
• Reinforcement learning
• Deep learning

Elective courses in this program include studies in the following areas:

• Applications of artificial intelligence
• Advanced artificial intelligence
• Robotics
• Image processing
• Text mining

Students also complete a capstone course that requires them to apply what they have learned to a data science project based on real-world problems.

By the time students finish their coursework in this program, they will have the skills to use computer programming tools like Python, R and C++, as well as tools like Amazon Web Services and Google Colabroratory. Students also have the opportunity to earn two built-in professional certificates in the course of their studies.

Maryville also offers a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence and, beginning in the Fall 2023 semester, a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Advanced Artificial Intelligence.

View program details.

20. University of California, Berkeley

It might surprise you that one of the best online degree options for artificial intelligence is offered out of a business school rather than a science or engineering department. That’s the case at the University of California, Berkeley. Here, the online Executive Education in Artificial Intelligence program focuses on Business Strategies and Applications of AI. The program is offered out of the Haas School of Business.

UC Berkeley is a public institution dating back to 1868. It’s a well-respected school, particularly in the fields of computer science, engineering and business – all of which are relevant to the school’s AI programs.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked the University of California, Berkeley among its lists of the top public schools, national universities, best value schools and most innovative schools. The publication also awarded this school the ranking of tied for first in the nation for the subject of computer science (current as of 2023) and recognized the institution for several subfields, including artificial intelligence.

Studying Artificial Intelligence at UC Berkeley

Online options for artificial intelligence studies at the University of California Berkeley are intended for experienced professionals in the tech industry or other areas of business.

The Executive Education in Artificial Intelligence program is a short-term educational program intended for senior business leaders, mid-career workers looking to advance and data analysts who need to expand their skill set to include how AI applies to data analytics.

This online program requires just four to six hours per week and takes only two months to complete. As such, it doesn’t cover the study of artificial intelligence to the same depth as a full-fledged degree program. Rather, it provides knowledge of the basics of artificial intelligence and machine learning for business applications. Students take courses in topics like the following:

• AI and business
• Machine learning basics
• Neural networks and deep learning
• Computer vision and natural language processing
• Robotics
• AI strategy
• Building AI teams in business organizations
• The future of AI in business

Students complete this program with a capstone business project in which they develop and test the implementation of a plan to integrate artificial intelligence into one or more aspects of their business or organization.

While this program doesn’t provide the same level of credentials as a full degree program, it offers plenty of bang for your buck. The entire program costs less than $3,000 and equips students with practical knowledge of how to apply this cutting-edge knowledge to the business world.

UC Berkeley also offers a Professional Certificate in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. This program is also offered at the executive education level. In this program, students devote six months to the development of specialized skills. The program is more demanding and requires students to devote 15 to 20 hours per week to their coursework.

First, students learn the foundations of machine learning and artificial intelligence. This program includes coursework in the following areas:

• Introductory machine learning
• The fundamentals of machine learning
• Introductory data analysis
• The fundamentals of data analysis
• Practical applications of machine learning and artificial intelligence

Next, students cover coursework in machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques. This section of the curriculum includes coursework in the following:

• Clustering and principal component analysis
• Linear and multiple regression
• Feature engineering and overfitting
• Model selection and regularization
• Time series analysis and forecasting
• Classification and k-nearest neighbors
• Logistic regression
• Decision trees
• Gradient descent and optimization
• Support vector machines
• Practical applications of machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques

Students finish their program with a series of advanced coursework and a capstone project. The advanced topics embedded into the curriculum include:

• Natural lagnauge procesisng
• Recommendation systems
• GBM, XGB and Random Forest ensembled techniques
• Deep neural networks

Upon finishing this program, students receive a certificate of completion.

View program details.

Choosing the Right Schools for Artificial Intelligence Degrees

So many highly respected institutions now offer online artificial intelligence degrees and certificates. In some ways, choosing a school for AI and computer science is more difficult than ever. Students interested in this field should dig deeper into what they want from a degree and career in artificial intelligence.

Do you want the broader contexts of a computer science program that incorporates AI into the curriculum? Or are specialized artificial intelligence programs more in line with what you want out of your studies?

Are you interested in being at the forefront of AI research? Or would you rather spend your workdays integrating existing AI technology into systems and solutions?

Do you need a degree? Or will certificate programs provide what you need to advance your career?

Ultimately, there are no objective right answers. Choosing the right artificial intelligence program comes down to individual students’ goals and interests. Students interested in AI research should pay attention to whether a school has an artificial intelligence lab. In an artificial intelligence laboratory, students can participate in AI research projects.

What about students who would rather learn to apply existing artificial intelligence techniques? They may prefer non-thesis programs, for one thing. These students should also look for programs that incorporate internships and experiential learning.

Students may opt for a computer science degree program if they want to develop more of a breadth of knowledge. Artificial intelligence programs are better for students interested in gaining specialized knowledge.

Whatever background you’re approaching from or career objectives you’re aspiring to, the great artificial intelligence school options on our list can help you reach your goals of working in artificial intelligence research and application.

The post The 20 Best Artificial Intelligence Degree Programs Online appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

1.) University of Florida

The University of Florida is a public research institution located in Gainesville. Their current student enrollment is over 50,000 and the student to faculty ratio is 17 to 1. UF offers comprehensive degree programming as well as professional certifications. They have been accredited by the Southern Association of colleges and Schools Commission since 1913. According to Carnegie, the University of Florida is a uesearch university with very high research activity. To support the success of their students, UF offers academic and career counseling, credit for life experiences, and distance learning opportunities. The University of Florida continues to rank as one of the top public universities in the nation. In fact the university ranks as the 30th best school in the nation and highly for undergraduate teaching, business programming, undergraduate engineering, value and more all according to the US News and World Report. In recent years, UF has expanded their their offerings to include online programming for both undergraduate and graduate level students. In fact, undergraduates may pursue an online bachelors degree in biology and graduate students may pursue an online masters in electrical engineering just to name a few.

UF offers an online Master of Fisheries in Aquatic Sciences. This is a 32 credit hour program 16 of which must be fisheries and aquatic sciences courses. The remaining credits may be chosen from the school of forest resources and conservation. Some of the core courses include the following: algae biology and ecology, fission crustacean nutrition, ecology and restoration of invaded ecosystems, and surveying and mapping practices. Electives may be taken from other departments including in environmental engineering, soil and water science, aquatic animal health and more. If you’re looking for a flexible online program with emphasis and fisheries in aquatic life this is a good match for you.

• Program Website

2.) University of Houston – Clear Lake

University of Houston Clearlake is a public four year institution that enrolls nearly 10,000 students. The university has campuses in Pasadena and Houston Texas as well as branch campuses that are located in the Texas medical center.According to Carnegie UHCL is a masters college with larger programming. To support the success of their students the institution offers disability services veteran services, academic and career counseling and distance-learning opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. UHCL currently offers over 100 degree programs. Some of their online options include their online bachelors degree in finance, as well as their online masters degree in computer software engineering among others.

The University of Houston Clear Lake offers a master of science in environmental science. Thisdegree may be completed either on campus or online. Students will have the opportunity to specialize in one of the three following areas: environmental biology, environmental chemistry, and environmental geology. Prior to admission to the program students should complete general chemistry, organic chemistry, general physics and calculus. The environmental science thesis option is a 36 credit hour program and includes course material in environmental scienceas well as a master’s thesis. The environmental science research project course option culminates with a graduate seminar. Some of their electives include aquatic toxicity testing, environmental biotechnology, ichthyology and coastal and estuarine ecology. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

3.) North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public four year institution that enrolls over 36,000 students. NCSU is classified as a doctoral university with very high research activity according to Carnegie. The university offers associates, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree’s as well as professional certifications. Their students to faculty ratio is 14 to 1. NSUR has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges since 1928. According to the US News and World Report, NCSU ranks as the 80th best school in the region and highly for veterans, value, innovation, public schooling, business programming, computer science, undergraduate engineering programming and more. In recent years, the university has developed their online presence and currently offers online programming for both undergraduate and graduate seeking students.

If you have an undergraduate degree in an engineering discipline then you may wish to pursue an online master of environmental engineering. If you do not have an undergraduate degree in either civil engineering environmental engineering or construction engineering and management than you may have to complete additional coursework prior to entering this program. Citizens have an overall GPA of 3.0 in order to be accepted to this program if you have an undergraduate degree in engineering from a US institution then the GRE requirements are automatically waived. This is a 30 credit hour program that offers courses at the 400, 500 or 700 level. At least 24 hours of this program must be at the 500 level or above and 400 level courses must be outside the discipline of civil engineering. Half of your program will focus on environmental engineering students have the option to complete a final project a project as part of their degree program. All remaining courses come from other departments. For more information about this program check out their website.

• Program Website

4.) University of Maryland Global Campus

The University of Maryland global campus is a public four-year institution that’s headquartered in Adelphi, Maryland. UMGC currently enrolls nearly 60,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 19 to 1. According to Carnegie UMGC is a masters college with larger programming. The institution has been accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education since 1946. As a global campus, UMGC is ranked regionally and currently has the ranking of ninth for the most innovative school in the region. According to the US News and World Report, University of Maryland College Park is currently ranked the 58th best school on the nation and highly for veterans, value as well as social mobility, business programming, undergraduate engineering and much more. As you can see the University of Maryland has grown to include a global campus and currently offers undergraduate and graduate students an opportunity to pursue their degree online. The global campus features hundreds of online degrees for associates through doctoral degree seeking students. Some of their most popular online programs are in the fields of information science, psychology, and business management.

University of Maryland Global Campus currently offers a masters degree in environmental management. All courses are available online. However, students may select to pursue a hybrid format. This program requires 36 credit hours for completion and students may transfer up to six credits. Some of the courses include : waste collection, recycling and environmental monitoring, ARCGIS software, ecological risk assessment, and environmental management among others. All students culminate with a capstone experience. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

5.) University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

The University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point is a public four year institution that enrolls over 8000 students. UWSP offers Associates Bachelors Masters and Doctoral degree as well as the option to pursue programming online. To support the success of the students, UWSP offers academic and career counseling as well as dual credits and more. The university has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1922. Stevens Point also offers online programming. In fact, undergraduate and graduate students may pursue programming online. According to the US News and World Report, the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point is ranked regionally and highly for veterans, value, and social mobility.

University of Wisconsin Stevens Point offers a master of science in natural resources. Students may select to emphasize in one of the following areas: forestry, wildlife, fisheries, water resources, environmental education interpretation, soil sciences, and waste management. There are additionally a number of special out reach and extension programs available including the outdoors woman program and the Center for Land-use Education, the Center for Watershed Science and Education among others. The fisheries and water resources department includes course material in lake and river management, storm water, water treatment, hydraulic wetlands science. Each area of interest has a different focus. For more information about their programming check out their website.

• Program Website

6.) University of Illinois at Springfield

The University of Illinois at Springfield is a public four year institution that offers bachelors, masters, and doctorate degrees.UIS currently enrolls over 4000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 12 to 1. According to Carnegie UIS is a Masters College University with larger programming. To support the success of their students the institution offers academic and career counseling, credit for life experiences, distance learning opportunities, study abroad experiences and more. The University offers online programming for both undergraduate and graduate students. Some of their online offerings include their online bachelors in business administration and management, as well as their online masters degree in computer science.

The University of Illinois At Springfield offers an online master of science in environmental sciences. This is a fully online program that maybe completed in any location across the world. This is the same program as their on campus option. Some of the courses include: Environmental national sciences, environmental social sciences and humanities, and research methods in environmental sciences. This is a 40 credit hour program. For the masters courses students are required to complete one of the three closure options: The culminating experience in the form of a thesis, a carefully designed graduate project, or a finish in a while research draft of an environmental legislation policy. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

7.) East Central University

East Central University is a public four year institution located in Ada, Oklahoma. ECU enrolls just over 3000 students and has a student faculty ratio of 18 to 1. The university offers bachelors and masters degrees as well as some professional certifications. Carnegie classifies this institution as a masters college with larger programming. The student support services include academic and career counseling as well as distance-learning opportunities. Some of their most popular programs are in the fields of the visual arts, Parks and Recreation, business management, and education. Some of their online offerings Include their online bachelors degree in criminal justice as well as their online masters degree in educational leadership.

East Central University offers a Master of Science in water resource policy and management. This program may be completed in two years and is 30 credit hours in length. Each course is eight weeks long. This program accepts nine transfer credits. The degree is divided into three main component parts: required courses, elective courses and optional courses. The core courses include the following: policy research methodology, water law, water resource economics, and international environmental policy. Some of the elective courses are in the following areas: Advanced Native American law, public organization theory, and Hydro geology. When it comes to the optional courses students may select the internship in water resources, complete a thesis, or complete a seminar in water resources policy in management. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

8.) Utah State University

Utah State University is a public four-year institution located in Logan, Utah. The institution offers associates through doctoral degree’s as well as professional certification. Utah State currently enrolls over 27,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 19 to 1. Student support services include academic and career counseling ROTC, study abroad opportunities and distance-learning programming. Undergraduate and graduate students alike may pursue programming online. According to Carnegie, USU is a doctoral university with high research activity. USU Ranks nationally as the 241st best school in the nation and highly for computer science, engineering programming, business programming, and more. Their academic offerings include programming in agriculture, education, engineering, visual and performing arts and much more. Some of their online offerings include their online bachelors in agricultural business management as well as their online masters degree in agricultural teacher education.

USU offers the master in natural resources program. If you’re looking for a fulfilling career that’s focused on the great outdoors than this program might be for you. This program is offered entirely online and it’s 33 credit hours in length. Some career options include: forrester, range land scientist, wetland ecologist, natural resource manager and more. The courses include ecological foundations, wetland ecology in management, ecology of animal populations, data management and manipulation using R, introduction to environmental federal laws and policies, and principles of remote-sensing of natural resources among others. Students participate in an integrative capstone. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

9.) University of Missouri-Columbia

The University of Missouri at Columbia it’s a public institution that enrolls over 30,000 students. Missouri has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1913. This public research institution is classified as a doctoral university with very high research activity according to Carnegie. Their student support services include academic and career counseling, ROTC, teacher certification, and distance-learning opportunities among others. In recent years, the University of Missouri has expanded their online offerings to include programming for undergraduate as well graduate students in areas like business management, education, health services, human computer interaction, psychology, and much more. In fact, Mizzou offers a number of opportunities for nontraditional students.

The University of Missouri offers a master of arts/master of science in environment and behavior. This program is offered entirely online and is 30 credit hours in length . This is a master of science or master of arts in architectural studies that has an emphasis in environment and behavior. This program emphasizes research interior design and environmental design. Master of arts is project-based and the master of science is research-based. Some of the emphasis areas include: aesthetics of design, sustainable design, facility management and design, housing a neighborhood design, design education and more. Missouri utilizes the semester based system. The program is designed with working professionals in mind. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

10.) University of Idaho

The University of Idaho is a public flagship institution located in Moscow, Idaho. There are over 11,000 students enrolled and the student to faculty ratio 16 to 1. Carnegie designates this institution as a doctoral university with high research activity. The University of Idaho has been accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities since 1918. To support the success of their students the institution offers teacher certification opportunities, academic and career counseling, credit for life experiences, distance learning opportunities and much more. In recent years their distance programming has grown to include online programming for both undergraduate and graduate seeking students. Some other online offerings include a certificate in natural sciences, and online masters degree in electrical electronics engineering and more.

The University of Idaho offers a number of online masters degrees and certifications in natural resources. Students pursue a master of science and environmental science online or a master of natural resources online. The master of science in environmental science online includes both a thesis non-thesis option.The non thesis option it’s 27 credits of coursework 12 which are the core requirement and 21 are from the 500 level on course requirements. Three credits are devoted to the thesis research project. To be eligible for this program he must have earned a bachelors degree from an accredited institution with the final GPA of 3.0. Course material is divided as such: depth requirements, breath requirements, and a research requirement. The depth requirements include biological science classes the school science and social sciences. Complete this flexible online degree at you own pace. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

11.) American Public University System

American Public University System is a distance learning institution based in Charlestown, West Virginia. This institution offers associates, bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees as well as professional certifications. APUS en rolls over 45,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 21 to 1. Carnegie classifies this university is a Masters College University with larger programming. To support the success of their students the institution offers credit for life experiences as well as academic and career counseling. As a distance-learning university all programs are offered online. Some of their most popular offerings are in the fields of computer information sciences, business management, Parks and Recreation and liberal arts and sciences.

APUS offers an online Master of Science in Environmental Policy and Management. In this program you will study environmental management tools and deepen your knowledge in renewable energy, ecosystems management industrialization, landscape conservation and much more. The program teaches you how to incorporate ecological economic and social factors when making environmental management decisions. This is a 36 credit hour course that is divided into following components: a concentration area, a requirement area, general electives, and a final program requirement. The concentration areas are as follows: environmental planning, environmental sustainability, fish and wildlife management, general, global environment management and national environmental policy act. The national environmental policy concentration focuses on environmental impact analysis, intermediate environmental impact analysis and advanced environmental impact analysis. This concentration area is 12 semester hours. This is a highly flexible program that may be tailored to meet your needs. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

12.) Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University is a public four-year institution that offers bachelors masters and doctorale degrees as well as professional certifications. Texas Tech’s enrolls over 30,000 students and is classified as a doctoral University with very high research activity according to Carnegie. Accordinb to the US News and World Report Texas Tech University is currently ranked the 217th best school in the nation and highly for social mobility, undergraduate engineering, business programming computer science and more. To support the success of their students, Texas Tech offers distance learning opportunities, academic and career counseling, employment services for students, ROTC, weekend/evening college options, and study abroad programming.

The online university office the professional science masters degree in environmental sustainability and national resource management. This interdisciplinary program prepares you for a career in business, nonprofit or government sectors. Students may follow one or two tracks: the ecology and environmental sustainability track, and the natural resources management track. Ecology and environmental sustainability track is offered through the department of biological sciences as well as the College of Art and sciences. The natural resources management track is offer through the department of natural resources management and the College of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources. The curriculums ranges from 30 to 34 credit hours. 15 credit hours are elective courses meaning students have the option to tailor their degree to meet their specific interests. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

13.) Colorado State University

Colorado State University is located in Fort Collins, Colorado. This public institution enrolls over 33,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 14 to 1. Colorado State offers Bachelors Masters and Doctorale degrees as well as professional certifications. According to Carnegie, Colorado State is classified as a doctoral university with very high research activity. Additionally, according to the US News and World Report, Colorado State University ranks as the 153rd best school in the nation as well as highly for value, veterans, social mobility, public schooling, engineering, business programming, computer science and more. To support the success of their students Colorado State offers academic and career counseling, credit for life experiences, as well as distance learning opportunities. Undergraduate and graduate students may pursue programming online.

Among their online offerings is the online environmental sustainability program. This degree prepares you for a career in a wide array of sectors including environmental stewardship in planning, natural resource and forestry management, Rangeland conservation, restoration ecology, conservation biology, plant wildlife and soil research, and teaching. Additionally there’s an online masters degree with a focus on environmental sustainability. Some of the core courses include: ecosystem science and sustainability, wildlife conservation biology, natural resources, natural resource recreation and tourism, and more.. Colorado State offers a wide variety of online degrees in this area. We recommend taking a look at their website for more information.

• Program Website

14.) Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University it’s a four-year public institution located that enrolls over 22,000 students. The institution offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree’s as well as professional certifications. According to Carnegie, this institution has been classified as a doctoral university with very high research activity. To support the success of their students the university offers distance learning opportunities, remedial services, academic and career counseling, employment services for students. According to the US News and World Report, Mississippi State ranks highly for engineering programming, social mobility, business programming, computer science and more. When it comes to online offerings, students may pursue programming in business management ecology, education and more.

Mississippi State Online offers a Master of Science degree in geosciences with a concentration in environmental geosciences. This is a 30 credit hour program that is 10 courses in length. This program includes the study of Ocean science, climatology, GIS and hazards. The majority of this program may be completed entirely online except for the final capstone experience. The capstone course is a field-based course which is offered through an on-campus workshop during the summer semester. For more information about this program check out their website.

• Program Website

15.) Troy University

Troy University is a public institution located in Troy, Alabama. This is the parent institution of Troy University which is located across the state. The institution offers associates, bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees as well as professional certifications. According to Carnegie, Troy University is a masters college with larger programming. To support the success of the students Troy offers academic and career counseling, distance-learning opportunities and credit for life experience. Some of their most popular programs are in the field of business management, criminal justice, counseling and psychology, and registered nursing.

Troy University offers a Master of Science in Environmental and Biological science. Studnets may follow either a thesis or non-thesis track. The thesis track includes course material In food microbiology, population ecology, field botany, toxicology, conservation of some and much more. The program includes core courses as well as concentration elective courses. The thesis option includes core courses and fewer customization elective courses as well as six hours of thesis for a total of 36 hours. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

16.) Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is a public four-year institution that offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. The institution enrolls 8,778 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 20 to 1. According to a Carnegie Slippery Rock University is a Masters College University with larger programming. To support the success of the students SRUP offers academic and career counseling as well as study abroad opportunities, ROTC, teacher certification and distance-learning options. In fact, undergraduate and graduate students alike may pursue a degree entirely online.

Among their online options as the master of education in environmental education. This program has been accredited through the North American Association for Environmental Education. This is a 30 credit hour masters program that’s offered exclusively online. The coursework focuses on theoretical as well as practical applications of experiential an inquiry-based environmental education. Upon completion students may attempt an 18 credit hour internship opportunity. Students may become certified through the North American Association for environmental education. Certification is not required but may help you to advancing your career. The degree includes course material in aquatic systems, terrestrial systems, wildlife education, environmental issues, environmental education, and parks and recreation/environmental education internship.For more information about this program check out their website.

• Program Website

17.) Oregon State University

Oregon State University is a public four year institution located in Corvallis, Oregon. The institution offers bachelors, masters, and doctorale degrees as well as professional certifications. The student population is over 31,000 and the student faculty wish she was 18 to 1. According to Carnegie, Oregon State University is classified as a doctoral university with very high research activity. To support the success of their students the institution offers academic and career counseling along with distance learning opportunities, study abroad options, ROTC, and teacher certification among others. The US News and World Report ranks Oregon State University as the 153rd best school in the nation and highly for innovation, public schooling, value, veterans, social mobility, engineering and more.

Oregon State offers a Master of Science in environmental sciences. This is a 45 credit hour program. Students may choose from a number of specialization tracks in the following areas: bio geochemistry:, climate change, ecology, environmental education, natural resources, social science, quantitative analysis, and water resources. The program is divided into the following five areas: core courses, numerical skills, concentration area courses, elective courses, and a thesis or project. The core courses are in environmental perspectives and methods, environmental analysis and intercampus environmental conference which takes place on the Corvallis campus. This program is highly customizable. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

18.) Black Hills State University

Black Hills State University is a public institution located in Spearfish, South Dakota. BHSU offers associates, bachelors and masters degrees as well as professional certifications. The student population is 38,000 and the student to faculty ratio is 16 to 1. Carnegie classifies this institution has a masters college with larger programming. To support the success of their students the institution offers academic and career counseling as well as distance-learning opportunities. Undergraduate and graduate students alike may follow the course of study entirely online. Some of the most popular online options are in organizational behavior studies, curriculum and instruction, secondary education training, and photography among others.

Black Hills State University office a master of science in sustainability. This program is suitable for city planners, architects, policy analysts, lawyers and more. Some of the required courses include fundamentals of sustainability, science for sustainability, human dimensions of sustainability, environmental law and policy, quantitative methods and sustainability, and resources environmental economics. This program culminates with a capstone experience. In recent years, there has been a growing demand for professions that focus on sustainability. With a degree from Black Hill State you’ll have the option to join in this ever going field. For more information about this program check out their website.

• Program Website

19.) University of Kansas

The University of Kansas is a public four year institution located in Lawrence. KU offers bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees as well as professional certifications. Their current student population is 27,552 and student to faculty ratio is 17 to 1. According to Carnegie KU classifies as a doctoral university with very high research activity. Their student services include academic and career counseling, study abroad opportunities, distance learning options, ROTC, and much more. According to the US News and World Report, the University of Kansas rank as the 124 best school in the nation and highly for value, innovation, public schooling, engineering, business programming, computer science more. Some of their most popular programs are in the fields of biology and biomedical sciences, education, health, psychology, and computer information sciences.

The University of Kansas offers a professional science masters in environmental assessment as well as certifications in the same area. The Masters program is a 33 credit hour course that includes the following components: core courses, professional skills courses, science electives, and a capstone experience. This program is flexible and is offered online, on site, as well as in a hybrid format. The GRE is not required for students who have a 3.0 and above undergraduate. students may follow an accelerated 4+1 masters option. Students will learn about environmental restoration, environmental justice, regulatory compliance, community resilience, environmental impact assessment, and the firemen on policy. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

20.) Sul Ross State University

Sul Ross State University as a public four year institution located in Alpine, Texas. The institution enrolls 2,406 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 12 to 1. Sul Russ offers bachelors and masters degrees. To support the success of their students the institution offers academic and career counseling, employment services, study abroad options, teacher certification courses, credit for life experiences and distance-learning opportunities. Undergraduate students and graduate students may both pursue programming online. Some of the most popular online degrees are in the field of education, business management, and parks and recreation.

Sul Ross offers the natural resource management program. Students may pursue an online degree in one of the following areas: agricultural business, conservation biology, range management, sustainable ranching, wildlife management and more. The conservation biology program is an action oriented science degree that focuses on protection and restoration. The wildlife management program is for individuals who are interested in learning how to manage North American resources with a special emphasis on game species. The range management program focuses on How to manage range lands for sustainable purposes. For more information about these programs and to apply please see their website.

• Program Website

Related Resources:

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

Top 10 Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Environmental Science

The post The 20 Best Online Masters in Environmental Studies appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

What Do Emergency Management Professionals Do?

In the aftermath of natural disasters, large-scale acts of violence and other emergencies, professionals working in a broad area of occupations are needed to plan disaster response strategies and implement these plans. For some careers, though, managing emergency situations isn’t an out-of-the-ordinary event but rather the main focus of their occupation. Careers that revolve around planning and implementing responses to crises are considered emergency management job roles.

There are numerous job titles that fall under the domain of emergency management careers. Your exact responsibilities as an emergency management specialist depend on your job title and work environment. Emergency management professionals may be expected to assess the consequences of disasters, plan disaster response strategies, proactively evaluate the utility and feasibility of existing emergency plans, oversee the logistics of implementing disaster response plans, train emergency personnel and lead relief efforts in accordance with legal and ethical obligations.

Some emergency management professionals delegate responsibilities for hands-on disaster recovery work to lower-level emergency management specialists while they focus on the high-level work of planning and overseeing emergency management programs, while others spend their time on the front lines of disaster recovery interventions. 

Where Do Emergency Management Professionals Work?

Emergencies can happen to anyone, and that means that the need for trained professionals in the field of emergency management is constant. Different disaster relief agencies hire professionals with emergency management degrees. Employment opportunities in the emergency management field exist in government entities at the federal, state and local levels, as well as nonprofit and community groups and organizations and private industry.

As an emergency management specialist, both your job title and your employment setting will affect your responsibilities and what your workdays look like. In general, though, an emergency management professional can expect to spend their time in some way putting together emergency response programs and plans and coordinating efforts to implement these plans. 

RELATED: The Best Job Prospects with an Emergency Management Degree

Jobs in a Federal Emergency Management Agency

Many emergency management degree holders are government officials of some kind. Some emergency management specialists are local officials, while others work at the federal level. 

Federal agencies commonly assist in emergencies and disasters. For example, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the agency responsible for national preparedness and for responding to severe storms, wildfires and other natural disasters that occur across the United States.

Other federal agencies respond to different types of emergencies. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) handles national security threats as well as assisting with natural disasters. A Secret Service agent may also be considered part of the emergency management profession if their job includes planning for emergencies like attempted violence against leaders like the U.S. President. A Border Patrol agent working for Customs and Border Protection may also be considered an emergency management professional, especially when they are responsible for planning for or responding to emergencies that occur at the United States borders.

Not all government jobs that may involve emergency management responsibilities revolve around emergency preparedness and response, specifically. For example, housing agencies like the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) may offer disaster assistance and resources for people affected by disasters, even though handling large-scale disasters isn’t the primary focus of housing agencies, generally speaking.

Working in State and Local Government Agencies

Local and state governments respond to emergencies, too, so they also need trained professionals who can plan for and deal with all kinds of crises. Emergency management professionals can also find work with state, county and municipal agencies and entities that are responsible for preparing for and responding to a variety of types of emergencies. Examples of opportunities for emergency management degree holders with local and state governments include jobs in a state office of emergency management or in local emergency management centers. Aside from these local officials, emergency management jobs with local and state governments may also include roles with a municipal law enforcement agency, fire department or emergency medical service.

Emergency Management Careers in Nonprofit Organizations

Nonprofit organizations often step up to help when disaster strikes. Nonprofit disaster response and relief agencies include international humanitarian organizations like the Red Cross and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), as well as community outreach charities and faith-based and religious-affiliated organizations.

Private Industry Emergency Manager Jobs

While large-scale natural disasters objectively count as emergencies, some crises are more subjective, especially in private industry. A scandal, a policy or legislative change, a volatile economic market, a labor or supply shortage and any number of other issues may constitute an emergency for individual private companies. If these companies are going to survive the crises they face, they need the guidance of skilled emergency managers and an actionable plan to mitigate risks and negative consequences. 

The principles of emergency and disaster management may be very different when it comes to a company’s public relations crisis as opposed to a natural disaster or an act of terrorism that literally puts people’s lives at risk. The hands-on work of salvaging the reputations of companies in the private sectors is very different from that of digging through the wreckage to rescue survivors. However, managing any type of emergency requires some common skills in administration.

In any emergency management situation, personnel must be able to quickly and comprehensively assess the situation and identify and implement plans that best address the consequences of the crisis. Handling emergencies in private industry is a responsibility that sometimes falls on operations managers, but companies may also call in specialists like emergency management consultants to help them handle the situation. A business recovery planner or business continuity manager may be responsible for helping companies to keep operating during times of crisis and to minimize financial losses and other negative consequences.

Consulting Roles in Emergency Management

While some agencies and companies exist to address emergencies, that’s not the case for most companies, nonprofit organizations and government agencies with other areas of focus. As such, many organizations don’t need full-time, in-house experts in emergency management.

Instead, they may hire trained emergency management professionals temporarily and as needed – often with little prior notice – on a consulting basis. An emergency management consultant may work for themselves or be employed by a consulting firm that specializes in comprehensive emergency management services, including planning, training, assessment and implementation. Examples of consulting roles in emergency management include emergency management consultant, information technology (IT) incident response consultant and sustainability consultant.

The 10 Best Emergency Management Degree Jobs

Emergency management degree holders have plenty of options for employment. Whether you want to serve as boots on the ground or to develop the big-picture strategies for disaster relief – whether you prefer to focus on disaster preparedness to prevent or minimize emergencies in the first place or to step in during an ongoing crisis – there’s a role for you.

1. Homeland Security Officer

Among emergency management roles in the federal government, Homeland Security officer is perhaps the most well-known and widely popular career aspiration. The role of Homeland Security officer may include anyone working in an officer or agent role in the Department of Homeland Security, which includes the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Customs and Border Protection. Whether your work has you identifying and working to neutralize national security threats in a law enforcement capacity or traveling directly to disaster sites to implement recovery and relief plans, you’re sure to make a difference working as a Homeland Security officer.

In 2022, PayScale.com reported an average salary of $78,000 per year for employees of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Most Homeland Security officers are paid according to the General Schedule (GS) federal pay schedule. In 2022, a federal employee at the highest grade and step level of the General Schedule could make as much as $146,757 per year.

2. Health and Safety Specialist

The financial aspects of a crisis aside, most emergencies pose some sort of a risk to one or more person’s health or safety. It makes sense, then, that matters of health and safety – including public health, occupational health and safety and environmental health – fit into the category of emergency management careers. Health and safety specialists and officers serve more of a preventive role than disaster response professionals do. By educating communities and organizations and examining natural and workplace environments, health and safety specialists reduce the likelihood of accidents, environmental health or public safety threats and other emergencies occurring in the first place.

The median salary the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported for health and safety specialists in 2021 was $77,560. Health and safety technicians, who are less highly educated and who have less extensive job responsibilities, made considerably less: $51,120.

3. Disaster Recovery Manager

When disaster strikes, a disaster recovery manager has to act fast and make the right decisions to minimize the harm that results. Like emergency management directors and specialists, disaster managers plan interventions, assess emergencies and implement strategies to help with a crisis. However, disaster management typically refers to a critical, time-sensitive event that is larger in scale than “just” an emergency.

In proportion to the bigger scale of the event, disaster response strategies may be more complex, with more logistics to coordinate, more moving parts to organize and more disaster relief agencies to split up efforts between. Disaster recovery managers may also develop strategies for disaster prevention – to hopefully avoid a large and serious crisis in the first place – but even the most meticulous planners can’t always predict every possibility for things to go disastrously wrong.

The average salary reported for disaster relief and recovery managers for 2022 was $77,099 per year, according to the job search website Zippia.com.

4. Emergency Management Director

Emergency management director is a job role that may encompass any high-level leadership position in the field of emergency management. Some examples of job titles that may fall under the category of the emergency management director occupation include emergency management coordinator, emergency services director, public safety director, emergency preparedness coordinator and emergency management system director.

What all of the various director of emergency services roles have in common is that they are leadership positions that involve some emergency planning or high-level supervisory aspect. Beyond this common focus, job duties for these roles may differ significantly. A public safety director will likely craft policies that support public safety and put in place contingency plans in the event of different types of public health threats, while an emergency management coordinator may be primarily responsible for training responders and emergency personnel.

How much can you earn for the job of developing and overseeing an emergency preparedness plan? Among emergency management directors, the median salary in 2021 was $76,730, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Two industries pay emergency management directors particularly well. The professional, scientific and technical services industry, which employed 3% of the occupation in 2020, paid a median salary of $125,930. Hospitals, which employed 8% of the occupation, paid a median salary of $94,310, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.

5. Business Recovery Planner

For any business to survive and thrive over time, it must offer consistency. Unexpected closures or shutdowns, the inability to perform work due to a dearth of labor or supplies and other breaks in consistency and continuity can lead to both short-term and long-term losses.

Customers and clients may start giving their business to competitors or simply change their routines or purchasing habits if they can’t get the products or services they need from the company that used to provide them, especially if the issue recurs over time or continues for a prolonged time period. That’s why Ready.gov, a national public service campaign from the Department of Homeland Security, considers a business continuity plan to be “essential” in any industry.

A business recovery planner or business continuity manager is a person who specializes in preparing and implementing these plans. The strategies, policies and procedures they create help businesses in the private sector maintain operations to the best of their ability, minimize their losses during the disruption and restore regular operations as quickly as possible.

For business continuity planners, O*NET reported a median annual salary of $74,670.

6. Hospital Emergency Preparedness Administrator

In times of emergency – whether a natural disaster, an act of terrorism or a large-scale accident – people flock to hospitals for life-saving and life-sustaining care. Unfortunately, an emergency that causes mass harm can exhaust the resources of any given hospital, limiting the facility’s ability to save lives and help the injured. That’s why hospitals need an emergency preparedness plan so that they are ready to deal with whatever comes and a hospital emergency preparedness administrator to create that plan and put it into action when necessary.

Hospital emergency preparedness administrators are generally responsible for developing emergency response programs and training staff – including emergency room doctors, trauma surgeons, registered nurses, nurse assistants and other healthcare personnel – on what to do in an emergency situation. Unfortunately, even the best training exercises may not be enough to fully prepare a hospital and its staff for a real-life emergency situation. When a crisis happens, a hospital emergency preparedness administrator heads the response efforts, clarifying what work needs to be done when and by whom.

According to Zippia.com, the average salary for hospital emergency preparedness administrators in 2022 was $71,329.

7. Emergency Management Specialist

Emergency management specialist is a general job title that suggests a non-leadership role in the emergency management field. An emergency management specialist may work for any type of employer – a federal or local government entity, a medical facility, a nonprofit organization, an emergency management consulting agency or a business of any kind that is likely to require such assistance.

Emergency management specialists perform tasks like planning procedures for responding to different kinds of emergencies, coordinating emergency management training exercises and coordinating the activities needed to respond to a disaster or crisis. While this role may sound similar to that of an emergency and disaster management director, specialist positions are typically not as high-level as director positions.

For workers with the job title of emergency management specialist, PayScale.com reported an average salary of $64,183 in 2022.

8. Public Information Officer

After any type of emergency, getting accurate information out to the public in a prompt, accessible way is critical for fending off other complications that could exacerbate the situation. Poor communication surrounding any kind of emergency can contribute to panic responses from the public that only make things worse or to the spread of misinformation that, once believed, can be difficult to replace with more accurate information.

A public information officer is an emergency management professional who is responsible for the communications that pertain to the emergency. This person communicates with the public and the media, as well as with other collaborators involved in the emergency response plan.

For public information officers, PayScale.com reported an average annual salary of $59,020 as of 2022.

9. Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), or Paramedic

If your drive to make a difference in the face of disasters is even stronger, you might consider training for emergency medical personnel roles. As an emergency medical technician (EMT), a paramedic or flight paramedic or another Emergency Medical Services (EMS) worker, you can save lives and help the seriously injured on a daily basis.

An emergency management degree certainly won’t hurt your prospects of becoming an EMT or paramedic, but you need particular training – often from a non-degree program – to get certified in this emergency services role. EMT programs are some of the fastest ways to prepare for a career that involves providing medical intervention to patients. Although you won’t perform all the same complex work as, say, an emergency room physician, you can often complete an EMT program in under a year, compared to the four years of medical school and three to four years of residency training that an aspiring physician would require.

EMTs and paramedics aren’t the only types of emergency responders and first responders who can benefit from completing coursework in an emergency management degree program. Having this background can also help aspiring firefighters and law enforcement officers. Like EMTs and paramedics, firefighters and police officers need additional training beyond an emergency management degree. Firefighters typically complete months of training at a fire academy, while law enforcement officers train at a police academy.

RELATED: The 10 Best Online Fire Science Degree Bachelor’s Programs

For EMTs and paramedics, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median salary of only $36,930, and just one in 10 EMTs and paramedics reported earnings above $60,000. Being an EMT isn’t going to make you rich, at least not in a financial sense, but many workers in these rewarding careers feel a true calling to help people in need.

10. IT Incident Manager

Not all emergencies take place in the real, physical world. Digital emergencies like cybercrime and major system malfunctions can lead to real-world consequences.

Several jobs in the field of emergency preparedness and management pertain to the field of information technology (IT). Addressing IT emergencies may require a different set of technical skills than intervening in natural disasters or large-scale acts of violence, but in many ways, the focus of this career path is the same as in other areas of emergency management: plan for crisis situations, assess the emergency and implement strategies to minimize the consequences. At lower levels, individuals in this field may work as incident analysts or incident response analysts, while workers in more advanced roles may hold titles like incident manager or incident response manager.

RELATED: What Degree Do I Need to Be an Information Technology Specialist?

Although we have saved IT incident management jobs for last on our list, the reason isn’t lackluster earning potential. In fact, PayScale.com reported the average annual salary for incident managers as $90,624, making it the most lucrative job title on our list.

However, just because this role boasts the highest salary doesn’t mean it’s what many aspiring emergency management professionals think of when they envision working in this field. The job is important and involves less risk to the worker’s physical safety, but if you want to get involved in providing hands-on disaster relief, you’re likely to find it less fulfilling. Additionally, IT-focused emergency management roles will typically require more extensive studies in IT or computer science than you can expect to complete in the average emergency management degree program.

How to Become an Emergency Management Professional

For any emergency management job, some amount of training will be required. Relevant training opportunities may involve college coursework and a formal emergency management degree program, a formal training program or informal on-the-job training – or some combination of these methods of career preparation. For any of these top careers in the field, pursuing a degree in emergency management will only improve your employment prospects.

Degrees in Emergency Management

What degree level is needed to work in an emergency management career? An associate’s degree in emergency management may be sufficient for entry-level jobs and junior-level roles in the field, such as technician roles and emergency services associate positions. Additionally, you might opt to earn an emergency management degree at this level of study in preparation for applying to law enforcement jobs or while completing the non-degree training required to get certified as an EMT.

If you want to do more in the field of emergency management, you may need to pursue a higher degree level. A bachelor’s degree in emergency management is a solid choice for most of the career path possibilities in this field. Having a bachelor’s degree in emergency management will qualify you for a wide variety of emergency manager job titles, and O*NET reported a bachelor’s degree as the most widely required level of education needed for the occupation. A bachelor’s degree in emergency management not only covers the foundations of the field in greater depth but may also allow students to pursue advanced studies in areas of specialization, such as disaster relief, public safety, homeland security, fire science, law enforcement and child protection.

RELATED: What Are Some of the Degree Choices in Emergency Management?

Students interested in high-level roles – with job titles like “manager” and “director” instead of “officer” – may benefit from pursuing a higher degree level, like a master’s degree in emergency management. Graduate-level emergency management degrees aren’t uncommon, and O*NET reported that 20% of respondents questioned listed a master’s degree in emergency management as the level of education required to work as an emergency management director. Even if it isn’t strictly required for the career in emergency management you’re seeking, pursuing a master’s degree in emergency management or another relevant advanced degree may give you a competitive edge. 

In addition to your coursework in the classroom, the curriculum of an emergency management degree at the bachelor’s or master’s degree level may include field experience, clinical or practicum training and internships. It’s also possible to earn an emergency management degree online.

Getting Certification From Professional Organizations in Emergency Management

Academic programs like bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in emergency management programs aren’t the only considerations for maximizing your employment opportunities in this field. Joining and seeking certification from a professional organization in the field of emergency management can also help you advance your career. Professional organizations often offer educational and networking events that can help you increase your knowledge and skills and get more involved in the emergency management community.

Having this additional knowledge and developing these skills and connections can be valuable in a real emergency situation when you may need to collaborate with different disaster relief agencies or call in experts in related areas, such as a hazard analysis coordinator experienced in hazardous material management, a hurricane program specialist or a geographer.

If you want your involvement in a professional organization to help you qualify for new emergency management positions in a more substantive way, you should pursue formal credentials and designations. For example, the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) offers the Associate Emergency Manager (AEM) and Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) credentials, while the Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRI) offers certifications in cyber resilience, risk management and continuity in specific areas like healthcare and the public sector.

Education and Training Beyond an Emergency Management Degree

A degree in emergency management may make sense for any of the occupations listed above, but for some careers related to handling emergency situations, you need other training or specialized education. For example, majoring in emergency management isn’t enough to prepare you to work as an emergency room physician, although you could choose this undergraduate major – complete with sufficient science coursework – in preparation for applying to medical school.

RELATED: What Should You Know Before You Interview for a Job With a Degree in Emergency Management?

Engineering is another example of emergency management-related careers that require a different education. As professional problem-solvers, engineers often play a role in handling emergencies, such as by designing and developing solutions to the problems posed by emergencies such as natural disasters. To work in any kind of engineering role, you need to study the foundations of engineering design and the principles of science and mathematics that inform engineering practice. An engineer may benefit from double-majoring or minoring in emergency management but should also pursue an ABET-accredited engineering degree.

Choosing an Emergency Management Program

Emergency management, disaster preparedness and public safety degree programs train emergency personnel to work in these and related fields of study. Many schools now offer emergency management programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Choosing a school for an emergency management degree program isn’t easy. Prospective students should undertake a comprehensive school search that includes researching school rankings, curriculum requirements, concentration and elective course options, learning formats (in-person or online), completion time and cost and financial aid, just to name a few factors.

Related Resources: 

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

Best Paying Jobs With a Geography Degree

The post Top 10 Jobs with a Degree in Emergency Management appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

What image does the word “archaeologist” bring to mind? An aged professor proving over dusty volumes of technical notes? Or Indiana Jones, sweeping through an ancient temple to uncover a lost relic? The truth is, real-life archaeologists are a little of both: intrepid adventurers and technical researchers. They work with shovels and picks, as well as drones and 3D modeling software. They engage in scholarly debate and in public outreach. In short, archaeologists have highly varied and highly interesting work.

People have always been interested in the past. But for 99% of human history, no writing systems existed to record events and ideas. And even after the invention of writing, only certain types of events (such as the lives of rulers) were recorded, and, of these, only some texts have survived. In order to understand what events took place and how people lived in the past, scholars have turned to physical materials. From household rubbish heaps, to temples, from stone age tools to civil war cannons, artifacts tell the story of humankind, and archaeologists know how to understand what these items were, how they were used, and what they tell us about the people who made them.

Archaeologists have patience, dedication, focus, logic, analytical skills, and lots of natural curiosity. If you have the right disposition and an intense interest in the past, you may be curious about degrees and careers in archaeology. An estimated 91,776 people hold degrees in archaeology, from a bachelor’s to a PhD. But a degree in archaeology isn’t the right fit for every person, or every career path. Wondering if a career studying the past is in your future? Explore our guide to What Can I Do with an Archaeology Degree?

Jump To:

• What is Archaeology?
• What Types of Archaeology Are There?
• What Classes Will I take for a Degree in Archaeology?
• What Can I do with a Bachelor’s in Archaeology?
• What Can I do with a Master’s in Archaeology?
• What Can I do with a PhD in Archaeology?
• Can I Earn a Degree in Archaeology Online?
• What Jobs Can I Get with a Degree in Archaeology?
• What are the Pros and Cons of a Degree in Archaeology?

What is Archaeology?

Archaeology literally means “the study of that which is ancient,” and is defined as the scientific study of historic and prehistoric peoples, societies, and cultures. It is accomplished by excavating and analyzing artifacts and studying related locations, monuments, inscriptions, and biological remains. Archaeologists study the earliest humans, such as the stone tools of cave-dwelling hunter-gatherers from one million years ago. But they also study artifacts from modern times, such as the discarded household objects recovered from an early 20th century tenement building.

Archeology covers the study of people around the world and throughout the course of human history, with the common thread being a focus on the study of physical materials. Archaeology aims to determine what a given object was, when it came into being, how it was used, and what purpose or effects it had. The goal of archaeology is to develop a comprehensive and inclusive understanding of human culture.

People have always been curious about the past, and especially intrigued by exotic and mysterious monuments and relics. Antiquarianism, the study of history as it related to objects from the distant past, dates back to what we would now consider ancient times. Ancient Romans like the Augustan historian Livy studied and cataloged monuments and artworks from the past. Ancient Chinese scholars such as the Song Dynasty scholar Ouyang Xiu collected and analyzed early Chinese relics. With the excavation of sites like Stonehenge and Pompeii in the 1600s and 1700s, archeology began to evolve as a distinct field. By the 1800s, people had developed clear archeological practices and methods, such as dating objects based on their placement within layers of sediment. Rather than simply collecting beautiful and exotic antiquities, archeologists began to systematically gather and catalog artifacts for the purpose of building knowledge. Today, archaeology is concerned with the same quest for historical knowledge, but informed by a broader cultural understanding, and aided by high-tech tools like 3D modeling, drones, and photogrammetry.

Although it has been around for quite some time, there’s still no clear consensus on how to classify this heavily interdisciplinary field. As an academic discipline, archaeology can be difficult to pigeonhole. Depending on which expert you ask, this subject is either a highly scientific branch or the humanities, or else a highly humanistic branch of the social sciences. In fact, archaeology can be considered as both a part of the social sciences or the humanities. In the United States, Archaeology is conceived as a branch of anthropology in the United States, but in Europe, it is considered to be a branch of History or treated as a discipline in its own right.

Under the broader heading of humanities/social sciences, archaeology is usually seen as a branch of anthropology. Anthropologists study human culture and society, often those of the ancient past or far-flung locations. The field has several branches, such as Biological Anthropology, the study of human remains as they relate to people’s lifestyles and lives. And while many anthropologists study fossils, relics, dwellings, and inscriptions, archaeologists are unique in their particular focus on humans’ physical materials.

What Types of Archaeology Are There?

There are many specializations within archaeology, and no universal consensus on what makes up the main fields. Some archaeologists classify themselves based on the historical period or geographical location of their interest, such as Mesoamerica, Egyptology, or Classical Antiquity. Others may specialize in a particular type of relic, such as human remains (bioarchaeology), animals or plants (zooarchaeology or paleoethnobotany), or stone tools (lithics). Archaeologists may also specialize in particular practices, such as underwater archaeology (the study of submerged human remains and relics). Broadly speaking, archaeology can be divided into the sub-disciplines of Cultural resources management, Archaeometry, Historical archeology, Ethnoarchaeology, and Experimental archaeology. These fields are not entirely distinct, of course- for instance, many archaeologists conduct Cultural resources management as well as Historical archaeology.

Cultural resources management

Just as human activity takes a toll on natural resources, activities like development, travel, mining, warfare, climate change and looting take a toll on the sites that archaeologists want preserved. That includes established monuments, dig sites, and locations for potential future exploration. Cultural resources management (CRM) involves protecting archaeological sites from damage. And while preserving archeological sites may not be the first type of activity that comes to mind, CRM actually makes up most of the archaeological research conducted in the US and western Europe. There are plenty of federal and international laws governing how excavations need to be conducted, as well as tourism of historical sites and construction in or around areas that may have historical materials present. Cultural resources management requires a thorough knowledge of these laws and their application.

Archaeometry

From a fossil tooth to a stone temple, artifacts are physical objects with physical qualities that give information about the past. In order to understand this information, their physical properties mulct be accurately measured, described, and recorded. Archaeometry is the systematic measurement of objects, environments, and features that are important to archeology. It includes analytical techniques that include chemistry, physics, and engineering. These include methods like space syntax techniques, carbon dating, geodesy, and computer modeling and tools like geographic information systems.

Historical archaeology

The advent of writing marks the division between pre-history and history. Historical archaeology is focused on the study of cultures that had some form of writing. This can mean periods as recent as the 20th century or as early as 3,000 BC. This is perhaps the best-known type of archeology, and includes examples such as studying Victorian-era shipwrecks, Mayan temples, medieval villages, and American Civil War forts.

Ethnoarchaeology

Ethnography is the systematic study of societies and cultures, as observed from the point of view of a member of that society. Ethnoarchaeology is the application of Ethnography to the study of ancient peoples and cultures. While it’s possible to observe, measure, and catalog artifacts, it can be difficult to understand how these objects were constructed and used without entering into speculation. Ethnoarchaeology is the practice of systematic methods to determine how an ancient relic was created and used within the context of its society. Often, that can mean looking at contemporary modern societies that use similar items under similar environmental circumstances, making inferences about ancient societies that probably followed similar patterns. For example, an Ethnoarchaeologist might look at how modern peoples that fish for food using hand-woven nets in order to better understand how an ancient society might have done so.

Experimental Archaeology

Scientists formulate hypotheses, test them, and draw conclusions that can be repeatedly tested. Experimental archaeology is simply the application of this established experimental method to questions related to archeology. One of the most common forms of experimental archaeology is reconstruction archaeology. In reconstruction archaeology, an archaeologist attempts to create a structure or object identical to one that would have existed in an ancient society using only the materials and technology of that time period. For instance, an experimental archaeologist might crack open nuts using handmade stone tools in order to see if this caused scrapes on the tools similar to those found on real artifacts.

What Classes Will I take for a Degree in Archaeology?

For an Archaeology degree, you can expect to dabble in quite a few very different subjects, including the humanities, math, science. anthropology, art history, classics, world history, and foreign language. This broad, interdisciplinary curriculum will give you a context for understanding archeology before you ever get into archeology-specific classes. Required classes outside of the discipline archeology itself typically include:

• Calculus
• Probability and Statistics
• Applied Economics
• Biology
• Geology

In addition to math and science, you’ll likely need to take courses in history, politics, psychology and language, in order to have a broader context for understanding topics in Archaeology. Your classes in Archaeology itself may include titles like:

• Archaeology and World Prehistory
• Archaeological Theory and Interpretation
• Advanced Studies in Archaeology
• Biological Anthropology
• Foundations of Earth Sciences
• Ancient Art and Art History
• Museum Studies
• Environmental Archaeology
• Classical Civilization
• Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
• Human Osteology
• Cross Cultural Perspectives
• Measurement and Quantification in Social Sciences
• World Archaeology
• Human Evolution
• Field Methods in Archaeology

What Can I do with a Bachelor’s in Archaeology?

A bachelor’s degree is the first step on the road to a future in archaeology.
This undergraduate degree can be found as either a BS (bachelor of science) or a BA (bachelor of arts), and some colleges offer both types of degrees. Essentially, a BS has a stronger emphasis on the technical aspects of archaeology, while a BA incorporates more humanities and focuses on applied skills. Many schools offer a bachelor’s in anthropology with a concentration in archaeology, while others award bachelor’s in archeology with the potential to further specialize in a specific areas, such as MesoAmerican studies.

Students must traditionally work for four years on a full-time basis to earn a bachelor’s degree. If you take courses part-time, of course, your degree will take longer to earn, while an accelerated bachelor’s degree can be earned in about three years. Every degree program is different, but most consist of around 120 credits, or 40 courses. Your coursework will include classes in archaeology as well as hands-on learning, and a large number of required general education classes. The purpose of general education courses is to develop a well-rounded knowledge about the world and a context for understanding topics in your major.

A typical bachelor’s degree curriculum may include:

• Archaeology classes
• General education classes
• A foreign language
• Study abroad
• Labs and fieldwork
• Senior project

In completing a bachelor’s in archaeology, you’ll develop skills in analysis, computation, technology, methodology, and archeology theory. These are transferrable skills that can help you succeed in a variety of settings, such as education, administration, and activism. Transitioning to a non-archaeology field will require you to demonstrate to employers that you can apply your skills in a new role, however, and you may need additional experience or training to take on work outside the field. If you wish to work in the field of archaeology, however, your options with a bachelor’s degree will be limited to roles like assisting in laboratory work or excavation. In order to work as an archaeologist, you’ll need to earn at least a master’s in archaeology.

