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.

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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 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.

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.

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.

How to Evaluate a College’s Hospitality and Hotel Management Program

To select the best hospitality or hotel management program, research the program’s accreditation and credentials, specialized curriculum and course offerings, and industry-experienced faculty. You should also scrutinize the quality of facilities and partnerships, career-focused student organizations and support services, the availability of internships and externships, and overall costs and expenses.

A college’s hotel management and hospitality program should possess a blend of academic excellence and real-world experience. Here’s how you can guarantee a robust curriculum and strong industry connections that can set you up for leadership roles in the field.

1. Check for Accreditation and Credentials

Accreditation is the hallmark of excellence for hospitality and hotel management programs. Selecting an accredited program ensures the education meets industry standards and fosters trust among future employers.

Recognized Accrediting Bodies

When evaluating hospitality programs, verifying the accrediting body is crucial. The following are respected organizations in the field:

• ACPHA (Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration)
• CHEA-approved regional bodies like the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)

Program Accreditation Status

Verifying this status is a non-negotiable step in choosing a reputable hotel management and hospitality program.

• Visit the program’s official website; they should prominently display their accreditation.
• Check the accreditor’s website to confirm the program’s current status.

2. Review the Curriculum and Specializations

Whenever we help incoming first-year students choose a hospitality or hotel management course, we emphasize the importance of comparing curriculum and specializations.

Core Curriculum Overview

We recommend scrutinizing a program’s core curriculum to ensure it delivers comprehensive knowledge in critical areas of hospitality. The core should typically include:

• Hotel operations: A deep dive into front and back-office operations.
• Customer service: Training in guest relations and customer satisfaction.
• Business management: Foundational business principles applied to hospitality.

Specialization Options

Specialization options let you customize your education according to your interests and career goals. Check if the program offers areas such as:

• Event planning: Focus on logistics and management of various events.
• Food and beverage management: Insights into managing F&B services.
• Tourism management: Education on travel industry dynamics and management practices.

Industry Relevance

We give importance to how well the curriculum aligns with industry skillset expectations. Effective programs should:

• Bridge theory and practice: Ensure practical application of learned concepts through internships.
• Monitor trends: Regularly update the curriculum to reflect the evolving nature of the hospitality industry.
• Engage with professionals: Invite industry leaders to share real-world insights with students.

3. Inquire About Faculty Expertise and Industry Experience

Look closely at the faculty credentials. It’s crucial for instructors to possess academic prowess and significant industry experience.

This combination assures that the course content is theoretically sound and practically relevant. To gauge the depth of expertise, prospective students should consider:

• Academic qualifications and teaching experience
• Professional background in hospitality sectors
• Contributions to industry publications or conferences
• Experience in various hospitality roles enriches teaching
• Direct industry insights provide real-world learning opportunities
• Industry connections can aid in student placements

4. Inspect the Facilities and Amenities

Pay close attention to the quality and variety of facilities and amenities available. These are vital features, as they contribute directly to the practical learning experience of students.

Off-Campus Resources

Look for connections with local hotels and event spaces that provide students with real-world experiences. Here’s what to look for:

• Partnerships with local hotels: Opportunities for internships or hands-on training.
• Event collaboration: Working with local businesses on actual events to learn beyond the classroom.

On-Campus Resources

The on-campus resources of a program often give me insights into the commitment a college has toward hospitality education. Significant on-campus amenities include:

• Dedicated learning facilities: Modern classrooms and computer labs with industry-specific software.
• Practical laboratories: Fully operational mock hotel rooms or on-site restaurants for applied learning.

5. Look for College Organizations and Extracurricular Activities

Among the key elements to consider in evaluating hotel and hospitality programs is the range of college organizations and extracurricular activities. These groups can be pivotal in providing hands-on experience, networking opportunities, and personality traits you need in the hospitality sector.

• Student-run restaurants or hotels: These facilities give students the invaluable experience of working in a real-world environment.
• Hospitality-focused fraternities or sororities: These organizations can facilitate industry connections and foster camaraderie among students.
• Event planning committees: Helping to organize campus events can offer essential organizational and execution experience.

6. Determine Externships and Career Services

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 15 million people work in the hospitality industry in the United States as of December 2021. Checking the practical experiences and career support from a college program can give you a head start in this highly competitive industry.

• Quality of externship programs: We suggest looking for programs that align with your career ambitions. See if the college has partnerships with reputable hotels and hospitality businesses. Lastly, get feedback from former students about their experiences.
• Career placement success rate: When evaluating the efficacy of a college’s program post-graduation, we focus on the program’s historical placement rates. Know if there are strong network connections within the industry. It also helps if there are dedicated career services to assist you with job searches and interview preparation.

7. Compare Costs and Expenses

For general hospitality management programs, the median tuition cost at in-state public colleges is around $6,700, whereas fees may reach up to $30,700 at out-of-state private schools.

Tuition is the primary expense, although you should also account for costs in these aspects:

• Books
• Supplies
• Uniform
• Lab fees
• Housing
• Travel or transportation

Related Questions

How Do Hospitality and Hotel Management Programs Differ Between Colleges?

Hotel management and hospitality programs differ in curriculum focus, faculty experience, and hands-on training opportunities. Some colleges may emphasize practical skills in operational areas of hospitality. Meanwhile, others lean towards a more theoretical approach that includes business management components.

What Are the Top Factors That Define a Quality Hospitality and Hotel Management College?

A quality program typically stands out with accredited courses, strong industry connections, and a solid track record of graduate employment. Internship opportunities often distinguish a college’s commitment to immersive learning experiences.

Can You Pursue a Hospitality Management Degree Online and Receive the Same Quality Education as In-Person Programs?

You can receive a comparable education online, with many programs offering curricula that mirror their on-campus counterparts. Online programs provide flexibility while maintaining rigorous standards and providing interaction with industry-experienced faculty.

Conclusion

Understanding how to evaluate these programs properly can help you make informed decisions about your education. A robust program can set the stage for a successful and fulfilling career in the hospitality sector. With these tips, you’ll gain the knowledge, skills, and connections to launch a rewarding career in this exciting industry.

The post How to Evaluate a College’s Hospitality and Hotel Management Program appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

How Do You Choose the Easiest Bachelor’s Degree Online?

What makes a college degree program “easy”? Is the easiest bachelor’s degree online one that requires little in the way of mathematics skills? Is it one that won’t have you spending hours upon hours in a laboratory, painstakingly measuring variables and drafting lab reports? How about a degree that doesn’t require a whole lot of memorization, writing or outside-the-box thinking?

Defining Easy Bachelor Degrees

What is the easiest bachelor degree to get? The easiest bachelor’s degree may mean different things to different people.

RELATED: Which College Degree Is Easiest?

If you’re naturally great with numbers, it may be a blank page or an assignment to sketch out a design, rather than a complicated math formula, that makes your stomach clench. However, to many students, the majors that require a great deal of scientific and mathematic equations or high-tech computer knowledge are among the most difficult. Degree programs that require less science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) knowledge are often viewed as easier programs of study.

RELATED: What Distinguishes an Easy Bachelor’s Degree From a Difficult One?

What constitutes the easiest degree is somewhat subjective. To identify the easiest bachelor’s degrees, this article takes into account everything from the flexibility of the curriculum to graduating students’ GPAs.

No major is completely easy. Students – even those pursuing the easiest bachelor degree to get – should also be aware of the hardest parts of their programs of study.

Of course, when choosing a college degree to pursue, students need to consider the whole picture. That includes assessing their own interests, career aspirations and strengths and weaknesses.

Is Online Learning Easy?

It’s no coincidence that our list of the 20 easiest bachelor’s degree options focuses on online learning. Online degree programs tend to offer the most flexibility. They may also include fewer laboratory science courses.

That said, online programs aren’t necessarily easy. Most online degree programs require the same rigorous coursework as campus-based programs do. Online courses require a great deal of self-discipline, since you’re more likely to be working at your own pace.

RELATED: How Difficult Is It to Earn a Bachelor’s Degree Online?

Still, for students juggling work, family obligations or other responsibilities, an online degree may be the easiest degree to get. Online courses allow you to fit your studies into your schedule.

What Is the Easiest Bachelor’s Degree to Get Online?

We’ve put together a list of the 20 easy degrees undergraduate students can earn through online learning.

1. Liberal Arts

Perhaps the easiest degree to get is a liberal arts degree. A liberal arts or liberal studies college major equips students with a generalist education. When you study liberal arts, you’re cultivating a breadth of knowledge, rather than studying a single subject in great depth.

Students in a liberal studies degree program will take courses in a variety of fields, including the following, according to U.S. News & World Report:

• The humanities
• History
• Communications
• Composition
• Social science
• Physical and life sciences
• Mathematics

However, pursuing a liberal arts degree won’t spend the bulk of their college education studying complex and high-level scientific theories and mathematical formulas.

Some liberal arts courses are interdisciplinary. This means these courses combine components of multiple fields of study.

Throughout your studies in various disciplines, you will strengthen an array of versatile skills, such as:

• Critical thinking
• Communications
• Problem-solving
• Decision-making

RELATED: What Skills Do I Gain With Liberal Studies? 

The combination of these skills, plus your general college-level knowledge of a variety of subjects, can prepare you for countless possible career paths or fields of advanced study. As long as you meet the prerequisite course requirements, liberal arts majors can go on to earn an advanced degree in just about any subject. They may even pursue medical school or law school with undergraduate degrees in liberal arts.

RELATED: What Jobs Can I Get With a Liberal Arts Degree?

Coursework in Online Degrees in Liberal Arts

Liberal arts is one of the easiest online bachelor’s degrees you can attain because its generalist focus means that you won’t need to delve into the complexities of specialized knowledge in any one field. You will likely have to take at least some basic math and science courses. However, you won’t have to study these subjects at the advanced – and most difficult – levels.

In fact, because the courses you take in a liberal arts degree program are so general, your curriculum is likely to be much more flexible than many other degree programs. That means you have more freedom to choose your classes. You also don’t have to worry so much about sticking to a strict schedule to fit all of your required courses into four years of full-time study.

As a liberal arts major, you might take classes such as the following, according to U.S. News & World Report:

• Perspectives on social institutions
• The development of scientific ideas
• The fundamentals of speech
• Religious and ethical values
• Advanced composition
• Transformative leadership
• World views and values and perspectives on the humanities

Even a flexible liberal arts degree program still poses challenges. Most liberal studies degrees offered online require students to commit to a major or concentration of some kind. This means you will still need to learn more than just the fundamentals of at least one subject.

RELATED: The 20 Most Flexible Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs

Because your curriculum requires you to cultivate a breadth of knowledge, you need to be well-rounded. You can’t simply avoid the subjects that you are weakest in by studying your strongest subjects exclusively.

What Makes It Easy: Flexible curriculum and generalist focus

The Hardest Part: Performing well in every subject, developing strong “soft” skills

Career Opportunities: Sociologist, historian, economist, librarian, lawyer, real estate agent

2. Education

The next easiest bachelor degree to get online is a degree in education. You might consider studying education if you want to share the gift of knowledge.

Both CBS News and The Huffington Post have listed education as one of the easiest college degrees you can earn. One factor they consider is grades.

The easier the degree, the more likely a student is to attain good grades – or at least, that’s the idea behind the methodology. Education majors have the highest grades, according to CBS News. The education average GPA is 3.36. In comparison, the students with the lowest average GPA – 2.78 – are chemistry majors.

It’s possible that average GPA isn’t influenced only by the subject matter being easier. Students who major in teaching and learning happen to be good at the assignments and exams used to assess knowledge at the college level. Regardless, there’s a general bias that taking courses such as learning through play and creative activities for young children means that the curriculum is not as rigorous as other degrees. Students in other college majors often enviously give their peers who study education some grief over the time they spend creating classroom decorations or reading and reporting on children’s books.

Of course, life as an education major isn’t all fun and games. The student teaching requirement means you’ll basically spend a semester working full-time for free. At many schools, you’ll have to double major in another subject besides education. That means meeting all of the demands of both programs of study. There are also tests you need to take to attain a teaching license. Once you finally get started in your career, you’ll find that teaching a classroom full of high-energy children can be a demanding job.

Coursework for Online Degree Programs in Education

Students who major in education learn effective techniques for conveying academic information to audiences of different age groups. Studying strategies for managing a classroom is also important.

Typically, education majors have to choose an age group to focus on.

In an early childhood education degree program, you will study subjects such as typical and atypical child development, language development and learning through play, according to U.S. News & World Report. You will need to learn how to begin teaching very young children about the early stages of reading and writing as well as introducing them to subjects like science.

Majoring in elementary education means learning how to teach students in kindergarten through fifth grade. You will take courses in classroom management, educational psychology and instructional strategies for teaching various subjects at the elementary level.

In a secondary education degree program, you will learn more about adolescent development. Your college coursework will also cover teaching methods for more advanced subject matter that will prepare students for life after graduation.

All education majors have to gain hands-on student teaching work as part of their degree requirements.

What Makes It Easy: High grades on average, fun courses, creative projects

The Hardest Part: Hands-on student-teaching experience requirements, dual major requirements

Possible Career Paths: Preschool teacher, elementary school teacher, middle school teacher, high school teacher

3. English Literature

What makes English literature the next easiest bachelor degree online students could pursue? Like education, English is a degree program in which students usually earn a high GPA, CBS News reported. To many critics, though, the good grades of English majors are only one of the factors that make the program seem easy.

After all, if you’re a native English speaker, you’ve already spent most of your life using the English language. You speak and write in English on a daily basis without even thinking about it. However, majoring in English in college is very different from having a casual conversation or writing an informal note or email to an acquaintance.

Learning the complex rules of grammar and style can be challenging. Reading a lot of literature and literary analyses – and then writing your own analyses – takes up a lot of time. Writing essays, stories, poems and articles of your own requires a great deal of creativity.

Coursework in an Online Bachelor’s Degree in English Program

When you major in English, you’re going to do a lot of reading and writing. English degree programs typically include studies in areas like the following, according to U.S. News & World Report:

• The composition of different kinds of written texts
• The rhetoric used in crafting these texts
• Grammar and editing
• The analysis of literature

You’re likely to spend time reading, analyzing and writing about English literature ranging from ancient texts to modern bestsellers. You will study different kinds of writing, including:

• Creative writing
• Persuasive writing
• Expository writing

In your literature classes, you will learn about literary theories and techniques of literary criticism. You should expect to read and analyze classic British and American literature. Works by Walt Whitman and William Shakespeare are common examples. Students who major in English literature should be prepared to take a foreign language and a variety of liberal arts courses to fulfill general education degree requirements.

What Makes It Easy: High grades on average, years of experience speaking and writing English before you start college

The Hardest Part: Reading and analyzing complex works of literature

Career Opportunities: Author, journalist, editor, publishing house executive or assistant, public relations specialist, marketer, lawyer

 4. Foreign Language

College is a great time to learn a new language. However, choosing a foreign language degree program as your college major lands your program of study on the easiest degrees list.

College students who major in a foreign language graduated with a high average GPA of 3.34, according to CBS News. This puts them second only to education majors.

The Huffington Post, too, listed language as one of the easiest degree programs. The reason for this decision is because success in this field relies heavily on mere memorization.

It may be easy to memorize key words and phrases. However, it takes much more time and effort to truly become fluent in a language. Some people seem to pick up new languages naturally, but for most people, it requires work and practice.

Knowing more than one language has its benefits. In fact, Inside Higher Ed argued that studying a foreign language should be mandatory for all students, regardless of their selected program of study.

Overall enrollment in foreign language courses has dropped in recent years. This suggests that students from other majors don’t think that it’s particularly easy to learn a new language. Rather, devoting four years of study to learning a language seems easier than spending that time learning complicated concepts in more specialized fields of study.

Coursework in Online Degree Programs in Foreign Languages

In a foreign language program, you’ll learn to compose in, translate and converse in your new language. You will memorize words and learn the grammar and style rules of a foreign language. However, you won’t just study how to conjugate verbs and decline nouns.

Learning about the culture associated with the language is just as important as learning how to speak, read and write in a foreign language. You may use the language that you learn only occasionally, when you interact with native speakers of that language or visit its country of origin. Your understanding different cultures is a skill that you can use in many different capacities.

The most popular foreign languages that American college students choose to study, according to Forbes, include:

• Spanish
• French
• German
• Italian
• Japanese
• Chinese
• Latin
• Russian
• Arabic
• Ancient Greek

What Makes It Easy: Memorization, generalist focus

The Hardest Part: Achieving real fluency in speaking and writing in a non-native language

Career Opportunities: Translator or interpreter, customs officer, government intelligence agent, international business consultant, cultural officer, Peace Corps worker

5. Music

You might be surprised that music is considered and easy college degree. Well-respected schools such as Yale University and Duke University offer music degrees, so how easy could they be?

Music students tend to have high GPAs, according to CBS News. Most music bachelor’s degree programs include few science and mathematics requirements. Between these two factors, it’s not surprising that publications like CBS and The Huffington Post would single out the major as an easy one.

Much of the belief that music is an easy major comes from the fact that it’s not a “practical” or “safe” degree, according to Forbes. There’s no widely available, straightforward job path for music majors. Aspiring musicians who go on to make a living as performers are few and far between.

However, it takes a great deal of focus, discipline and perseverance to master the playing of an instrument. Majoring in music forces you to cultivate these traits if you want to be successful – which both builds character and prepares you for the workforce, no matter what job you end up getting.

Even getting into a music bachelor’s program isn’t easy. Often, to be admitted into an online music degree program, you need past experience playing a musical instrument. You may have to submit a recording of your musical performance as part of your application materials.

Coursework in Online Degree Programs in Music

Online bachelor’s degree programs in music equip students with the skills needed to compose, perform, study and critique music.

Music students take a variety of courses, from the history of music to music theory. They also take applied music courses or lessons. Through these courses, they learn to play one or more musical instruments or to sing.

An online bachelor’s degree program in music may require students to perform music in ensemble courses. Students can often choose from concentrations such as the following:

• Performance
• Composition
• Music production
• Analytical music studies
• The music industry.

They may also choose one or more instruments to focus on in their applied music lessons. Popular instrument choices incude:

• Piano
• Guitar
• Trumpet
• Violin
• Flute
• Trombone
• Clarinet
• Voice

What Makes It Easy: Creative and fun, lack of required courses in science or mathematics, less career-focused

The Hardest Part: Developing skill in playing an instrument requires dedication and a great deal of practice

Career Opportunities: Professional musician, orchestra conductor, music composer or arranger, talent recruiter, music critic, DJ, concert promoter

6. Religion

Another easy bachelor’s degree to pursue online is religion. Religion rounds out the top five majors with the highest average GPAs, according to CBS News.

Religion is another degree program with a reputation for being impractical and unlikely to lead to a job. That’s why The Huffington Post considers it one of the easiest degree programs.

A religious studies degree program can seem somewhat fuzzy, especially when you’re pressed to explain how you will turn your education into a career. However, students in undergraduate religious studies degree programs often need to take high-level courses as part of their required curricula.

Coursework in Online Degree Programs in Religion

In a religious studies degree program, you’ll study a variety of religions of the world. You will also learn the theoretical framework of religions and approaches to understanding them.

Religion might seem like an ideal major if you’re devout in your faith, but you need to have an open mind when studying belief systems other than your own.

Most college students who major in religious studies take courses on all of the major world religions, including:

• Judaism
• Christianity
• Islam
• Hinduism
• Buddhism

You might also study emerging religious movements and the beliefs of smaller religious sects.

Many religious studies degree programs require students to develop a solid understanding of religious theory, religion’s role in culture and religion and moral issues. You may study religions of certain geographical locations, such as Asia or the Americas. You’re also likely to study the history of individual religions.

Advanced seminars are common in religion degree programs. So are capstone courses that require students to complete an individual or small group project.

Reading and interpreting scriptures and other religious texts, often written thousands of years ago, can be challenging. Often, students are asked to think critically about religion and modern moral issues, including racism and sexism.

What Makes It Easy: Lack of required courses in science or mathematics, less career-focused

The Hardest Part: Overcoming personal biases about religious beliefs, thinking critically about historical and modern moral issues, understanding religious texts

Career Opportunities: Clergy, counselor, journalist, museum curator, librarian, public policy analyst, volunteer coordinator, diplomat

7. Communications

Year after year, communication is a popular program of study both online and on campus. The versatile degree program is among the easier bachelors degree options out there.

Communications is another degree program that gets a reputation for being easy largely due to its generalist nature. Typically, communications students study a breadth of media and journalism topics. They aren’t delving into any one topic as deeply as, for example, a public relations major or a business major might.

Most online programs in communications don’t require any additional science or math courses beyond the school’s general education requirements.

Hands-on experience in a field like communications is particularly valuable when it comes to finding a job. Still, most online communications degree programs don’t require students to complete an internship to graduate, according to U.S. News & World Report. That’s another factor that makes theis online degree seem easy.

However, communications majors certainly face some challenges in their education. They need to get used to intimidating situations such as public speaking obligations and starting off an assignment with a blank page. These are situations that even high-performing students in STEM majors often find anxiety-inducing.

Coursework in Bachelor’s Degree in Communications Programs

Most communications and journalism degree programs require students to take courses in topics such as the following, according to U.S. News & World Report:

• Intercultural communication
• Organizational communication
• Public speaking
• Persuasion
• Media writing
• Research methods
• Digital media
• Media law
• Communication theory and ethics

A general communications major program of study is broad. However, students often have the opportunity to choose one or more concentrations or specializations. Examples of concentrations in online programs in communications include:

• Journalism,
• Marketing
• Emerging media
• Advertising
• Public relations
• Business communications

A communications curriculum with a concentration allows students to develop their communication skills through a breadth of media and communications courses but still concentrate on an in-demand subfield. The result is that communications majors can find a marketable balance of generalist and specialist skills.

The classes you take in a communications degree program depend on your concentration. You may have to learn technical skills needed to design websites or public relations strategies to manage high-pressure crisis situations.

What Makes It Easy: Generalist focus, flexible curriculum, lack of required courses in science or mathematics, lack of mandatory hands-on work experiences

The Hardest Part: Overcoming fears of public speaking or criticism of writing, attaining technical or strategic skills that fit in your concentration subfield, a reading- and writing-intensive curriculum

Career Opportunities: Reporter, author, technical writer, editor, public relations specialist, advertising executive, marketing specialist

8. General Business

Business administration is a popular program of study. In fact, the major has been the single most popular bachelor’s degree since the 1980s, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Whether the popularity of business administration in despite being among the easiest degrees or because it’s among the easiest bachelor’s degrees is open to debate.

The program is especially common among online students. Online programs in business administration account for more than a quarter of all online undergraduate students, according to U.S. News & World Report.

There are several different college majors within the field of business. Usually, the more general undergraduate programs of study seem easier than their specialized counterparts. Specifically, math- and number-driven subjects such as accounting and finance may seem more challenging than a general business program of study.

RELATED: What Are the Easiest Degrees to Get in Business?

Despite its broad focus and multidisciplinary curriculum, business administration degrees don’t suffer from the same bias many of the easiest college majors do. Employers still consider this degree path “highly practical,” according to U.S. News & World Report.

The master’s degree-level counterpart of the BBA, the Master of Business Administration (MBA), is even more sought-after. However, some critics fear that the market is becoming oversaturated as more and more students earn this master’s degree.

Coursework in a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration

In a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree program, you will take courses in a variety of disciplines that equip you with an understanding of the foundations of business. You should expect to take classes such as:

• Accounting
• Economics
• Finance
• Business law and ethics
• Human resources
• Marketing
• Office administration

As a business major, you may have the opportunity to pursue a specialization or concentration. Examples of concentrations in business administration bachelor’s degrees include: accounting, marketing and supply chain management. However, as a BBA major pursuing an accounting or marketing concentration, your specialized curriculum probably will not have as much depth as it would if you majored in accounting or marketing. That’s because you’re spending more of your semester hours cultivating a broader array of business knowledge. Students in more specialized majors, meanwhile, are digging more deeply into a single subject.

For undergraduate business administration students, the curriculum might not require as much advanced study of a single discipline as other majors would. Still, it can be rigorous. Often, online business administration students must complete a mandatory research project, portfolio project, internship or other capstone experience, according to U.S. News & World Report.

What Makes It Easy: Generalist focus, lack of required courses in science or mathematics, a multidisciplinary curriculum

The Hardest Part: Amassing a solid understanding of a variety of business disciplines, completing a capstone experience

Career Opportunities: Human resources manager, marketing manager, advertising manager, accountant, auditor or financial analyst

9. Philosophy

Another of the easiest bachelor degrees is philosophy. When you earn a bachelor’s degree in philosophy online, you spend much of your time studying and analyzing knowledge and reality. You will explore questions such as the meaning of life and how we know the things we know.

To succeed in the study of philosophy, students need to be both logical and creative. They have to think in ways that are at once rationally organized and outside-the-box.

Philosophy majors should enjoy debate. However, they have to craft compelling and research-backed arguments to prove their points.

Though philosophy as a program of study is often the target of jokes, the curriculum makes it a “notoriously challenging major,” The Huffington Post reported. Why, then, did this program of study find a spot on the list of easiest bachelor’s degrees?

Philosophy can come across as an easy major, but that’s not because the workload itself is easy. Rather, philosophy is among the easiest college majors because it’s such a fuzzy field of study. In mathematics or the physical or life sciences, there are clear right and wrong answers. In the field of philosophy, things aren’t so clear-cut. This reality has led critics to take the discipline less seriously than more straightforward subjects.

It’s popular to argue that there aren’t any jobs for graduates with a philosophy degree. However, research proves that this claim just isn’t true, according to The Washington Post. There might not be many careers that specifically require students to have a degree in philosophy. Still, there are plenty of roles in which the skills you learn in a philosophy degree program – such as logic and critical thinking – are valuable. Many undergraduate philosophy majors go on to earn an advanced degree, including a law degree or medical degree. While pursuing an advanced degree, philosophy majors often outperform their peers who come from a different educational background, The Washington Post reported.

Coursework in a Bachelor’s in Philosophy Program

Students in an online philosophy degree program study both ancient and modern philosophical theories and approaches. They consider the moral, ethical, legal and political components of philosophical thought. Students pursuing online programs in philosophy should be prepared to do a great deal of reading and writing.

What Makes It Easy: A reputation for being less career-focused, open-ended questions

The Hardest Part: A reading- and writing- intensive curriculum, high standards for written arguments, a lack of clear-cut answers

Career Opportunities: Entrepreneur, business professional, lawyer, doctor, politician, writer, clergy, scientist

 10. Sociology

The next easiest bachelors degree on our list is sociology. An online bachelor’s degree in sociology is a good choice if you’re interested in the workings of human society and human behavior in social groups.

The social sciences often have a reputation for being less rigorous than physical and life sciences such as physics, chemistry and biology. Sociology is no exception to this viewpoint.

Learning to do research is an important part of sociology, but the research used in the social sciences tends to be more qualitative than that used in hard sciences. As a result, the discipline may seem easier.

The liberal arts focus of a sociology degree program also contributes to its reputation as an easy college degree. However, some sociology programs can be demanding. Many online bachelor’s degrees in sociology require students to undertake a research project as a part of their senior seminar class, according to U.S. News & World Report. In this project, students do everything from designing the research project to gathering and interpreting their findings and presenting their conclusions.

RELATED: What Professions Look to Survey Researchers for Help?

Coursework for Bachelor’s Degrees in Sociology

At most online schools, a sociology major will start out their online college education with an introduction to sociology course. That course typically covers the basic concepts and foundations of the discipline. Throughout your studies, you will take classes that look at sociology through the lenses of different relationships and social behaviors.

Students commonly take courses such as the following, according to U.S. News & World Report:

• Sociology of the family
• Sociology of education
• Classic social theory
• Social change
• Social science research
• Sociological theory
• Men and masculinity
• Racial and ethnic relations
• Sociology of deviant behavior and drugs
• Alcohol and society

Sociology is often considered part of the liberal arts and sciences. Students may have to complete a great deal of general education requirements in the humanities, sciences and other fields of study. The end result of studying sociology is a well-rounded education that equips students with strong skills in critical thinking and analysis.

What Makes It Easy: A qualitative aspect to research, a broad liberal arts focus on general education

The Hardest Part: Learning to design experiments and collect data for social science research

Career Opportunities: Sociologist, social worker, survey researcher, probation officer, administrative services manager

 11. Writing

A writing degree is like an English degree, minus the focus on literature. It makes sense that writing, too,would apear on the list of the esasiest college majors.

Many writing programs emphasize creative writing. As such, critics – and envious students majoring in the hard sciences – tend to view a writing degree as one of the easiest online degree options.

Generally speaking, there are no complicated equations in writing a poem, a memoir, a screenplay or a novel. Even the techniques of good writing are subjective. Strong writers understand and typically follow the rules of good writing. Even stronger writers can figure out when to break the rules to achieve the desired effect.

Many writing programs offer students a lot of flexibility in their curricula. Compared to more rigorous subjects of study, the freedom of earning a writing degree makes the major seem simple. However, the reading, writing and revising that writing students have to do throughout their education is time-consuming. It can also be daunting to have to keep dreaming up original ideas and fleshing them out into a complete poem or story, especially when students know that their work will be picked apart in class.

Coursework in Bachelor’s Degrees in Writing

Different writing degrees cover different material. It’s important to pay attention to what the writing bachelor’s degree program at your desired school entails.

Creative writing programs are common. They often include coursework in fiction, nonfiction, poetry and drama. In a creative writing course, students will generally study the techniques of high-quality writing. They may read and analyze example texts. However, unlike a literature degree, the focus isn’t on literary analysis. Instead, the goal is to learn to apply the concepts of good writing to students’ own work.

Often, a creative writing course requires students to come up with their own original written work. Students receive constructive criticism from instructors and classmates through workshops. Finally, they use that feedback to improve their writing.

It’s also possible to major in general writing or professional writing. These degree programs typically focus less on crafting artsy pieces like poems or novels. Instead, they emphasize the development of marketable writing skills in professional writing, journalism and technical writing. These skills can help graduates land an agency content creation role or in-house marketing writing position with a company or make a living as a freelance writer.