What Can I do with a Master’s in Archaeology?

To get a master’s in archaeology, you’ll need to have a bachelors in archaeology, or in a related field like anthropology, classical studies, or art history. A master’s usually takes two years to earn on a full-time basis, though an Accelerated Master’s Degree Program can be completed in just 18 months, while a part-time program takes longer.

A master’s in archaeology will focus on the archaeology major, and will not have not general education classes, though you will be required to demonstrate reading proficiency in a foreign language for most. In addition to archaeology classes, you’ll complete extensive hands-on learning through lab work and fieldwork. Many schools offer (or require) international studies as part of their archaeology program. You’ll also be required to complete a research-based thesis or project in your second year. In addition, many schools require students to complete a comprehensive examination before graduating.

If you’d like to specialize in a particular area, many schools offer archaeology concentrations, such as:

• Applied Anthropology
• Ecological Anthropology
• Medical Anthropology
• History and Social Memory
• Prehistoric Archaeology
• Land, Culture and Society

You may also want to consider a minor in a related field, such as a foreign language, gender studies, sociology, history, or geology. A minor can enhance your specialization within the field of archaeology. Alternatively, a minor can broaden your expertise and make it easier to find work outside the field of archaeology instruction and research.

With a master’s in archaeology, you’ll be able to find work in the archaeology field, such as cultural resource management, education, fieldwork, outreach, historic preservation, or museum curation. However, the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that many positions require a PhD in archaeology, especially those involving research and international studies.

What Can I do with a PhD in Archaeology?

A PhD is a “terminal degree”- the highest degree offered in the field of Archaeology. With this degree, you’ll be an expert in your field, and qualified for research and teaching positions. But earning a PhD is a long and difficult process; it takes 4-9 years to earn a PhD, and many students drop out before completing this rigorous process. In order to earn a PhD in anthropology, you’ll need to complete new research in a specific niche area of anthropology. Under the direction of a thesis advisor, you’ll formulate an original research question, conduct painstaking research, and literally “write the book” on your area of focus by drafting, publishing, and defending your doctoral thesis.

With a PhD in Archaeology, you’ll be qualified to work as an academic archaeologist, project archaeologist, principal investigator, CRM manager, or State Historical Preservation Officer. These are leadership positions, and will allow you to lead and train junior colleagues and students, and to research your own areas of interest. And with a PhD in archaeology, you’ll meet the legal requirements which, in many cases, stipulate that archaeologists working abroad much hold a PhD in archaeology.

Can I Earn a Degree in Archaeology Online?

Archaeology is a latecomer to the field of online education, but there are now a few schools offering online degrees in archaeology. Most students who opt to earn an online degree do so in order to maintain employment or continue to meet family obligations while working towards a degree on a part-time basis. Online education saves busy students from spending time on a commute, and also allows them to access much of their course content on demand. In the case of an online archaeology degree, geographic availability is another important factor. Many areas don’t have a school with a strong archaeology department available locally, and students in this situation may opt to enroll in a well-established archaeology program offered through a school’s online campus. Leading schools such as Harvard offer prestigious online archaeology degrees, while smaller schools may have less “brand recognition” but offer more affordable tuition.

In general, most nine archaeology degree programs do require some degree of on-site participation. This is because archaeology is such a hands-on field, and students can best learn how to conduct a real-life excavation, examination, and measurement procedure by actually observing and participating in real life. This live, interactive learning experience can take the form of an on-campus immersion, on-site field work in a lab or dig site, or a study abroad experience.

What Jobs Can I Get with a Degree in Archaeology?

Your work with an archaeology degree will depend greatly on the degree level you achieve and your preference for applied or academic archaeology. Academic archaeology jobs are those most people associate with the term “archaeology”: professors and researchers. These individuals typically work in a university or museum and conduct field or lab-based research, and hold a PhD in archaeology.

Most archeology work is conducted with cultural resource management (CRM) firms, which execute archaeological investigations associated with federal and private construction projects. Federal law requires that surveys and (where indicated) excavations take place where land is to be disturbed for construction projects, and CRM firms make sure that development does not come at the cost of archeological finds. Applied archaeology positions include roles at museums, national parks, tourism bureaus, federal and state governments, and historical societies.

Archaeologists tend to work in a variety of settings, reading and writing research papers, cataloging and measuring materials in the lab, excavating artifacts at dig sites, viewing materials in museums and libraries, and visiting historic locations around the country or globe. While this is an exceptionally interesting and varied role, archaeology isn’t known to be a lucrative field. Fortunately, it’s not far behind the national average, either. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary with a degree in archaeology is $62,410. Most archaeologists hold a master’s degree, and the average income associated with a master’s is $68,000 according to the BLS.

The BLS also reports that jobs in archaeology will grow 4% between 2016 and 2026. This is slower than the national average, as there are more people with degrees in archaeology than available positions. But as with salary, the news isn’t too bad. Job growth of between 5-9% is considered “average” by the BLS, meaning that a rate of 4% for the filed of archaeology isn’t lagging too far behind the national average.

What are the Pros and Cons of a Degree in Archaeology?

Why get a degree in archaeology? For most students, the answer is simple: they want to. That is, they’ve been interested in the field from a young age, and simply enjoy being involved in anything related to exploring the past. Archaeologists tend to be passionate about their work, and their dedication and excitement about their area of specialty allows them to persist in spite of the field’s challenges.

The main drawbacks of an archaeology degree are a modest salary and competition for jobs. There are fewer archaeology positions than qualified candidates, and many people with archaeology degrees have to spend a great deal of time working in a related field, such as foreign language instruction, or working in a role for which they are overqualified while waiting for the right position to open up. This is especially true for those who want a job in academia. Tenure-track professorships in archaeology simply don’t open up frequently, and those seeking these roles should be willing to relocate for work. Salaries in the field are also modest, which can pose a problem for those who have taken out loans or used their savings to pursue an advanced degree.

On the plus side, archaeology is, simply put, a fascinating field. Few jobs offer the potential to make new discoveries, explore real-life mysteries, and travel to exotic locations. Archaeology offers all these things, as well as the potential to contribute to mankind’s body of knowledge and deepen our understanding of our past, ourselves, and one another.

Further Reading:

• What degree do I need to become an Archaeologist?
• Top 10 Highest Paying Social Science Careers
• What Can I do with a Liberal Arts Degree?
• Top 15 Liberal Arts Schools in America
• Top 10 Highest Paying Social Science Careers
• 50 Best Online Degrees for 2019
• 20 Best Degree Programs for Undergraduates
• 23 Fastest Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs
• Top 25 Fastest Online Doctorate Degrees

The post What Can I Do With an Archaeology Degree? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

1. Indiana University

Indiana University is located in Bloomington Indiana and enrolls over 43,000 students. This public institution offers associates, bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees as well as professional certifications. The student to faculty ratio is 16 to 1. According to Carnegie, Indiana University is a Doctoral university with very high research activity. According to the US News and World Report, Indiana University is the 76th best school in the nation and ranks highly for veterans, innovation, value, business programming and computer science. In fact their business programs are some of the best programs in the country including number four from entrepreneurship and number six for accounting. To support the success of the students at this rigorous institution the university offers academic and career counseling as well as credit for life experiences and distance learning opportunities. In recent years, the university has offered online programming for both undergraduate and graduate students alike.

Indiana university offers an online bachelors degree in nutrition. This program includes course material in nutrition and exercise, theory and practice of translating nutrition, human nutrition throughout the lifespan and health promotion and disease prevention. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

2. Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a public institution located across the state of Arizona. Their campus immersion is headquartered located in Tempe Arizona. The current student enrollment is over 50,000 and the student to faculty ratio is 20 to 1. ASU offers bachelors masters and doctoral degree‘s as well as professional certifications. According to Carnegie, ASU ranks as a doctoral university with very high research activity. The US News and World Report ranks ASU as the number one most innovative school in the nation. Their innovation ranking stems from their assessment of curriculums, faculty and students and technology used in the curriculums. In recent years, ASU has grown an entirely online university known as Arizona State University online. ASU offers hundreds of online programs for both undergraduate and graduate students as well as those returning to school to seek professional certification. Their online offerings are considered to be some of the best in the world.

One of their online offerings as the online Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition Entrepreneurship. This is the inter-disciplinary program that features manufacturing marketing and management programming with a food twist. The food and nutrition degree courses include microbiology, anatomy and physiology, fundamentals of writing for digital media, accounting and financial analysis and an introduction to chemistry. From this program you’ll be able to start a career as a food quality control technician, food scientist, a chef, a certified health education specialist a restaurant manager public relations manager and more. Graduates from this program will have the knowledge to address challenges from the industry. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

3. Texas Woman’s University

Texas Woman’s University TWU is located in Denton, Texas and is a public institution that enrolls over 15,000 students. The institution has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools since 1923. The university offers bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees and according to Carnegie is classified as a doctoral/professional university. To support the success of their students, the University offers academic and career counseling, study abroad opportunities, and distance-learning opportunities. According to the US News and World Report, Texas Women’s University is nationally ranked.

TW offers a Bachelor of Science and Nutrition with an emphasis in dietetics. This is a 120 to 130 credit our program and when taken full-time may be completed in four years. In this program you’ll study food nutrition sciences and as well as how to manage and create nutrition programs. The course features small classes and a knowledgeable faculty. This is a hybrid course that takes place on TWU Denton campus with some online course options. This degree does prepare students to take the national registration examination for dietetics in Texas and licensure through the Texas State Board of Examiners of Dietitians. The curriculums focuses on 53 credit hours of nutrition and dietetics and 35 hours of electives. Students also complete a Dietetic internship which takes 6 to 24 months. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

4. Ohio State University

Ohio State University is a public four-year institution that’s located in Columbus, Ohio. The University enrolls over 60,000 students and offers comprehensive degree programming as well as professional certifications. The student to faculty ratio is 19 to 1. According to Carnegie, Ohio State University is a doctoral university with very high research activity. The US News and World Report ranks Ohio State University OSU as the 53rd best school on the nation as well as highly for veterans, undergraduate teaching, value, innovation, undergraduate engineering, business program in computer science learning communities and much more. In recent years, Ohio State University has expanded their online offerings and includes programming for undergraduate as well as graduate students. In fact OSU has some of the largest online offerings in the world.

Among their online offerings is the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences that’s offered through the college of medicine. This program format is entirely online. Some of the sample courses include: health promotion and disease prevention, application of ethical decision making in healthcare, individual differences in patient/client relationships. This program prepares students for a health related career such as in physical therapy occupational therapy medicine dentistry etc. OSU is military friendly. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

5. SUNY Oneonta

SUNY Oneonta is a public four year institution located in Oneonta New York. The institution enrolls over 6000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 17 to 1. SUNY Oneonta offers bachelors and Masters degrees as well as professional certifications. According to Carnegie, the institution is a masters college and university. The university has been accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education since 1949.

The university features the Bachelors of Science in Dietetics. This program is structured to meet the requirements of becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist. The program prepares you for the registered dietitian exam. This is an interdisciplinary program that specializes in human biology and bio chemistry as well as food science and how the body utilizes nutrients for optimal health throughout the lifecycle. The program prepares you for a career in dietetics or to pursue the master of science in nutrition and dietetics. This program has been accredited by the Accreditation Counsel for Education and Nutrition and Dietetics Education. The course features some of the following core courses: dietetics profession seminar, advanced nutrition, food science, design layout and operations, food service systems management. Students will study bio chemistry, cellular perspectives in biology, sociology psychology, statistics and more. As you can see this is an inter-disciplinary degree. For more information and to apply to check out their website.

• Program Website

6. Rutgers University

Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public four-year institution and enrolls over 50,000 students. New Brunswick university affers associates bachelors masters and doctoral degree’s and professional certifications. According to Carnegie, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a doctoral university with very high research activity. According to the US News and World Report ,Rutgers University New Brunswick is the 63rd best school in the nation and ranks highly for veterans value social mobility engineering business programming, computer science and much more. When it comes to public schooling Rutgers University is among the top in fact is ranked 23rd in the nation along with Pennsylvania State University and the University of Connecticut. To support the success of their students in this rigorous institution Rutgers offers academic and career counseling as well as distance-learning opportunities. In fact, undergraduate students and graduate students may pursue programming online.

Rutgers offers a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics. The program features a flexible online model that leads to the DTR designation. This program has been accredited by the accreditation Council for education and nutrition and dietetics. This program will take 2 to 3 years to complete and requires 42 to 53 credit hours. Additionally students will complete 1200 hours of supervised practice in their geographic location. This program is intended for credentialed dietetic technicians who are looking to advancing their career and build on their previous education. This is an inter-disciplinary program that features health sciences and pre-professional courses as well as clinical opportunities. The curriculum features the following: nutritional microbiology, preventative nutrition, and advanced nutritional physiology among others. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

7. University of Arizona

The University of Arizona is located in Tucson. The institution enrolls over 44,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 15 to 1. Arizona offers bachelors masters in doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. To support the success of the students the institution offers credit for life experiences as well as academic and career counseling in distance-learning opportunities among others. According to Carnegie, Arizona ranks as a doctoral University with very high research activity. According to the US News and World Report, the University of Arizona ranks as the 97th best school on the nation and highly for value, computer scienc,e engineering, business programming and much more.

Among their online offerings is their Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences. Students will have the opportunity to specialize in either dietetics or nutrition. If you follow the dietetic synthesis then you are allowed to apply for dietetic internship and become a registered dietitian with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The nutrition emphasis focuses on careers and graduate studies in food science, dentistry, nursing, nutrition, physical therapy even veterinary medicine. The nutritional emphasis gives you a few options and combines medicine along with food chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology and nutrition and foods. The dietetics emphasis prepares you to work in disease prevention and management, community health and wellness, counseling, and food science in the food industry. Some of the courses include sports nutrition, community nutrition, lifecycle nutrition, diet genes and disease experiential learning and nutrition, and foundations of medical nutrition therapy. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

8. University of Northern Colorado

The University of Northern Colorado is located in Greenley, Colorado. The institution offers bachelors and masters degrees as well as professional doctoral programming. UNCO enrolls over 12,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio 17 to 1. According to Carnegie, UNCO is a doctoral/professional university. The institution has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1916. According to the US News and World Report UNCO is a nationally ranked institution and is one of the top performers in social mobility. Their student support services include academic and career counseling, remedial services, and distance-learning opportunities. Undergraduate as well as graduate students may pursue a degree entirely online.

UNCO extended campus offers a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics. This program has been accredited by the ACEND and adhered to competencies as they are described in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Students have two options when pursuing distance-learning in the dietetic programming they may pursue the DND only which is a certification program for the dietetic special or bachelor of science for individuals who are seeking to complete their bachelors degree or complete a second bachelors degree. The core curriculum is 31 credit hoursand follows a 16-week semester format followed by a summer term which is eight weeks long. Some of the courses may include an introduction to food lives, nutritional applications in food service, food service systems management, and medical nutrition intervention. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

9. University of Missouri

The University of Missouri is located in Columbia, Missouri. The institution offers bachelors, masters, and doctorale degrees and is classified according to Carnegie as a doctoral university with very high research activity. Mizzou enrolls over 30,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 17 to 1. According to the US News and World Report, the University of Missouri ranks as the 124th best school in the nation and highly for veterans, value, public schooling, engineering, business trade gaming, computer science, agricultural programming and much more. In recent years, Mizzou has expanded their programming to offer Mizzou online. Undergraduate as well as graduate students may pursue programming online.

Missouri Online offers an online bachelor of science in health science. This is a non-clinical degree that helps you prepare for a health-related field. This is a 100% online program that’s been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The total number of credit hours is 120 and students may transfer up to 64 credit hours. This online course covers health professions and leadership and an introduction to health professions as well as healthcare in the United States and introduction to research, clinical ethics hands-on learning experiences and public health principles as well as practice. The program prepare students for a health related career. For students interested in pursuing a clinical graduate or professional program they should take pre-requisite science courses. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

10. Weber State University

Weber State University is a public four year institution located in Ogden, Utah. The institution offers comprehensive degree programming as well as professional certification. Currently, Weber enrolls over 29,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 21 to 1. To support the success of their students the university offers credit for life experiences, dual credits, academic and career counseling, and distance learning opportunities. According to Carnegie, Weber University is classified as a Masters College University with larger programming. Some of their most popular academic programs are in the fields of Business health and liberal arts. Cording to the US News and World Report Weber State University is regionally ranked.

Weber offers a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Education. This this major allows students to concentrate in integrative or sports nutrition. The integrative nutrition option may be completed fully online focuses on sustainable cooking, the lifespan, fitness and current issues. Students may complete elective courses in a related discipline such as botany, child and family studies, exercise and sport science, communications, physical education, psychology and more. The sports nutrition concentration focuses on sports nutrition advanced human nutrition, anatomy physiology, chemistry and other related subjects and athletic training. The degree program is 120 credit hours in length 60 credit hours must be from the major. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

11. Kansas State University

Kansas State University is a public four year institution that offers associates, bachelors, masters and doctoral degree‘s as well as professional certifications. The student population is over 20,000 and the student to faculty ratio is 18 to 1. Kansas State University is located in Manhattan Kansas and has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1916. According to Carnegie, Kansas State University is a doctoral university with very high research activity. The US News and World Report ranks Kansas State University as the 170the best school in the nation as well as highly for engineering, business programming and computer science. To support the success of their students Kansas State University offers academic and career counseling as well as distance learning opportunities.

Kansas State Online offers a bachelors degree in dietetics. If you’re looking to become a registered dietitian and are interested in pursuing that online than this is the degree program for you. This program has been accredited by the ACEND and leads to eligibility to apply for supervised practice. As a registered dietitian you may have a career in one of the following settings: hospitals, clinics or extended care facilities as well as in community and public health organizations or universities researching and teaching. The curriculum of this program includes course material in basic nutrition, human nutrition, management and dietetics, nutritional assessment, lifespan nutrition, clinical nutrition. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

12. University of Alabama

The University of Alabama is a public institution located in Tuscaloosa. The university offers bachelors, masters and doctoral degree‘s and enrolls over 38,000 students. According to Carnegie UA is a doctoral university with very high research activity. The U.S. News and World Report ranks UA as the 143rd best school in the nation and highly for value, social mobility, business programming, engineering and more. To support the success of their students the University of Alabama offers academic and career counseling, study abroad programming, and online offerings. Undergraduate and graduate students alike may pursue a degree entirely online. Bama by Distance is the University of Alabama’s online school.

One of their online offerings is the Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition. This 120 credit hour program may be completed entirely online. If you are passionate about nutrition then you may wish to follow this accredited program. This program has been designed for working adults. This program satisfies part of the requirements that will lead to a registered dietitian credential. The required major courses include the following: an introduction to human nutrition, nutrition in the lifecycle, food science, community nutrition, nutrition counseling, applied nutrition, food service management, quality food production service, and much more. The required science courses are in chemistry, organic chemistry, anatomy and physiology and microbiology. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

13. Azusa Pacific University

The Azusa Pacific University APU is a private institution located in Azusa, California. APU enrolls over 9000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 11 to 1. The institution offers bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees as well as professional certifications. According to Carnegie, Azusa university is a doctoral institution with high research activity. To support the success of their students the institution offers credit for life experiences as well as professional and academic career counseling. According to the US News and World Report APU is a nationally ranked university the ranks highly for a first year experiences and social mobility. Additionally, APU offers a wide array of online offerings including in the fields of business, education, nursing and more.

APU offers an online Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Allied Health. To determine which pathway is right for you determine your career goals. The bachelor of arts provides prerequisites for careers in cytotechnology, nursing, nutrition and dietetics and more. The bachelor of science provides the prerequisites for chiropractic, clinical laboratory science, and physician assistance coursework. This program has been accredited by the WSCUC. Additionally, the university offers a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Health with an emphasis in business. The Bachelor of Arts in Applied Health includes course material in the following areas: physics for life sciences, human growth and development, kinesiology, the psychology of personality, and stress and coping. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

14. Eastern Michigan University

Eastern Michigan University is a public four year institution located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The institution enrolls over 17,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 14 to 1. EMichigan offers bachelors, masters and doctoral degree is as well as professional certifications and is currently classified according to Carnegie as a doctoral University with high research activity. The institution has been accredited by the higher learning commission since 1915. According to the US news and world report Eastern Michigan University ranks Nationally. To support the success of their students Eastern Michigan University offers academic and career counseling credit for life experiences and distance-learning opportunities. In fact, undergraduate and graduate students alike may pursue an online degree a degree online. Some of their most popular programs are in the fields of business education engineering and health.

The School of Health Sciences college of Health and Human Services offers the Bachelors in Dietetics and Human Nutrition. This program teaches you how health and nutrition affects the performance of the body. The program leads to the RDN credential. Students may pursue both a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics as well as the Master of Science in Dietetics. Their Bachelors of Science in Dietetics includes course material in nutrition of the lifecycle, integrative medicine, development of the entrepreneurial dietitian, nutritional therapy, food service systems management, nutrition nutrient metabolism: micro nutrients, as well as a number of seminars in dietetics. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

15. University of Alaska Anchorage

The University of Alaska Anchorage is a public institution that enrolls just over 12,000 students. The institution maintains a student to faculty ratio of 14 to 1. UAA offers associates bachelors masters and doctorate degrees as well professional certifications and is classified according to Carnegie as a master college with larger programming. The University of Alaska Anchorage is regionally ranked according to the US News and World Report and as the 75th best school in the west and ranks highly for undergraduate engineering, social mobility, business programming, computer science and more. To support the success of their students, the university offers academic and career counseling, study abroad programming, ROTC, and distance learning opportunities for both undergraduates and graduates like.

The University of Alaska Anchorage offers a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics has been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics ACEND. This degree provides the prerequisite requirements necessary to complete a dietetic internship and to be eligible to take the registered dietitian nutritionist RDN examination. The purpose of this program is to preparestudents for supervised practice. The course material includes a strong science foundation along with courses in management food science therapeutic nutrition, nutrition and development, clinical and community nutrition, as well as courses in management. As you can see, this is an inter-disciplinary program that would be appropriate for anyone applying to work in a clinical setting or for private practice. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

16. Pacific University

Pacific University is a private four-year institution located in Forest Grove, Oregon. The university enrolls 3,832 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 10 to 1. Pacific University offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree‘s as well as professional certifications. According to Carnegie, Pacific University is a doctoral/professional university. To support the success of their students the university offers academic and career counseling along with distance-learning opportunities. This institution has been accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities since 1929. According to the US News and World Report Pacific University is a national institution that also ranks highly for veterans, value, and social mobility. Some of their most popular online offerings are in the fields of health.

Pacific University offers an online Bachelor of Health Science. This program has been designed for working professionals and is formatted online with live weekly interactive sessions. Upon completion, students may puruse a career in one of the following settings: hospitals, healthcare systems, health insurance companies, public health agencies, dental and medical practices, nurse facilities and more. This program follows a cohort model and has 40 credits. The course material was developed both by faculty as well as practitioners in healthcare. The curriculum focuses on the following areas: healthcare finance and accounting, research methods, healthcare strategic planning and marketing, and includes an internship. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

17. University of the Incarnate Word

The University of the Incarnate Word is a private institution located in San Antonio, Texas. This is a doctoral/professional university according to Carnegie and it is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. To support the success of their students the institution offers remedial services as well as academic and career counseling, credit for life experiences, study abroad programming, ROTC teacher certification and distance-learning opportunities. The most popular programs are in the fields of business, health, and visual and performing arts. In recent years, the University of the Incarnate Word has expanded their programming online and offers online degrees for both undergraduate and graduate students.

UIW offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences. Students may choose from two concentrations including: administration, and general studies. The administration concentration prepares you for four nationally accredited healthcare certifications including in cardiac rhythm analysis, certified billing and coding, certified electronica health, and certified medical administrative assistance. General studies concentration includes 18 or more transfer credits in allied health or the appropriate military training. Some of the core course material includes: medical coding, healthcare organizations in administration, healthcare communication, healthcare ethics and law, HIPPA compliance and certification, an introduction to the electronic health record, and healthcare ethics in law and third-party payment systems. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

18. Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Clarion University of Pennsylvania is a public four year institution that offers associates, bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. The university enrolls 4,700 students and maintains a student to faculty ratio of 16 to 1. According to Carnegie, Clarion is a masters college with larger programming. To support the success of their students the institution offers credit for life experiences as well as academic and career counseling, study abroad opportunities, ROTC, teacher certification options, as well as distance-learning opportunities. The school has been accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Clarion offers an online Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Leadership. Are you looking to become a healthcare manager? Than this is the program for you. Additionally this online degree allow students to pursue a career in healthcare education, medical sales, healthcare services management and more. As you can see, this is an inter-disciplinary program. This program has been designed for working professionals who need to balance work and life responsibilities and includes course material in financial accounting, managerial accounting, financial management, leadership and more. Like with most bachelors degrees, students will complete liberal education credits as well as the profession in the science as well also science proficiency. Additionally as this is an inter-disciplinary program, students must complete course material in micro and macro economics. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

19. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a private four-year institution located in Manchester, New Hampshire. The university offers associates, bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. SMHU as a very large institution that enrolls over 100,000 students and maintains a student to faculty ratio of 22 to 1. SNHU is considered to be one of the most innovative schools in the world. According to the US News and World report, Southern New Hampshire University ranks as the most innovative school in the north. Their innovation core takes into account curriculum, faculty, students, campus life as well as technology and facilities. SNHU is known for its online offerings. In fact, students may select from hundreds of online programs from the undergraduate and graduate level.

SNHU offers a Bachelors in Health Science online. Students may transfer up to 90 credits of this 120 credit our program.SNHU features affordable programming that is accredited by the NECHE as well as no application fee. SAT/ACT scores are not required. Students may also apply credits from their associates degree in allied health. The purpose of this program is to meet the growing need for non-management roles in healthcare. Students may pursue a career in one of the following areas: cardiovascular technology, diagnostic medical technology, radiography, restoration therapy, and much more. The current curriculum includes course material in health and sciences, healthcare finance, healthcare reimbursement, healthcare delivery systems and more. All students must complete an introduction to anatomy and physiology as well as statistics courses for healthcare professionals. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

20. Purdue University Global

Purdue University Global is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The institution offers comprehensive programming as well as professional certifications. Their current enrollment is over 38,000 and the student to faculty ratio is 24 to 1. According to Carnegie, Purdue Global is a baccalaureate college that features diverse fields. To support the success of their students Purdue global offers academic and career counseling along with their distance learning opportunities. Their online offerings center on in demand fields such as health, education, computer information sciences, and Homeland security.

Purdue University Global offers a Bachelor of Science in nutrition. The course focuses on nutrition science and healthcare and highlights foundational knowledge as well as exposes you to research methods and applications that prepare you for a career in healthcare and nutrition. The major requirements include core courses in food safety, nutritional analysis and assessment, nutritional coaching counseling, food science says with a lab as well as a bachelors capstone and nutrition. The total credit requirements of this program is 180. All students must complete a mathematics social science science and arts and humanities requirement along with their general education electives.The majority of the credits are in open electives in fact, students for must complete 75 open up elective credits. Open electives give students the opportunity to expand and tailor their degree to match their interests. For more information about this program, check out their website.

• Program Website

The post The 20 Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees In Nutrition appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Nurses are extremely demanded and the field is expended to grow tremendously in the coming years. They’re also compensated at a much higher level than the average American. Here’s some facts about the profession from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics:

• Nurses had a median pay of $71,730 annually, or $34.48 per hour.
• In 2018 there were 3,059,800 working nurses.
• This was expected to rise by 12% between 2018-28, leading to 371,500 new roles in the field.

The RN to BSN programs on this list were ranked based on their tuition cost, national or regional rankings by U.S. News & World Report, how much they were designed for Adult Learning, and special features like scheduling flexibility.

All of the programs on the list require students to be registered nurses before beginning these programs, having previously earned either an Associate’s degree in Nursing, or another diploma program that certified them as registered nurses.

Let’s explore the schools that made the list!

1) University of Alabama

Founded in 1831, the University of Alabama is an iconic public institution known for its superb academics, thriving sports programs, and passionately committed students, faculty, and alumni. Currently there are over 33,000 undergraduate students attending UB. U.S. News & World Report has given the school several accolades for 2020, including ranking it 153rd among National Universities, and 129th in Best Value Schools. Popular majors include Business, Management, Marketing, Engineering, Communication, Journalism, Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, and Health Professions. It maintains an average freshman retention rate of 87%, a sign of how happy students are to attend the school.

Alabama offers two online options for people who want to improve their career in nursing: an RN to BSN, and an RN to BSN/MSN program. These programs are designed for registered nurses who have an associate degree or a nursing diploma. In the RN to BSN program students will take take a core curriculum that meets Alabama requirements, then gallop through 25 credit hours of nursing courses. In the RN to BSN/MSN program students have an accelerated opportunity to complete their master’s degree. They can also opt for a concentration as a Nurse Administrator. These programs can be taken full or part-time. All classes are offered online, and students do clinical work locally.

• Tuition: $375 for undergraduate courses $420 for graduate courses (10th)
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

2) Clemson University

Clemson is a public, research university headquartered in Clemson, South Carolina. It has been named a “Doctoral university [with] highest research activity”. Clemson was founded in 1889, and is the second largest university in the state. There’s just under 20,000 undergraduate students at Clemson, which is made up of of seven colleges: Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences; Architecture, Arts and Humanities; Business; Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences; Education; Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences; and Science. USNR ranks Clemson 70th in National Universities for 2020 (a top 5 ranking for this list). The school is committed to improving its community through combatting bullying, improving irrigation systems, and much more.

Clemson offers an accelerated online RN/BS Completion Program (RN/BS Program) to help students who are registered nurses or hold associate degrees in nursing earn their Bachelor’s. For those that want to this program can be completed in 12 months, although there are part-time options available as well. This program is concentrated on socialization, making ethical decisions, inspiring curiosity, critical thinking, and much more. There are courses in health care genetics, community nursing, family nursing, professionalism in the field, nursing research, and much more.

• Tuition: $550 per credit hour (19th)
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

3) University of Massachusetts-Lowell

The University of Massachusetts-Lowell is a public research university that was founded in 1894. Just over 14,000 undergraduate students attend the school. UMass-Lowell is renowned for its degrees in healthcare, engineering, criminal justice, music, science, business, education, and technology. U.S. News & World Report ranked UMass Lowell 179th among National Universities in 2020. It has risen precipitously on this list in the past decade. It’s also ranked at 147th on USNR’s ranking of “Top Performers on Social Mobility.” In 2013 Forbes rated UMass Lowell the 10th best value among all universities and colleges in the country, and Forbes and Payscale.com have consistently praised the school for its value and return on investment for students.

UMass-Lowell offers a hybrid RN to BS program that combines on-campus and online courses. It can be finished in as little 15 months. Applying and getting accepted to this program puts 39 credits on your current Massachusetts RN license. Up to 75% of this degree’s credits can be transferred, in case you’re interested in working as a nurse in another state. There’s also a wide variety of scholarships and financial aid available in this program. Students will fine-tune their critical thinking skills, learn cutting-edge information about the American healthcare system, study the significance of research on health policy and practice, study ethics, and much more.

• Tuition: $380 per credit hour (11th)
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

4) University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Little Rock is a public university that was founded in 1927. It then joined the University of Arkansas System in 1969. Currently there are just under 8,300 undergraduate students at the school. In 2020 USNR ranked it in the 293-381st bracket among National Universities. Little Rock is known for its research, stellar faculty, flexibility and internship opportunities. There are 173 distinct undergraduate and graduate programs at Little Rock, and 10% of its Bachelor programs are offered online. If you’re a military student you’ll enjoy in-state tuition and won’t have to pay an application fee.

Little Rock offers a RN to BSN program that can be completed online. Students will need to be registered nurse graduates of either a diploma or associates program to qualify for this degree. It takes 34 credit hours to complete, and can be finished in 12-18 months. Students will be immersed in areas like health advocacy, economics, leadership, research, assessment, and much more. Students need to earn a C or higher on each course in order to graduate. You’ll be able to continue working throughout attending this program.

• Tuition: $280 per credit hour (3rd)
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

5) University of Wisconsin-Madison

This public university was founded in 1848 on the southern shores of Lake Mendota. Wisconsin-Madison has over 32,600 undergraduate students, and boasts a ranking of 46th on USNR’s 2020 National Universities list (which is second best on this ranking). Students have incredible options in programming and can choose between 130 undergraduate, 144 graduate, 109 doctoral and 14 professional degree programs. Madison, Wisconsin is ranked among the best communities to live in in America. The school is unique in that it doesn’t require freshman to live on campus.

Wisconsin-Madison offers a RN to BSN program that can be taken mostly online. Applicants will need an Associate’s Degree in Nursing or a Diploma in Nursing to qualify. There are some in-person requirements, including a half-day on campus and 135 hours of clinical work (which can often be done close to where students live). The school also offers an 18-credit School Nurse Certification Program that can be used to work in Wisconsin schools. Students in the RN to BSN program can complete some of the courses for this certification during their degree program. The RN to BSN program requires 33 credits and can be completed in 1.5-2 years.

• Tuition: $425 per credit hour (13th)
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

6) Liberty University

Liberty is a private, non-profit, research university. Founded by Rev. Jerry Falwell, Liberty is a Christian school known for its online programming. The school is headquartered in Lynchburg, Virginia and was founded in 1971. Nearly 46,000 undergraduate students attend Liberty. The school is among pioneers of distance learning, going back to 1985. It has over 280 online degrees students can choose from in areas like health, business, theology, computer science, and much more. USNR ranks it in the 230th-381st bracket among National Universities for 2020. Liberty is founded on the belief that the secret to success comes with a strong commitment to biblical truth. It also touts itself as the nation’s largest nonprofit online university.

Liberty offers an online RN to BSN program that comes in two tracks: a standard track and a Global Studies track for students who want to do international nursing. Students can also choose between part and full-time education. This program is for registered nurses who want to expand their experience, education, and job opportunities. In this program there’s an automatic minimum of 39 credit hours you can transfer towards your current nursing licensure, no challenge exams required. This program promotes a Christian perspective to nursing in addition to traditional training and skills-building.

• Tuition: $330 per credit hour (7th)
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

7) University of Southern Mississippi

The University of Southern Mississippi is a public research university founded in 1910. It’s based in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Between 1910 and now it’s grown from a small teachers college to a sprawling research and doctoral university. Just over 11,900 undergraduate students attend the school. The school is known for its scores of student organizations, and degree programs in health, psychology, criminal justice, and business. Currently USNR ranks USM in the 293-381st bracket among National Universities. Nursing programs are among its most popular majors.

USM’s online RN to BSN program was created to help registered nurses improve their education and career options while working. It can be completed in as little as three semesters, and doesn’t require chemistry coursework (for students who can’t stand chemistry)! Students can begin this program in the Fall, Spring, or Summer. Students can also choose between 8, 10, or 16-week options to tailor the program to their schedules. Sample courses include Psychiatric Nursing, Population Health Nursing, Role Development as a Nurse Scientist, and much more.

• Tuition: $370 per credit hour (9th)
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

8) Pennsylvania State University-World Campus

Penn State is a public, research university with campuses throughout Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1855, and has been called a “Public Ivy” because of its excellent education. USNR ranks it 57th among National Universities, good for the third-highest ranking on this list. Over 40,300 undergraduate students attend Penn State. It’s also known for its thriving online wing, the Penn State World Campus. The World Campus was founded in 1998, to bring the world-renowned Penn State education to students outside of Pennsylvania. PSWC was born from the experimentation of Professor Michael G Moore, who built and taught some of the world’s first online courses.

The World Campus offers an online Bachelor of Science in Nursing. It’s designed to help you keep up with changes in healthcare, prepare you for a graduate education, and reach new career heights. There’s an accelerated and regular format for this program. Graduates will be prepared to work in pharmaceutical sales, social work case management, research, education, community and public health centers, and much more. You’ll work on communication skills, build leadership experience, among other indispensable traits and abilities. There are also options for certifications in Nursing Management, Nursing Informatics, or Nursing Forensics.

• Tuition: $617 per credit hour (26th)
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

9) George Washington University

GWU is a private research university in Washington, D.C. It was established by Congress in 1821, as an homage to George Washington itself. The school is known for its degrees in healthcare, journalism, computer science, international affairs, and government. GWU has a close relationship with the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), which both have a presence on campus. USNR ranks it 70th among National Universities, which is fifth-best on this list. Over 12,500 undergraduate students attend GWU. For students that want to work in government or form healthcare policy, GWU presents limitless opportunities to network and connect with government agencies, representatives, and the people who work for them.

George Washington offers an online RN-BSN program that can be completed in 15 months over four part-time semesters. Students will be able to work as they complete this program. There are many scholarship opportunities available for prospective students to help pay for this degree. During the program you’ll have the chance to earn 9 credits towards one of GWU’s Master of Science in Nursing specialization areas. George Washington has partner agreements with 11 community colleges that give some students guaranteed admission to this elite program.

• Tuition: $660 per credit hour (29th)
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

10) Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern University is a public research university in Statesboro, Georgia. GSU was established in 1906, and is a member of the University System of Georgia. It’s the biggest higher education center in the southern half of the state, and has over 23,100 undergraduate students. USNR ranks it in the 293-381st bracket of National Universities. GSU lets students access over 100 majors, in political science, nursing, business, and much more. Georgia Southern has been labeled a Doctoral and Research Institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. It has a strong online wing of the school that grown significantly since its founding in 2008.

GSU offers an online RN to BSN program. It can be completed in less than 12 months (2 semesters), or in up to five years depending on student needs. Georgia Southern boasts the most affordable tuition of any school on this list. This program was created to help graduates achieve leadership positions in nursing, or work in desired specialization areas. This also means greater job security and higher pay. Sample courses include Nutrition and Health, a hefty credit-load of Anatomy and Physiology, Nursing Research, and much more.

• Tuition: $186 per credit hour (1st)
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

11) Ball State University

Ball State University is a public research university in Municie, Indiana. It was founded in 1918. It serves over 22,000 students. USNR has ranked Ball State 192nd among National Universities, and also 53rd in Top Performers on Social Mobility for 2020. Ball State offers around 180 undergraduate majors, and an entrepreneurship program. David Letterman is a former graduate, and has opened a new Communication and Media Building. Recently Ball State has earned the Community Engagement Classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Ball State offers an online RN to BS nursing degree. It blends liberal arts courses with nursing. This includes the psychosocial, and physical aspects of nursing alongside fine arts, literature, communication skills, and more. It has been designated a National League for Nursing Center of Excellence, which only a few programs in America can claim. There are three semester and six semester options for this program. Sample courses include Management and Leadership, Nursing Foundation and Issues, Community Health, and Applied Nursing Concepts. For those already holding an associate degree in nursing, it’s likely you have completed some of the prerequisite liberal arts credits required in this program.

• Tuition: $551 per credit hour (20th)
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

12) University of North Dakota

University of North Dakota is a public university and the state’s first. UND was founded in 1883, six years before North Dakota became a state. Over 10,500 undergraduates attend UND. Students can choose from programs of study in over 225 fields at the undergraduate and graduate level. It’s especially known for its programs in areas like engineering, aerospace, unmanned aerial systems, medicine, nursing, education, social work, business, and the arts. USNR has ranked the school 263rd among National Universities, and 128th in Top Public Schools. Its School of Medicine and Health Sciences is also highly regarded.

UND offers an online nursing completion RN to BSN program. It’s for registered nurses who are interested in earning their Bachelor’s degree. The program requires at least 30 credit hours and can be finished in 1-2 years. You’ll learn how to deliver healthcare and strategize on providing care in different environments and for populations with disparate experiences and needs. This program is interdisciplinary, and rests on collaborating and advocating for patients through online coursework and clinical experiences.

• Tuition: $513 per credit hour (18th)
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

13) University of Massachusetts-Amherst

UMass Amherst is a public research university founded in 1863. It offers over 100 majors to choose from, including a customizable option known as BDIC: Bachelor’s Degree with Individual Concentration. UMass Amherst is a member of the prestigious Five College Consortium, which includes Smith, Mount Holyoke, Amherst, and Hampshire. Students have the option to take courses at these highly respected institutions. UMass Amherst has also been recognized by the Carnegie Foundation as a school with the highest level of research activity. Over 23,500 undergraduate students attend UMass-Amherst. USNR ranked it 64th among National Universities in 2020, up from 70th the year before.

UMass Amherst offers an online RN to BS program. It requires 120 credits, 52 of which are non-nursing and must be completed before beginning this program. Then 30 credits are awarded for RN licensure, and 30 can be earned online or at an onsite nursing program. The program culminates in a capstone project that reflects what students have learned over the course of it. UMass Amherst is a leader in nursing education, and has an outstanding faculty to match.

• Tuition: $585 per credit hour (23rd)
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

14) Texas A&M University

Texas A&M is a public research university with multiple locations in Texas. It was founded in 1876 as the first public higher learning institute in the state. Over 53,700 students attend A&M. USNR has ranked it 70th among National Universities in 2020. Texas A&M offers over 130 undergraduate programs and almost 270 graduate degree programs, along with professional degrees in law, veterinary medicine, dentistry, nursing, medicine, pharmacy, and public health. It’s tied at first in the country for graduates that become CEOs of Fortune 500 companies.

A&M offers an online RN to BSN program. There’s a required two-day in-person conference for new students at the College Station campus before the program begins. There’s also in-person practicum requirements that can be completed wherever students live. Students can opt to complete their online 30 credit hour curriculum over 3, 4, or 5 semesters depending on their wants and needs.

• Tuition: $1700 per credit hour (36th)
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

15) University of North Carolina at Charlotte

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a public research university founded in 1946. It has nearly 24,400 undergraduate students. The school features 139 undergraduate majors with 75 programs that confer Bachelor’s degrees, 65 Master’s degrees and 24 Doctoral degrees taught by seven colleges including its excellent Health & Human Services school. Almost 85% of its full-time faculty have reached the highest degree in their field of instruction. USNR ranks UNC Charlotte 228th among National Universities, and 109th in Top Public Schools in 2020. It has also reached 84th in Top Performers on Social Mobility.

UNC Charlotte offers an online RN to BSN Completion Program. Like the others on this list, you’ll need to have completed an associate’s degree or diploma program in nursing to qualify. There are no compulsory visits to campus to complete this program, which was designed to be completed in 12 months. It has been approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing in addition to the CCNE. Sample courses include Aging and Health, Enhancing Clinical Judgement, and Information Technology: Applications in Healthcare.

• Tuition: $612 per credit hour (25th)
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

16) Drexel University

Drexel is a private research university that has three campuses in Philadelphia. It began serving students in 1891, after being opened by the philanthropist and financier Anthony J. Drexel. A unique feature of Drexel University is its cooperative education program. Each year students are sent to work for 1,600 employers across the world for six months to get paid for work that supplements their education. Almost 13,500 undergraduates attend Drexel. In 2020 USNR ranks it 97th among National Universities. It has the nation’s largest private medical school.

Drexel offers an online RN to BSN nursing program. It focuses on the latest technology and practices in nursing. Students will find the practical skills and precise clinical education essential to their career advancement. This program can be completed in as little as 12 months, or take longer if you need to. There’s a 3-year tuition lock that lets students keep the same tuition rate over three years if they need that long to finish. Graduates will be prepared to work as Case Managers, Nurses that work in various departments and settings, among other positions. There are no on-campus requirements in this program.

• Tuition: $556 per credit hour (21st)
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

17) Old Dominion University

Old Dominion is a public research university in Norfolk, Virginia. It was established in 1930. ODU offers over 150 distinct degrees, and serves more than 24,000 ODU students. It’s one of the biggest distance learning providers in the country. ODU is a very military-friendly school, with 25% of its students having a direct connection to the military. It’s known for its research, especially linked to entrepreneurship. Old Dominion University initiatives contribute almost $2.6 billion to Virginia’s economy each year. Old Dominion University has over 100,000 alumni in all 50 states and 67 countries. USNR ranks it 263rd among National Universities, and 128th in Top Public Schools.

ODU offers an online RN to BSN. The school has been delivering distance nursing education since 1987. A major focus of the program is building a professional portfolio to help graduates reach their potential in the field. The school features a guaranteed admission program between Virginia Community College System (VCCS) students to make transferring from your initial nursing degree program into this one. Students must take at least 30 credit hours with ODU as part of this program, of a total 120 that are required for a Bachelor’s degree. Graduates work in nursing management, administration, for non-profits, in pharmaceutical and medical equipment sales, and much more.

• Tuition: $407 per credit hour (12th)
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

18) Western Carolina University

Western Carolina is a public university that was founded in 1889. It serves over 10,000 undergraduate students. Its mission has a heavy emphasis on service and community engagement. There are over 115 undergraduate majors for students to choose from. It boasts the countries’ first accredited four-year emergency medical care program. There are also over 40 graduate-level programs students can choose from. USNR ranks Western Carolina University 23rd in the Regional Universities South category.

Western Carolina offers an online RN to BSN program that can be completed in four semesters. North Carolina students can complete this degree for approximately $3,500. The program aims to build leaders in nursing, give students a better understanding of modern clinical practices, and potentially go on to study nursing at the graduate level. You’ll build communication and reasoning skills, use the latest technology in the field, and much more. Students can begin this program in either January or August.

• Tuition: $1416 per credit hour (34th)
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

19) Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays is a public university in Kansas. It was founded in 1902 as an agricultural school, and has grown to one of the largest schools in the state. Over 15,000 students attend FHSU. It offers degrees through 31 academic departments, including a Doctorate in Nursing Practice. Fort Hays State University is known for its affordable online programs. Over 95% of its graduating students find a job or go on to graduate school after completing their degree. Professors serve as instructors and mentors to students, helping them in innumerable ways. USNR ranks FHSU in the 117-153rd bracket in the Regional Universities Midwest bracket, and 119th in Top Performers on Social Mobility in 2020.

FHSU offers an online RN to BSN that can be finished in as little as three semesters. It requires clinical practicum work, and helps students get clinical work across the country. You’ll need a license in the state you want to do your clinical work, so in rare cases if FHSU can’t find a facility you can work in in your state you’ll need a license to practice in Kansas. Sample courses include Health Promotion, Community-Focused Care for the RN, and Healthcare Quality Improvement for the RN.

• Tuition: $218 per credit hour (2nd)
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

20) Webster University

Webster is a non-profit private university in Webster Groves, Missouri. It was founded as a Catholic’s women’s college in 1915. Today it’s an independent, non-denominational university with branch locations across the United States. Webster University offers undergraduate and graduate programs in liberal arts, fine and performing arts, teacher education, business and management. Nearly 2,500 undergraduates attend Webster. It has educated more than 170,000 graduates globally. In 2020, USNR ranks it 56th among Best Value Schools, and 17th among Regional Universities Midwest universities.

Webster offers an online Nursing BSN program. Students will strengthen their communication and analytical skills while improving their professional credentials. The program was designed to cater to working adults. There’s part-time enrollment, and eight week terms. Students can also opt for an on-campus version of this program, which can be finished in two to two and a half years. Required courses include Population Health: Clinical Prevention with Families and Communities, Concepts of Professional Nursing, and Evidence-Based Practice for Nurses. It culminates in students building a Capstone Portfolio to showcase their education and experience.

• Tuition: $350 per credit hour (8th)
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

The post 20 Best Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree Programs appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

1. Ph.D. in Astronomy

Astronomy is the scientific study of the stars, planets and other bodies that make up the universe. The scientists who work in this field, called astronomers, use data to develop theories about how the universe operates and when and how the celestial bodies came into existence. There are a number of specialized job roles within the field of astronomy, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported. Some, like cosmologists and extragalactic astronomers, seek to understand the history and development of the universe as a whole. Others specialize in the study of galaxies (galactic astronomers), planets (planetary astronomers), stars (stellar astronomers) or the sun (solar astronomers). There are also high-energy astrophysicists who work with energy rays. Some types of astronomers are categorized by the tools they use to study space rather than what phenomena they study. Optical and observational astronomers view their objects of study through optical telescopes, while radio astronomers utilize radio telescopes instead. Coursework in a doctoral astronomy program typically includes high-level math classes such as statistics, calculus and linear algebra as well as advanced studies in general astronomy and in subfields such as cosmology or planetary astronomy.

Some 60 percent of careers at NASA fall into the category of Professional, Engineering and Scientific roles. Since astronomy is literally the study of stars and space objects, what degree path could better prepare you for a career in the field of space exploration? To work for NASA, aspiring astronomers need a Ph.D. in astronomy. Astronomers who work as NASA scientists gather and analyze data and use their findings to better understand space and the celestial bodies that compose it, the BLS reported. They use a variety of equipment, including telescopes based on earth and probes in outer space, to study the universe. Like other scientists, astronomers conduct research to test theories, but astronomers face the additional challenge of being very far – lightyears, even – from the bodies they’re studying. About 26 percent of astronomers across the U.S. work for the federal government, according to the BLS.

Occupational Grouping: Science

Median Salary: $104,100

Similar Degree Programs: Master’s Degree in Astronomy, Master’s or Ph.D. in Physics

2. Ph.D. in Physics

If you’ve ever wondered how the universe works, studying physics can help you learn the answers. Physics is the scientific study of matter, energy, time and space. Physicists study everything from tiny atoms and molecules to the workings of matter and energy across the universe. Subfields of physics include condensed matter, particle physics, nuclear physics and medical physics. Some of the studies of physics are theoretical, ccomonceptualizing how matter works. Other endeavors constitute applied physics, in which physicists put what they know about matter and energy to practical use improving medical technology, communications infrastructure, navigation systems and household electronics. In their work, physicists develop theories based on existing data and complex mathematical calculations and conduct experiments with the help of equipment such as lasers, particle accelerators and electron microscopes. In a Ph.D. program in physics, students choose a concentration such as condensed matter physics or astrophysics to study in-depth as well as taking math and science courses.

The specialty of physics is closely related to the specialty of astronomy, according to the BLS. Like astronomers, physicists who wish to work for NASA need to earn a doctoral degree. In particular, NASA offers employment opportunities for plasma physicists. These are scientists who study plasma, a type of matter that is found naturally in stars but that is also used on earth as components in television screens and neon signs. While many plasma physicists who work outside the field of space exploration focus more on ways to harness plasma as an energy source for the future, NASA plasma physicists may work more on understanding how the sun affects weather in space. Their findings can be used to safeguard satellites launched into space as well as the communication systems and power transmissions used in spacecraft. About 18 percent of astronomers across the U.S. work for the federal government, according to the BLS.

Occupational Grouping: Science

Median Salary: $111,580

Similar Degree Programs: Master’s Degree in Physics, Master’s or Ph.D. in Astronomy

3. Bachelor’s in Atmospheric Science Degree

When you think of meteorologists, it’s most likely the weather forecasters who predict weather conditions here on earth for broadcast or digital media that come to mind. Actually, though, there are numerous types of atmospheric scientists, and not all of them focus solely on earthly phenomena. In addition to familiar jobs like broadcast meteorologist and weather forecaster, atmospheric and space scientists include atmospheric chemists, climatologists, atmospheric physicists, climate scientists, forensic meteorologists and research meteorologists. Given the wide range of career roles available in atmospheric science, the subjects of study in the field can vary significantly. While many atmospheric scientists focus on predicting weather and climate events, some instead focus on historical weather or on new methods of collecting weather data. In their studies and research, atmospheric and space scientists gather data with the help of equipment such as satellite images, weather balloons and radar systems. Undergraduate students of atmospheric science study meteorology, atmospheric science, math, physics and computer programming, according to the BLS.

Atmospheric scientists who are interested in a career in space exploration could seek out a role as a NASA scientist. At NASA, meteorologists and other types of atmospheric scientists use their knowledge of weather and climate factors to study the weather conditions in space. They analyze data to develop both short-term and long-term space-weather forecasts, according to the BLS. Some NASA atmospheric scientists study other phenomenon, like trade winds and the Northern Lights. Atmospheric scientist is the one type of scientist prominently employed by NASA that requires only a bachelor’s degree. However, if you don’t want to spend four years in school, you might also be able to attain a NASA job with just two years of study. An associate’s degree from a technical school or community college can help you attain a job as a meteorological technician or meteorological aide. About 26 percent of atmospheric scientists work for the federal government, according to the BLS.

Occupational Grouping: Science

Median Salary: $89,820

Similar Degree Programs: Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Geology or Physics or Associate’s Degree in Earth Sciences or Meteorology  

 4. Bachelor’s Degree in Biology

Biology is the study of living organisms. When you study the natural or biological sciences, you learn about the growth, structure, evolution and function of various organisms. There are a number of different focuses of study available in the biological sciences. If you’re interested in the study of animals, you might become a wildlife biologist or zoologist. Scientists who study tiny organisms such as viruses and bacteria become microbiologists. Many scientists who work in biology hold interdisciplinary roles such as biochemist or biophysicist. A degree in biology or biological sciences can open a lot of career paths to you, including roles with the federal government. About 21 percent of wildlife biologists and 12 percent of microbiologists work for the federal government, according to the BLS. The executive branch of the federal government is also the industry that employs the highest number of biological scientists working in other unspecified roles, the BLS reported.

At NASA, a bachelor’s degree in biological science is one of the educational paths you can take to become an astronaut. Some Other options for preparing for a career as an astronaut include physical science, engineering, computer science and mathematics. However, aspiring astronauts should know that it takes more than an undergraduate degree to achieve the dream of visiting outer space. Just 45 of NASA’s more than 17,000 workers happen to be astronauts, the BLS reported. In fact, there have only been 338 U.S. astronauts sent into space since 1959. In addition to your bachelor’s degree, you will need years of experience flying aircraft just to qualify for the astronaut candidate program. Then you will spend another two years in the program, preparing for your mission into space. Astronaut candidates need to go through rigorous military water survival training as well as training in robotics skills and space physiology and medicine, the BLS reported.