What Makes It Easy: Creative and fun, lack of required courses in science or mathematics, flexible curriculum, less career-focused

The Hardest Part: A reading- and writing-intensive curriculum

Career Opportunities: Author, journalist, web content writer, technical writer, professional blogger, marketing or advertising content writer, editor

 12. Art

Creating great art certainly isn’t easy. However, art has earned a place among the easiest college majors.

Earning an art degree can seem like a stress-free endeavor compared to negotiating the complexities of advanced mathematics and scientific theories.

Arts degrees also have a reputation for being impractical as career preparation and for not being very marketable. Unfortunately, research backs up that impression. Only about 10% of graduates from art degree programs end up making a living working in the arts, according to The Atlantic.

On top of the unreliability of arts degrees for employment, the reality of majoring in art is a lot less glamorous than the perception. To truly excel in creating great visual art, you need more than natural ability and a creative flair. You need the discipline to develop the technical skills in painting, drawing, sculpting or whatever media in which you work so that the art you create by hand matches the vision you develop in your mind.

Coursework in Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Art

Most undergraduate online programs in art award either a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree or a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Art degree. Different schools offer different types of art degree online programs. Whether you’re going for a BFA or a BA in Art will affect the structure of your studies.

BFA programs focus on creating art rather than studying it. As a result, students in a BFA program spend as much as two-thirds of their studies working on artistic pursuits in a studio setting. On the other hand, if you’re pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Art, you’re likely to spend much more time in traditional classroom settings. Here, you will learn about art through lectures and class discussions.

BFA degrees are usually offered in the visual and performing arts, such as:

• Ceramics
• Painting
• Drawing
• Photography
• Sculpture
• Illustration
• Printmaking

BA degrees are more frequently awarded in art history or design. Some schools offer Bachelor of Arts programs in studio arts, as well.

What Makes It Easy: Creative and fun, lack of required courses in science or mathematics, less career-focused

The Hardest Part: Perfecting artistic techniques, overcoming fear of criticism

Career Opportunities: Fine artist, craft artist, illustrator, animator, photographer, printmaker, graphic designer, art director 

13. Anthropology

If you’re interested in learning about other cultures, anthropology is a major that might interest you. Anthropology is the study of cultures and civilizations and how they develop. This social science subject of study also earns a spot on the easiest online degree list.

Anthropology’s focus on humanity and culture may lead people who study the hard sciences to think of it as an easy field of study. The qualitative nature of research in the field also contributed to this perception. Finally, the notion that there aren’t many jobs for anthropologists adds to this belief.

It’s true that anthropology isn’t seeing the kind of rapid career growth found in industries such as healthcare and technology. Still, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expected job opportunities for anthropologists and archeologists to increase by 6% between 2021 and 2031. That’s on par with the average rate of growth for all occupations. To say that there are no jobs out there for anthropologists is just not true. Anthropologists find work in settings like the following, according to the American Anthropological Association:

• Research laboratories
• Academic anthropology departments
• Corporations
• Government entities
• Police departments
• Museums
• Schools
• Environmental organizations
• Nonprofit community centers

RELATED: What Degree Do I Need to Be a Curator?

Coursework in Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Anthropology

Students in an online bachelor’s degree program in anthropology usually take a variety of courses in biological anthropology, social anthropology, linguistics and archeology. They learn about the fundamental concepts of studying anthropology. Students in these online programs also learn about the fieldwork methods used in anthropology and archeology data collection.

Anthropology students at the undergraduate level may also study related subjects. These subjects include:

• World religions
• Foreign language
• Geography
• Sociology
• Social science research methods
• Language and culture

Online students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in anthropology take a diverse collection of anthropology courses. They may also choose to specialize in a subfield of anthropology that interests them. Examples of specializations in online programs in anthropology include:

• Biological anthropology
• Physical anthropology
• Medical anthropology
• Anthropological archaeology
• Sociocultural anthropology
• Linguistic anthropology
• History of anthropological thought

What Makes It Easy: Focus on culture and humanity, qualitative research methods, reputation for being less career-focused

The Hardest Part: Studying the biological and physical components of human society development, learning the methods needed to do fieldwork

Career Opportunities: Anthropologist, historic preservationist, cultural resource manager, human rights advocate, urban planner, lawyer

14. Business Leadership and Management

Some aspiring business professionals choose neither a general business administration degree nor a degree in a specialized field like accounting or finance. Instead, they choose to study a program such as organizational leadership.

What makes a business management degree one of the easiest online degrees is similar to what lands a Bachelor of Business Administration degree a spot on this list. A degree in business leadership and management is less specialized than other business degree programs. It doesn’t require a strong focus on numbers, as finance and accounting programs of study would. This fact adds to the major’s reputation as an easy one.

Students also take a great deal of general education classes in the arts, sciences, humanities and mathematics. for this reason, online programs in business management are similar to a liberal arts degree.

However, the leadership skills that students develop while studying management strategies are often perceived as more valuable and marketable than those cultivated through other so-called easy degree programs. Prospective employers like to see proof that job candidates have skills in planning, making wise decisions, diplomatically negotiating solutions to conflicts and managing projects and people. Those are some of the main skills students develop while majoring in business management.

A student’s personality is one factor that affects how easy this major really is. For natural leaders, business management really may be the easiest bachelor degree. The skills you acquire in this degree program might come easily. For students who are shy, introverted or lack confidence, studying leadership can require doing things outside your comfort zone.

Coursework in an Online Program in Business Management

In a bachelor’s degree program in organizational leadership, you would study the communication, motivation and conflict management techniques required to manage a business or organization successfully, as well as appropriate behavior and ethics for a leader. Courses include the following, according to U.S. News & World Report:

• Principles of management
• Introduction to leadership
• Organizational behavior
• Communication strategies for leaders
• Work attitudes and motivation
• Collective decision-making
• Leadership and change

Students in an online bachelor’s degree program in organizational leadership might also have the opportunity to specialize in a subfield. Examples of specialization for business management majors include:

• Marketing
• Career and technical education
• Training and development
• Human resources management

By the time students graduate from a bachelor’s degree program in organizational leadership, they should understand how to plan, lead and make sound decisions on behalf of their company or organization.

What Makes It Easy: Generalized studies, lack of required courses in science or mathematics, may fit well into natural abilities

The Hardest Part: Overcoming fears and anxieties about leadership

Career Opportunities: Sales manager, administrative services manager, human resources manager, management analyst, consultant, training and development specialist, human resources specialist

15. Marketing

If you’re curious about why people make the buying decisions that they do, a degree in marketing could be for you. Marketing is a business discipline that focuses on the study of consumer behavior.

Do core classes that require students to dream up commercial scripts and ad campaigns translate to an easy major? In many ways, marketing’s reputation as an easy degree may be unfair.

Most people associate the field of marketing with creative and fun projects like developing advertising materials and sales pitches. Marketing also has an important data-driven side. Students who pursue an online bachelor’s degree in marketing need to take data courses in areas like the following:

• Finance
• Analytics
• Market research
• Statistics and search engine optimization

Without this background in data, marketing professionals would have no way to evaluate the success of their marketing campaigns. They wouldn’t be able to target a specific audience of consumers in their marketing messages. The research students do in a marketing degree program may seem less rigorous or serious than that in, say, a biology or physics program. However, it still requires attention to detail and strong analytical and critical thinking skills.

Coursework in Marketing

Students take a number of classes in general business, marketing principles and applications and data. Combining these studies allows students to develop a thorough understanding of what drives consumers to make purchases. This knowledge helps aspiring marketing professionals figure out how they can get consumers to take a desired action – such as buying a company’s product.

Prospective marketing students should expect to take courses such as the following, according to U.S. News & World Report:

• Marketing research
• Consumer behavior
• Sales
• Advertising
• Strategic marketing
• Marketing management
• Accounting
• Economics
• Business law

Marketing students can round out their skills by choosing relevant electives. Examples of elective courses to consider include social media marketing strategy, public relations, e-commerce and entrepreneurship.

What Makes It Easy: Creative and fun, lack of required science courses, general business focus

The Hardest Part: Data research courses that require strong math and analytical skills

Career Opportunities: Marketing manager, marketing specialist, advertising manager, sales manager, public relations specialist, market research analyst, advertising sales agent

16. Health Science

Health sciences is a program of study that introduces students to the undergraduate-level concepts and skills they need for non-clinical roles in the healthcare industry. As a science program, it’s a departure from other majors on the easiest bachelor degree list. An online bachelor’s degree in health science is an exception to the rule that hard sciences involve complex equations and extensive laboratory work. Health science programs are broader in scope than many science degree programs.

If you want to work in the growing healthcare industry but don’t feel drawn to direct patient care roles such as doctor or nurse, then a health science career might be a wise choice for you. Unlike nursing or physician assistant programs, health science degree programs are often non-clinical in nature. You won’t have to spend hundreds of hours gaining hands-on experience caring for patients. While some health science majors do go on to attain healthcare roles that involve direct patient care, many instead work in health education or administration. This common career outcome adds to the perception that a health sciences degree program is easy.

Coursework in Health Science

Health science majors tend to take classes in subjects like the following, ccording to U.S. News & World Report:

• Human anatomy and physiology
• Medical terminology
• Gerontology and long-term care
• Medical pharmacology
• Health care law
• Health information systems
• Management and leadership in healthcare
• Legal and ethical considerations in healthcare

Often, students who earn their bachelor’s degree in health sciences online will be asked to choose an academic concentration that they will focus on during their studies. Public health, healthcare administration and aging studies are among the most popular health science concentrations, according to U.S. News & World Report. Most bachelor’s in health science degree programs require students to complete a sizable general education requirement. That means students in these online programs may take a variety of courses in the humanities, arts, sciences and math.

What Makes It Easy: Broad subject of study, few required laboratory science and mathematics courses, non-clinical focus

The Hardest Part: Learning important medical concepts such as medical terminology, pharmacology and anatomy and physiology

Career Opportunities: Health educator, medical and health services manager

17. Graphic Design

Another of the easiest bachelor degree options is graphic design. Graphic design can seem like an easy degree program for many of the same reasons that an art degree has earned that reputation.

People see the creative and fun side of a graphic design major’s curriculum, like their experiments with colors and fonts. They notice that students in undergraduate graphic design programs don’t have to take many high-level science and mathematics courses. What outsiders don’t see is how much time, dedication and work it takes to perfect your art and design skills both by hand and using computer software.

Having a natural eye for design and starting off with above-average artistic abilities can certainly help graphic design majors do well. However, it takes more than that to fully develop your skills and build a portfolio that will land you consistent work from paying clients. Graphic design is a lot more strategic than many people outside the discipline realize.

RELATED: What Can I Do With a Degree in Visual Communications?

Coursework in Graphic Design Degrees

Graphic design is one of the best college majors if you enjoy art but want a degree that will be a little bit more marketable. The field of graphic design focuses on the application of art and design principles to make aesthetically appealing business and marketing materials. Examples of the work a graphic designer may perform include the design of:

• Logos
• Websites
• Product packaging
• Advertising campaigns

In an undergraduate graphic design degree program, students take classes such as the following, according to U.S. News & World Report:

• History of graphic design
• Art history
• Concept development
• Color theory
• Drawing
• Design principles
• Typography
• Corporate branding
• Advanced digital lab

Digital courses, like digital illustration and web design, are particularly important for today’s graphic designers as technology continues to evolve rapidly. Many bachelor’s programs in graphic desig require prospective students to submit samples of their art in order to be accepted into the program.

Once they start their graphic arts education, students will do a lot of hands-on design work. Graphic design students compile their best work into a professional portfolio that showcases their design skills.

What Makes It Easy: Creative and fun, lack of required courses in science or mathematics

The Hardest Part: Perfecting artistic techniques, overcoming fear of criticism, learning the strategy behind successful design

Career Opportunities: Graphic designer, art director, creative director

18. Political Science

Another of the easiest online degrees for undergraduate students is political science. Political science is the study of the government and politics.

Why would a degree like political science have a reputation for being easy? The major may have the word “science” in the title, but it has more in common with the liberal arts than with advanced mathematics and science degree programs. Even the American Political Science Association identifies political science as a liberal arts major and a social science.

The curriculum of online programs in political science requires students to learn all about the complexities of how governments operate and how political theory works in practice. However, this college major places just as much emphasis on growing skills such as writing, communication and data analysis. Critics draw upon this focus on soft skills to argue that political science is one of the easiest online degrees.

Don’t let this major’s social science classification trick you. Political science students may not engage in the same type of research that chemistry and physics students do. Still, they spend a great deal of time learning to analyze and understand data. The research- and writing-intensive nature of their curriculum makes their coursework time-consuming and demanding in its own way.

Coursework in a Bachelor of Science in Political Science

In an online bachelor’s degree program in political science, students will take classes such as the following, according to U.S. News & World Report:

• Introduction to political science
• Comparative politics
• Economics
• Policymaking
• American government
• The American legal process
• Congress and the presidency
• American political theory
• American foreign policy

While students enrolled in a political science degree program based in the United States focus their studies mainly on American politics. However, politics have an international influence. Political science majors also learn about international relations, foreign policy and governments of different nations and regions of the world.

Online undergraduate political science students will need to commit important facts to memory. It isn’t all memorization, though. Developing critical thinking, research and writing skills is a top goal in these programs. These versatile skills can help students apply the political theory they have learned to real-world situations. To cultivate these skills, students should expect their curriculum to be research-heavy and writing-intensive, according to U.S. News & World Report.

What Makes It Easy: The broad skills-based focus of a liberal arts program of study

The Hardest Part: Learning to analyze data and understand complicated political theory, a research- and writing-intensive curriculum

Career Opportunities: Journalist, policy analyst, legislative analyst, government program analyst, campaign manager, intelligence officer, foreign service officer, lawyer, politician

19. Social Science

Social science is the broad study of human behavior and human society. This broad field also lands a spot on our list of the easiest online degrees.

Like political science, social science is often viewed as less rigorous than studies in the physical or life sciences. Research is an important part of studying the social sciences. However, social science research is more qualitative and incorporates fewer complex equations.

The broad focus of a social science program is one factor that can make it seem like an easy college degree. Its emphasis on developing critical thinking, problem solving, interpersonal and communication skills, soo, may make the degree program seem easy compared to degree programs that require students to retain vast sums of technical knowledge. It’s no wonder that STEM students whose schedules are jam-packed with advanced laboratory science and mathematics courses envy the wealth of electives found in many social science degree programs.

The major also has a reputation for being less career-focused than other programs of study. Majoring on political science can prepare students for dozens of possible careers, according to Portland State University. However, that career preparation is mainly through cultivating versatile soft skills rather than focusing on the technical knowledge needed for any one career path.

Coursework in a Social Science Program

Many online and traditional schools offer college majors that fit within the category of social science. Anthropology, sociology and political science are examples of social science majors. Some institutions also offer a general major in social science.

Courses in a general social science bachelor’s degree program might include the following:

• Introduction to social sciences
• Introduction to statistics
• Research methods in social science
• Introduction to anthropology
• Introduction to sociology
• Introduction to psychology
• Diversity awareness

Even in a general social science program, students might have the opportunity to choose a degree focus. Examples of concentrations within a social science major include anthropology, sociology, psychology and gerontology.

Often, social science majors also complete a number of general education courses. This curriculum structure provides social science majors with a comprehensive education in a breadth of different topics. Many social science degree programs allow students the freedom to choose many elective courses to complete the credits required to graduate.

What Makes It Easy: Flexible curriculum, generalist focus, lack of required courses in science or mathematics, less career-focused

The Hardest Part: Learning social science research methods, thoroughly developing analytical and communication skills

Career Opportunities: Teacher, social worker, manager, counselor, social service manager, fundraiser, sociologist, psychologist, analyst, administrator, urban planner, probation officer, lawyer, survey researcher, social scientist

20. Interior Design

another of the easiest college majors at the bachelor’s level is interior design. Interior designers strategically and purposefully develop designs for indoor spaces with both aesthetics and functionality in mind.

For outsiders whose studies are far more focused on advanced technology, mathematics or scientific principles, a degree program that involves entire courses devoted to the study of color theory or lighting fixtures may seem easy. However, developing the design skills needed to succeed in the competitive field of interior design takes both natural ability and a great deal of dedication.

Students pursuing online degrees in interior design need to refine their drawing and computer design skills. Accomplishing these goals requires a great deal of practice. Another aspect of the field that may make interior design seems like the easiest bachelor degree is the popular image of interior designers as decorators that pick out wallpaper and throw pillows. Despite this widespread perception, interioror designers are different from interior decorators.

RELATED: Do I Need a Degree to Be an Interior Decorator?

Many states even require interior decorators to have a license, according to U.S. News & World Report. Aspiring interior designers need to make sure their degree program is accredited. To earn a licence, interioror design majors also need to earn a passing score on a professional exam and complete two years of supervised interior design experience to attain their license, the BLS reported.

Coursework in Interior Design

To learn how to succeed in work in interior design, students need to take a variety of courses. Coursework commonly includes subjects like the following, according to U.S. News & World Report:

• Fundamentals of design
• History of design
• Programming and space planning
• Materials and sources
• Rresidential design
• Introduction to sustainable design
• History of interiors and architecture
• Restaurant and retail design
• Office design
• Color perception and application,
• Lighting
• Architectural detailing

Students also need to take hands-on courses to develop their skills in drawing, drafting, 3-D design and computer-aided design. While it’s important for students to learn the concepts and theory of design, it’s also important for them to learn how to apply those concepts. Even online programs in interior design often require students to complete an in-person internship in order to graduate with a bachelor’s degree.

At some schools, interior design students can choose a specialization or concentration. Specializations in online degrees in interior design include commercial interior design, historic preservation and sustainable design.

RELATED: Top 10 Interior Design Schools in the U.S.

What Makes It Easy: Creative and fun, lack of required courses in science or mathematics, easy-sounding courses

The Hardest Part: Perfecting design skills through practice, completing an internship, attaining a license to work in the field

Career Opportunities: Assistant interior designer, junior interior designer, senior interior designer, interior design director

Editor’s Note: Just because a degree program has a reputation for being easy doesn’t mean that it won’t challenge you or that you can attain your degree and start your career without putting in a great deal of effort. Even if you choose a seemingly easy degree program that fits well with your natural talents, you still need to be willing to put in the work in order to succeed in your studies and your future career.

Related Resources: 

What Is the Difference Between a Degree in Interior Design and Interior Architecture?

What Degree Do I Need to Become a Lighting Designer?

What Degree Do I Need to Be an Intelligence Analyst?

Where Are the Best Paying Jobs With a Degree in Interior Design?

Top 10 Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Environmental Science

How Long Does It Take to Become a Psychologist?

What Is an Interior Designing Degree?

For Further Reading:

20 Non-Law Firm Jobs with a Law Degree

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Policy Analyst?

The post The 20 Easiest Bachelor’s Degree Online Options appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

In this article, we’ll break down some key steps in choosing the right college for your future career. 

Choosing the Right College for Your Future Career

When choosing the right college that will help you live your dreams, it’s unwise to believe it will happen overnight. It’s more like a step-by-step process. The more carefully you follow the steps, the better place you’ll end up in. 

Here are all the factors that help you make an informed decision about your future. 

Choose Your Career 

Before you decide on a college, it’s important to be sure of your career goals. To do so, reflect on your interests and hobbies, or even better, go for job shadowing. 

Once you know your preferred degree, you can pick a college that’s best known to offer it. If you’re not sure yet, go for a college that offers numerous programs. This way, you can take your time to figure out what you want to do. Make sure to consider all the points below before making a move, especially in the latter case.  

Pick Your Mode of Education 

Ever since the onset of COVID-19, people have been more concerned about the mode of education than ever. Traditional education methods are no longer the only means colleges rely on today. Instead, they’re turning to hybrid modes, or some are fully adopting the online models. 

Before you pick the college of your choice, ask yourself: Do you prefer a hands-on learning experience? Or would you rather take online classes? Or both? The answer to these questions can guide you and ultimately shape your decision. 

Know Your Educational Expectations 

Next up, make sure you know what you expect from your college. For instance, if you’re aiming to tap into healthcare or any other complex field, a bachelor’s degree alone won’t suffice. Such fields require more certifications and specializations. 

It’s important to think about whether you’re up for a master’s or a doctorate in the field. On top of that, check whether your desired college offers advanced degrees in the respective field. Some colleges offer various levels of the same degree, which can be a true win for you. 

Choose the Right Location

When deciding on your career, you’ve got options. Especially if your field requires different levels, you can mix it up by attending different colleges for different levels. The best part is that you can choose between in-state and out-of-state schools for most majors. If you’re on a budget, in-state schools might be your top priority. 

Likewise, if you wish to switch states, getting a bachelor’s degree outside your state might be worth it. Knowing how you wish to study and where you prefer living can help narrow down your options. 

Search for Majors and Minors 

Your choice of majors plays an equally important role when selecting the college you want to attend. Check if they’re offering the major you wish to pursue, and if it’s within the price range you’re cool with. It’s possible that the major you’re looking for has different names at different places, so look into that. 

Similarly, if you’re into more than one field, you might want to opt for joint majors. Better yet, look at minors or certifications different colleges have. Opting for one that has some extra certifications in your related field can make it more appealing. 

Look at the Quality of Education 

If you’ve done step-wise research, this step probably has a list of schools ready for you. Now, carefully look at your options and consider their academic standings, internship programs, campus life, and other factors you’re interested in. A must-do step is to check whether their programs are accredited by authorities like the Higher Learning Commission, SACSCOC, etc. 

While you’re at it, don’t forget to consider the size of the school. Smaller colleges give you a more personalized education, while bigger ones hook you up with a more lucrative business network. 

Take Tuition Fee into Account 

Here’s perhaps the most crucial part of the process. Take into account the tuition fees of your desired schools. To do so, look into the costs of attending the colleges on your list and see if they go along with your budget. 

Remember – tuition fees differ greatly across different colleges. It’s essential to promptly look into what’s covered in the fees. In addition, find out potential financial aid options, scholarships, or grants the colleges may offer to help ease your financial burden. 

Take a Campus Tour 

Finally, once you’ve decided which colleges you wish to attend, it’s time to take a campus tour. Talk to alumni, professors, or fellows within your chosen program to understand the pros and cons beforehand. This also gives you a clear idea of the overall culture of the institute so that you’re comfortable being a part of the college. 

A campus visit offers firsthand experience and lets you differentiate between schools of your choice. Once you’ve taken a thorough campus tour, you can comfortably make a well-rounded decision. 

Types of Careers to Choose After College 

When you’re finally done with a degree of your choice at your desired college, it’s time to explore the opportunities out there for you. Depending on your field, there’s a great number of careers you can opt for.

Although it seems like an after-college step, it’s not. Shortlisting careers before joining a college can ease your decision-making process. On top of that, it equips you with the right knowledge and skills which are necessary for higher education and career growth. 

Let’s explore the ones with immense potential and break them down: 

Medicine & Surgery 

Medicine and surgery careers are highly respected in our society for obvious reasons. These professions center around the physical and mental well-being of humans or animals. However, they come with a whole lot of responsibilities on your shoulders. Some careers in medicine include; 

Orthodontist

• Average Salary: $309,402 a year 
• Growth: 4.5% employment growth

Orthodontists are medical professionals who specialize in diagnosing, preventing, and aligning teeth and jaws. They work with patients of all ages to ensure their oral health and aesthetics. They often use braces, retainers, and a couple of highly specialized orthodontic devices. Hence, orthodontics often requires certifications and education beyond the four-year bachelor’s degree. 

Pharmacist

• Average Salary: $123,249 per year
• Growth: 2.6% employment growth

As highly trained professionals, pharmacists ensure that patients receive the right medications and dosage. They work closely with physicians by reviewing their prescriptions, checking for accuracy, and delivering their prescribed medications. This field also requires extensive knowledge of pharmaceuticals and commitment. 

General Surgeon

• Average Salary: $285,176 a year
• Growth: 1.7% employment growth

A general surgeon is a healthcare professional who performs surgical procedures on different organs and systems in the body. Surgeons diagnose, treat, and manage a wide range of health conditions. No wonder this career involves intricate education levels, certifications, internships, and licenses. 

Health Educator

• Average Salary: $52,241 per year
• Growth: 7.2% employment growth

Health educators are responsible for promoting health and wellness within social settings. They teach you about different lifestyles, preventive measures, and health-related topics. As the name suggests, they ‘educate’ you about various health issues. Hence, this career also requires a strong understanding of public health principles. 

Clinical Psychologist

• Average Salary: $109,894 a year
• Growth: 6% employment growth

They’re trained professionals who help address mental health challenges and improve communication. They offer therapeutic sessions to individuals, couples, and families to reflect on their behaviors and resolve conflicts and traumas. Psychologists require at least a master’s degree to pursue psychology as a profession in the US. 

Medical Technician

• Average Salary: $43,888 per year
• Growth: 5% employment growth 

A medical technician plays a critical role in the healthcare field. They perform laboratory and diagnostic processes, including blood tests, urinalysis, and microbiological analysis. They require deep knowledge of medical equipment. Typically, these professionals require an associate degree in the field. 

Nutritionist

• Average Salary: $67,721 per year
• Growth: 7% employment growth 

Nutritionists assist in maintaining good health through proper dietary practices. They need at least a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, dietetics, or a relevant field. Nutritionists offer detailed yet highly personalized meal plans and nutritional advice. Some people may also pursue advanced degrees in the field. 

Information Technology 

Information technology careers are related to various aspects of computers and technology. For instance, they create, develop, and maintain computer hardware, software, and applications. Some examples of fields in IT include: 

Software Engineer 

• Average Salary: $147,524 a year 
• Growth: 25.7% employment growth

A software engineer specializes in creating and coding software programs and systems. They’re capable of designing, testing, and developing software to meet specific needs. These engineers require at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science. 

Cybersecurity Analyst 

• Average Salary: $99,400 a year 
• Growth: 32% employment growth 

To become a cybersecurity analyst, you need to hold a four-year bachelor’s degree in computer science, IT, or a related field. However, these IT professionals have a strong grip on Python, Java, or C. Adding certifications to your resume can be a great step in boosting your future career possibilities. 

Web Developer 

• Average Salary: $93,848 per year 
• Growth: 17% employment rate

Web developers design, create, and maintain websites. They ensure websites are functional, appealing, and easy to use. Although they are mostly self-taught, some acquire a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field. However, that’s not mandatory. 

DevOps Engineer 

• Average Salary: $138,248 per year 
• Growth: 25% employment growth

A DevOps engineer is a professional responsible for bridging the gap between software development and IT operations. These engineers automate, code, monitor, and integrate computer applications. Like web developers, DevOps engineers don’t necessarily need a degree to step into the field. 

Mobile App Developer 

• Average Salary: $110,482 per year
• Growth: 25% employment growth

Mobile app developers create applications specifically for mobile devices. These applications work on both iOS and Android. Primarily, they design the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) of the mobile app. While it’s not a mandatory prerequisite, many mobile app developers hold a bachelor’s degree. 

Data Scientist

• Average Salary: $122,738 per year 
• Growth: 35% employment growth 

Data scientists work around complex data sets and convert them into comprehensive knowledge. They visualize charts, graphs, and other descriptive stats to offer valuable insights. Typically, data scientists require a master’s degree or Ph.D. in a quantitative field. 

Business 

Business careers often offer positions in sales, marketing, or human resource management. Some of the most common business fields include 

Marketing Manager

• Average Salary: $97,362 per year
• Growth: 6% employment growth 

These specialists plan and carry out marketing campaigns, market research, and trend analysis. They’re key individuals in shaping a company’s marketing initiatives. Most employers prefer marketing managers with at least a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a couple of certifications. 

Sales Manager

• Average Salary: $75,848 per year 
• Growth: 4% employment growth 

A sales manager coordinates and guides a team of sales professionals, so they achieve their revenue targets for their respective periods. Hence, they contribute to the overall success of the company. At least a bachelor’s degree is a must for being hired as a sales manager. 

Corporate Trainer 

• Average Salary: $87,325 per year 
• Growth: 6% employment growth

A corporate trainer develops and executes training programs within a company for the benefit and training of employees. To be a corporate trainer, you need a bachelor’s degree in HR, education, or organizational development. 

Market Research Analyst

• Average Salary: $78,816 per year 
• Growth: 13% employment growth 

These marketing professionals collect, analyze, and interpret data to enlighten them about the ongoing market trends, consumer behavior, and competition. A four-year bachelor’s degree is a must to be employed as a market research analyst in the US. However, you may also go for a master’s degree in market research. 

Supply Chain Specialist 

• Average Salary: $69,554 per year 
• Growth:  18% employment growth 

Supply Chain specialists manage and optimize different aspects of the supply chain. They’re responsible for ensuring an efficient flow of goods and services from the point of manufacturing to the point of consumption. A bachelor’s degree in the supply chain is a must; however, acquiring different certificates can be a huge plus. 

Law 

A career in law requires a deep knowledge of the legal system specific to the state. Some of the most common legal careers include the following: 

Corporate Lawyer 

• Average Salary: $144,688 per year 
• Growth:  8% employment rate

Corporate lawyers provide legal consultation to businesses relating to their corporate needs. They perform documentation relating to legal paperwork. Typically, you need a juris doctor degree along with a bard admission to be a corporate lawyer in the US. 

Legal Assistant 

• Average Salary: $48,215 per year 
• Growth: 4% employment growth 

A legal assistant supports senior lawyers with legal paperwork and research. They help the senior lawyer in getting proof ready for the trial. Also, they communicate with clients to collect information and provide updates. Legal assistants generally require a bachelor’s degree or an associate degree in law. 

Court Reporter

• Average Salary: $47,157 per year 
• Growth: 3% growth rate 

Court reporters are record keepers. They write the words spoken by the judge and lawyers during the proceedings. They keep accurate records of the court proceedings and are proficient in writing. To be a court reporter in the US, completing a court reporting program or an associate degree is essential. 

Compliance Officer 

• Average Salary: $98,949 per year 
• Growth: 4.6% growth rate 

Compliance officers oversee legal regulations in an organization. They make sure all legal requirements are met, and the practices are law-abiding. They generally require a bachelor’s degree in business or law. 