Occupational Grouping: Science

Median Salary: $77,190

Similar Degree Programs: Bachelor’s Degree Physical Science or Mathematics

5. Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering

In addition to scientists, NASA employs a large number of engineers, professionals who apply scientific and mathematical principles to solve real-world problems. Aerospace engineering is the branch of engineering that focuses on designing and building aircraft and spacecraft. Aerospace engineers typically choose one of two specializations. Aeronautical engineers design, create and test aircraft that stays within the earth’s atmosphere, such as jet planes. Astronautical engineers focus on developing the technology used in spacecraft that travels through the earth’s atmosphere and into space. In an ABET-accredited bachelor’s degree program in aerospace engineering, students take coursework in specific subjects such as propulsion, mechanics, structures and stability and control as well as general engineering principles and how to apply them. Undergraduate aerospace engineering students must develop their knowledge of aerodynamics. Aerodynamics is the study of the interaction between air and moving objects such as rockets, airplane wings and even kites, the BLS reported.

NASA aerospace engineers work primarily on designing and constructing missiles, rockets and other forms of spacecraft. At NASA, aerospace engineers solve problems that aeronautical never have to deal with due to differences between the atmosphere in earth and the conditions found in space. For example, the lack of airflow in space means that the jet engines that work within the earth’s atmosphere would fail to work in a spaceship, according to the BLS. To meet this challenge, aerospace engineers devised rockets that run on liquid oxygen and propellant. Once a NASA aerospace engineer comes up with a design idea, he or she must create a prototype to test the design’s performance and safety. Because a failure could put astronauts’ lives in danger, it’s very important that spacecraft designs work in practice and not just in principle. About 13 percent of aerospace engineers work for the federal government, according to the BLS.

Occupational Grouping: Engineering

Median Salary: $107,830

Similar Degree Programs: Master’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering or Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Systems Science

6. Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering

Another branch of engineering is computer hardware engineering. Computer hardware engineers apply the principles of engineering to computers. Unlike software developers, who focus on programs and applications, computer hardware engineers work on the physical components of computer systems. They develop the circuit boards, processes and memory devices used in individual devices as well as the networks and routers used to connect these computers. Undergraduate computer engineering students complete coursework that combines electrical engineering principles and practices with extensive studies in computer science. The very technical coursework required for this degree means that students must have a strong foundation in science and mathematics to build on during their undergraduate studies. Because computer technology is constantly and quickly evolving, aspiring computer hardware engineers should plan on lifelong learning to keep pace with new technological developments. Most computer hardware engineers work in industries like computer systems design, computer equipment manufacturing and electronics component manufacturing, but the federal government employs about six percent of computer hardware engineers, the BLS reported.

The spacecraft, instruments and equipment used in space exploration often rely heavily on computer technology. After all, these instruments are used to measure activity and matter in space – sometimes from the earth’s surface. Given the high-tech nature of space exploration equipment, it’s no surprise that NASA needs skilled computer hardware engineers who understand how the physical components of these computers and computer systems work. Specifically, computer hardware engineers who work for NASA are responsible for the research and development of computer equipment used to collect data both in space and from earth. In addition to developing the design of data-collecting equipment, NASA computer hardware engineers also create a working prototype that they can test to make sure the instrument works as intended. Computer hardware engineers at NASA don’t just design computer equipment for themselves to use. They must make their designs accessible for other NASA personnel by noting down in detail how the product works.

Occupational Grouping: Engineering

Median Salary: $111,730

Similar Degree Programs: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering

7. Bachelor’s Degree in Electronics Engineering

Computer hardware is far from the only kind of technology engineers develop. Electronics engineering is the branch of engineering that involves the design and construction of electronic equipment. Electronics engineers must determine how to design and construct complex electronic systems, components and devices that meet the functional needs of the user without being too expensive to produce, too difficult to maintain or too unwieldy to use. The work of electronics engineers plays a role in a wide variety of industries, from medical treatment to military purposes. There is often a lot of overlap between the disciplines of electronics engineering and a related branch of engineering called electrical engineering. In an ABET-accredited electronics engineering degree program, students cake coursework in differential equations, electrical circuit theory and digital systems design. Electronics engineers can begin working in entry-level roles without attaining state licensure, but many choose to earn their Professional Engineering (PE) license during the course of their careers, the BLS reported.

The electronics engineers who work for NASA specialize in designing and developing electronics used in space exploration. Satellites and the instrument panels and broadcast and communications systems are just a few of the projects electronics engineers may work on when employed by NASA. The environmental conditions in space differ from earth and can be much harsher, exposing the equipment to radiation as well as extreme temperatures. The instruments a NASA electronics engineer designs must be capable of withstanding these conditions. While developing new equipment systems and components is an important part of a NASA electronics engineer’s responsibilities, it’s still only one part of the job description. Electronics engineers also need to plan ahead for maintaining the equipment and develop in-depth procedures for safe and effective maintenance practices. In addition to coming up with a design for the equipment, electronics engineers inspect, test and maintain existing electronics for safety and performance. The federal government employs 13 percent of electronics engineers, the BLS reported.

Occupational Grouping: Engineering

Median Salary: $95,230

Similar Degree Programs: Master’s Degree in Electronics Engineering or Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering

8. Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Engineers are problem-solvers – and mechanical engineers are perhaps the most versatile problem-solvers of all. Mechanical engineering is among the broadest engineering disciplines, encompassing the creation of various kinds of mechanical devices, the BLS reported. Among the wide range of devices mechanical engineers develop are batteries, electric generators, escalators and elevators, engines, conveyor belt systems, medical devices, appliances, tools and turbines. Mechanical engineers aren’t just the brains behind these products. Mechanical engineers use computer technology that analyzes data and simulates machine testing as they build, test and tweak prototypes of their designs to perfection. The end result is a product that functions precisely as needed to solve the problem at hand. To earn a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, students need to take a variety of math and science classes in addition to their engineering and design courses. For mechanical engineers, a state-issued Professional Engineering license is beneficial and, in some cases, mandatory, according to the BLS.

When it comes to space exploration, mechanical engineers play an important role. Successful space missions depend on engines, tools, sensors, machines and other equipment that function optimally. With skilled mechanical engineers on the NASA team, the space exploration program can be sure that the equipment they use has been designed with all of the potential space-related challenges in mind. Mechanical engineers don’t always work alone. Often, they collaborate with engineers who specialize in other disciplines. At NASA, it’s not unusual for mechanical engineers to work alongside aerospace engineers, combining their expertise to make sure every tool and machine onboard a spacecraft meets its users’ needs. The steering mechanism used on rocket nozzles is just one example of the work mechanical engineers – along with their collaborators in other branches of engineering – do for NASA, according to the BLS. About six percent of mechanical engineers work in aerospace parts manufacturing roles, according to the BLS.

Occupational Grouping: Engineering

Median Salary: $83,590

Similar Degree Programs: Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology

9. Associate’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering Technology

Aerospace engineers who are working on major projects can’t do everything themselves. Technicians – engineering professionals who have formal technical training but not an extensive academic education – often work in roles that support the efforts of full-fledged engineers. Aerospace engineering and operations technicians get their training from a technical school or junior college. ABET, the same entity that accredits science and engineering programs at the bachelor’s and master’s degree levels, also has a separate Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission that awards accreditation to engineering technology degree programs. To earn ABET accreditation, an aerospace engineering technology degree program must include classes in science, college-level algebra and trigonometry, according to the BLS. Community colleges are more likely to offer more studies in the theory of aerospace engineering technology and in the liberal arts and sciences and to award associate’s degrees. Technical schools, on the other hand, more commonly focus on practical applications of aerospace engineering technologies and may award a certificate or diploma instead of an associate’s degree, the BLS reported.

While most of the careers involved in space exploration require at least an undergraduate degree, aerospace engineering and operations technician is one NASA job you can get with only an associate’s degree. In a role at NASA, aerospace engineering and operations technicians assist engineers and scientists with their projects to design, develop and especially test spacecraft. Aerospace engineering technicians contribute toward building spacecraft by installing the instruments and components engineers design. Technicians also create the conditions necessary to rigorously test spacecraft and the systems they employ. An aerospace engineering technician’s role in testing aerospace equipment can take many forms, from building test facilities and installing components to calibrating test equipment and actually running computer simulation tests and recording the results of various tests. Due to their close involvement in testing spacecraft, aerospace engineering technicians play an important role in the safety and quality assurance. One-third of aerospace engineering technicians work in the industry of aerospace products and parts manufacturing, the BLS reported.

Occupational Grouping: Technology

Median Salary: $66,180

Similar Degree Programs: Technical School Diploma or Certificate in Aerospace Engineering Technology

10. Associate’s Degree in Avionics Technology

When the complex electronic equipment onboard aircraft and spacecraft needs to be fixed, who works on it? A type of installation, maintenance and repair professional called an avionics technician fulfills this vital job duty. Avionics technicians perform both regular scheduled maintenance procedures and urgent repairs that result from a malfunction or other problem. Unlike the related roles of aircraft mechanic and repairmen, avionics technicians specialize in maintaining and fixing the electronic systems onboard a plane or spaceship. They work with aircraft and spacecraft equipment such as voltmeters, circuit testers, oscilloscopes, navigation aids, radio communication devices and radar systems, according to the BLS. As part of their testing, avionics technicians need to review flight test data for signs of malfunction. If they encounter any performance problems, they need to know how to fix or replace the malfunctioning part to avoid any risks to the safety of the aircraft or spacecraft’s occupants.

Like aerospace engineering technicians, avionics technicians can land a job at NASA with just an associate’s degree. While a role as an avionics technician might not require a comprehensive academic background, it does require strong mechanical skills and a great deal of troubleshooting skills and physical dexterity. A NASA avionics technician needs to be comfortable working with a variety of tools, ranging from hand tools to power tools and even soldering irons, according to the BLS. Part of an avionics technician’s job is to assemble parts like electrical controls and junction boxes and install new and replacement instrument panels as needed. Avionics technicians must also be familiar with digital technology so they can effectively maintain the computer systems that are utilized by the spacecraft’s electronic instruments. About 30 percent of avionics technicians work in the aerospace parts manufacturing industry, and another 11 percent work for the federal government, the BLS reported.

Occupational Grouping: Technology

Median Salary: $58,540

Similar Degree Programs: Military Training or Certificate from an FAA-Approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School

11. Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting

Not all jobs with NASA are based in engineering or the sciences. For example, accountant is one of a number of professional roles needed at NASA. Accountants are the business and financial professionals who are responsible for an organization’s financial records. They create many types of financial statements and documents, including income statements, balance sheets, statements of cash flow and statements of changes in equity. An accounting professional must also review financial statements for accuracy, identifying any indicators of intentional fraud or unintentional accounting or mathematical errors. In a bachelor’s degree in accounting program, students take courses such as the principles of accounting and auditing, internal auditing, business communications and business law, according to U.S. News & World Report. Accountants may also study various types of accounting and may pursue a concentration in a subject like taxation, financial accounting, cost accounting or management accounting. Many accountants choose to spend a fifth year in college to earn a master’s degree and prepare to earn the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential.

Accountants play an important role in many types of industries, and a government entity like NASA is no exception. As a large and busy organization, NASA has a lot of financial transactions going on at any given time. There are checks to process, receipts to write up and budget and cost data that someone must keep track of to prevent any inaccuracies in financial recordkeeping. Accountants are the personnel with the skills and education to organize all of this information into a financial report that captures this information. NASA has an accounting system which is used to keep track of cost and budget data. The organization’s accountants may be responsible for entering, analyzing and processing using this system. Accountants who work for NASA may also serve on organizations and committees within the space exploration program in financial roles such as treasurer, NASA reported. About eight percent of accountants work for the government, the BLS reported.

Occupational Grouping: Professional

Median Salary: $67,190

Similar Degree Programs: Bachelor’s Degree in Auditing or Business Administration 

12. Bachelor’s Degree in Communications

NASA also needs skilled media and communications professionals to publicize the space exploration program’s findings and achievements. Technical writers play an integral part in NASA communications. These media and communications professionals need to be experts at communicating complex technical information in a way that readers who don’t have a background in science can understand. They use various formats to distribute this technical information, ranging from journal articles to instruction manuals and how-to guides. While the term ‘writer’ implies that these communications professionals express information only in written text, that’s not the case. Technical writers are sometimes called technical communicators and are responsible for creating imagery and other non-written materials used to communicate technical ideas. A bachelor’s degree in communications or a related subject often is sufficient to meet minimum education requirements. However, technical writers also need knowledge in the technical field they plan to write about, such as medicine or engineering, the BLS reported.

The technical writers who work for NASA interact with a variety of scientists and engineers in the course of their job duties. Technical writers research the science they need to write about and speak with the scientist and engineers who designed and developed the product so that they clearly understand what it does and how it works. Then they translate that knowledge into written format. Some of the work NASA technical writers might create includes operating and assembly instructions for space exploration equipment. Technical writers must break complicated findings about space exploration down into organized chunks of information, and they must develop a style of writing that is clear and specific. Often, the use of imagery can help make the technical space exploration findings discovered by NASA scientists easier to understand. NASA’s technical writers are also responsible for creating these visual materials, such as charts, animations, drawings and diagrams, as well as attaining pictures taken by NASA photographers. Technical writers must often undergo some short-term on-the-job training when they begin working at NASA, according to the BLS.

Occupational Grouping: Media and Communications

Median Salary: $70,240

Similar Degree Programs: Bachelor’s Degree in English or Journalism

13. Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations

When a government entity is as well-known as NASA, there’s bound to be a lot of public interest in its projects. Public relations specialists are media and communications professionals who cultivate a positive reputation for a company, organization or individual. They accomplish this goal through carefully managing the company’s written communications, speeches and other messages that promote a favorable image of the company. In a bachelor’s degree program in public relations, students take courses such as the foundations of public relations principles and practices, design for public relations messages, public relations writing, strategic communications, media relations, marketing and advertising and journalism. In addition to learning public relations theory, students in public relations degree programs will develop a portfolio of the work they have completed over the course of their college education, the BLS reported. It’s often beneficial for public relations majors to gain some real-world work experience, and make contacts within the industry, by completing an internship experience.

Public relations specialists who work for NASA make sure that discoveries made in the field of space exploration can find their way into public consciousness. Through the work of a public relations specialist, news media outlets across the country are made aware of NASA’s activities and findings so they can report on the story. Public relations specialists at NASA are responsible for devising and implementing a communication strategy that paints the space exploration program in a positive light. Press releases and news releases, articles, media advisories and blog posts are just a few of the types of content public relations specialists at NASA might create. They also assist with speeches, coordinating opportunities for speeches, fielding requests from schools for educational speakers and writing the speeches company representatives give, according to the BLS. Some NASA employees who work in public relations go by slightly different job titles, such as public affairs specialist or press secretary.

Occupational Grouping: Media and Communications

Median Salary: $56,770

Similar Degree Programs: Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, English, Communications or Business

14. Bachelor’s Degree in Film

You probably associate producers and directors more with blockbuster films or Broadway plays than with space exploration, but these entertainment professionals also play a role in NASA’s educational efforts. Directors and producers are the creative minds behind a performing arts production, whether it’s a much publicized high-budget movie or an educational film for students. While directors and producers don’t themselves appear on camera as actors do, their vision for the projects is what determines the look and feel of the film. Producers focus more on the financial aspects of securing funding and keeping expenses within budget, while directors typically are more involved in the artistic aspects of the film. A bachelor’s degree in film or cinema is the most common educational path for producers and directors, the BLS reported. In these degree programs, students study topics such as screenwriting, film history, the filmmaking process, editing and cinematography, according to the BLS.

Producers and directors who work for NASA focus their efforts on creating educational videos about space exploration. NASA’s educational videos cover subjects such as science concepts, inventions and innovations made possible by NASA for youth and adult audiences. These videos make complex concepts and technical processes, like assembling a telescope, easier for an audience to understand, according to the BLS. The directors involved in a NASA video project are responsible for choosing the creative elements of the film, like what subjects to film and how actors should portray their characters. Producers, on the other hand, take the role of overseeing the budget and production schedule. They hire a crew and ensure that the entire filmmaking process goes smoothly so that the final product is ready when it’s supposed to be ready and without going over the budget. Both the director and producer may have a hand in choosing the cast members who appear in the educational film.

Occupational Grouping: Media and Communications

Median Salary: $68,440

Similar Degree Programs: Bachelor’s Degree in Acting, Writing, Communication, Business or Art Management

15. Bachelor’s Degree in Photography

If you’re good with a camera, your photography skills could be your ticket to a career in the field of space exploration. Professional photographers make a living taking pictures. Some photographers specialize in portraits of individuals or groups, while others create photographs as a form of fine art or for commercial, news or scientific purposes. For aspiring photographers, having strong natural artistic abilities and a “good eye” for what makes a photo aesthetically pleasing is more important than pursuing a formal college education, the BLS reported. However, earning a degree in photography can help students develop their skills and learn the technical aspects of the art, including what makes a photograph good and how photography equipment works. Photography majors often take classes in photography techniques, processes, equipment and design and composition, according to the BLS. Perhaps more importantly, they begin developing a portfolio filled with their best photos that they can show to prospective employers or clients. 

At NASA, experienced photographers are necessary for capturing the space exploration program’s milestone events and discoveries. NASA photographers aren’t the ones who take photographs of space phenomena, because these media and communication professionals are based here on earth. However, their work in photographing the activities of NASA scientists and engineers plays an important role in preserving the history of the space exploration program and showing the progress NASA has made. Technically, even NASA photographers don’t necessarily need a college education. A highly skilled photographer with only a high school diploma may have a good aesthetic eye, strong artistic abilities and an impressive enough portfolio to attain a role taking pictures for NASA. However, photojournalists and scientific photographers are among the types of photographers that most often need a bachelor’s degree, according to the BLS. Whether or not they have a bachelor’s degree, NASA photographers typically need some long-term on-the-job training to succeed in their career.

Occupational Grouping: Media and Communications

Median Salary: $31,700

Similar Degree Programs: Bachelor’s Degree in Art

Editor’s Note: Choosing the right degree path is only one part of preparing for a career in the field of space exploration. While none of these majors can guarantee you a future working for NASA, they can help you take the first steps. For more information about space careers, check out this article by the BLS, the federal bureau which served as the source for the salary, occupational grouping and degree information data found in this article. Please note that the data contained above reflects salary data and job duties for these occupations in general and is not specific to NASA employment.

For Further Reading: 

Highest Paying Jobs With a Biology Degree – Degrees in Biology – Majors & Careers

Top 10 Highest Paying Engineering Careers

What Degree Do You Need to Be an Astrophysicist?

Best Paying Jobs With a Geography Degree

Which Degree Is Best for a Software Engineer?

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

What Are My Degree Choices to Be a Film/TV Producer?

How Much Can I Make With a Degree in Digital Marketing?

What Degree Do I Need to Become a Lighting Designer?

How Long Does It Take to Become an Accountant?

The post 15 Degree Paths for Out-of-This-World Careers in Space Exploration appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

What to Know About Online Degree Programs

The first thing you should know about pursuing a college degree online is that, while convenient, online courses aren’t “easy.” Students of legitimate, accredited online colleges need to meet the same sorts of admission and graduation requirements as students attending classes on campus.

For example, you need a high school diploma or a GED to be accepted into most online programs. In the best online degree programs, you will take the same rigorous coursework as on-campus students take. The only difference is that you complete your coursework in an online format, often on your own schedule and from anywhere in the world.

Another fact students should be aware of is that online learning isn’t always cheaper than studying on campus. Tuition for online degree programs certainly can be cheaper, especially if you are looking at institutions where you will be charged a higher out-of-state tuition rate. However, that’s not always the case. For many online students, the biggest source of savings isn’t the direct cost of tuition and fees but rather not having to live on campus or commute to school.

Finally, prospective online students need to be particularly vigilant about choosing accredited schools and programs to avoid investing their time and money in a degree that turns out to be worthless. Students should look for colleges and universities that are accredited by one of the seven regional accrediting organizations recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA):

1. The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Western Association of Schools and Colleges

2. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

3. The New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

4. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

5. The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

6. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

7. The WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

Aside from the regional accreditation status of the school as a whole, students should consider programmatic accreditation, or accreditation of individual degree programs. Programmatic accreditation is particularly important for degrees in certain subjects.

For example, students pursuing a degree in any branch of engineering should ideally choose a program accredited by ABET, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Earning an engineering degree from a program that isn’t ABET-accredited may prevent you from getting licensed later in your career. On the other hand, programmatic accreditation in degree programs that typically don’t lead to licensure is nice to have – because it demonstrates that the program meets high standards set by external organizations – but is less critical.

How Much Money Can Graduates of Online Programs Earn?

It’s true that virtually all of the highest-paying occupations in America, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), require more than a typical, fully online education. That’s because the vast majority of the most lucrative jobs in America are medical doctors in different areas of specialty or jobs – like nurse anesthetist or airline pilot – that otherwise require extensive clinical or hands-on training.

There are currently no fully online medical (MD or DO) degree programs that lead to licensure in the United States. While there are online degree programs in nurse anesthesia and aviation, these programs include a great deal of hands-on experience – clinical hours and flight hours – that you must complete in person.

RELATED: What Is the Difference Between an Anesthesiologist vs Nurse Anesthetist?

Still, online degree programs can put students on the path to a diverse array of lucrative jobs, many of which are in high demand. Some graduates of online degree programs even go on to eventually make upwards of six figures, and many earn salaries equal to or above the median annual salary for all occupations across the United States.

If you want to maximize your earning potential with an online education, you need to think carefully about your choice of college major. Certain programs of study are both closely connected to high-paying jobs and easily transferrable to online learning practices. These programs are the best online degrees to consider when it comes to salary potential.

What Are the 20 Highest-Paying Online Degrees?

Generally speaking, the highest-paying online degree programs tend to fit into either the field of business or STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects that don’t require a great deal of clinical experience. Management positions offer particularly high earning potential.

While most of the highest-paid positions you can get with online degrees require at least a bachelor’s degree, if not a master’s degree, some online programs at the associate’s degree level can also offer exceptional earning potential.

Below are 20 of the online programs with the highest earning potential.

1. Management Science

The more responsibility you hold in an organization, the higher your earning potential. As such, management skills are particularly valuable if you want to boost your salary. A degree in management science will prepare you for a breadth of different management positions.

These leadership-focused degrees can help you move up in the world of business administration or build upon your skills in another technical or specialized area so that you can take on a management role within your field. Coursework in master’s degree programs in management science commonly includes:

• organizational leadership in business operations and operations management
• methods of business analytics and data analysis

Some master’s degree programs in management science are more STEM-oriented, while others focus on business leadership skills more generally.

A master’s degree in management science can help you move into management positions of all kinds. Management roles in different occupations each have their own sets of distinct job duties and corresponding earning potential. In general, though, management occupations as a whole had the highest median annual salary of all occupational groups in 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median salary for all management roles amounted to $102,450.

The more senior or more specialized your role in management, the greater your earning potential. One less specialized – yet lucrative – group of management roles to look at is top executive, which according to the BLS encompasses both chief executives and operations managers.

In an operations or general manager position, you will typically focus more on the routine leadership and administration tasks that keep your organization running productively. Chief executive roles tend to involve more focus on strategic planning and determining the larger direction of the organization.

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Operations managers, general managers, chief executives, STEM managers and top executives

Median Earning Potential: $97,970 (for general and operations managers) to $179,520 (for chief executives)

2. Computer Science

If you’ve got strong computer skills or an interest in computer technology, you’re in luck. Several of the most lucrative jobs available to online college graduates are roles in the computer science or information technology field.

Computer science is a broad field related to computer technology that encompasses the theory, design and development of computers and computer programs. Online students of computer science focus more on computational theory than their peers in related areas like computer engineering and more on the design of networks, operating systems and software programs than their peers in the computer information technology or computer information systems fields.

Online degrees in computer science and related fields of study exist at both the bachelor’s degree and master’s degree levels. Among the areas you might study when pursuing online degrees in computer science are:

• algorithms
• computer programming languages
• artificial intelligence
• software development
• computer systems and networks
• cybersecurity
• databases
• numerical data analysis

RELATED: What Is the Benefit of a Degree in Cybersecurity vs. Network Security?

The median annual salary the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported for jobs in the computer and information technology field as of 2022 was $85,000.

Computer science management positions are some of the highest-paying roles you can get with this online degree. For computer and information systems managers, the BLS reported a median annual salary of $159,010 as of 2021.

It isn’t only management roles in computer science that pay well. Jobs that require strong analytical skills, too, tend to be lucrative. For example, the median salary the BLS reported for the computer systems analyst occupation as of 2021 was just barely shy of the six-figure range.

A computer systems analyst typically performs more analytical and technical work than professionals in computer and information systems management roles, whose work more commonly emphasizes managing computer-related projects and overseeing an organization’s computer technology workforce.

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Computer systems analysts, chief technology officers and other computer and information systems managers

Median Earning Potential: $99,270 (for computer systems analysts) to $159,010 (for computer and information systems managers)

3. Computer Information Technology

If you’re more interested in the practical applications of computer technology than the theoretical underpinnings of computer science, information technology (IT) may be a better fit for you.

Work in the field of information technology tends to emphasize the selection, installation and troubleshooting of existing computer technologies for practical purposes. As a computer information technology professional, you’re likely to be involved in setting up and configuring computer networks and systems to meet an organization’s technological needs rather than designing new hardware components or software programs yourself.

RELATED: What Degree Do I Need to Be a Computer Technician?

If you want to focus your online education more narrowly, you might consider majoring in computer information systems rather than information technology. Computer information systems emphasizes the use of computer technology for business purposes. Online degree programs in computer information systems management typically include more business coursework along with coursework in computers and information systems.

This background, like a degree in computer science, can prepare students to eventually advance to high-level management roles with lucrative median salaries. Earning potential for non-management roles in this field is still high, although perhaps not as high as roles that fit under the domain of computer science. For the job of computer systems administrator, for example, the BLS reported a median salary in the $80,000 range.

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Computer systems administrators, IT directors, chief information officers, and other types of computer and information systems managers

Median Earning Potential: $80,600 (for network and computer systems administrators) to $159,010 for IT directors, chief information officers and other types of computer and information systems managers

4. Computer Engineering

Another field with a great deal of overlap with computer science is computer engineering, which is essentially the application of engineering design principles to computer systems. Computer engineers design and develop computer hardware (physical components) and software (programs). Although their designs are informed by the principles and practices of math and science, computer engineers focus less on theory and more on practical design applications.

In a computer engineering online bachelor’s degree program, students will typically complete core coursework in general engineering as well as classes more specific to their major. Computer engineering is a subfield within electrical and electronics engineering.

Many online degree programs in computer engineering introduce students to the principles and practices of both computer hardware engineering and software engineering. Students interested in computer hardware engineering would pursue more coursework in areas like:

• computer hardware
• computer architecture
• microprocessor systems
• circuit boards and other components

For students interested in software engineering, courses in common computer programming languages and writing computer algorithms, including the programming of artificial intelligence software, are more relevant.

Both hardware engineering and software development are lucrative fields, although skilled hardware engineers report a slightly higher median annual salary than software engineering professionals, according to data from the BLS.

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Computer software developer, software engineer and computer hardware engineer

Median Earning Potential: $120,730 (for computer software engineers and developers) to $128,170 (for computer hardware engineers)

5. Electrical and Electronics Engineering

Computers are far from the only aspects of electrical and electronics engineering that you can pursue through an online program. The field of electrical engineering encompasses computers and much more, from electric motors and power generation equipment to communications equipment and navigation equipment.

In electrical and electronics engineering degree programs, students complete courses in information and signals, the foundations and applications of electric and electronic circuits and digital logic design. Often, students pursuing an online bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronics engineering have the opportunity to focus on a specific area of application, such as:

• energy, optics and photonics
• electronic devices
• security
• privacy
• circuits and systems

Electrical and electronics engineering is a lucrative branch of engineering, with a median salary at or above the $100,000 mark for engineers who hold at least a bachelor’s degree. Even at the associate’s degree level, an online degree program in electrical engineering can offer considerable earning potential.

RELATED: Top 10 Paying Jobs With an Associate’s Degree

An associate’s degree in electrical engineering technology can qualify you to work as an electrical and electronic engineering technologist or technician. The median annual salary for electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians in 2021 was $63,640, the BLS reported. That’s a considerable increase over the $963 per week, or $50,076 per year, that the BLS reported as the median earnings for American workers with only an associate’s degree.

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Electrical engineering technicians or technologists, electrical engineers and electronics engineers

Median Earning Potential: $63,640 (for electrical engineering technician or technologist) to $100,420 (for electrical engineers) and $104,820 (for electronics engineers)

6. Petroleum Engineering

A non-management median salary of over $130 with only a bachelor’s degree? It may sound too good to be true, but that’s what you can expect when you leverage your online college education to become a petroleum engineer.

As the name suggests, petroleum engineers apply science-based principles of engineering design to the petroleum industry, and particularly to safely and efficiently extracting oil and gas deposits from the Earth. Some of the common jobs in petroleum engineering, according to the BLS, include:

• drilling engineers
• completions engineers
• production engineers
• reservoir engineers

In an online program in petroleum engineering, students learn about the properties of reservoir rock and petroleum fluid and the practices of logging, testing and completing the construction of wells. Lecture and laboratory work, which may be done online using simulators, allow students to grasp the principles and practices of drilling engineering, production engineering and reservoir engineering.

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Petroleum engineers

Median Earning Potential: $130,850 (for petroleum engineers) to $165,480 (for petroleum engineers working in management)

7. Aerospace Engineering

Online programs in aerospace engineering, the application of engineering design principles to aircraft and spacecraft, are more popular at the master’s degree level than the bachelor’s degree level. Depending on which aspect of the field a student chooses to pursue after they complete their undergraduate degree, they may become aeronautical engineers, who design aircraft and related components, or astronautical engineers, who design spacecraft.

Students pursuing a master’s degree in aerospace engineering take courses in flight dynamics, rocket propulsion, orbital mechanics, space systems and airfoil and wing theory. They also build on their existing knowledge of mechanics and dynamics acquired during their undergraduate studies with intermediate to advanced coursework in fluid mechanics, dynamics and quantum mechanics.

With a median annual salary above $120,000, according to the BLS, aerospace engineering is among the highest-paying engineering fields. If your goal is to take online courses that allow you to make six figures even without advancing to a management role, aerospace engineering could be the degree for you.

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Aerospace engineer

Median Earning Potential: $122,270 (for aerospace engineers overall) to $128,020 (for aerospace engineers working in scientific research and development)

8. Chemical Engineering

Another engineering discipline with a median annual salary in the six-figure range, according to the BLS, is chemical engineering. Chemical engineers apply engineering principles to solutions and innovations that pertain to chemicals – materials, processes, manufacturing equipment, safe operations procedures for facilities and more.

Many online programs for chemical engineers are offered at the graduate level as an opportunity for working professionals in the field to develop advanced skills. Online students pursuing a master’s degree in chemical engineering will commonly take classes in areas like:

• chemical engineering analysis
• biochemical engineering
• advanced transport phenomena
• advanced thermodynamics
• chemical reaction engineering
• chemical engineering process modeling
• bioseparations
• polymer science
• materials processing

A few colleges and universities offer online undergraduate degrees in chemical engineering. In an online bachelor’s degree program in chemical engineering, students can expect to complete core engineering studies, general education coursework and major-specific classes in this discipline of engineering. Major coursework for aspiring chemical engineers may include:

• fundamentals of chemical engineering
• chemical product design
• chemical engineering thermodynamics
• chemical engineering reactor design
• transport phenomena
• process dynamics and control
• experimental design

Students should be aware that some online bachelor’s degree programs in chemical engineering require on-campus laboratory work – typically condensed into a short residency period of one to two weeks during the summer – even if the rest of the coursework is conducted online. For example, three major-specific laboratory courses in the University of North Dakota‘s online Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering program must be completed in person, while other laboratory coursework may be completed online.

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Chemical engineers

Median Earning Potential: $105,550 (for chemical engineers overall) to $152,430 (for chemical engineers working in the engineering services industry)

9. Biomedical Engineering

Taking online classes in biomedical engineering can prepare you to make a difference and a near-six-figure median salary. Biomedical engineers apply engineering principles – including the principles of all major engineering disciplines, from chemical and electrical to mechanical – to the development of healthcare solutions and innovations.

RELATED: Highest Paying Jobs With a Biology Degree – Degrees in Biology – Majors & Careers

As you might expect, skilled biomedical engineers – and their life-changing and often life-saving breakthroughs – are in high demand. The BLS predicts that job opportunities for bioengineers and biomedical engineers will grow by a faster than average rate of 10% between 2021 and 2031.

Online bachelor’s degree programs in biomedical engineering are interdisciplinary programs that bring together foundational coursework in areas like:

• electrical engineering
• mechanical engineering
• chemical engineering

Also, specialized coursework in:

• biomedical engineering problems
• biomedical instrumentation
• biochemical engineering
• biomaterials processing
• biomedical imaging

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Biomedical engineer

Median Earning Potential: $97,410 (for chemical engineers overall) to $108,690 (for chemical engineers working in the electromedical instruments manufacturing industry)

10. Engineering Management

Engineering roles as a whole are lucrative, but the highest-paying engineering careers are in the field of engineering management. Engineering managers earned a median annual salary above $150,000 as of 2021, according to the BLS. Engineering managers work in all disciplines of engineering, performing job duties such as project management and planning, hiring and supervising engineers and taking projects from concept to completion.

Online degrees in engineering management are most commonly found at the graduate level. Although you can become an engineering manager with only a bachelor’s degree, you also need considerable work experience as an established engineer. Becoming an engineer in the first place requires a bachelor’s degree in some discipline of engineering, so online students in an engineering management program typically already have a bachelor’s degree.

In online master’s degree programs in engineering management, students take classes in:

• engineering decision-making
• engineering economics
• strategic risk management
• project management
• facilities management
• systems in engineering management
• skills for managing engineering teams
• engineering law and ethics

Notably, unlike a Master of Science (MS) degree in any branch of engineering, the focus of a Master of Engineering Management (MEM) degree is less on developing technical skills and more on cultivating the skills and knowledge needed to successfully manage people and projects in the technical area of engineering design.

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Engineering manager, engineering program manager, project engineering manager, engineering director

Median Earning Potential: $152,350 (for architectural and engineering managers overall) to $187,240 (for engineering managers working in the scientific research and development services industry)

11. Construction Management

Related to the role of engineering manager is construction manager. A construction manager’s job is to plan and supervise a construction project – such as building a residential home, a development of residential homes, an industrial complex or a bridge – from start to finish. Although you may not think of construction as being a high-paying field, the median annual salary for construction management roles amounted to nearly six figures in 2021, according to the BLS.

In online bachelor’s degree programs in construction management, students typically begin their major coursework by studying the fundamentals of the construction industry. More specialized coursework includes construction project management and administration, planning and scheduling for construction projects, construction cost accounting and finance, building construction systems and codes, project building systems, building energy systems for construction managers and construction safety.

RELATED: Architect vs Engineer: What Is the Benefit of an Engineering Degree Over an Architecture Degree?

In addition to their major coursework in construction management, students pursuing this online bachelor’s degree should expect to complete general education courses in a variety of subjects.

An online education in construction management is a particularly good choice for experienced carpenters, masonry contractors and other construction workers who don’t yet have a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree is considered the minimum entry-level education for most construction manager roles, according to the BLS. By choosing an online education program to pursue their bachelor’s degree, experienced contractors can better balance work and their studies so that they can eventually advance to a management role.

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: construction managers, general contractors, construction project managers

Median Earning Potential: $98,890 (for construction managers overall) to $100,260 (for construction managers working in nonresidential building construction) and $100,310 (for construction managers working in heavy and civil engineering construction)

12. Business Administration

Online degree programs in business administration are popular at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Business administration is one of the best online degrees for its versatility. Generally, a degree program in business administration – whether offered at the bachelor’s degree or master’s degree level – encompasses core business studies across disciplines within the field of business as well as focused coursework in an area of concentration.

Two common online education programs in the field of business administration are the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and the Master of Business Administration (MBA).

A bachelor’s degree in business administration can prepare you for entry-level positions in the field of business. Through your bachelor’s degree curriculum in business administration, you will learn the basics of business practices and build knowledge of business operations and the foundations of accounting, finance and financial management, marketing and business communications.

Elective courses in a business administration bachelor’s degree program might include international business and project management. Like other bachelor’s degree programs, BBA online programs typically take four years to complete.

In a Master of Business Administration program, students complete more advanced coursework in these areas. Core coursework in an online MBA program might include graduate-level studies in:

• quantitative business analysis
• managerial accounting
• information management
• international business economics
• management of teams and human capital
• marketing management
• supply chain management

Most full-time online MBA programs can be completed in two years. However, some master’s degree programs in business are accelerated, allowing for completion in as little as one year, while others are structured on a part-time basis that takes longer to complete.

One aspect that makes business administration ones of the best online degrees is the program’s ability to prepare students for a variety of high-paying roles. In the business field, some of the potential jobs you could find with this online education include:

• accountant
• management analyst
• financial manager
• marketing manager
• human resources manager
• chief executive

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Accountants, Management analysts, financial managers and chief executives

Median Earning Potential: $77,250 (for accountants) and $93,000 (for management analysts) to $131,710 (for financial managers) and $179,520 (for chief executives)

13. Finance

Business administration is the broad field of business study, but majoring in one of the subfields within business can be just as lucrative, if not more so. One of the most lucrative subfields of business you can study is finance, the area of business concerned with the management and growth of wealth.

Even non-management roles in finance, including in areas like financial analysis and personal financial management, have median salaries that approach the six-figure range, according to the BLS. The best-paying positions fit into the financial manager occupation.

Financial manager roles encompass jobs like controller, finance officer and treasurer, the BLS reported, and the median salary for these roles was more than $130,000 in 2021. A financial manager doesn’t necessarily need an advanced degree but typically does need at least five years of relevant work experience, the BLS reported.

In an online bachelor’s degree program in finance, students typically take courses in:

• financial analysis
• corporate finance
• international finance
• the foundations of financial management
• intermediate financial management
• financial markets and investment
• portfolio analysis

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Personal financial advisors, financial analysts, Financial managers, controllers, treasurers, finance officers, credit managers and cash managers

Median Earning Potential:
$94,170 (for personal financial advisers) and $95,570 (for financial analysts) to $131,710 (for financial managers overall) and $158,820 (for financial managers employed in the management of companies and enterprise industry)

14. Human Resource Management

Human resources isn’t one of the more lucrative areas of business, particularly at the non-management level, but skilled workers in this area are in high demand. Human resources manager roles are the most lucrative, with a median salary – $126,230 – that more than doubles the $62,290 median annual salary the BLS reported for HR specialists in 2021.

RELATED: What Salary Can I Expect With a Human Resources Management Degree?

The field of HR is concerned with building and maintaining an organization’s workforce. Human resources specialists are involved in recruiting, hiring, and training workers, as well as resolving interpersonal conflicts among workers or between workers and management and overseeing efforts to retain employees. In some organizations, particularly smaller companies, human resources personnel are also involved in payroll and benefits administration.

Human resource management roles still prioritize the building and maintenance of the company’s workforce, but human resources managers focus more on overseeing an organization’s HR department and its efforts. HR managers supervise the work of human resources specialists and generalists while also working closely with senior management.

“Several” years of human resources work experience, along with a bachelor’s degree (and, for some roles, a master’s degree), are required for most HR manager jobs, the BLS reported.

In an online HR management program of study, students take classes in:

• the introductory concepts of human resources management
• employment law
• staffing and recruitment
• training and development
• compensation and benefits
• organizational development
• global HR management

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Human resources specialist, human resources generalist, human resources manager, human resources director

Median Earning Potential: $62,290 (for human resources specialists overall) and $76,920 (for human resources specialists in the professional, scientific and technical services) to $126,230 (for human resources managers)

15. Supply Chain Management

An online bachelor’s degree program in supply chain management prepares students for work in planning and coordinating the logistics of procuring, manufacturing and transporting materials for an organization.

Not all jobs in supply chain management are actually management roles. Rather, recent graduates of supply chain management programs often start out as logisticians, who focus on the flow of movement of the materials an organization needs and on the storage of those materials. Supply chain managers, on the other hand, oversee the supply chain more broadly, including but not limited to the logistics that a logistician coordinates.

Students in an online bachelor’s degree program in supply chain management typically study:

• logistics management
• supply chain strategy
• global supply operations and management
• business decision models
• planning and control systems for supply chain management
• lean and quality management
• research and negotiation

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Logisticians, supply chain managers and supply chain directors

Median Earning Potential: $77,030 (for logisticians overall) and $88,710 (for logisticians employed by the federal government) to $98,230 (for supply chain managers)

16. Marketing

Marketing is the area of business that refers to promoting a company or product. There are many aspects of work in business marketing, from the quantitative market research side to the creative side of crafting marketing messages and advertising campaigns.

The most lucrative roles in marketing are marketing management positions. A marketing manager oversees marketing efforts and personnel in the marketing department. Marketing managers may be involved in everything from identifying products and services to develop or expand and estimating the market and demand for these offerings to the development and implementation of marketing campaigns for these offerings. For marketing managers as a whole, the BLS reported a median salary above $135,000.

Among non-management roles in marketing, market research analyst is among the best-paying career paths. Market research analysts are concerned with the statistical analysis of data pertaining to business markets. By researching consumer needs, purchasing habits and attitudes, as well as competitors’ offerings and methods, market research analysts can provide insight on how (and whether) to develop, price and promote a company’s goods and services.

The median salary for a market research analyst is less than half of that of a marketing manager, the BLS reported.

Online students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marketing will likely take courses in:

• marketing principles
• marketing strategy
• marketing research and consumer behavior
• business strategy
• business writing
• management concepts

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Market research analysts and marketing managers

Median Earning Potential: $63,920 (for market research analysts overall) and $79,640 (for market research analysts employed in management) to $135,030 (for marketing managers overall) and $155,470 (for marketing managers in the Professional, scientific and technical services industry)

17. Healthcare Administration

Many of the most lucrative careers in America are in the medical and healthcare industry, but roles like physician, physician assistant and nurse practitioner require a great deal of in-person clinical work. One of the best online degrees for working in healthcare facilities is healthcare administration.

This bachelor’s degree or master’s degree program emphasizes the development of both general and specialized knowledge to apply business administration principles and practices to the unique environment of healthcare facilities, the BLS reported.

Students in a healthcare administration program take classes like:

• health care policy and economics
• finance for health care
• information systems for health care
• strategic planning for health care
• organization and management for health care
• operational analysis
• quality improvement in health care
• health care leadership and ethics

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Healthcare administrators and healthcare executives

Median Earning Potential: $101,340 (for medical and health services managers overall) to $119,450 (for health administrators employed by hospitals)

18. Actuarial Science

Our list of the best online degrees has included numerous programs in science, technology and engineering, but there’s still the “M” in STEM: mathematics. Actuarial science is a field at the intersection of mathematics and business that focuses on the statistical and mathematical calculation of risk.

Actuary is a high-paid career with a six-figure median salary, and for a good reason. Becoming an actuary isn’t easy. Not only do actuaries perform complex mathematical calculations, but they also must pass a sequence of difficult professional certification exams over the course of their career, the BLS reported. A less challenging (although also less lucrative) career path you could pursue with a background in actuarial science is insurance underwriter, for which the BLS reported a median salary in the mid-$70,000 range.

In an online actuarial science program, students should be prepared to take a great deal of math coursework, including a sequence of calculus courses and studies in linear algebra and differential equations. Major coursework for actuarial science students blends math and business studies, with classes in:

• financial mathematics
• probability
• financial statistics
• business finance
• financial and managerial accounting

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Insurance underwriters and actuaries

Median Earning Potential: $76,390 (for insurance underwriters) to $105,900 (for actuaries overall) and $110,590 (for actuaries employed by the government)

19. Mathematics or Statistics

Actuarial science isn’t the only practical application of a mathematics education. If you’re interested in math, you can earn a surprisingly lucrative salary with an online mathematics or statistics degree. Mathematicians earn a median salary in the six-figure range, and statisticians earn almost six figures, the BLS reported.

If you major in mathematics or statistics as an online student, your major coursework will, obviously, be very math heavy.

Mathematics majors take a series of calculus courses along with classes in linear and modern algebra, abstract mathematics, mathematical models and real analysis. They are encouraged to take elective courses in areas such as:

• differential equations
• statistical techniques
• geometry
• number theory and topology
• computational methods
• finance

Statistics majors focus less on areas like calculus and algebra in their major coursework and more on methods of statistical analysis and their underlying concepts. An online statistics degree program might cover introductory coursework in mathematical statistics, probability theory, regression methods, experimental design and variance analysis and methods of statistical consulting. Popular electives among statistics majors include:

• statistical analysis system programming using languages like R and Python
• applications of statistical methods to data management, epidemiological research, clinical trials and genomics

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Statisticians and mathematicians

Median Earning Potential: $95,570 (for statisticians overall) and $108,100 (for mathematicians overall) to $114,770 (for statisticians employed in the scientific research and development industry) and $129,800 (for mathematicians employed in the professional, scientific and technical services industry)

20. Environmental Science

Rounding out our list of 20 high-paying online programs is an interdisciplinary STEM subject that allows graduates to make a difference in the world around them. Environmental science encompasses all aspects of the scientific study of the environment and the development of scientific solutions to environmental problems, including pollution and climate change.

RELATED: What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

Most online environmental science programs require students to build a background in the foundations of biology, chemistry, physics, math and statistics. Major coursework builds upon this basic science background in areas like:

• natural environmental systems
• ecology
• soil science and geology
• hydrology
• environmental policy
• environmental management
• environmental ethics

RELATED: Top 10 Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Environmental Science

High-Paying Jobs With This Online Degree: Environmental scientists, climate change analysts, industrial ecologists and environmental chemists

Median Earning Potential: $76,530 (for environmental scientists overall) to $103,530 (for environmental scientists working for the federal government)

Where Can You Work With an Online Education?

As you can see from our list of the best online degrees, online education prepares students for a variety of different fields and levels of seniority. New graduates without extensive work experience can use their online degrees to land their first entry-level positions in a field that requires a college education. As they gain experience, these professionals can advance to roles where they have more responsibility and, in turn, a higher earning potential.

For established professionals, online degrees can allow for career advancement without having to leave the workforce. This may be the case for workers who have experience in a technical area but no formal college degree or only a minimal level of study, such as an associate’s degree. Taking online classes offers working professionals in fields like engineering, construction, computer technology and business an opportunity to develop skills in leadership and project management while continuing to thrive where they are. That’s why many of the best online degrees are master’s degree programs.

Because graduates of online degree programs work in different fields and at different levels of seniority, the industries and environments where they may find work are almost limitless. Many graduates of online programs work for for-profit businesses in a variety of industries, including engineering services, the finance and insurance industry, construction and manufacturing. Some graduates of online education programs work for government agencies or nonprofit organizations. Your job opportunities with an online education are plentiful, and where you take your career depends on what you want to do.

For Further Reading:

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Policy Analyst?

What Degree Do I Need to Be an Intelligence Analyst?

The post Top 20 Highest-Paying Online Degrees appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Through the pursuit of a Bachelor’s degree, students can send themselves down whatever path they so choose to learn about whatever topic may interest them in order to prepare for whatever career they see fit.

This may seem like a lot of choices to make and that’s because it is! Deciding what Bachelor’s degree is best is a personal and tricky decision to make. To complicate things further, students are faced with so many different universities and colleges to attend in order to pursue their degree.  To help alleviate that problem, we’ve compiled a list of our top 100 colleges and universities to attend for an online Bachelor’s degree.

These are all accredited universities and colleges that we’ve found to be up to our standards, and we’ve ranked them for you by the out-of-state tuition rate per credit.  We hope that this ranking will help you find the university or college that is best suited to your needs.

1. University of Texas – Arlington

Originally named Arlington College, the University of Texas – Arlington was established as a private school that focused on first through tenth grade students.  Initially underfunded, the school eventually received a substantial donation from Edward Emmett Rankin.  However, this money was not enough to keep the school’s doors open and eventually it was shut down in 1902 and reopened as the Carlisle Military Academy.  This school eventually folded as well and was then reopened as the Arlington Traning School which was later renamed to Arlington Military Academy.

By 1917, the school had been incorporated into the Texas A&M University system.  Finally, in 1967 the school was renamed to its current name, the University of Texas – Arlington.  Located in Arlington, Texas, the University of Texas  -Arlington now enrolls nearly 40,000 students. University of Texas – Arlington is a public institution.

Tuition: $147:non-resident

2. Western Governors University

In a 1996 meeting of the Western Governors Association, Governor of Utah Mike Leavitt, proposed the creation of a school that would be designed to serves the northwest United States.  The plan was to create a school that was built around a competency-based learning model that would focus primarily on providing high-quality distance education.  By focusing on distance education, the school would be able to serve more students across a larger area.

Known as Western Governors University, the school was able to control costs and reach a large student base.  Founded in Salt Lake City, Utah, Western Governors University also operates satellite campuses in Missouri, Nevada, Indiana, Texas, Tennessee, and Washington with a combined student body of 77,000 students. Western Governors University is a private institution.

Tuition: $192:non-resident

3. Fort Hays State University

Founded in 1902, Fort Hays State University was originally named the Western Branch of Kansas State Normal School.  Originally established as an extension of the growing Kansas State Normal School, Western Branch of Kansas State Normal School quickly grew to become more than just a simple extension campus.  Established on the site of a former frontier military installation known as Fort Hays, the school quickly outgrew the grounds and a new campus was needed.  It was decided that the school would establish a new campus closer to the town of Hays in order to serve a larger population of students.

Today, Fort Hays State University has grown to become Kansas’ third-largest public university with a student body of a approximately 11,200 students.  Fort Hays State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $213:non-resident

4. Western New Mexico University

Opening its doors on February 11, 1893, Western New Mexico University began enrolling its first class of students in a rented space in the town’s Presbyterian Church.  Named the New Mexico Normal School at its establishment, the school was located in what was then the Territory of New Mexico.  After four months of operation, the New Mexico Board of Regents called for the creation of an official school building in the nearby town of Silver City, New Mexico.  In 1896, construction on the school’s first building, the Old Main, was completed.  After just twenty years of operation, the school’s population had grown to five-hundred students.

Currently, Western New Mexico University is still located in Silver City, New Mexico, and enrolls a student body of about 3,500 students.  Western New Mexico University is a public university.

Tuition: $226:non-resident

5. Eastern Oregon University

Nestled amongst the vibrant and beautiful stretch of the Blue Mountain range between Boise, Idaho, and Portland, Oregon, Eastern Oregon University was founded in the scenic town of La Grande, Oregon.  Initially created to serve as the area’s teachers college, Eastern Oregon University underwent a variety of name changes and curriculum overhauls over the coming years.  By 1997, the Oregon State Legislature had settled on the school’s current name of Eastern Oregon University.

Now, Eastern Oregon University is home to a student body of 1,700 students at its La Grande campus with an additional 15,000 students enrolled online through the school’s distance education program.  Students are able to enroll in over one-hundred different degree programs.  Eastern Oregon University is a public institution.

Tuition: $232:non-resident

6. State University of New York – Delhi

Initially created as a farming and agricultural studies school, the State University of New York at Delhi was founded in the small mountain town of Delhi, New York.  Designed to serve the area as a agriculture and mechanical arts school, the school operated under this sole mission for the next few decades until it was eventually added into the State University of New York School System sun 1913.  However, the curriculum at the school was not expanded beyond agricultural and mechanical arts until the mid-1920s.  It was at this point that general education courses as well as a litany of other degree programs were then offered.  In the 1960s, business classes were incorporated into the school’s programs, forever changing the trajectory of the State University of New York – Delhi.

Located in Delhi, New York, the State University of New York at Delhi is home to a student population of just over 3,000 students.  State University of New York at Delhi is a public institution.

Tuition: $235:non-resident

7. Ohio University

At the Confederation Congress, the Congress of the United States called for the establishment of Ohio University in the Articles of Confederation through the Ordinance of 1787.  Under the mandate that “Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary for good government of mankind, schools and the means of education shall be encouraged,” Ohio University was created as the example of the kind of dedication to higher education and knowledge that the United States would stand for.  Known originally as the American University, Ohio University became a shining example globally of higher education.

Founded by Manasseh Cutler and Rufus Putnam, Ohio University is located in Athens, Ohio, and currently enrolls a students body of just shy of 40,000 students.  Ohio University is a public institution.

Tuition: $240:non-resident

8. Amberton University

During the Sixties, the Abilene Christian University was undergoing a period of extreme growth and the school was beginning to struggle to accommodate the ever-growing student population and their needs.  Wanting to provide these students with a place of higher education, Abilene Christian University quickly established an extension campus in the nearby town of Mesquite, Texas in 1971, creating the footprint for what would eventually become Amberton University.  After three years at its Mequite, Texas location, the school was then moved to Garland, Texas at which location it began to thrive.  By 1982, the school was renamed to Amber University and then renamed once more to Amberton University in 2001.

Focusing primarily on adult education, Amberton University quickly became a leader in this type of education.  Now, Amberton University is home to thousands of students who are enrolled on-campus and online.  Amberton University is private institution.

Tuition: $265:non-resident

9. University of Central Missouri

Eventually becoming the University of Central Missouri, the Warrensburg Teachers College was established in 1871.  In the coming years, the school would change and grow in scope, ultimately leading to an increase in student population and educational opportunities offered at the school.  By 1919, it was decided that the school would be renamed to the Central Missouri State Teachers College.  This was the first in a series of name-changes.  Named Central Missouri State Teachers College, then Central Missouri State College in 1945, then Central Missouri State University in 1972, the school was finally named the University of Central Missouri in 2006.

Established in the city of Warrensburg, Missouri, the University of Central Missouri enrolls almost 15,000 students and offers 150 different major to choose from.  University of Central Missouri is a public institution.

Tuition: $265:non-resident

10. Southeast Missouri State University

The State of Missouri determined in the 1870s that the state was in need of a new state university.  As word traveled throughout the state that the State Legislature was looking to fund a new school, cities across the state began campaigns to attract the new school.  Hoping to lure in the state legislature, a group of business owners and politicians in the city of Cape Girardeau began working to convince the state to build the new school in their city.  Their campaigned worked and Southeast Missouri Normal School was established in Gape Girardeau, Missouri.  The school experienced massive growth over the coming years, a lot of which can be contributed to the construction of Interstate 55.

Today, Southeast Missouri State University is home to a student body of nearly 12,000 students and offers students over 200 different areas of study.  Southeast Missouri State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $272:non-resident

11. West Texas A&M University

In 1910, the Texas House of Representatives called for the establishment of a school in western Texas that would eventually be known as West Texas A&M University.  Opened as the West Texas State Normal College, the school was originally created to act as a training facility for teachers within the state that would then go out to work in the state’s public school system.  One of seven state-funded colleges, West Texas Normal College was eventually renamed to West Texas A&M University after it was incorporated into the Texas A&M University system.

Founded just outside of Amarillo, Texas, in the city of Canyon, Texas, West Texas A&M University offers over 100 different degree programs and enrolls almost 10,000 students.  West Texas A&M University is a pubic institution.

Tuition: $284:non-resident

12. Columbia College

The Christian Female College, what eventually would become Columbia College, was established in 1851 by the Missouri State Legislature in order to better serve women in the area and provide them an opportunity for a higher education.  At its founding, Columbia College was the only women’s college west of the Mississippi River.  The school operated as a women’s-only institution for the next century and eventually became coeducational in 1970.  Founded in close affiliation with the Christian Church, Columbia College still operates a Christian College.

Enrolling 2,1000 students currently, Columbia College is located in Columbia, Missouri and offers over seventy-five different programs of study.  Columbia College is a private institution.

Tuition: $290:non-resident

13. Bemidji State University

The first class of students enrolled in Bemidji State University in 1919.  Originally named the Bemidji State Normal School, the school was eventually renamed to Bemidji State Teachers College.  After some time, the school’s name was shortened to Bemidji State College and then finally renamed to Bemidji State University in 1975.  In 1999, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System urged the school to change its named to Minnesota State University-Bemidji in order to better mirror the systems naming scheme, but students and faculty opposed the decision.

Named for its location in Bemidji, Minnesota, Bemidji State University has a student body of over 6,300 students and offers a variety of different programs of study for its students. Bemidji State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $296:non-resident

14. University of Southern Indiana

Established as a regional extension campus for the already established Indiana State University, the University of Southern Indiana was founded in 1965.  Construction began on the new campus in 1968 and its first class of students were enrolled in 1969.  Over the coming two decades, the school continued to operate as an extension campus for Indiana State University.  During this period of time, the school underwent a large amount of growth.  By 1985, it was decided that the school should be spun-off into its own school.  Later that year, the University of Southern Indiana was officially chartered.

Now, the University of Southern Indiana is home to a student body of 11,000 students at its Vanderburgh County location, and offers students eighty different degree programs. University of Southern Indiana is a public institution.

Tuition: $297:non-resident

15. Lamar University

Originally known as South Park Junior College, Lamar University was founded in 1923.  Established by Louis R. Pietzsch, the school originally operated out of the third floor of the South Park High School.  Working out of this location for the next three years, the State of Texas Legislature eventually granted the school the ability to give degrees and it was renamed to Lamar College.  Named for Mirabeau B. Lamar, the second President of the Republic of Texas, Lamar College was soon moved to its own campus.  By 1942, the school was out of South Park High School and operating independently.

Incorporated by the state in 1995, Lamar University is currently located in Beaumont, Texas and enrolls a student body of 15,000 students.  Lamar University is a public institution.

Tuition: $308:non-resident

16. Rogers State University

Accepting its first class of students in 1909, Rogers State University was founded as the Eastern University Preparatory School.  Offering its first courses in the Claremont Building, now the school’s oldest building, Eastern University Preparatory School operated for the next eight years until it was shut down and reworked into the Oklahoma Military Academy.  The newly opened Oklahoma Military Academy soon began to offer four years of high school education alongside its two years of junior college.  Due to declining attendance rates brought upon by the Vietnam War, the school was overhauled and began to offer undergraduate and graduate programs.

Named to honor Clement Vann Rogers, Rogers State University currently enrolls a student body of 4,300 students Rogers State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $309:non-resident

17. Indiana University East

Needing to provide additional facilities for its ever-increasing student body, Earlham College founded an extension program that would eventually become Indiana University East.  Operated in a joint-partnership between Earlham College and Indiana University, this new program grew to eventually include the nearby Purdue University into the partnership of this brand-new extension program.  In due time, the program had grown to become so large that the Indiana General Assembly saw it fit to spin it off into its own program.

By 1971, the Indiana University East was officially established.  Located in Richmond, Indiana, Indiana University East is home to approximately 4,500 students.  Indiana University East is a public institution.

Tuition: $315:non-resident

18. Colorado Christian University

The Denver Bible Institute was established in 1914, setting the stage for what would eventually become Colorado Christian University.  Originally, the Denver Bible Institute was created independently of the state of Colorado, but this plan was eventually abandoned and a charter was sought for the new school.  At this point the school was renamed from the Denver Bible Institute to the Denver Bible College and began to grant degrees to students.  Over the coming three decades, the school operated on its own and eventually merged with the Western Bible Institute to form Rockmont College.

In 1989, Rockmont College was renamed to Colorado Christian University.  Now home to 7,400 students, Colorado Christian University is located in Lakewood, Colorado.  Colorado Christian University is a private institution.

Tuition: $315:non-resident

19. Southern New Hampshire University

The New Hampshire School of Accounting and Secretarial Science was established in 1932 and laid the groundwork for what would transform to become Southern New Hampshire University.  Operated by husband and wife, Harry A.B. Shapiro and Gertrude Crockett Shapiro, the New Hampshire School of Accounting and Secretarial Science was founded in downtown Manchester, New Hampshire.  For the next thirty years, the school would operate at this location but then be forced to move to its current location on the borderline of Hooksett and Manchester.  During this move, the school was renamed to the New Hampshire College of Accounting and Commerce.

Now known as Southern New Hampshire University, the school is home to 3,000 students on-campus and an additional 60,000 students online.  Southern New Hampshire University is a private institution.

Tuition: $320:non-resident

20. Utah State University

Upon receiving funding from the federal government through the Morrill Act, the State of Utah began searching for a site upon which it could establish its first public institution of higher education.  Already having its capital in Salt Lake City and the Insane Asylum in Provo, it was decided that the new institution of higher learning should be located in the town of Logan, Utah.  In 1888, the Agricultural College of Utah was chartered and in 1890, the first group of students began enrolling in classes.

Consolidating with nearby schools over the coming years, now Utah State University is home to over 28,000 students and offers a wide variety of different degree programs from which to choose from.  Utah State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $325:non-resident

21. Dakota State University

For the past twenty years, Dakota State University has maintained a well-earned reputation for being on the cutting-edge of technology use in the classroom.  Beginning in the early 2000s, Dakota State University began offering all of its students a tablet and a laptop computer in order to aid with their educational experience.  Along with this computer, all students were required to enroll in a either an introductory programming or computing class.  Because of this dedication to technology, Dakota State University earned the designations of “National Center of Academic Excellence in Research” and “National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations”.

Established in 1881, Dakota State University was originally known as Madison Normal School. Today Dakota State University is home to nearly 3,000 students at its Madison, North Dakota campus.  Dakota State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $335:non-resident

22. Granite State College

One of the cornerstones of the University System of New Hampshire, Granite State College was established with the distinct goal of providing flexible options of higher education to adult students.  Established in 1972 in Concord, New Hampshire, Granite State College still operates out of its original campus.  However, due to growth, Granite State College has added additional satellite campuses as well as greatly expanded its online campus.

Dedicated to offering students additional educational opportunities, Granite State College offers most of its classes online in order to cater to non-traditional students.  Today, Granite State College offers over fifty different programs of study.  Granite State College is a public institution.

Tuition: $335:non-resident

23. University of South Dakota

The Dakota Territorial Legislature called for the establishment of the University at Vermillion in 1826.  The precursor to the University of South Dakota, the University at Vermillion was one of the oldest educational institutions in the state of South Dakota and is also older than of the educational institutions in the state of North Dakota.

Established in the city of Vermillion, South Dakota, the University of South Dakota has become the center of the city.  Operating the only medical and law schools in the state, the University of South Dakota currently enrolls a student population of nearly 10,000 students and offers 270 different programs of study to choose from.  University of South Dakota is a public institution.

Tuition: $335:non-resident

24. University of Alabama

After entering into the Union, the newly formed General Assembly of Alabama called for the creation of an institution of higher-learning within the borders of the state.  This school would eventually evolve to become the University of Alabama.  The first classes were held at the University of Alabama in 1820, making it one of the oldest public institution of higher education in the entire country.  The school’s campus was modeled heavily after the designs created by Thomas Jefferson for the University of Virginia campus.

Located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, close to the state’s capital, the University of Alabama enrolls almost 37,000 students.  The University of Alabama is a public institution.

Tuition: $335:non-resident

25. Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Founded in 1867, Clarion University of Pennsylvania was originally named the Carrier Seminary of Western Pennsylvania.  After four years, the school was finally up and running.  Accepting its first class of students in 1871, the Carrier Seminary of Western Pennsylvania operated independently of the state for sixteen years until the school received backing from the state.  It was at this point the school was renamed to Clarion State Normal School.  By the 1980s, the school had been incorporated into Pennsylvania’s public education system and had received university status, resulting in the school’s name being changed once more to Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

Founded and still located in Clarion, Pennsylvania, Clarion University of Pennsylvania has a student body of over 5,000 students.  Clarion University of Pennsylvania is a public institution.

Tuition: $337:non-resident

26. Saint Joseph’s College

Located along the shore of Sebago Lake in the small town of Standish, Maine, Saint Joseph’s College was founded just outside of Portland, Maine’s largest city.  Originally established as the Portland Regional Community of the Sisters of Mercy in 1912, Saint Joseph’s College was created as an institute for the education of women while also providing students a background in Catholic teachings and history. The school operated as a women’s-only institution for the coming decades until becoming coeducational in certain programs in 1970.

Currently, Saint Joseph’s College is the only Catholic School in the state of Maine.  Enrolling over 1,000 students, Saint Joseph’s College offers students forty different degrees to choose from.  Saint Joseph’s College is a private institution.

Tuition: $345:non-resident

27. Colorado State University

Through a key piece of legislation, then Governor of the Colorado Territory Edward M. McCook called for the establishment of a brand new state university designed with the purpose of serving the newly settled area.  In 1870, Colorado State University was established.  Running into a variety of different developmental issues in the beginning, the school eventually secured funding and a plot of land.  Originally named Colorado Agricultural College, the school was eventually added to the Colorado State University system and was renamed Colorado State University.

Located in Fort Collins, Colorado, Colorado State University enrolls a student body of approximately 3,400 students.  Colorado State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $350:non-resident

28. Washburn University

In conjunction with the Congregational Ministers and Churches of Kansas, the State of Kansas issues a charter that called for the creation of Lincoln College in 1865.  After receiving a generation donation of a plot of land by the abolitionist John Ritchie, construction began on what was then Lincoln College but would soon become Washburn University.  Renamed in 1868 to Washburn College, the school was named to honor the legacy of Ichabod Washburn, a famous abolitionist from the town of Worcester, Massachusetts who pledged $25,000 to the fledgeling institution.

Established on a foundation of progressive ideals, Washburn University is located in Topeka, Kansas and enrolls a students body of approximately 6,600 students.  Washburn University is a public institution.

Tuition: $352:non-resident

29. Jacksonville State University

Governor Edward O’Neal called for the established of the State Normal School at Jacksonville in 1883, laying the necessary groundwork for what would grow to become Jacksonville State University.  Originally occupying facilities that once belonged to the defunct Calhoun College, the State Normal School at Jacksonville originally operated as a state preparatory school for teachers.  By the 1920s, the curriculum of the school had shifted towards becoming a four-year institution and the name of the school was changed to the State Teachers College at Jacksonville.  The name was changed twice more.  Once to Jacksonville State College, and then finally to Jacksonville State University.

Established and still located in Jacksonville, Alabama, Jacksonville State University is currently home to approximately 8,700 students.  Jacksonville State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $359:non-resident

30. Old Dominion University

Initially, Old Dominion University was created out of humble beginnings as an offshoot campus of the nearby College of William and Mary.  Wanting to create an extension campus in the nearby city of Norfolk, Virginia, officials from the College of William and Mary began buying up buildings, land, and hiring professors that would eventually work at the new campus.  In 1930, the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary opened its doors to students.  The school grew quickly over the coming decades.  By 1962, the school had grown so large that it was deemed necessary to spin the school off into it’s school known as Old Dominion College.

No longer known as Old Dominion College, Old Dominion University now operates two additional campuses and has a student body of over 25,000 students.  Old Dominion University is a public institution.

Tuition: $369:non-resident

31. University of Wisconsin-Platteville

In 1959, officials from the Wisconsin Institute of Technology and Wisconsin State College decided that it would be best to merge the two institutions into one.  This newly formed institution was renamed the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.  Its origins dating back all the way to 1866, the oldest component of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville was Platteville Normal School, an institution dedicated to the education of teachers.  This school was eventually renamed to Platteville State Teachers College and then to Wisconsin Institute of Technology, Platteville.

Currently, still located in Platteville Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville is home to approximately 9,000 students.  University of Wisconsin Platteville is a public institution.

Tuition: $370:non-resident

32. Belhaven University

Doctor Lewis Fizhugh chartered Belhaven College in 1894.  Originally, the school was incredibly small and operated entirely out of a tiny residence located on Boyd Street in the small town of Jackson, Mississippi.  Unfortunately, this building burned down in a fire and construction was soon underway on a brand new location.  Tragedy struck again in 1904 when Doctor Lewis Fizhugh passed away at which point ownership of the school was transferred to his colleague Doctor J.R. Person.  Person continued to operate the school in Doctor Lewis Fizhugh’s vision until, after five years, another fire claimed the school.

The school reopened in 1911 under guidance from the Presbyterian Church.  Today, Belhaven University is home to 4,300 students.  Belhaven University is a private institution.

Tuition: $370:non-resident

33. Northwestern State University of Louisiana

On a plot of land originally owned by a local family known as the Bullards, Northwestern State University of Louisiana was officially established in 1856.  Initially, a convent and a school were built at this location.  Due to its incredibly early date of establishment, Northwestern State University actually predates the Civil War.  Established by the Louisiana State Legislature, the school was originally named the Louisiana State Normal School.  The school grew over the coming years and with that growth came a series of name changes.  In 1921 the school was renamed to Louisiana State Normal College and then to Northwestern College of Louisiana in 1944.

Today, Northwestern State University of Louisiana is located in Natchitoches, Louisiana and enrolls a student body of over 9,000 students. Northwestern State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $375:non-resident

34. Northeastern University

In 1868, the precursor to Northeastern University, the Evening Institute for Younger Men, opened its doors in 1868.  From its creation, Northeastern University focused primarily on providing students in the area with a wider variety of options when it came to education.  Northeastern University wanted to provide more flexibility when it came to earning a higher-education.  Founded in Boston, Massachusetts, Northeastern University currently operates satellite campuses in Charlotte, North Carolina; Seattle, Washington; and Silicon Valley, California.

Today, Northeastern University has the designation of having “High Research Activity” from the Carnegie Classifications Institute of Higher Education and enrolls a student body of approximately 25,000 students.  Northeastern University is a private institution.

Tuition: $378:non-resident

35. Sierra Nevada College

Starting from very humble beginnings, Sierra Nevada College opened its doors to its first class of students which included just twenty-three enrollees.  One of the unique goals of the new college was to incorporate as much of the unique characteristics of the school’s surrounding location in the Lake Tahoe region.  In just six years, the school had earned accreditation and was now offering a much wider variety of different academic programs to its students.  By the 1980s, Sierra Nevada College had added its first Master’s programs to its curriculum.

Located in Incline Village, Nevada, Sierra Nevada College offers students twenty different undergraduate programs as well as a variety of different graduate programs to its student body of just over 1,000 students.  Sierra Nevada College is a private institution.

Tuition: $379:non-resident

36. Baker College

Established in Flint, Michigan, Baker College began enrolling it first class of students in 1911.  Originally named the Baker Business College, the school was designed with the purpose of providing an education to adults who were looking to enter into the workforce immediately upon completion of their degree.  Baker Business College focused on providing students with tangible, real-life work skills.  In order to do so, Baker Business College went to great lengths to integrate real-world experience into their curriculum.  Founded by Eldon E. Baker, Baker College offered students a premier business education.

Having merged with Muskegon College in 1965, Baker College now offers students fifteen different programs of study to choose from.  Baker College is a private institution.

Tuition: $390:non-resident

37. Liberty University

Senior Pastor Jerry Falwell of the Thomas Road Baptist Church, called for the creation of Liberty University in 1971.  Named the Lynchburg Baptist College, the school would undergo series of transformations over the coming decades resulting in the Liberty University of the modern day.  Senior Pastor Jerry Falwell created Liberty University with the distinct goal of providing a high-quality education with a Christian perspective.

Originally named for the city of Lynchburg, Virginia, in which the school is located, the school was renamed in 1985 to Liberty University.  Now, Liberty University enrolls 15,000 students on campus and additional 100,000 online. Liberty University is a private institution.

Tuition: $390:non-resident

38. Charter Oak State College

The Connecticut State Legislature called for the creation of Charter Oak State College in 1973.  As part of a plan to expand the educational offerings within the state of Connecticut, Charter Oak State College was established as one of a few different schools created to remedy the situation.  Founded across the street from the Central Connecticut State University, Charter Oak State College was incorporated into the Connecticut State College and Universities System.

Located in the town of Hartford, Connecticut, the name Charter Oak State College is derived from the state’s famous Charter Oak, a very large white oak tree located in the city.  Now, Charter Oak State College is home to approximately 2,300 students.  Charter Oak State College is a public university.

Tuition: $392:non-resident

39. California State University – Dominguez Hills

In 1960, the Governor of California Pat Brown, called upon the California State Legislature to allocate funds towards the establishment and construction of a brand new school.  Initially, the new school was to be located in the city of Palos Verdes and was to be named South Bay State College.  As plans began to move forward it was eventually decided that Dominguez Hills was a better location for the new school than Palos Verdes.  Being a newer town, the state hoped that by locating the school there it would cause people to move there to help populate the new town.

Currently located in the Dominguez Hills region of Carson, California, California State University, Dominguez Hills is home to student body of approximately 15,000 students.  California State University, Dominguez Hills is a public institution.

Tuition: $396:non-resident

40. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

An integral part of the University of Wisconsin System of schools, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater was founded in 1868.  Originally named the Whitewater Normal School, the school was initially founded to act as a training facility for teachers across the state of Wisconsin.  The school operated in this limited capacity for the following fifty years.  In 1927, the Whitewater Normal School was granted the ability to offer students bachelor’s degrees and was renamed to Whitewater Teachers College.  The school underwent a few other name changes: in 1951 to Wisconsin State College-Whitewater, and then the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1971.

Eventually incorporated into the University of Wisconsin system, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater now enrolls a student body of just over 12,000 students.  University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is a public institution.

Tuition: $398:non-resident

41. Briar Cliff University

The Mother Superior of the Sisters of Saint Francis of Dubuque, Mother Mary Dominica Wieneke, and Most Reverend Edmond Heelan partnered together in the late 1920s to begin work on establishing Briar Cliff College.  By 1930, they were ready to open the doors to the newly founded Briar Cliff School, located upon the Briar Cliff.  Originally, the school only offered classes to women but this eventually changes males were allowed to enroll in 1965.  By 1967, residence halls had been added to the campus and students were able to take up residency at the school.

Founded in Sioux Falls, Iowa, Briar Cliff University enrolls just over 1,300 students.  Briar Cliff University is a private institution.

Tuition: $399:non-resident

42. Campbellsville University

Founded as a boys school, Campbellsville University was established as the Russell Creek Academy by the Russell Creek Baptist Association.  In the coming years, the school would undergo a series of changes that would take it from a humble boys school to a full-fledge university.  One of these key changes took place in 1966 when the school had gained university status and began offering college courses and degrees.

Located in Campbellsville, Kentucky, Campellsville Unviersity enrolls a student body of over 3,200 students and offers a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs to its students. Campbellsville University is a private institution.

Tuition: $399:non-resident

43. Touro University Worldwide

Speaking at the Touro Synagogue in 1970, George Washington gave a stirring speech that would go on to influence the establishment of Touro University.  Listening to the words of George Washington, the Touro family began developing a system of nonprofit schools of higher education that were sponsored by the Jewish faith.  Known as Touro College, the school system eventually consolidated to establish Touro University Worldwide in 1998.  Originally named Touro University International, the school focused on providing students with a wide variety of different distance education opportunities.

Now a leader in the field of distance education, Touro University Worldwide enrolls thousands of students online and offers a wide variety of different educational programs from which to choose from.  Tour University Worldwide is a private institution.

Tuition: $400:non-resident

44. Bellevue University

Bellevue University was originally created with the clear goal of providing working adults with an opportunity to gain a high-quality education.  Named Bellevue College at its founding, the school grew over the coming decades.  By 1975, Bellevue College had grown to become so large that it was then the fourth-largest private school in the state of Nevada.  Years later, the Bellevue College would receive university status and begin to offer Master’s programs to its offerings.

Renamed Bellevue University in 1994, Bellevue University is located in Bellevue, Nevada and enrolls a student body of approximately 10,000 students.  Bellevue University is a private institution.

Tuition: $410:non-resident

45. University of Massachusetts – Boston

In the Sixties, the State of Massachusetts was in an education crisis.  Demand for higher education greatly outpaced the available spots at public universities.  Hoping to remedy this situation, the Massachusetts State Legislature voted in 1964 to establish the university now known as the University of Massachusetts Boston.  A year later, classes began to be held in a newly renovated building in the Park Square area of Boston, Massachusetts.  During this time, construction on the Columbia Point campus was underway and was completed in 1974.  In 1982, the University of Massachusetts Boston absorbed the nearby Boston State College.

Located in downtown Boston, Massachusetts, the University of Massachusetts Boston enrolls approximately 17,000 students.  University of Massachusetts-Boston is a public institution.

Tuition: $410:non-resident

46. Buena Vista University

Opened in 1891, Buena Vista University originally held its first classes inside the Storm Lake Opera House. While this arrangement worked at first, soon demand for spots at the university grew so large that the school needed to move out of the Storm Lake Opera House.  This prompted construction on a new campus for the growing school.  Over the coming years, a new campus was erected.  Much of it still remains to this day, although some of it was lost in a fire in 1956.  During the 1950s and 1960s, Buena Visa University experience a period of rapid growth.

Today, Buena Vista University enrolls almost 1,000 students and offers forty-two different programs of study for its students.  Buena Vista University is a private institution.

Tuition: $421:non-resident

47. Brescia University

Originally named Mount Saint Joseph Junior College, Brescia University was established in 1925.  Established by the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph at Maple Mount, the school would grow and change to become the Brescia University of the modern era.  Originally, the school operated as a women’s-only school in order to education women and offer them more opportunities.  In time, the school was eventually made to be coeducational after the addition of new campuses.

Named for the Italian city of Brescia from which the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph hailed, Brescia University is now home to a large number of students at its Owensboro, Kentucky campus.  Brescia University is a private institution.

Tuition: $425:non-resident

48. Northern Arizona University

Founded to provide children in Arizona with an opportunity for an education, Northern Arizona University was originally established as the Northern Arizona Normal School in 1899.  Operating as a state normal school for the next six decades, Northern Arizona University was eventually granted the ability to offer Bachelor’s degrees and was renamed to its current name.

Now, Northern Arizona University is one of the state’s premier research universities and has earned the designation of having “High Research Activity” by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.  Enrolling 28,000 students, Northern Arizona University is located in Flagstaff, Arizona. Northern Arizona University is a public institution.

Tuition: $425:non-resident

49. Western Kentucky University

A.W. Mell founded the Glasgow Normal School and Business College in the heart of downtown Glasgow, Kentucky in 1876.  In the coming years, the school would eventually grow and transform while also merging with other nearby schools to form Western Kentucky University. After Glasgow Normal School and Business College was formed, the Potter College was established nearby by Pleasant J. Potter.  The Potter College would soon merge with the Glasgow Normal School and Business College, as well as the Western Kentucky Normal College and Teachers College, in the 1930s to form what would eventually be renamed to Western Kentucky University.

Now located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Western Kentucky University enrolls a student body of 21,000 students and offers over one-hundred different programs of study.  Western Kentucky University is a public institution.

Tuition: $425:non-resident

50. Indiana Wesleyan University

Founded in 1890, Indiana Wesleyan University was originally named Marion Normal College.  Indiana Wesleyan University operated under the name of Morion Normal College until 1912 at which point the school was then renamed to Marion Normal Institute.  After eight more years, the school was renamed to Mario College which remained the school’s name until 1980.  It was that year that the school was finally renamed to Indiana Wesleyan University.

Over the course of the 20th century and into the 21st, Indiana Wesleyan University’s curriculum and student body expanded.  Today, Indiana Wesleyan University is one of the largest private universities in the entire state of Indiana, enrolling 16,000+ students at its Marion, Indiana campus.  Indiana Wesleyan University is a private institution.

Tuition: $432:non-resident

51. Keiser University – Fort Lauderdale

Arther Keiser, founder of Keiser University, established Keiser University with his mother Evelyn Keiser in 1977 in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  Originally named the Keiser School, Keiser University operated as a career college, mainly focused on teaching students applicable work skills.  The school taught mainly business and healthcare courses in the beginning.  By 1982, the school added course in computer programming and it was decided that the name of the school would be changed to the Keiser Institute of Technology.  Following this change, associate degrees were added into the curriculum and the school was renamed once more to Keiser College.

In 2006, the school began offering students a wide array of degrees as it briefly switched to a for-profit business model under the name of Keiser University.  Today, it is now a non-profit university that offers a wide variety of educational experiences to its students.  Keiser University is a private institution.

Tuition: $440:non-resident

52. Limestone College

Tom and William Curtis, father and son, worked together in a partnership in order to found and establish Limestone College in 1854.  Both scholars from England, Thomas and William Curtis traveled from England to the United States with the vision of creating a school that provided educational opportunities to women.  Settling in South Carolina, the duo set to work on establishing Limestone College as one of the first women’s colleges in the state.  Today, Limestone College is one of the oldest schools in the state of South Carolina and is named for its proximity to a nearby limestone quarry.

Located in the city of Gaffney, South Carolina, Limestone College is still made up of much of its original campus. Today, Limestone College enrolls approximately 1,000 students on campus and an additional 2,500 students online. Limestone College is a private institution.

Tuition: $441:non-resident

53. Upper Iowa University

Hoping to establish a new institution of higher education, community members worked hard with the local branch of the Methodist Church in order to raise enough money through donations to establish what would become Upper Iowa University in 1857.  Led by pioneer Elizabeth Alexander, Upper Iowa University was founded to serve the people of the newly settled Iowa Territory. In partnership with her husband, Robert Alexander, Elizabeth Alexander, worked to get her new school started in the town of Fayette, Iowa.

Today, Upper Iowa University is located along the Volga River in the town of Fayette, Iowa.  Still maintaining its ties to the Methodist Church, Upper Iowa University enrolls a student body of nearly 6,000 students.  Upper Iowa University is a private institution.

Tuition: $441:non-resident

54. City University of Seattle

Founded in 1973, the City University of Seattle was established by its creator Dr. Micheal A. Pastore.  Working to create a school that served working professionals, the City University of Seattle was created by Dr. Pastore with the vision of providing most of its classes through non-traditional delivery formats such as night and weekend classes, as well as distance education.  At the time, Dr. Michael A. Pastore perceived a lack of educational options for working professionals and hoped that his new school would service that gap in the local education system.  He was proven right as the school became a success almost immediately and soon additional campuses began to sprout up all over the city.

Now, the City University of Seattle has a student body of nearly 6,400 students and is located in the city of Seattle, Washington for which the school gets its name.  City University of Seattle is a private institution.

Tuition: $447:non-resident

55. Adventist University of Health Sciences

Growing out of a program started at the Florida Hospital, the Adventist University of Health Sciences was founded in Orlando, Florida.  Originally, Florida Hospital established its nursing program that was receiving students from the nearby Southern Missionary College.  These students would come to the Florida Hospital in order to gain valuable insight and on-the-job experience in order to supplement their education and advance their nursing careers.  As this program grew to be more robust, the Florida Hospital decided to add an in-house Associate Degree in Nursing program.  By 1992, Florida Hospital had consolidated all of its separate nursing programs under one name and began offering students the ability to earn Bachelor’s degrees in 1998.

In 2012, the school was renamed to the Adventist University of Health Sciences and still operates under this name.  Currently, the Adventist University of Health Sciences is home to a student body of approximately 1,800 students. Adventist University of Health Sciences is a private institution.

Tuition: $460:non-resident

56. Stephen F. Austin State University

Established in 1923, Stephen F. Austin State University was named after one of the founding fathers of the state of Texas, Stephen F. Austin – for which the state of Austin, Texas also has received its name.  Originally created to serve as a teaching college for public school teachers in Texas, Stephen F. Austin State University quickly expanded the scope of its curriculum in order to service more students and provide more educational opportunities.

Located in Nacogdoches, Texas, Stephen F. Austin State University resides on the grounds of Thomas Jefferson Rusk’s former homestead.  A public university, Stephen F. Austin State University is one of the few public colleges in the state that is not part of the Texas University systems.  Currently, Stephen F. Austin State University enrolls approximately 14,000 students.  Stephen F. Austin State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $467:non-resident

57. LeTourneau University

Husband and wife, R.G. and Evelyn LeTourneau began working on plans for what would become LeTourneau University as World War II came to a close.  The two originally planned to create a university that would work to educate returning soldiers in order to teach them valuable work skills and help them enter into prosperous post-war careers.  By 1956, R.G. and Evelyn LeTourneau were ready to open what was then known as the LeTourneau Technical Institute.

Focusing primarily on teaching students manufacturing skills, the LeTourneau Technical Institute operated out of an old hospital building.  Upon graduation, students were placed into jobs at the nearby LeTourneau Manufacturing plant.  Today, LeTourneau University provides a much broader scope of educational opportunities to its student body of nearly 5,000 students. LeTourneau University is a private institution.

Tuition: $475:non-resident

58. Notre Dame College

Founded in 1922, Notre Dame College was founded in the city of South Euclid, Ohio on Ansel Road.  Originally, Notre Dame College only admitted women.  Over time, the school began to grow and it was determined that the Notre Dame College campus should expand to a fifteen acre campus in South Euclid.  Operating initially as a residential campus only, Notre Dame College added Weekend College programs to its curriculum in 1978.  This was Notre Dame College’s first program that was offered to students in a non-traditional means, laying the groundwork for future distance education programs.

By 2005, it was decided that Notre Dame College would not only admit women, but also begin to enroll men.  Enrollment at Notre Dame College quickly doubled.  Now, Notre Dame College is home to a student body of almost 2,250 students. Notre Dame College is a private institution.

Tuition: $475:non-resident

59. Southwestern College

Through an act of legislation by the Kansas State Legislature, the first steps towards establishing Southwestern College were underway when the bill called for the designation of a small plot of land for what would be the site of what was then known as the Southwest Kansas Conference College.  However, this plot of land remained undeveloped for over a year as plans for the new college were still being ironed out.  Overcoming financial and size concerns, construction finally began and the first class of students at Southwest Kansas Conference College were enrolled in 1886.  In 1909, the school’s name was shortened from Southwest Kansas Conference College to Southwestern College.

Currently, Southwestern College is located in the Kansas town of Winfield and is home to a student body of nearly 1,900 students.  Southwestern College is a private institution.

Tuition: $478:non-resident

60. Jacksonville University

Established in 1934, Jacksonville University was founded by William J. Porter.  Initially established under the name of the William J. Porter University, the school only offered students the ability to earn an Associate’s degree at first.  In its early years, the school did not have its own facilities and operated out of the nearby First Baptist Church.  After a year of operation, the school was renamed to Jacksonville Junior College.  Upon the institution of the GI Bill, Jacksonville University experienced a major uptick in the amount of students enrolling in the school, which afforded the ability for the school to build its own permanent campus.  Construction was completed in 1950 and in 1958 the school merged with the nearby Jacksonville College of Music

Renamed to Jacksonville University in 1958, Jacksonville University is located in Jacksonville, Florida and is home to a student body of nearly 4,200 students.  Jacksonville University is a private institution.

Tuition: $485:non-resident

61. Southern Oregon University

Reverend Henry Skidmore of Oregon’s Methodist Episcopal Church founded Southern Oregon University as the Ashland Academy in 1872.  Operating under its original name of Ashland Academy for its first five years, the school was renamed in 1878 to Ashland College and then to Ashland College and Normal School a few years later.  These name changes were just the first in a series of name changes that the school underwent.  Named Ashland Collegiate Institute then Southern Oregon State Normal School followed by Southern Oregon Normal School, Southern Oregon College, Southern Oregon State College, and then finally Southern Oregon University.

Today, Southern Oregon University is located in Ashland, Oregon and is home to a student population of approximately 6,200 students. Southern Oregon University is a public institution.

Tuition: $486:non-resident

62. Regis University

In 1877, a group of Italian Jesuits fled to the United States in need of asylum.  Upon reaching the United States, the group settled in the city of Las Vegas, New Mexico.  There, the group of Italian Jesuits began work to establish Regis University.  Referred to as Las Vegas College at the time, the school operated successfully for the next few years.  At the request of the Bishop of Denver, the Jesuits decided to move their school from the city of Las Vegas, Nevada to Denver, Colorado.  In Denver, the school was merged with the already established Sacred Heart College to form the College of the Sacred Heart.

Renamed to Regis University in 1921, the school was named to honor Saint John Francis Regis.  Today, Regis University enrolls a student body of 8,700 students at its Denver, Colorado campus.  Regis University is a private institution.

Tuition: $490:non-resident

63. University of Saint Mary

Upon settling in the town of Leavenworth, Kansas, the Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul began work to establish a boy and girls school in 1858.  After a year of work and planning, the St. Mary’s Institute opened as a precursor to the University of Saint Mary.  Originally situated in the downtown-area of Leavenworth, Kansas, the school was moved to its current location just outside the city of Leavenworth in 1870.  It was at this point that the name of the school was changed to St. Mary’s Academy.  In 1923, the Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul officially chartered Saint Mary College.  Saint Mary College began offering four-year Bachelor’s degrees in 1974 making it the first to do so in Kansas.

Now known as the University of Saint Mary since 2003, the University of Saint Mary is home to a student population of just over 800 students.  University of Saint Mary is a private institution.

Tuition: $490:non-resident

64. Ball State University

Originally named the Eastern Indiana Normal School, Ball State University was established in 1876.  Over the course of the next twenty-five years, the school operated under the Eastern Indiana Normal School name until it was forced to shutter its doors due to financial issues.  Just a short year later, the school was revamped and reopened as Palmer University.  However, this did not last very long as it was renamed to Indiana Normal College and then shut down in 1907.  Following this series of unfortunate closures, the school was purchased by the Ball Brothers, two local entrepreneurs.  It was at this point that the school reopened and it began to really prosper.  In 1961, to honor the two brothers who breathed a new life into the institution, the school was renamed to Ball State College.

Later renamed to Ball State University, Ball State University is located in Muncie, Indiana and is home to approximately 22,000 students.  Ball State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $492:non-resident

65. University of Wyoming

Inscribed with the Latin phrase “Domi Habit Unde Disceret”, meaning “He need not go away from home for instruction”, the first cornerstone was laid for the University of Wyoming‘s first building, the Old Main, in 1866.  Just one year later, construction had been completed on the new university’s campus and it began enrolling man and women into its courses.  Located on a plot of land known s Prexy’s Pasture, the campus has become renowned for its beautifully serene views that remain to this very day.

Growing over the years, the University of Wyoming is now home to a student body of over 14,000 students.  Referred to as “UW” by most of its students, alumni, and faculty, the University of Wyoming offers students a variety of different undergraduate and graduate degree programs. University of Wyoming is a public institution.

Tuition: $496:non-resident

66. University of Louisville

After the founding of the city of Louisville, Kentucky, the Kentucky General Assembly passed a charter calling for the establishment of a brand-new institution of higher learning for the newly established city in 1798.  Named originally the Jefferson Seminary, the school operated under this name until 1829.  It was at this time that the people of Louisville called for a less “elitist” institution.  Decades later in 1846, the Kentucky Legislature combined the Louisville Collegiate Institute, Louisville Medical Institute, and the new law school to form the University of Louisville.  The aim of the new school was to be much more inclusive and welcoming of the public than its predecessors.

Still located in Louisville, Kentucky, the University of Louisville currently enrolls a student population of approximately 22,500 students. University of Louisville is a public institution.

Tuition: $497:non-resident

67. Thomas Edison State University

Thomas Edison State University began in 1971 with the idea that the college-level knowledge adults gain outside the classroom could be measured and applied toward an academic degree. Approved by the New Jersey Board of Education in December 1971, the idea became a reality with the establishment of the University on July 1, 1972. The University was aptly named in honor of Thomas Alva Edison, the New Jersey inventor who gained encyclopedic knowledge of many subject areas without attending college classes.

Presently, Thomas Edison State University enrolls a student body of approximately 17,500 and offers 100 different programs. Thomas Edison State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $499:non-resident

68. University of Maryland University College

Established with the goal of providing working adults with an opportunity to pursue a higher education outside of a traditionally schedules college course of study, the University of Maryland University College was formed as a series of night classes by the University of Maryland.  Commonplace now, the University of Maryland University College was a pioneer in the field of distance education as well as other non-traditional course delivery methods.  Over time, the program grew so large that it was spun-out of the University of Maryland and was renamed to the College of Special and Continuation Studies.

In 1959, the school was renamed to the University of Maryland University College.  Today, the University of Maryland University College enrolls a student body of just over 90,000 students.  University of Maryland University College is a public institution.

Tuition: $499:non-resident

69. Brandman University

Initially located on the former grounds of the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, Brandman University was established in the city of Irvine, California.  Formed in 1861, Brandman University was originally an additional branch of the nearby Chapman University.  Capitalizing on its location on the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, Brandman University initially focused on providing a high-quality education to soldiers.  Operating as a branch of Chapman University for the coming years, the school was eventually forced spin-off into its own school due to size concerns.

Renamed to Brandman University when it was spun-off from Chapman University, Brandman University now operates twenty-five campuses all along the West Coast throughout Washington and California. Brandman University is a private institution.

Tuition: $500:non-resident

70. University of Cincinnati

Name for its location in the city Cincinnati, Ohio, the University of Cincinnati was established in 1819 and has become an integral cultural touchstone of the community ever since.  Initially named Cincinnati College, the college was later renamed to the University of Cincinnati in 1870. Founded on Clifton Avenue in downtown Cincinnati, the University of Cincinnati was soon forced to relocate from its original location to the Heights neighborhood in order to accommodate for an explosion of growth.  By 1977, the State of Ohio had designated the University of Cincinnati as a state school.

Presently, the University of Cincinnati has grown to become the second-largest school in the state of Ohio with a student body of over 45,000 students.  Students are able to enroll in over 350 different programs of study. University of Cincinnati is a public institution.

Tuition: $503:non-resident

71. Western Carolina University

Hoping to establish a school that would best serve their community, the people of the town of Cullowhee, North Carolina, came together to forma. Board of Trustees that would soon establish the precursor to Western Carolina University. This Board of Trustees established the Cullowhee Academy. Opening its doors in 1889, the Cullowhee Academy operated as the Cullowhee High School during its earliest years. By 1905, the school was no longer just a high school. Renamed to Cullowhee Normal & Industrial School, the school had been transformed into a state normal school.

Over the coming years the school would undergo a variety of different name changes until it was finally renamed to Western Carolina University in 1967.  Today, Western Carolina University is home to a student body of nearly 9,000 students. Western Carolina University.

Tuition: $505:non-resident

72. Drexel University

One of the founding partners at the investment banking firm now known as J.P. Morgan & Co but then known as Drexel, Morion & Co., Anthony J. Drexel, established the brand new Drexel University in 1891.  Anthony J. Drexel wanted to change the way that universities selected their student body.  Drexel University was to accept student solely on their merit.  The school would not discriminate by sex or background when deciding who should attend, instead the school would look at their intelligence and intellect.  Originally established in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Drexel University soon added additional campuses throughout the city.

Now, Drexel University maintains campuses in Philadelphia as well as an additional satellite campus in Sacramento, California.  Home to over 26,000 students, Drexel University offers students over 170 different programs of study. Drexel University is a private institution.

Tuition: $508:non-resident

73. Franklin University

From its inception, Franklin University was founded with the goal of providing higher education to adults of all ages.  Hoping to provide education to those that fell outside the norms of what made a traditional student, Franklin University was established as the YMCA School of Commerce in 1902.  Operating under this name and mission for the next three decades, the YMCA School of Commerce eventually outgrew its home as part of the YMCA.  Moving out of the YMCA, the institution was renamed to Franklin University and dissolved its relationship with the YMCA.

Now including an additional satellite campus in Indianapolis, Franklin University enrolls a student body of nearly 8,000 students. Franklin University is a private institution.

Tuition: $509:non-resident

74. Humboldt State University

Hiram Johnson, the Governor of California at the time, established Humboldt State Normal School as a state teacher’s college in 1913.  Named after Alexander von Humboldt, a famous German scientist, Humboldt State Normal School was to focus on educating the people of California in the sciences.  Seeking out a site for the new school, the state of California had to navigate fierce fighting between the cities of California who were vying desperately to have the school located in its city.  Two cities, Arcata and Eureka fought fervently for the new school and ultimately Arcata, California won the contract for Humboldt State Normal School.

Eventually, the school became a full-fledged university and was renamed Humboldt State University. Today, Humboldt State University is home to a student population of 8,500 students. Humboldt State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $510:non-resident

75. Excelsior College

During the 1970s, the New York State Board of Regents began working on creating an external degree program that would serve all of the New York State system of higher education.  Officially established in 1971, the Regents External Degree Program (REX) was founded by the New York State Board of Regents.  Through this small external degree program, students were able to gain an education without the requirement of residing on campus.  Soon, this program became quite popular and it was determined that it should be spun-off into its own institution.

Originally named Regents College, the school was renamed Excelsior College after privatizing.  Today, Excelsior College specializes in distance education and enrolls a student body of nearly 35,000 students.  Excelsior College is a private institution.

Tuition: $510:non-resident

76. Frostburg State University

Representative of Allegany County in Maryland, John Leake, introduced a key piece of legislation to the floor of the Maryland General Assembly in 1898 that called for the creation of a second normal school within the state of Maryland. Originally named State Normal School No. 2, this institution would eventually grow to become Frostburg State University. Construction on the school began in 1899 and the first class of students began enrolling in 1900.  Initially designed to act as a training school for teachers throughout the state, the school began to churn out highly-trained teachers.

Eventually the school was renamed in 1935 to the State Teacher’s College at Frostburg, then to Frostburg State College in 1963, and finally to Frostburg State University in 1987. Today, Frostburg State University, located in Frostburg, Maryland, enrolls a student body of nearly 6,000 students. Frostburg State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $514:non-resident

77. Chatham University

The Pennsylvania Female College was established by Reverend William Trimble Beatty in 1869, laying the framework for what would eventually grow to become Chatham University.  Holding its first classes in the Berry Mansion initially, soon the Pennsylvania Female College grew too large for its initial location. To not be outpaced with its explosive expansion, the Pennsylvania Female College began purchasing neighboring mansions and holding classes in them.  By 1890, the school had rebrand as the Pennsylvania College for Women. Five decades late, the school was renamed to Chatham College in honor of William Pitt, the First Earl of Chatham.

Gaining university status in 2007, the school was renamed to Chatham University. Today, Chatham University enrolls approximately 2,300 students and is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Chatham University is a private institution.

Tuition: $515:non-resident

78. University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Opened as the Massachusetts Agricultural College, this institution would eventually grow to be known as the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.  Established in 1863, the Massachusetts Agricultural College received its initial funding federally through the Morill Land Act. Over the years the school grew and grew and in 1932 was renamed from the Massachusetts Agricultural College to the Massachusetts State College. Receiving a surge of applicants towards the end of World War II, Massachusetts State College underwent a period of great prosperity. The school added more programs to its curriculum and was renamed to the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1947.

During the 2000s, the University of Massachusetts-Amherst became the flagship school of the UMass system.  Today, the University of Massachusetts-Amherst is home to over 30,000 students and offers them two-hundred different programs of study to choose from. University of Massachusetts-Amherst is a public institution.

Tuition: $525:non-resident

79. Union Institute & University

In 1964, the President of Goddard College assembled nine different leaders of successful liberal arts colleges and universities in order to discuss what the future of education would be as well as any innovations in the field of education.  At this gathering, the group came together to form the Union for Research and Experimentation in Higher Education.  The goal of this group was to work to bring greater innovations to the field of education and teaching.  Leveraging the various strengths of the different members of the group, the University Without Walls was formed.  By 1975, this group had grown to include thirty-four different institutions.

In 1982, the University Without Walls was rebranded as the Union Institute & University.  Currently located in Cincinnati, Ohio, the Union Institute and University offers its students a variety of different educational opportunities. Union Institute & University is a private institution.

Tuition: $530:non-resident

80. Pennsylvania State University

Established in 1855, Pennsylvania State University is known to most of its alumni, faculty, and current students as Penn State. Established as the Farmer’s High School of Pennsylvania, the name of the school was eventually changed to the Agricultural College of Pennsylvania after expanding its course offerings to the collegiate level.  This change in scope was result of Pennsylvania State University becoming the recipient of a large donation of land that allowed the school to expand its campus and offer a larger variety of classes. Following this donation the school received additional funding at the federal level through the Morill Act.

Changing its name from Pennsylvania State College to Pennsylvania State University in 1952, Pennsylvania State University is located in State College, Pennsylvania, and enrolls a student body of approximately 100,000 students. Pennsylvania State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $555:non-resident

81. Saint Leo University

To serve those stationed in Vietnam during the Vietnam War, Saint Leo University developed a new type of course delivery format that would allow those deployed to enroll and take classes at Saint Leo University remotely.  Fueled by the desire to help those in Vietnam to continue their education, Saint Leo University inadvertently created the first distance education program and became pioneers in the field. Founded in 1889, Saint Leo University is one of the oldest Catholic Colleges in both Florida and the entire country.

Named for its location in Saint Leo, Florida, Saint Leo University is home to approximately 16,000 students, of which only 2,000 of the students are enrolled on campus.  Saint Leo University is a private institution.

Tuition: $565:non-resident

82. Sacred Heart University

Reverend Walter W. Curtis, the Bishop of the Dioceses of Bridgeport, established Sacred Heart University in the year 1963.  Founded as a Catholic institution, Sacred Heart University eschewed typical Catholic tradition and was run by the laity.  This was unheard of at the time as all Catholic schools up until this point were run directly by the Catholic Church.  Sacred Heart University had pioneered the Catholic school that was run by the local people.  It was believed that having Sacred Heart University run by the community that the school could become more integral to the community that it was a part of.

Today, Sacred Heart University enrolls nearly 9,000 students at its Fairfield, Connecticut campus and offers its students seventy different programs of study. Sacred Heart University is a private institution.

Tuition: $575:non-resident

83. University of Houston-Victoria

Created as an extension campus for the University of Houston, the Coordinating Board of Texas College and University Systems worked to establish the University of Houston-Victoria in order to accommodate for growth within the University of Houston.  Developed to be an off-campus center for the University of Houston, construction began in the early 1970s in the city of Victoria, Texas.  In 1973, students were enrolled and attending classes at the new facility. Over the coming decades, attendance at the off-campus center grew and eventually a tipping-point was reached where it was determined that the school would be spun-off.

Known as the University of Houston-Victoria, the school was located in the city of Victoria, Texas and enrolled a student body of 4,300 students. University of Houston-Victoria is a public institution.

Tuition: $612:non-resident

84. Florida International University

After construction was completed on the new Miami-Date Airport, the older Tamiami Airport that was replaced by the Miami-Dade Airport was decommissioned and was now no longer in use.  Realizing the opportunity on its hands, the city of Miami, Florida, decided that the old Tamiami Airport would be the perfect location for a new public university. Citing a lack of a public university that serviced the southern-part of Florida, Senator Ernest Graham called for the creation of a brand new school in 1943. It three decades, but construction began and was finally completed on the new school at the Tamiami Airport in 1972.  That year, Florida International University accepted its first class of 5,000 students.

Presently, Florida International University enrolls a student body of 54,000 students making it the second-largest public university in Florida and the fourth-largest in the United States. Florida International University is a public institution.

Tuition: $618:non-resident

85. Brenau University

Initially established as a women’s seminary, Brenau University opened to its first class of students in 1878. Operating as a women’s seminary for some years, the school did not start to resemble the Brenau University of today until it was purchased by H.J. Pearce.  Upon purchasing the school, the name was changed to Brenau University.  The name “Brenau” was created through the combination of the German word “Brennen” which means “to burn” and the Latin word “aurum” which means “gold”.  The name Brenau University reflects the school’s motto: “As Gold Refined By Fire”. Privately owned by H.J. Pearce until 1911, Brenau University was then transferred to a Board of Trustees.

Located in Gainesville, Georgia, Brenau University is home to over 3,500 students. Brenau University is a public institution.

Tuition: $624:non-resident

86. Thomas University

On Birdwood Plantation, a home once belonging to the U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Thomas University was first established.  Named the Birdwood Junior College after the facility it was located at, Thomas University began accepting first class of students five years after receiving its charter. Enrolling just nine students, the school was run by the Primitive Baptist Church.  However, control of the school was soon turned over to a Board of Trustees in 1976.  This change of control resulted in the school being renamed to Thomas County Community College.

In 1986 the school was renamed Thomas College and then Thomas University in 2000. Today, Thomas University is located in Thomasville, Georgia and is home to a student population of 1,200 students. Thomas University is a private institution.

Tuition: $630:non-resident

87. Saint Louis University

Most Reverend Louis Guillame Valentin Dubourg, the Bishop of Louisiana and Florida, established the Saint Louis Academy in 1818 – what would eventually become Saint Louis University. Originally, Saint Louis Academy was located in someone’s private residence located along the Mississippi River. Two years later in 1820, the Saint Louis Academy was moved to its own facility and was renamed to Saint Louis College. Over the coming decades the school would shift from location to location until the end of the Civil War. After the Civil War, a parcel of land called Lindell’s Grove was purchased and construction began on what is now Saint Louis University’s current campus.

Located in St. Louis, Missouri, Saint Louis University enrolls a student body of just over 13,000 students and is one of the oldest universities west of the Mississippi River. Saint Louis University is a private institution.

Tuition: $640:non-resident

88. Champlain College

With the mission statement of preparing men to be ready for the “business cares and responsibilities of life” Champlain College opened last the Burlington Business College in 1878.  Shortly after its founding, the Burlington Business School began enrolling its first class of male students.  Until 1884, the school admitted only men, teaching them skills necessary to enter into the workforce.  After allowing women to enroll in the school, the school was forced to relocated to the Hill Section of Burlington, Vermont in order to accommodate for growth.

Changing its name to Champlain College after moving to its current location, Champlain College is located in Burlington, Vermont and is home to approximately 2,000 students that are able to enroll in over eighty different fields of study. Champlain College is a private institution.

Tuition: $640:non-resident

89. Appalachian State University

Dauphin D. Dougherty and Blanford B. Dougherty, brothers, worked in partnership to lead a group of citizens of the town of Boone, North Carolina, to fund a brand new school that would provide education and training to aspiring teachers to prepare them to teach students in the local area. By 1889, the Dougherty brothers established Watauga Academy.  Running the school successfully for the next four years, the school eventually received funding from the state of North Carolina and was renamed to the Appalachian Training School for Teachers.

By 1967, the school had become a full-fledged university and the name was changed to Appalachian State University.  Located in the mountain town of Boone, North Carolina, Appalachian State University enrolls approximately 19,000 students and offers 200 different programs of study. Appalachian State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $643:non-resident

90. University of Illinois – Chicago

Founded in 1982, the University of Illinois at Chicago was created when it was decided that the University of Illinois would consolidate two of its campuses into one brand new university.  Upon consolidating the two campuses, the school began to grow rapidly in size.  Known for its research initiatives, the University of Illinois at Chicago has recently received the “Research I” status level from the Carnegie Institute of Classification of Higher Education.

Presently, the University of Illinois at Chicago is the largest public university in the city.  The school enrolls a student body of over 29,000 students and offers them over 300 different programs of study to choose from. University of Illinois at Chicago is a public institution.

Tuition: $650:non-resident

91. Oklahoma State University

The Oklahoma Territorial Agricultural and Mechanical College was founded in 1890 and would eventually become Oklahoma State University. Through legislation passed by the Oklahoma Territorial Legislature, the Oklahoma Territorial Agricultural and Mechanical College was created as a land-grant university through the Morill Act. By 1891, Oklahoma Territorial Agricultural and Mechanical College was holding its first classes. Built around a pond, much of Oklahoma State University’s original campus remains to this day.