Engineering 

Engineering careers often cover a wide range of specialties. They combine invention, design, and monitoring of infrastructure and projects. Some engineering fields include: 

Civil Engineer 

• Average Salary: $82,674 per year 
• Growth: 7% employment growth 

A civil engineer is responsible for designing, assessing, and enhancing infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, tunnels, and other projects. Typically, civil engineers in the US require at least a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. 

Chemical Engineer 

• Average Salary: $94,413 per year
• Growth: 8% growth rate 

Chemical engineers apply principles of chemistry, physics, and math to produce chemicals and similar substances. They’re key individuals in the manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and energy industries. A bachelor’s degree is a must to practice chemical engineering in the US. Some designations might also require licenses. 

Biomedical Engineer 

• Average Salary: $94,807 per year 
• Growth: 5% growth rate

Biomedical engineers utilize engineering principles to design, develop, and improve technologies related to the healthcare field. Such individuals require a strong grip on both engineering and biological sciences. These positions typically necessitate a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical engineering. 

Petroleum Engineer 

• Average Salary: $80,025 per year 
• Growth: 2% growth rate 

Petroleum engineers explore, extract, and produce oil and natural gas. They’re critical in manufacturing and energy industries and ensure efficient and safe extraction of hydrocarbons from the Earth’s surface. While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement, some roles prefer a master’s or a doctorate in Petroleum Engineering. 

Nuclear Engineer 

• Mean Average Salary: $105,594 per year 
• Growth: 1% employment growth 

Nuclear engineers are specialists in the field who work with nuclear energy and radiation. They design and maintain nuclear systems and other intricate technologies. In-depth knowledge of physics is a prerequisite for this role. Plus, the required qualification is at least a 4-year bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering. 

Accounting & Finance 

Accounting and finance careers relate to handling and analyzing financial data. The roles in this career require a deep understanding of both accounting and finance to make strategic financial decisions. Some of the roles include the following: 

Financial Advisor 

• Average Salary: $102,134 per year 
• Growth: 13% employment growth 

Financial advisors cater to personalized financial advice for the organization. They advise on key decisions such as investment decisions and expansion decisions. This position generally requires holding a degree in finance. Professional certifications such as CFA are a huge plus if you’re looking to scale up. 

Investment Banker

• Average Salary: $118,333 per year 
• Growth: 7% employment growth 

Investment bankers cater to their clients who want to make secure investments and yield huge profits. They make portfolios for them according to their risk appetite and advice on investment options. To practice investment banking in the US, you need a bachelor’s degree along with professional finance certifications such as CFA.

Related Questions 

How Can I Know What College Is Right for Me? 

When choosing the right college for your future career, consider your goals, explore schools that align with your interests, and do thorough research. It’s natural to come across hurdles along the way, so don’t let them hold you back from chasing your dreams. 

Which College Should I Go to If I Don’t Know What to Do? 

If you’re not sure about what career to pursue, explore colleges with strong interdisciplinary programs. This way, you can gain deeper insights into more than one field and ultimately decide on the career that best fits your interests. 

What Is the Best Place to Attend College? 

When choosing your preferred college, there’s no such thing as perfect. The same goes for the location, which entirely depends on where you wish to thrive. The best choice will ultimately depend on what characteristics and environments you’d want for yourself. 

Conclusion  

When you’re choosing the right college for your future career, know that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to the process. Without thorough research, which college to attend might become the toughest nut to crack. 

Nevertheless, with the guide in this article, you can eventually find out what works best for you. Don’t hold back from research if you wish to land in a place where you can do wonders! 

The post Choosing the Right College for Your Future Career appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

In this day and age there are more ways to earn an accredited undergraduate degree online than ever before–and many of these options offer a trifecta of value: affordability, flexibility, and academic rigor. It is certainly a buyer’s market for those prospecting an online degree, meaning that students can prioritize programs with certain features that offer the most value in the context of an individual’s life and goals. 

RELATED: 25 Fastest Online Associates Degree Programs

For adult learners and working students, flexibility is often as important as any other metric. In the modern economy it is not uncommon for undergraduates to manage side-hustles or even full-time employment while pursuing a degree. And with this in mind, a traditional four year format is not always accommodating. 

RELATED: The 20 Easiest Bachelor’s Degree Online Options

Thankfully our researchers have done the legwork for you and have ranked the 20 best online programs that offer affordability and academic rigor, packaged in a program that offers the utmost of flexibility in order to accommodate even the busiest of the students and the most hectic of schedules. These programs will meet each student on their own terms to ensure that their bachelor’s program enables professional advancement without disabling a comfortable work-life balance. 

1. Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses

By Trine’s own words, excellence is the bedrock of its programs. At Trine University specially trained faculty instruct students in how to aspire to excellence and then achieve it. In recent years, Trine has transitioned its traditional programs with more than 130 years of academic excellence online so that more students can benefit from its programs. 

Trine Online offers a selection of accredited degree programs–associates, bachelors, and masters. Trine’s expert faculty are specially trained in working with online students and non-traditional students. This means that each program’s curriculum is designed to accommodate students of various lifestyles with different goals and expectations. 

Specifically, Trine Online offers a catalogue of Bachelor’s programs in the following areas: 

• Business Administration
• Human Resource Management
• Criminal Justice
• Engineering and Technology
• Information Systems
• Manufacturing Technology
• Healthcare 
• Leadership

Click here to learn more

2. LeTourneau University

LeTourneau University offers a modernized Christian-based framework for online education, which translates into program curriculums built around social activism, civic responsibility, and value-based leadership. It is important to note though that these programs do not emphasize any one denomination and are welcome to students from all belief systems–secular or not. 

LeTourneau’s online Bachelor’s programs are ideal for students who wish to elevate online studies with values-based curriculums. Online undergraduate programs are also centrally focused on providing a value proposition based on professional return. That is, instructors constantly rework curriculum formats to reflect current demands of the job market and to offer the flexibility needed to accommodate working students.

LeTourneau University offers a selection of online degree programs, which for the most part are organized under business, healthcare, and faith-based studies departments.

Click here to learn more

3. Thomas Jefferson University

Thomas Jefferson University boasts a rich and successful history of offering career-minded programs to students. This tradition has carried forth into the modern day with amazing success–evidenced by the stat of more than 96% of graduates finding employment or enrollment into graduate school, which are ultimately the goals of any undergraduate.

Over the last decade, Jefferson has redoubled its efforts to provide the innovation needed to modernize its degree programs. As such, online students benefit from comprehensive curriculums built with interdepartmental collaboration. This means that students are empowered to pursue unique professional interests and research projects, which might not have been available in programs with more rigid curriculums.

Click here to learn more

4. Clarkson College

The story of Clarkson College is the story of adaptability and innovation, which has been brought to fruition with its recent expansion into the online education space. Clarkson has dedicated considerable resources to developing its online programs from the ground up to offer flexibility and academic integrity. 

Clarkson’s online programs make use of the industry’s best technology so that students can communicate with each other and with instructors. This technology also allows students to work on group projects and presentations. Clarkson also offers hybrid course options for students who want to participate in on-campus activities while also shifting a bulk of the workload online. 

Clarkson offers degrees in the following subjects:

• Community Health
• Education & Leadership 
• General Education
• Healthcare Management & Administration
• Health Information Management 
• Nursing
• Physical Therapist Assistant 
• Radiography & Medical Imaging
• Professional Development 

Click here to learn more

5. Baker University

Baker University is a premier private university that caters to adult learners and working students by offering online degree programs that emphasize affordability and flexibility, so that students can enroll in online Bachelor’s programs no matter where they are in life. At Baker University, students are encouraged to embrace creativity and analytical thinking to achieve clear perspectives in their careers, so that they can identify and travel the road to success. 

Baker offers a decent selection of online degree programs at the bachelors and masters level. Specifically, students can earn any of the following online bachelor’s:

• Bachelor of Business Administration | Major in Business Leadership
• Bachelor of Business Administration | Major in Management
• Bachelor of Business Administration | Major in Marketing
• Bachelor of Science with a Major in Criminal Justice
• Bachelor of Science with a Major in Psychology

Click here to learn more

6. Endicott College

Endicott College delivers affordable, convenient, and professional degree programs which are meant to prime graduates for success in the job market. By narrowing its focus to servicing adult-learners, the Endicott College Van Loan School of Professional Studies is able to raise the bar of its programs and ask more of its students. This allows faculty to deliver academically rigorous programs delivered at a demanding pace.

The Endicott College Van Loan School of Professional Studies employs the latest in online learning technology to keep students engaged throughout their programs. For instance, online lecture technology allows students to collaborate with peers and instructors and to complete group projects. 

Students interested in earning a Bachelor’s degree can earn any of the following: 

• Business Management Program (B.S.)
• Business Program (A.S.)
• Business Program (Spain)
• Computer Science Program (A.S.)
• Criminal Justice Program (A.S.)
• Criminal Justice Program (B.S.)
• Integrated Studies Program (A.S.)
• Liberal Studies Program (B.A.)
• Liberal Studies with Concentration in Educational Studies (B.A.)
• Liberal Studies with Montessori Learning Concentration (B.A.)
• Psychology Program (B.S.)

Click here to learn more

7. Liberty University

Liberty University is a fully accredited evangelical liberla arts institution that is quickly becoming one of the largest of its kind. Today Liberty services more than 100,000 students through more than 700 programs, more than half of which are available online to students anywhere in the world (roughly 450 online programs). Whereas faith might take a backseat in some nonsecular universities, the Christian faith is positioned at the bedrock of Liberty University. 

As such, students should expect program curriculums to be framed in such a way as to represent Christian values and the love of God. Beyond a faith-based learning format, Liberty looks to strike the balance between theory, research, and hands-on training. As such, curriculums are built to prepare students to be adaptable above all, so that they will be prepared to adapt to the constantly evolving and changing job market. 

While Liberty University offers an amazingly robust selection of online Bachelor’s programs, here are their self-reported 10 most popular programs:

• Accounting (B.S.)
• Aviation (B.S.)
• Business Administration (BSBA)
• Criminal Justice (B.S.)
• Elementary Education (B.S.)
• History (B.S.)
• Information Technology (B.S.)
• Psychology (B.S.)
• Religion (B.S.)
• Social Work (BSW)

Click here to learn more

8. Trevecca Nazarene University

Since 1901 Trevecca has been cultivating leaders and helping students actualize their professional dreams. In recent years Trevecca has moved more of its programs online, and now offers associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral programs entirely online. A whopping 98% of Trevecca students earn financial aid of some sort, which is a god-send for students looking to earn a bachelor’s on a budget. 

And similarly impressive is the fact that 92% of Trevecca’s instructors hold the highest degree in their respective field. Trevecca invests in its students by hiring qualified faculty who combine high-end credentials with real-world experience, who then pass on their experience to students. 

Trevecca online programs are delivered in an asynchronous format one class at a time, which makes it incredibly accommodating for adult learners and busy students. Students can earn any of the following bachelor’s programs:

• Business
• Business Management (Associate of Science)
• Christian Ministry
• Criminal Justice
• Health Care Administration

Click here to learn more

9. Ohio University

Ohio University is a large public university that has quickly taken the mantle of one of the number one providers of online education in the state of Ohio. Ohio University now services more than 7,900 students through more than 60 degree programs. Ohio’s online programs are built with flexibility in mind with a number of accelerated tracks and malleable specialty options.

Ohio also offers a number of pathways for customizing degree programs, which allows students to choose from an exclusively online format, an on-campus format, or a hybrid format which combines elements of both. Similarly, Ohio offers online students options for independent studies which can empower students to pursue areas of study that might otherwise be unavailable. 

Students for looking a traditional curriculum structure can enroll in any of the following online bachelor’s programs:

• Applied Management
• Communication
• Criminal Justice
• Customer Service Leadership
• Hospitality Management
• Human Services
• Integrated Healthcare Studies
• Interior Architecture
• Psychology
• RN to BSN
• Technical and Applied Studies
• Technical Operations Management

Click here to learn more

10. Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) is another institution that has brought its rich history of demonstrable Christian values to the online education space. The University is the official educational institution of the East Central Educational Region of the Church of the Nazarene. As such, students can enroll in flexible and affordable degree programs that implement value-based learning based on Christian values. 

MVNU offers liberal arts curriculums that are designed to be accessible to students around the country, if not the world at large (online student body is from 10 other countries). MVNU has been recognized for offering top-tier flexibility and affordability in numerous trusted publications. 

Students can earn of the following Bachelor’s online: 

• Bachelor of Business Administration
  • Finance
  • Human Resource Management
  • Management
  • Marketing
• Bachelor of Arts in Leadership
• Bachelor of Arts in Chrisitan Ministry
• Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration 
• Bachelor of Social Work
• Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education (P-5)

Click here to learn more

11. Saint Joseph’s College of Maine

Saint Joseph’s College of Maine (SJCME) is an intimate, more modestly sized private Catholic that looks to combine faith-based education with academic excellence. SJCME is a premier location for earning a degree for entering the theological industry, and particularly specializes in offering culturally specialized degree programs. 

SJCME applies its philosophy of intimate education to the online environment, where each student is given the care and attention as they would receive on campus. Specifically, students can earn any of the following degrees entirely online: 

• Catechism for Catechist (non-credit)
• Catholic Theology
• Certificate in Catholic Catechesis
• Health Administration
• Long-Term Care Administration
• Pastoral Ministry to Black Catholics
• Pastoral Ministry to Latino Catholics

Click here to learn more

12. Adelphi University

Adelphi University has built a tremendous reputation for catering to non-traditional students over the last 45 years. Adelphi has validated this reputation twofold in recent years, represented in the investing of building innovative online degree programs that cater to non-traditional students. These programs offer the utmost of flexibility and allow students to engage degree programs at any cadence that enables a comfortable work-life balance.

Despite the flexibility offered, Adelphi employs technology to preserve the livability of the on-campus classroom within the context of online education. Similarly, Adelphi’s Faculty Center for Professional Excellence invests in faculty in order to provide them with the necessary resources needed to take their programs to the next level.

Students can earn any of the following undergraduate programs online:

• AS in Emergency Services Administration
• BA in Social ScienceBS in Business
• BS in Emergency Services Administration
• RN to BS in Nursing 

Click here to learn more

13. Chaminade University of Honolulu

Chaminade University is known for its student-centric education programs which prioritize small classrooms where students can receive the care and attention needed to excel in life and career. In addition to its student-centric philosophies, Chaminade offers experiential learning pathways which are designed to keep online students engaged and involved in their program. 

Chaminade offers 10 different undergraduate majors that can be completed entirely online. The online programs are arranged into 10 week terms, which can be individualized to accommodate the needs and expectations of students. The majors available are as follows:

• Business Administration
• Criminology & Criminal Justice
• Education
• English
• Historical and Political Studies
• Liberal Arts
• Management
• Psychology
• Religious Studies
• Secondary Education
• Special Education
• Teaching

Click here to learn more

14. South Dakota State University

South Dakota State University (SDSU) offers a number of online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. If you are on the fence about online education, SDSU offers a number of resources to aid students in deciding if it is a good match. Specifically, you can take this survey, which will help you identify your goals and figure out if online education can help you actualize those goals. 

SDSU also utilizes a generous credit system, which enables a high level of upward mobility. This means that some online degree programs will offer credits that can be applied when enrolling in a higher level program (particularly for the Laboratory Science program). SDSU’s entire catalogue of online bachelor’s is as follows: 

• Early Education and Care (B.S.)
• General Studies (B.G.S.)
• Geographic Information Sciences (B.S.)
• Geography (B.A./B.S.)
• Human Development and Family Studies (B.S.)
• Interdisciplinary Studies (B.S.)
• Medical Laboratory Science (Upward Mobility) (B.S.)*
• Nursing (RN to B.S.N.)
• Psychology (B.S.)
• Sociology (B.S.)

Click here to learn more

15. Roger Williams University

Roger Williams’ University College is an institution that is built on a foundation of catering to the needs of students. This foundation is built upon so that Roger Williams can offer student-centric degree programs to students from all walks of life that can accommodate even the most demanding of schedules. UC’s online degree programs are so flexible that students can progress through coursework anytime and anywhere. 

In fact, beyond self-paced coursework, students work closely with instructors and advisors shortly after enrollment to design a tailor-made schedule that maximizes the efficiency of the program while offering a comfortable work-life balance. This is an excellent feature for students who might have wildy irregular schedules that require special consideration. 

Consider Roger William’s full catalogue of online bachelor’s: 

• Applied Psychology
  • Bachelor’s Degree
• Criminal Justice
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Undergraduate Certificate
• Cybersecurity & Networking
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Undergraduate Certificate
• Emergency Medical Services
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree
• Health Care Administration
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree
• Healthy Communities
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree
• Humanities & Social Sciences
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Undergraduate Certificate
• Individualized Concentration
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree
• Paralegal Studies
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Post Baccalaureate Certificate
• Policing, Public Safety and Security
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Undergraduate Certificate
• Public Administration
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Undergraduate Certificate
• Technology, Leadership and Management
  • Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Undergraduate Certificate

Click here to learn more

16. Western Governors University

Western Governors University is one of the world’s premier institutions of online education. WGU was among the earliest adopters of online education technology, and as such was perfectly positioned to offer programs to the rising number of students seeking nontraditional education. This extensive experience allowed WGU to iterate on program structure and curriculums to maximize their effectiveness in the context of online education. 

Similarly, WGU has invested in the best of the best online learning technology as it is the cornerstone of the university. Whereas some universities offer online modes of delivery for programs, WGU offers only online degrees. So you can rest assured that you are benefitting from the best program that the University has to offer. 

WGU offers nearly 30 fully online undergraduate degrees through four different colleges: College of Business, College of Information Technology, College of Health Professions, and the Teachers College. 

Click here to learn more

17. TN Reconnect College Programs

Tennessee Reconnect is a last-dollar grant program that is designed to facilitate the professional advancement of nontraditional Tennessee students who may have decided against college to build real world experience. TN Reconnect grants college credits for this real world experience, provided of course that a student is able to complete the appropriate tests and exams. 

While the program is not free, the costs associated are on average much lower than the typical tuition costs associated with the same number of credits awarded. The example provided is as follows: 

“You could pay $80 for a CLEP examination and earn 3 credit hours [through the TN Reconnect program]. It could cost you $500 or more to earn the same credits in a traditional classroom.”

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18. Purdue University

Purdue University’s name is one that comes with prestige and academic clout. When earning a degree from Purdue, you can be sure that future employers will look on your alma mater with favor. And thankfully, Purdue Online has recently made many of its most successful programs accessible to online students at a more affordable rate–making it an excellent option for any student considering an online bachelor’s degree. 

Purdue’s catalogue of available online degree programs are offered as a collaboration between the colleges in the Purdue University System: Purdue West Lafayette, Purdue Fort Wayne and Purdue Northwest, to Purdue Global. Each school has its own set of specialties and degree programs on offer. You can explore these options at the link below.  

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19. Excelsior College

When it comes to distance education, Excelsior College is one of the country’s most veteran and well-established institutions of its kind. Having specialized in distance education as far back as 1971, Excelsior College has fine-tuned its approach over subsequent decades. While newer programs might suffer a lack of iteration, Excelsior’s degree programs are among the most accommodating and flexible of their kind. 

Excelsior is a not-for-profit and fully accredited institution that offers a wide variety of degree programs. Programs start every 8 weeks, which provides busy students with plenty of entry points to accommodate busy schedules. Excelsior also provides a beneficial experiential learning credit system, which rewards adult learners with previous professional experience.  

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20. Walden University

In 1970 Walden University began its pursuit of building a school to specialize in the education of adults and nontraditional learners. Today Walden has an alumni network of more than 153,000 students who have gone to build successful careers in countless fields and industries. More than 300 of Walden’s faculty have been recognized for ‘Excellence in Teaching and Mentorship.’ 

Meaning that Walden students can enjoy the confidence that they are learning from some of the industry’s best educators. Walden is also accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, which maintains high standards for academic excellence–standards which Walden strives to overachieve. 

Additionally, Walden offers one of the most robust catalogues of online bachelor’s in the world. And each program offers a high level of flexibility, wherein students can progress through asynchronous formats at a pace that best matches their goals and desired cadence of coursework. 

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The post The 20 Most Flexible Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

What to Look for in the Best Interior Design Schools

Top professionals in the interior designer occupation tend to come from the best interior design schools. Having a natural eye for design is valuable, but it takes more than this to become an excellent interior designer. Students need a formal interior design education to develop skills in formulating a design strategy, researching clients’ goals and project requirements, keeping work costs within the project budgets and managing the entire design project from start to finish.

What makes an institution a top interior design school?

It’s not the type of institution or degree awarded that matters most. Our list of the 10 best interior design schools includes everything from art and design schools to research universities and liberal arts schools. The degrees offered by the best interior design schools include Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degrees, as well as certificate programs. Among schools that offer graduate programs, students can choose from Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS) and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programs, as well as doctorate degree programs.

Whether you choose a flexible or focused program, you should look for an option that includes experiential learning opportunities and training in the latest technology for design professionals. The right interior design program for you will nurture your artistic and design interests and equip you with the tools practicing interior designers use to prepare construction documents and use changing technologies in both the creative and less creative aspects of the field.

Among schools that offer online classes or an online degree program for design students, online bachelor’s programs are popular. Students may also look for distance learning options at the graduate levels, including an MA online degree program, an MS online degree program and an MFA online degree program.

The curriculum of an outstanding interior design program should include foundation art coursework that covers the concepts and methods of visual arts, classes in the theory and principles of design and coursework in the use of technical software like computer-aided design programs. Students should have the opportunity to explore the principles and practices of residential design and pursue commercial design work in a variety of areas, including retail design and health and wellness design. Collaborative work, such as group projects, may be part of your design or arts program. You should also expect to put in plenty of hard work advancing your artistic talent and building your portfolio.

RELATED: What Computer Programs Should I Learn Before Starting a Degree in Design Studies?

The best interior design programs also offer opportunities to build practical skills in the field. Through integrated design studio coursework, undergrad students practice their creative and technical design skills. Practicum experiences, internships and co-ops enable students to get real-world experience under the supervision of professionals in the field.

Ideally, prospective students should look for interior designer programs that are accredited by outside organizations. In the interior design field, two of the major accrediting bodies are the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

RELATED: What Is the Difference Between a Degree in Interior Design and Interior Architecture?

Top 10 Interior Design School Rankings

After careful consideration and research, we have identified the following institutions as some of the 10 best interior design schools in the United States. All the schools listed below provide interior design education options that produce interior design industry experts.

1. Rhode Island School of Design

With a name like Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), it should be no surprise that this institution has one of the top interior design programs in the United States. As one of the most widely admired interior design schools in the nation, RISD has earned recognition from publications such as Architectural Digest and Azure Magazine, among many others.

The interior design programs offered at RISD include options at the certificate, bachelor’s and master’s degree levels. RISD allows students to take courses in-person and online, offering plenty of flexibility for students who are juggling a lot of responsibilities or who can’t uproot their lives to move to a reasonable commuting distance.

RISD’s Interior Design Certificate Program

The interior design certificate program at RISD begins with core courses in drawing, design and digital design techniques that prepare students for a variety of careers in the interior design field. After completing their core courses, students pursuing an interior design certificate learn about lighting, building materials and even the differences between designing for private and public spaces in their concentration courses. At the end of this program, students will design a portfolio that will help them with potential job opportunities.

While this program does not satisfy either the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) or American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) eligibility requirements, it quickly provides students with formal design skills without the academic demands or price tag of a full degree.

For the entire program, the school reports a tuition price of only $9,140.

RISD’s Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design Program

Most interior design majors are more interested in bachelor’s degree programs than certificate programs. RISD’s Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Studies: Adaptive Reuse program is a baccalaureate-level program that emphasizes the skills for repurposing existing spaces for new uses.

In this traditionally four-year interior design BFA program, students complete courses in drawing, design and digital design techniques, much as students in the certificate program do. However, through the more in-depth coursework involved in this program, students explore topics like building structures, the history of interior architecture and scheme detailing in more detail. Students’ coursework in building structures and systems for adaptive reuse, in particular, will cover how the concepts of structural design and the mechanical systems used in building structures can be applied to preserving, adapting and rehabilitating existing buildings.

Students finish this program with a completed portfolio of their design work. Tuition for the bachelor’s interior design program at RISD for the 2022 through 2023 school year amounts to $28,218 per semester or $56,435 for the whole academic year.

RISD’s Master’s Degree Options in Interior Design

In addition to the BFA, graduate degrees offered at RISD include two types of master’s programs. The Master of Arts (MA) in Adaptive Reuse is a 1-year, 45-credit program that serves as a student’s first architecture degree. The school’s Master of Design in Interior Studies (MDes) programs are 2-year, 75-credit degree programs.

Students in the Master of Arts in Adaptive Reuse program take courses in the theory of adaptive reuse, the principles of adaptive reuse and applied building systems for adaptive reuse. Master of Design in Interior Studies degrees are offered in both adaptive reuse and exhibition and narrative environments.

In the Master of Design in Interior Studies: Adaptive Reuse program, which qualifies students to sit for the NCIDQ exam, coursework includes energy systems, human factors of ergonomics and acoustics, and studio coursework on codes and details. Coursework in the Master of Design Interior Studies: Exhibition and Narrative Environments program covers special topics in the use of interior design for storytelling purposes, particularly in museum settings.

The graduate interior design programs at RISD are the same cost as the undergraduate programs, coming in with a tuition of $28,218 per semester, or $56,435 for the whole year.

View program details.

2. New York School of Interior Design

NYSID isn’t just a liberal arts or design school that happens to offer an interior design major. The entire New York, NY, institution (and all of its academic programs) specializes solely in interior design. As one of the best interior design schools in the country, NYSID has received accolades from publications like Architectural Digest.

Undergraduate and graduate programs of study at the New York School of Interior Design range from a certificate program that introduces students to the field to five separate graduate programs to help interior designers advance their professional careers.

NYSID’s Basic Interior Design Certificate

The basic interior design certificate covers just what you would expect: the basics. Students take classes on topics like:

• basic drafting
• visual concepts
• the design process
• historical styles
• construction documents
• colors and textile design for interiors

Upon graduating from this certificate program, a student who is interested in taking their education further may transfer these credits into NYSID’s associate’s or bachelor’s degree program.

The tuition rate for all courses offered in the certificate, associate and bachelor’s programs for the 2022 through 2023 school year was $1,150 per credit.

The Associate of Applied Science Degree at NYSID

Through the institution’s Associate in Applied Science in Interior Design program, students can start their path in the field of interior design while covering prerequisite courses. Associate degree credits can then be transferred to the bachelor’s program, which will prepare students to enter the profession of interior design.

NYSID’s Bachelor’s Degree Program

In the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design program, students can look forward to receiving a more well-rounded education in interior design. Coursework in this program may include:

• furniture design
• kitchen and bath design
• sustainable design for the built environment
• light source design and selection
• material sourcing

Graduate Program Options at NYSID

At the graduate level, NYSID offers two non-specialized master’s degree programs and three more focused programs.

Students from different degree programs and academic backgrounds might pursue the Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design as their first foray into interior design education. An interior designer interested in expanding their overall knowledge in the field should consider the Post-Professional Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design.

The specialized master’s degree programs available include the Master of Professional Studies in Healthcare Interior Design, the Master of Professional Studies in Lighting Design and the Master of Professional Studies in Sustainable Interior Environments.

For all five programs, graduate students’ tuition is billed on an annual basis and amounts to $19,500 for the fall and spring semesters.

View program details.

RELATED: What Are the Pros and Cons of Pursuing a Degree in Interior Design?

3. Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a research institution, not a liberal arts college per se, yet interior design students here can expect to receive a broad liberal arts education as part of the curriculum. Interior design majors at Syracuse are part of the College of Visual & Performing Arts.

Despite the research focus of the university as a whole, the interior design program at Syracuse is one of the best interior design programs in the nation, endorsed by Architectural Digest.

Syracuse University’s Bachelor’s in Environmental and Interior Design

There is only one interior design program of study at Syracuse, but its unique area of specialization makes it stand out from the crowd. The undergraduate program is called Environmental and Interior Design, and it awards a BFA degree.

Syracuse University’s program is a bit broader, as it aims to teach students how to incorporate the principles and practices of interior design to work with a wide scope of environments, but as the degree title suggests, the curriculum has a strong focus on environmental design. Major requirements include completing three levels of environmental design courses, three levels of environmental factors courses and an environmental design capstone project.

Studying Interior Design at a Visual College

Being offered out of a visual arts college, the interior design program at Syracuse includes plenty of fine arts studio courses. These lengthy classes allow students to engage in hands-on projects in interior design practice, develop their artistic and technical design skills and begin creating the designs that will make up their portfolio.

Students also complete 15 credits of art history classes, as well as required coursework in the liberal arts and sciences.

A study abroad experience taken during students’ junior year of study is highly recommended. Students may choose to travel to London, UK, or to Florence, Italy.

View program details.

4. Pratt Institute

Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York City, is a private university known for its programs in art, architecture, design and the liberal arts and sciences. Interior design course offerings at this institution are offered out of the School of Design.

This institution was one of the first in the nation to offer a formal education in interior design, according to Architectural Digest, and it remains among the best interior design schools today. Graduates from the school have a history of finding employment relatively quickly. Most students find jobs within just seven months of graduating.

Pratt’s Bachelor of Fine Arts Program

Undergraduates who are preparing to become interior designers should consider Pratt’s Interior Design Bachelor of Fine Arts program. Major areas of focus in this undergraduate program are interior architecture, spatial design, surface embellishment, design practices that blend interior and exterior settings and design for the urban environment – with particular emphasis on how humans interact with their environments in urban settings.

This program gives students plenty of opportunities for practical instruction and the development of practical skills in design. Studio coursework is integrated into the curriculum as early as students’ sophomore year. Throughout their studies, students will gain hands-on experience through internships and professional practice coursework.

Undergraduate tuition for the 2020 through 2021 academic year amounted to $51,754 annually for students taking between 12 and 18 credits per semester.

A Minor in Interior Design

Some students are interested in interior design but aren’t ready to fully commit to the program. Ideal for these students is Pratt Institute’s 15-credit interior design minor that allows undergraduate students from any field of study to get a taste of the world of interior design.