Located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University enrolls almost 24,000 students. Oklahoma State University is a public institution.

Tuition: $674:non-resident

92. Troy University

An integral component of Alabama’s system of higher education, Troy University opened its doors as the Troy State Normal School in 1887.  Having its initial campus located in the southern town of Troy, Alabama, Troy University became the center of what grew to become the Troy University System of Schools.  As the school began to grow, Troy University opened additional satellite schools all across the state of Alabama in order to accommodate for growth thus creating what is now known as the Troy University System.

Gaining national attention for its robust curriculum, Troy University has also received international recognition and has an alumni of over 100,000 graduates. Troy University is a public institution.

Tuition: $676:non-resident

93. Goodwin College

Founded as the Data Institute Business School, Goodwin College was established in 1962. At its establishment, the school operated primarily as a small business technology training center.  Working to provide students with the skills and information needed to open their own small businesses, the school operated in this capacity for the following four decades. In 1999, the school was purchased and reimagined as Goodwin College. Upon this purchase, the curriculum of the school was expanded to include a wider variety of educational opportunities.

Today, Goodwin College is located in Hartford, Connecticut, and enrolls over 1,000 students in its wide variety of different degree programs. Goodwin College is a private institution.

Tuition: $707:non-resident

94. East Carolina University

Originally chartered as the East Carolina Teachers Training School, East Carolina University was established in 1907 and began accepting its first class of students in 1909.  Operating for the next decade as solely a teachers school, East Carolina Teachers College then began to offer degree programs and which point the named of the school was renamed to East Carolina Teachers College.  Eventually the school was renamed to East Carolina University. East Carolina University has grown to become one of North Carolina’s largest research universities and has earned the very prestigious designation of being a campus of “Innovation and Economic Prosperity” by the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities.

Located in Greenville, North Carolina, East Carolina University boasts a student body of over 28,000 students, making it one of the largest public universities in the state. East Carolina University is a public institution.

Tuition: $716:non-resident

95. University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh

The third training school for teachers to be established within the state of Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh was established as the Oshkosh State Normal School in 1871.  Over the coming years, the school would under go a series of name changes.  In 1927, Oshkosh State Normal School was renamed to Oshkosh State Teachers College and then to Wisconsin State College – Oshkosh in 1951. In 1964, the school was renamed to Wisconsin State University – Oshkosh and, after joining the University of Wisconsin System, was renamed to the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh in 1971.

Founded in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is home to almost 14,000 students and offers students a wide variety of different degree programs from which to choose. University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh is a public institution.

Tuition: $741:non-resident

96. Mercy College

Established in 1950, Mercy College was founded by the Sisters of Mercy.  Over the course of the following decade, Mercy College only operated as a junior college.  This all changed in 1961 when the State of New York finally granted the school college-status allowing Mercy College to offer students four-year degrees.  The addition of Bachelor’s degrees into their available curriculum resulted in a major increase in enrollment at the school.  Originally just an all women’s school, Mercy College eventually became coeducational which helped to increase the institution’s enrollment numbers.

Currently, Mercy College is well-known for its nursing program that it added in 1981 and is home to thousands of students at its Dobbs Ferry, New York campus.  Mercy College is a private institution.

Tuition: $761:non-resident

97. Metropolitan State University of Denver

Founded on one of the oldest institutions in the city of Denver, Colorado, Metropolitan State University of Denver was established on what was once the site of the town of Aurora. Opened in 1965, Metropolitan State University of Denver originally operated as an opportunity school that provided nontraditional students with educational delivery formats that were beyond that of a standard college.  At the outset, the Metropolitan State University of Denver worked to be accessible by all by offering the lowest tuition rates in the state. It was also mandated that the school would enroll a higher-percentage of people of color than other universities and colleges in order to promote diversity of backgrounds and cultures on campus.

Currently located in Denver, Colorado, Metropolitan State University of Denver is home to a student body of almost 24,000 students.  Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public institution.

Tuition: $785:non-resident

98. Marian University

Established by the Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg, Marian University began enrolling its first class of students in 1851.  Founded as a liberal arts school, Marian University originally focused on providing its students with the proper education and training needed to go on to become teachers for the state of Indiana.  Named St. Francis Normal School, the school was eventually moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where it experienced a great deal of growth.  Eventually, the school was merged with the nearby Immaculate Conception Junior College.

Renamed to Marian University in 2009, Marian University is currently located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is home to a student body of nearly 3,000 students.  Marian University is a private institution.

Tuition: $795:non-resident

99. Dallas Baptist University

Located only twelve short miles outside of the downtown-area of Dallas, Texas, Dallas Baptist University was founded in the the small community of Mountain Creek Lake, Texas.  Originally established by the Baptist General Convention of Texas, the school’s original site was located in the town of Decatur, Texas, on a parcel of land that the Baptist General Convention of Texas purchase. Quickly, the new school proved to be ever popular and eventually it had grown too large for its location in Decatur. In 1965, it was decided that the school would be relocated to the nearby town of Mountain Creek Lake.

Renamed upon its relocation, Dallas Baptist University is still located at its campus in Mountain Creek Lake, Texas.  Home to a student body of approximately 5,500 students, Dallas Baptist University offers students over 120 different degree programs to choose from.  Dallas Baptist University is a private institution.

Tuition: $856:non-resident

100. Indiana University

After the Indiana State Legislature called for the creation of an institution of higher-learning that would service the people of the state of Indiana in 1820, construction began on what would eventually grow to become Indiana University.  After two years of construction, the brand new university was location in the Seminary Square Park region of the city of Bloomington, Indiana. Named the State Seminary for its location in Seminary Square Park, Indiana University accepted its first class of students in 1825, just five years after being chartered.

Renamed Indiana University in 1839, Indiana University has grown substantially over the past years and is now the flagship university of University of Indiana System.  Currently, Indiana University is home to a student body of just under 50,000 students at its campus in Bloomington, Indiana. Indiana University is a public institution.

Tuition: $1,214:non-resident

Why Get an Affordable Online Degree?

Students today are faced with more choices than ever when it comes to their college education.  As more and more colleges and universities turn to offering their degrees online, many students who were anticipating pursuing a traditional education are unsure of whether or not an online degree is right for them.

Traditionally, students enrolled full-time on-campus or nearby to receive their education.  But now with the advent of the Internet, many students are wondering whether or not pursuing a degree online is a viable option.

At Degree Query, we believe that pursuing a degree online has many advantages over pursuing a degree on-campus.  To help students better understand some of the ways that they could benefit from taking their education online, we’ve compiled a few of our favorite reasons why we prefer affordable online degrees.

It’s cheaper!

Face it, one of the biggest issues when it comes to deciding to gain a higher education is cost.  As tuition continues to skyrocket in price, students can rest assured that a great way to control costs is to turn to an online degree program.

By enrolling in a program online, students are able to save a great deal of money on their tuition costs.  Colleges and universities are able to cut out the costly overhead that comes with offering a degree on- campus, and in doing so are able to pass off these savings to students.

No longer do students have to be saddled with $100,000+ of debt in order to receive a quality education.

It’s the same!

If something is cheaper, it must be an inferior product, right?  Wrong!  Most colleges and universities that offer a degree on-campus and online typically use the same curriculum in both programs. While the programs are adapted in order to better fit their respective delivery formats, these online degree programs tend to be nearly identical to their on-campus counterparts.  That means students can receive the same education at a fraction of the cost.

It’s more convenient!

Students who choose to pursue their education online have a much greater deal of autonomy over their education.  Freeing themselves of the need to be in a physical location at a specific time in order to attend class, students who are enrolled online become the master of their own schedule.  Students can create class schedule that best suit their needs.

Many students today are juggling more obligations and responsibilities than students of the past.  Whether you’re working a part-time job, are in an internship, or have any other responsibility, enrolling online allows students to create a schedule that works best for them.

Go where you want to!

An often overlooked perk of pursuing an education online is that it opens students up to a lot more options of places to enroll.  When considering an on-campus college or university, most students look at the school’s that are in-state in order to get the best deal on tuition.  By enrolling online, students can expand their horizons and find the program that best suits them, regardless of location.  A lot of times, colleges and universities offer the same tuition rate for in-state and out-of-state students online.  And if they don’t, it’s still typically cheaper than going on-campus.

Bottom line

Earning a degree online has many perks and advantages over earning a degree on-campus.  Students can save large sums of money on tuition while receiving what is typically a near-identical curriculum to the on-campus counterpart.  Online degrees allow students to craft schedules that work for them and allow students to enroll in programs at colleges or universities that may have been geographically prohibitive.

By earning a degree online, students are able to gain a greater deal of flexibility in their education while saving money.

Does a Low-Cost Online Degree Mean Low-Quality?

While earning a degree online has a lot of advantages to earning degree on-campus, one of the biggest benefits of pursuing a degree online is the low cost. Earning a degree online is almost always substantially cheaper than its on-campus counterpart. Colleges and universities are able to offer their degree programs online at a fraction of the cost of the on-campus degree because they are able to eliminate much of the costly overhead that comes with providing a degree on-campus.

By going online, colleges and universities have cut costs dramatically and have been able to pass those savings off to the student.  However, with this change, comes some concern.  Often times, people associate something that is inexpensive or cheap with not being of high-quality.  And when it comes to something so important, that takes so much time, and is such a large investment, some students may be worried that saving money on their education may mean they are receiving a subpar education.

At Degree Query, we work to help students find the degree programs that are right for them and try to help students get the most bang for their buck.  To help assuage the fears of some students, we’ve investigated this claim.

Understandably, one might be worried that a university or college offering degree programs to students at a lower cost must be making up that cost somewhere by providing a substandard experience.  If a university or college is cutting costs and passing them onto the student, what exactly is it that the university or college is cutting?

The answer is: not much.  When it comes to the online education space, students are afforded more options than ever before.  That means that due to high competition, universities and colleges must compete with one another for a students dollars.  That means that they need to drive costs down while making sure the quality stays the same or increases.

How are we so sure?

At Degree Query we only feature universities and colleges that are accredited by nationally-recognized accreditation boards. In order to be listed on our website, colleges and universities must be accredited by an independent organization. Becoming accredited is no easy task. Colleges and universities are subject to review on a regular basis at which they must prove to these boards that they are providing an education that meets the requirements that they are promising their potential students.

Accreditation leaves little room for error or shenanigans when colleges and universities are concerned.  These institutions are pressed to work hard to maintain their accreditation status as losing their status will have dramatic effects on enrollment.  These marks of accreditation ensure that the university or college is operating on the up-and-up.

Not only are colleges and universities accredited at an institution-wide basis, they often times also seek accreditation for individual programs.  This ensures that even the individual program is up to industry-standards.

Bottom-line

When it comes to a college education, saving money isn’t a bad thing! It’s just important that students seek out colleges or universities that are accredited by nationally-recognized boards.  If the school is accredited then no need to worry.  And fortunately for you, all of the colleges and universities featured on Degree Query are all schools that have received accreditation for nationally-recognized accreditation boards.

Is it Harder to Get a Job with an Inexpensive Online Degree?

For many prospective students, an online degree program may be much more of an alluring option. By studying online students are able to save money on tuition, create a schedule that best fits their needs, and study at any school regardless of geographic location.  With all these benefits, it’s a wonder why any student might choose to enroll in a program on-campus.

However, one rather pervasive myth regarding inexpensive online degrees is that they are not viewed as highly by prospective employers and as a result make it harder for students to find a job with such a degree. As a website dedicated to helping students find the best online degrees, we’ve decided to look into this myth a little more closely to find out more.

With so many benefits to pursuing a degree online, it may seem too good to be true.  Many potential students of online degree programs worry that their employers are going to look poorly upon their online degree.  According to our research, that is simply not the case for a variety of different reasons.

Often times, the online degree follows the exact same curriculum.

Through our research, we’ve found that most degrees offered online are near-exact copies of their on-campus counterparts.  Universities and colleges tend to offer the curriculum both on-campus and online as it requires less work of the school to craft entirely unique curriculums specific to those enrolled online or on-campus.  The only differences that tend to arise are differences needed to facilitate the differences in delivery mechanism.

Colleges and universities are just as much fans of online degree programs as we are, as it allows them to take the same curriculum offered on-campus and offer it online to a much larger amount of students.

A lot of times, employers don’t even ask.

At the end of the 2000s, there was a glut of online colleges that offered sub-standard education in exchange for a quick-and-easy degree.  These “diploma mills” worried many human resource managers and potential employers, and this caused a stigma to arise around online degree programs.  However, employers demanded higher-quality education from their potential hires and regulation of online colleges tightened, these “diploma mills” failed.

This once pervasive issue has been resolved.  Now, employers are typically more concerned with the institution that you received your degree from rather than whether or not you received your education on-campus or online.  Many employers are growing to understand the realities of the modern student and understand that its not feasible to expect everybody to be able to enroll as full-time, on-campus students.

And if they do ask, it’s not so easy to tell.

If an employer finds themselves so inclined to find out more information about whether or not a student earned their degree on-campus or online, they might find that that information is a little bit harder to come by.  Most schools that offer online degree programs don’t even delineate on their diplomas whether or not the student was enrolled online or on-campus.

Bottom-line

When online degree programs were newer, many employers were original wary of their quality.  This initial fear helped contribute to a myth that having an online degree might make it harder to find a job.  However, as online degrees have become more commonplace and regulation on the industry has tightened, most employers no longer concern themselves with where and how you received your education.  They just want to make sure that you ARE educated.

The post 100 Most Affordable Online Colleges & Degrees appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

1.) Brigham Young University-Idaho

Brigham Young university Idaho as a private institution located in Rexburg. BYUI is affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Currently, the university enrolls almost 40,000 students and the student-to-faculty ratio is 19 to 1. According to Carnegie, BYUI is a baccalaureate college. In fact, all students enrolled are undergraduate students. BYUI is ranked regionally. According to the US news and world report, the institution is 16th in the region and highly for social mobility as well as undergraduate engineering programming. When it comes to academic offerings, BYU I offers programming in a wide variety of fields many of which are high demand including the fields of education, health and business. In recent years, BYUI has expand their programming to include online offerings. Associate- seeking and bachelors-seeking students may pursue a degree fully online.

Brigham Young University Idaho offers the online marriage and family studies degree. Students may pursue this program if they are interested in a range of human service professions especially those that serve children and youth as well as their families. According to the department of labor, these jobs are growing faster than the national average. In the first year students will focus on the following core courses: merit skills, family relations, and introduction to psychology, child development and others. In the second year students continue in those studies. Finally in the third and fourth year students may choose from one of the following areas of specialization: child and family advocacy, human services, or parent and family education,. The child and family advocacy specialization focuses on public speaking where are the human services certificate focuses on family and community as well as helping individuals cope with stress, drug abuse and more. The parent and family education certification helps couples navigate marriage difficulties and teaches parenting skills, parent education as well as early and middle child development. For more information about this online degree check out their website.

• Program Website

2.) California State University- East Bay

California State University East Bay is a public four-year university located in Hayward, California. The institution offers bachelors, masters and doctoral degree’s and enrolls over 16,000 students. According to Carnegie, California State University East Bay is a Masters College. To support the success of the students the institution offers credit for life experiences. Their academic offerings are varied and include programming in ethnic studies, business, education, health, physical sciences, social sciences, and more. In recent years, CSU East Bay offers online degrees for undergraduate as well as masters seeking students. Some of their most popular programs other online bachelors in business and ministration, as well as their online educational masters degree in leadership.

The human development and women’s study department at California State East Bay offers a Bachelor of Arts in a wide variety of areas. Their online program is in human development. Each class in this program is online with occasional hybrid classes. Additionally, the online program offers concentrations in the following areas: early childhood development, women’s development, and adult development and gerontology. This program is suitable for transfer students. The curriculum includes course material in the following areas: research methods in human development, futures and careers for human development, theories of human development, mid life transitions, and much more. The curriculum will vary depending on your area specialization. For more information about their programming and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

3.) Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a public institution located in Tempe, Arizona and across the state of Arizona. ASU currently enrolls over 50,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 20 to 1. The institution offers bachelors masters and doctoral degrees as well as a number of professional certifications. According to the Carnegie Institution, ASU is classified as a doctoral university with very high research activity. In recent years, ASU has ranked number one in the nation for innovation according to the US News and World Report. This is largely due to their vast online offerings. In fact ASU offers hundreds of online degrees for undergraduate as well as graduate students. Students may pursue an online bachelors degree in urban planning for example as well as an online masters degree in speech communication and rhetoric. These are just some examples of the wide array of fields one may pursue through ASU online.

ASU Online offers an online Bachelor of Science in Family and Human Development. The total credit hour requirement is 120 and each class is 7.5 weeks long. In total students are required to complete 39 classes. Some of the courses that are included in the curriculum are family ethnic and cultural diversity, research methods, personal growth in human relationships, and human development. The human development and family degree focuses on cognitive and social as well as emotional development of individuals as well as families across their lifespan. Professionals in this area of work provide solutions that improve family relationships and outcomes. This program may lead to certified child life specialist designation. Although students do not receive this designation at ASU you may take a series of courses to meet the requirements for the CCLS eligibility. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

4.) Washington State University

Washington State University is a public four-year institution located in Pullman. Their current enrollment is over 30,000 and the student to faculty ratio 16 to 1. WSU offers bachelors masters and doctorate degrees as well as professional certifications. According to the US News and World Report, WSU ranks highly for veterans, value, engineering programming, computer science, and business programming. Additionally, to support student success the University offers credit for life experiences as well as distance learning opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. Some of their most popular programs by enrollment are in the field of family consumer science, engineering, and Business.

Washington State Online offers a bachelors degree in human development. This program is offered entirely online and may lead to a certificate in early childhood education or gerontology. The early childhood education certificate includes the following required courses: an introduction to early childhood, parent child relationships, child development, guidance in early childhood programming, and others. The gerontology certification offers course material in the following areas: family stress and coping, adult development, gerontology, families in poverty, cognition and memory, and more. For more information about these programs and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

5.) University of North Carolina-Greensboro (UNCG Online)

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro is a public university l that enrolls over 20,000 students. UNCG offers bachelor’s masters and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications and maintains a student to faculty ratio of 16 to 1. According to Carnegie, UNCG is a doctoral university with high research activity. The US News and World Report ranks UNCG as a national university and highly for social mobility as well as public schooling business programming computer science and more. Additionally, UNCG offers a wide variety of online offerings for both undergraduate and graduate seeking students as well as those pursuing professional certification. Some of their most popular programs are in the field of education, family sciences and human development, and health.

Among their online programming is the Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies. This program is fully online though some of the programs take place during lunchtime or in the evenings. This program prepares you for a career in early childhood settings. Some of the course material includes courses in human development, family diversity, issues and parenting, infant and child development, and leadership in early childhood education. This program prepares students for North Carolina licensure to teach from birth to kindergarten with the birth to kindergarten teacher licensure program. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

6.) Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution that enrolls over 33,000 students. The university is well known for its innovation and wide variety of programming and according to Carnegie is a doctoral institution with very high research activity. The current student to faculty ratio it’s 14 to 1. To support student success the University offers academic and career counseling as well as credit for life experiences and distance learning opportunities. According to the US News and World Report Colorado State University ranks nationally and highly for value, social mobility, public schooling,engineering programming, business programming and computer science. Their distance learning opportunities include programming in business education engineering and more.

Colorado State University Online offers the human development and family studies bachelor of science in human development and family studies. Participants may choose from 1 to 5 concentrations: early childhood professions, leadership and entrepreneurial professions, pre-health professions, prevention and intervention sciences, and human development and family studies. Additionally, students have the option to minor in gerontology. In this program you’ll learn how to observe, develop and implement programming, write grants for success, Inform policy decisions and understand the cultural distinctions that make up a wide diverse array of populations. You will learn to engage with individuals from across the lifespan. The curriculum includes course material in family development, infant and child development, lifespan intervention and prevention, and couple and family studies.

• Program Website

7.) University of Arizona

The University of Arizona is a public four-year institution located in Tucson. Arizona offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees as well as a number of professional certifications. Their current enrollment is over 44,000 and the student to faculty ratio is 15 to 1. According to Carnegie, Arizona ranks as a doctoral university with very high research activity. According to the US News and World Report, the University of Arizona is the 97th top school in the nation and ranks highly for value engineering programming, business programming and computer science. To support the success of their students the University offers credit for life experiences, study abroad programs, academic and career counseling and distance-learning opportunities. Arizona offers distance learning opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate seeking students. Additionally students may pursue professional certifications entirely online.

The University of Arizona offers the bachelor of science and family studies in human development. If you are interested in a profession and devoted to improving quality of life for individuals across the lifespan and their families in this program may be for you. This major is a good fit for anybody interested in working in Social Work or other healthcare settings. Some of the example courses include the social science and human behavior adolescence infancy and child development, family studies and human development, and much more.

• Program Website

8.) University of Texas of the Permian Basin

University of Texas Permian Basin is a public four-year institution located in Odessa, Texas. The student population is over 5000 and the student to faculty ratio is 19 to 1. UTPB offers bachelors and masters degrees as well as professional certifications. According to Carnegie, UTPB classifies as a masters college and university with larger programming. Their student services include academic and career counseling and distance learning opportunities. Students my pursue undergraduate or graduate level courses online. Some of their most popular programs are in the fields of business education and communication.

The University of Texas at Permian Basin offers the online Bachelor of Arts in Child and Family Studies. This undergraduate program will take about four years to complete. The program is 120 credits at least 30 of which must be completed at the UT Permian Basin. Students complete 37 credit hours of a child and family studies course work. Course material focuses on parent child education, curriculum development, social services, grant writing and more. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

9.) Utah State University

Utah State University is a public four year institution located in Logan, Utah. USU offers associates, bachelors, masters and doctoral degree as well as professional certifications. The University currently enrolls nearly 30,000 students and it’s classified as a doctoral University with high research activity. The US News and World Report ranks USU nationally and highly for public education, social mobility engineering programming and more. To support the success of their students USU offers academic and career counseling as well as distance learning opportunities. In fact, associates and bachelors and Masters seeking students may all pursue programming online.

Among these online options is the undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Studies. Students may complete either a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts.. The program has four emphasis: family and community services, child development, family finance and human development lifespan. The family and community service program prepare students to work with families across the lifespan. The child development emphasis teaches about the physical and social emotional development of children. The family finance program prepares you to work with families teaching them to invest, budget, and create better financial opportunities. The human development lifespan looks at development across the ages. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

10.) University of Alabama

The University of Alabama is a public institution located in Tuscaloosa. This institution enrolls over 38,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 20 to 1. The university offers bachelors masters and doctoral degree‘s and is currently listed as a doctoral University with very high research activity according to Carnegie. The University of Alabama is known for academic programming as well as athletic programming. The university boasts a wide range of opportunities for students both on campus and online. According to the US news and World Report the University of Alabama ranks as the 143rd best school in the nation as well as highly for veterans, value, public schooling, engineering and much more.

Bama by distance is the college of continuing studies offered through the University of Alabama. In recent years Bama by distance has grown to become one of the largest online presence is online higher education presence is in the world. Among their online offerings is there bachelor of science and human development and family studies with a concentration in child life. This program is 120 credit hours in length and is offered entirely online. As a child life specialist you’ll become an interdisciplinary member of the child’s healthcare team. Your help children and their families cope with living with the disability illness or hospitalization. I made your courses are 15 hours in length the total amount of course the time amount of hours required for the major is 15 and the child life concentration is an additional eight courses. The child life coordinate concentration the child life concentration includes course material and medical terminology, creative experiences for young children, centers and programs hospitalize children use, loss embarrassment, child life internship and a medical ethics perfect course. Additionally students will study anatomy and physiology along with general education classes. For information about this degree and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

11.) Stephen F. Austin State University

Stephen F Austin State University is a public four-year institution located in Nacogdoches, Texas. The university offer bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. To support the success of their students SFASU offers academic and career counseling as well as credit for life experiences and distance learning opportunities. Both undergraduate and graduate students may pursue course material online. According to the US News and World Report Stephen F. Austin State University is the 298th top school in the nation and ranks highly for business programming as well as undergraduate engineering programming.

SFASU office the bachelor of science in human sciences with an emphasis in human development and family studies. This program takes an in-depth look at changing development for children and adults. The program” material and family and schooling parenting early childhood sexuality in the context of family and much more if you’re interested in child development in this program is for you for more information to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

12.) University of Wisconsin-Stout

The University of Wisconsin Stout is a public four year institution located in Menomonie, Wisconsin. There are 8400 and students enrolled and their student to faculty ratio is 18 to 1. According to Carnegie, the University of Wisconsin- Stout is a masters college. The institution offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. Some of their most popular programs are in the field of business and education. In recent years, the university has grown to offer online programming for both undergraduate and graduate students. There are over a dozen programs from which to choose. The University of Wisconsin at Stout is ranked regionally and highly for engineering, veterans, value and computer science programming according to the US News and World Report.

The University of Wisconsin Stout office a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies. If you enjoy helping other people than this program could be for you. The purpose of this program it’s to teach students how the developmental process across the lifespan affects human outcomes for individuals and families. This program features award-winning instructors as well as opportunities to apply learning in a professional networking environment. The program is 120 credit hours in length. The major studies are 62 credits and the concentration or minor is 15. Some of the major courses include human development: early childhood, lifespan sexuality, healthy couple relationships, critical cultural competence, family policy, family research and methodology, and abnormal psychology among others. For more information and to apply to this program check out their website. Additionally students have the opportunity to design their own emphasis or minor for an additional 15 credits

• Program Website

13.) Concordia University- Saint Paul

Concordia University St. Paul is a private institution that enrolls over 5000 students. CSP offers comprehensive programming as well as professional certifications. The student to faculty ratio is 18 to 1. Concordia University of Saint Paul has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1959. To support the success of their students the institution offers academic and career counseling as well as credit for life experiences, and distance learning opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. In fact, the majority of their programming is offered online. Some of their most popular programs are in the fields of business administration, educational leadership, nursing practice, kinesiology and exercise science, psychology, and more.

CSP offers a Bachelor of Arts in Family Science. This is a 40 credit hour degree that covers development family systems as well as family law. The required courses include programming in family life, filming decision-making and resource management, family system structures in relationships, adolescent development, family science fieldwork experience, parent education, and culminates with the capstone experience. In addition, all bachelor seeking students must complete the general education requirements. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

14.) Oregon State University

Oregon State University is a public institution located in Corvallis, Oregon. Their current student population is 31,000 and the student to faculty ratio is 18 to 1. OSU has been accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities since 1924. To support the success of their students the institution offers academic and career counseling along with distance learning opportunities. According to Carnegie, Oregon state university is a doctoral university with very high research activity. In fact,the US News and World Reports ranks OSU nationally and highly for value, innovation and social mobility.

OSU offers an online Bachelors of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences. This is an 180 credit hour program that requires four years to complete. The format is online. 60 of the credit hours are upper division credit. Some of the courses you will take during this program include: adult development and infant, children and youth with disabilities, families in poverty, family studies, human sexuality, family violence and neglect, infant and child development, and much more. If you feel called to pursue a helping profession than this course may be for you.

• Program Website

15.) American Public University

American Public University is a distance-learning institution that’s headquartered in Charles Town, West Virginia. The institution currently enrolls over 45,000 students and offers associates, bachelors, masters and doctorale degrees as well as professional certifications. APU is accredited by the Distance Education Commission as well as the Higher Learning Commission. The institution offers comprehensive programming for individuals seeking online degrees in a wide variety of fields including business, education, homeland security, parks and recreation, computer information sciences and more. American Public University is classified as a Masters College University with larger programming according to Carnegie.

APU offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Human Development and Family Studies. This program is 120 credit hours in length. Students may transfer up to 90 credits. East course is eight weeks long and starts monthly. This degree is broken down into the four following areas: general education requirements, major requirements, general electives, and the final program requirement. The major requirements include course material in child development, human sexuality, child and adolescent development, parenting, family development, research methods for sociology, human lifespan development, and more. The final program requirement is a senior seminar and child and family development. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

16.) Eastern Kentucky University

Eastern Kentucky University EKU is a public institution located in Richmond, Kentucky. The student population is 14,900 and the student to faculty ratio is 15 to 1.EKU offers comprehensive degree programming as well as professional certifications. Carnegie classifies EKU as a Masters College and University with larger programming. The university has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges in School since 1928. To support the success of their students in addition to high-quality academics the institution offers academic and career counseling, distance learning opportunities, and more. In recent years, EKU has expanded their programming to include online opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. Students may pursue an online bachelors degree in psychology as well as an online masters degree in criminal justice. As you can see there’s a wide range of opportunities available both on campus and online.

EKU offers a bachelors degree in child and family studies. There are multiple programs from which to choose including the bachelors degree in child and family studies with an emphasis in child development or the infant/toddler care education certification as an early childhood director. Terms are eight weeks long and their programming features personalized graduation planning. Credits that count towards the child development associate can be applied toward your state credential. This program has been ranked by the US and World Report among the best universities that offer online degrees. The bachelors in child development requires 120 to 125 credit hours to complete which includes curriculum on development across the ages. For more information and to apply just check out their website.

• Program Website

17.) Kansas State University

Kansas State University is a public four year institution located in Manhattan, Kansas. The university offers comprehensive degree programming as well as professional certifications and currently enrolls over 20,000 students. According to a Carnegie, Kansas State is a doctoral University with very high research activity. According to the US News and World Report Kansas State University ranks as the 170th best school in the nation and highly for social mobility, public schooling, engineering, business programming, computer science and more. This program has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1916. To support the success of their students the university offers academic and career counseling as well as distance learning opportunities. Students may pursue an online bachelors, masters or doctorate degree as well as an online professional certification.

Kansas State University offers an online Bachelors degree in Human Development and Family Science. This program is 120 credit hours in length and is offered fully online. The curriculum includes course material in integrative health and human sciences as well as the professional core. The professional core includes courses such as middle child and adolescent human development and aging, family and diversity, working with parents, basically attrition, early childhood, and much more. Additionally students may pursue a number of areas of concentration or complete an HDFS internship. All students, culminate this degree with the capstone experience. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

18.) North Dakota State University

North Dakota State University is a public four-year institution located in Fargo, North Dakota. NDSU offers a bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree as well as professional certifications and currently enrolls over 13,000 students. The student to faculty ratio is 18 to 1. Since 1915, NDSU has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. According to Carnegie, NDSU is a doctoral university with high research activity. The US News and World Report ranks NDSU nationally and highly for social mobility, public schooling, undergraduate engineering, business programming and computer science. To support the success of their students NDSU offers a wide array of student support services including academic and career counseling and distance learning opportunities. In fact, NDSU offers online programming for both undergraduate and graduate students alike.

NDSU offers a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science. This program is for anyone who is interested in child development, adolescent development, gerontology, hospital child life, financial and consumer literacy, family life education and more. Like with many bachelors degrees this is a 120 credit hour program that may be completed across four years. Students must complete general education classes as well as major course requirements including in the following areas: human development and family sciences, diversity in multiculturalism, individual and family life, psychology, children and families in public policy, and more. Additionally students will complete a field experience. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

19.) Amridge University

Amridge University is a private four-year institution headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama. This is a distance-learning institution that enrolls just over 800 students. The student to faculty ratio is 13 to 1. Amridge University offers Associate, Masters and Doctoral degree ‘s. The institution has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools since 1989.Amridge University offers online programming in the following fields: business management, family consumer science, health professions, homeland security, liberal arts and sciences, philosophy and religious studies, and theology and religion. The institution is affiliated with the Church of Christ.

Amridge offers a bachelor of science and human development. This program is designed to transition students into the master of science degree with a concentration in family therapy and counseling. The course requirements include general education classes electives as well as required courses. Some of the required courses focus on child development psychology abnormal psychology motivation and performance as well as diversity. This program is 128 semester credit hours 40 of those credit hours are devoted to general education classes and 40 are devoted to progress to civic courses. The remaining 48 classes are electives giving each student the opportunity to tell her their degree to meet Their interests. To be eligible for this program must have an average GPA up to .0 or higher. For more information or to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

20.) Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a private four year institution that’s located in Manchester, New Hampshire. SNHU enrolls over 100,000 students and maintains a students to faculty ratio of 22 to 1. The university offers comprehensive degree programming as well as professional certifications at every stage. To support the success of their students SNHU offers credit for life experiences, dual credits, academic and career counseling, and distance-learning opportunities. In fact, the majority of students pursue programming online. SNHU has some of the largest online offerings of any institution in the world including a wide array of courses in business, education, family and consumer sciences, health, and much more. SNHU currently ranked number one in the region as the most innovative school in the north according to the US News and World Report.

As an SU offers an online bachelors degree in human services. This is a 120 credit our program where students may transfer up to 90 credits. Students may pursue one of the three following concentrations: a bachelor of arts and Child and family services, a bachelor of arts in gerontology, and a bachelor of arts and substance-abuse. The bachelor of arts and Child and family services concentration explore social issues that affect families. Upon completion you may become a case manager, a child focused advocate, a home visitor, community health worker and more. The gerontology option is for individuals who are interested in caring for the aging. You’ll look at wellness and disease issues and policies that affect the elderly long-term care anymore. The substance abuse concentration and focus is on addictions as well as prevention methods. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

The post The 20 Best Online Bachelor’s in Family Studies appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

1. University of Florida

The University of Florida is a land-grant public research university with a main campus in Gainesville, Florida. Known for highly competitive sports, UF is also a great school. Some of the top ranked programs within the university include their programs in communications, education, business, medicine, engineering, law, and others. It’s typically thought of as one of the top 30 public schools in the nation and offers a huge range of degrees from the bachelor’s through doctoral levels. In recent years parts of the university have made a push online, including their master’s in communications. 

The University of Florida’s fully online master’s in communications blew us away for the range and quality of academic programs. Individuals can pursue a wide range of specializations catered to the 21st century including audience analytics, digital strategy, global strategic communication, political communication, PR communication, PR, social media, as well as web design. For students not wichin to pursue an entire master’s program, or wishing to level up in more than one discipline a handful of these specializations are also available as graduate-level certificate programs. Degrees may be finished in under two years and boast robust placement in the job market. 

• Program Website

2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is one of the best public universities in the nation and is considered a Public Ivy school. Formed in the late 1700’s, UNC has a long tradition of excellence. Today over 30,000 students call the university home, making it a large university. With its ample endowment, however, UNC is able to maintain small class sizes and a great deal of one-on-one attention for students to pursue a degree there. Particularly at the graduate levels, students have the ability to learn from award winning and nationally renowned individuals within their field, and the online communications masters is no different!

Known for their up-to-date, real world programming, UNC’s Hussman School of Journalism and Media offers a fully online master of arts in digital communication perfectly suited to the PR and communications needs of the 21st century. With two courses most semesters, individuals are able to work full time pursuing this degree. The final project is a non-traditional thesis, which allows individuals to build a portfolio with a semester-long project. Courses include digital-specific concerns such as media law online, usability, multimedia design, visualization of information, among others. 

• Program Website

3. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Located in the twin cities of Urbana and Champaign, Illinois, U of I is a second Public Ivy school in our list. Though the list of accolades for U of I could go on for several pages, some highlights include the second largest university library in the world, a massive research park that is home to over 90 start-ups, and impressive alumni including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer and Turing Prize winners, among others. Over 50,000 students attend U of I, with a majority at the undergraduate level. 

For potential students looking to jump into corporate or brand communications, U of I offers a fully online program that may be just for you. The masters in strategic brand communication as well as additional certificates and courses in the subject matter are led by real world experts and provide immediately applicable knowledge. With a 16 months time until degree, students can expect to be able to jump back into the workforce very quickly (or pursue the degree while working). For individuals presently working in communication, U or I is happy to work with your employer to try and line up employer sponsorship for the degree as well. 

• Program Website

4. Columbia University

Columbia University of New York is an Ivy League institution located at one of the hearts of modern communications. One of the nine colonial colleges founded in the Declaration of Independence, the university has a long history of excellence. Today the university has one of the largest endowments in the world, enabling the school to provide great levels of support and small class sizes even for its size. While it is the first private institution in our list, and therefore has an expensive “sticker price,” a “need blind” financial aid policy means the school tends to cover excess financial need for potential students. 

Columbia University’s renowned school of professional studies offers a unique master’s level communication degree. This Executive Master of Science in Strategic Communication is specifically for individuals who have a decent amount of experience in the field. This means that the program can start with more advanced topics and skip intro material. This also means that the program can be completed part time and in as few as 16 months. We should note that this is not a 100% online degree, but rather provides most courses online with a few in-person meetups that simulate key communications settings in the real world. 

• Program Website

5. Purdue University

The flagship university of the Purdue University system, this university holds designations as a sea-grant and space-grant institution. Home to over 43,000 students, in recent years this prestigious university has started to open some degree programs up to online delivery methods. Particularly noteworthy programs include their overall undergraduate experience as well as engineering degrees. In recent years Purdue has been among the 20 top public schools in the nation and last year was honored by being named one of the five most innovative universities in the United States. 

Purdue University’s online masters in communications is impressive for the range of specializations offered as well as how quickly one can achieve the degree. Students may choose how quickly they want to finish their degree, with average times ranging between 12 and 20 months. A range of specialization options include the intersection of communication and leadership, advertising, public relations, or health. No GRE or residency requirements mean you can jump right into the application and don’t have to disrupt your life or career to progress through the program. 

• Program Website

6. Florida International University

Florida International University is a relatively young (56 years old) public research university that’s located in accordingly named University Park, Florida. Despite its age, the university holds the highest designation for research activity. Up until 2005, the university placed an emphasis on growth in student body size. But in years since the focus has shifted on continually improving the quality of education being offered. With this said, this is still quite a large university with close to 60,000 students attending. With an estimated undergraduate cost per year after aid of $8,000, it’s also one of the most affordable schools we surveyed.

Florida International University offers a fully online master of science in global strategic communications. This university is particularly well suited to provide such an international degree given it’s proximity to the Carribean, Latin, and South America. This degree is interdisciplinary and offered by the innovative college of communication, architecture, and the arts. The program is also one of the most accelerated available on our list, and only requires 12 months of study, all online.  Additionally students may start the program in the Fall or Spring semesters. 

• Program Website

7. American University

This private research university located in Washington, D.C. is associated with the United Methodist Church, and was founded to promote public service, internationalism, and pragmatic idealism. Known for its connection to the political action within D.C., the university is a great location to learn international affairs, diplomacy, communications, and law. A wide range of politicians have passed through this school, and it’s one of the top five producers of members of the U.S. Foreign Service, Congressional Staff, as well as Ambassadors. With “just” 5,000 postgraduates who attend the university, courses can be kept relatively small in size leading to increased interactions and quality. 

American University builds on its unique position within the center of United States politics and governance to present a world class master of arts in strategic communication. We like this degree for the unique range of specializations that individuals may pursue. These focus areas include advocacy and social impact, digital communication strategies and analytics, international strategic communication, and corporate communication and reputation management. Speaking of reputation, American University is well known throughout the world and particularly in governance circles. 

• Program Website

8. Michigan State University

This public land-grant university is the flagship university of the Michigan State University system. Founded in the mid 1800’s, MSU was originally an agricultural college, and served as a model for many of the agricultural colleges that were created after it. It is one of the largest universities in the nation by enrollment. And graduates can draw from over 600,000 living alumni as connections across the world. With an 80% graduation rate at the undergraduate level (typically a marker of academic quality), it ranks among the best of the surveyed schools, particularly accounting for the relatively more affordable tuition when compared to private universities. 

Michigan State University offers a fully online master of arts in strategic communication. We like this degree program for its affordable nature and flexibility. Students may choose from one, two, and three-year tracks. Each of these tracks is 100% online. Additionally students may choose three specialization areas. These include: digital media, media analytics, and organizational leadership and communications. No GRE requirements and a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 keep this program accessible to many individuals. Additionally, students may begin their studies in fall, spring, or summer. 

• Program Website

9. Johns Hopkins University

This private research university is one of the most prestigious in the United States, commonly ranking among the 20 best schools in the world. Located with a main campus in Baltimore, Maryland, the undergraduate colleges are kept relatively small. Though it’s postgraduate work that the university is most well-known for. As a space-grant institution located close to many aeronautical and governmental centers in the region, many of their engineering programs stand out. Proximity to D.C. also bodes well for connections for students who want to pursue opportunities in government, politics, and industry. Additional clusters of excellence within the university include medicine-related degrees, education, international studies, and foreign policy. 

The ability to attend schools of the caliber of Johns Hopkins fully online is rare. That’s part of what makes Johns Hopkins online master of arts in communication a great find. Additionally, three start dates (fall, spring, summer) and an adjustable time until degree ranging from 12 to 24 months make this program flexible enough for many individuals working full time. Nine segments help to build up versatility in graduates. These segments include writing and editing, publishing and media, brand management, political communication, content strategy, public relations, and advertising and marketing. 

• Program Website

10. Eastern Illinois University

Originally established as a teacher’s college, today Eastern Illinois University offers a wide range of degrees at the bachelor’s and master’s level. Home to roughly 8,600 students of whom 1,600 study at the graduate level, courses are able to be kept small in order to promote quality engagement. With a solid graduation rate for schools within its tier, the university is a “best buy” in terms of offering affordable tuition at all levels. 

The fully online master of arts in communication studies offered by Eastern Illinois University is impressive for its great job placement rate as well as its range of concentrations individuals can specialize with. 86% of graduates find a job within the field of communications within three months of graduation. Students within the program can jump into a range of concentrations including strategic communication, media and critical studies, communication and leadership, interpersonal communication processes, as well as a pedagogy option. Additionally, a graduate certification is available for individuals who don’t want to pursue an entire master’s. 

• Program Website

11. University of Missouri

This public land-grant, space-grant and research university is the flagship location of the University of Missouri System. As the first public university to be erected west of the Mississippi River, Mizzou has long held a prestigious place among midwest universities. Journalism and communication have been at heart of their offerings for over 100 years, as the first school in the United States to open a school of journalism (likely the second in the world). At around 30,000 students, the university is large but not overwhelming. Around 7,000 of these students study at the postgraduate level. 

The University of Missouri’s online masters in strategic communication provides a great option for individuals who want to balance work with school. Slower paced than other programs in our ranking, students may take one or two courses each semester. This leads to graduation in two or three years, but is likely easier to handle if working full time. One campus visit is required, so technically this is a “blended” degree. With that said, all courses are available online. This degree is offered by the school of journalism. 

• Program Website

12. Colorado State University

This public land-grant university is located in Fort Collins, Colorado within view of the front range of the Rockies. In recent years, however, Colorado State University has heavily pushed online education as well. Not to be confused with a separate school in the same system that is 100% online (Colorado State University Global), Colorado State University also offers some of its own degrees online. Originally an agricultural and mechanical college, the university has made a name for itself in environmental sciences, cancer research, and as a location for the origination of the Peace Corps. 

Colorado State University Online’s fully online master of communications and media management provides a take slightly different from others in our ranking. The focus on management of media can be great for individuals looking to move up the communications ladder. A focus on technical skills in electives as well as building a professional network and learning applied knowledge is great for individuals looking to build on the degree directly within their career. This degree may be completed in two years and offers financial aid for graduate students who need it. 

• Program Website

13. Texas Tech University

The main institution within the Texas Tech University System,this public research institution is designated as a Hispanic-serving institution. Over 150 courses of study are offered and the university provides more than 60 research centers. With over 40,000 students, the university is one of the largest in the region, and alumni have gone on to achieve prominence in many fields and particularly in government, science, business, and sports. 

Texas tech University’s College of Media and Communications offers a fully online masters in strategic communication and innovation. This degree focuses on the digital environments that most communications occur in today. Additionally, students not wishing to pursue a full master’s degree may opt for a graduate certificate in the same subject matter. Asynchronous courses provide the ideal amount of flexibility for working students. Additionally, four start dates are available and students may choose to pursue two or three courses for each semester in the program. 

• Program Website

14. University of Michigan – Flint

Operated under the board of regents of the University of Michigan system, the University of Michigan at Flint is one of two regional counterparts to the flagship schools. Rated as a Doctoral/Professional University, emphasis is not on research but on applied professional degrees moreseo. A regular of the “Best Midwestern” schools category in national rankings, the school provides a great value with one of the cheapest cost per credit hour after financial aid of schools surveyed. The school is a mid-sized university with only 1,400 postgraduates and an additional 6,000 undergraduates. 

The University of Michigan at Flint offers small class sizes and supportive student services for their online masters in communication studies. Three emphasis areas allow students to craft a degree of their choosing. These focus areas include professional communications, media studies, and speech communication. Speech communication is a unique offering among schools we’ve ranked, and focuses on generalist communication as well as cultural connections, and interpersonal matters. 

• Program Website

15. Northeastern University

This space-grant, private research university is one of the top schools in the nation. With a main campus in Boston, Massachusetts, in recent years the university has expanded to industrial and governmental hubs with a range of satellite campuses as well as online. Satellite campuses are presently in Charlotte, Seattle, San Jose, San Francisco, Toronto, Vancouver, Portland (ME) as well as London, England. With 27,000 students, it’s a fairly large private school. But with this said, a commitment to high quality classes and a large endowment enables small manageable class sizes where students may interact or get more one-on-one instruction. 

Northeastern University is known for their professional studies education, and this communications degree entirely fits within that focus. The fully online master’s in corporate and organizational communication can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis with the part time program only requiring 18 months for completion. The accelerated full-time program may be completed in a year entirely online so you can get back to your career quickly. Six concentrations allow for additional focus areas to be added to the degree. These include public and media relations, cross cultural communications as well as social media. 

• Program Website

16. The University of Alabama

The University of Alabama may best be known for their athletics, but their academics also rise to the top of their region (if not nationally in fields). This sea-grant and space-grant very high research activity university is presently home to around 38,000 students. Particularly noteworthy schools within the university include their law school, business school, education school, and engineering school. In recent years they’ve made a push into online education by growing their “Bama by Distance” program. Their offerings in journalism are particularly well fleshed out in these distance offerings. 

Bama by Distance’s fully online master of arts in communication studies with a specialization in organizational leadership places highly in our ranking due to its flexibility, price, and quality. While all students will focus on the organizational leadership component of communications, students may choose a professional or academic option, depending on whether they would like to pursue further education in the subject matter or jump back into their career. The primary difference is that the academic option requires a comprehensive exam, while the professional option requires an applied capstone portfolio project. Three start date windows as well as affordable tuition make this program more accessible to all. 

• Program Website

17. Mississippi College

One of the first religious colleges in our list, Mississippi College is a private Baptist college with a main campus in Clinton, Mississippi. It holds the honor of being the oldest college in the state of Mississippi as well as the second oldest Baptist college in the United States. While designated a college due to the institution’s primary focus on undergraduate education, some graduate degrees are offered. Of the 6,300 students, roughly one quarter of them study at the postgraduate level, either in Mississippi College’s law school or additional graduate programs. This medium-sized private school is able to offer quality student-to-faculty ratios, meaning that students get plenty of attention and support. 

If you’re a student looking for a Christian-based education in communication, Mississippi College could be a great choice. We like this program for its range of concentrations. Concentrations available include: an applied generalist degree, an applied journalism degree, an applied theater degree, an applied health-centered communication degree, a sports communication degree, and a PR and corporate communication degree. Presently the generalist and health concentrations are the only concentrations available online. 

• Program Website

18. University of Denver

This private research university is the oldest private university within the Rocky Mountain region. Home to almost 13,000 students, the university is somewhat large for a private organization. This allows for the school to host a wide range of research programs. The university is classified as an R2: Doctoral University – High Research Activity, school. Some of their top ranked programs are related to communication, with one of the best creative writing programs in the nation as well as one of the top International Studies degree programs. In recent years this university has pushed to gain a larger footprint online, and offers many quality degrees by this delivery method. 

Denver University offers a fully online masters in communication management degree. This could be a great option for individuals who already hold practical communications skills and would like to move up the ladder within a communications organization. Focus areas include data-driven storytelling, strategic communication, organizational change, and interpersonal conversations. Semesters last 10 weeks and individuals do not need to take a GRE or GMAT for acceptance into the program. Students may elect to pursue a 6-month long certificate program, a longer 12 month certificate program, or the entire 18 month-long master’s degree. 

• Program Website

19. Gonzaga University

The first Catholic university in our list is located in Spokane, Washington. This top 100 university in the United States is particularly well known in the west, where it makes the top 30 universities. Noteworthy programs include engineering, among others. A mid-sized student body allows the school to boast particularly quality student to faculty ratios. At present roughly 7,500 students attend the school with 2,200 at the graduate levels. The university has a handful of online degrees of which a masters in communications degree is one. 

Gonzaga University’s master’s in communication and leadership is available fully online and provides a unique focus on research, analysis, and problem solving. It provides one of the widest ranges of concentrations of programs we have seen in this year’s ranking. Concentrations presently available include change leadership, college teaching, digital media strategies, global leadership, servant leadership, and strategic and organizational communication. A range of domestic immersion experiences as well as study abroad opportunities are available if students choose to pursue them. 

• Program Website

20. Syracuse University

This private research university was originally established by the Methodist Episcopal Church, and still maintains a relationship with the United Methodist Church (though it is described as nonsectarian). One of the top 100 schools in the nation, this space-grant university is home to close to 23,000 students with a majority of them at the undergraduate level. Though the main campus is in Syracuse, New York, a growing range of degrees are offered fully online. Among their most noteworthy programs are their social science degrees, design degrees, architecture degrees, information studies, management, law, among others. 

Syracuse University provides a top-ranked fully online master of science in communications that focuses on public relations. We like this program due to the national name recognition of Syracuse, quality of courses as well as flexibility-enhancing program components. The degree may be completed in as few as 15 months and no GRE or GMAT scores are required. Unlike some programs that are asynchronous, these courses are live and taught by the world class faculty of Newhouse college. Additional concentrations include advertising, journalism innovation, and media management. 

• Program Website

The post The 20 Best Online Master’s In Communications Degree Programs appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

A career in Nutritional Science will allow you to make a difference in the lives of both individual people and entire communities. Whether you’re interested in working with families one-on-one, researching food in the lab, or even helping a large corporation with their next marketing campaign, you’ll be able to find your niche in this rapidly-growing field!

What are some areas I can specialize in?  

 As the public grows more conscious of the importance of healthy eating, the field of Nutritional Science continues to expand. This has led to many different specializations within the field. Let’s take a look at all the exciting things you can do with your Nutritional Science degree, along with how much you can expect to earn by pursuing each career path.

Food and Nutrition Management

Average salary: $95,540 per year (for management positions)

According to Illinois State University, Americans continue to eat more and more meals away from home. And since every restaurant needs a manager, it’s no surprise that the Food and Nutrition Management industry is booming! However, restaurants are far from the only place that you’ll be able to find a job if you pursue this broad specialization.

Aside from restaurants, graduates can expect to find jobs in:

• Food production plants
• Universities
• Healthcare facilities
• Hotels

During a Food and Nutrition Management program, you can expect to become familiar with all aspects of food preparation and nutrition, as well as business management. Aside from learning to prepare nutritious, satisfying meals for customers and patients, you’ll become an expert in dealing with the public. This well-rounded skillset will provide you with the background you need to appeal to employers across the country!

Nutrition and Health Education

 Average salary: $55,274 per year 

Nutrition Educators work to educate the public about the importance of diet and exercise. They develop programs specifically tailored to certain groups such as children and the elderly, then work with these individuals to improve their overall health. They encourage people to choose healthy options, and give suggestions for how they can improve their diets and lifestyles.

There are many places nutrition educators can find work, including:

• Schools
• Businesses
• Nonprofits
• Government agencies
• Hospitals

This specialty is a great choice for someone who enjoys working with diverse populations and making a difference. Some Nutrition Education positions even involve traveling around a specific area and giving presentations: These would be a great fit for someone who wants a job where they can be out and about all day long!

Food and Nutrition in Business

 Average salary: $43,031 per year

 For students interested strictly in the business and corporate side of Nutrition Management, a specialty in this field can be an excellent choice. According to Purdue University, Food and Nutrition in Business majors will devote their careers to bridging the gap between the food industry and the consumers. You’ll become an expert on marketing cutting-edge new products and dealing with the public, and you’ll have the potential to work with large, well-known corporations.

 Graduates of a Food and Nutrition in Business program can expect to find jobs in:

• Marketing and advertising firms
• Magazines
• Corporations
• Food and beverage stores
• Test kitchens

If you’re the type of person who enjoys the thrill of developing and trying new foods, as well as the challenge of introducing the public to a brand new product, this specialty could be exactly what you’re looking for!

Food Science and Research

Average salary: $60,726 per year

Students interested in spending most of their time in the lab would do well on a Food Science and Research track. This specialty focuses on testing chemicals in food, quality control, determining nutrition information, and more. You’ll learn how to apply the scientific method to food analysis, and you’ll work closely with businesses and government agencies to make sure food products are safe for the public to consume.

Graduates of a Food Science and Research program will be qualified to work for:

• Government agencies
• Corporations
• Food production plants
• Research labs

This specialty is also a good choice for students interested in exercising their creativity every day on the job: Many Food Scientists are tasked with developing new foods and coming up with America’s next favorite snack!

Dietetics

Average salary: $62,084 per year

Dieticians are experts in how food and nutrition impact overall health. Students who want to pursue a career as a Dietician can expect to take a wide variety of biology and chemistry courses, as well as ones focused on nutrition. Dieticians are required to tailor a patient’s meal plans to their specific medical needs. Depending on their career path, they may work with specific populations such as children or the elderly.

Registered Dieticians can expect to find employment in:

• Hospitals
• Nursing Homes
• Rehab facilities
• Corporate health facilities
• Doctor’s offices

In order to practice, Registered Dietitians must satisfy the requirements set by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. These requirements include completing an internship and passing a licensure examination.

Public Health Nutrition

Average salary: $53,000 per year

 Unlike many of the other specialists on this list, Public Health Nutritionists don’t work directly with individual clients. Instead, they aim to improve the overall health of an entire population. In many cases, they’re also Registered Dieticians—so if you have your license, this career path may be worth exploring as well.

Public Health Nutritionists can expect to find work in:

• Schools
• Government agencies
• Nonprofits
• Hospitals
• Physician’s offices

Public Health Nutritionists analyze trends to determine weak points in an overall population’s nutrition. Then, they create action plans to improve these weak points and boost the health of the population. They may work to develop meal plans, and sometimes they even design and implement public health programs aimed at children and families.

Choose a specialty to suit your career goals.

With so many fulfilling specialties to choose from in the world of Nutritional Sciences, there’s bound to be something to suit your interests. Whether you choose to attend classes on-campus or online, there are plenty of amazing programs just waiting to be discovered. And after you choose your specialty and find your ideal school, an exciting career in Nutrition Science awaits!

The post What Areas are Covered by Nutritional Science? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

With this in mind, an international business background is commonly required for upper-level employment in international tourism agencies. And even to work in the industry domestically, management positions are reserved for professionals who have specialized backgrounds in business management. 

Given the specialized requirements of high-end positions in the job market, it can be tremendously difficult for professionals to work their way up the professional ladder without the proper degree to back them up. A Master’s of Hospitality Management is designed specifically for this purpose–to position students to take on the upper-level and most lucrative jobs in the hospitality and tourism industry. 

1. Florida State University

Florida State University (FSU) has produced industry-leading professionals in the hospitality and tourism space. The FSU Dedman College of Hospitality is designed specifically to prepare students to not only excel as professionals, but to thrive as industry leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Dedman College of Hospitality offers various undergraduate and graduate degree paths that confer a different focus or specialization–each of which consistently rank among the best of their kind. 

The College however, offers one graduate level program–a fully online Master’s of Entrepreneurship in Hospitality Management. Offered through a collaboration between the Dedman College of Hospitality and the College of Entrepreneurship, the program is designed to cultivate students’ capacity of innovative thinking and strategic business strategizing. 

Students will build toward expertise by progressing in the following areas of coursework:

• Accounting and Finance for Entrepreneurs
• Ethics in Management
• Strategy Formulation
• Foundation in Entrepreneurship and Leadership
• Hospitality Colloquium
• Entrepreneurial Lodging
• Legal Environment of Hospitality and Tourism Operations
• Marketing Strategy

Learn More 

2. The University of Alabama

Whether for its popular sports programs, its massive network of research facilities, or its robust degree offerings, University of Alabama (UA) is a well known name in higher education. Through the online degree programs offered by College of Continuing Education, UA reaches more students than ever before. These programs are designed to jumpstart students’ careers in flexible yet academically rigorous programs that can be completed by full-time workers and first-time college students alike. 

The UA College of Continuing Education offers a Master of Science in Hospitality Management that is designed for students coming from one of two backgrounds: students coming from a bachelor’s program who look to specialize in hospitality career, or professionals coming from the hospitality industry who look to build the necessary expertise to take on managerial roles and upper-level employment. 

Students will progress through a thesis or non-thesis track of business-oriented curriculum that prepares them for positions of management. Specifically, students will delve deeply into the following areas of coursework: 

• Research Method
• Leadership in the Hospitality Industry
• Hospitality Law
• Management in the Hospitality Industry
• RHM 596 Seminar in Hospitality Management
• Financial Management and Hospitality Operations
• Special Problems in Hospitality Management

Learn More 

3. Florida International University

Florida International University (FIU) is a prestigious institution that has driven industry-changing innovation in higher education. For FIU the word ‘international’ is not just marketing slang but a core pillar of the University’s aspirations. Where applicable FIU incorporates global awareness, international business studies, and worldwide internships. This statement is particularly true in the case of FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. 

In 2006, FIU unveiled the first American Hospitality and Tourism School in China. Today students can take advantage of this resource to facilitate Chinese business networking opportunities as well as internships–specifically with the Marriott in Tianjin, China. Through the Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management students can earn one of two Master’s degrees. 

Specifically, students can enroll either in the Master of Science in Hospitality Management or in the Executive Master of Science in Hospitality Management. The former will be the most common choice for students enrolling after completing a bachelor’s degree and can be completed entirely online in just one year. The executive program however, is designed for students who have demonstrated success working in the hospitality industry and can be completed in just 10 months entirely online. 

Learn More 

4. Purdue University

Purdue University is a name associated with academic prestige and pedigree, a reputation conferred by its tremendously talented faculty who work at the forefront of their respective specialties. Faculty leverage their expertise and inside-knowledge of industries to position students to capitalize on market needs and opportunities after graduation. With the development of its online degree programs, more students are able to benefit from Purdue’s high standard of education. 

Purdue Online offers a Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Purdue has been recognized for offering the #1 Master’s and Doctoral Degree Programs for hospitality management education in the Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Education. Graduates of these programs can leverage the high level of prestige for higher levels of competitiveness in the job market. 

One reason for the excellence of these programs is the commitment to research-centric studies. Students will explore the ins and outs current industry statistics, market interactions, and employer needs. So upon graduation students will have the complete tool kit needed to excel as professionals and leaders. 

Learn More 

5. University of Central Florida

The University of Central Florida (UCF) offers more than 200 hundred degree programs that are designed to represent the real-world needs of the job market. The Rosen College of Hospitality Management is positioned in the #1 tourist destination in America, Florida. The College leverages this position to tap into global tourism networks and professional connections, so that students can find professional opportunities and internship opportunities both at home and abroad. 

Specifically the College offers a Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management that can be completed entirely online. The program is taught by international faculty who bring different backgrounds and specialties to the conversation. Students of the program can choose between a thesis or non-thesis option. 

The thesis track is meant for students who wish to establish a specialization or niche area of expertise. The non-thesis track is meant for students who are not quite sure or ready to establish a specific focus, and as such will spend more time covering foundational concepts more comprehensively. 

Learn More

6. San Diego State University

San Diego State University (SDSU) has evolved in recent years to accommodate the rising demand for degree programs to accommodate working adults. Specifically, SDSU’s College of Extended Studies mentions in its mission statement that 34 million American adults hold college course credits but do not hold the relative certification. SDSU’s online degree programs are designed to accommodate adult professionals and working students who wish to work toward professional advancement amidst even the busiest of schedules. 

SDSU’s L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management is designed for mid-level managers with five to fifteen years of experience, who wish to advance to the next level of leadership–that is, as a general manager, director, CEO, or hospitality company executive. Specifically the School offers a Master’s of Hospitality Management that can be completed entirely online. 

Learn More

7. University of Houston

The University of Houston (UH) boasts a storied history of innovating in the distance education space, stretching back as far as 1953 when the University founded the nation’s first educational TV station. Today UH leverages an extensive catalogue of online degree programs to accommodate both busy professionals and working students who wish to work toward professional advancement amidst even the most demanding schedules. 

UH offers a unique graduate hospitality program that is designed to groom students for upper-echelon positions in the job market. Specifically, students can earn an Executive Master of Hospitality Management (M.H.M). The ‘executive’ designation refers to the focus of curriculum on the upper-end challenges and concerns of management and executive leadership in the hospitality industry. 

While the program accepts students from various backgrounds with various levels of professional experience, the program curriculum is tailored to meet a student’s individual level of preparedness and aptitude. The program leverages its various corporate partnerships to customize curriculums for mid-level and senior leaders. This allows the program to simultaneously accept novice leaders and veteran leaders alike. 

Learn More

8. Arizona State University

Arizona State University (ASU) is one of the largest institutions of online higher education in the world. To date the alumni body consists of a whopping 500,000 professionals and academics. Students looking for efficient and affordable online degree programs taught by academic scholars with industry clout will find ASU to be a seductive option. 

Specifically ASU offers a Master of Sustainable Tourism (MST) which uniquely positions the hospitality curriculum in the context of environmental, economic, and societal considerations. The United States Agency for International Development has supported more than 123 sustainable tourism projects in 72 countries.

The program positions students to capitalize on market opportunities in this same vein–working as managers with sustainability expertise, as industry consultants, or sustainability research experts. As such students can expect a research-oriented curriculum, designed to prepare students for a profession that is essentially a blending of research sustainability science and hospitality management. 

Learn More

9. Monroe College

Monroe College offers a host of student-centric policies and services to ensure that online students graduate with the same grooming and support as their on-campus counterparts. Students have unfettered access to 24/7 online tutoring; program advisors help students make the best choices in navigating degree programs; and Monroe is recognized as one of the ‘best value’ colleges in the country. 

Monroe College’s King Graduate School employs a research and project focus in curriculums that facilitates the skill-building that is so attractive to employers. Monroe offers an MBA program designed to prepare students to accell as managers in the hospitality industry. While the curriculum does not directly focus on the hospitality industry, students are free to establish this specialization through the freedom and flexibility of electives, research projects, and thesis work. 

Learn More

10. University of Louisiana – Lafayette 

The University of Louisiana – Lafayette employs a unique strategy in its graduate level education programs for aspiring managers. All of its management-based programs are housed under the AACSB-accredited B.I. Moody III School of Business Administration. The School is designed to value students’ time and most programs can be completed in as little as 15 months. Program curriculum is informed by the most current industry research and corporate best practices.

Specifically, the B.I. Moody III School of Business Administration offers a MBA in Hospitality Management that can be completed entirely online in as little as 15 months. The total tuition cost is around $12,800, making it one of the most affordable MBA programs on the market. 

The affordability of the program is not gained at the expense of academic rigor. Students of the program will build the necessary knowledge and skills to obtain employment in the following sectors of the hospitality industry: 

• Guest Experience Manager
• Hotel Director
• Global Development Manager
• Tourism Coordinator
• Director of Sales and Marketing
• Director of Financial Planning

Learn More

11. University of Nevada – Las Vegas 

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) is a thriving urban research institution that has leveraged its explosive growth in expansion in the digital learning space. Its online degree programs are defined by research-centric curriculums that are designed to represent the real-world needs of the job market and industry trends. 

UNLV offers a fully online Master of Hospitality Administration (M.H.A.) that is completed at a self-paced schedule. The program is designed specifically for hospitality professionals who wish to advance to upper positions of leadership and management. 

The dynamic curriculum provides students with a host of choices and research opportunities that facilitate the building of specializations and focused skill sets. Students will conclude their time in the program in choosing between an entrepreneurial project or a professional paper that represents the student’s chosen professional focus. 

Learn More

12. University of North Texas

The University of North Texas (UNT) is a member of the National Council of Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), an organization founded to ensure a high standard of education. This standard of academics represents a core pillar of UNT’s philosophy of education, that is, students at UNT can be sure that their degree program is being held to a high standard of excellence. 

The UNT College of Merchandising, Hospitality & Tourism offers a fully online Master’s of Science in Hospitality Management. The program consists of 36 credit hours and comes with a price tag of about $16,300 for Texas residents. Tuition rates will vary for students from other states. 

A defining characteristic of this program is its commitment to global awareness and to cultivating a sound foundation in international business considerations. Graduates of this program will be dynamically business-minded professionals ready to take on roles of management and leadership in the hospitality industry. 

Learn More

13. Auburn University

Auburn University (AU) is a large public institution of higher education whose name conferrs academic clout and professional preparedness to its alumni. AU’s College of Human Sciences houses a catalogue of various degree programs that all hold one thing in common–they look to create a sense of global awareness and humanistic responsibility. At the College of Human Sciences, students will learn how to leverage professional roles of their career path to enact positive change in the world around them. 

The AU College of Human Sciences offers both an on-campus option and a fully online Master of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management, HRMT. The on-campus track involves a thesis track which comprises a total 30 credits. The online program track forgoes the thesis option in favor of more comprehensive coursework totalling at 33 credits. 

Students of the program will develop skills in assessing and addressing specific problems faced by the industry. As such students will become experts of conducting marketing research and analysis, and will learn to employ their managerial skills to implement responsive strategies in a given organization. 

Learn More

14. Colorado State University

Colorado State University (CSU) is consistently recognized for its top-tier degree programs and world class faculty. CSU offers flexible online degree programs that accommodate working professionals, adult learners, and others with demanding schedules that make traditional on-campus programs untenable. 

CSU Offers a fully online Master of Tourism Management (M.T.M.) that builds a foundational knowledge of business practice as well as the specific challenges and factors most central to the tourism industry. The program curriculum is designed to train students to view tourism organizations as business ventures defined by financial forces and variables, so that upon graduation students will be able to lead tourism businesses to financial success. 

CSU’s M.T.M. program is unique in that it allows an opportunity for students to specialize in ski area tourism. Given CSU’s proximity to the ski-capital of America, students who choose this track will engage with CSU’s professional network and corporate partners who are leaders of the ski-tourism industry in Colorado.

Learn More

15. Temple University

Temple University is a school built around the mission of turning students into innovators and creative thinkers. Temple’s degree programs challenge the status quo and emphasize out-of-the-box critical thinking. By building skills of creative problem solving, graduates of Temple University are able to tackle a host of challenges–not just those typical to the chosen degree or career path. 

Temple University offers two separate online graduate degree options for those interested in the tourism and hospitality industry. The first is a standard Master of Science in Hospitality Management, which delivers a curriculum based on the foundational concepts of hospitality and tourism organizations. The second option is a Master of Science in Tourism and Travel, which delivers a curriculum more focused on industry trends and statistics in the tourism industry. 

In other words, the tourism and travel program is more focused on research and independent study–making it an excellent option for professionals who may not want to take on traditional management responsibilities in the workplace. In either program students will benefit from faculty who are plugged into the industry and who provide a host of student-development services, such as resume critiquing and professional counseling.

Learn More

16. George Washington University

The George Washington University School of Business has maintained a global presence of business leadership for nearly 100 years. The GW School of Business houses internationally recognized faculty who have demonstrated real-world success in their industry of focus. The School’s forward-thinking curriculum positions students to capitalize in current and future market opportunities as well as the needs of employers. 

 The GW School of Business has expanded its reach to more students through its online degree offerings. Among these is a fully online Master of Tourism Administration that positions students to take on high-end roles of management and leadership in the tourism industry. 

Students of the Master of Tourism Administration will not only learn from world-class faculty, but will also benefit from the program’s guest-teaching program where industry-leading professionals who tool their insider knowledge to jumpstart students’ careers. 

Learn More

17. Louisiana State University – Shreveport

Louisiana State University – Shreveport is a proud member of the Louisiana State University System that distinguishes itself by providing top-tier degree program options for a fraction of the cost of comparable programs. These programs do not sacrifice quality for affordability–students will learn from expert faculty, 80% of which hold the highest degree in their field. 

LSU Shreveport offers hospitality professionals two graduate level degree paths housed in a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. Specifically, students can choose between a MBA with a Hospitality and Casino Management Concentration, or an MBA with a Hospitality and Casino Management Specialization. 

Students interested in entering the casino industry will be hard-pressed to find a better option. Students who graduate from this program will be perfectly positioned to take on management positions in the hospitality and casino management industry. 

Learn More

18. University of New Orleans

The University of New Orleans (UNO) College of Business Administration is an internationally recognized school of academic excellence and measurable professional advancement. The College of Business Administration consistently ranks among the industry’s best with its degree programs brandishing various metrics of impressive success. 

Of most relevance to this ranking is the metric relating to the Online Executive Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Specifically, an astonishing 100% of graduates of this program are employed in their industry by the time of graduation. This speaks to the program’s success in cultivating the skills and knowledge that are most valued by employers. 

Students will build specialization by progressing through coursework in the following areas: 

• Survey of the Hospitality & Tourism Industry
• Special Topics in Hospitality & Tourism Management
• Marketing Applications for the Hospitality & Tourism Industry
• Hospitality & Tourism Finance & Revenue Management
• Tourism Destination Development
• Technology for Hospitality & Tourism Management
• Hospitality & Tourism Operations Analysis
• Change Management for Hospitality & Tourism
• Hospitality & Tourism Research Methods
• Hospitality & Tourism Industry Strategic Management 

Learn More

19. University of Kentucky

The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment provides students with a career-focused, research-informed curriculum that is designed to facilitate industry knowledge and market understanding. This positions students to accel in the job market by capitalizing on industry-wide opportunities and employer needs. 

Specifically the College’s Department of Retailing and Tourism Management offers students two graduate level degree options in hospitality and tourism–a Master of Science in Merchandising, Apparel, and Textiles, and a Master of Science in Hospitality Management and Tourism. 

Regardless of the program path, students will benefit from expert faculty who facilitate professional development. Specifically, faculty will assist students in lining up internship opportunities that are most aligned with a student’s unique career goals and professional aspirations. 

Learn More

20. Schiller International University

Schiller International University is a global force in online education and services students from more than 130 countries. What distinguishes Schiller is its student-centric services and consumer-friendly practices. Foremost among which is the ‘try it and see’ model where students can choose to make a single partial payment to try one course, or two try a group of four within a specific major-path to ensure it is the correct path. 

Schiller International University offers an MBA in Hospitality and Tourism Management that can be completed entirely online. A distinguishing element of this program is its commitment to a curriculum that embodies global business awareness and international tourism trends. 

Students of the program will progress through coursework that emphasizes the foundational concepts of advanced business administration and hospitality management. Options for specialization are offered through a catalogue of electives and research projects. 

Learn More

The post The 20 Best Online Master’s in Hospitality Management appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

If you want to be part of the green revolution, then you might want to consider pursuing one of the best careers in sustainability. Let’s take a closer look!

Best Careers in Sustainability

Now more than ever before, we’re becoming aware of the importance of sustainable living. In fact, the renewable energy sector alone is expected to grow by 17% in 2024, according to Deloitte research. 

That’s a huge jump, and to fill that demand, we’re going to need more skilled workers to fill those roles (along with the countless others in sustainability, from project management to architecture and even ecology). But it can be tough to find the perfect career for your personality, needs, and goals. 

When it comes to sustainability, some of us have a crystal clear idea of what it means:

• a commitment to reducing waste
• lowering carbon emissions
• being kinder to the earth

But what does it mean in terms of choosing a career? 

Here are some of the best careers in sustainability to help you jumpstart your job search. 

Sustainability Consultant 

Sustainability consultants work with businesses and organizations to develop strategies that reduce environmental impact. They analyze energy usage, waste production, and supply chains to identify areas for improvement. Then, they recommend best practices to make the organization more sustainable. 

Sustainability consultants may work for consulting firms or as independent contractors.

Given the increasing importance of sustainability in the business world, the demand for sustainability consultants is growing rapidly. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for environmental scientists and specialists, which includes sustainability consultants, is projected to grow by 6% by 2032 (much faster than average).

Environmental Engineer 

This field is all about designing solutions to environmental problems. Environmental engineers may work on projects like cleaning up contaminated sites, designing water treatment facilities, or developing renewable energy sources. 

They may use knowledge from a variety of scientific fields and disciplines, like chemistry and biology, to do this important work.

Renewable Energy Analyst

One of the top job areas that people think about when it comes to sustainability careers is renewable energy. As part of President Biden’s climate goals, which aim to achieve a carbon pollution-free energy sector by 2035 and net zero emissions by 2050, these jobs are in high demand. 

Renewable energy analysts play a crucial role in this. They work on projects related to clean energy production- think wind turbines, solar panels, and hydroelectric dams. 

They help stakeholders understand the costs, benefits, and feasibility of specific renewable energy projects. They may also analyze energy trends and recommend policies to promote clean energy usage.

Green Architect

Now, you might be thinking, “What’s so sustainable about architecture?”

The answer is – more than you might think.

Green architects design buildings with the goal of minimizing their impact on the environment. This can include utilizing natural light and ventilation to reduce energy usage, incorporating sustainable building materials, and even designing buildings that can produce their own energy through solar panels or other renewable sources.

Sustainability Coordinator

 As the name suggests, this role is all about coordinating sustainability efforts within a company. This can include implementing recycling programs, reducing waste, and ensuring sustainable practices in the supply chain.

Sustainability coordinators play a crucial role in helping companies become more environmentally responsible, and with more and more companies looking to become sustainable, this career is on the rise. 

Solar Consultant 

Now, let’s talk about solar consultants. As you might have guessed, a solar consultant is someone who helps clients install solar panels on their homes or businesses. 

Again, with the push towards renewable energy, solar consultants are in high demand. They help people reduce their carbon footprint while also saving money on their energy bills.

Environmental Manager

This role is all about ensuring that companies comply with environmental regulations and implement sustainable practices. 

Environmental managers help companies reduce their environmental impact while also minimizing risk and ensuring compliance.

Ecologist

An ecologist studies the relationships between living organisms and their environments. They use this knowledge to create solutions to environmental problems, like preserving ecosystems or managing natural resources. 

For example, an ecologist might study the effects of climate change on a certain species and come up with ways to protect it from extinction. Some ecologists even work as wildlife biologists, zoologists, or conservation scientists.

Ecologists don’t just work in the great outdoors. Government agencies, universities, and nonprofit organizations also employ them. To become an ecologist, a degree in biology, ecology or environmental science is usually required.

Urban Planner

As our cities continue to grow, so does the need for sustainable development. Urban planners work to design and create livable, sustainable urban environments. They consider factors such as transportation, land use, and community development. 

For example, an urban planner might recommend the construction of a bike lane to increase sustainable transportation options, or suggest zoning regulations that promote green spaces.

Urban planners typically have a degree in urban planning or a related field, like geography or architecture. They also often have experience in community engagement, policy analysis, and land use planning. 

Solar Installer 

A solar installer is responsible for installing and maintaining solar panel systems. This includes assessing the site, designing the system, and connecting it to the grid. Essentially, solar installers play a crucial role in expanding access to clean energy.

Becoming a solar photovoltaic installer usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, along with technical training in electrical or construction trades. Some installers also have degrees in renewable energy or a related field. 

With an average pay of $45,230 per year and an expected job growth of a whopping 22% by 2032, this is definitely a career path to keep your eye on if you’re interested in sustainability. 

Biologist

As a biologist, you’ll study living organisms and their interactions with their environment. Whether it’s studying wildlife populations, researching plant genetics, or analyzing ecosystems, biologists play a crucial role in understanding the natural world. 

One area where biologists are particularly needed is conservation. With so many species facing threats like habitat loss and climate change, biologists work to protect and restore ecosystems. They might study endangered species, design breeding programs, or work with policymakers to create conservation plans.

Water Project Manager 

Access to clean, safe water is a basic human need and a critical component of sustainability. Water project managers oversee the planning, design, and implementation of water systems, from reservoirs and treatment plants to pipelines and distribution networks.

They might work for government agencies, private contractors, or non-profit organizations, and their responsibilities could include anything from budgeting and scheduling to ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. In some cases, they might even help to bring water to communities in developing countries.

Water project managers need to have a wide range of skills, including engineering, financial management, and communication. The rewards can be immense for those feeling up to the challenge. 

Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

These experts ensure that workplaces are safe for employees and that companies are complying with environmental regulations. They might work for government agencies, consulting firms, or private industry, and their day-to-day tasks could include conducting safety audits, developing emergency response plans, or providing training on hazardous materials handling.

With sustainability becoming a major focus for businesses, environmental health and safety specialists are increasingly in demand. They help companies minimize their environmental impact and reduce risks to employees, improving their bottom line and reputation.

One thing that makes this career particularly appealing is its versatility. You could work in any number of industries – from manufacturing to healthcare to agriculture – and your skills will always be in demand. Plus, you’ll be able to take pride in knowing that the work you’re doing is helping to protect both people and the environment.

Related Questions

What Is the Highest-Paying Job in Sustainability?

While most sustainability careers are quite lucrative, one of the top-paying jobs is a Certified Sustainability Manager. This is a role that often requires passing a rigorous examination yet results in salaries averaging around $131,836 per year. 

Are Sustainability Degrees Worth It?

A degree in sustainability will not only give you a foundation of knowledge in environmental issues and sustainable practices, it can also provide you with networking opportunities and hands-on experience through internships or research projects.

What Degree Do You Need to Work in Sustainability?

A degree in sustainability or a related field, such as environmental science, environmental health, environmental law, and environmental engineering, can set you apart from other candidates and provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the field.

Final Thoughts

Sustainability is no longer a niche field or a buzzword. It’s a rapidly growing sector with countless (and quite lucrative) career opportunities.

From renewable energy to ecology, the options are needless. Whether your passion lies in environmental policy or sustainable engineering, there’s sure to be a rewarding path out there for you. Consider these best careers in sustainability as you begin your journey!

The post Best Careers in Sustainability appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

1. George Washington University

George Washington University is a four-year private institution that offers comprehensive programming. GWU is located in the district of Columbia. According to the US News and World Report GWU ranks as the 66th best school in the nation and one of the top schools for veterans value computer science business and more. In recent years, GWU started offering online programming. In fact GWU offers online options in nearly all of their academic fields.

Among their many online off offerings is there online master of science in project management. This masters degree is one of the oldest of its kind in the world. In fact it was founded in 1996. Through the years George Washington University has developed an updated program now available online. Students participating in this degree will focus on the following areas: organization management and leadership, project management, optimization models for decision making, risk management, project portfolio management, planning and scheduling, and much more. Students complete their program with the capstone experience.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online master of science in project management

2. New York University

New York University is a private four-year institution located in New York, New York. The university currently enrolls over 50,000 students and maintains a student to faculty ratio of 9 to 1. According to the US news and world report NYU rank is the 30th best school in the nation and highly for veterans value business innovation engineering and much more. In recent years, New York university has offered online programming. NYU online is a growing online school for individual seeking degree programs or professional certifications.

NYU office a master of science in project management. The program is divided into three main parts: core courses, specialization courses, and the capstone. The core curriculum includes the following: principles of project management, leading global organizations, transforming organizations, organizational ethics, intercultural business communications, and management of information systems. The program itself is flexible and is designed to meet the needs of working professionals.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online master of science in project management

3. Georgetown University

Georgetown University is a private four-year institution located in Washington DC. The university currently enrolls nearly 20,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 11 to 1. Georgetown offers a bachelors degrees, masters degrees, and doctors degrees. Additionally the University offers professional certifications for baccalaureate and post masters certifications. According to the US News and World Feport Georgetown University ranks as the 23rd best school in the nation, the seventh best college for veterans, the 12th best undergraduate engineering school, the seventh best for service learning, and the 35th most innovative school.

Georgetown University offers an online masters degree in project management. Students may pursue this program on campus and online. This is a 30 credit hour program that typically takes 2 to 5 years to complete depending on whether or not you complete the course part time or full time. Because of this flexibility, this program is ideal for working professionals. The curriculums includes courses material in the following: project management fundamentals, agile fundamentals, project initiation and planning, project execution and delivery, and communications and collaboration for managers. Additionally, students have the opportunity to choose from a number of electives. For more information about this program check out their website.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online master’s in project management

4. American University

American University is a private institution located in Washington DC. The student population is just over 14,000 and the student to faculty ratio is 11 to 1. The university offers associates, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees. According to the US News and World Report American University ranks as a 76th best school in the nation and the 25th best undergraduate teaching school. Additionally, American university ranks highly for innovation and value. The institution offers a wide range of academic offerings now including online programming.

American university offers an online master of science in measurement and evaluation. If you are looking to become ready for the workplace and project and program evaluation and this course is for you. The curriculum model includes core courses, electives, a field/professional experience, and a capstone experience. The courses include: evaluation quantitative methods, principles and theories of evaluation, innovation through new technologies, professional ethics and project leader ship, human resource information systems, strategic management of sports organizations, decision making and change management, innovation through new technologies, and data driven decision making. For more information about this degree program check out their website.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online master of science in agile project management

5. Brandeis University

Brandeis University is a four-year institution located in Waltham, Massachusetts. There are 5825 students in rolled under student to faculty ratio is 10 to 1. Brandeis offers bachelors masters and doctoral degrees. According to the US News and World Feport Brandeis University ranks as the 42nd best school in the nation and highly for value, teaching, innovation, business, and computer science.

Brandeis University offers a master of science project and program management. This is a 30 credit hour part time online masters degrees that is broken into two main component parts: courses and electives. The required courses include the following: communication for affective leadership, foundations of project management, project scheduling and cost management, risk management and projects and programs, negotiating and conflict resolution, program management: theory and practice, and the human side of project leadership. Students then choose three elective courses to round out their program. For more information about this online degree head to their website.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online master of science in project management

6. Saint Louis University

St. Louis University is a private institution located in St. Louis Missouri. The university offers comprehensive degree programs as well as certifications. There are over 12,000 students in rolled at the student to faculty ratio is 9 to 1. According to the US News and World Report St. Louis University ranks as the 103rd best school in the nation as well as the 48th best school for value. Their academic offerings include programming in biology and medical sciences, business, engineering, health, homeland security, psychology, and much more.

St. Louis University offers a bachelor of science and project management. This is a 120 credit our PMI approved program. The program is divided into the following areas call a core curriculums, major requirements, general education courses. As part of the major you will learn about the fundamentals of project management and contract management. You will study courses like: project selection and scope, Project data analysis, requirements analysis, government contracting, time cost and risk management, project management laboratory and others.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online bachelor’s degree in project management

7. Colorado State University Global Campus

Colorado State University is a public institution located in Fort Collins. This is a four-year institution that offers a bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree. The student population is currently 33,000 and the student-to-faculty ratio is 14 to 1. According to the US News and World Report, Colorado State University ranks is 153rd best school in the nation and highly for veterans, value, social mobility, and undergraduate engineering. When it comes to academic offerings Colorado State University offers a number of programs both on campus and online.

The Colorado State Global Campus offers an online bachelors degree in project management. This is a PMI certified course as well as a GAC accredited program. This degree is 33 credit hours long and includes the following core courses: applying leadership principles, principles of management, operations management, effective project scheduling in control, project leader ship, project quality management, assessing in managing risk, project procurement and contract management, as well as a capstone experience. Students have the option of adding on a 15-credit hour degree specialization in one of the following areas: marketing, emergency management, healthcare management, foundations of accounting, organizational leadership, human resources and organizational development.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online bachelor’s in project management

8. Regis University

Regis University is a private four year institution located in Denver, Colorado. There are over 6000 students in enrolled at Regis and the student-to-faculty ratio is 12 to 1. The institution offers bachelors degrees, masters degrees, and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. Regis currently ranks as the 217th best school in the nation according to the US News and World Report. The university offers a wide array of academic programming including in business, computer and information sciences, education, healthcare, psychology, and the performing arts.

Regis University offers a Master of Science in Project Leadership and Management. If you enjoy organizing work and community projects but want to enhance your skill set than this is the course for you. This is a 30 credit hour cours where each course is eight weeks long. This course has been recognized for excellence by the PMI Global Accreditation Center for Project Management. Some of the courses that you’ll take include: delivering organization excellence, leading projects and contemporary organizations, and management of project performance. For more information about this program had to their website.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online master of science in project leadership and management

9. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a four-year private institution located in Dayton Beach, Florida. There are 7000 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 17 to 1. The university offers associates, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University ranks as the ninth best school in the region according to the US News and World Report. Additionally, the University ranks highly for veterans, undergraduate teaching, innovation, and value.

Embry-Riddle offers a Master of Science in Project Management. This program is divided into two main component parts for a total of 30 credit hours. The main components are core courses and project management capstone. As part of this online degree you will take the following: planning and execution of strategy, decision making for leaders, foundations of project management, management science for project managers, fundamentals of project scope schedule cost and research management, fundamentals of project quality communications stakeholder resource and procurement management, assessing and managing project risk, directing and controlling projects, contemporary project management.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online master of science in project management

10. Boston University

Boston University is a private four-year institution located in Boston Massachusetts. There are over 33,000 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 10 to 1. According to the US News and World Report, Boston University ranks is the 42nd best school in the nation and also highly for a number of other things including value, innovation, undergraduate engineering, computer science, study abroad, and much more. The university offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications.

Boston university offers an online master of science in project management. This is a 40 credit hour program that is divided into three main component areas: core courses, specialization courses, and elective courses. Some of the courses you will study include financial concepts, global supply chains, quantitative and qualitative decision-making, and the innovation process: developing new products and services. Students generally complete this program in a period of 18 to 24 months. This online degree has been accredited by the project management Institute and is an accredited member of the HACSB international. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online master of science in project management

11. Northeastern University

Northeastern University is a private institution that was founded in 1898. The student population is currently over 22,000 and the student to faculty ratio is 14 to 1. Northeastern University offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees. According to the US News and World Report, Northeastern University ranks as the 49th best school in the nation the 11th most innovative school and highly for value, business, computer science, cybersecurity, and much more.

Northeastern University offers an online masters in project management. Students may select to complete this program either full-time or part-time. The duration of the course is 1.5 to 2.5 years. The curriculum is divided into two main component parts, core courses and electives. The core courses include the following: project management foundations, project management practice, project scope management, project risk management, project scheduling and cost planning, project quality management. Students may also elect to focus on a concentration in one of the following areas: agile project management, analytics, construction management, leadership, leading and managing technical projects, organizational communication, project business analysis. This is a highly flexible and customizable program. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online master of science in project management

12. Penn State World Campus

Penn State University is a public institution located in University Park, Pennsylvania. There are currently over 90,000 students enrolled at Penn State with a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1. Penn State offers comprehensive programming as well as professional certifications. According to the US News and World Report, Penn State ranks as the 63rd best school in the nation and the 35th best college for veterans, 23rd top public school and a top school for engineering and computer science business and much more. In recent years, Penn State has developed their Global Campus. This online campus offers a wide number of online degrees and professional certifications.

Penn State world campus offers an online master of project management. This is a 30 credit hour program that has been credited by the AAA CSB as well as a project management Institute. If you’re looking to pursue a career in project management, project management analyst sales manager or a similar career this is the course for you. The program is divided into three main component parts including required courses, elective courses, and a capstone. Do you like to have courses include course material in enterprise modeling, engineering across cultures and nations, engineering product innovation, project team leader ship, project management and marketing linkages, and much more. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online master of project management

13. Florida Institute of Technology

The Florida Institute of Technology FIT is a private institution that was founded in 1958. FIT enrolls over 6000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 14 to 1. The institution offers degrees for associates, bachelors degrees, masters degrees, and doctoral degrees. This is a doctoral university with high research activity. When it comes to academic offerings, FIT offers programming in the biological and biomedical sciences, business, communication, education, engineering, and much more.

Florida Tech offers a Master of Business Administration in Project Management. This is PMI and GAC accredited. Additionally, this program is 100% online. The degree combines principles and practical applications. The curriculum includes core courses, specialization courses, and a capstone for a total of 36 credit hours. The core courses include: essentials of business development, essentials of business development two, managerial economics, managerial accounting, financial management, organizational behavior, marketing management, and two directed electives. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Master of business administration in project management

14. Minnesota State University Moorhead

Minnesota State University Morehead as a public four-year institution that was founded in 1887. The current student population is over 5,000 and the student-to-faculty ratio is 19 to 1. The university offers associates degrees, bachelors degrees, masters degrees, and doctoral degrees. According to the US News and World Report Minnesota State University Morehead ranks as the 98th best school in the midwest, and the 28th top public school.

The university offers an online project management degree. This online program is certified by the PMI and accredited by the PMI GAC. The university currently offers a bachelors degree in project management. The bachelors degree Includes 48 credits of the core requirements. The core requirememts are as follows: principles of accounting, principles of management, principles of marketing, method improvements, computer applications for technologists, cost analysis, quality management, process leader ship, and much more. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online bachelor’s in project management

15. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a four-year private institution located in Dayton Beach Florida. There are 7000 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 17 to 1. The university offers associates, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University ranks as the ninth best school in the region according to the US news and world report. Additionally, the university ranks highly for veterans, undergraduate teaching, innovation, and value.

Embry-Riddle offers a Bachelor of Science in Project Management. The course is divided into three main component parts: general requirements, core requirements, and electives. The project management course includes the following: project management profession, project planning, project risk and control, project management in aviation operations, global project management, managing trouble projects, agile project management, and a project management capstone.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Onlinebachelor’s degree in project management

16. Regis University

Regis University is a private four-year institution located in Denver, Colorado. There are over 6000 students in enrolled at Regis and the student to faculty ratio is 12 to 1. The institution offers bachelors degrees, masters degrees, and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. Regis currently ranks as the 217th best school in the nation according to the US News and World Report. The university offers a wide array of academic programming including in business, computer and information sciences, education, healthcare, psychology, and the performing arts.

Regis University offers an Undergraduate Certificate in Project Management. The program is online and 12 credit hours to complete. Students will focus on the following areas: process mapping an improvement, project management, conflict management. Additionally students may wish to do the online undergraduate certification in agile management. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online bachelor of science

17. Charleston Southern University

Charleston Southern University is a four-year private institution located in Charleston South, Carolina. There are over 3,000 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 13 to 1. Charleston Southern University is ranked regionally as the 62nd best school on the south according to the US news and world report. Additionally, CSU ranks highly for veterans and social mobility. When it comes to academic offerings CSU offers bachelors degrees, masters degrees, and doctoral degrees. In recent years CSU has offered online programming in the fields of business , health, homeland security and much more.

CSU offers a Bachelor of Science in Project Management. This is an accelerated program with seven week courses. This online degree was designed with full-time working adults in mind. If you are interested in manufacturing, government contracting, construction or projects at a corporate level than this is the program for you. In 2020 US News and World report ranked this program as the 11th best online bachelors program. As part of this curriculum you’ll take courses like: accounting principles for managers, business policy, principles of macroeconomics, projects a strategic initiatives, project planning and implementation, project risk assessment. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online bachelor’s degree in project management

18. Liberty University

Liberty University is a private four-year institution that offers associates, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. The current student population is over 85,000 and this is an evangelical Christian school. When it comes to academic offerings liberty offers a number of online programs as well as on campus programs including in the following fields: business, education, engineering, health, and more.

Liberty University offers a Bachelor of Science in business administration. This is a 120-credit hour course that requires on average 3.5 years to complete. Students may transfer up to 75% of the degree. This online program has been accredited by the ACVSP. This online course includes foundational core courses, major courses, and general education courses. As part of the major you will complete the following: financial accounting, managerial accounting, financial statement analysis, business law, international business, principles of management, corporate finance, principles of marketing, human resource management, and much more. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online BSBA in project management

19. Malone University

Malone University is a private institution located in Canton, Ohio. According to the US News and World Report, Malone University ranks as the 71st best school in the region. The student population is 1,524 and the student to faculty ratio is 11 to 1. To support their student success Malone University offers advanced placement credits, credit for life experience, and academic and career counseling. When it comes to academic programming Malone offers on campus and online degrees.

Malone University offers an online bachelor of arts in organizational management. This online degree has been accredited by the a CBSP. This is a rigorous and hands-on degree for students who are interested in a biblical perspective of management. Some of the key topics that you will cover include: problem-solving, control systems, management and leadership, organizational behavior, financial management, human resources, in critical thinking. Students will study the following courses: business finance, group and organizational behavior, business communication, principles of management and leader ship, business statistics, human resource/personnel management, personal values in business ethics. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online bachelor’s in organizational management

20. Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University is a private four-year institution located in Saint Leo, Florida. The university offers associates degrees, bachelors degrees, masters degrees, and doctoral degrees. The student-to-faculty ratio is 18 to 1. According to the US News and World Report St. Louis University ranks as the 26th best school in the region as well as 14th for best college for veterans and fourth for best value school. To support student success, the university offers credit for life experiences as well as academic and career counseling. Their academic offerings include degree programming in business, management marketing and related degrees as well as many others.

Saint Leo University offers a Bachelor of Arts and Business Administration and Project Management. If you’re interested in hospitality, construction, information, technology, healthcare, or simply running your own projects than this program is for you. Some of the classes that you’ll take during this online degree include: quality improvement in management, project teamwork and leadership, contracts and procurement, project risk management, and much more. Additionally students at Saint Leo have the opportunity to gain real world experience through a wide array of internships. For more information and to apply check out their website.

• Program Details
• Degree Type: Online project management specialization

The post The 20 Best Online Project Management Degree Programs appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Whether you’re looking for work on Wall Street or just a finance career that will make you rich, a specialized graduate degree from one of the top 15 master’s in finance degree programs can help you on your journey.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Topping our list of the 15 best master’s in finance degree programs in the United States is the University of Pennsylvania. The private Ivy League institution was established in Philadelphia in 1740 by Founding Father Benjamin Franklin. With a student to faculty ratio of just six to one, more than two-thirds of classes offered at the University of Pennsylvania have fewer than 20 students enrolled. An overwhelming 98 percent of students who begin their college education at the University of Pennsylvania stay there for the duration of their undergraduate studies. At the undergraduate level, the University of Pennsylvania meets 100 percent of student financial need without loans. This financial aid policy makes the school’s nearly $50,000 undergraduate tuition rate surprisingly affordable and allows many students to graduate debt-free. U.S. News & World Report 8^th among the best colleges for veterans, 9^th among national universities and 11^th among the nation’s best value schools.

The University of Pennsylvania is home to the best graduate program in finance in America, according to U.S. News & World Report. It also has the honor of being ranked the best undergraduate program and the 4^th best graduate business school in the nation. USA Today also ranked the school at the top of its list of the best colleges for majoring in finance, noting that its graduates earn an average starting salary of $61,000 and an average mid-career salary of $132,000 – the highest mid-career average of all top business schools. The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1881, has the distinction of being the first collegiate business school in the world. University of Pennsylvania graduate students with an interest in finance pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree with a major in finance. Their coursework includes required classes in Corporate Finance and Macroeconomics and the Global Economic Environment as well as upper-level finance electives such as investment management, financial derivatives and behavioral finance.

Business College: The Wharton School

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Enrollment: 1,715 students

Tuition: $64,920

2. University of Chicago

Since its founding in 1890, the University of Chicago has cultivated a reputation for excellence in both academics and research. The 5,860 undergraduate students enrolled in the College at the University of Chicago must fulfill a rigorous required core of general education classes as they pursue one of 49 majors. The 9,866 graduate and professional students enrolled at the University of Chicago are spread across six professional schools and five academic divisions in subjects like law, medicine, humanities, biological sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, molecular engineering, public policy and business. At the undergraduate level, the University of Chicago meets 100 percent of demonstrated student financial need, and the school also offers financial assistance to students in its master’s and doctoral programs through merit-based and need-based aid. U.S. News & World Report ranked the university tied for 4^th place among national universities and the best colleges for veterans, as well as 15^th among the best value schools in America.

Not only does the University of Chicago host the second best master’s degree program in finance in the country, but its business college, the Booth School of Business, is tied for second place on U.S. News & World Report’s college rankings lists. At the master’s degree level, Chicago Booth students earn an MBA with one of 13 concentrations, including finance and analytic finance. Chicago Booth’s MBA program is known for its flexibility, with only one required course, Leadership Effectiveness and Development. Each student will take a foundational course of their choice in the subjects of financial accounting, microeconomics and statistics. To develop a breadth of business knowledge, students choose from several course options in subject areas like finance, marketing, operations, management and business environments. The Booth School of Business also offers a Ph.D. program in finance, which combines business studies with coursework in the Department of Economics. Ph.D. in Finance students study the behavior patterns of stocks and bonds prices, investment decisions, corporate governance and financial institution management.

Business College: Booth School of Business

Location: Chicago, IL

Enrollment: 2,509 students

Tuition: $63,980 

3. New York University

Since its founding in 1831, New York University has educated 470,000 alumni spread across more than 180 nations around the world. Today, there are 44,000 students enrolled in New York University’s 17 divisions, making NYU the country’s largest private university. The school has a 93 percent retention rate, which means the vast majority of freshmen stay at NYU for the duration of their undergraduate studies, and 84 percent of NYU students graduate within six years. Students at New York University enjoy small class sizes, with a student to faculty ratio of just 10 to one and fewer than 20 students in most classes. More than half of NYU undergraduate students receive some form of need-based financial aid from the institution, with an average award amount of $24,246. U.S. News & World Report has ranked NYU highly on lists such as National Universities, Best Colleges for Veterans, High School Counselor Rankings and Most Innovative Schools.

The Stern School of Business offers both a Master of Science in Global Finance and an MBA program that includes the option to specialize in finance. The M.S. in Global Finance degree program is offered in conjunction with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and includes required international travel experiences. The full-time MBA program requires students to complete 60 credits, but they have plenty of flexibility to customize their education, since more than half of these credits are elective courses. Possible MBA specializations at NYU include finance, corporate finance, financial instruments and markets, financial systems and analytics and technology-enabled finance practices (FinTech). The Stern School of Business’s MBA program is one of the most selective in the country. NYU also offers a Mathematics in Finance degree option through its Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences. U.S. News & World Report ranked NYU’s graduate finance programs third in the nation and the Stern School of Business among the top 20 business schools in America.

Business College: Leonard N. Stern School of Business

Location: New York, NY

Enrollment: 2,339 students

Tuition: $63,720 

4. Stanford University

Stanford University is currently celebrating its 125^th anniversary, having opened in 1891. The private institution is home to a large campus, where 700 major buildings and 97 percent of the undergraduate student population reside on 8,180 acres of land. Despite the campus size, students can expect small class sizes and personalized attention, with a student to faculty ratio of just four to one. As a prominent research university, Stanford’s research budget is $1.22 billion annually. The university encompasses seven schools in the academic subjects of medicine, law, engineering, education, earth sciences, humanities and sciences and, of course, business. Stanford University follows a quarter-based, rather than a semester-based, academic calendar. U.S. News & World Report has ranked Stanford University highly in many categories, including naming the school as:

• 2^nd among the Most Innovative Schools
• Tied for 3^rd among High School Counselor Rankings
• 4^th among Best Value Schools
• Tied for 4^th among National Universities
• Tied for 4^th among Best Colleges for Veterans

The Stanford Graduate School of Business was established in 1925. Graduate students interested in business and finance have options when they choose Stanford for their education. The Stanford MBA program provides general management knowledge but also encourages students to pursue a personalized education plan, using elective courses to study a specific aspect of business – like finance – in-depth. In 2014, Stanford University also introduced a multidisciplinary Master of Science in Mathematical and Computational Finance degree option. This program replaces the M.S. in Financial Mathematics program formerly offered by the School of Humanities & Sciences. The new program covers coursework such as statistics, applied and computational mathematics and financial applications. Stanford University also offers a Ph.D. in Finance degree program for students whose goals are more academically-oriented rather than industry-oriented. Not only does U.S. News & World Report recognize Stanford University’s graduate finance program as 4^th in the nation, but it has also ranked the Stanford Graduate School of Business as tied for the 2^nd best business school.

Business College: The Stanford Graduate School of Business

Location: Stanford, CA

Enrollment: 824 students

Tuition: $64,050

5. Columbia University

With a history of more than 250 years of academic excellence, it’s no wonder Columbia University rounds out the top five graduate finance degree programs in the U.S. When the school was founded in 1754, it was called King’s College, having been established by royal charter of King George II. The school closed briefly during the American Revolution and adopted its current name when it reopened in 1784. Columbia University’s long history makes it the oldest college in New York and the fifth oldest across the nation. U.S. News & World Report ranked Columbia University tied for 3^rd place on its High School Counselor Rankings list, tied for 4^th on its National Universities list and its Best Colleges for Veterans list and 6^th place on its Best Value Schools list. The college is known for small class sizes even at the undergraduate level, where the student to faculty ratio is six to one and more than 80 percent of classes have fewer than 20 students.

Columbia University offers a couple of different academic options for graduate students interested in finance. The Master of Science in Financial Economics (MSFE) degree program is offered by Columbia Business School’s Finance and Economics Division and provides students with two years of intensive study into the fields of finance and economics. The MSFE program combines MBA and Ph.D. courses. In fact, Columbia University’s MSFE program is rigorous enough that it has a good deal of coursework in common with the Ph.D. program, but is focused more on industry than academics. MSFE students take courses such as:

• Asset Management
• Asset Pricing
• Capital markets
• Corporate finance theory
• Debt markets
• Financial Accounting
• Financial Econometrics
• Finance Theory
• Microeconomic Analysis

Columbia University students can also consider the Master of Arts in Mathematics of Finance (MAFN) degree program, offered by the departments of mathematics and statistics, and the Master of Science in Financial Engineering, offered through the Department of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research.

Business College: Columbia Business School

Location: New York, NY

Enrollment: 1,287 students

Tuition: $65,988

6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Since it was founded in 1861, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has been closely linked with innovation and exploration, particularly in the field of science. The school as a whole has earned recognition nationwide, including coveted rankings on U.S. News & World Report’s lists such as:

• High School Counselor Rankings (tied for 1^st place)
• Most Innovative Schools (3^rd place)
• Best Value Schools (5^th place)
• National Universities (7^th place)
• Best Colleges for Veterans (7^th place)

In addition to its schools of science and engineering, MIT also hosts a school of architecture and planning, a school of humanities, arts and social sciences and – of course – a school of management. Using technology and language from each of these disciplines to develop world-changing solutions to problems remains the mission of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Despite the seemingly high tuition cost, MIT awards need-based scholarships to more than half of the schools’ undergraduate attendees, and one-third of undergrads attend MIT tuition-free.

Does it surprise you to find a technical institute like MIT on a list of the best finance programs? The private research university might be better known for its reputation in fields like science, technology and engineering, but its Sloan School of Management has built its own prestigious reputation in the business world. U.S. News & World Report ranks MIT tied for 5^th place among the best business schools and its graduate finance program 6^th in the nation.  Students in MIT’s Master of Finance (MFin) program choose from a 12-month and 18-month study option. Compared to MIT’s MBA in finance program, the MFin degree option is a more specialized program and is focused on developing the skills of “early professionals.” Students can choose to complete an optional concentration in capital markets, corporate finance or financial engineering. MIT offers a personalized curriculum that allows students to supplement core requirements and advance subjects with elective courses that can be taken within or outside the finance department.

Business College: Sloan School of Management

Location: Cambridge, MA

Enrollment: 806 students

Tuition: $65,446

7. University of California—Berkeley

The State Constitution of California is what first planted the seeds for the founding of a university that would bring “glory and happiness” to “advancing generations.” In 1868, this dream came to fruition with the founding of the University of California. The public institution developed out of the joining of Oakland’s College of California, a private school, and the new Agricultural, Mining and Mechanical Arts College. The University of California—Berkeley has been named the top public school in America by U.S. News & World Report, which also ranked the school highly on its lists of High School Counselor Rankings (tied for 14^th), #20 in National Universities (20^th) and Most Innovative Schools (tied for 21^st). Admissions at the University of California—Berkeley are competitive, with just 17.3 percent of applications accepted. The school offers 277 degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including both academic programs and professional programs.

The graduate finance degree program offered by the University of California—Berkeley is the Master of Financial Engineering (MFE). Don’t let the inclusion of the word “engineering” in the program title fool you. The one-year degree is designed for professionals in the finance industry and offers the skills needed to find success working at a commercial bank or investment bank. Coursework includes investments, derivatives, financial institutions, qualitative and empirical methods in finance, calculus and asset pricing, fixed income markets, credit risk modeling, dynamic asset management, behavioral finance, high-frequency finance, finance ethics and regulations, financial practice, international finance, securities markets, financial risk management and opportunities in the financial world. They must also gain hands-on experience through applied finance projects and a mandatory 10- to 12-week internship. U.S. News & World Report ranks both the University of California—Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and its graduate finance program 7^th in the nation. 

Business College: Haas School of Business

Location: Berkeley, CA

Enrollment: 1,301 students

Tuition: $53,907 in-state; $55,968 out-of-state

8. Harvard University

Harvard University is the kind of Ivy League school that everyone in the United States has heard of, so it’s no surprise that the prestigious private institution would make our top 15 list. Founded in 1636, Harvard isn’t just the oldest school on this list, but “the oldest institution of higher education in the United States.” Approximately 14,500 of Harvard University’s 21,000 enrolled students – more than two-thirds of the entire student body – are graduate and professional students. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the college highly on lists such as:

• High School Counselor Rankings (1^st place)
• National Universities (2^nd place)
• Best Value Schools (2^nd place)
• Best Colleges for Veterans (2^nd place)
• Most Innovative Schools (tied for 8^th place)

In addition to its reputation for academic excellence, Harvard University is known for small class sizes even at the undergraduate level, generous financial aid packages and having the world’s largest academic library.

Like the institution as a whole, Harvard Business School has earned high honors. U.S. News & World Report rated it the best business school in America and ranked its graduate finance program 8^th in the nation. Students in Harvard University’s MBA in finance program start their education with a year-long required field experience that emphasizes leadership development, a global business perspective and hands-on learning. Students take required courses in finance, marketing, leadership and organizational behavior, financial reporting and control, technology and operations management, strategy, corporate accountability, entrepreneurial management and the intersection between business, government and the international economy. Students then use elective courses to develop an area of focus, such as finance. New MBA students at Harvard University work closely with their “section” of 90 peers, with whom they take all first-year courses. About 80 percent of students in Harvard University’s MBA program choose to live on campus in the Harvard Business School dormitories, and the demand for on-campus living space is so high that student accommodations are assigned by a lottery system.

Business College: The Business School at Harvard University

Location: Boston, MA

Enrollment: 1,872 students

Tuition: $61,225

9. University of Michigan—Ann Arbor

The University of Michigan dates back to 1817. At its founding, the school was located in Detroit and called the University of Michigania, or Catholepistemiad. The institution took on its current name in 1821 and moved to its current Ann Arbor campus in 1837. Since these early beginnings, the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor has flourished. While its first classes included just seven students taught by only two professors, the school now educates more than 43,000 students and employs more than 3,096 tenure-track professors. The University of Michigan—Ann Arbor is now home to 19 colleges spanning academic areas from the liberal arts to medicine and law. U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor 29^th among the top national universities. In addition naming the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor’s graduate finance program ninth in the nation, the publication also ranked the school’s undergraduate business program fourth and its graduate business program tied for 12^th place.