The Master of Fine Arts Degree

Pratt Institute also offers a Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design for interior designers interested in research and academics as well as in advancing their careers in professional practice. Some students use this degree to become postsecondary teachers of interior design courses.

Within the MFA program, students may choose to focus on an area of concentration such as:

• interior design theory and criticism
• emerging technologies for interior design
• exhibition design
• environmental quality
• design of ecological and sustainable environments

For both full-time and part-time graduate students, the tuition rate for the 2020 through 2021 school year was $1,847 per credit.

View program details.

5. Parsons School of Design at the New School

The New School, a university in New York, NY, is made up of seven schools. One of these schools is Parsons School of Design, which is one of the best interior design schools in the country. Here, interior design students will find programs ranging at levels ranging from undergraduate certificates to graduate degrees.

Certificate in Interior Design

The undergraduate certificate program at Parsons offers students a quick but thorough introduction to the field, providing them with a solid foundation in interior design.

Offered in an online format in which students complete eight online classes over the span of just six to nine weeks, this program includes coursework in areas like:

• basic drafting and interior space planning
• color theory
• residential and commercial design

Through the special focus on collaborative work at Parsons, you can expect to complete group projects and share studio workspaces with students from other art and design programs.

The cost for the complete certificate program is $6,760 as of 2022.

Associate Degree in Interior Design

The Interior Design Associate of Applied Science offers a more in-depth introduction to the field. The curriculum of this two-year, on-campus program includes courses in 2D and 3D drawing of interiors, environmental design and construction documents, as well as a sequence of design studio courses.

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design

The interior design BFA degree program at Parsons that will best prepare students to begin their careers in the field of interior design is the Bachelor of Fine Arts. Like the associate’s degree program, this four-year baccalaureate program is offered on-campus.

The curriculum goes well beyond that of the associate’s degree program, encompassing coursework in:

• the history of architecture
• human ecological theory and design for interiors
• sustainable systems
• the interaction between light and surfaces

Integrative studio and seminar courses begin as early as the first semester of students’ first year of study.

Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design

The Interior Design Master’s of Fine Arts program at Parsons is a two-year, on-campus program that will help graduate students prepare to further their careers in interior design or enter the field as educators.

The MFA curriculum includes classes in environmental design, ethnography and design, the theory of the interior and fabrication and processes, as well as advanced design studios and a thesis.

View program details.

RELATED: Where Are the Best Paying Jobs with a Degree in Interior Design?

6. Savannah College of Art & Design

At Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) in Savannah, GA, students interested in interior design can pursue a bachelor’s degree, an undergraduate minor or a graduate degree. The institution is one of the best interior design schools in the nation, with features like SCADpro, the SCAD collaborative learning center design studio, setting it apart from other programs.

SCAD’s BFA in Interior Design

The BFA in Interior Design covers everything undergraduate students need to begin pursuing a career in interior design. You might not expect a traditional liberal arts degree experience from an art and design college like SCAD, but in this program – as in the institution’s other bachelor’s degree programs – students complete core courses designed to help them develop strong critical thinking skills and communication abilities.

In addition to these core courses, students will develop their abilities in interior design with courses in different aspects of interior design, such as the history of the field, drawing techniques and design studio work. As of 2022, program locations for the interior design BFA include SCAD’s Savannah main campus and its Atlanta campus.

Undergraduate tuition rates for one year of study at SCAD amounted to $39,105 during the 2022 through 2023 academic year.

Interior Design Minor Requirements

Undergraduate students pursuing a different undergraduate degree at SCAD may study interior design as a minor. In this 25-credit minor, students get an overview of the field of interior design.

At the Savannah and Atlanta campuses, students start their minor coursework with an Introduction to Interior Design class and continue with classes on topics like:

• interior materials
• graphics for the building arts
• form, space and order

One design studio course, which focuses on exploring people and space, is included in the requirements for the minor.

Master’s Degrees in Interior Design

SCAD’s interior design programs at the graduate level include both MA and MFA programs. The MA is a 45-hour program that includes classes in theory and criticism of interior design, environmental psychology for interior design, emerging materials for interiors and research methods in the field. Students complete a final project in preparation for graduation from the MA program.

The Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design program is significantly longer, consisting of 90 hours of coursework that includes multiple internships and a master’s thesis. Coursework includes the same classes found in the MA program, along with a series of studio design courses that focus on topics like inclusive design, design for live-work settings and the design of environments for public interaction.

The cost of this program is not much more than the undergraduate program, coming in at $40,050 for the 2022 through 2023 school year.

View program details.

7. University of Cincinnati

Another one of the top interior design schools is the University of Cincinnati (UC) in Ohio. The public research university has received accolades from Architectural Digest – even though the publication once singled out the campus’s Crosley Tower as one of the Ugliest University Buildings in America.

Through the University of Cincinnati’s School of Architecture and Interior Design, part of the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP), students can pursue both bachelor’s and master’s programs in interior design.

Bachelor of Science Degree

The Bachelor of Science in Interior Design at UC allows students to grow their skills in a studio environment and take advantage of the option to study abroad. This program isn’t quick, but it’s thorough, and students complete their studies with considerable paid work experience under their belts.

Finishing this Bachelor of Science program takes five years instead of the typical four years required to earn a bachelor’s degree, including taking classes over the summer semesters. The reason this program takes so long to complete is that it incorporates valuable co-op experiences into the curriculum.

Other courses in the major curriculum include:

• architectural history
• interior lighting
• construction materials and fibers
• design science in building construction
• furniture design and millwork

In-state tuition for this program for the 2022 through 2023 academic year was only $6,588 per semester, though non-resident students would pay $14,255 per semester. 

Master’s Degree in Interior Design

For students who already possess a bachelor’s degree in the field from an accredited interior design school, the University of Cincinnati’s post-professional Master of Interior Design (MINTD) can expand not only your knowledge of the field but also your career opportunities.

With this degree, which includes coursework in research methods in the field and the completion of a master’s thesis, experienced practitioners can develop the skills and qualifications for teaching students at the college level. The degree can also help you expand your skills as a practitioner.

As part of this two-year program, students can study abroad in Switzerland, Germany, Turkey or India. The program’s curriculum also includes a graduate-level internship and design studio work.

View program details.

8. Fashion Institute of Technology (part of the State University of New York – SUNY)

Don’t let the name fool you; aside from its fashion design programs, the State University of New York (SUNY)’s Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) is one of the top interior design schools, and it has the praise from Architectural Digest to prove it.

Located in New York, NY, FIT offers two programs in interior design, an associate’s program and a bachelor’s program. At either level of study, the robust interior design program is designed for teaching students the skills needed to enter the world of interior designer careers.

Associate’s Degree

It’s true that most interior designers have a bachelor’s degree, but the interior design associate’s degree program at FIT is still worth pursuing. Without further study, you could leverage this degree to become an interior designer assistant or an interior decorator at most interior design firms.

You can also use this program to prepare to earn a bachelor’s degree in interior design, which would qualify you for a wider range of career roles in the interior design field.

The major coursework in this program includes classes in visual representation, interior design theory and criticism, the history of interior design, design technology and a sequence of design studio courses. Other classes in this program include art history courses and classes that fulfill general education requirements, which serve to educate well-rounded artists.

The tuition rate for this program differs for in-state vs. out-of-state students. For the 2022 through 2023 program, students living in New York were charged $2,645 per semester, while non-resident students were charged $7,935.

Bachelor’s Degree

FIT’s CIDA-accredited BFA in Interior Design program is designed to prepare undergraduate students for a number of careers in the interior design industry. The curriculum for this four-year multidisciplinary program combines a couple of art history courses and some general education courses with more of an interior design focus overall than the associate’s degree program has.

For example, students take classes in lighting design and advanced methods and applications of design technology, as well as a more robust catalog of design studio courses.

FIT’s interior design education is a particularly good option for New York residents. The cost of a semester’s worth of study in the bachelor’s degree program for in-state students for the 2022 through 2023 school year was $3,585. Out-of-state students would pay $10,846 per semester for this program.

View program details.

9. Kansas State University

If you’re looking for an interior design degree in the Sunflower State, Kansas State University is the place to go. Not only is K-State among the best interior design schools in the country (a claim backed up by the rankings and praise from publications like Architectural Digest), but it’s also the only college in Kansas to offer a CIDA-accredited four-year interior design program.

Through courses in computer-aided visual communication, students gain technical knowledge of the use of computer modeling and design software programs in interior design.

K-State prides itself on its small class sizes and use of technology in the classroom as a way to help all students learn. The school also possesses a 93% employment rate among graduates of its interior design bachelor’s degree.

Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design

The undergraduate program for interior design can be completed in four years, or 120 credit hours. For students at the bachelor’s level, the majority of the curriculum (aside from general education classes) is focused on professional studies courses that cover a range of topics for interior design.

Major coursework in this program includes interior design history, behavior in the interior environment and interior design practices and procedures. Students pursuing interior design degrees from K-State also study:

• lighting
• textile design
• construction methods and materials
• environmental systems for interior design
• the principles and practices of design for supportive environments

Students also need to take a lot of professional electives that cover a wide range of areas within interior design, professional application, and professional application. Elective courses allow students to customize their creative education and develop expertise in areas of interest.

Some of the electives offered in this program include advanced studies in design and behavioral aspects of residential or commercial design, advanced interior design theory, design for aging in the modern world and an interior design study tour.

Experience is an important part of Kansas State’s interior design program. Students in the program are encouraged to take part in an internship, taking advantage of K-State’s connections to intern in top architectural design firms all over the country. Internships are typically done in the summer between undergraduate students’ third and fourth years but can, along with the practicum, occur after their second year.

For the 2021 through 2022 school year, Kansas residents only needed to pay $316.30 per credit hour for tuition, while nonresidents were charged $852 per credit hour.

Master’s Degree Options in Interior Architecture

Kansas State University’s graduate programs in this field are master’s degrees in interior architecture. The Master of Interior Architecture and Product Design (MIAPD) degree is offered in both a post-baccalaureate track for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree and a non-baccalaureate track for students without a bachelor’s degree.

The post-baccalaureate track Master of Interior Architecture degree is a comprehensive two- to three-year master’s degree program that typically takes six semesters to complete. The CIDA-accredited and NASAD-approved program is open to students with a bachelor’s degree in any field, so you don’t need prior studies at interior design schools to be accepted.

The curriculum of the master’s degree program includes classes in visual communication, the history of the designed environment, building construction systems and structural systems in architecture and architectural technology. Design studio and workshop coursework is a big part of the graduate-level curriculum. Students also study topics like:

• materials and finishes
• lighting
• furniture design
• environmental and interior design

The non-baccalaureate track Master of Interior Architecture is a five-year program ideal for students entering college with only a high school education. Like the post-baccalaureate program, this degree program is CIDA-accredited and NASAD-approved, and it covers many of the same courses as the post-baccalaureate program, plus the material needed to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Ultimately, students in this program will complete 170 credits of study. They will also shave a year or more off of their education compared to if they had spent four years earning a bachelor’s degree in a traditional program and then another two or more years of graduate school.

At the graduate level, the tuition cost for the 2021 through 2022 academic year was $428.90 per credit hour for in-state students and $959.10 for out-of-state students.

View program details.

10. Auburn University

At Auburn University in Alabama, students can pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in interior design.

Auburn isn’t just one of the best interior design schools, nationally ranked by publications like Architectural Digest and Design Intelligence. The interior designer program at this school is also competitive – so much so that students cannot enter the program directly as freshmen.

Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design

Both first-year students and transfer students must start out in the school’s pre-interior design program. After they complete the first year of coursework, pre-interior design students are evaluated based on their performance to see whether they actually get into the full interior design major. To be admitted, students must prove their design abilities by submitting samples of their best work in accordance with the program’s portfolio requirements.

The interior design program at Auburn is part of the Consumer & Design Sciences department within the school’s College of Human Sciences. The CIDA-accredited 123-credit program awards a Bachelor of Science degree.

During the pre-interior design year of study, Auburn students take classes in design principles, the history of interior design, consumer culture and introduction to interior design, as well as general education courses. Generally, BS programs require fewer general education courses than BA programs do, which means that aspiring interior design students can devote more of their common curriculum to matters of academic study that relate to their intended job directly.

Since the Pre-Interior Design program covers most of the general education courses, students will focus primarily on core courses and elective courses related to their major once they are accepted into the BS in interior design program. Major coursework in the interior design bachelor’s degree program includes:

• spatial design and planning
• lighting
• interior materials and components
• mechanical and environmental systems
• project management for interior design

Through studio courses, students develop their skills in using computer-aided design software and design for different types of spaces, including residential, commercial, hospitality and health and wellness environments.

An internship is important in this curriculum, as is an advanced design project completed in the design studio.

Undergraduates in the Interior Design program enjoy a maximum class size of only 40 students. This is one bachelor’s degree program that, for many students, really does take just four years to complete. According to Auburn University’s statistics, the average time it takes to graduate from the interior design program is 4.1 years, and 49% of students who matriculated to the pre-interior design program during the 2016 through 2017 academic year graduated in four years.

To put that in perspective, just 41% of college students nationwide graduate within four years, CNBC reported in 2019 (and even that statistic shows a big jump from the 1996 cohort, just 33.7% of which graduated within four years, according to the National Center for Education Statistics).

Undergraduate tuition for this program for the 2021 through 2022 school year came in at $5,913 per semester for Alabama residents and $15,993 for non-residents.

View program details.

RELATED: What Career Path Do I Have Ahead of Me With an Associate’s in Design Studies?

Top-Ranked Art and Design Schools Abroad

Our rankings list of the best interior design colleges is nationally focused, but there are plenty of excellent educational options outside the U.S., as well. There are schools for interior design that are ranked highly all around the world, offering certificate, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, in-person and online master’s degree and doctorate degree options.

For example, at the Chelsea College of Art & Design at the University of the Arts in London, England, students can seek a bachelor’s degree or a graduate diploma in interior design.

Florence Design Academy in Italy is another global standout school. An interior designer (or aspiring interior designer) with a bachelor’s degree can pursue one of two graduate programs here: a Master of Interior Design or a dual master’s program that combines interior design with graphic design or industrial design.

Related Resources:

Do I Need a Degree to Be an Interior Decorator?

Can I Become an Interior Designer Without a Degree?

What Degree Do I Need to Become an Interior Designer?

The post Top 10 Interior Design Schools in the U.S. appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

1. University of Delaware

The University of Delaware is a public four year institution located in Newark Delaware. The institution offers associates, bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. The University of Delaware currently enrolls 23,808 students and maintains a student a faculty ratio of 15 to 1. According to Carnegie, the University of Delaware it’s a doctoral university with very high research activity. To support the success of their students the University of Delaware offers academic and career counseling as well as distance learning opportunities. The institution has been accredited by the Middle States commission on Higher Education.

University of Delaware offers an online undergraduate program in mechanical engineering. In addition to the mechanical engineering majors students may elect to concentrate on aerospace engineering, automotive engineering, or manufacturing systems. Additionally, the University of Delaware offers two minors: biomechanical engineering and integrated design. The curriculum for the mechanical engineering major includes core courses, technical electives minors and concentrations as well as a senior design project. The required coursework is that in the following areas: introduction to engineering, maker series, statics, mechanics of solids, machine design, fluid mechanics, thermal labs and a senior design project. The senior design project is a final six credit capstone design course that is structured to imitate a real world scenario. For more information about this degree and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

2. Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a public four year institution located in Tempe Arizona as well as campuses across the state. The university enrolls over 53,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 20 to 1. ASU offers bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees and professional certifications. The institution has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. According to Carnegie ASU is a doctoral university with very high research activity. US News and World Report ranks ASU as their 103rd best school in the nation as well as highly for undergraduate teaching, veterans, value, business, undergraduate engineering, computer science, and innovation. In fact, ASU ranks number one in the nation for their innovation score meaning that they have ranked highly for curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology and more. In recent years, ASU has expanded to create one of the largest online universities in the world. In fact, students may select from hundreds of programs both at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Arizona State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Egineering. Students from this program have the option to choose from one of two concentrations: computational mechanics and energy and environment. This is one of several online engineering programs offered at ASU. Some of the critical courses include those in chemistry, calculus, mechanics of particles and rigid bodies, physics, mechanics of materials, and thermodynamics. The program is 120 credit hours in length and includes course material in nano materials, computer control systems, economic analysis, and much more for more information about this degree and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

3. Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University is a public four-year institution located in Flagstaff. There are over 30,000 students enrolled and the student to faculty ratio is 19 to 1. NAU offers bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees as well as professional certifications. The institution has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. According to the US News and World Report, Northern Arizona University ranks highly as a national institution and highly for undergraduate engineering programming. To support the success of their students NAU offers academic and career counseling as well as undergraduate and graduate distance learning opportunities. Some of their most popular online programs are in the fields of business, communications, education, and health.

NAU offers the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. This program includes undergraduate research opportunities as well as hands-on experience. The program has been accredited by the engineer ring accreditation commission of ABET. This program includes course material and design for practice, mechanical engineering, liberal studies, and electives. Students choose electives from the breath and depth electives. The breath electives are courses from engineering, the natural sciences, business and mathematics. The depth electives are mechanical design or fluid/thermal sciences courses. The main chemical engineering courses focus on mathematics as well as computer science and engineering. Additionally, students round out their degree with general elective courses. To complete this degree students must complete 124 units of credit. For more information about this degree check out their website.

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4. Siena Heights University

Siena Heights University is a private four-year institution located in Adrian Michigan. According to Carnegie, Sierra Heights is a masters college and university with small programming. The university offers associates, bachelors and masters degrees. Their student enrollment is 2337 and the student to faculty ratio is 12 to 1. Siena Heights university is affiliated with the Roman Catholic church. To support the success of their students the University offers academic and career counseling as well as credit for life experience and distance learning opportunities. According to the US News and World Report, Siena Heights is ranked regionally as the 91st best school in the region and 118th for social mobility. Undergraduate and graduate students may pursue their programming online.

Siena Heights University offers a standalone general engineer in program. Siena heights is partnered with UND to include a bachelors degree in mechanical electrical or chemical engineering. Students are expected to produce a portfolio to show their learning along the way. The program is based on active learning. This is a unique hands-on program. In addition students engage with internship opportunities. Internship opportunities offer students away to apply their knowledge to real-world settings. Along with the University of North Dakota Siena Heights offers a dual degree program. Students graduate with a bachelors degree from Siena Heights as well as an additional bachelors degree from UND. For more information about this program check out their website.

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5. University of North Carolina Charlotte

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a public four-year institution that enrolls nearly 30,000 students. UNCC offers bachelors masters and doctoral degree’s as well as professional certifications. The institution has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools SACS. According to Carnegie, UNCC is a doctoral University with high research activity. The US News and World Report ranks the University of North Carolina Charlotte as the 227th best school in the nation as well as highly for business programming, computer science and undergraduate engineering programming. To support the success of their students UNCC offers academic and career counseling as well as distance learning opportunities. Some of their most popular online programs are in the field of education, health, and public administration.

UNCC offers a bachelor of science in engineering technology with a focus on electrical engineering or fire safety. The electrical track includes a curriculums with the following coursework: linear circuits, digital logic and systems, microprocessors microcontrollers and embedded systems, electronic circuits and systems, control systems, power systems. T

hose interested in pursuing the fire safety option will study fire behavior, building fire safety, industrial hazards in electricity, risk management, applied fire engineering design, professional leadership, and more. For more information about these two programs check out their website.

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

• Program Website

6. Indiana State University

Indiana State University is a public four year institution located in Terre Haute, Indiana. According to Carnegie, Indiana State is a doctoral/professional university. The institution offers bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees as well as professional certifications. The current student enrollment is over 12,000 and the students to faculty ratio is 18 to 1. This university has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. To support the success of their students the university offers credit for life experiences as well as academic and career counseling, ROTC options, distance-learning and much more. Indiana State University ranks nationally according to the US News and World Report as well as highly for business and computer science. In recent years, Indiana State has expanded their online presence to offer undergraduate and graduate students online learning opportunities.

Among their online options is the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology. The program focuses on two areas: design and management. The the design portion of this degree focuses on mechanical tools machines and products. Graduates of this program may enter into a career ain design insulation, manufacturing, testing, evaluation, technical sales, maintenance or management of mechanical systems and processes.This program requires course material in the following areas: applied statics, engineering and technology, strength of materials, fluid power technology, manufacturing processes, and science and math required courses. For more information about this online degree check out their website.

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7. University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota is a public four year institution located in Grand Forks. The institution offers bachelors, masters and doctoral degree’s as well as professional certifications. The student population is 13,581 and the student to faculty ratio is 17 to 1. According to Carnegie UND is a doctoral university with high research activity. UND has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. To support the success of their students, the university offers academic and career counseling as well as credit for life experiences and distance learning opportunities. According to US News and World Report UND ranks highly for social mobility, business programming, computer science and undergraduate engineering programming.

The University of North Dakota offers a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. This is a 128 credit hour program 36 of those credits must be 300 or above classes. The program is divided into five main areas: essential required courses, mechanical engineering required courses, program required electives, college of engineering and mines requirements, and requirements outside of the college and engineering and mines course including those in calculus and physics. Additionally students have the option to select from the following concentrations: mechanical design, thermal sciences and manufacturing and materials. The aerospace concentration requires 133 credit hours for completion. The main mechanical engineering courses include the following: mechanical engineering, design lecture and design labs, fluid mechanics, design of machinery, thermo dynamics, manufacturing processes, mechanical engineering seminar, and engineering design. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

8. The University of Alabama

The University of Alabama is a public four year institution that offers bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees. It is located in Tuscaloosa and currently enrolls over 38,000 students. The student to faculty ratio is 20 to 1. UA has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools since 1897. According to Carnegie, the University of Alabama is a doctoral university with very high research activity. According to the US News and World Report the University of Alabama is a nationally ranked institution that ranks highly for veterans, value, business programming, computer science, and undergraduate engineering programming. In recent years, the University of Alabama has expanded their programming to include distance learning opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. Their most popular online programs are in the fields of education, business, family consumer science is, health, and public administration.

The University of Alabama Online offers a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. This is a 126 credit hour program that is offered primarily online. The program has been accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology ABET. The curriculum includes general education courses, computer courses, mechanical engineering and technical elective courses, humanities and social sciences courses, writing courses in the mechanical engineering core. The mechanical engineering core courses include the following: engineering foundations, thermodynamics, statics, engineering materials, fluid dynamics, mechanics of materials, heat transfer, mechanical engineering design and much more. Studnets may also choose a number of electives which are approved by their advisor. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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9. University of Massachusetts-Lowell

The University of Massachusetts Lowell is public four year institution located in Lowell, Massachusetts. There are 18,300 enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 17 to 1. The university offers associates bachelors masters and doctorate degrees as well as professional certifications. According to Carnegie the University of Massachusetts Lowell is a doctoral university with high research activity. To support the success of its students the institution offers academic and career counseling as well as distance learning opportunities.UMass Lowell has been accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education since 1975. In recent years, UMass Lowell has extended their programming to include a very large distance learning campus. Their online campus includes course material in education, business, psychology, engineering and more. According to the US News and World Report UMass Lowell ranks as the 176 for school in the nation and highly for veterans, social mobility, business programs, computer science and undergraduate engineering.

UMass Lowell offers an Online Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. The strength of the program is hands-on experience. UMass Lowell uses the methodology of design build test where students build and test their own designs. This program has been accredited by the engineering accreditation commission. The course material includes those in kinetic projects, mechanical engineering, a computer aided design, aerospace, thermodynamics, materials science for engineers, applied strength of materials, kinematics of mechanisms, control of mechanical systems, conduction and radiation heat transfer, and much more. For more information about this program and to apply check out their website.

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10. Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State University is a public institution located in Kennesaw Georgia. They enroll over 37,000 students and have a student to faculty ratio of 21 to 1. The institution offers bachelors masters and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. According to Carnegie, Kennesaw State is a doctoral university with high research activity. To support the success of the students the institution offers academic and career counseling as well as credit for life experiences, and distance-learning opportunities. In recent years, Kennesaw State has expanded their online offerings to include a wide array of opportunities for undergraduate and graduate the like. Some of the most popular courses by enrollment are in marketing, education, and engineering. According to the US News and World Report, Kennesaw State is a nationally ranked university.

Kennesaw State offers a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering BSME. This program requires training in basic science and engineering principles as well as computer aided design, instrumentation and planning and managing projects. The curriculum includes 42 credit hours of general education courses as well as course material in the lower division major math, and science classes upper division major, and upper division technical electives for a total of 130 credit hours. The upper division major requirements including material and fluid mechanics materials, electronic circuits, machines, dynamic assistance in control theory as well thermodynamics and others. All students are required to complete a senior design project. From our information about this program and to apply check out their website.

• Program Website

The post The 10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering Degrees appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Here are 10 careers that will allow you to earn a living while still following your creative passions.

1. Art Director

You’ve got an eye for design. You can communicate ideas through visual art, from photographs to paintings, and you have a knack for presenting that art through stylish and effective layouts. A role as an art director in an industry like movie production, publishing or advertising and public relations would be an excellent way to put those talents to use.

Art directors are the design professionals who choose the art, photographs and other visual elements that go into an advertisement, publication, motion picture or life performance. They come up with a vision for how the design will look and the manage artists, graphic designers, photographers and set builders who work to create the vision. Though a talent for design is crucial to success as an art director, the work isn’t all about the creative side. Art directors also need to handle business responsibilities like interfacing with clients, working with other departments involved in the project and creating and following budgets and timelines

Most art directors get their start as creative professionals in fine art, photography, editing or graphic design. In addition to earning a bachelor’s degree in their chosen subject, aspiring art directors typically spend five years or longer gaining experience in their arts and design roles and building their portfolios before they advance to this high-level, and highly compensated, role.

Salary: $85,610

Education: Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Photography or Graphic Design

Creative Field: Visual arts

2. Technical Writer

If you build up your technical knowledge, you can turn a passion for writing into a career that earns more than double the median annual salary in the United States. Technical writers are the communication professionals who create the text used to convey technical information in instruction manuals, frequently asked questions (FAQ) resources and journal articles. Most technical writers work in scientific and technical services or the manufacturing and information industries.

Being a good technical writer requires many of the skills necessary for success in other forms of writing. You have to think about your audience and figure out what they need to know to use the product safely and effectively. The role also involves doing research into the product’s design, development and use.

Writing out complex technical information in ways that are simple, accessible and easy to understand is the crux of a technical writer’s job. However, these professionals are also responsible for creating or attaining the visual elements – like diagrams, charts and photographs – that help users understand the product. Today’s technical writers may also be responsible for creating interactive presentations of technical information, including video and audio elements.

Technical writers need to draw from both communication skills and technical knowledge. That means these professionals need an education that emphasizes writing and communications but also a background in the technical subject they want to write about. In fact, many technical writers start their careers in these technical industries, often as research specialists or assistants. Aspiring technical writers are in luck – the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts opportunities for this profession to increase by 10 percent over a decade. That’s faster than the seven percent job growth expected for all occupations and much faster than the growth expected for communications professionals and authors (four percent and two percent, respectively).

Salary: $69,030

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Communications or English, Plus Knowledge of Computer Science, Web Design or Engineering

Creative Field: The Written Word

3. Industrial Designer

Every product we use was designed by someone. In industries like manufacturing, specialized design services, architectural and engineering services and wholesale trade, that someone typically goes by the job title of industrial designer. Part designer, part engineer and part businessperson, an industrial designer comes up with the designs for products large and small, from motor vehicles to children’s toys.

An industrial designer does consider the visual aesthetics of product design, but creativity also comes into play when creating a product that fulfills requirements of function, cost and user-friendliness. These professionals need to figure out the “audience” for the product and visually design (with the help of computer-aided design software) a product that meets that audience’s needs and expectations. These designs don’t remain sketches for long – they progress to virtual models and finally physical prototypes.

A bachelor’s degree is sufficient education to land you an entry-level role in industrial design, but employers will look at more than your degree. Most aspiring industrial designers build an electronic portfolio of their product designs, which they can show to prospective employers to illustrate their skills, the BLS reported.

Salary: $64,620

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design, Engineering or Architecture

Creative Field: Design

4. Fashion Designer

Not all art hangs on gallery walls. If you have an eye for aesthetic designs and the art and computer skills to create hand-drawn sketches and computerized graphics, you can put your creativity to work designing clothing, costumes, footwear and accessories.

Fashion designers are involved in the process of creating apparel from beginning to end. They develop themes and ideas to inspire clothing collections, create sketches that express their designs and choose the fabrics, patterns and colors they want for the clothing. They collaborate with other members of a design team to develop a physical prototype of the clothing design. A career in fashion design isn’t all about sketching colorful clothing ideas, though.

Fashion designers must research current style trends to help them figure out what designs will attract buyers. They have to be detail-oriented enough to develop instructions on how to correctly make the design concept a reality. A good fashion designer considers not only aesthetic appeal, but also function, making choices about the garment’s materials and construction. Some fashion designers are responsible for tasks like pitching the design ideas to a creative director, supervising production of the garment and marketing the finished fashion item.

If you want to become a fashion designer, you’ll need more than drawing skills and a creative flair. You’ll want to earn a bachelor’s degree in a subject like fashion design or fashion merchandising, which will teach you about different fabrics and the computer skills necessary to create virtual representations of your designs. Your college career is also the perfect time to begin building your professional portfolio of design concepts and get some work experience by interning with fashion design companies.

Salary: $64,030

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design or Fashion Merchandising

Creative Field: Design

5. Multimedia Artist or Animator

In animation and multimedia art, the graphics created require more than a single method of creating art. Instead of just drawing or painting an image, animators and multimedia artists create moving pictures and visual effects. Video games and animated movies and television shows are examples of the kind of work these professional artists do.

In each medium, an animator or multimedia artist is responsible for creating every aspect of the image, from the background to the foreground and the characters to the scenery. The ability to create visual art by hand is important for an animator, who will usually have experience drawing, painting and sculpting subjects. However, since computer-generated images (CGI) are very common in today’s entertainment and multimedia art, an animator or multimedia artist must have excellent computer skills, too.

Creating an animated piece of art is a process. Multimedia artists must develop the concepts for the designs, create storyboards that plan out the animation process and get projects done within a timeframe and a budget. They may need to do research to develop their designs or base those designs on the visuals of actual landscapes, people and movements.