The Ross School of Business was founded in 1924 and currently boasts 45,000 alumni spread across 88 nations. In addition to its prestigious academic reputation, the Ross School of Business’s MBA programs include one-on-one personalized executive coaching. This is just one of the factors that lead to 97 percent of University of Michigan—Ann Arbor MBA students getting job offers within just three months of graduating. At the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor, students take a Fast Track in Finance as part of their MBA program. They can choose from two academic paths within their finance track. The University of Michigan’s other campuses also offer graduate programs in finance and business. The University of Michigan—Flint also offers an MBA with a concentration in finance option. At the University of Michigan—Dearborn, the College of Business offers a Master of Science in Finance degree program that allows students to concentrate in either corporate finance or investments.

Business College: Stephen M. Ross School of Business

Location: Ann Arbor, MI

Enrollment: 1,299 students

Tuition: $56,590 in-state; $61,590 out-of-state

10. Northwestern University

Northwestern University’s tradition of academic excellence dates back all the way to the 1850s. The idea of an institution that would serve the entire Northwest Territory was first conceived in 1850. The school’s nine founders together purchased the land to begin its construction in 1853, and in 1855, the one-building institution opened its doors to a tiny inaugural class of 10 students. Today, Northwestern University’s main campus in Evanston is 240 acres, with campuses in Chicago and Qatar as well. More than 21,000 students attend the institution, which is now home to a dozen colleges. U.S. News & World Report has ranked Northwestern University overall as tied for 12^th among the top national universities and 19^th among the best value schools. At the graduate level, the private research college has achieved high rankings in many academic fields, including business, law, engineering, education, medicine, psychology, economics, history and many other subjects of study.

Students who choose Northwestern University for their finance education will graduate with a master of business administration (MBA) degree. The finance department at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management offers two MBA specializations, the finance major and analytical finance. The finance major offers a broader education that prepares students for both management generalist and finance specialist career roles. The analytical finance track focuses on technical aspects of financial markets and is intended for students who want to transition into highly specialized roles in the finance industry. The school also offers a financial doctoral program for students who want to go on to earn their Ph.D. as well as executive programs in the discipline of finance.  In addition to ranking the school’s graduate finance program 10^th in the nation, U.S. News & World Report also ranked Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management tied for fifth place among the best business schools.

Business College: Kellogg School of Management

Location: Evanston, IL

Enrollment: 1,960 students

Tuition: $64,059

11. University of California—Los Angeles

In 1919, the University of California first opened its “Southern Branch,” which would become the University of California at Los Angeles in 1927. At its founding, the school was known for its two-year undergraduate training program for aspiring teachers. Today, UCLA has branched out significantly. The public institution now offers more than 125 undergraduate majors and 80 minors as well as close to 150 graduate programs. U.S. News & World Report ranked UCLA second in the nation among the top public schools, tied for 18^th place among the best colleges for veterans and tied for 23^rd place among national universities. Outside the classroom, the UCLA is known for its research opportunities and its service to the community. For more than half a decade, the UCLA has been awarded close to a million dollars in research grants annually, and it is home to 290 research centers. As the UCLA nears its 100^th anniversary, the school still prizes creativity, discovery and optimism as some of its main values.

In addition to ranking the University of California—Los Angeles as the 15^th best business school, U.S. News & World Report also ranked its graduate finance program 11^th in the country. Students in UCLA’s Master of Financial Engineering (MFE) program complete 52 quarter units over just 13 and a half months. They complete classes in investment fundamentals, financial accounting, econometrics, corporate finance, stochastic calculus, empirical methods in finance, derivatives, financial risk management, fixed income markets, computational methods in finance, quantitative asset management and credit markets. A summer internship is required, as is a hands-on applied finance project completed with a team. Because the program is based on financial engineering rather than simply the study of finance, it stands out from many other graduate finance programs. UCLA defines financial engineering as “the mathematical modeling, quantitative research and analysis involved in pricing, selling, trading and investing in a wide range of financial instruments,” which is why students in this program take more mathematics courses.

Business College: Anderson School of Management

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Enrollment: 1,696 students

Tuition: $50,517 in-state; $54,644 out-of-state

12. Ohio State University

Ohio State University was founded in 1870. Today, the public institution has more than 44,000 undergraduate students enrolled. The school also educates graduate students in fields such as business, law, medicine, nursing, science, social science, engineering, education, public affairs and fine arts. While Ohio State University’s main campus is located in Columbus, the school also encompasses research centers and campuses across the state. U.S. News & World Report has consistently ranked Ohio State University among the 20 best public colleges in the nation, and the school is currently tied for 16^th place on that list. The publication has also ranked Ohio State University tied for 27^th place among the best graduate business schools, tied for 42^nd place among the best colleges for veterans and tied for 52^nd place among the top national universities. In addition to its excellent academic reputation, the institution is known for its more than 1,000 extracurricular organizations and is home to the Ohio State Buckeyes collegiate football team.

Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business was founded in 1916 and recently celebrated its 100^th anniversary. The Financial Times ranked Ohio State University’s Specialized Master in Finance degree among the best pre-experience master’s degree programs in finance across the nation. The program takes just nine months to complete and can prepare students for success in finance careers with such highly-regarded companies as Nationwide, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo. Students who complete the program are well-equipped to attain their Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Financial Risk Manager (FRM) designations. Students take core classes in corporate finance, data analysis, economics, leadership and derivatives as well as a team project in their final semester. They can choose a specialization from four academic tracks: corporate finance, investment management, risk management and real estate. Of the 30 semester hours students spend earning their degree, 15 hours are electives that allow students to choose their own academic path and complete their specialization.

Business College: Max M. Fisher College of Business

Location: Columbus, OH

Enrollment: 552 students

Tuition: $30,120 in state; $49,592 out of state

13. Tulane University

When Tulane University was first founded in 1834, it was strictly a medical school. The college has come a long way, now offering more than 70 undergraduate majors. The downtown New Orleans university first established its business school, then called the College of Commerce and Business Administration, in 1914. Today, that business college is known as the A. B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University, and it’s tied for 68^th place among the best graduate business schools in the nation, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report. The publication has also ranked Tulane University tied for 41^st among national universities and tied for 33^rd place among the best colleges for veterans. As one of just 62 schools that make up the Association of American Universities, the private university provides exciting opportunities for research. Tulane University is also big on community service, going so far as to make it a required part of its undergraduate curriculum.

The Freeman School of Business at Tulane University isn’t only accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) – it’s a founding member of the prestigious accrediting organization. Its Master of Finance (MFIN) program is also a CFA Program Partner of the CFA Institute, making it an excellent choice for students who aspire to earn their Chartered Financial Analyst credential. The 34-credit program takes 11 to 18 months to complete over a fall, spring and summer semester. Students can specialize in energy or banking and financial services.

In addition to their specialized classes, Master of Finance students at Tulane University take coursework in subjects such as:

• Corporate Finance
• Equity Analysis
• Financial Communications
• Financial Reporting
• Fixed Income Analytics and Models
• Investments and Asset Pricing
• Risk Management and Applications
• Valuation

Financial Times ranked Tulane University’s Master of Finance program among the top pre-experience master’s in finance degree programs in the world.

Business College: A. B. Freeman School of Business

Location: New Orleans, LA

Enrollment: 916 students

Tuition: $48,800

14. University of Rochester

The University of Rochester is a well-regarded private research school accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. When the institution was first founded in 1850, it was a Baptist university, though today it maintains no religious affiliation. Even at the undergraduate level, the University of Rochester is known for its unique curriculum, offering students the chance to build their own customized education plan. With “no required subjects,” students can choose courses from broad academic “clusters” so they have the freedom to study the subject areas they are most passionate about without worrying about satisfying rigid general education requirements. The school as a whole has earned high rankings from publications such as U.S. News & World Report, including ranking 26^th among the best value schools, 27^th among the best colleges for veterans, 33^rd among the top national universities and tied for the 39^th spot on its list of the best business schools.

Simon Business School’s Master of Science in Finance degree program includes coursework in investments, corporate finance, capital budgeting, fixed income securities, economics, statistics, financial statement analysis and communicating business decisions. Students of the University of Rochester’s M.S. in Finance program have options. Those who are most concerned with earning their degree quickly can complete the graduation requirements in just 10 months. Students who want the chance to gain work experience and build professional connections can choose an internship track, instead – and still complete their degrees within 17 months. The University of Rochester even offers a brief nine-month program that allows students who have earned a more general MBA degree to develop the specialized skills they would find in a master’s in finance program. The Financial Times ranks the University of Rochester’s M.S. in Finance program among the top five pre-experience degree programs in the nation. Simon Business School is also responsible for publishing the Journal of Financial Economics, the Journal of Monetary Economics and the Journal of Accounting and Economics.

Business College: Simon Business School

Location: Rochester, NY

Graduate Business Enrollment: 209 full-time (185 part-time) students

Tuition: $46,000

15. Illinois Institute of Technology

Completing our list of the top 15 master’s in finance degree programs is the Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech, or IIT). While you may not expect to find a technical institute ranked among the best master’s in finance programs, IIT’s program is unique. Illinois Tech’s history dates back to 1893, then the school first opened as Armour Institute and focused on coursework in architecture, engineering, chemistry and library science. In 1895, another nearby school, Lewis Institute, was founded, offering studies in science, engineering and the liberal arts. The two schools merged in 1940 to create the high-ranking private technical university flourishing today. IIT has earned institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Illinois Tech is also a research school. In addition to the Institute for Food Safety and Health, the Pritzker Institute of Biomedical Science and Engineering, the Wanger Institute for Sustainable Energy Research and the independent nonprofit IIT Research Institute, the school is also home to 21 business tenants at University Technology Park at Illinois Tech. This facility combines research, business and technology, housing tenants in labs, offices and incubators and providing the resources they need to grow and succeed.

The Stuart School of Business was founded in 1969 and has earned specialized accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International. IIT’s Stuart School of Business offers a Master of Science in Finance degree available in full-time and part-time formats. Full-time students typically complete the 33-credit hour program in two years, while part-time students are allowed to take up to five years. Students can choose from a dozen concentrations in subjects like corporate finance, alternative investments, risk management, high-frequency trading and financial programming. During their studies, students take the following six core courses:

• Financial Modeling
• Financial Statement Analysis
• Futures, Options, and OTC Derivatives
• Mathematics with Financial Applications
• Statistical Analysis in Financial Markets
• Valuation and Portfolio Management

The school also offers two dual degree options, the M.S. Finance/Master of Business Administration and the M.S. Finance/Juris Doctor. The Financial Times ranked IIT’s program third in the nation among pre-experience master’s in finance degree programs.

Business College: Stuart School of Business

Location: Chicago, IL

Graduate Business Enrollment: 1,003 students 

Tuition: $28,463

Editor’s Note: This ranking is intended as a guide to help prospective finance students start their research so they can ultimately find the right graduate school for their needs and goals. Tuition rates, enrollment data, school history, quality rankings and other facts were provided by U.S. News & World Report, the Financial Times, USA Today and the individual schools’ websites.

For Further Reading:

Top 10 Graduate Degree Programs in Criminal Justice

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Policy Analyst?

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Crime Analyst?

The post Top 15 Master’s in Finance Degree Programs appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

What Is a Degree in Environmental Science?

Environmental science is an interdisciplinary area of work and study that applies the principles and practices of sciences like biology, physics and geography to the natural environment. Environmental problems and the search for effective, often innovative solutions are critical parts of the field of environmental science.

Degrees in environmental science are college-level programs of study with curricula that are dedicated to the field of environmental science. Naturally, an online environmental science bachelor’s degree will include plenty of environmental science courses that cover topics ranging from environmental theory to practices of environmental sustainability and renewable energy generation. Environmental science degrees exist at every level, from associate’s through doctoral degree programs.

RELATED: The 20 Easiest Online Bachelor’s Degrees

Not all degree programs related to environmental studies are environmental science degree programs. Our list of the best online environmental science bachelor’s degree programs includes traditional environmental science degrees as well as degrees in environmental sustainability, environmental policy, environmental geosciences, environmental management and environmental studies.

RELATED: What Is a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies?

Although our list doesn’t include any programs in the field of environmental engineering, which is a subfield of the civil engineering discipline, this design-focused major, too, is worth considering for prospective students who want to develop practical solutions to environmental issues.

Any program related to environmental science will include some science coursework. However, programs with slightly different titles may allow students to focus on distinct areas of interest, such as public policy or sustainable resource management.

What Can You Do With a Degree From an Environmental Science Program?

Because the curriculum of bachelor’s in environmental science degrees tends to be interdisciplinary in nature, environmental science graduates can work in any area that pertains to studying, preserving, protecting or restoring the environment. Land management, renewable energy sources and environmental hazards are among the more popular fields an environmental scientist might pursue.

Some areas of environmental studies may require a more advanced degree beyond the bachelor’s. For example, if you are interested in environmental law, you might major in environmental science as an undergraduate before going to law school to qualify as an environmental lawyer.

RELATED: How Advanced a Degree Do I Need for a Career in Environmental Science?

An environmental scientist or specialist might work in nature centers, nonprofit agencies, environmental consulting firms, research laboratories, government agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the health and safety field.

RELATED: What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

Which School Offers the Best Online Environmental Science Degree?

Today, online environmental science degrees, as well as degree programs in similar fields of study, are common at four-year colleges and universities. Environmental issues like climate change, finite natural resources and the need for effective pollution management efforts have brought attention to the need for knowledgeable environmental scientists, planners, conservationists, managers and policymakers.

Online environmental science bachelor’s degrees offer students of environmental science convenience and flexibility. Studying online is a particularly good option for working students, adult students going back to school and students juggling family and other obligations.

What to Look for in Online Environmental Science Degree Programs

With so many excellent environmental science degree programs available in online formats, how do you determine which ones are the best? To compile our list of the best online environmental science programs, we looked primarily at four criteria.

The Quality of the Curriculum

Most importantly, we evaluated the curriculum of each environmental science program. What specialized environmental science courses can students expect to take, and how do those courses prepare students for the breadth of jobs available for environmental scientists and specialists?

Most environmental science bachelor’s degree programs include coursework in areas like natural sciences, environmental issues like global warming, renewable energy, applied ecology and the scientific and digital tools, like geospatial technologies, that environmental science professionals utilize in their work.

In particular, we looked at the ways students could customize their online degree –through both formal concentrations and informal elective coursework – so they can build areas of expertise in the aspects of environmental science that most interest them.

Affordability

Another factor we consider in ranking the best online environmental science bachelor’s degree programs is affordability.

Environmental science is a noble pursuit, and environmental scientists and specialists earned a median salary ($76,530 in 2021) that is well above the median wage for all occupations ($45,760), according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Still, environmental scientists and specialists earned a median salary that is several thousand dollars less than that reported for physical scientists as a whole.

RELATED: What Is the Wage Potential with a Degree in Environmental Science?

Many prospective students understandably don’t want to get deep into debt to start their careers as environmental scientists, even if their future earning potential is strong.

We assessed the tuition costs reported for schools that offer a degree in environmental science online. Keep in mind, though, that these tuition rates don’t explain exactly how much you will pay for your degree. Any financial aid you receive will reduce how much you pay now to enroll in an online program, if not the total cost you pay to earn an environmental science bachelor’s degree.

Financial aid for environmental science students may come from many sources, including the institution you attend, the government and external scholarships awarded by third parties like businesses and nonprofit organizations. Loans are a kind of financial aid that must be repaid later – typically with interest – while grants and scholarships are free money toward your online degree.

In assessing affordability, look at the full tuition rates and fees for the online schools you are considering, but take the time to also explore financial aid opportunities. Financial aid packages could potentially make even a school with a high sticker price surprisingly affordable.

Institutional Accreditation

When you’re pursuing an online degree, in particular, you want to know that the college or university you enroll in is legitimate and has a good reputation. Every school on our list of the best online bachelor’s degrees in environmental science is accredited by a regional accrediting organization that is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

The Student Online Learning Experience

The best online environmental science programs provide students with educational experiences akin to what you would expect from a traditional, in-person program but with the convenience of online learning.

We looked especially for online environmental science bachelor’s degree programs that include innovative options for completing laboratory coursework in the physical and natural sciences, experiential learning activities, project-based learning and internship and fieldwork opportunities.

1. The Online Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science at American Public University

American Public University in Charles Town, WV, is part of the American Public University system, along with American Military University.

The private, for-profit, online university system offers an online degree that can prepare students to work as environmental scientists in several different areas of concentration.

Core courses in the environmental science degree program at American Public University include biology and chemistry, as well as water science and soil science. Students also take environmental studies courses that focus on policy, regulation, law, ethics and management. With the 46 general elective hours built into the curriculum, students may build expertise in an area of personal or professional interest and pursue a formal minor or certificate. A senior seminar serves as the final program requirement.

Students in American Public University’s program must choose a concentration. A general concentration is an option for students interested in forging their own paths by selecting courses of their choosing from all concentration areas.

Coursework in a Sustainability concentration focuses on resource and energy sustainability. A concentration in Regional and Community Environmental Planning equips students with the skills to assess and solve land use issues. Specializing in Fish and Wildlife Management allows students to focus on resource management and possibly prepare to become fish and wildlife managers. Students who choose the Environmental Technology and Management specialization learn about methods of environmental hazard mitigation and pollution management.

RELATED: What is a Bachelor’s Degree in Sustainability?

Under the current tuition rates, students at American Public University paid a tuition cost of $285 per credit. Active-duty servicemembers and their spouses and dependents, along with National Guard members and Reservists, receive a military grant that reduces the cost per credit hour to $250. Students pursuing an undergraduate degree also receive a university book grant that allows them to access the textbooks and eBooks they need for the program at no cost.

American Public University and the American Public University system as a whole are regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

View program details.

2. The Online Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management at Columbia Southern University

Columbia Southern University‘s College of Safety & Emergency Services offers an online bachelor’s degree in environmental management. A curriculum that includes 12 semester hours of program electives and 42 semester hours of free electives, in addition to the 30 hours of general education courses and 36 hours of required major coursework, gives students plenty of control over their studies.

The program is formulated to provide both depth and breadth of knowledge in environmental science and management and to equip students with knowledge of theory as well as practical and technical skills.

Core coursework for the major includes classes like Environmental Law, Environmental Assessment and Environmental Issues. Other major coursework encompasses introductory studies in workplace safety, the fundamentals of occupational safety and health, waste management, hazardous waste management, interactions between hazardous materials, air quality, pollution prevention and toxicology.

The program electives students can choose from include classes in environmental strategies, environmental technology, risk management, accident investigation, training and development and the legal aspects of safety and health.

Despite being a private, for-profit online institution, Columbia Southern University is one of the more affordable options on our list. The current tuition rate for the online BS in Environmental Management program amounted to $245 per credit hour, and the school promotes itself as charging “less than half the cost of our competitors” in tuition costs. Additionally, all eTextbooks are included in the cost of tuition, which saves environmental science students even more money.

Columbia Southern University is located in Orange Beach, Alabama, and is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

View program details.

3. The Online Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Geosciences at Fort Hays State University

The BA in Environmental Geosciences program at Fort Hays University in Hays, Kansas, is a little different from other online environmental science degree options, with a stronger focus on geology and geography.

One thing we love about the program – aside from it being one of the most affordable colleges out there for online students – is that students can customize their curriculum to their interests and career goals. Depending on the courses you choose to take, you can use this environmental science degree as a launching point for all kinds of careers, ranging from Environmentalist to Park Ranger and from Earth Scientist to Environmental Lawyer.

Offered out of the Department of Geosciences, the environmental geosciences program requires core coursework such as Introduction to Geology, Elements of Physical Geography, Cultural Geography and Environmental Geology. Students learn technical skills in using geographic information systems through classes like Introduction to GIS, Intermediate GIS and Remote Sensing. Coursework in writing for the sciences and in some form of statistics, like geostatistics or biostatistics, rounds out the core curriculum.

When it comes to upper-division courses, aspiring environmental scientists take classes in the areas of their choice among topics like U.S. Geography, Geologic Hazards, Urban Geography, Kansas Geography, Climatology, Hydrology and Water Resources, Climate Change, Aerial Photographs and Remote Sensing and Field Studies in Geography. Students have the opportunity to complete an internship in geosciences.

The program also includes 19 hours of required cognates in areas like world geography, physical science and global environmental issues.

Between their general education courses and the coursework required for their major, students of environmental science develop competencies in areas like written and oral communication, information literacy, computing literacy, quantitative literacy and critical thinking, as well as technical skills using GIS technology.

The environmental studies degree at Fort Hays University is one of the most affordable options out there. Under the school’s 2022-2023 tuition and fee schedule, online undergraduate students pay $226.88 per credit hour, not counting fees. This tuition rate is, as the institution noted, “ranked among the lowest in the U.S.”

Fort Hays University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the institution as tied for 98th place on its list of the Best Regional Universities in the Midwest.

View program details.

4. The Online Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences at Oregon State University

With its distance-learning Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences program, Oregon State University in State Corvallis, OR, takes an interdisciplinary approach to environmental education.

The curriculum prepares students well for graduate study (leading to a master’s or doctoral degree) or for careers in research labs or government agencies such as the United States Forest Service or Fish and Wildlife Service.

RELATED: The 20 Best Online Masters in Environmental Studies

Oregon State University offers seven specializations within its online environmental science bachelor’s program:

• Applied ecology
• Aquatic biology
• Conservation
• Resources and sustainability
• Earth systems
• Environmental agriculture
• Environmental policy and economics
• Environmental water resources.

The Environmental Sciences and Humanities Core includes an Environmental Sciences Orientation and an Environmental Assessment capstone course. Students choose their courses to satisfy required coursework in the areas of Humans and the Environment, Environmental Economics and Policy, Environmental Ethics, Human Environment and Environmental Management.

Environmental science majors also take at least one course in each type of natural environmental system: atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere and hydrosphere.

Every student completes some form of experiential learning, which may include an environmental science internship, a thesis or research and scholarship activities. Students have 27 credits built into the curriculum to use to complete a specialization, an approved minor in education or a certificate in either Geographic Information Science or Scientific, Technical and Professional Communication.

Major coursework for the program builds upon the general education core coursework, which the school breaks down into categories. For example, the Skills coursework includes studies in writing and mathematics, and Perspectives coursework includes science lab courses and classes pertaining to cultural diversity, literature and the arts and social processes and institutions.

Students take one course in Difference, Power & Discrimination and two Synthesis courses – Contemporary Global Issues and Science, Technology and Society – as well as a major-specific writing-intensive course like Environmental Writing.

Undergraduate students seeking an online bachelor’s in environmental science degree from this higher education institution will pay tuition costs of $346 per credit under the school’s 2022 through 2023 academic year tuition rates.

Oregon State University is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the school as tied for 8th place on its list of the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs.

View program details.

5. The Online Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science at Southern New Hampshire University

In the online environmental science bachelor’s degree program at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, NH, students study the natural and physical sciences and so much more.

The curriculum focuses on building a variety of skills, including skills in oral and written communication, quantitative analysis, applied statistics, the application of ecological principles and field methods and research methods.

Among their major courses, students in the bachelor’s degree in environmental science program at Southern New Hampshire University have a lot of options to customize their curriculum. All students take science courses like General Biology I, the Principles of Physics, Geology and the foundations of environmental science. They also choose between studies in either Hydrology and Watershed Management or Global Climate Change.

Other required courses include Introduction to Geographic Information Systems, Environmental Science Research Methods, Ecological Principles and Field Methods, Field Methods and Technologies and a Senior Seminar.

To meet their chemistry course requirement, students may choose to take either General Chemistry or Fundamentals of Chemistry. They also choose between studies in either Hydrology and Watershed Management or Global Climate Change.

Students in Southern New Hampshire University’s environmental science program may choose from two concentration areas.

In the Data Analytics in Science concentration, students learn how to use statistics to help the environment through courses in Applied Statistics II for STEM, Gathering Requirements and Collecting Data and Introduction to Structured Database Environments.

In the Natural Resources and Conservation concentration, coursework focuses more on the relationship between humans and nature, with courses in Conservation Biology, Global Climate Change and Energy and Society.

RELATED: The Top 10 “Green” Careers for Nature-Lovers  

Studying environmental science online at SNHU is convenient. The online classrooms are available 24/7, and there are no set class times for the online program. Experiential learning methods adapted to the distance learning model ensure that students don’t miss out on important aspects of their education just because they happen to be studying remotely.

Experiential learning is utilized in SNHU’s online bachelor’s degree in environmental science program across six topics: field experience, citizen science, research experiences in science, certifications and licenses, animal behavior, and grant writing in science.

An environmental science program does, of course, require considerable science coursework, including lab science classes. Students living in the 48 continental states can complete their laboratory course requirements using lab kits that can be shipped to them, along with the resources, materials and interactions available in their online classrooms.

However, due to shipping restrictions that apply to the lab kits, students who live outside of the continental United States will have to take laboratory courses at a local college and transfer those credits to SNHU.

Undergraduate students in SNHU’s online environmental science bachelor’s degree programs paid $320 per credit, or $960 per course, in tuition under current tuition rates. The school doesn’t charge an application fee at this time, and the graduation fee is just $150. All told, students can expect to spend around $9,600 per year in tuition, bringing the total cost for the entire four-year to less than $40,000.

Southern New Hampshire University is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which was formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. (NEASC). The school earned a spot on U.S. News & World Report‘s list of the 2022-2023 Best Regional Universities North and was ranked second in the nation on the publication’s Most Innovative Schools in the North list.

View program details.

6. The Online Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability and the Environment at Florida International University

The online BA in Sustainability and the Environment degree program from Florida International University in Miami, FL, emphasizes skills and knowledge for sustainable management of natural resources.

Another aspect of Florida International University’s online bachelor’s degree program that we love is that every student is paired up with a personal success coach who provides one-on-one guidance to help students make the most of their online education.

The Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability and the Environment online degree is a multidisciplinary program offered out of the School of Environment, Arts and Society. The curriculum includes required upper-division courses such as Applied Field Ecology, Ecology of South Florida and Energy Flow in Natural and Man-made Systems.

Other coursework found in the program includes Earth Resources, Environmental Resources and Pollution, Earth Ethics, Population & Environment Issues, Human Organization & Ecosystems Management, Introduction to Geographical Information Systems and Sustainable Resource Development.

The 120-credit program includes 23 credits to be put toward elective courses of the student’s choice, although 9 of these credits must be in areas like business, communication, journalism or public administration. The curriculum also includes 6 credits of coursework in the area of sustainability and the environment.

High-performing students should consider applying to the Honors College. The Honors College offers honors courses for online students during both the fall and spring semesters. Participation in the Honors College offers benefits like exclusive opportunities for internships and research experiences and makes the student a more competitive candidate for financial aid like scholarships.

Transfer students are welcomed into the program, although to have the best chance of success, they should have already completed an introductory statistics course, a microeconomics course and two semesters of study in a foreign language.

In-state students at Florida International University paid a tuition rate of $228.51 per credit hour, not counting fees, under current tuition rates. For out-of-state students, the tuition rate is $345.87 per credit hour.

Florida International University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The school has appeared on numerous U.S. News & World Report rankings listed, including tying for 21st place among the Best Global Universities for Environment/Ecology in the United States and ranking #1 on the publication’s list of the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs.

View program details.

7. The Online Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management at the University of Maryland Global Campus

The University of Maryland in Adelphi, MD, offers an online environmental management bachelor’s degree program that consists of 120 credits of college coursework.

Required courses for the environmental management major include Environment and Ecosystems Principles, Human Health and Disease, Environmental Health, and Global Environmental Management Issues. Either as part of their general education coursework or as electives, students must take classes in introductory statistics, pre-calculus and environmental chemistry.

The curriculum allows students to pursue one of two areas of focus. In the Toxicology and Hazard Control focus, students complete courses in Risk Assessments in Environmental Health and Safety, Hazard Management in Emergency Response Operations and Air Quality Management. The Sustainability focus includes courses like Pollution Prevention Strategies, Introduction to Urban Watersheds and Stewardship and Global Environmental Challenges.

All courses in the University of Maryland’s online environmental science bachelor’s degree program are available fully online, but for students who live locally and want some in-person exposure, some hybrid courses are available in the major.

Both online and on-campus students at the University of Maryland are invited to join the school’s Environmental Awareness Club. Although some club activities, like local cleanup efforts and field trips, are best suited to students who live locally, even students who live far from campus can benefit from the opportunities to virtually meet and learn from alumni and established environmental management professionals.

Under the current tuition rates, in-state students pay $312 per credit, and out-of-state students pay $499 per credit. A military tuition rate discounts the cost to $250 per credit for active-duty servicemembers and their spouses and dependent children.

The University of Maryland is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. U.S. News & World Report named the University of Maryland on its 2022-2023 Best Regional Universities North Rankings list and ranked it as tied for 16th place on the publication’s list of the Most Innovative Schools in the North. Newsweek listed the University of Maryland in 21st place on its 2022 list of America’s Best Online Learning Schools.

View program details.

8. The Online Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies at Virginia Wesleyan University

Virginia Wesleyan University in Virginia Beach, VA, markets its online Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies program to students who are passionate about environmental issues, particularly environmental threats relating to the way humans fit into the natural world and our relationship to the environment.

A generous transfer credit policy that allows undergraduate students to transfer up to 96 credits from other institutions makes this program an excellent option for degree completion. If you already have some college coursework under your belt and can’t wait to get a jump-start on your career in environmental science, the fast pace of this program may be particularly appealing.

RELATED: How Fast Can I Earn a Master’s Degree in Environmental Science?

By structuring your program strategically and devoting just 18 to 24 hours per week to your coursework, you may be able to graduate in as little as 12 months – depending on how many credits you transfer into the program.

We also love that this is a military-friendly program. Virginia Wesleyan University is a designated Yellow Ribbon school at which you can use your GI Bill benefits to pay the cost of tuition and fees. The school employs a dedicated Veterans Service Team to help students who have served with issues involving financial aid advising, academic scheduling, disability counseling and other needs.

Online environmental science students at Virginia Wesleyan University complete science courses in areas like environmental geology, environmental biology, meteorology and energy and the environment. As a Bachelor of Arts degree program, the curriculum includes a significant focus on non-science courses like Environmental Ethics, Environmental Writings, Environmental Policy Analysis, Microeconomics and Macroeconomics. Students also must take either Ecopoetry or Topics in Sustainability as well as complete an internship in environmental studies.

The current cost per credit hour reported amounted to $399. For veterans in Virginia, the combination of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, the VA Yellow Ribbon Program and the Virginia Wesleyan Yellow Ribbon Match allowed qualifying students to cover the full tuition cost for the 2022 through 2023 academic year without having to pay out-of-pocket.

Virginia Wesleyan University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

View program details.

9. The Online Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Policy at Wilmington University

Highlights of the online Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science and Policy at Wilmington University in New Castle, DE, include small class sizes and affiliation as a member institution of the NASA-funded Delaware Space Grant Consortium.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science and Policy offered through Wilmington University’s College of Online and Experiential Learning and College of Health Professions & Natural Sciences prepares students to “think like an environmental scientist, write like a policy maker.”

The curriculum encompasses at least 35 credits of Environmental Science Core coursework in areas like Pre-Calculus, Inferential Statistics, Biology I, Biology II, Ecology and a Science Major Senior Seminar.

Students have some latitude to customize their core coursework. They can choose between classes in Earth Science or Climate Dynamics, between Physics or Physics I and between Applied Chemistry and Chemistry I. They also choose whether to take Geographic Information Systems Science & Technology, Environmental Informatics or Integrating Excel into Business Problem Solving.

The program also includes Public Policy Core coursework that encompasses classes in Environmental Planning, Environmental Compliance, Energy and Environmental Policy, American Politics and Marine Science and Policy. Students choose whether to round out their public policy core coursework with Calculus I, Data Science, Introduction to Programming with Python or Intro to Artificial Intelligence.

The curriculum also allows for at least 9 credits of core electives in areas that include chemistry, policy and sociology courses, as well as at least 9 free electives.

Under Wilmington University’s 2022-2023 Tuition & Fees schedule, online students pay tuition rates of $399 per credit hour, no matter where they live.

Wilmington University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The school landed a spot on U.S. News & World Report‘s 2022-2023 Best National University Rankings list.

View program details.

10. The Online Bachelor of Science in Environmental Policy and Management at Everglades University

Everglades University in Boca Raton, FL, offers a BS in Environmental Policy and Management. This BS degree program can be completed in 41 months, so it’s a solid option for students who want to get out into the environmental science workforce quickly.

However, there is no room for free electives in the 123-credit curriculum. If you like having the option to customize your education and focus your studies specifically on your areas of interest, this environmental science program may not be the right fit for you.

Major coursework in the BS in Environmental Policy and Management program includes 54 credit hours of upper-division courses. Highlights of the curriculum include courses like Energy and the Environment, Coastal Environmental Management and Global Climate Change – Science, Impacts and Sustainable Solutions.

On the business side of this environmental management major, students take courses such as international business, operations management, marketing management, critical thinking in business and the science of persuasion and negotiation. An Environmental Policy and Management Capstone Course rounds out the major coursework for the degree program.

Students do get some flexibility in their selection of Interdisciplinary Studies courses, which encompasses 21 credit hours. However, recommended courses that meet these requirements include Introduction to Environmental Change, Organization and Technology of Information Systems, Principles of Supervision, Principles of Business, Introduction to Marketing, Financial Management and Macroeconomics.

Under the current fee schedule, full-time online students at Everglades University paid $800 per credit hour, or $9,600 per semester, in tuition costs. Counting the costs of textbooks and fees, the total estimated cost of the degree program amounted to $116,850.

Everglades University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. U.S. News & World Report ranked Everglades University as tied for 94th place on its 2022-2023 Best Regional Universities South Rankings list.

The online environmental science degree at Everglades University can be completed 100% online, but the school also offers the curriculum in a traditional in-person format at its campus locations, which include Boca Raton, Miami, Orlando, Sarasota and Tampa.

View program details.

Related Resources:

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

Best Paying Jobs With a Geography Degree

The post Top 10 Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Environmental Science appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Knowing you want to earn your degree online is one thing, but figuring out how to go about it and what school to attend is another. You want your degree to be affordable, but more importantly, you want it to be a good value: a quality education from a respected, accredited school. Our list of the top 25 cheapest online bachelor’s degree programs consists exclusively of schools that have earned regional accreditation, so you know that every one of these institutions meets the high standards of one of the major regional accreditation organizations in the country. Many of them have earned recognition from publications like U.S. News & World Report, and several have features like support services, accelerated courses and career or adult learning focuses that set them apart.

These 25 online colleges prove that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a great education, or a great value.

1. Winston-Salem State University 

For residents of North Carolina, particularly those with some college or vocational training already, there may be no better value in online undergraduate education than Winston-Salem State University. The public research university offers only a few fully-online bachelor’s degree programs, but these programs fulfill specific niches at an unmatched price. WSSU’s online undergraduate degree programs include:

• Bachelors of Science – Clinical Laboratory Science, for students who have already finished an accredited Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) program but want the additional skills and qualifications of a bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory science
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN), in which registered nurses can complete the requirements to earn a bachelor’s degree and advance their careers
• Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies, for students who have already completed two years of college but not enough credits to earn a bachelor’s degree. This program offers a broad, well-rounded education in the arts and sciences, as well as the opportunity to develop communication, problem-solving and creative and critical thinking skills.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked WSSU highly, naming it 15^th among historically black colleges and universities, 25^th among the top public schools and 60^th among regional universities. The school has separate tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state students, even when it comes to distance learning. Students who live in North Carolina will pay $106 per semester hour (plus a $51.50 charge if they take over 11 credit hours per semester), for a grand total of under $3,300 per year. Out-of-state students pay $428 per credit (again, with a $51.50 charge to take over 11 credit hours per semester), or around $12,942 for the year.

Cost:  $106 per semester hour, or $3,289 per year of full-time study
Regional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

2. Fort Hays State University

One of the schools with the “best online bachelor’s programs” across the nation – at least, according to U.S. News & World Report – is also among the most affordable. Fort Hays State University is a rural Kansas public institution that offers 25 fully-online bachelor’s degree programs in majors such as business education, management, health studies, nursing, education, information networking, philosophy, sociology and other traditional subjects in the arts and sciences. On the off-chance that you can’t find a major to match your interests or career aspirations, you can customize your own curriculum while earning a Bachelor of General Studies degree – completely online, of course, through FHSU’s Virtual College.

Regardless of which degree they choose to pursue, all undergraduate students enrolled in FHSU’s Virtual College pay the same low tuition rate – just $115 per credit.

Cost: $115 per credit, or $3,450 for one year of full-time study
Regional Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

3. Thomas Edison State College

As an adult student, you need something different from your education than what a kid fresh out of high school might want. You want flexibility, relevant information that will enhance your career as well as your personal knowledge and a self-directed learning style that allows you to discover knowledge for yourself instead of just mindlessly copying down lecture notes. Trenton, New Jersey-based Thomas Edison State College, which bills itself as “exclusively for adults,” can provide you with a distance learning education worthy of your life experiences. In addition to offering online courses, the school awards credit for training and knowledge you already have, even if you gained it outside the classroom, The New York Times reported. The school offers 30 fully-online bachelor’s degree programs in subjects ranging from the humanities to engineering and criminal justice to general business management.

For in-state students who intend to study full-time, the school’s comprehensive tuition plan offers a great value of up to 36 credits per year for a flat fee of just $5,871. Out-of-state residents pay a still reasonable $8,647 for the same plan. Part-time students who pay by the credit — $1,221 per credit, or about $3,663 per class, for in-state students – may end up paying substantially more than their full-time counterparts. 

Cost:  $1,221 per credit, or $5,871 per year of full-time study (up to 36 credits) with the comprehensive tuition plan (in-state)
Regional Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

4. Western Governors University

Imagine a school cares as much about keeping higher education affordable as you do. That school is Western Governor’s University. The Salt Lake City, Utah-based online school offers 23 different distance learning programs for aspiring teachers, businesspeople, information technology specialists and healthcare professionals. Formed from a collaboration of 19 state governors, the online school was created to emphasize competency-based education, in which working professionals can get credit for the relevant knowledge and skills they already have, saving them time and money.

For years, the cost of college tuition and fees across the nation has increased significantly faster than the rate of inflation. Last year, the cost on average increased between 2.9 percent (for public institutions) and 3.7 percent (for private institutions), according to The College Board. Yet Western Governors University hasn’t raised tuition since 2008. The school actively tries to keep college affordable, and it succeeds. Students enrolled in undergraduate online programs in business, teaching and information technology pay just $2,890 per term and can take as many as 12 competency units in a semester. Even the more costly nursing programs ($3,250 to $4,250 per term) are a great value.

Cost:  $2,890 per term, or $5,780 per year of full-time study
Regional Accreditation: The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

5. Baker College

If advancing your career is your primary reason for pursuing a degree, you want to choose a school that’s as career-focused as you are. Baker College, which prioritizes real-world experience and provides all students with access to employment experts, is one such school.

A private institution based out of Flint, Michigan, Baker College offers 20 fully online bachelor’s degree programs. Whether your interests lie in business, health and nursing, computers and information technology, psychology or criminal justice, you can rest assured that the school was ranked among the best online bachelor’s programs by U.S. News & World Report. Students pay the same tuition, just $230 per credit, for all undergraduate online courses. The Lifetime Employment Assistance program provides graduates with additional value that includes free help with networking, résumé writing and interview preparation throughout every state of their careers.

Cost: $230 per credit hour, or $6,900 per year of full-time study
Regional Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

6. Ball State University

Indiana residents, in particular, will find a great value in a degree in business, education or nursing from Ball State University. The public institution’s campus is in Muncie, Indiana, but it also offers four fully-online degree programs for students who already have some college education:

• Bachelor’s in Business Administration Degree
• Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education Degree
• Bachelor of General Studies Degree
• Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (RN to BS)

Each offering is a degree completion program, designed to help students who started but never finished college finally get their degrees. The flexible, 100 percent online format and support from academic advisors make it easier even for working students who are busy balancing professional and family responsibilities to get the degrees they need to advance their careers. Even though Ball State University offers just a few completely online undergraduate programs, those programs are highly rated and well-respected. U.S. News & World Report has ranked Ball State University 34^th on its list of the best online bachelor’s programs across the country, as well as including the college on its lists of the best schools for education, nursing, psychology and other subjects.

Ball State University has separate distance learning tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state residents. Indiana residents can choose to pay $284 per credit (up to the first 11 credits) or a flat fee of $3,694 a semester for up to 18 credits. Out-of-state students pay $499 per credit for the first 11 credits. Full-time out-of-state students pay the same $3,694 flat rate as in-state students plus an additional $215 per credit hour.

Cost: $284 per credit/$3,694 for up to 18 credits, or $7,388 per year of full-time study
Regional Association: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

7. Norwich University

If you already earned your associate’s degree but now find that you need a higher degree to get ahead in your career, Norwich University could be the right choice for you. The private Northfield, Vermont-based institution offers three fully online bachelor’s degrees:

• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
• Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security
• Bachelor of Science in Strategic Studies and Defense Analysis

Each degree path builds upon the education and professional knowledge the student already has, so it’s not like starting back at square one. In addition, online students at Norwich University have a full support network of advisers, program directors, tech support staff and distance learning librarians to whom they can turn for help.

In addition to making U.S. News & World Report’s list of the nation’s best online bachelor’s programs, Norwich University also earned recognition among the best regional universities and took 29^th place on the list of the best colleges for veterans.

Students in the Bachelor of Science in Strategic Studies and Defense Analysis degree program will pay just $250 per credit, while those pursuing undergraduate degrees in criminal justice or cyber security pay $375 per credit in tuition. Active military personnel are eligible for a tuition discount of more than $100 per credit on a criminal justice or cyber security degree.

Cost: $250 per credit, or $7,500 per year of full-time study

Regional Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges

8. Charter Oak State College

If you’re a nontraditional student, perhaps a nontraditional college is exactly what you need. Charter Oak State College is a small public institution in New Britain, Connecticut. The school understands that learning happens in many different formats and situations, not just through formal lectures in a college classroom. Students can earn credit toward their bachelor’s degrees through online classes, standardized tests, military or civilian professional training and independent and experiential learning. Online degree offerings include:

• Cyber Security
• Health Care Administration
• Health Information Management
• General Studies, with a choice of more than a dozen concentrations in fields like business, psychology, political science and public administration

Charter Oak State College charges different in-state and out-of-state tuition rates even for distance learning students. Connecticut residents will pay $263 per credit, while students in other states will pay $346 per credit. The education is a great value either way, especially considering that U.S. News & World Report ranked Charter Oak State College among the best online bachelor’s programs in the country.

Cost: $263 per credit or $7,890 per year of full-time study
Regional Accreditation: The New England Association of Schools and Colleges

9. Graceland University

Students who want to earn an undergraduate degree in business or healthcare may find their perfect academic match at Graceland University. The small, private Lamoni, Iowa-based institution offers five fully-online bachelor’s degree programs:

• Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration
• Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership Program
• Bachelor of Arts in Health Care Management
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN to BSN
• Bachelor of Arts in Online Dual Major in Business Program

U.S. News & World Report has recognized Graceland University as among the best online bachelor’s programs as well as the best regional universities. Tuition varies by degree program. Undergraduate business students will pay $295 per credit hour, while health care management students pay $395 and nursing students pay $465.

Cost:  $295 per credit, or $8,850 per year of full-time study
Regional Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

10. American InterContinental University

For students with an interest in business, information technology, criminal justice or healthcare management, studying at American InterContinental University will allow you to earn a bachelor’s degree in a specialized field of study with a tuition cost of less than $10,000 per year. The Schaumburg, Illinois-based school prides itself on providing an industry-focused education that gets students the right knowledge for their careers from instructors with plenty of real-world professional experience. American InterContinental offers 27 fully online bachelor’s degree programs.

Business students can choose from 11 specializations, from marketing to accounting and finance to project management. Healthcare management students can specialize in health services administration or gerontology. Information technology includes degrees in digital investigations, network administration, information assurance and security and software analysis and development. Criminal justice students can major in forensic science, law enforcement, corrections and case management, homeland security and crisis management or general criminal justice. All undergraduate online programs cost just $302 per credit.

Cost:  $302 per credit, or $9,060 per year of full-time study
Regional Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

11. University of Massachusetts Online

At the University of Massachusetts Online, undergraduate students can choose from 32 distance learning programs in subjects of study as diverse as information technology and gender studies. Whether you’re looking to advance a nursing career, climb the corporate ladder in the business world or major in a general field like liberal arts, global affairs, general studies or English, you’re sure to find a degree path to help you get ahead.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked the University of Massachusetts locations at Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth and Lowell highly. The school’s various campuses have placed on lists such as:

• Best Online Bachelor’s Programs
• National Universities
• Regional Universities
• Top Public Schools
• More than a dozen individual subject areas

The cost of earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Online varies from one major to another. Undergraduate tuition at the University of Massachusetts ranges from $125 to $1,980, but online programs generally cost anywhere from $304 to $525 per credit.

Cost: $304 per credit, or $9,120 per year of full-time study

Regional Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges

12. Capella University

Unlike the typical student fresh out of high school, you have real-world professional and life experience. You deserve credit for the things you already know and a flexible learning environment that will let you study at your own pace. After all, you’re not just sitting in a classroom and taking notes while an instructor drones on in a monotonous lecture. You’re actively learning through interactive modules and assignments, and balancing it all with your work and home responsibilities. Capella University is a primarily online institution that awards competency-based credit and allows students the freedom of its FlexPath self-paced learning style (note: Capella University’s FlexPath option is available for certain programs, not all).

Undergraduate students at Capella University can choose from more than a dozen degree paths in subject areas like business and information technology, healthcare, nursing, and psychology. The per-credit tuition for Capella University’s online bachelor degree programs ranges from $336 to $394, depending on the major and course level. Often, lower-level courses in the 1000 to 2000 level cost around $336 per credit, while upper level courses (3000 to 4000 level) cost $394 per credit. This means the cost of education may increase by as much as a couple thousand dollars toward the end of the student’s academic career.

Cost: $315 per credit, or $9,450 per year of full-time study
Regional Accreditation: Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

13. Southern New Hampshire University

Even though you’ll have to work independently to earn your degree online, you don’t have to do it all alone. Some schools, like Southern New Hampshire University, offer a wide range of support services to help students succeed. SNHU is a private, nonprofit institution based in Manchester. With more than 80 online bachelor’s degree offerings in business and the liberal arts, students are sure to find a program to fit their academic and career needs. Whether you want to study accounting or creative writing, economics or American history, nursing or Web development, there’s a degree path for you.

No matter which major you choose, you will pay the same, affordable tuition cost when you earn an online degree from Southern New Hampshire University. Students pay just $320 per credit, or $960 per class. Active-duty military personnel get a discount of nearly $100 per credit, making this school an especially great value for those currently serving our country in the armed forces. Adding to the value of an education at SNHU is the breadth of support services available to students. From the admissions counselors that help students choose the right majors to the career advisors that help students make the most of their education and career preparation, students will have help throughout the process of earning their degrees.

Cost: $320 per credit, or $9,600 per year of full-time study
Regional Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and College

14. Colorado Technical University

The path you have taken in your private and professional life is personal – shouldn’t your education be, too? At Colorado Technical University, it can be. The Colorado Springs-based school features adaptive learning technology it calls Intellipath that personalizes your academic experience so that you spend less time rehashing the information you already know and more time learning valuable new knowledge and skills.

Colorado Technical University, which U.S. News & World Report ranked among the best online bachelor’s programs, offers degree paths in accounting, business administration, criminal justice, cyber security, healthcare management, information technology, project management, psychology and nursing. Within these degree programs, students can choose from numerous concentrations. Business administration students have 12 concentrations to consider, ranging from organizational behavior to digital marketing. Criminal justice students can study cybercrime, homeland security or human services. IT students can specialize in web development, security, data management and software application programming, among other possibilities.

The wealth of options available mean that students can earn the degree that will be most relevant to their careers and interests – and with tuition costing just $325 per credit, regardless of degree program, they can do it without breaking the bank.

Cost: $325 per credit, or $9,750 per year of full-time study
Regional Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

15. California University of Pennsylvania

Some students already know what they want to do, and that a specific degree is necessary to reach their goals. They don’t need a plethora of general degree programs to choose from, but they do need a high-quality program in a specific niche. At the California University of Pennsylvania, distance learning students can choose to study the following 100 percent online bachelor’s degree programs:

• Bachelor of Arts in Arabic Language and Culture
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems
• Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice (Homeland and International Security)
• Bachelor of Arts, Jurisprudence in Land Management
• Bachelor of Arts, Jurisprudence in Legal Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN – BSN)
• Bachelor of Arts in Sociology: Social Deviance
• Bachelor of Science in Wellness and Fitness

The school has earned national recognition for its online programs in particular. U.S. News & World Report not only ranked California University of Pennsylvania among the best online bachelor’s programs in the country, but also awarded high rankings to the school’s online graduate programs in education and nursing.

Undergraduate students enrolled in one of the Cal U Global Online degree programs can expect to pay tuition of $332.20 per credit if they live in Pennsylvania or $347.20 if they live out-of-state, though this is the minimum tuition charge. Some programs may cost more.

Cost: $332.20 per credit for in-state students

Regional Accreditation: Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

16. Removed

17. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

If you know your interests lie in the field of psychology, why not choose a school that specializes in the subject? The Chicago School of Professional Psychology offers fully online Bachelor of Arts degrees in general psychology and in the following four concentrations:

• Child and adolescent psychology
• Business psychology
• International psychology
• Social services

The private, nonprofit institution is primarily a graduate school, offering undergraduate degrees exclusively online to help working students get started on an education in psychology. No matter which concentration you choose to pursue, you will pay a reasonable tuition cost of $385 per credit hour to earn your degree online. 

Cost:  $385 per credit hour, or $11,550 per year of full-time study

Regional Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges

18. Adventist University of Health Sciences

Seeking a career in healthcare? At the Adventist University of Health Sciences, based in Orlando, Florida, students who already have some college experience can earn an online undergraduate degree in subjects like:

• Nursing (R.N. to B.S.)
• Radiologic Sciences
• Diagnostic Medical Sonography

All of these distance learning bachelor’s degree programs are degree completion programs, meaning that they’re designed to help students who have started but never finished college succeed in earning their degrees. Often, students who have completed  a few semesters of school elsewhere already can transfer their credits to Adventist University of Health Sciences and complete their remaining degree requirements is as little as five terms. The undergraduate cost per credit hour at Adventist University of Health Sciences is $395.

Cost: $395 per credit or $11,850 per year of full-time study
Regional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

19. Bellevue University

Among the best advantages of earning a degree online is freedom. Not only do you have the flexibility to study where and when it’s convenient for you, but you have the freedom to choose any major you want from among countless colleges. One school that offers online students plenty of freedom is Nebraska-based private institution Bellevue University. At Bellevue University, students can choose from nearly 50 fully online bachelor’s degree programs.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked Bellevue University among the best online bachelor’s programs, also ranking the school’s graduate programs highly. Distance learning undergraduate students at Bellevue University will pay tuition costs of $395 per credit during the 2015 to 2016 school year – a modest increase of just $10 per credit from the previous year, so students don’t have to worry too much about massive tuition jumps from one year to the next.

Cost: $395 per credit hour, or $11,850 per year of full-time study
Regional Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

20. New England College

New England College, a small, private liberal arts institution in rural New Hampshire, offers the following eight fully online programs at the bachelor’s degree level:

• Bachelor of Science in Accounting
• Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration
• Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
• Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration
• Bachelor of Science in Human Services
• Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
• Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

Though the Henniker, New Hampshire-based school may not offer dozens of degree options for distance learning students, the programs that it does offer 100 percent online have earned national recognition for their quality. U.S. News & World Report named New England College among the best online bachelor’s programs in the country. Students in all undergraduate online programs pay the same tuition cost of just $395 per credit hour.

Cost: $395 per semester hour, or $11,850 per year of full-time study
Regional Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges

21. Eastern Kentucky University Online

At Eastern Kentucky University, distance learning students can choose from 10 fully online bachelor’s degree programs ranging from the very general to specific niche programs of study:

• Corrections and Juvenile Justice Studies
• Fire, Arson & Explosion Investigation
• Fire Protection Administration
• Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology
• General Studies
• Homeland Security
• Nursing (RN to BSN)
• Occupation Safety
• Police Studies
• Psychology

The school also offers a partially online hybrid program in Paralegal Studies/Paralegal Science, in which students can complete most of their work through distance learning courses but must take at least ten semester credits of traditional format legal specialty courses. The Richmond, KY-based school has earned high marks for quality. U.S. News & World Report ranked Eastern Kentucky University among the best online bachelor’s programs, the top public schools, the best colleges for veterans and the best regional universities.

Tuition for most online degree programs at Eastern Kentucky University is $400 per credit. Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree pay slightly more, $425 per credit hour.

Cost: $400 per credit hour, or $12,000 per year of full-time study

Regional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

22. University of Phoenix

The University of Phoenix is among the most well-known online colleges, and for good reason. The school offers plenty of options for undergraduate students, with more than 70 bachelor’s degrees available in the arts and sciences, business and management, criminal justice and security, education, nursing and healthcare, psychology and technology. Many of the University of Phoenix distance learning degree paths offer students the opportunity to pursue specific concentrations or earn certificates in addition to their bachelor’s degrees, adding something extra to their résumés.

During the early years of their education, students will pay $410 a credit for their lower division courses. The tuition cost for upper level courses increases slightly, to $435 per credit.

Cost: $410 per credit, or $12,300 per year of full-time study

Regional Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

23. Herzing University

When you consider various colleges, part of you decision process should include how much time you want to spend in school each semester. At some schools, the overall cost for a full-time student is significantly cheaper than that for part-time students. If you plan to study full-time, you can save hundreds of dollars per credit at Herzing University. The career-focused Madison, Wisconsin-based college offers more than two dozen fully online bachelor’s degree programs in fields like business, design, healthcare, information technology and public safety. Herzing University provides both quantity and quality, with U.S. News & World Report ranking the school among the best online bachelor’s programs in the nation.