Multimedia artists typically work in motion picture and video industries, computer systems design, software publishing and advertising. Though they may not always work in traditionally arts industries, they need to build a strong portfolio that shows potential employers their creativity, design and technical skills.

Salary: $63,630

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Animation, Computer Graphics or Fine Art

Creative Field: Visual Arts

6. Professional Writer

Striving to write the great American novel can certainly leave you feeling like a starving artist – but there are plenty of opportunities to make a livable living using your skill with the written word. After all, written content is essential for advertisements, magazines, websites, television and movie scripts, marketing materials, blogs, social media posts and many more types of media.

Copywriters, bloggers, screenwriters, biographers and journalists are all types of professional writers. Sometimes they have different job titles that may incorporate industries like marketing, communications or advertising. They might focus on specific topics or industries, or they may be generalists. Professional writers may work at an agency, in-house within a company or for themselves.

Though opportunities for professional writers are growing at a slower than average rate, about two-thirds of writers are self-employed, the BLS reported. That means it’s often possible to begin writing professionally on a part-time basis or as a side job – including while writing that novel, play or song lyric. Freelance writers don’t necessarily have to compete against numerous other candidates to get chosen for a position, but they do need to attract and build relationships with clients to get consistent work.

Copywriting may not sound as literary as penning the novel, poem, play or song of your dreams, but successful professional writing still requires many of the same skills used to write fiction and other creative content. It’s essential to know the rules of good writing and when to break them, and of course, you need to consider your audience, purpose and tone. Making valuable revisions is part of professional writing, just as it should be part of the creative writing process. The best way to improve your writing skills is through plenty of practice – which means writing professionally, even for advertising companies or marketing departments, can help you get close to achieving your literary dreams.

Salary: $58,850

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Writing, English, Journalism or Communications

Creative Field: The Written Word

7. Art Therapist

What if you could use your skills in art to help people? That’s precisely what an art therapist does. These professionals study psychology to learn about human behaviorand mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. They also study art and how to use it therapeutically to help people cope with these conditions or just with difficult emotions like grief.

An art therapist may have their clients sculpt with clay or create pictures with paint. They might guide clients in creating art that is helpful to their physical, mental or emotional state. For example, some art therapists will ask clients to create images of the metaphorical baggage from their past or of their hopes for the future, the BLS reported. Whether they work in schools, community centers, medical facilities or psychiatric hospitals, art therapists need to have knowledge of and passion for both art and psychology.

If you want to be an art therapist, you will really have to work at it. Aspiring art therapists often start preparing for their careers by earning a bachelor’s degree in both psychology and studio art, so they have a background in both fields and meet all of the prerequisites required for grad school. Then they have to earn a master’s degree in art therapy, which will include courses in counseling. To even get into grad school for art therapy, students will most likely need an impressive portfolio of their own. Throughout their education, they will need to complete internships to gain hands-on experience. In many states, it’s also necessary to attain a license.

Salary: $55,900

Education: Master’s Degree in Art Therapy

Creative Field: Visual Arts

8. Editor

If you enjoy working with the written word from both high-level and detail-oriented perspectives, you might make a great editor. These media and communications professionals work in the advertising, broadcasting and newspaper, magazine and book publishing industries. While their responsibilities differ depending on their industry and specific job title, the role of all editors is to get content ready for publication.

Some responsibilities of an editor are less creative and more detail-oriented. Copy editors, for example, effectively proofread written content to make sure it is free of spelling, grammar and punctuation mistakes. They may also check that the copy adheres to the approved style, tone of voice and editorial policies. Editors may also have to check facts presented in the content. Editors commonly suggest revisions to make a story, article, book or other piece of content easier to read and understand.

However, editing can still require a good deal of creativity. In many positions, editors take a big-picture view of the content, planning what stories need writing and working with the writer to create the best copy possible. In literary journals and book publishing companies, for example, publication assistants read a manuscript and decide whether or not to publish it. During the publication process, editors might also work with the writer to strengthen the story through revisions, including cutting, adding and changing the content as needed. Editors of newspapers and magazines develop or assess story ideas and decide if the idea is worth pursuing and what angle to take when approaching the story. Some editors are even responsible for designing the publication’s layout, incorporating visual design skills as well as knowledge of writing and reading.

Editors may also take on a leadership role. For example, the managing editor of a newspaper, magazine or broadcast media station oversees the day-to-day operations of the department. Executive editors choose what stories will run in a publication and what angle the writer will use to cover the topic. They also oversee assistant editors, who are themselves responsible for different categories of content within the publication.

In the modern job market, editing roles are extremely competitive. To land your dream job, you need a degree in a related subject like writing, communications or journalism. Most editors work their way up to the position from writer, reporter or editorial assistant roles. Experience working in publishing in some form, including through internships or experience helping with school and local newspapers, is beneficial.

Salary: $54,890

Education: bachelor’s degree in Writing, Communications, English or Journalism

Creative Field: The Written Word 

9. Interior Designer

Don’t limit your art and design skills to the canvas – put it to work making physical spaces functional, comfortable and attractive. That’s exactly what an interior designer does.

These professionals find employment in specialized design services, architectural and engineering services, furniture stores, wholesale trade and residential building construction, though around 25 percent of them are self-employed.

To start, interior designers have to find new projects to work on and attain clients. To do this, they must have excellent interpersonal and listening skills to determine a client’s needs and goals and persuade clients that they are the right designers for the job. When it comes to the actual design aspect, that’s when creativity, visualization skills and artistic abilities come into play. Interior designers must use their imaginations to develop design concepts that fulfill the required function and desired appearance of the space. They choose how the space will be used and the décor, including color themes, wall paint or coverings, furniture, lighting and plumbing fixtures, flooring and appliance styles. In addition to being functional and beautiful, their designs must be safe, complying with building codes and other government regulations.

To express their design ideas, interior designers must use hand-drawn sketches and computer-aided representations. They often take this task a step further by using computer software to create virtual three-dimensional models of the finished space. They must make sure their designs can be accomplished in the timeframe and budget specified by the client.

Interior designers may focus on a specific type of design or interior space. Some specialize in designing corporate spaces or healthcare facilities, while others focus on home kitchens and bathrooms. Interior designers may work to achieve a specific goal beyond function and appearance, like accessibility or sustainable use of energy.

Interior design occupations are seeing slower than average growth right now, the BLS reported. To break into this career, you’ll need a college degree. While the career path doesn’t necessarily call for a specific degree, candidates do need a background in drawing, interior design and computer-aided design (CAD), according to the BLS. To develop these skills, most candidates will look for a degree program in interior design specifically. Some programs even specialize further, focusing on subjects like kitchens and bathrooms. Aspiring interior designers should keep a portfolio of sketches that illustrate their artistic talents. When it comes time to enter the career, candidates may need to earn a state license. (Learn more about the top 10 interior design schools in the U.S.)

Salary: $48,400

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design

Creative Field: Design

10. Graphic Designer

Using visuals to convey meanings and messages isn’t solely the domain of fine art. Businesses and organizations also need to represent ideas through images – and that’s why they hire graphic designers. These creative professionals earn a living by using their artistic skills to create the graphics used in logos, advertisements, magazine publication layouts, websites, product packaging, brochures and other marketing and promotional materials. Through computer design software and hand drawn sketches, they develop an image from the first concepts to the final version used in publications and product art.

Graphic designers first learn about the project, including the goals and style the client or art director has in mind. They think about how to best express the ideas and marketing messages through the combination of images and text. Then they create those visuals – or at least, the first drafts of them. Graphic designers show the decision-maker, whether a client or an art director, their idea. If changes are needed, they revise the work and get the final graphics ready for publication.

Success in a graphic design career requires a great deal of creativity as well as technical artistic skill in drawing and computer design. In fact, graphic designers also go by the name graphic artists or communication designers. They need to come up with original design ideas that stand out and make readers and consumers take notice, but whose meanings are clear. They also need to bring those designs to life through their artistic skills, particularly those using graphic digital illustration, graphic design, layout and photo editing software. Graphic designers have to have a good aesthetic eye, because they choose the color, font, size, and spacing of text, images and design elements in a project. The wrong choices could leave a project looking busy and cluttered, bare and uninteresting, or otherwise unappealing.

Graphic designers often find work in industries like specialized design services, advertising and public relations, publishing, printing and wholesale trade. About 20 percent of graphic designers work for themselves. To get started in the career, you will most likely need a bachelor’s degree in graphic design. An undergraduate graphics design program will probably incorporate studies in design principles, commercial graphics production, studio art, printing techniques, computerized design and website design, the BLS reported. Throughout their studies, aspiring graphic artists should focus on developing a portfolio of their most inspiring and effective designs that they can show to prospective employers or clients to help them land a job or freelance gig.

Salary: $45,900

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design

Creative Field: Visual Arts and Design

Art is all around us. Whatever your creative passion, you can find an opportunity to put it to use in your career and earn a decent living, if you find the right industry and cultivate the right combination of skills.

Editor’s Note: The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics was the official source for the salaries, job descriptions, education and training requirements, expected growth rates and other factual information presented in this list. To learn more, readers should visit the BLS’s resources Careers for Creative People and Art and Design Occupations.

Related Resources:

What Can I Do With a Degree in Visual Communications?

Do I Need a Degree to Be an Interior Decorator?

Where Are the Best Paying Jobs With a Degree in Interior Design?

What Is an Interior Designing Degree?

What Is the Difference Between a Degree in Interior Design and Interior Architecture?

How Long Does It Take to Become a Psychologist?

For Further Reading: 

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

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

What Degree Do I Need to Become a Lighting Designer?

The post 10 Creative Careers That Won’t Require You to Be a Starving Artist appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

If you’ve weighed the options and decided that an on-campus program is the right choice for you, you’re in the right place. Our list of the top 10 residential bachelor’s in social work degree programs will tell you the most important information you need to know about taking traditional courses at some of the best undergraduate social work schools in the nation.

1. University of California – Berkeley

The University of California – Berkeley isn’t just the number-one undergraduate social work program in the country, as ranked by USA Today. The university as a whole also happens to be the top public school in America, according to U.S. News & World Report – and that’s not all. The school has earned recognition for its innovative approach to education, and its social work degree programs are considered among the best worldwide.

Undergraduate social work students at the prestigious University of California’s Berkeley campus are part of the UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare, the same branch of the university that offers top-ranked master’s degree programs. The Bachelor of Arts in Social Welfare degree program is a joint effort, with undergraduate students studying at the same school as their graduate counterparts but under the jurisdiction of the undergraduate College of Letters and Science. The program has a long and prestigious history, dating back to 1942, and emphasizes the broad knowledge base that comes from a liberal arts education. Residence requirements – referring to taking courses on campus – apply to UC Berkeley undergraduate social work students, as they do to all students in the College of Letters and Science.

Besides completing non-program coursework – including classes in subjects like reading, writing, logic, philosophy, language, literature, science and history – students develop a strong background in social science, social work and related studies. Required core courses include:

• Social welfare policy
• Social work practice
• Social work as a profession
• Current topics in social welfare.

Courses in psychology, sociology, economics, anthropology, political science and a variety of secondary social science departments supplement these courses and allow students to customize their education.

Because so many UC Berkeley students want to major in social welfare, the school recommends declaring the major as early as possible – and no later than the end of sophomore year – to make sure you’re accepted into this in-demand degree program.

Location: Berkeley, California

Enrollment: 27,126 undergraduate students

Tuition: $13,432 in-state; $38,140 out-of-state

2. New York University

The undergraduate program at the NYU Silver School of Social Work, accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, has earned second-in-the-nation status, according to USA Today. The Bachelor of Science in Social Work professional program splits coursework evenly between liberal arts core classes and social work major courses, so students end up with both a breadth and depth of knowledge. Residence requirements apply, but features like on-site experience and individual attention in courses make for a rich on-campus experience.

If you can’t wait to start making a difference, this program is an excellent choice for you. NYU social work students get plenty of real-world experience even as undergraduates. Field experience requirements add up to more than 600 hours of hands-on supervised practice, offering students in the bachelor’s degree program “the kind of social work experience usually found only at the graduate level.” Additionally, the program features small class sizes that allow for personal attention throughout the student’s undergraduate education.

Besides attaining on-site professional experience, students will complete coursework in subjects like social work practice, research methodology, social welfare programs and policies and human behavior in the social environment. The school’s focus on research and clinical practice as well as a liberal arts background prepares students not only to begin entry-level social work jobs, but also to understand the complexities of today’s social problems and the process of solving them. The coursework and field experience requirements are so extensive that many graduates go on to earn their master’s degree in just one additional year of study. Even those who don’t seek an advanced degree have plenty of professional training to make a great start in their social work careers.

Location: New York, New York

Enrollment: 24,985 undergraduate students

Tuition: $46,170

3. Rutgers University

If your interest in a social work career stems from a desire to help marginalized groups like the poor, oppressed and at-risk, why not choose a school that focuses on working with these populations specifically? Rutgers School of Social Work at Rutgers, the State

University of New Jersey, is one such school. The school’s Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program takes a generalist approach to social work education to prepare graduates for a wide range of career opportunities in the field. However, it includes coursework that focuses in on institutional and interpersonal oppression and working with specific high-risk populations.

Students at Rutgers bachelor’s in social work program begin with introductory courses in social work, social welfare policy, research, human sexuality and generalist practice. Throughout their studies, they progress to more advanced work in social welfare services, global health, child welfare services, human behavior in social environments, generalist practice and professional development.

Though the Rutgers undergraduate social work degree is a residential program, the school allows for some flexibility by offering the major at its Newark and Camden campuses as well as its main New Brunswick campus. At every campus, the school guarantees the same quality education that landed it 28^th on U.S. News & World Report’s list of the top public schools and 3^rd on USA Today’s rankings of the best bachelor’s in social work programs in the country. The major has become so popular that Rutgers regularly has significantly more applicants than there are spots in the degree program, so interested students must apply as soon as they complete their prerequisite courses and must stand out from the competition.

Location: New Brunswick, New Jersey

Enrollment: 34,544 undergraduate students

Tuition: $14,131 in-state; $29,521 out-of-state

4. Fordham University

New York City happens to be home to a second school that ranks among the top ten bachelor’s in social work programs. Fordham University, a private institution rated among the best national universities by U.S. News & World Report, is also home to the fourth best undergrad social work program in America, according to USA Today.

Students in Fordham’s Bachelor of Arts in Social Work degree program are also part of the Graduate School of Social Service. After completing their first two years of undergraduate studies, including prerequisite courses, students accepted into the major will begin a two-year plan of study that encompasses all of their social work courses plus extensive field experience.

Fordham allows for both full-time and part-time study options, but students must complete their coursework within two years. The school offers undergraduate social work courses at both the Lincoln Center campus in New York City and the Westchester campus in West Harrison.

During their studies, Fordham undergraduate social work students take eight core courses in subjects such as human rights and social justice, human behavior in social environments, research in social work practice, social welfare policy and generalist social work practice. Students learn how to work with groups, families and individuals through their classroom studies. Then they put their knowledge to the test in the real world as part of the program’s field education requirement.

Students engage in 570 to 600 hours of supervised practice in the setting of a social services agency. As seniors, students also take part in an Integrative Seminar, a small learning community that meets regularly throughout the year to help students integrate and apply the skills they learn in the classroom to real-life social work situations. Upon graduation, students have both the academic knowledge and professional training they need to begin a fulfilling career or start a graduate school program like Fordham’s with Advanced Standing status.

Location: New York, New York

Enrollment: 8,633 undergraduate students

Tuition: $45,623

5. Adelphi University

Do you want an education from a school that’s not afraid to innovate and change with the times? How about one where service learning experiences let you see firsthand what it’s like to work in the field? Adelphi University, ranked fifth on USA Today’s list of the best bachelor’s in social work programs, has granted Bachelor of Social Work degrees for more than 50 years. However, its commitment to offering an innovative curriculum means that the school adds and changes classes whenever necessary so students can learn the information they need for today’s social work careers.

Undergraduate students at the Adelphi University School of Social Work begin their social work studies in their junior years, after completing their general education and liberal arts requirements. They take courses in generalist social work practice and intervention, social services for children, case management, issues in social welfare, human behavior theory, human rights and social work research. To better prepare students for the interdisciplinary demands of a modern social work career, the school launched innovative new courses like Writing for the Helping Professions to Address Social Issues and the Science of Social Issues. Students can also choose to pursue an optional minor or concentration in child development and family studies.

Service learning is a big part of the Adelphi University social work curriculum. Junior BSW students attain 300 hours of supervised field education experience working with various populations, service delivery systems and social work methods. Seniors complete an additional 400 hours of field experience, in which they apply the skills they learn in the classroom to working with individuals and groups in a real-world capacity. Upon graduation, students have the professional training to join the workforce right away, but they can also apply for Advanced Standing in Adelphi University’s MSW program.

Location: Garden City, New York

Enrollment: 5,071 undergraduate students

Tuition: $34,034

6. University of Wisconsin—Madison

Not all social work and social welfare programs cover the same material. That’s why the University of Wisconsin—Madison’s School of Social Work offers two separate undergraduate degree programs, the Bachelor of Social Work and the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Social Welfare. Both programs begin with a liberal arts background and delve into an understanding of today’s social welfare problems.

The BSW program is a professional program that prepares students for generalist careers in the field of social work, or for advanced studies in social work specializations. Students take courses in social welfare policy and services, human behavior in the social environment, statistics, research and the social sciences. Seniors complete more than 250 hours of field experience each semester in settings like community agencies, mental health agencies, county agencies, criminal justice institutions, child welfare services and services assisting older adults. By the end of their education, students learn to act ethically and professionally, to engage diversity and to assess, intervene and evaluate practice with the individuals and groups they serve.

Unlike the BSW program, the social welfare major isn’t focused on developing students’ generalist social work skills. Instead, it covers today’s most important social problems and the economic, social and political contexts through which people view social welfare. Students in this program take some of the same courses as their peers in the BSW program, including social policy and services, human behavior in the social environment, research, statistics and social sciences. They also take electives in social welfare specifically. While there are no field experience requirements for this degree path, the school advises students to gain relevant experience on their own through volunteer opportunities.

Besides taking sixth place on USA Today’s list of the best social work majors in America, the University of Wisconsin—Madison is tied for 11^th place among the top public schools and 41^st among national universities, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

Location: Madison, Wisconsin

Enrollment: 31,289 undergraduate students

Tuition: $10,415 in-state; $29,665 out-of-state

7. University of Washington

Since 1934, students at the University of Washington’s School of Social Work have enjoyed an innovative education and plenty of advanced research opportunities at the school’s downtown Seattle campus. The school’s Bachelor of Arts in Social Welfare degree prepares undergraduate students for careers as social work practitioners.

Students take courses such as introduction to social work, human behavior in the social environment, community service learning, cultural diversity, social welfare policy, social welfare research and social welfare practice. They also gain hands-on experience through a practicum course that includes 480 hours supervised work with social service agencies. By the time they graduate, students have the thorough knowledge of social problems, policies and practice interventions necessary to start entry-level jobs in generalist practice.

The University of Washington placed seventh on USA Today’s list of the best undergraduate social work programs in America. It also tied for 16^th place on U.S. News & World Report’s list of the top public schools and 52^nd among the best national universities.

Location: Seattle, Washington

Enrollment: 30,672 undergraduate students

Tuition: $12,394 in-state; $33,513 out-of-state

8. Syracuse University

At Syracuse University, the School of Social Work is part of the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. Upon completing a generalist practice program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, undergraduates earn their Bachelor of Science in Social Work.

An undergraduate social work education from Syracuse University includes a focus on five distinct professional foundation areas:

• Social welfare policy and services
• Social work practice
• Human behavior in the social environment
• Research
• Field practicum

Syracuse allows students to begin their social work education early. As freshmen, students have the opportunity to take an introduction to social work course that offers an overview of professional social work practice. Seniors get to put their academic lessons to the test when they gain real-world social work experience through field instruction. During the course of a yearlong, 500-hour internship, students gain supervised experience in practicing social work “at the micro, mezzo and macro levels” – in other words, working with individual clients, mid-sized groups and large-scale communities.

Besides landing a spot among USA Today’s top 10 undergraduate social work programs, the school ranks among the best value schools in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Location: Syracuse, New York

Enrollment: 15,224 undergraduate students

Tuition: $43,318

9. University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas—Austin isn’t just one of the best schools in the country for a bachelor’s degree in social work – it’s also among the biggest colleges nationwide. The undergraduate social work program alone has 300 students enrolled, though class sizes typically range from 30 to 50 students.

Undergrads in the University of Texas—Austin’s School of Social Work start their college careers as pre-social work majors. Once they complete required courses in both social work and liberal arts, they can apply to become social work majors and begin taking the upper-level social work courses that prepare them for professional practice. The curriculum of the University of Texas—Austin’s BSW program focuses on developing a wide range of skills, such as:

• Advocacy
• Assessment
• Case management
• Community organizing
• Community outreach
• Crisis intervention
• Interviewing
• Problem solving
• Program evaluation
• Research Networking
• Service planning

Field experience is also a big part of the BSW program. Students spend 480 hours gaining work experience during a supervised internship program at a social services agency.

Location: Austin, Texas

Enrollment: 39,523 undergraduate students

Tuition: $9,830 in-state; $34,836 out-of-state

10. University of Georgia

Rounding out the top 10 bachelor’s in social work programs in the nation is the School of Social Work at the University of Georgia. The school’s Baccalaureate of Science in Social Work is a professional program that trains students in the values and principles of social work, teaches them to analyze social policies and prepares them to work with clients that range from individuals to large communities. Graduates have gone on to be generalist social work practitioners in state-sponsored, nonprofit and private settings.

Required coursework includes general practice social work, human behavior, social work research, current issues in social work and social welfare policy and services. Seniors complete a 560-hour internship to get hands-on experience in a field agency.

Social work isn’t the only area where the University of Georgia excels. The school as a whole has earned rankings among the top public schools, best national universities and best college for veterans from U.S. News & World Report.

Location: Athens, Georgia

Enrollment: 26,882 undergraduate students

Tuition: $11,622 in-state; $29,832 out-of-state

Editor’s Note:

Many of these schools have residence requirements that mandate students to take a minimum number of on-campus classes. A number of top 10 undergrad social work schools also require hundreds of hours of on-site field placement work. Each school landed a spot on USA Today’s list of the top ranked colleges for a major in social work. College rankings from U.S. News & World Report provided additional information.

For Further Reading: 

Top 10 Graduate Degree Programs in Criminal Justice

Top 10 Highest Paying Social Science Jobs

The post Top 10 Residential Bachelor’s in Social Work Degree Programs appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Whether you want to work with nature directly or you would just prefer to work in a field that allows you to get plenty of fresh air, you’re sure to find a fitting career match among the 30 best jobs for people who love the great outdoors.

RELATED: What Are the Highest-Paying Jobs in Environmental Science? 

The 30 Best Outdoor Careers

Do you want to work in relation to the outdoors in some way but don’t know exactly what you want to do? Here are 30 excellent career options for those who want their work to take them on outdoor adventures.

1. Agricultural Engineer

Most work in agriculture or farming necessarily encompasses spending time outdoors. Agricultural engineering is a largely outdoor engineering occupation. Agricultural engineers apply the science- and math-based concepts of engineering design to the field of agriculture. An agricultural engineer may design and develop solutions to technical problems with machinery, structural problems in the agricultural process and environmental issues that can impair crop or animal production.

To prepare for a career as an agricultural engineer, you should pursue a bachelor’s degree in agricultural or biological engineering, according to recommendations from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, agricultural engineering is an interdisciplinary field of practice. You could also major in a broader – but still relevant – engineering discipline like mechanical or industrial engineering and seek out elective coursework, internships and fieldwork opportunities that pertain to the agriculture industry.

Salary: $82,640 median annual salary for 2021, according to the BLS

2. Agricultural Scientist

Another outdoorsy occupation with an agricultural focus is agricultural scientist. Agricultural scientists are scientists rather than engineers, which means that they approach their career field from a background in basic science and scientific research rather than engineering design.

However, many agricultural scientists tend to focus on applied science efforts to address real-world problems rather than theoretical research performed solely to advance scientific knowledge of the field. As such, agricultural scientists may share many common goals with agricultural engineers, working to improve productivity, sustainability and innovation in the agricultural industry. Agricultural scientists primarily work in laboratories, but they do conduct visits to farms and processing plants to oversee how new projects are being implemented.

To become an agricultural scientist, students should try to find an agricultural science and food science degree program or take agricultural science-related courses as part of a degree program in biology or chemistry.

Salary: $74,160 median annual salary for 2021, according to the BLS

3. Archeologist

The efforts of archeologists may not pertain directly to the natural world, but outdoor fieldwork is a critical aspect of the field. Archeologists study ancient civilizations. Often, these efforts include working outdoors to identify and preserve sites of archeological importance and collect samples that archaeologists can analyze to learn more about ancient civilizations’ cultures and origins.

RELATED: Top 10 Highest Paying Social Science Jobs

According to the BLS, a bachelor’s degree will only allow you to work as either an assistant or a field worker, not a full-fledged archaeologist. To become an archaeologist yourself, you will need to earn at least a master’s in archaeology.  

Salary: $61,910 median annual salary for 2021, according to the BLS

4. Botanist

If your love for the outdoors arises out of a love of plants, botanist could be your ideal outdoor career. Some botanists work indoors, but there are plenty of options for the outdoor types in the botanist career.

Botanists study plants. Some botanists search to discover new plant species and learn their properties and characteristics, while others study how known plants interact with other living organisms and nature.

This career requires a bachelor’s degree. While a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree specifically in botany would be ideal, degrees in biology or chemistry can also help you enter this profession. 

Salary: $71,228 average annual salary for 2022, according to Salary.com

5. Civil Engineer

The outdoors comprises more than natural ecosystems. It also includes the built environment – which is the domain of the civil engineer.

Like other types of engineers, civil engineers apply the principles of engineering design, which are based on science and mathematics, to solve problems. Civil engineers focus on problems and solutions pertaining to infrastructure and, often, the construction field. These engineers design and plan construction projects, taking into consideration costs, regulations and other factors. During the design phase, civil engineers work indoors in an office, but once the project is underway, they typically work on-site.

To prepare for this career, you should earn a bachelor’s in civil engineering, according to the BLS. 

Salary: $88,050 median annual salary for 2021, according to the BLS

6. Coach

One outdoor job you might not have considered is being a coach. Although not particularly concerned with the environment, this career involves plenty of time spent outdoors. Sports that are most commonly played outdoors, like football, baseball, softball, lacrosse and track, are particularly good coaching career opportunities if you want to spend much of your workday outdoors.

While the educational requirements might vary depending on the location and type of coach, many coaches have a bachelor’s degree, according to the BLS. This is especially true for high school coaches, who are typically working as high school teachers during school hours.

Salary: $38,970 median annual salary for 2021, according to the BLS (often part-time work)

7. Conservation Scientist

Conservation scientist is a great career choice for those that want to work outside in forest settings and who have a passion for environmental maintenance and protection. According to the BLS, conversational scientists establish plans to manage forests and oversee activities implemented for the purpose of conserving the forest and its inhabitants.

Many scientist careers require a graduate or doctoral degree, but you can enter this scientific field with only a bachelor’s degree, the BLS reported. Aspiring conservation scientists should major in forestry, natural resources, rangeland management or agriculture. Some colleges and universities offer a cross-disciplinary bachelor’s degree in conservation science specifically.

Salary: $63,750 median annual salary for 2021, according to the BLS

8. Construction Manager

The field of construction is a great area for those who enjoy working outdoors but aren’t necessarily committed to environmental causes. Construction managers typically work on-site as they oversee progress on construction projects. Exterior projects like roofing, siding installation and exterior painting naturally occur outdoors, but even interior construction projects often require outdoor work cutting and preparing construction materials.

While some construction managers only have an associate’s degree and experience working in construction, many construction managers pursue bachelor’s degrees in programs such as construction or business engineering, according to the BLS. 

Salary: $98,890 median annual salary for 2021, according to the BLS

9. Ecologist

If you become a field ecologist, you will definitely be working outdoors. Ecology is the study of relationships between living organisms and their environments. Field ecologists spend time out in the field – that is, in natural ecosystems like bodies of water, mountains, wetlands and deserts – where they collect data and analyze living organisms in their natural environment.

You need at least a bachelor’s degree in ecology, biology, environmental science or a related field of study to enter this field. However, having a master’s degree can expand the job opportunities available to you.

Salary: $46,937 average annual salary for 2021, according to Salary.com

10. Environmental Engineer

Several engineering disciplines and subdisciplines offer opportunities for outdoor exposure as part of fieldwork, but none are quite as concerned with the natural world as environmental engineering.

According to the BLS, environmental engineers come up with solutions to all sorts of problems involving the environment and environmental sustainability. Improvements in recycling and waste disposal, systems for purifying unsafe drinking water and methods of combatting climate change are all among the types of projects that call fall under the purview of an environmental engineer. Environmental engineers split their time between offices where they design and develop solutions in collaboration with other engineers and the field, where they conduct field research that informs their designs.

Becoming an environmental engineer requires a bachelor’s in environmental engineering degree. You might also prepare for this career by majoring in civil engineering or chemical engineering.

Salary: $96,820 median annual salary for 2021, according to the BLS

11. Environmental Engineering Technologist and Technician

If you want to work on the type of projects that an environmental engineer works on without spending as much time in school, you could consider a career as an environmental engineering technologist and technician. These technologists and technicians help carry out the plans developed by environmental engineers and only need an associate’s in environmental engineering technology, according to the BLS.

Salary: $96,820 median annual salary for 2021, according to the BLS

12. Environmental Science and Protection Technician

If you want to do more fieldwork outdoors than environmental scientist roles typically allow, then you might want to pursue a job as an environmental science and protection technician. Environmental technician jobs are hands-on roles that you can often attain with a lower level of education.

Environmental science and protection technicians work in labs and offices, but they also spend a lot of time in the field – and on their feet – collecting samples or performing tests in this physically demanding job, according to the BLS.

This job typically only requires an associate’s degree in environmental science, but a bachelor’s can open up more job opportunities for you.

Salary: $48,390 median annual salary for 2021, according to the BLS

13. Environmental Scientist

You won’t spend as much of your time working outside in an environmental scientist role as you would in other careers on our list, but you will have an extraordinary opportunity to help the great outdoors.

Environmental scientists analyze environmental data to assess environmental threats and develop strategies to prevent, stabilize or fix these problems, according to the BLS. Although collecting specimens to analyze is technically part of an environmental scientist’s job, most of this work is done in indoor labs, and the fieldwork is often delegated to technicians.

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

To enter this field, you will need a bachelor’s in environmental science degree or a degree in a related field. You may need a master’s degree for the best prospects for career advancement. 

Salary: $76,530 median annual salary for 2021, according to the BLS

14. Forest Ranger

One of the best outdoor careers for people who would like to work in a forest environment is forest ranger.

A forest ranger’s job is to protect natural resources in forests, such as National Parks. Forest rangers also work with people, advising them on how to live effectively in a forest atmosphere, including planning for agriculture and crops harvesting, managing soil erosion and preventing and putting out forest fires.

Some forest ranger jobs are more focused on the law enforcement side of protecting the environment. Forest rangers in these roles may serve as police officers, and some may even carry guns.

Degrees in conservation law enforcement, natural resources, environmental management and agricultural science can all prepare you for this career field.

Salary: $45,487 average annual salary for 2022, according to Salary.com; ​$59,000​ average annual salary for 2021 for National Forest Rangers, according to The Houston Chronicle

15. Forester

Another great option for working in forests is the career of a forester. Foresters focus on supervising the forests themselves. A forester’s job duties may entail monitoring tree regenerations, planning sites for the planting of new trees and being part of the team on the ground working to extinguish forest fires.

The BLS links the forester occupation with the conservation scientist occupation, in part because of the similar educational requirements for these roles. A bachelor’s degree in forestry or a related subject is ideal for this career path.

Salary: $64,110 median annual salary for 2021, according to the BLS

16. Geological Engineers

The natural world is full of resources. If you’re interested in making a career out of hunting for these natural treasures, consider working as a geological engineer. Geological engineers search for viable mining sites that allow for the extraction of metals and minerals. Naturally, these minerals are typically found outdoors, often deep underground.

A bachelor’s degree in geological engineering or geoscience will help you get your start in a career in geological engineering.

Salary: $97,090 median annual salary for 2021, according to the BLS

17. Geologist

If the study of the Earth itself is what appeals to you about the outdoors, consider becoming a geologist. Geologists conduct geological surveys to find new resource reserves or deposits, plan land use and management efforts and protect people from the dangers of natural disasters.

A bachelor’s in geology will help you start your geologist career, but a graduate degree may be needed to earn a top position. 

Salary: $64,301 average annual salary for 2022, according to Salary.com; ​$104,395​ average annual salary for 2020 for geologists employed by the federal government, according to FederalPay.org

18. Geoscientist

Geologist isn’t the only type of career in the geosciences. Geoscientist is a broader occupational group that includes not only geologist but also geochemists, geophysicists, petroleum geologists and other experts in the Earth sciences.

Each distinct role in the geosciences has its own objectives, but the common thread that connects them is the job duty of conducting field studies that pertain to the Earth sciences. Geoscientists’ work is split between fieldwork, which is performed outdoors, and laboratory work analyzing the samples they have collected.

For aspiring geoscientists, the BLS recommends earning a bachelor’s degree in geoscience, physical science, or natural resources.

Salary: $83,680 median annual salary for 2021, according to the BLS

19. Land Surveyor

Land surveyors enjoy a good mix of office and fieldwork. Their job is to analyze areas of land to identify and record the boundary lines between properties. Land surveyors must work outdoors in all kinds of weather conditions and travel to different locations.

The best preparation for a land surveyor career is to pursue a bachelor’s degree in engineering or natural resources. Surveyors must be licensed by the state, according to the BLS.

Salary: $61,600 median annual salary for 2021, according to the BLS

20. Landscape Architect

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If you love spending your time in outdoor parks, enjoying the combination of manmade and natural beauty, a career in landscape architecture may interest you. Landscape architects design parks and other outdoor recreational places. While landscape architects visit their job sites, they spend most of their time in offices, creating plans, graphs and other documents needed to plan and carry out the project.

Landscape architecture programs are offered at both the bachelor’s and master’s levels of study, according to the BLS. 

Salary: $67,950 median annual salary for 2021, according to the BLS

21. Marine Biologist

Biologists are scientists who study living things. Marine biologists, who focus on the scientific study of animals, plants and other living organisms in the ocean, are among the types of biologists who spend the most time working outdoors. Marine biologists study animal species in and near the ocean, as well as the ocean waters. Many marine biologists find themselves working for state or federal governments, where the results of your research can help shape laws and regulations. 

Many colleges offer undergraduate degrees in marine biology that can prepare you for this career exploring the seas and studying the creatures found in them. Learn more about what degree you need to become a marine biologist.

Salary: $79,675 median annual salary for 2022, according to the Economic Research Institute

22. Marine Engineers

Another marine-focused job is marine engineer. Marine engineers draw upon the principles and practices of engineering design to devise and develop marine equipment. Most marine engineers split their time between visiting marine sites to inspect equipment and oversee its repair and working in an office to create their designs. Some marine engineers will work on a ship out on the sea.

For aspiring marine engineers, the BLS recommends earning a bachelor’s in marine engineering at a maritime academy to pursue this occupation. 

Salary: $93,370 median annual salary for 2021, according to the BLS

23. Naval Architect

The career of a naval architect is so closely related to that of a marine engineer that the BLS groups these two occupations together. The difference is that naval architects are responsible for designing the structure and interior of ships, specifically, while marine engineers develop the internal systems, equipment and machinery found within ships.

Naval architects work outside – often, in a shipyard or on deck aboard a boat – when they evaluate progress on the ship but indoors in an office when developing the design. Like marine engines, naval architects may spend time working at sea.

Aspiring naval architects should pursue a naval architecture bachelor’s degree, ideally from a maritime academy.

Salary: $93,370 median annual salary for 2021, according to the BLS

24. Oceanographer

Maybe it’s not marine life that fascinates you but the water that makes up the ocean itself. Oceanographer is a type of geoscientist who focuses on the study of ocean water. The motion and circulation of the water and waves, as well as the chemical and physical properties of the ocean and how these properties affect the environment, fit into the field of oceanography.

Oceanography is a specialized career path, so a bachelor’s degree in oceanography may be the best preparation. A general geoscience degree could also help give you the tools for success. 

Salary: $72,933 average annual salary for 2022, according to Salary.com

25. Paleontologist

If you have heard of paleontologists, you probably associate these scientists with dinosaurs, whose fossils they work to excavate. In fact, paleontologists dig deep into the Earth to study all kinds of fossils of animal and plant life that have existed throughout the geologic history of the Earth, not only those pertaining to the dinosaurs.

Fieldwork that consists of collecting samples from dig sites, making notes and carefully excavating buried fossils is an important part of work in paleontology and is sometimes undertaken in harsh conditions. An outdoorsy person is best suited for the work of a paleontologist.

To become a paleontologist, you will first need to earn a bachelor’s degree in geology or biology and then pursue your PhD.

Salary: $96,003 average annual salary for 2022, according to the Economic Research Institute

26. Petroleum Engineer

What else can be found below the Earth’s surface? Along with metals, minerals and fossils, the oil resources that exist there are valuable. A petroleum engineer’s job is to come up with ways to extract oil and gas from below the Earth’s surface safely, cost-effectively and with as little environmental disruption as possible. Petroleum engineers often work outdoors at drilling or well sites.

While a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering is ideal, students can also prepare for this career with an undergraduate degree in civil, chemical or mechanical engineering, according to the BLS. 

Salary: $130,850 median annual salary for 2021, according to the BLS

27. Resort Manager

A job as a resort manager allows you to combine your love of the outdoors with a passion for recreation. Resort managers look after the operations of their resort and make sure everything runs smoothly. For instance, ski resort managers look after winter recreational hills and make sure the ski season is fun for guests and successful for the business.

A business or hospitality degree can help you enter this field. Some schools offer specialized ski business and resort management programs that equip you with the skills needed to succeed. 

Salary: $78,541 average annual salary for 2022, according to Salary.com

28. Soil Scientist

A soil scientist analyzes the quality of the soil for land use. Much of the work of a soil scientist involves making sure storm water will drain properly.

The easiest way to become a soil scientist is to earn a bachelor’s degree in soil science.   

Salary: $74,798 average annual salary for 2022, according to Salary.com

29. Volcanologist

Some natural phenomena may capture your attention more than others. If you are interested in volcanoes, you might be interested in becoming a volcanologist.

Volcanologists visit volcanoes and study volcanic eruptions. They predict future eruptions based on scientific methods and warn people of potential hazards.

While an undergraduate degree can help get you started, most volcanologists hold a graduate degree in some area of volcanology, such as physical volcanology, seismology or volcanic gas geochemistry.

Salary: $118,590 average annual salary for 2022, according to the Economic Research Institute

30. Zoologist

If it’s not only the natural beauty of the outdoors that appeals to you but also the animals that populate an ecosystem, consider becoming a zoologist. Zoologists conduct studies and collect data pertaining to the population dynamics of animals and how they interact with other animals and humans.

Zoology, wildlife biology and natural resource management are all majors that can prepare you for this career. To conduct independent research or teach at the university level, you will typically need to earn a PhD, according to the BLS.

Salary: $76,530 average annual salary for 2022, according to Salary.com

The Top 30 Outdoor Majors

Now that you have explored the best careers for outdoors lovers, let’s look at the breadth of subjects you might study if you’re planning a career that takes you outside.

1. Agriculture Business

A major in agriculture business merges business skills with technical skills in the agricultural sciences. Generally, the business side of the program is geared towards small businesses, which are typical in agriculture. The science focus can prepare students for a career as an agricultural scientist, though outdoors lovers could also pursue this major to become farm or ranch managers.

2. Archeology

Archaeology is the obvious major for students who want to become archaeologists. Courses in this program will help students understand how to bridge the past and present, which is fundamental to the world of archaeology. You will also learn about cultures and peoples around the world.  

3. Botany

Through a bachelor’s degree in botany, you can acquire knowledge of all aspects of plants. This knowledge will help students work in fields like agriculture, ecology and horticulture.

4. Conservation

An educational program in conservation biology will go over how to save individual species and entire ecosystems from becoming extinct. Students entering this program may acquire hands-on experience working with ecosystems located near their school of choice. Aspiring forest rangers may seek a degree in conservation law enforcement.

5. Construction Engineering

One specialized degree option in civil engineering is construction engineering. A program in construction engineering will cover subjects of both engineering and construction, preparing you to be an engineer in the construction field.   

6. Construction Management

If you are looking to be in charge of a construction site, a bachelor’s in construction management is the degree for you. Through this program, you will learn about the machines and materials used at job sites, as well as how to effectively manage your workers.

7. Environmental Engineering

One of the most versatile academic programs for nature enthusiasts is a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering. While an associate’s degree in environmental engineering technology will prepare you to become an environmental engineering technologist, a bachelor’s degree paves the way for engineering careers such as an environmental engineer, agricultural engineer, or geological engineer.

8. Environmental Science

With a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, students can jump right into entry-level jobs in the workforce or pursue graduate studies. Coursework in the environmental sciences is the perfect fit for an aspiring environmental scientist. Other career options with this degree include ecologist and environmental science and protection technician.

9. Environmental Studies

By choosing a bachelor’s in environmental studies program, people who like being out in the natural environment can get an education that aligns with their passion. Some environmental studies programs offer concentrations in areas of interest such as forestry or agriculture. Aspiring land surveyors often choose this major, but those looking to work in agriculture or local and state parks can also benefit from pursuing a degree in environmental studies. 

10. Forestry and Wildlife Management

A degree in forestry is a perfect fit for lovers of the outdoors. Through this degree program, you can learn how to care for forests and address global challenges such as climate change, conservation and sustainable energy. A forestry degree can prepare students for careers such as conservation scientists and foresters.

RELATED: What Can I Do With a Forestry Degree? 

11. Geology

A bachelor’s degree in geology is an excellent choice for students interested in a science-related job that has an outdoor component. Understanding geological processes is crucial for outdoor careers like geologist. Prospective students can also use a geology background to enter the field of petroleum engineering or become another kind of geoscientist. 

12. Geosciences

If you enjoy studying rocks and volcanoes, a program in geosciences would be a great fit for you. Your courses will also help you understand how ecology, hydrology and geology impact the surface of Earth. A bachelor’s program in geosciences can prepare you for roles like geoscientist, oceanographer, environmental engineer, environmental scientist and hydrologist.

13. Landscape Architecture

The first step to becoming a landscape architect is obtaining a bachelor’s in landscape architecture. In a landscape architecture program, you will not only learn about the architectural side of landscaping but also the engineering side of designing built outdoor spaces.    

14. Land Surveying

If the career of a land surveyor appeals to you, consider obtaining an associate’s in land surveying degree. This curriculum will prepare you for collecting data about the land as well as mapping it out. In many states, students will also be prepared to attain professional certification upon completion of the program. 

15. Marine Biology

Ocean lovers should consider a major in marine biology. Coursework in this program will focus on the study of all life in the oceans, from plankton to whales. This education can prepare you for a career as a marine biologist or aquarist. You might also use this degree to work at aquariums and zoos. 

16. Natural Resource Management

With a bachelor’s in natural resource management degree, you can prepare for outdoor careers such as a conservation scientist, forester, forest ranger, land surveyor, zoologist and geoscientist. In a degree program focused on natural resource management, you will study natural ecosystems and develop the skills to identify and describe natural resources and flora and fauna. 

17. Paleontology

Because the field of paleontology is a subfield of geoscience, many paleontology degree programs are only offered at the graduate level. To apply, students must have a solid background in geological sciences. If your interest in the outdoors is digging for fossils, this path will prepare you to become a paleontologist.

18. Plant Science or Agricultural Science

For plant lovers, plant science may be the most fitting degree program. A graduate degree program in plant science will cover areas such as plant breeding, plant pathology and plant physiology and systematics. Earning a Master of Science in plant science could lead to advancement in a career as a conservation scientist, forester, forest ranger or agricultural scientist.

19. Oceanography

If your passion for the outdoors centers around the ocean, a degree in oceanography could be the right fit for you. The curriculum of an oceanography program covers each of the four subdisciplines of the field: physical oceanography, geological oceanography, chemical oceanography and biological oceanography. This program is the perfect first step to becoming an oceanographer.

20. Outdoor Education or Outdoor Recreation

An outdoor recreation degree can help you pursue a career in the fields of outdoor recreation and outdoor education. You will learn leadership skills as well as how to set up outdoor recreational activities. After completing this program, you can obtain outdoor jobs such as camp director, park manager or outdoor educator. 

21. Outdoor Leadership

If you’re aspiring to any outdoor leadership position, you might consider pursuing a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in outdoor adventure leadership. The leadership qualities you develop through such a program can be valuable if you wish to coach outdoor sports, leading a team from the sidelines during games and preparing them for victory during practices. You can also use an outdoor leadership development or outdoor adventure leadership degree to develop skills in leading outdoor adventure recreational sports, such as rock climbing, mountain biking, sea kayaking and hiking in mountain ranges.

RELATED: What Can I Do With a Degree in Parks & Recreation? 

22. Petroleum Engineering

A Bachelor of Science in petroleum engineering has a fairly narrow focus: preparing students to become a petroleum engineer. With a degree in petroleum engineering, you can enter the world of the energy business. The curriculum of a petroleum engineering program will cover topics such as the procedures for drilling wells, evaluating geological formations and their resources and designing systems for producing and handling fluids. 

23. Ski Business and Resort Management

A more general degree in business or hospitality could prepare you for a resort manager role, but the benefit of a focused ski area business management degree program is that you can gain specialized knowledge in managing skiing resorts in the mountains. In addition to coursework that is specially designed for the skiing industry, this program covers the business side of the day-to-day operations of a resort. 

24. Soil Science or Crop Science

Majoring in soil and crop sciences can pave the way to becoming a soil scientist. Students will learn about soil and crop principles and how to apply them to different issues, from local problems to global issues. Your courses will dig into topics such as soil conservation and soil restoration.

25. Structural Engineering

Structural engineering courses typically fall under civil engineering, but some colleges and universities offer more focused degree programs in structural engineering – especially at the graduate level. A graduate program in structural engineering covers structural aspects of resources such as concrete, steel, and masonry. A structural engineering degree can prepare you for roles like civil engineer, structural engineer and agricultural engineer.

26. Sustainable Food Systems

Sustainability is huge for those that want to preserve nature. Schools are increasingly offering degree options in sustainability. A Bachelor of Science in sustainable food systems can help you find a job in the food industry and may offer studies in areas of specialization such as procurement or nutrition. Other sustainability degrees can help you work in other aspects of nature. A degree in sustainable agriculture can help you become an agricultural scientist.

RELATED: What Is a Bachelor’s Degree in Sustainability? 

27. Volcanology

If you are looking to focus your studies on volcanology, you will probably need to wait until graduate school. To get into a graduate program in volcanology, you will most likely need an undergraduate degree in a field like Earth sciences, geographical sciences or geosciences.  

28. Wildlife Biology

If you love being outside and want to work with animals, a wildlife biology degree could be the right fit. Students in a wildlife biology program study wildlife sciences and often have opportunities to gain research experience. With a degree in wildlife biology, you can become a zoologist, environmental scientist, conservation biologist or park ranger. 

29. Wildlife Ecology

Nature-loving students who pursue a bachelor’s in wildlife ecology take classes in wildlife ecology, wildlife management and how to apply the scientific methods in wildlife experiments. A degree in wildlife ecology can help you prepare for a career as a conservation scientist.

30. Zoology

A major in zoology could prepare you to become a zoologist, a zookeeper or even an aquarium or museum director. The curriculum of a zoology program covers different aspects of animal biology as well as how to interpret scientific data.

Colleges for Outdoor Career Preparation

Once you have picked a major and a general career path, you still have to choose a school to attend. Below are some of the best colleges for outdoor enthusiasts.

What to Look for in a College for Outdoor Education Studies

Naturally, looking at school rankings, accreditation and degree and concentration options is an important part of your college choice. However, if you are factoring in your love of nature as part of your education planning, there are a few more things to consider.

Look for a school with a location that is appealing to you. That may mean choosing a college that is within walking distance of a hiking trail, boasts a beach campus or is in close proximity to a national forest. Consider researching schools that offer regular outdoor trips and those that are big on outdoor sports.

Gaining experience as a student can help make your job search much easier after graduation. Find out what sort of opportunities for internships are available through your school with organizations like the Forest Service, the Environmental Protection Agency and state parks and landmarks.

The Best Colleges for Outdoor Lovers

Some of the best colleges and universities to consider as a lover of the outdoors include the following.

Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, is all about sustainability. This environmentally friendly school is one of the best colleges for outdoor supporters due to its concern about its global impact and how to preserve nature for generations to come. Appalachian State University offers numerous sustainable development programs for students to choose from so they can find a concentration that aligns with their interests.

Local nature attractions: Blue Ridge Mountains

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Berry College, Mount Berry, GA

Located on Mount Berry, Berry College’s 88 miles of hiking trails through woodland, meadow, and stream ecosystems make the school one of the best colleges for outdoor fans. The campus is home to a 16,000-acre Wildlife Management Area, managed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Berry College’s Department of Recreation offers an outdoor recreation program to assist students in taking advantage of the many outdoor activities located locally. Besides these outdoor recreational activities, Berry College also offers outdoor career majors such as environmental science, environmental studies, geology and outdoor leadership development. 

Local nature attractions: Little River Canyon National Preserve, Red Top Mountain State Park, Appalachian Mountains

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Boise State University, Boise, ID

Boise State University is located in Idaho’s largest city. For those that enjoy being near water, the school’s campus is next to the Boise River.  Nature lovers can find degree programs in environmental studies and geosciences at Boise State University. 

Local nature attractions: Boise National Forest, Boise River

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College of the Atlantic, Bar Harbor, ME

Students at the College of the Atlantic in Maine can pursue coursework in areas of interest that include climate change and energy, community planning and ecological policy, environmental laws and policies, farming and food systems, field ecology and natural history, marine science and sustainable business.

Local nature attractions: Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island

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Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 

Colorado State University is one of the best colleges for outdoor, adventurous students who want to explore the Rocky Mountains. Colorado State University offers majors such as agricultural business, anthropology with an archaeology concentration, environmental engineering, geology, soil and crop sciences and zoology. Colorado State University is located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, in close proximity to several hiking trails. 

Local nature attractions: The Rocky Mountains, Cache la Poudre River, Lory State Park

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Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA

Outdoorsy students should consider studying at Humboldt State University, also known as Cal Poly Humboldt, part of California State University. Majors of interest include botany, environmental resources engineering, environmental science and management, environmental studies, fisheries biology, forestry, marine biology, oceanography, rangeland resource science, recreation administration, wildlife and zoology.
Local nature attractions: Redwood National and State Parks

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Lewis and Clark College, Portland, Or

The Portland, Oregon, campus of Lewis and Clark College includes 137 wooded acres in the Pacific Northwest for students to experience. If that isn’t enough to make this institution one of the best colleges for outdoor lovers, Lewis and Clark College also offers a comprehensive College Outdoors program that includes activities ranging from hiking and cross-country skiing to mushroom-hunting and nature mediation. Lewis and Clark College’s bachelor’s program in environmental studies can help you prepare for an outdoor career to help make a difference in the world. 

Local nature attractions: Tryon Creek State Park

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Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT

One of the greatest colleges for outdoor enthusiasts is Middlebury College. The Middlebury, VT, institution is home to the country’s oldest winter carnival, having celebrated its 99th Annual Winter Carnival in early 2022. Each year, Middlebury students come together to have bonfires, enjoy fireworks, and even partake in snow skiing. Students pursuing a degree program that will allow them to enter an outdoor career can choose from bachelor’s programs in environmental studies, Earth and climate sciences and geography.

Middlebury Outdoor Programs, a division of Student Activities, encourage students to develop their outdoor skills. Students can get involved as part of Middlebury Mountain Club, MiddFly Flyfishing Club and Midd Climbers.

Local nature attractions: Chimney Point State Park, Green Mountains, Lake Champlain Valley, Adirondack Mountains

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Montana State University, Bozeman, Mt

With tons of options for nature lovers, Montana State University is one of the best colleges for outdoor admirers. Students have options to earn bachelor’s degrees in agricultural business, conservation biology and ecology, environmental engineering, environmental sciences, geology, paleontology and soil and water science. There are even graduate options for plant sciences or land resources and environmental sciences. Students pursuing their bachelor’s degree can also earn a minor in soil science. Montana State University also boasts an Outdoor Recreation Center.

Local nature attractions: Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Parks, local rivers with fly fishing opportunities

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Northland College, Ashton, WI

Northland College is a private liberal arts college located in northern Wisconsin. The school’s location near Lake Superior, the world’s largest freshwater lake, makes it ideal for water sports like kayaking and skiing. What makes Northland College particularly well-suited for outdoor adventurers is its optional (but encouraged) Outdoor Orientation trip. 

Local nature attractions: Lake Superior, Chequamegon National Forest

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Stanford University, Stanford, CA

Stanford University, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, is one of the best colleges for outdoor enthusiasts on the West Coast. Students who want to dig into the past will be happy to know that Stanford University offers Archaeology programs at the bachelor’s level as well as a minor option and an honors program. Prospective students will also find undergraduate degree options in civil and environmental engineering, Earth systems, environmental systems engineering, geological sciences, geophysics and sustainability among the 69 majors offered at Stanford University.

Expect to spend your free time as a Stanford University student at the Arrillaga Outdoor Education and Recreation Center, swimming, climbing the rock wall, learning and playing and working out in the 75,000 square feet of indoor recreation space. About six hours north of Stanford University by car is Redwood National Forest, located in Northern California. 

Local nature attractions: Redwood National Forest

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University of Arizona

Outdoors-related majors at the University of Arizona include agricultural sciences, animal and veterinary sciences, biological science and environment and sustainability.

Local nature attractions: Saguaro National Park, Santa Catalina Natural Area, Tucson Mountain Park

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University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY

The University of Wyoming’s 200+ areas of study include many majors of interest to outdoorsy students, such as agricultural business, biology, botany, ecology, energy resource management and development and environment and natural resources.

Local nature attractions: Bamforth National Wildlife Refuge in the Laramie Plains, Medicine Bow National Forest

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Warren Wilson College, Asheville, NC

Also known as the “Adventure Sports Capital of the Southeast,” Warren Wilson College is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina. Nature lovers that choose Warren Wilson College will enjoy plenty of hiking trails on campus as well as their Outdoor Programs, which rent equipment out to students and run beginner trips for those seeking to try something new. Students seeking an outdoor career can choose from majors such as sustainable agriculture, environmental studies, conservation biology, archaeology and outdoor leadership. 

Local nature attractions: Blue Ridge Mountains, Swannanoa Valley

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Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA

With programs focusing on geology, environmental studies and environmental science, Western Washington University is one of the best colleges for outdoor enthusiasts. The campus of Western Washington University is located on the ancestral homelands of the Coast Salish Peoples, and the school expresses the deepest respect and gratitude for its Indigenous neighbors. The Outdoor Center at Western Washington University offers an Excursions Program and a Challenge Program for outdoor adventurers, as well as a bike shop and gear rentals. 

Local nature attractions: Mount Baker, the Chuckanut Mountains, Larrabee State Park

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Skills to Learn If You’re Eyeing an Outdoor Job in the Natural World

Preparing for an outdoor job isn’t all about academics. You should also develop your skills in a variety of outdoor sports and activities – not only for fun but also because, if something goes wrong while doing fieldwork in the great outdoors, these skills could help you get to safety.

Cross Country Skiing

Cross country skiing relies on your own motion to traverse snowy terrain when there’s no ski lift in sight.

Rock Climbing

Developing rock climbing skills can get you out of a tough spot in the great outdoors, and it can be practiced either outside or inside on rock-climbing walls.

Mountain Biking

Developing your skills in mountain biking allows you to ride a bicycle over rough terrain, either offroad or on mountain biking trails.

Scuba Diving

Scuba diving, or underwater diving with the use of Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) equipment, allows you to stay underwater for longer than you would otherwise be able to hold your breath. This breathing equipment allows divers to go farther and deeper in a body of water than they could otherwise.

Fly Fishing

Fly fishing is a form of fishing that involves the use of a lightweight lure intended to imitate flies, as opposed to live bait or other types of lures. Fly fishing uses specialized equipment and techniques.

Mountain Horse Riding

Horses can provide a faster means of transportation than walking on foot. Riding also offers a different perspective. Learning equestrian skills can prepare you for leading mountain horse riding tours in mountain resort areas and other attractions.

Sea Kayaking

Sea kayaking is the paddling of a small, narrow personal watercraft that is specially intended for use in the open waters of the ocean or a lake or bay.

For Further Reading:

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

15 Affordable Degrees in Dental Hygiene (Associate’s and Beyond)

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Policy Analyst?

The post 30 Great Outdoor Jobs Requiring a College Degree appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Some careers are friendlier to that entrepreneurial spirit than others. If the opportunity to eventually run your own business is important to you, then you need to start your career with the right education. The following 15 degrees can prepare you for the kind of jobs where workers are most likely to be self-employed.

1. Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture

A college degree in agriculture, agricultural business or agricultural sciences prepares students for success in the world of farm management. Most agriculture and related degree programs combine studies in business and science with a focus on framing. Coursework in farm management, agricultural economics, sustainable farming practices, plant breeding, dairy science and animal science is common, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported. Graduates of agriculture degrees will understand the process of running a farm or a group of farms as a business, from its financial operations to its marketing strategies. They develop familiarity with the laws and policies that govern farming. Some agriculture degree programs include opportunities to gain hands-on experience managing college-run farms and selling the produce. Some programs include a special focus on sustainability in farming. Agriculture degree programs are available at both the associate’s and bachelor’s level and are offered both on campus and online.

An agriculture degree is excellent preparation for a job as an agricultural manager. These professionals oversee the daily operations of farms, ranches and greenhouses. The vast majority of agricultural managers – 70 percent – are their own bosses. In fact, agriculture degree programs often offer required or elective courses in farming entrepreneurship. As bosses, agricultural managers make the decisions about what the farm produces, how it is run and where and for how much to sell the product. While a college degree isn’t an absolute requirement for this job – which often starts with professional experience as a farm worker – an education is becoming increasingly important, the BLS reported. Both efficient farming and effective business management has become more complicated, resulting in the need to know more about both subjects than what can be easily taught on-the-job. Some agricultural managers seek the Accredited Farm Manager certification from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers to demonstrate their knowledge.

Most Likely Job Title: Agricultural Manager

Salary: $64,170

Self-employment by the numbers: 70 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Sustainable Farming 

2. Bachelor’s Degree in Art

When you earn a college degree in art, you take foundational through advanced courses in studio art of various kinds. Coursework often includes study in creating art through drawing, two-dimensional and three-dimensional design, painting, photography, sculpting, printmaking and digital design. Creating an extensive portfolio of your work is integral to success in an art degree program as well as your professional life after college, the BLS reported. A strong portfolio contains a collection of the artist’s best work, but it must have pieces that are distinct enough to show the breadth and depth of the artist’s skills and styles. In addition to taking a multitude of art and design classes, students take core general education courses required for graduation. Undergraduate studio art degrees can be categorized as either Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees or Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degrees. Some art students choose to go on to graduate school and pursue a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree.

What can you do with an art degree? You can work for yourself – and still make a decent living doing so. Two of the most entrepreneurial and profitable art jobs are art director and multimedia artist and animator. Half of all art directors and more than half of all animators are self-employed. Some work from home, but many work in the offices of motion picture production companies, advertising agencies, publishing companies and design services companies. Art directors, who earn higher salaries, develop the big-picture design and style of the visual elements used in film, magazines, newspapers and advertising campaigns. They oversee the artists who create those images and visual elements. Multimedia artists and animators, on the other hand, create effects, models and animations used in movies, television shows and video games. Animators work on a project from the storyboard phase to the finished sequences of animation and computer generated images.