Tuition: Estimated expenses for academic year 2019-2020 (IPEDS): $14,200 (Tuition and fees)

Regional Accreditation: Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413, www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400.

24. Removed

25. Benedictine University

Benedictine University is proof that it’s sometimes better to excel at just a couple things than to do an unremarkable job at many things. The private Lisle, Illinois-based school offers just two online bachelor’s degree programs – the Bachelor of Arts in Management and the Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership – but it still ranks among U.S. News & World Report’s list of the best online bachelor’s programs in the country. The school also offers a free Success Strategies course to help enrolled students get acquainted with the online education process and platform.

Online students at Benedictine University will find their first two full-time years of school, in particular, to be affordable, with a tuition cost of just $430 per credit. Once students complete 60 credits and are taking upper level courses, though, they’ll face a tuition increase to $630 per hour.

Cost: $430 per credit hour, or $12,900 per year of full-time study

Regional Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Conclusion

Just as there’s more to a school than the cost of its tuition, there’s more to your college decision than numbers. In addition to weighing the tuition charge – along with the other costs that aren’t included in this list, like various fees and supply expenses – you should consider what factors are the most important to you personally.

If you already work in the field in which you want to earn a degree, you might find competency-based courses to be a bigger priority. On the other hand, if you’re concerned about splitting your attention between multiple classes at once, the opportunity to take an accelerated course schedule might matter to you. No matter which of these schools you choose to explore further, you can rest assured that all of them are legitimate, regionally accredited institutions, and that all of them provide a great value for your money.

For Further Reading: 

Top 10 Graduate Degree Programs in Criminal Justice

What Classes Will I Take in a Criminal Justice Degree?

What Is the Benefit of a Degree in Cybersecurity vs. Network Security?

The post 25 Cheapest Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Building degrees are wide and varied and in today’s economy a great bet for a range of employment opportunities including starting your own building business, consulting, or working for someone else.

If you’ve always wanted to learn how to “put things together” and wondered how the objects that surround us daily were made, a building degree could be a great fit for you.

Below we’re going to look at a wide range of building degrees, including degrees in civil engineering, architecture, construction management, construction technology, and other degree programs.

Think you may be interested in a building degree? Be sure to check out some of our related content including rankings of the best building degree programs out there.

• The Best Graduate Architecture Programs
• The Best Undergraduate Architecture Programs
• What Degree Do I Need To Become a Drafter?
• What Degree Do I Need To Become a Civil Engineer?
• What Degree Do I Need To Become a Land Surveyor
• The Best “Bang For Your Buck” Associates Degrees
• What is the Difference Between a Civil Engineering Degree and an Architecture Degree?

Still need more information? Be sure to read through our guide on building degrees below!

Table of Contents

• What is a Building Degree?
• Can I Get a Building Degree Online?
• How Do I Gain Admission To A Building Degree?
• What Can I Do With a Building Degree?

What is a Building Degree?

Building degrees are a general category of higher education degrees that include:

• Architecture
• Civil Engineering
• Construction Management
• Construction Technology
• And Related Disciplines

When looking at this range of disciplines, building degrees are available at the associates through doctoral levels (as well as in the form of many professional certifications).

Below we’ll walk through the four most common disciplines related to building sciences.

First, are the masterminds behind nearly every building you’ve ever set foot in, architects. Architecture as an academic discipline begins with pre-professional programs at the bachelor’s level. Typically a bachelor’s in architecture takes 5 years for completion, and can be used to jump into the job title of “architect.”

The major subjects studied within a bachelor’s level architecture degree include CAD drawing, architecture history, construction method, steel structural designs, and green design principles.

At the master’s level, architecture is often bundled with pre-professional programs. These “4 + 2” programs as they’re commonly called end up with students graduating with a bachelor’s and master’s in architecture in six years, as opposed to spending 5 years just on a pre-professional bachelor’s in architecture degree.

At the master’s level, students are more likely to be able to move directly into an “architect role.” Students in these programs study a selection of the following:

• Architectural Theory
• Formal Analysis of Structures
• Visualization and Computation
• A Multi-semester Building Project
• Environmental Design
• Urban Design
• An Advanced Design Studio
• And Management of Architectural Projects

For students without a bachelor’s in architecture, master’s in architecture often take three years of full-time study.

Our second common “building” discipline is civil engineering. Civil engineers are often employed in building communal or public projects including roads, dams, bridges, and the like. Civil engineers work for public and private entities and are found in nearly every location. Approval of new construction projects that many individuals will use almost always includes consultation with a civil engineer.

The primary degree that prepares one for civil engineering is a bachelor’s in civil engineering or civil engineering technology. Upon completion of a bachelor’s degree, students prepare for a licensure exam and then are required to take continuing education credits for the remainder of their practicing years.

Courses that are commonly taken in a bachelor’s in civil engineering (or civil engineering technology) include statistics, mechanics and systems of engineering, advanced math courses, fluid dynamics, physics, and a range of fieldwork requirements.

As with all engineering disciplines, master’s and doctor of engineering (D.Eng.) degrees are also available, though not required to land a job as an engineer of this type.

Our third degree type is construction management. Construction management degrees are available at the associates through the master’s level. These interdisciplinary degrees take from common degree types such as management, business, and construction-centered courses.

Specific coursework that students may take in a construction management degree include: mathematics, natural sciences, business administration, structural behavior, architecture, structural systems, construction methods, and basic technology courses.

At the master’s level, courses typically require 1-2 years and may come with industry certifications in sub disciplines such as historic restoration, green building, real estate, and so forth.

Our final degree category within building degrees is that of construction technology. Today, there are many subdisciplines within the construction industry that require advanced tech skills.

This degree type may be obtained at the associates through masters level, though most commonly offered at the associates level. It is generally considered a vocational or professional degree that is focused on applied (job-centered) learning.

Some of the most common courses that you may take if you pursue a degree in construction technology include:

• Construction Material Strengths and Measurements
• Surveying Equipment
• AutoCAD Applications
• Mechanics of Drafting and Engineering
• Technical Drawing
• Computer Applications in Construction
• Intro to Construction Technology
• Construction Materials and Methods

Think you may be interested in a building degree? Be sure to check out some of our related content including rankings of the best building degree programs out there.

• The Best Graduate Architecture Programs
• The Best Undergraduate Architecture Programs
• What Degree Do I Need To Become a Drafter?
• What Degree Do I Need To Become a Civil Engineer?
• What Degree Do I Need To Become a Land Surveyor
• The Best “Bang For Your Buck” Associates Degrees
• What is the Difference Between a Civil Engineering Degree and an Architecture Degree?

Can I Get a Building Degree Online?

Building occurs in-person, on-site, but also in offices, meetings, and using drafting programs. Keep this in mind, when seeking out a building degree. That building is in many ways literally a “brick and mortar” experience. This doesn’t mean that there aren’t quality building degrees that are available online. Just that many programs do require an in-person component or field experience.

With that said, you can find fully online and fully in-person building degrees. It depends on the degree and the school offering the program.

While you’re choosing whether you want to pursue a degree online or in-person, you should be aware of some of the following terminology.

1. 1. If a program is a hybrid program, you’ll need to attend some on-campus events but a sizable portion of the program will be online. Hybrid can mean you’re expected to come to campus once a week, or once a year. So make sure you know what exactly the program you’re interested in means by the term hybrid.
   2. Fully online programs will often advertise the fact that they are fully online. This means that you do not need to attend any on-campus events including orientation or graduation. A great number of online programs actually include some hybrid components, so if a program you are interested in does not explicitly disclose that they’re 100% online, inquire.
   3. Synchronous online courses mean that you attend an online course at the same time as your classmates. Similarly to an in-person course, everyone “shows up” at the same time. Only the course is presented online.
   4. Asynchronous online courses involve logging on when you want to watch videos and perform course-related tasks. There will likely still be due dates, and you’ll still communicate with classmates and the professor. It’s just a more flexible format in which to take courses online

While more and more students do have a great student experience studying online, it’s not for everyone. You should do your research as to the pros and cons of attending your specific program online.

Some of the most common pros and cons of online education include the following:
Pros:

1. 1. • There are lower fees in many online degrees.
      • You don’t have to move or leave your job for an online degree.
      • Asynchronous programs allow you great flexibility.
      • You graduate with an identical degree.

Cons:

1. 1. • More self direction required for online degrees.
      • More difficult to meet classmates or attend networking events.
      • Lower level of support services (often).
      • Lack of college or grad school “experience.'”

With all that said, online universities work well for many students. And there are a wide range of online universities that all provide different experiences.

Think you may be interested in a building degree? Be sure to check out some of our related content including rankings of the best building degree programs out there.

1. 1. • The Best Graduate Architecture Programs
      • The Best Undergraduate Architecture Programs
      • What Degree Do I Need To Become a Drafter?
      • What Degree Do I Need To Become a Civil Engineer?
      • What Degree Do I Need To Become a Land Surveyor
      • The Best “Bang For Your Buck” Associates Degrees
      • What is the Difference Between a Civil Engineering Degree and an Architecture Degree?

How Do I Gain Admission To A Building Degree?

Building degrees are no exception to general admission policies depending on the degree level you’re pursuing.

Starting with the lowest higher education degree level, associates degree programs often offer open enrollment. This doesn’t mean that you can just show up, but that they admit all applicants that meet certain prerequisites.

Typically those prerequisites include a satisfactory completion of an application packet as well as the submission of transcripts to show graduation from high school.

At the bachelor’s level, there’s greater variability in what is expected of successful applicants. Some schools have open admission policies similar to many community colleges, while others are quite competitive in their application process.

Common components required for admission to bachelor’s-level building degrees include the submission of a Federal financial aid application (FAFSA), a standardized college admission test score (ACT or SAT), transcripts, as well as the filling out of an application packet. Transcripts are used to determine that you did indeed graduate from a high school, and that you have achieved a minimum GPA requirement. Most commonly, schools require students to have gotten at or above a 2.5 or 3.0 GPA. The most competitive programs may require as high as a 3.75 GPA for admissions.

Master’s-level building programs typically require GRE test results, proof that you’ve made arrangements for paying for the program, transcripts, and resumes. Transcripts are used to determine that you are a graduate of a regionally accredited undergraduate institution. Resumes are often used to fulfill work requirements and to provide information that may not have surfaced elsewhere in the application. At the graduate level, students may take out up to the full cost of attendance in Federal student loans. Other common payment routes include employer pay and self pay.

Two noteworthy differences are that construction management master’s degrees typically require GRE scores for admissions. And architecture bachelor’s degrees may require additional application measures as they are often competitive and intensive courses of study.

Think you may be interested in a building degree? Be sure to check out some of our related content including rankings of the best building degree programs out there.

1. 1. • The Best Graduate Architecture Programs
      • The Best Undergraduate Architecture Programs
      • What Degree Do I Need To Become a Drafter?
      • What Degree Do I Need To Become a Civil Engineer?
      • What Degree Do I Need To Become a Land Surveyor
      • The Best “Bang For Your Buck” Associates Degrees
      • What is the Difference Between a Civil Engineering Degree and an Architecture Degree?
      • What Civil Engineering Courses Will I Have to Take for a Degree in Civil Engineering?

What Can I Do With a Building Degree?

Finally, what you’ve been waiting for. Well, the short answer is that building degrees can take you into many roles (particularly when coupled with experience). There are many construction firm owners that hold associates degrees in building technology. There are small business owners that are architects, and there are highly sought after construction technologists.

Particularly in an expanding economy, real estate and development opportunities are all over the place.

Some of the most common roles include:

1. 1. • Building Science Engineer
      • Civil Engineer
      • Construction Technologist
      • Site Supervisor
      • Architect
      • Drafters
      • Real Estate Developer
      • And Cost Estimator

Working our way down the list, building science engineers (also called construction engineers) are generally civil engineers that actually oversee construction work. While some civil engineers oversee plans from their home office, construction engineers are commonly “on the ground” and helping to oversee some of the most crucial structural aspects of building roads, bridges, and buildings.

The average salary for building science engineers is currently close to $90,000. Though many construction engineers may eventually go out and start their own consulting businesses to bring in much more money.

Civil Engineers are one of the most common types of engineers and are involved with nearly every construction type. In particular, infrastructure projects are within the purview of civil engineers including dams, harbors, bridges, roads, as well as large buildings that need to be able to withstand a variety of natural events.

Job duties of civil engineers include performing feasibility and technical studies, the management of budgets, overseeing construction projects, legal compliance, utilizing a range of advanced software for design and calculations, ordering materials, and generally being the “expert” for building projects.

The average salary for civil engineers is presently $91,790, with more senior engineers easily making over $100,000.

Construction technologists (also known as construction specialists depending on the role) are responsible for some facet of operations within a construction environment. Generally these specialists will focus on one area of construction tasks. Perhaps that’s heavy machinery operation, perhaps it’s electronic systems within building, and the list goes on.

While average salaries vary depending on what area of construction technology, many construction specialists make close to $60,000 a year.

Site supervisors are the day-to-day logistics and human resources managers for building sites. Responsibilities of site supervisors include managing orders of materials, ensuring compliance of workers, hiring and firing of construction workers, overseeing subcontractors, ensuring a project stays on budget, and generally providing leadership to ensure that projects are completed in a satisfactory measure. Generally, site supervisors have worked in the construction industry for 5-10 years.

The average salary for site supervisors in construction settings is presently $70,067.

Architects play a role in designing and approving designs for nearly every building projects. These specialists must attend rigorous 5 year pre-professional programs, or hold master’s degrees in architecture. Additionally, professional licensure exams are required to be able to practice as an architect.

Job requirements of this role include preparing and proposing designs for clients, playing advisor roles, coordinating subcontractor work, periodic visits to building sites to assess progress, and the creation of detailed drawings and calculations for building. The average salary for architects in the United States is currently $76,100.

Drafters work in architecture and engineering firms in the public and private sector. These professionals are skilled at converting the drawings of engineers and architects into workable technical drawings that guide construction. Typically drafters specialize in one aspect of engineering including civil, electrical, architectural, or mechanical drawings.

Drafters typically only require associate’s degrees, and earn an average salary of over $55,000.

Real Estate Developers play a hybrid role of investor, manager, salesperson, and designer. While real estate developer positions typically mean you run your own business, these are also roles within established real estate companies. Typical duties include the identification of finished or unfinished properties, planning for how to make improvements or repairs on said properties, and go-to-market strategies once improvements to the property are made.

While the highest paid real estate developers have earned billions of dollars in their trade, the average salary for a real estate developer not running their own company is presently $91,333.

Cost estimators are specialists in construction logistics. Common job tasks include reviewing technical documentation and project planning documents to ascertain the viability of plans. They may provide detailed cost lists or documentation on how materials will get to the work site, what temporary aid is needed in construction, and potential hang-ups to do with logistics in construction. Cost estimators should also be good communicators as they often have to interface with a wide variety of stake holders.

The average salary for cost estimators is presently $54,026.

Finally, construction worker jobs can also benefit from building degrees. While you don’t need a degree to get your foot in the door as a construction worker, furthering your education can help you move into specialized or supervisorial roles.

Besides technical skills needed for demolition, construction, and tasks such as the laying of concrete and operation of machinery, construction workers must be team players, willing to learn, and decent at communication. Construction workers that enhance their education to some degree may quickly find themselves promoted to foreman, IT specialist, or roles such as building inspector or cost estimator.

The average salary for construction workers is presently $38,890.

Additional jobs that building degrees will likely prepare you for include:

1. 1. • Construction Worker
      • Building Inspector
      • Foreman
      • Among Others

Think you may be interested in a building degree? Be sure to check out some of our related content including rankings of the best building degree programs out there.

1. • The Best Graduate Architecture Programs
   • The Best Undergraduate Architecture Programs
   • What Degree Do I Need To Become a Drafter?
   • What Degree Do I Need To Become a Civil Engineer?
   • What Degree Do I Need To Become a Land Surveyor
   • The Best “Bang For Your Buck” Associates Degrees
   • What is the Difference Between a Civil Engineering Degree and an Architecture Degree?
   • Architect vs Engineer: What Is the Benefit of an Engineering Degree Over an Architecture Degree?

The post What Can I Do With a Building Degree? appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

For students interested in the file of firefighting and fire protection services, an education beyond a high school diploma can be valuable. Many schools today give students the opportunity to earn a bachelors in fire science online. Through these programs, online students can deepen their knowledge of firefighter safety and prepare for a variety of careers within and outside the fire department.

Prospective students are sure to find some excellent programs to consider on our list of the best online fire science degree options in the nation.

What Is a Fire Science Degree?

The most common title for programs of study that pertain to firefighting and fire protection services is fire science. In a fire science degree program, students may take coursework in everything from fire dynamics and fire hazards in building construction leadership skills for managing fire service organizations.

Studies in fire science and fire prevention may also make up part of the curriculum in degree programs in emergency management, fire protection and fire safety engineering.

Most institutions that offer a fire science degree, a degree in emergency management or other fire-related programs of study cover a comprehensive curriculum that includes coursework in areas like the following:

• An overview of fire and emergency services
• Firefighting
• Fire prevention and protection techniques
• Fire inspection

RELATED: What Classes will I take in a Fire Science Bachelor’s Degree ?           

The focus of a degree in fire science doesn’t always revolve entirely around understanding fire behavior and ways to protect people and property from fire. Many fire science programs at the bachelor’s degree level provide graduates with more general skills needed in the emergency services workforces, including financial management and fiscal responsibility, human resource management and technology. In general, fire science degree programs prepare students to enter the public service and public safety workforce after graduation.

The Best Bachelor’s in Fire Science Degrees Online

There’s no question that having an associate or bachelor’s degree in a field like fire science can give your career in fire services a boost. Whether you want to rise through the ranks of your local fire department or get a job with a more emergency management organization like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), your education will be an asset. For many prospective students, the question isn’t whether they should pursue a degree in fire science but rather where they should go for their education.

What do the best colleges for fire science have that set them apart from the rest? For one thing, they are recognized and highly respected schools in other fields as well as fire science. Often, this includes having a long history of academic excellence, an engaged student body, strong institutional rankings and regional institutional accreditation.

At the best schools for fire science, the online fire science curriculum strikes a balance between breadth and depth, equipping students with the knowledge and technical skills they will need for life after graduation. Ideally, the program should earn either Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) Recognition or accreditation from the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC).

Read on to learn more about the top 10 fire science degree programs online.

1. University of Florida

Leading our list of the best fire science colleges is the University of Florida. This public university in Gainesville, Florida, is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Why Study Fire Science at the University of Florida

The University of Florida boasts an enrollment of more than 55,000 students as of Fall 2021, including more than 5,000 online students. The school is one of the largest single-campus universities in the United States. The campus consists of 2,000 acres and is home to upwards of 900 buildings. Approximately 180 research centers and institutes are part of the college, as are 16 individual academic colleges.

U.S. News & World Report has recognized the University of Florida on its lists of national universities, top public schools, best value schools, most innovative schools and best colleges for veterans.

The University of Florida offers more than 300 degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. More than 200 programs are available online, including both bachelor’s degree and master’s degree programs in fire and emergency services

Coursework in the University of Florida’s Fire & Emergency Services Program

In the Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Services, students develop skills for a variety of careers in emergency services. This degree program is offered through the Rinker School of Construction Management, part of the College of Design, Construction and Planning.

Required coursework for this degree includes studies in the following areas:

• Principles of fire and emergency services management
• Strategic planning for fire and emergency services
• Fire and emergency services financial management
• Disaster planning and control
• Communication and informational technology
• Fire and emergency services public relations
• Fire and emergency services ethical practices and leadership

The program offers a Fire Specialization, along with an Emergency Management Specialization and Emergency Medical Services Management Specialization, that allows students to focus their coursework. Core coursework for students pursuing the Fire Management Specialization includes:

• Political and legal foundations of fire protection
• Fire and emergency services administration
• Management of fire prevention programs
• Community risk reduction for emergency services
• Command and control at catastrophic fire-rescue incidents
• Fire and emergency services human resource management
• Applications of fire research

The bachelor’s degree in fire science program is open to both new students and transfer students.

The Master of Fire and Emergency Sciences program is a 33-credit graduate program that encompasses 11 courses. This non-thesis program covers courses in areas like the following:

• Fire suppression systems
• Disaster mitigation
• Emergency planning
• Technological innovations for fire and emergency management
• Homeland security

RELATED: What Are My Master’s Degree Choices in Fire Science?         

The online fire science programs at the University of Florida are accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC).

View program details.

2. Fayetteville State University

Another of the top online fire science degree programs is offered out of Fayetteville State University in North Carolina. This Historically Black university was founded in 1867, making it the second-oldest state-supported institution in North Carolina. The public institution is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Why Study Fire Science at Fayetteville State University

U.S. News & World Report has included Fayetteville State University on its college rankings lists of top public schools, regional universities int he South, Historically Black colleges and universities and top performers on social mobility.

Today, the student body at Fayetteville State University numbers 6,500 students. Fayetteville State University is best known for its programs in teaching and nursing, but the school offers more than 60 total bachelor’s and master’s degrees out of four colleges:

• College of Education
• College of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Broadwell College of Business and Economics
• Lloyd College of Health, Science, and Technology 

The school also offers a number of online degree completion programs, including the Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Services Administration program.

Coursework in Fayetteville State University’s Fire and Emergency Services Administration Program

The online Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Services Administration degree at Fayetteville State University is a FESHE-Recognized program. The curriculum, which is offered through the Broadwell College of Business and Economics, includes coursework in the following areas:

• Fire prevention organization and management
• Community risk reduction for fire and emergency services
• Fire service organizational dynamics
• Fire service personnel administration
• Fire-related human behavior
• Managerial Issues in an all hazards environment
• Fire dynamics
• Fire investigations
• Political and legal foundations of fire protection
• Applications of fire research
• Advanced fire administration
• Applied fire service ethics

Fayetteville State University’s fire science bachelor’s degree is intended for students who have an associate’s degree and/or fire service work experience.

View program details.

3. New Jersey City University

Another school where students will find a top-notch fire science bachelors degree online is New Jersey City University. This public institution located in Jersey City was founded in 1927.

Why Study Fire Science at New Jersey City University

U.S. News & World Report has included New Jersey City University on its rankings lists of top public schools, regional universities in the North and top performers on social mobility.

Although New Jersey City University was originally established as a teaching school, the institution now encompasses four colleges and schools:

• The Deborah Cannon Partridge Wolfe College of Education
• The William J. Maxwell College of Arts & Sciences
• The NJCU School of Business
• The College of Professional Studies

Close to 8,0000 students attend New Jersey City University. The school now offers more than 47 programs for undergraduates and 30 programs for graduate students. Additionally, its online offerings include nearly two dozen bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and certificate programs. The most popular and largest programs at New Jersey City University include music, nursing, psychology and early childhood education. For students who are interested in fire and emergency services, though, the most noteworthy program of study is the online Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Science

Coursework in New Jersey City University’s Fire Science Program

The Fire Science Department at New Jersey City University and its programs are accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC). Coursework in the Bachelor of Science in Fires Science program includes studies in subjects like the following:

• Introduction to fire science
• Problems in fire engineering
• Introduction to ladder company operations
• Introduction to engine company operations
• Fire officer company management
• Emergency personnel fitness
• Fire prevention & related codes
• Fire detection & suppression systems
• Fire department organization & administration
• Firefighting strategies
• Firefighting tactics 
• Hydraulic technology
• Fire investigation & arson
• General fire insurance
• Building construction 
• Hazardous materials
• Transportation & industrial fire hazards

Through this program, students prepare for roles that range from firefighters to fire investigators, code enforcers and jobs in the fire protection systems industry.

View program details.

4. Columbia Southern University

Another of the best online fire science degree programs can be found at Columbia Southern University. This private, for-profit higher learning institution is an online college that is headquartered in Orange Beach, Alabama.

Why Study Fire Science at Columbia Southern University

At Columbia Southern University, online programs aren’t an afterthought. The was founded in 1993 for the purpose of educating adult learners through convenient and affordable online education. Over the school’s 30-year history, it has educationed upwards of 60,000 students and awarded more than 100,000 degrees. Today, Columbia Southern University employs 1,000 faculty and staff and educates nearly 16,000 students.

Columbia Southern University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The school is also a member of the American Council and Education and has historically been accredited by the Distance Education Accreditation Commission. To keep improving the quality of the online education it offers, Columbia Southern University is taking steps to implement Quality Matters (QM) standards into its programs.

With nearly 100 active online degree programs and more than 450 online courses available, online learners at Columbia Southern University have plenty of academic options. Programs of study include associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctorates and certificates. One of these programs is the Bachelor of Science in Fire Administration.

Coursework in Columbia Southern University’s Fire Administration Program

Columbia Southern University’s fire science bachelor’s degree is a 120-credit undergraduate program recognized by FESHE. Students in this program can acquire the expertise required to become firefighters. The program’s comprehensive curriculum covers fire protection and fire prevention strategies. The 36 semester hours of fire science major coursework includes studies in the following areas:

• Principles of fire and emergency services
• Principles of fire and emergency services safety and survival
• Introduction to fire prevention
• Fire behavior and combustion
• Fire prevention organization and management
• Fire protection structure and systems
• Community risk reduction for the fire and emergency services
• Fire and emergency services administration
• Fire service personnel management
• Political and legal foundations of fire protection
• Building construction for fire protection
• Applications in fire research

Students also devote 12 semester hours to program elective courses. Options for these courses include the following:

• Fire dynamics
• Human behavior in fire
• Fire protection and code enforcement
• Analytical approaches to public fire protection
• Fire protection hydraulics and water supply
• Fire ground tactics
• Management of incident command systems
• Terrorism incident management and emergency procedures
• Legal aspects of emergency services

Southern Columbia University also offers a Master of Science degree in Fire Executive Leadership. This program allows students to choose one of four concentration areas:

• Emergency Services Management.
• Occupational Safety and Health
• Public Administration
• Human Resource Management

This program emphasizes decision-making and managerial skills for working in the field of fire science and protection.

View program details.

5. University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh also offers a great online fire science bachelor’s degree program. This public institution of higher learning dates back to 1871.

Why Study Fire Science at the Univesity of Wisconsin

At this school, the students – of which there are well over 12,000 – can choose from close to 200 programs of study. The degrees at the bachelor’s master’s and doctoral levels of study. The University of Wisconsin also offers more than 30 online programs of study.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh on its lists of national universities, top public schools and top performers on social mobility.

The University of Wisconsin is best known for its programs of study in biology, nursing and elementary education. It also is home to an excellent fire science degree for online students.  

Coursework in the University of Wisconsin’s Fire and Emergency Response Management Program

The online program in fire science at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is known as a Bachelor of Applied Studies degree. The major’s official title is Fire and Emergency Response Management, or FERM. The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s curriculum is both FESHE-recognized and accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress.

Core coursework for the program as a whole includes:

• Intro to public administration
• Intro to leadership
• Critical thinking and writing
• Fire & emergency services leadership
• Public personnel administration
• Services personnel
• Mentoring for emergency
• Budgeting for managers
• Conflict resolution for the emergency services
• Administrative law
• Government and economy
• Applied research in emergency management

Students who choose the Fire Service Management Emphasis take classes such as:

• Management of emergency services
• Fire prevention organization and management
• Community risk reduction for fire & emergency services
• Occupational safety and health in emergency services
• Intercultural communication

Learning outcomes of completing this program include the ability to apply theoretical leadership concepts to real-world fire services management, utilize systematic planning in emergency response management, understand the natural science behind fire response and approach fire and emergency practice from the diverse perspectives of fire.

View program details.

6. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is another school that offers a great fire science bachelor degree online. UNC Charlotte is a public university established in 1946.

Why Study Fire Science at the University of North Carolina

UNC Charlotte isn’t only the third largest university located in North Carolina. The school also bills itself as the fastest-growing college in the state. The total enrollment in Fall 2021 amounted to over 30,000, including more than 6,000 graduate students.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked the University of North Carolina at Charlotte on college rankings lists including national universities, best value schools, top public schools and best colleges for veterans.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte encompasses seven academic colleges, plus a Graduate School and an Interdisciplinary Studies division. The academic colleges at UNC Charlotte include:

• Belk College of Business
• Cato College of Education
• College of Arts + Architecture
• College of Computing & Informatics
• College of Health & Human Services
• College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
• The William States Lee College of Engineering

All told, there are over 170 bachelor’s degree programs of study and more than 150 graduate programs at UNC Charlotte. The online division of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, UNC Charlotte Online, is where working professionals study through the School of Professional Studies. Students can choose from more than 50 online programs of study, including the Bachelor of Science in Fire & Safety Engineering Technology degree.

Coursework in UNC-Charlotte’s Fire Safety Engineering Technology Program

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s online undergraduate degree in fire services focuses on engineering technology, particularly as it pertains to fire safety. As such, this program is as well suited for students interested in roles like fire inspector, fire prevention officer, building code official and corporate safety specialist as it is for aspiring firefighters.

Coursework in the program includes the following areas of study:

• Fire dynamics
• Active fire protection
• Fire safety in the built environment
• Risk management
• Electronic circuits and devices
• Industrial hazards & electricity
• Industrial hygiene
• Environmental pollution control
• Advanced fire service administration
• Command and control of major disasters
• Engineering economics
• Research investigation
• Adult learning theory in safety
• Fire and safety capstone

This fully online program of study is a degree completion program. The 61-credit curriculum is designed to build upon an Associate of Applied Science degree in fire science, fire protection or a related program of study.

RELATED: What is the Difference in a Fire Science vs. Fire Protection Engineering Degree?

UNC Charlotte also offers an online professional development certificate program known as Fire & Rescue Management Institute. This program is intended for established fire and rescue personnel. The curriculum covers a variety of aspects of professional development, including leadership, communication, strategic planning and team building.

View program details.

7. Colorado State University, Fort Collins

Next on our list of the top online fire degrees is Colorado State University, Fort Collins.

Why Study Fire Science at Colorado State University

Colorado State University, Fort Collins is a public institution founded in 1870.  This Tier 1 Research institution is celebrated as one of the best research universities in the nation. Students and faculty at Colorado State University work hand-in-hand to explore infectious illnesses, innovations in environmental science, mysteries of atmospheric science, and breakthroughs in clean energy technologies. The school also reports an 85% job placement rate within six months of graduation.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked Colorado State University among the top public schools, best value schools, national universities and best colleges for veterans.

Colorado State University educates more than 33,400 students, and its faculty is growing to match. The school is home to eight colleges Students can choose from close to 300 academic programs. CSU Online, the college’s distance learning division, offers bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees and doctoral degrees in the following fields:

• Agricultural sciences
• Arts and music
• Busienss and communications
• Computer science and technology
• Education
• Engineering
• Government studies
• Health, biology and social sciences
• Natural resources management and tourism
• social work
• Student affairs
• Exploratory studies

 The Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Services Administration at Colorado State University is part of the Natural Resources Management and Tourism area of study.

Coursework in Colorado State University’s Fire & Emergency Services Administration Program

Working professionals with prior college credits to transfer and a background in fire and emergency services can complete the bachelor’s program in fire and emergency administration at Colorado State University in as little as two years.

The core curriculum for this program consists of 37 credits of coursework in areas like the following:

• Fire emergency services administration
• Essentials of emergency management
• Fire service leadership
• Trends in fire science technology
• Structure influence on tactics and strategy
• Proposals/reports in fire service management
• Human resources for fire and emergency
• Fire and emergency services budgeting
• Legal considerations in fire and emergency

Students also complete elective coursework in areas such as:

• Industrial process and fire protection
• Fire protection through model building codes
• Emergency medical service management
• Indident command system s
• Prevention program management
• Policy and public administration
• Training management program

Students in the program learn to successfully apply the academic knowledge they gain to managerial and administrative roles in fire and emergency. In doing so, they not only develop the skills to improve their career in their current workplace settings but also prepare for future career advancement.

View program details.

8. The University of Nebraska at Omaha

Another institution to consider for a fire science degree is the University of Nebraska at Omaha. This school’s interesting history dates back to 1908. Although the University of Omaha was initially a private school, the college was made a public institution – which it remains today – in 1930.

Why Study Fire Science at the University of Nebraska at Omaha

More than 15,000 students are enrolled at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. To teach and serve these students, the school employs nearly 2,100 faculty and staff.

The University of Nebraska at Omaha has been recognized with the Carnegie Foundation’s Elective Classification for Community Engagement. The school is home to six colleges:

• College of Arts and Sciences
• College of Business Administration
• College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media
• College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
• College of Information Science & Technology
• College of Public Affairs and Community Service

the school offers more than 60 online undergraduate degree, graduate degree and certificate programs. One such program is the Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management with a Concentration in Fire Service Management.

Coursework in the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Emergency Management Program

The University of Nebraska at Omaha’s fire science online program is technically a degree in emergency management. Fire Service Management is one of more than a dozen areas of concentration students can pursue within this online program.

The core curriculum for the emergency management degree includes coursework in the following areas:

• Introduction to emergency management
• Introduction to public administration
• Emergency management strategies and communication
• Disaster response and recovery
• Preparedness/planning and risk mitigation
• Agency collaboration during disasters
• Political and legal foundations in emergency services
• Applied statistics and data processing in the public sector
• Internship in emergency management
• Capstone project in emergency management

Students in the Fire Service Management Concentration take the following classes:

• Fire prevention, organization, and management
• Fire and emergency services administration
• Strategies and tactics in fire and emergency services
• Analytical approaches to public fire protection
• Codes and inspections

Students in the emergency management degree program at the University of Nebraska Omaha complete two separate 15-credit concentrations, amounting to 30 total l credits of concentration coursework. Among the secondary concentration options students may wish to pair with their fire services coursework are Natural Disasters, Public Administration and Management, Planning and Preparing for Urban Hazards and Nonprofit Management.

Students must earn120 credits to graduate with their emergency management degree from the University of Nebraska Omaha. 

View program details.

9. American Public University System

If you’re not opposed to earning your fire science degree online from a for-profit institution, turn your attention to American Public University. The American Public University System is a private online system that is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Why Study Fire Science at American Public University

In addition to housing American Public University and its fire science degree program, the American Public University System also encompasses the American Military University. The parent company behind the American Public University System is a private-sector organization called American Public Education, Inc.

The American Public University System is best known for offering programs in areas like business, homeland security and disaster management and liberal arts and humanities. Currently, the American Public University System teaches 89,291 students and employs more than 1,600 faculty members. The school offers more than 270 academic programs, including certificate, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and doctoral programs. These programs are offered out of the following academic schools within the American Public University System:

• Dr. Wallace E. Boston School of Business
• School of Arts, Humanities & Education
• School of Health Sciences
• School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM)
• School of Security & Global Studies

APUS offers an online Bachelor of Science in Fire Science Management program is offered through

Coursework in American Public University’s Fire Science Management Program

Students pursuing online fire science degrees from American Public University complete 66 semester hours of required courses for the major. Subjects of required study include:

• Fire behavior and combustion
• Fire dynamics
• Fire prevention
• Principles of fire and emergency services safety and survival
• Fundamentals of fire protection
• Fire protection systems
• Fire protection hydraulics and water supply
• Fire protection structure and system design
• Fire protection in building construction
• Community risk reduction for the fire and emergency services
• Community fire mitigation and protection
• Emergency planning
• Emergency and disaster incident command
• Managerial issues in hazardous materials
• Fire administration and finance
• Fire regulation, policy, and law
• Fire safety and risk regulation
• Incendiary fire analysis and investigation
• Applications of fire research
• Psychology of disaster

The curriculum of this program introduces students to students fire suppression methods, safety, protection and fire prevention as well as firefighting leadership and management. American Public University ystemsS’s bachelor’s degree in fire sciences and management is accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress.

View program details.

10. Anna Maria College

Completing our list of the best fire science schools at the bachelor’s level is Anna Maria College in Paxton, Massachusetts.

Why Study Fire Science at Anna Maria College

Anna Maria College is a private, nonprofit Catholic college founded in 1946. Its 260-acre campus is less than an hour from Boston. The school is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

U.S. News & World Report has included Anna Maria College on its lists of the top regional universities in the North and top performers on social mobility.

for the most recent year for which Anna Maria College currently has data available (2019), total enrollment amounted to more than 1,400. Online students accounted for nearly one-quarter of the total student population (175 undergraduate and 177 graduate students).

At Anna Maria College, 99% of students receive some form of financial aid. That’s a big consideration for prospective students who are on a budget, especially since not all roles in the fire protection services are well paid.

The institution offers undergraduate programs of study in more than 30 areas, as well as graduate degrees and certificates. Among the online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs available online from Anna Maria College is a Bachelor of Science in Fire Science program.

Coursework in Anna Maria College’s Fire Science Program

If you want to ascend to roles like fire investigator, fire chief or fire marshal, Anna Maria College’s fire science degree may be for you. The FESHE-recognized curriculum encompasses 60 credits of coursework.

Required courses for the online fire science program include studies in areas such as:

• Fire behavior and combustion
• Fundamentals of fire prevention
• Principles of emergency services
• Fire protection systems
• Building construction for fire protection
• Fire protection hydraulics & water supply
• Analytical approaches to public fire protection
• Applications for fire research
• Fire service ethics

Students also take six elective courses, seminar courses, an optional internship course and courses that meet college-wide requirements in areas like writing and quantitative reasoning. Together, this requirement adds up to 20 total courses.

Anna Maria College’s online program is intended as a bachelor’s degree completion program. Applicants should have either an associate degree or 60 credits of prior college coursework. Professional work experience and certification in roles like Fire Officer I is also valuable.

Prospective students who want to take their education even further may be interested in Anna Maria College’s fast-track Master of Public Administration program. Under this program, students in their final year of the bachelor’s degree program take some graduate-level courses that apply to both their bachelor’s and master’s programs. This allows them to complete the MPA curriculum in just one additional year of study instead of two. The Master of Public Administration program with a Fire and Emergency Services Specialization includes studies in labor-management relations, policy and strategy and customer service in addition to public policy, strategic planning and executive leadership.

View program details.

The post The 10 Best Online Fire Science Degree Bachelor’s Programs appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

What is perhaps most meaningful about this avenue of societal improvement today is that education is no longer limited to the classroom. Students can now earn bachelor’s degrees online and entirely from the comfort of their own home. 

Career paths available to educators have also multiplied over the years, as many industries now employ education professionals in a variety of workplace stratifications to accomplish incredibly diverse tasks depending on their position–some of which are positions that simply did not exist even a decade ago. 

A Degree in Education is a Degree in Versatility

For example, earning a Bachelor’s of Education might lead into a number of different careers such as that of a guidance counselor, a corporate policy education specialist working in a human resources department, or even that of an industry-specific education consultant within the sphere of politics. What is most important to grasp about a degree in education is that it is versatile and can find value within any industry where the exchange of valuable information is streamlined in education.

Put simply, if something can be learned and if there is tangible benefit to that learning, then there is a market for an education professional within that field. The question then becomes, how do you best prepare for a career within your chosen field of specialization? 

Methodology for Ranking Best Undergraduate Education Degrees

To help you choose the best undergraduate bachelor’s degree we have scoured the internet and the hundreds of options therein. To narrow the list from hundreds of options to twenty we structured this ranking according to the following metrics:

• Online Degrees 

Sometimes a traditional degree program presents too many hindrances–in the form of physical location requirements and demanding class schedules. These hindrances are often enough to deter individuals looking to earn a bachelor’s later in life, or those who wish to earn a degree amidst demanding responsibilities in life. With this in mind, we have limited this ranking to online programs which should be most accessible to the largest number of prospective students. 

• Number of Options 

As mentioned above, much of the incredible value of a degree in education is that it can take you almost anywhere. But what this means for students is that they must be able to find a program tailored to where they want to go professionally. With this in mind, we have structured this ranking to direct students towards programs with the most robust offerings in education.  

• Reputation 

Reputation has always been a determining factor in the perceived value of an education. For education professionals this is all the more important, so that future employers and partners will see you as qualified to provide an education for others. With this in mind, we have only ranked schools on this list with stellar national reputations. 

20 Best Online Bachelor’s in Education

1. Valley City State University

Recognized as one of America’s best college for 23 consecutive years by U.S. News, VCSU takes the number one spot for a multitude of reasons. Founded in 1890 as a “normal school” or a teacher’s college, VCSU has become one of the most reputable and respected producers of educators in the country. 

But what really makes VCSU stand out within the context of this ranking is that it has so readily adopted online learning, particularly in undergraduate education. At VCSU you can earn an online Bachelor’s of Education in any of the following seven specializations: business education, career and technical education, elementary education, english education, history education, social science education, and technology education.

This means that VCSU is not only a great destination for students looking to move into traditional careers in k-12 education but also for students interested in more modern paths in technology and business. Further adding to the value of VCSU’s education programs is the robust online graduate programs available as well–meaning students can easily transition from undergraduate to graduate studies entirely from the comfort of home. 

Click here for more info. 

2. Wilmington University

WilmU is one of the rare examples of a school that is able to achieve the size and infrastructure of a larger state school while still maintaining focus on delivering resources to individual students, which is an intimacy more commonly associated with private schools. This is most apparent in the University’s student-to-faculty ratio of 1:17 that is upheld despite the growing size of the student body, which currently sits above 20,000. 

Prospective students of education will be pleased to learn that WilmU is a well-respected destination for all levels of education in K-12. Where WilmU really steps up its offering for these students however, is in its offered specializations within this focus. While many comparable programs would divert resources to create specializations outside the K-12 focus, WilmU doubles down on this focus to allow K-12 educators to become the best at their chosen area of speciality. As such students can pursue any of the following Bachelor’s of Education:

• BS in Early Child Education (preschool)
• BS in Elementary Education (K-6)
• BS in Middle Level Education (6-8)
• BS in Skilled and Technical Sciences 

Click here for more info. 

3. Athens State University

Athens State’s mission is to deliver on its core mantra of “friendly, affordable, and convenient” education. While certainly smaller than many schools on this list–enrolling only about 3,000 students each semester–Athens State University differentiates itself by offering a level of individualized care and support for its students that smaller schools are so often hailed for, which means that despite its smaller size undergraduate students have numerous options in specializing in different fields of education. 

Students have a wealth of fully online bachelor’s of education programs available to them and can choose from the following options: 

• Career and Technical Education
• Educational Studies
• Technical Education: Early Instructor 
• Technical Education: Instructional Design 
• Technical Education: Military Instructor 
• Technical Education: Post-Secondary Instructor 
• Technical Education: Secondary Instructor 

Click here for more info. 

4. Mayville State University

MSU is a school that commits itself to developing students into leaders, a commitment that is all the more important for educators who are implicitly required to lead those who they teach in the classroom. Moreover MSU offers a wealth of fully online and distance-learning bachelor’s degrees to make its programs that much more accessible. 

What makes MSU stand out even more is that its online education programs receive praise and recognition year after year. As a school that jumped on the opportunities of online education many years ago, MSU has had more time than many schools to refine and polish its online offerings. Prospective students can pursue any of the following online undergraduate education programs: 

•  B.A. in Early Childhood 
• B.S.ED. in Early Childhood Education 
• A.A. of Early Childhood
• B.S.ED. in Mathematics Education
• B.S.ED. in Special Education 
• Undergraduate Certificate in Online Digital Teaching

Click here for more info. 

5. University of Missouri

Mizzou is a school that stays ahead of the curve, which is most clearly demonstrated in its handling of online education. Today Mizzou Online offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate degrees, which are delivered with the same commitment to academic rigor and merit that has made Mizzou a distinguished leader of higher education for decades. 

For prospective students of education, Mizzou Online offers a Bachelor of Educational Studies (BES) with an interdepartmental focus. What this means is that while some comparable programs approach education by offering separate and highly specialized programs, Mizzou doubles down on fundamentals, theories, and industry research so that graduates of this one program will be qualified to pursue their own unique career paths. 

Click here for more info. 

6. St. Petersburg College

SPC is known for its top-tier education programs, which deliver such quality that their graduates are offered many benefits right out of the gate including paid internships and a guaranteed job offer within the local school district. SPC employs a combination of highly specialized course curriculum and more generalized theory and elementary education philosophy. 

As such, graduates of these programs will demonstrate both specialized skills in their chosen area of focus and the meta-theory which is crucial in a versatile career in elementary education that might take many different forms. Specifically, the elementary education program consists of two different degree paths, a B.S. in Elementary Education, and an Elite Educator program as a more competitive B.S. in Elementary Education. 

Click here for more info. 

7. University of Cincinnati

UC’s College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) offers a host of well-rounded degree programs consisting of both traditional degree programs and fully online alternatives. The CECH operates according to its five central values of innovation, partnership, diversity, leadership, and support. What differentiates UC’s CECH from comparable schools is its commitment to community engagement and activism, that is, even online students will see opportunities fostered by CECH’s outreach program. 

Prospective education students will want to check out the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Bachelor’s program. Students will learn to master the fundamentals of working with young children from the point of birth to age five, and as such will be prepared to work in a variety of positions upon graduation. 

Click here for more info. 

8. University of Alabama

Even if you’re not a ‘Bama football fan you have probably heard of the University of Alabama. And if you haven’t heard of it, its most distinguishing characteristic is its reputation. Alabama is consistently recognized as one of the best places to earn a degree in the Southeastern United States, and over the past ten years has broadened its accessibility to all students who access to the internet through the Bama by Distance initiative. 

The College of Continuing Education offers a fully online Bachelor’s of Early Childhood Education. Course curriculum is designed to prepare students to work with children from birth to age eight, in order to guide, teach, and develop these children into bright and well-functioning adolescents. While many programs constrict early childhood education to a cutt-off at age 5, this program gives professionals more leeway to work with a wider age range (up to 8 years old).

Click here for more info.

9. Ball State University

BSU has demonstrated its academic excellence year after year which can be measured in its countless awards and rankings. What is most notable about BSU’s accolades is that they tell a pretty clear story: BSU is one of the best options for earning a Bachelor’s degree online, particularly in education. Both the online Bachelor’s and online Master’s of education programs consistently rank among the nations best each year. 

Prospective undergraduate students will be able to earn a fully online Bachelor’s of Early Childhood Education (ECE). The focus of the curriculum is aimed at working with children from birth to age 5. The program is delivered by award-winning faculty with impressively competitive tuition pricing, making it an excellent option for anyone interested in an ECE career.  

Click here for more info. 

10. University of Wisconsin-Stout

UW Stout employs a philosophy of education which seemingly rests on a core pillar of flexibility in delivering academic excellence. In other words, UW Stout distinguishes itself from its many competitors through the amount of sheer choice offered in its available program paths. Students can choose to earn a reputable degree in a traditional format in the classroom, or online, or in a hybrid combination of the two. Furthermore, classes can be taken fulltime or part-time, so there is a program to fit virtually any lifestyle. 

Prospective students interested in becoming educators have a number of options to choose from–some of which offer all three formats of traditional, online, or hybrid. While some are limited to online, none are limited to traditional, meaning you can enroll in any of the following programs while living anywhere in the country: 

• B.S. in Career and Technical Education and Training
• B.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences Education
• B.S. in Marketing and Business Education 
• B.S. in Special Education 
• B.S. in Technology Education 

Click here for more info.

11. University of Arkansas at Little Rock

UA Little Rock is a research university that employs curriculum built around two central tenets–real world experience and critical thinking. For this reason, degree programs at UA Little Rock are exceedingly well-known for creating excellent professionals in various fields and industries. 

Of note to this ranking is its recent dedication to developing distance learning programs, which are designed to offer all of the academic rigor and career-focused philosophy of its in-classroom programs without the inconvenience. UA Little Rock offers two main undergraduate education programs that can be completed entirely online. These include a B.S. of Health Promotion and Education, and a B.S.E. in Middle Level Education. 

Click here for more info.

12. University of Southern Mississippi

USM offers a surprisingly diverse host of online degree programs, both at the undergraduate and graduate level with a number of additional certificate programs available as well. It should be made note of that while there is an online undergraduate program in education, the large majority of USM’s online degree offerings are graduate programs.

What’s great about this is that graduate-education-minded students can enroll in the undergraduate program in order to benefit from a seamless transition into their graduate studies. And even if this is not your plan, the online B.S. of Elementary Education stands on its own merit. What distinguishes this program is that it delivers a curriculum specialized for teacher’s assistants, so that students can get into a classroom and in front of students as efficiently as possible. 

Click here for more info. 

13. University of Wisconsin-Superior

Founded in 1893 as a “normal school” or teacher’s college, UW Superior has built a tradition of academic achievement in its students and professional success in its graduates who go on to become teachers. Given the success of its traditional programs, it should be no surprise that its online degree program expansions have been met with similar praise. 

Around 90% of graduates from these programs find employment as PK-12 educators, while others go on to pursue graduate education or to work in the private sector. The three primary online undergraduate degree paths are as follows: 

• Elementary Education (k-9)
• Early Childhood Education 
• Special Education 

Click here for more info. 

14. Western Governors University

WGU Tennessee represents a partnership between WGU and the state of Tennessee that was built on the promise of connecting distance learning technology with top-tier education in order to give students more ways to jumpstart their careers efficiently and affordably. WGU’s education program leads the nation in producing STEM teachers, which are often the most demanding teaching positions. 

The main online undergraduate program in education is offered in the form of a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. While some programs only prepare students for pursuing licensure within the state of the parent-program, WGU’s B.A. in Elementary Education is designed to prepare graduates for earning licensure in all 50 states. 

Click here for more info. 

15. Western New Mexico University

WNMU offers a variety of online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. What really sets it apart though is its exemplary commitment to supporting online education. This commitment is demonstrated most clearly in the following features: 24/7 technical support, 24/7 online tutoring, and fully online student advisors provided to each student. WNMU is combining all the technology and digital functionalities of the modern age to bring online education to the next level. 

WNMU further distinguishes itself by not only offering highly supported online degree programs, but also by offering programs in a diverse range of subjects. Students interested in an online Bachelor’s of Education will be able to choose from any of the following options:

• Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education 
• Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education 
• Bachelor of Mathematics Education 
• Baccalaureate in Secondary Education 
• Bachelor of Science in Special Education 

Click here for more info. 

16. Granite State College

Despite its relatively recent inception, GSC has carved out an excellent reputation for its online education programs. GSC was founded on the idea of providing top-tier affordable degree programs for adult learners. This means that GSC offers a remarkable number of student-friendly policies such as a flexible credit-transfer system, flexible course formats, and competency-based testing. 

In the case of the education student, all of these systems and policies are designed to get the student into the classroom as a professional educator as quickly as possible. GSU accomplishes this fast-paced education without sacrificing quality by focusing on specific areas of study within k-12 education. Students interested in a career-focused and fast-paced undergraduate program in education can pursue any of the following options: 

• Bachelor of Science in Applied Studies – Education and Training 
• Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
• Bachelor of Arts in English Language Arts 
• Bachelor of Arts in Math Studies 
• Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies 

Click here for more info. 

17. North Carolina A & T State University

NC A&T University recently celebrated its 129th anniversary in higher education. NC A&T has used each of those years to build toward realizing a single mission–that is, offering quality education that uses state of the art technology. This mission is finally being realized due to the University’s recent expansion into online education. NC A&T offers relatively few degree programs and certificates as compared to many of its counterparts, however this limited focus represents a strategic commitment of resources to ensure its fewer programs have the highest quality. 

Specifically within the education, NC A&T offers a degree specialization which is relatively rare, a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education. While this specialization will be of niche interest, the program’s curriculum is delivered by some of the country’s top agriculture education researchers, and as such represents one of the best options for those interested in building a career in this area. 

Click here for more info. 

18. Fort Hays State University

Over one hundred years ago, FHSU began by helping rural teachers with the professional development they needed to increase the expansion of education in areas that needed it. Today FHSU is carrying forward that history by offering both affordable and efficient education available to prospective teachers at the graduate and undergraduate level. One distinguishing factor of FHSU is that it displays a sincere dedication to providing top of the line education technology, so distance learning students can expect the industry’s best. 

FHSU offers undergraduate education programs focused on cultivating expertise in prospective teachers of k-12 with each degree path representing an area of  focus. These areas of focus are delivered in these Bachelors of Science in Education: 

• Early Child Unified 
• Elementary Education (K-6)
• Elementary Education (K-6 / Special Education)
• Secondary Education

Click here for more info. 

19. University of the Cumberlands

With a rich history dating back to 1913, the University of the Cumberlands offers students a number of reasons to consider pursuing one of its degrees. A reputation for stellar education programs and academic excellence in its students has driven a widely held respect for the University of the Cumberlands. Among its alumni are university presidents, five military generals, judges, and many more professionals of outstanding character and achievement. 

In the case of its program for education, the undergraduate degree on offer is a fully online Elementary Education degree. While some comparable programs break up the areas of focus within elementary education into separate degree paths, the University of the Cumberlands offers one degree with several options for teaching specializations such as the following: 

• English/Communications
• Interdisciplinary
• Social and Behavioral Studies
• Special Education

Click here for more info. 

20. Southern Utah University

SUU positions itself with a passionate stance in its education philosophy in educating the future generations of teachers. That is, SUU is staunchly opposed to social injustice within the realm of the education system, and as such prospective students can expect curriculum to incorporate techniques, strategies, and histories relevant to combatting and correcting such injustice. 

Specifically, this philosophy is incorporated in a fully online Bachelor’s of Elementary Education. This program is designed to prepare graduates for teaching K-8 within the school system of their desired locale. It should be noted that applicants will need to be endorsed by the applicant’s local k-6 school that will allow the applicant to complete practicum assignments specific to that school–since the SUU Elementary Education program was originally designed specifically for the Utah school system. 

Click here for more info. 

For Further Reading: 

Top 10 Graduate Degree Programs in Criminal Justice

The post The 20 Best Online Bachelor’s in Education Degrees appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.