Most Likely Job Title: Multimedia Artist, Animator or Art Director

Salary: $63,970 – $89,760

Self-employment by the numbers: 50 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Computer Graphics, Graphic Design 

3. Associate’s Degree in Mortuary Science

Degree programs in mortuary science cover the technical skills needed to prepare bodies for memorial services and burials, including restorative techniques and embalming. They also include coursework in the laws and ethics of the funeral services business as well as grief counseling strategies to help funeral service workers in their interactions with bereaved family members. Mortuary science degree programs are available on campus at junior colleges as well as online. Many mortuary science degree programs require students to complete a one-year internship or mandatory clinic embalming assignments in order to gain hands-on work experience as well as prepare for common state licensing requirements. More than 50 mortuary science degree programs are accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education, which is important because a degree from an accredited program is required for licensure in most states. Associate’s degrees in mortuary science are more common, but bachelor’s degree programs in the subject are also available, the BLS reported.

A mortuary science degree is a good choice for those who aspire to be their own bosses because half of the 60,400 funeral workers in the United States are self-employed, according to the BLS. They may run the business in its entirety, managing the day-to-day operations of the funeral home and handling business decisions like financial planning and staff recruitment and training. They also do the work of meeting with families to plan the memorial service and the burial or cremation, filing legal documents such as death certificates, embalming or otherwise preparing the body of the deceased and writing obituaries. Since funeral service workers are often on call in the evenings and on weekends and must be able to make preparations quickly following a death, being your own boss is beneficial in this industry because it allows for a flexible work schedule to accommodate the needs of the business and its clients.

Most Likely Job Title: Funeral Service Manager or Funeral Director

Salary: $53,390

Self-employment by the numbers: 50 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Funeral Service 

4. Exercise Physiology

If you pursue a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology, you’ll take a variety of classes in science and health subjects, including anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, statistics, biomechanics, nutrition and kinesiology. Specific courses in subjects such as introductory exercise physiology, sports injury management, exercise pathophysiology, sports epidemiology and principles of strength and conditioning are common, as well. Programs that have earned accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs often include required clinical hours in a setting such as a cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation facility. A number of schools offer master’s and even Ph.D. programs in exercise physiology and related studies. While most states don’t currently require exercise physiologists to be licensed, a number of states are considering implementing licensing requirements, the BLS reported. However, graduates from exercise physiology degree programs can seek the Exercise Physiologist Certified certification from the American Society of Exercise Physiologists or the Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist or Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist credentials from the American College of Sports Medicine.

Given that around half of all exercise physiologists working in the United States are self-employed, a degree in exercise physiology is a great choice for those with an entrepreneurial spirit, a knack for science and a passion for fitness. The reason exercise physiologists need such a strong background in science and health subjects is that their job responsibilities differ significantly from that of a fitness instructor or athletic trainer. Exercise physiologists are part of the healthcare industry. Doctors often refer patients who have chronic medical conditions to exercise physiologists for the purpose of developing a fitness routine that will help them improve their overall health and work toward recovery. To accomplish this work, an exercise physiologist must understand the patient’s medical history and use medical equipment to conduct tests, check vital signs and develop an exercise plan that works with the patient’s limitations and achieves the necessary health goals, like increasing cardiovascular function.

RELATED: How to Become a Personal Trainer: What Degree Should I Get?

Most Likely Job Title: Exercise Physiologist

Salary: $47,010

Self-employment by the numbers: 50 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Kinesiology, Exercise Science 

5. Music

Degree programs in music can take a number of forms. There are programs in music theory, music composition, music performance and music conducting. Programs exist at the undergraduate and graduate levels. A degree program in music theory encompasses music analysis and research as well as hands-on training in music skills. Composition degree programs include music training and studies in the elements of music and composition techniques with the goal of preparing students to create original music of their own. Degrees in applied music or music performance focus on cultivating a professional level of performance skills in one or more musical instruments. Orchestral conducting degree programs, which are often master’s degree programs, tend to involve a lot of study of musical scores, private lessons in leadership and rehearsal techniques and hands-on experience conducting actual professional choirs and orchestras. Music programs at the college – and especially the graduate – level can be very selective, particularly since these degree programs often include some form of private music lessons.

A degree in music isn’t necessary for all music careers. You don’t need a piece of paper to write a popular hit song or start a band that does local gigs. However, you do need more than a good ear. Professionals who work in the music field need training – like the hands-on music training offered in music degree programs – to learn to play their instruments well. A solid understanding of music theory and the elements of good music composition, whether gained through formal or informal education, is also essential for success at writing original songs. While two out of every five musicians, singers, composers and music directors work for themselves, having a music degree is often essential to get respected and well-paying work in music. For example, musicians who perform classical pieces, sing opera or direct a choir typically need a bachelor’s degree in music, while orchestral conductors often need a master’s degree, the BLS reported.

Most Likely Job Title: Music Director, Musician

Salary: $49,820

Self-employment by the numbers: 40 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Dance, Theatre 

6. Doctoral Degree in Psychology

There are different kinds of psychology degrees that can prepare candidates for different roles. Most psychologists need a doctorate, which typically requires five to seven years of study, to officially use the title “psychologist,” the BLS reported. A Ph.D. in psychology, which is the traditional doctoral degree in the field, focuses heavily on research and studies in experimental procedures and statistics. Students must design the procedures for and conduct their own original psychological research and then present those findings in a written doctoral dissertation. On the other hand, students who want to focus on working with patients in clinical settings may prefer to pursue a Psy.D., a professional program that focuses more on experience through practical work and exams and a yearlong internship. Some professionals in the field of psychology instead pursue a master’s degree, which can often be completed in just two years and typically focuses on clinical psychology, counseling psychology or industrial/organizational psychology.

RELATED: Top 10 Highest Paying Social Science Jobs

About one-third of the 173,900 psychologists in the United States are self-employed, the BLS reported. Psychologists who run their own practices manage the business aspects of the practice as well as the clinical or counseling work. They may handle administrative tasks like handling billing procedures, insurance company paperwork and appointment scheduling themselves or delegate those tasks to the employees they hire and train. Besides being the boss, self-employed psychologists are responsible for working with patients. Clinical psychologists do the work of diagnosing and treating the mental and emotional health conditions of their patients. Counseling psychologists use the counseling strategies they have cultivated in school and through work experience to help patients cope with and work through problems in their life and relationships. Since psychology professionals without a doctoral degree typically must work under the guidance of licensed psychologists, those with a Psy.D. and a focus on clinical or counseling psychology are most likely to become their own bosses.

Most Likely Job Title: Psychologist

Salary: $72,580

Self-employment by the numbers: 33 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy 

7. Doctor of Chiropractic

A Doctor of Chiropractic, or D.C., degree is what trains chiropractors in the art of spinal adjustment and manipulation for health benefits. Earning a D.C. usually takes students four years of full-time study. A D.C. is both a professional and postgraduate degree program, the BLS reported. As a professional degree, it prepares students for practical application of chiropractic techniques in a healthcare setting.  You might be surprised to learn that, even though it’s a postgraduate degree program, you don’t necessarily have to have a bachelor’s degree to earn your Doctor of Chiropractic degree. Applicants to D.C. programs need just 90 semester hours, or three years of full-time study, at the undergraduate level to apply. However, many chiropractors do complete their bachelor’s degrees before they begin their chiropractic studies. While there’s no specific major students should pursue to prepare for a D.C. program, studying biology, physics, chemistry and the liberal arts can be helpful. The relatively few Doctor of Chiropractic degree programs that have earned accreditation from the Council on Chiropractic Education include coursework in biology, anatomy and physiology as well as clinical training in diagnosing and assessing spinal problems and using spinal adjustment techniques.

One out of every three chiropractors is self-employed, the BLS reported. There are definitely benefits to running your own private chiropractic practice. Many chiropractors offer flexible appointment schedules, including evening and weekend appointments, for the convenience of their patients. A self-employed chiropractor can set his or her own hours and determine what days and times the practice should be open. Chiropractors who are their own bosses can also decide if they want to offer additional services, like rehabilitative exercise and massage therapy, and if they want to sell health and wellness products, like sports braces, in their practice. They must also be able to hire, train and oversee the staff working in their office. In order to prepare students for the challenges of running a practice as well as providing chiropractic services, some Doctor of Chiropractic degree programs incorporate coursework in business, particularly in management, finance and billing practices, in addition to traditional chiropractic subjects of study.

Most Likely Job Title: Chiropractor

Salary: $64,440

Self-employment by the numbers: 33 percent

8. Hospitality

Hospitality management is a great field to go into if you want to work in tourism and develop your leadership skills. A hospitality degree program will often combine coursework from a number of disciplines, ranging from business management to laws and ethics and even food safety and nutrition. However, you can’t learn everything there is to know about tourism management from a book or a lecture in the classroom. Because many of the skills needed for success in the tourism industry – and in business management – are practical skills, most hospitality degree programs include hands-on training. Some programs require students to complete internships at hotels, restaurants and tourism destinations. Others run their own on-campus or off-campus lodging and dining establishments, where students can gain hands-on experience in every role of hospitality management. Depending on the school you choose to attend, your hospitality degree program could be part of a business college, human services department, agriculture and life sciences school or even its own distinct department or division.

A hospitality degree can prepare you for a variety of different jobs in the tourism industry, but two of the most common hospitality occupations are also among the most likely to be their own boss. Lodging managers are the professionals who oversee the operations of hotels and resorts. Food service managers run the business sides of restaurants, cafes, and other eating establishments. In both of these vocations, one in three professionals is self-employed, the BLS reported. While a college degree isn’t necessary to work in food service or in a hotel, the business and management skills you learn in a hospitality degree program are invaluable. When you run your own hotel or restaurant, in particular, it’s essential that you know how to make sound financial decisions, keep accurate financial records and manage staff, customer expectations and business logistics. You must also understand the importance of all of the roles involved in the day-to-day operations of a restaurant and hotel – a kind of familiarity you won’t develop just by working as a host, wait staff or concierge.

Most Likely Job Title: Lodging Manager or Food Service Manager

Salary: $48,690 – $49,720

Self-employment by the numbers: 33 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Hotel Management or Food Service Management

9. Film

In a good film and media arts degree program, your coursework will prepare you for a career in the entertainment industry. Coursework often includes studies in subjects such as introduction to film studies, film history, screenwriting, film theory, television, new media, cinematography and video editing software. Some degree programs or concentrations within those programs focus more heavily on cultural topics, like how race and gender are depicted in film, while others emphasize stylistic techniques in film or storytelling through screenwriting. It’s not unusual for a film degree program to incorporate coursework that covers the theoretical foundations and practical applications involved in every part of the filmmaking process, from writing the script to doing makeup and wardrobe and from decorating the set to directing the action on stage or before the camera. Many schools provide students with the opportunity to develop their skills through real experience – as well as their professional portfolios – while working on campus television stations or short film projects and challenges.

A film degree is an excellent starting place if you want to become a director or work as a film and video editor or camera operator. Film editors and camera operators are more likely than directors and producers to become their own bosses. About 30 percent of film and video editors are self-employed, the BLS reported, compared to just 20 percent of directors. Directors and camera operators and video editors work in the film and entertainment industry, but each serves a different role. Directors determine the creative choices that go into producing a motion picture or television show, overseeing the actors and personalities who appear in front of the camera as well as the behind-the-scenes work that goes into bringing the script to life. As the job title implies, camera operators and video editors do the work of actually recording the stories being told in the film and skillfully editing shots and sequences to tell that story in a meaningful way.

Most Likely Job Title: Film and Video Editors and Camera Operator, Director

Salary: $55,740 — $68,440

Self-employment by the numbers: 20 to 30 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Broadcasting, Acting, Journalism, Communications 

10. Dental School Degree

Completing dental school results in the award of one of three possible degrees: the Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.), the Doctor of Medical Dentistry (D.M.D.) or the Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.D.M.). Whether you choose a D.D.S., D.M.D. or D.D.M. degree program, dental school requires a solid background in the sciences, including undergraduate coursework in chemistry and biology. A competitive score on the Dental Admission Test (DAT) is often necessary to gain acceptance into a program accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation. Once admitted, students learn about anatomy, radiology, use of local anesthesia for dental procedures and periodontics, the study of oral health and diseases, the BLS reported. Learning doesn’t just take place in the classroom. Dental school students attain clinical experience by diagnosing and treating real patients under the guidance of experienced dentists. After earning their dental school degrees, aspiring dentists must attain a license to practice in their state. Those who wish to specialize must also spend two to four years completing a residency in their intended dental specialty.

One in four dentists – more than 37,800 total – run their own private dental practice, the BLS reported. Some self-employed dentists work alone in their solo practices. Others hire reception staff and dental hygienists to assist with administrative duties and patient care. Still others manage group practices, where they work with partner and associate dentists. A dentist who is self-employed makes the big-picture business decisions. He or she may handle overseeing the day-to-day operations of the practice personally, or may delegate administrative, billing, bookkeeping and staff recruitment and training tasks to an office manager. While the dentist’s primary responsibility is caring for patients’ oral health by fixing and removing damaged teeth and using imaging equipment to check for problems, you can’t ignore the administrative duties when you are the one in charge of keeping the business running smoothly. Opportunities for dentists – and for opening your own dental practice – are increasing rapidly. The BLS expects career opportunities for dentists to increase by 18 percent over a decade, compared just 7 percent job growth expected across all occupations.

Most Likely Job Title: Dentist

Salary: $158,310

Self-employment by the numbers: 25 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: M.D. in Oral Surgery 

11. Interior Design

A degree program in interior design will teach you the fundamentals of developing indoor spaces that are both aesthetically appealing and functional. Most college degree programs in interior design include coursework in drawing and computer-aided design as well as the theories and applications of interior design principles. For example, interior design students may take courses in lighting and textiles to learn about the materials and light fixtures they can choose from when designing a space as well as classes in residential and commercial design practices. They learn to create two-dimensional designs on paper and three-dimensional digital models of their design ideas. As with other fields of study, whether a degree program has earned accreditation from a reputable agency can speak to the quality of the program. The National Association of Schools of Art and Design, the Council for Interior Design Accreditation and the National Kitchen & Bath Association are all agencies that accredit interior design degree programs, the BLS reported.

One-quarter of all interior designers in the United States are self-employed, according to the BLS. Perhaps that’s because several aspects of the career lend themselves to the flexibility of being your own boss. For one thing, interior designers often work non-standard hours, like evenings and weekends, for the convenience of clients who may have a more rigid work schedule. They also need to travel to the space they are designing to understand the location and its advantages and limitations. Interior designers’ success has a great deal to do with the quality of their people skills and design work, so skilled interior designers are often able to make a living working for themselves. As in other art and design careers, interior designers need to show their skills to get paying work – and that means compiling a portfolio of their most impressive designs. Of course, self-employed interior designers still need to handle the management and administrative tasks of keeping their business running.

Most Likely Job Title: Interior Designer

Salary: $48,840

Self-employment by the numbers: 25 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Industrial Design 

12. Master of Business Administration (MBA)

A Master of Business Administration degree program typically includes graduate-level courses in a variety of business subjects, including accounting, business law, economics, finance, international business, management and marketing. Often, an MBA degree program will provide students with the chance to specialize in an academic track or concentration that’s of interest of to them in addition to taking core general business courses. MBA programs may combine studies of business theory with practical problem-solving skills developed both in business scenarios explored in the classroom and through hands-on internship experiences. While two years is the typical length of time to complete a full-time MBA degree program, some schools offer accelerated one-year programs, while others offer part-time study options that allow working students to learn at their own pace without leaving the workforce. In addition to traditional MBA programs where classes take place on campus, online MBA programs have become popular among busy students juggling family and work responsibilities.

RELATED: What Classes Will I Have to Take for a Degree in Business Administration?

Of course, studying business management is an excellent idea if you’re going to run a business of your own. Such a degree program can teach you important skills, like how to manage your company’s finances, use sound accounting processes to keep accurate financial records, publicize your business to draw in new clients and handle the complicated logistics of coordinating work schedules and supply delivery. However, an MBA degree is particularly valuable for students who aspire to be self-employed because it can also prepare you for profitable business careers that lend themselves to entrepreneurship, like management consultant and management analyst. These professionals use their extensive knowledge of effective business practices to help companies improve efficiency, decreasing wasted time and money and increasing profits. One in five management consultants works for themselves, the BLS reported. They set their own hours and spend much of their worktime with clients at the sites of the businesses they are trying to improve.

Most Likely Job Title: Management Consultant, Management Analyst

Salary: $81,320

Self-employment by the numbers: 20 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Bachelor’s Degree in Business 

13. Bachelor of Architecture

In the United States, top Bachelor of Architecture degree programs are accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. In dozens of states, having earned your degree from an accredited program is a requirement for obtaining an architecture license after graduation. Undergraduate architecture programs blend studies from a variety of subjects. When earning a Bachelor of Architecture, you can expect to study everything from the liberal arts to the physical sciences, from math to design. Of course, aspiring architects also study more specialized subjects, like construction methods, building structures, foundational theories of architecture, building design, architectural history and the use of computer-aided design software. While what you learn in the classroom is important, much of an architecture student’s development occurs in the design studio, as students develop their own building designs through sketches and three-dimensional models. Unlike most bachelor’s degree programs, a Bachelor of Architecture degree is designed to take five years of full-time study.

Of the 112,600 architects who are working across the United States, 20 percent happen to be their own bosses, the BLS reported. A benefit to entrepreneurship is that self-employed architects get to set their own schedules, which is a substantial advantage in an occupation that often includes tight deadlines and long hours. They may also choose to work from a home office, cutting out the daily commute and making it easier to work odd hours when necessary. Architects already need to be able to balance multiple job duties, such as interacting with clients, creating functional and visually appealing designs, collaborating with other professionals involved in the project and traveling to construction sites to assess the work being done. Those who are also running their own company must expand these existing multitasking and time-management skills to make sure that both the big-picture business decisions and the company’s daily operations are going smoothly.

Most Likely Job Title: Architect

Salary: $76,100

Self-employment by the numbers: 20 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Landscape Architecture, Engineering

14. Graphic Design

In an undergraduate degree program in graphic design, students take a variety of basic art and design courses. Common coursework ranges from design principles to printing techniques and studio art to computerized design, the BLS reported. Due to the importance and prevalence of computer graphics and design layout software systems, many graphic design programs involve courses that make use of these technologies. Coursework in color theory, typography, digital layouts and web design are also popular. Graphic design students often complete courses to develop their business knowledge, marketing skills and writing abilities, as well. For many graphic design students, cultivating a portfolio of professional-quality designs is nearly as important as the principles and practices they learn in the classroom. The portfolio is what will convey the student’s skills and artistic style to potential employers and clients after graduation. Graphic design degrees are offered at associate’s and bachelor’s degree levels, both on campus and in distance learning formats.

One in five graphic designers is self-employed, the BLS reported. Graphic design and entrepreneurship often go well together. Graphic designers develop the visual elements of publications, advertisements and product packaging. They create the art that conveys meanings and the layouts that organize the visual elements on the page. While some graphic designers are part of a team at a publishing company, advertising firm or design agency, it’s not unusual for a graphic designer to work alone. Graphic designers do, however, meet with clients directly to discuss new projects and the progress of ongoing projects. Being self-employed is an asset in these instances, because the graphic designer is free to alter his or her work schedule as necessary to fit in meetings with clients. Graphic designers who run their own firm often devote at least some time to finding new business by searching for and applying for new jobs, presenting their skills and ideas to potential clients and bidding on contracts for paid work.

Most Likely Job Title: Graphic Designer

Salary: $46,900

Self-employment by the numbers: 20 percent

Alternative Degree Paths: Art 

15. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M. or V.M.D.) degree isn’t an easy task. To even be admitted to one of these competitive doctoral degree programs, you will most likely need an undergraduate education with a background in science courses such as anatomy, animal science, biology, chemistry, microbiology, physiology and zoology. In a degree program that has earned accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education, you will spend four years on your veterinary studies. For the first three years, your learning will take place in the classroom, in the lab and in clinical settings. During the fourth and final year of veterinary school, you will gain hands-on experience as you perform clinical rotations at a veterinary hospital, the BLS reported. Students in a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree program learn about that anatomy and physiology of various kinds of animals. They receive the training needed to prevent diseases and diagnose and treat medical conditions in pets, livestock and other types of animals.

About one in six veterinarians chooses to become their own boss, according to the BLS. Like doctors who work with human patients, self-employed veterinarians often run private solo practices. Some open group practices where they work with partner veterinarians or hire associate dentists. Self-employed veterinarians may set their own hours, often including occasional weeknight or evening appointments for the convenience of the human owners of their animal patients. Some veterinarians, particularly those who work with farm animals rather than exclusively with companion animals, may have to travel to owners’ homes or workplaces to care for animals that can’t be easily transported, like horses, or with groups of animals, like a brood of chickens. Though rewarding, the work of a veterinarian can be demanding and even hazardous. Sick and injured animals might not react tolerantly to being examined, while interacting with distressed pet owners can be emotionally draining. However, candidates who have an entrepreneurial spirit as well as a love for animals can make the most of a career as a self-employed veterinarian.

RELATED: How to Become a Veterinarian: What Major Do You Need to Be a Vet?          

Most Likely Job Title: Veterinarian

Salary: $88,490

Self-employment by the numbers: 17 percent

Editor’s Note: Of course, no degree or occupation guarantees success in entrepreneurship. However, the degrees and careers listed above are associated with high self-employment rates. Being your own boss can be both challenging and rewarding. For more information on any of the occupations listed in this article, visit the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which was the source for salary, career outlook, education and self-employment data. You can also learn more about entrepreneurship from the BLS Career Outlook article Self-Employment: What to know to be your own boss.

Related Resources:

Do I Need a Degree to Be an Interior Decorator?

Where Are the Best Paying Jobs With a Degree in Interior Design?

What Is the Difference Between a Degree in Interior Design and Interior Architecture?

What Degree Do I Need to Become a Lighting Designer?

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

How Long Does It Take to Become a Psychologist?

Best Major for Dentist: What Major Do You Need to Be a Dentist?

For Further Reading: 

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

What Are the 5 Best Careers in Environmental Science?

Which Degree Is Best for a Software Engineer?

How Many Jobs Are Available in Finance?

What Is an Interior Designing Degree?

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

The post 15 Degrees That Are Perfect for Becoming Your Own Boss appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Marketing professionals need to have an education that accounts for the constant changes in the field and in our lives. Knowledge of traditional advertising methods is still important. However, new marketers must have the skills to create new campaigns that deal with saturated markets and consumer fatigue. For marketing efforts to find success today, they must feel more authentic, organic and relevant to people than ever before. An online bachelor’s degree in marketing from one of the top schools in the country can equip you with these skills.

Earning a Bachelor’s in Marketing online paves the way for a career in a field that boasts stable wages and job growth. You can set yourself apart by earning a degree with a curriculum that aligns with the current obstacles and opportunities in this sector.

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) noted the following about employment and earnings in marketing:

• Market research analysts and marketing specialists made a median annual wage of $68,230 as of 2022
• Marketing managers earned a median annual salary of $140,040 in 2022. Advertising and promotions managers earned a median salary of $127,830. The typical entry-level education for these roles was a bachelor’s degree with some work experience in the field.
• There were 389,000 advertising, promotions and marketing managers in 2022. Between 2022 and 2032, the BLS expected jobs in this occupation to increase by a faster-than-average rate of 6%. Such an increase would lead to the creation of 24,300 new jobs.

What Are the Best Online Marketing Degrees at the Bachelor’s Level?

For this of the best online marketing degrees, we’ve selected schools based on factors like:

• The quality of their marketing degree curriculum
• The flexibility and adult support they offer
• Their reputation
• The unique features that separate them from comparable programs

Let’s check out the 20 best bachelor’s in marketing online programs:

1. Colorado State University

If we have to choose one school as offering the best marketing degree online, it’s Colorado State University (CSU). This public university, based in Fort Collins, CO, was founded in 1870.

Today, CSU offers close to 300 distinct programs of study through its eight colleges and 15 academic departments. The school’s 2022 student population amounted to 33,455.

Colorado State University is a leading research university. In 2015, Colorado State University became the first college in the U.S. to achieve a STARS Platinum rating for sustainability. At the graduate level, CSU is known for its degree programs in education, business and engineering.

Colorado State University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The school’s business programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Studying Marketing Online at Colorado State

A Bachelor of Science in Marketing already tends to be a more specialized program than a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a marketing concentration. However, the 30 distinct specializations available through this program allow students to develop even more specialized knowledge. These specializations include:

• Marketing
• Digital marketing
• Public relations
• Data management and analysis
• Web application development
• Communication
• Business administration
• International business
• Fundraising
• Project management
• Operations management and supervision
• Organizational leadership
• Public and nonprofit management

Whatever specialization you choose, you can expect to take online marketing courses in topics like the following:

• Introduction to marketing
• Strategic marketing
• Market research
• Consumer behavior
• Promotion and public relations
• Product and brand management
• International and multi-cultural marketing
• Digital marketing
• Leadership principles for marketing

Students are also encouraged to complete a marketing practicum. They are required to complete a capstone course in marketing.

View program details.

2. Liberty University

Next on our list of the best online marketing degrees is Liberty University. Liberty University is a private nonprofit research university in Lynchburg, Virginia. The Christian institution of higher learning was founded in 1971 by a reverend. The curriculum still includes some Christian and biblical coursework.

The primarily online school serves over 100,000 students, so online learners here are in good company. The massive online student population makes the institution one of the largest nonprofit colleges in America. Liberty University’s long history of offering distance education programs dates back to 1985.

The school offers upwards of 300 degree programs. Liberty University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. 

Majoring in Marketing at Liberty

Liberty offers a number of marketing-related specializations as part of its ACBSP-accredited online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program. In this online degree, the specializations you can pursue include:

• Advertising and digital marketing
• Marketing analytics
• Professional selling

The Strategic Marketing Management program includes coursework in:

• Consumer behavior
• Marketing research
• Marketing brand management
• Promotion strategy

The Digital Marketing and Advertising specialization encompasses classes in:

• Customer retention through digital marketing
• Conversion and optimization
• Digital marketing in the virtual world

Featured coursework in the Marketing Analytics program includes marketing research and applied marketing analysis.

Students in all specializations take core business classes in areas like the following:

• Economics
• Business research methods
• Business computer applications
• Organizational behavior and management
• Managerial principles
• Finance principles
• Marketing principles
• International business
• Strategic planning
• Operations strategy
• Business policy
• Legal and ethical business concepts for decision-making
• Business analytics
• Financial statement analysis
• Human resource management

View program details.

3. Old Dominion University

Prospective students will find another of the best marketing degrees online at Old Dominion University. This public research university in Norfolk, VA, was founded in 1930.

Old Dominion University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The institution serves more than 24,000 students on campus and online and is one of the larger distance-learning schools in the country. The school’s more than 165,000 alumni live all over the United States and in 52 countries. In this military-friendly university, one-quarter of the student population is affiliated with the military in some capacity.

ODU has a strong research emphasis, especially as it pertains to entrepreneurship. Through its business and research incentives, Old Dominion University contributes $2.6 billion to Virginia’s economy annually.

Of the school’s 175 degree programs, 120 degrees are offered online, including its online marketing degree.

Online Marketing Studies at Old Dominion

Old Dominion University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Marketing. This program combines core business classes with major coursework in marketing. The curriculum gives students both breadth and depth of knowledge. Through the program, students learn how to analyze complex data and glean meaningful insights from the current marketing environment. They get to know marketing strategies and systems. Graduates of Old Dominion University’s online bachelor’s degree in marketing program understand how to solve marketing problems and create successful campaigns.

Old Dominion University offers this online in both a traditional format for new college students and a degree completion format for students with prior college credit. The school’s generous transfer policy allows students to apply up to 90 credits earned elsewhere toward their bachelor’s degree. The degree requires a total of 120 credits of college-level coursework. Students in the degree completion program must take at least 30 credits at ODU.

The core business courses in the curriculum include studies in:

• Microeconomics
• Macroeconomics
• Managerial economics
• Business analytics
• Business policy and strategy
• Operations management
• Principles of Financial Accounting 3
• Contemporary organizations and management
• Legal environments of business
• Introductory financial management
• Managerial accounting principles
• Marketing principles
• Principles of information technology

• Consumer behavior
• Marketing policy and strategy
• Marketing research
• Multinational marketing

• Sales management
• Advertising strategy
• Retail marketing
• Marketing for services
• Social media marketing
• The art of persuasion

View program details.

4. The University of Alabama-Birmingham

Another school with an excellent online bachelors degree in marketing is the University of Alabama at Birmingham. This public university was founded in 1969 and serves more than 21,000 total students.

The institution is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. This highly respected research university has produced a number of Marshall, Fulbright, Truman, and Rhodes scholars. The school is divided into 12 distinct schools and colleges, including schools of medicine, dentistry and optometry.

If you want more from your online education than video lectures to watch and, ultimately, a piece of paper – that is, your degree – that proves you have graduated, the University of Alabama-Birmingham’s program is a good fit for you. The school has a reputation for offering students ample opportunities for internships, resume-building and significant research involvement, even as undergraduates.

UAB’s Online Marketing Degree

The online Bachelor of Science in Marketing program at the University of Alabama-Birmingham is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The program covers the use of current communication technologies to drive growth and build a sustainable, long-term career in marketing. The University of Alabama-Birmingham’s online marketing degree program prepares students to become market research analysts, sales managers, social media marketers, public relations specialists and more.

Foundational and business core coursework in UAB’s marketing bachelor’s degree program includes the following topics:

• Business foundations
• Financial literacy
• Legal environment of business
• Microeconomics
• Macroeconomics
• Accounting principles
• Quantitative analysis
• Business communications
• Survey of marketing basics
• Fundamentals of financial management
• Management processes and behavior
• Operations management
• Management information systems
• International marketing

Marketing students, in particular, take a full array of core marketing classes. Students study sales techniques, marketing communications, e-commerce and digital media and multinational business practices, among many other topics. This major coursework includes:

• Marketing research
• Integrated marketing communication
• Distribution management
• Professional selling
• Retail marketing
• Entrepreneurship and marketing planning

Electives in areas like social media marketing and sales management give students more opportunities to explore their interests. They also complete a capstone course in strategic marketing through which they develop and demonstrate skills for solving problems that arise in marketing management roles.

RELATED: What Degree Do Marketing Managers Have?

Students get the best of both worlds in this program: the flexibility of a 100% online format plus benefits like collaborative networking opportunities and access to scholarships and other forms of financial aid.

View program details.

5. Regent University

Students can find another example of the best marketing degree online at Regent University. This private interdenominational Christian research university was established in Virginia Beach, VA, in 1977.

Regent University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The school serves 13,000 students pursuing education at the associate degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and doctoral degree levels. Regent is known for its programs in business, education, nursing, accounting, computer science, engineering and cybersecurity.

The institution offers more than 150 degree and certificate programs on campus. More than 100 of these programs are also available online. Online courses take the form of eight-week classes. This condensed term format allows online students to focus on fewer courses at a time while rapidly making progress toward their degrees.

Compared to other private universities, Regent boasts an affordable tuition rate, made even more affordable through the possibility of receiving scholarships and other forms of financial aid.

Online Marketing Education at Regent

The online bachelors marketing degree program at Regent University confers a Bachelor of Science in Marketing degree. The curriculum is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. Through the marketing curriculum couched in a Christian outlook, undergraduate marketing students develop an understanding of why consumers make the choices they do.

Core courses in Regent University’s marketing program draw from core business subjects and more specialized marketing classes. The curriculum includes studies in the following:

• Business law
• International business
• Strategic management
• Financial management
• Introductory accounting
• Macroeconomics
• Marketing principles
• Consumer behavior
• Advertising and promotion
• Sales management
• Retail management
• Marketing research
• Public relations
• Communication for public relations and marketing 
• Digital marketing strategy
• Social media marketing
• E-commerce

Regent University also offers several related degrees, including multiple communication studies bachelor’s programs, a Bachelor of Science in Business with an emphasis in marketing and an MBA in marketing.

View program details.

6. New Mexico State University

New Mexico State University, too, offers one of the best marketing degree online programs. This public university in Las Cruces, NM, was founded in 1888. Today, the school serves more than 21,000 total students.

The institution is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. New Mexico State University is best known for its programs in education, engineering and business. However, the school offers programs of study in many other fields. Undergraduate students can choose from 180 majors and 170 minors. Graduate students may pursue more than 120 programs of study. All told, New Mexico State University offers more than 4,400 courses through its 54 academic departments.

Another claim to fame is New Mexico State University’s Chile Pepper Institute, which undertakes research, education and promotion pertaining to New Mexico’s state vegetable.

Studying Marketing Online at New Mexico State

The online marketing program at New Mexico State University is a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing program. The AACSB-accredited online program includes required major courses in marketing research and marketing strategy and policy. Students also complete 18 credits of upper-division elective coursework in marketing, choosing from topics such as Internet marketing, sports marketing, advanced sales and special topics in marketing. These marketing courses build upon core business coursework in areas like strategic management, accounting, financial analysis, organizational behavior and marketing principles.

On-campus marketing programs at New Mexico State University allow students to pursue specializations in strategic marketing, advertising, professional selling or PGA Golf management. The online marketing program, on the other hand, is a less specialized bachelor’s in marketing program. Still, graduates of this online bachelor’s in marketing program will be prepared to match customer needs and desires with different products, services, and concepts.

View program details.

7. Florida International University

Students can find another of the best marketing degree online programs in the country at Florida International University. FIU is a public research university in Miami. It was founded in 1972. Florida International University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Over 55,609 total students, 45,688 of whom were undergraduates, attended Florida International University in 2022. Around 67% of undergraduate students at FIU are Hispanic or Latino, a statistic that makes Florida International University one of the top schools in the country for granting bachelor’s degrees to Hispanic students.

Florida International University prioritizes engaging in research and enhancing the lives of local and global communities. Through its nine schools and colleges, FIU offers more than 280 programs, including more than 70 fully online programs. Among the school’s most popular majors are marketing, business, management, psychology, social sciences, interdisciplinary studies, communication and journalism.

FIU’s Online Marketing Degree

The bachelor’s in marketing program available online through Florida International University is a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing degree. This marketing-focused business administration program prepares students to work in many different aspects of the field, including the following:

• Communications
• Logistics
• Marketing research
• Advertising
• E-marketing
• Sales management

Offered through the R. Kirk Landon Undergraduate School of Business, this 120-credit program encompasses both core business courses and marketing major courses. Business classes cover topics such as:

• Organization and management
• Strategic management
• Financial management
• Business analytics
• Legal environment of business
• Applied business statistics
• Introduction to information systems management
• Introduction to marketing

The marketing courses for this degree program include required coursework in consumer behavior, personal selling, marketing research, marketing strategy and marketing oneself in the job market. For their elective marketing courses, students can choose from topics such as digital marketing, social media marketing, business-to-business sales and marketing, customer relationship management and marketing of small business enterprises. Students may also gain experience through a marketing internship.

RELATED: When Is the Best Time for Bachelor’s of Marketing Students to Begin Looking for Summer Internships?

Florida International University’s program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The school also offers an online Master of Science in Marketing program for prospective students interested in graduate school.

View program details.

8. Huntington University

One of the best marketing degree online programs for working adult students is found at Huntington University.

This private Christian university in Huntington, Indiana, was founded in 1897 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. The school still maintains its Christ-centered focus today, with required general education coursework in religious studies and the Christian faith.

This small university serves a student body of just 1,375 as of 2022, including undergraduate and graduate students. The online student population at Huntington University amounts to just over 50 students. A large percentage of the student body at Huntington University volunteers in the community or serves abroad, often through the school’s Friesen Center for Service & Experiential Learning. Despite its small size, the liberal arts institution offers more than 75 distinct undergraduate majors and 10 graduate programs of study. Up to 80% of students have historically received financial aid to make their education at Huntington University more affordable.

Huntington’s Online Marketing Program

In Huntington University’s online Bachelor of Science in Marketing program, students can’t begin their business core coursework until they take prerequisites in business math, accounting principles and introduction to computer applications. The business core consists of more than a dozen courses in topics such as:

• Macroeconomics
• Microeconomics
• Business law
• Business ethics
• Management concepts
• Principles of leadership
• Group and organizational behavior
• Organizational change
• Communication in organizations
• Strategic planning
• Managerial accounting
• Managerial finance
• Statistics for managers
• Diversity in the workplace
• Introduction to marketing

Students in all business degree programs also complete a business capstone course. Marketing courses at Huntington University cover topics like the following:

• Market Research
• Consumer behavior
• Brand and content management
• Advertising
• Public relations

Graduates of this online bachelor’s in marketing program will work to understand consumers, conduct and interpret market research and figure out how brands and consumers interact in mutually beneficial ways.

View program details.

9. Kennesaw State University

Other highly respected schools also offer Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing online programs. One such school is Kennesaw State University.

Kennesaw State University is a public research university with campuses in Kennesaw and Marietta, Georgia. This institution is part of the University System of Georgia and is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. 

KSU was founded in 1963. The school has two main campuses located in Kennesaw and Marietta, Georgia.

Kennesaw State University is known for its programs in education, computing, business, arts, engineering, health, and human services, among others. The school prizes public service, research, contributions to economic development, and service to local communities. The more than 42,000 students enrolled at KSU represent more than 100 countries around the world.

Kennesaw State University encompasses 11 schools and colleges. The institution offers more than 180 programs of study, including courses at the certificate, undergraduate and graduate levels of study. Two dozen programs are available online.

Online Marketing Studies at Kennesaw State

Kennesaw State University’s online Bachelor of Business Administration program with a major in marketing prepares students to work in areas like retail store management, advertising, marketing research and industrial selling. Marketing graduates go on to work in both for-profit and nonprofit environments.

The 120-hour program, offered in both fully online and hybrid formats as well as a face-to-face on-campus format, is both flexible and practical. Gaining hands-on experience is part of the curriculum. In addition to their general education requirements, students complete coursework in the following areas:

• Microeconomics
• Macroeconomics
• Legal and ethical environment of business
• Management and behavioral sciences
• Operations management
• Strategic management
• Information systems management
• Business statistics
• Accounting principles
• Finance principles
• Marketing principles
• Marketing strategy
• Marketing research
• Consumer behavior
• Professional selling
• International marketing

Through marketing courses at Kennesaw State University, students will learn to assess competitive markets, control and manage merchandise, create and deliver sales presentations and manage sales forces. They develop familiarity with marketing methods like direct mail as well as the theories and applications of public relations and techniques for modern advertising.

View program details.

10. Temple University

Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is home to another of the best marketing degree online programs.

Temple is a public research university that dates back to 1884. This highly respected institution is known for its schools of business and management, law, medicine, engineering and education. It serves a total student population of 33,606, of which nearly two-thirds are Pennsylvania residents. Among full-time undergraduate students, 84% received financial aid. Temple University also employs a faculty that numbers 3,671.

The large university encompasses 17 schools and colleges, including five professional schools. Through these schools, Temple offers more than 160 undergraduate majors, 175 master’s programs and 60 doctoral programs.

Temple’s Online Marketing Degree

Online marketing degrees at Temple University take the form of a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. Marketing is one of 16 undergraduate majors for students pursuing a BBA. Within the program, students can choose from four areas of specialization:

• Digital marketing
• Consumer insights
• Retailing
• Sales force effectiveness

Regardless of their specialization, marketing majors at Temple take the following major courses:

• Marketing strategy
• Marketing research
• Consumer and buyer behavior 
• Consumer data analytics

Students also choose marketing electives in areas like digital marketing, service marketing, sustainable consumer-centric innovation and integrated marketing communications. Online marketing students at Temple University benefit from building skills that apply throughout a variety of marketing positions.

View program details.

11. University of Wisconsin Whitewater

One of the best Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing online programs is offered through the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

UW-Whitewater is a public college located in Whitewater, WI. The school was founded in 1868 and is part of the University of Wisconsin system.

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is home to six schools and colleges: the College of Arts and Communications, College of Business and Economics, College of Education and Professional Studies, College of Letters and Sciences, College of Integrated Studies and School of Graduate Studies. More than 10,494 students (undergraduates and graduate students) attend Whitewater.

An Online Marketing Degree at UW

Whitewater offers an online marketing major within its Bachelor of Business Administration program. The AACSB-accredited fully online program includes 120 credits of coursework in general education, business core studies, marketing major courses and electives. Students are required to take the following four courses:

• Marketing management and policies
• Marketing research
• Principles of selling
• Introduction to digital marketing

From there, students choose four marketing electives, with options such as:

• Business-to-business marketing
• Services marketing
• Experiential marketing
• Sports marketing
• Omnichannel marketing
• Marketing analytics and artificial intelligence
• Integrated marketing communications for social enterprises
• Advanced digital marketing

The program also offers an optional digital marketing emphasis. Students who pursue this emphasis must take courses in advanced digital marketing and social media and content marketing.

Through this program, students develop knowledge of product design, pricing, marketing research, analysis, promotion, distribution and overall marketing strategy.

View program details.

12. Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ, is home to another of the best marketing degree online programs. This private nonprofit, non-denominational Christian university was established in 1949.

The school is home to nine colleges, through which it offers more than 330 programs of study. As of 2023, the school’s on-campus enrollment amounts to approximately 25,800. Another 92,000 online students raise the total GCU student body to a massive 118,000.

Grand Canyon University is best known for its biology programs, which include emphases in pre-medicine, pre-pharmacy and pre-physician assistant. The school also offers programs of study in fields that range from art design and animation to screenwriting, web design and, of course, marketing.

Studying Marketing Online at GCU

Grand Canyon University’s online marketing program is a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Advertising. Offered both online and on campus, the BS program blends creativity and business skills. The curriculum is perfect for prospective students looking to prepare for entry-level marketing and advertising positions.

RELATED: What Are Some Typical Entry-Level Marketing Positions?

Core courses in GCU’s marketing program include studies in the following areas:

• Business statistics
• Economics
• Ethical and legal issues in business
• Strategic management
• Organizational behavior and management
• Production and operations management
• Fundamentals of accounting
• Fundamentals of business finance
• Introduction to marketing
• Buyer and consumer behavior
• Marketing research and reporting
• Digital marketing and advertising
• Promotion and advertising
• Marketing management

Students will study general business practices, communication strategies, information literacy and data analysis. By the time they graduate, they will have the skills to create marketing plans, develop customer relationships, determine strategies that lead to sales and much more.

Online courses are offered over eight-week sessions. Students with prior college coursework can transfer up to 90 credits into the 120-credit program.

View program details.

13. Arizona State University

Arizona State University offers both an online bachelor’s in marketing and a traditional face-to-face program on its Tempe campus. With five campuses in Phoenix, plenty of regional centers throughout Arizona and a robust online school, ASU is one of the largest public universities in the country.

The institution was founded in 1885. Today, the school serves upwards of 140,000 students, including close to 80,000 students attending classes on one of its campuses and 65,000 online students. The school offers more than 800 degree programs, including more than 350 undergraduate majors and more than 450 graduate programs.

ASU’s online offerings include undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees in business, legal studies, nutrition, English, electrical engineering, behavioral health, health leadership and more. Online students at Arizona State benefit from lessons taught by the same faculty responsible for on-campus learning, success coaches and the flexibility of six start dates throughout the year.

ASU’s Online Bachelor’s in Marketing

The Bachelor of Science in Marketing program at Arizona State University is part of the W. P. Carey School of Business. The program encompasses both general business administration studies and more specialized marketing courses.

Business administration classes include:

• Mathematics for business analysis
• Business statistics
• Microeconomics
• Macroeconomics
• Accounting
• Finance
• Global supply operations
• Management and leadership principles
• Business law and ethics for manager
• Business and society
• Business communication

Marketing-focused major courses encompass areas of study such as:

• Marketing research
• Applied marketing management and leadership
• Consumer behavior
• Business writing
• Competitive marketing strategy
• Business-to-business marketing strategy
• Services marketing strategy

Students also build more specialized knowledge and skills through upper-division marketing electives. Options include global marketing management, retail management, customer-centric brand development and more.

Whether they study online or on campus, marketing students at Arizona State University can take advantage of internships, career programs and dozens of business clubs and organizations.

View program details.

14. University of Massachusetts-Amherst

For a great online Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing program, consider the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.

UMass Amherst is a public research university that dates back to 1863. The school serves more than 23,000 undergraduate students, not counting the more than 6,500 students enrolled in its master’s and doctoral degree programs. Students at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst can choose from more than 100 bachelor’s degree programs, 78 master’s programs and 48 doctoral programs.

The University of Massachusetts-Amherst is part of the prestigious Five College Consortium, which includes Smith College, Mount Holyoke College, Amherst College, and Hampshire College. The institution has been designated by the Carnegie Foundation as a school with the highest level of research activity.

A Marketing Degree at UMass

UMass Amherst’s online marketing degrees are part of the Isenberg School of Management. Through its AACSB-accredited curriculum, the Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing program aims to produce innovative storytellers and marketers.

Core business coursework includes studies in financial and managerial accounting, management, corporate finance, business policy and strategy, management principles, data analysis and marketing fundamentals, among other topics. Students in the marketing major take courses in areas like marketing research, Internet marketing, social media marketing, marketing for sustainable business and marketing analytics. To round out their education, students can choose electives in finance, management, accounting, hospitality and tourism management, operations and information management, sports management and more.

View program details.

15. Indiana Wesleyan University

Another of the best marketing degree online programs can be found at Indiana Wesleyan University. IWU is a private evangelical Christian university that is part of the Wesleyan Church. The Marion, IN-based school was founded in 1920.

With a total student headcount of 13,285, IWU is the largest private college in the state of Indiana. It’s also a member – the largest member – of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.

IWU is known for catering to working adults who want to earn a new degree to advance their careers. Although some of IWU’s programs of study revolve around its religious affiliation, with degrees in biblical literature, youth ministries and Christian worship, the school offers programs in a variety of liberal arts and professional areas of study. Marketing, public relations, computer science and accounting are just a few examples of the more than 80 undergraduate majors available.

IWU’s Online Marketing Degree

The Bachelor of Science in Marketing program at IWU includes core courses in the following areas:

• Foundations of marketing
• Ethical and legal business concepts
• Economic principles for managers
• Management perspectives
• Leadership perspectives
• Statistics for marketers
• Information technology for marketers
• Accounting and financial concepts of business

Students can choose one of four specializations:

• Marketing analytics
• Social media
• Service and nonprofit marketing
• Digital branding, advertising and promotions

The ACBSP-accredited curriculum utilizes a problem-solving approach and helps students develop skills in critical thinking, business analysis and the application of global perspectives to business decision-making. Through their coursework, students develop the capability to reach and communicate with diverse, engaged audiences to promote products and services effectively.

View program details.

16. Saint Leo University

An excellent choice for a business administration in marketing degree is Saint Leo University. The private, nonprofit institution in Saint Leo, FL, was founded in 1889 as a Roman Catholic school.

Saint Leo University serves 2,400 students on campus and even more online, with a total enrollment of 15,300. In addition to being one of the oldest Catholic institutions of higher education in Florida, Saint Leo was also among the first American colleges to provide distance learning opportunities. In 1973, the school offered distance-learning courses to military members serving in the Vietnam War. Students can choose from more than 60 programs of study, including degree programs in fields like business administration, education, criminal justice, theology and more.

Studying Marketing at Saint Leo

Saint Leo offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration program with a specialization in marketing. Students in this program cultivate a deep understanding of marketing functions and concepts. The curriculum requires studies across multiple areas of business, including:

• Economics
• Business law
• Financial and managerial accounting
• Management principles
• Marketing
• Finance
• Business information systems

All students in the marketing specialization take courses in social media marketing and data-driven strategic marketing. They further customize their education by choosing marketing courses in fields like the following:

• Digital storytelling
• Gamification
• Consumer behavior
• Personal selling
• Data and web analytics
• Marketing innovation and new product development
• Integrated marketing communication

Students also prepare for and attain two marketing certifications. Graduates go on to work in areas like:

• Advertising
• Marketing management
• Consumer relations
• Sales
• Small business operations

View program details.

17. Concordia University-Saint Paul

One of the best marketing degree online programs for adult learners is at Concordia Univesity-Saint Paul. This private liberal arts school in Minnesota was established in 1893. The school now serves upwards of 5,000 total students (undergraduates and graduate students).

Concordia University is known for its competitive pricing. The institution offers an assortment of more than 100 degree programs.

Online Marketing Degrees at Concordia

The online Bachelor of Science in Digital Marketing degree at Concordia University-Saint Paul utilizes a project-based learning format. Through their studies, students develop practical skills and build their marketing portfolio. The 120-credit program includes 30 credits of business core coursework and 15 credits of specialized digital marketing courses. The core business coursework includes studies in the following areas:

• Organizational leadership
• Project management
• Leadership, influence and negotiations
• Principles of human resource management
• Business ethics
• Accounting
• Finance
• Data analytics
• Modern  marketing
• Digital communications

The digital marketing coursework includes studies in:

• Marketing analytics
• Digital brand storytelling
• Artificial intelligence in marketing
• Social media content strategy
• Customer mapping for digital marketing

This digital marketing degree program is ideal for busy adults who need flexibility. Full-time and part-time options are available. Students may also transfer up to 90 credits of prior college study. During the course of their studies, students can also earn certificates in related areas like e-commerce and data analysis.

View program details.

18. Linfield University

Next on our list of the best online bachelor’s in marketing program options is Linfield University. This private, four-year school in McMinnville, OR, was established in 1858.

Over 1,700 students now attend Linfield, about a third of whom are students of color.  There are more than 50 undergraduate majors for students to choose from, plus five graduate programs.

Linfield’s Online Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing

Linfield offers an online marketing bachelor’s program as either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. All marketing majors take courses in:

• Strategic management
• Financial management
• Organizational behavior and management
• Business law
• Accounting
• Analytics

Students can customize their program through optional courses in areas like:

• Sport marketing
• Promotions management
• International marketing
• Special topics in marketing

View program details.

19. Penn State World Campus

The prestigious Pennsylvania State University is home to one of the best marketing degree online programs.

Penn State is a public research university that dates back to 1855. The institution is known as a “Public Ivy” because of its strong academic reputation. Penn State serves 90,000 students and employs a faculty and staff that numbers 20,000.

Through its incredible online school, the Penn State World Campus, the institution provides the esteemed Penn State education to students around the world. Penn State has been offering online courses since 1998.

Penn State’s Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing

The online Bachelor of Science in Marketing at Penn State is a 120-credit program. The curriculum equips students with knowledge of both traditional marketing methods and cutting-edge trends in marketing. Graduates of the AACSB–accredited program are ready to develop in-depth, results-centered strategic marketing plans. The curriculum includes studies in:

• Marketing research
• Global marketing
• Consumer behavior
• Services marketing
• Business-to-business marketing
• Advertising and sales promotion
• Marketing for electronic commerce

View program details.

20. Minot State University

Completing our list of the 20 best marketing degree online programs is Minot State University in North Dakota. The public university, which dates back to 1913, now serves more than 2,700 students from more than 55 countries.

Students at Minot State University can choose from more than 100 programs of study.

Studying Marketing Online at Minot State

Minot State University’s online Bachelor of Science with a Major in Marketing program includes coursework in:

• Marketing strategy
• Consumer behavior
• integrated marketing communications
• International marketing

Students who complete the program develop an understanding of the evolving field of modern marketing. They learn how social media, public relations and the timing of advertising efforts fit into marketing efforts.

View program details.

Related Resources: 

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

What Are the Highest-Paying Jobs in Marketing?

Will Most Marketing Skills Transfer Between Different Fields?

The post The 20 Best Online Marketing Degrees (Bachelor’s) appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the median annual salary in the United States is $39, 810. This ranking features the undergraduate majors which are most likely to land high paying jobs. A majority of these degrees are in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. According to the U. S. Department of Commerce, STEM occupations are growing at 17%. Other occupations are growing at 9.8%. STEM degree holders have a higher income even in non-STEM careers.

The salaries are provided by PayScale.com, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Salary.com. Jobs are listed in order of their early career salary. The average annual salary is also included to show the range of income available based on experience, certifications and other education. Salaries and compensation packages depend on the individual company and location. In all cases, this list is a starting point. 

1. Petroleum Engineer

Entry Level Pay: $95, 678

Average Annual Salary: $137, 720

Petroleum engineering concerns activities related to the production of hydrocarbons. This can be either crude oil or natural gas. The field of petroleum engineering is important to life as we know it. Energy is a part of everyone’s lives.

Experts agree that oil and gas will continue to play an important role in the world’s energy supply.  Job demand continues to increase. Petroleum engineers play a variety of roles within the energy business. They design and track the drilling of wells used to locate and produce the oil and gas from the subsurface. They work with technology to detect types of fluids in rocks beneath the surface. They install and maintain the equipment that lifts fluids to the surface. Other emerging careers for petroleum engineering graduates include:

• pollution clean up
• underground waste disposal
• hydrology

2. Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture

Entry Level Pay: $73,900

Average Annual Salary: $92, 400

Marine engineers work with engines and equipment of boats, ships, submarines and offshore facilities, like oil rigs. They research and develop machines and systems to thrive in aquatic environments. The related field of naval architecture involves work in marine and offshore structure design, thermodynamics and ocean engineering practices.

Entry-level positions in both marine engineering and naval architecture need a bachelor’s degree. Marine Engineering students often have the opportunity for internships or work-study to gain experience. Marine Engineering careers include: 

• marine equipment specialist
• ship’s engineer
• hydrographic surveyor
• ship design engineer
• marine structural engineer
• marine systems engineer
• propulsion engineer.

3. Computer Engineering

Entry Level Pay: $72,000

Average Annual Salary: $117,220

Computers have become a driving force behind many of today’s technologies. They are an integral part of many large systems.  Computer engineering involves the design and application of computer hardware and computer software. Computer engineering is a dynamic field that continues to experience rapid professional growth.

Computer engineering curriculum covers engineering aspects of both hardware and software. A bachelor’s in computer engineering equips graduates for careers across all economic sectors. This includes:

• artificial intelligence
• computer architecture
• computer design
• operating systems and networks
• Robotics
• software applications

4. Mining Engineering

Entry Level Pay: $71,300

Average Annual Salary: $91, 160

Mining engineering is the extraction of mineral resources from the earth. A mining engineer will use:

• geology
• mineral processing and metallurgy
• geotechnical engineering
• surveying

A mining engineer may manage any phase of mining operations. This includes exploration and discovery of the mineral resource, mine design and closure.

A bachelor’s program trains students to plan, design, operate, and close mines. Some bachelor’s degrees in mining engineering offer students the opportunity to choose an area of emphasis. This may boost their competitiveness on the job market. Quarry mining focuses on issues specific to construction aggregates and query sectors of the mining industry. Mineral processing and extractive metallurgy focus on procession of minerals into salable commodities such as metals or chemical compounds.

5. Chemical Engineering

Entry Level Pay: $70,300

Average Annual Salary: $108,770

Chemical engineering covers the development, design, and control of molecular change. Chemical engineer serves in a wide variety of industries. These range from chemical and energy companies to producers of all types of consumer and specialty products such as: 

• pharmaceuticals
• textiles
• polymers
• advanced materials
• solid-state and biomedical devices.

With a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, you will be able to design safe, sustainable equipment for large-scale chemical or biological manufacturing plants. You won’t be stuck in the lab, though. Chemical engineers work to protect the environment by inventing cleaner technologies or modeling the environmental impacts of chemical processes. Careers are available in industry, government, consulting, and education. Areas of professional work include:

• research and development
• operations
• technical service
• product development
• process and plant design
• market analysis and development
• process control
• pollution abatement

6. Nuclear Engineering

Entry Level Pay: $69,000

Average Annual Salary: $113,460

Nuclear engineering is the most integrated of the engineering disciplines. There are many components of nuclear systems:

• medical imaging
• nuclear fission reactors
• ultrasensitive contraband detectors
• fusion reactors

Nuclear engineers must be experts in their primary field. They must be knowledgeable in other fields such as electronics, thermodynamics, physics, and materials science.

An undergraduate degree in nuclear science and engineering develops the fundamentals of nuclear processes. These studies bring the student all the way to the design phase of nuclear-based systems, stressing social, health, and energy and security impacts. Studies also incorporate computer methods, thermal-fluid engineering, and electronics.

7. Electrical Engineering

Entry Level Pay: $68,600

Average Annual Salary: $101,250

Electrical Engineering includes hardware and software systems, information systems, and physical technology. Students will learn about a range of state-of-the-art electronics and devices, signal processing and smart algorithms and their applications. They will engage in building sophisticated electrical systems.

Bachelor’s degree programs educate students in the fundamentals of engineering. Graduates will contribute to a rapidly changing technology. Typical career paths of graduates include:

• design
• development
• management
• consulting
• teaching
• research

Many graduates seek further education in law, medicine, business, or engineering.

8. Software Developers

Entry Level Pay: $66,300

Average Annual Salary: $105,590

Computer developers design, develop, test, and evaluate software.   Software engineers instruct a computer, line by line, how to perform. They hold key positions in many industries. This includes:

• medical
• industrial
• military
• communications
• aerospace
• business
• scientific
• general computing

A bachelor’s degree in software engineering provides students with a strong foundation in software engineering.  Programs will blend engineering principles, computing skills, project leadership, and software construction. This provides students with a well-rounded, comprehensive understanding of the software engineering field. (Learn more about which degree is best for a software engineer.)

9. Materials Science and Engineering

Early career pay: $66,300

Average Annual Salary: $93, 360

Materials science and engineering focuses on processing materials into engineering products. Science and engineering both play an equal part in work that is at the forefront of technology. It applies physics, chemistry, and biology to compose new products. Many have the potential to improve quality of life. 

A bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering will prepare students to create and innovate products that touch our everyday lives: prostheses, automobiles, mountain bikes, computers, cell phones, and more.  Students learn how to use principles in the systematic design of new materials. This degree opens doors to many sectors. It positions graduates at the forefront of many new technological developments.

10. Aerospace Engineering

Early career pay: $65,300

Average Annual Salary: $116,500

Aerospace engineering developed because of the desire for aircraft systems for military, commercial, and civilian purposes. When the space age began, it was natural for these engineers to take part in the development of spacecraft systems. This branch of engineering became known as astronautical engineering or astronautics. The combined field is aerospace engineering or aeronautics and astronautics. The aerospace engineer must have a basic knowledge of:

• physics
• mathematics,
• digital computation
• disciplines of aerospace engineering. 

Aerospace engineers can work in areas other than aerospace engineering. They are employed in a wide range of careers.

The Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering equips students to solve even the most complex challenges in design, propulsion, and systems for aircraft and/or spacecraft. Aerospace engineers design, test, inspect, and manufacture aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. They may develop new technologies for use in aviation, defense systems, and spacecraft.

11. Industrial Engineering

Early career pay: $64,400

Average Annual Salary: $88, 020

Industrial engineers design, analyze, and manage complex human-integrated systems.  This includes manufacturing systems, supply chain networks, and service systems. These systems consist of a combination of people, information, material, and equipment. Industrial engineers make sure these systems are efficient, safe and effective. They are problem solvers, innovators and designers who use math and behavioral science skills.  Industrial engineers work in a  range of organizations such as: 

• manufacturing industries
• service industries
• governmental agencies

Bachelor’s degrees in industrial engineering prepare graduates for careers in all phases of industrial engineering. This education provides a unique background. Also, a sound basis for a lifelong career in engineering practice, research, or management.

12. Mechanical Engineering

Entry Level Pay : $62,900

Average Annual Salary: $88,430

Mechanical engineering is a diversified profession. The mechanical engineer designs machines, devices, various products and control systems. They work with the generation, conversion, transmission, and use of mechanical and thermal power. Mechanical engineers are responsible for materials used in design and manufacturing. Mechanical engineers work with manufacturing systems, robotics, electromechanical devices, and control systems.  Work of mechanical engineers varies from general engineering to other narrow specialties. These may include careers in: 

• design
• construction
• controls
• materials specification and evaluation
• analysis of thermal systems
• fluid and solid mechanics
• manufacturing
• plant engineering
• research and development
• technical sales

Many mechanical engineers get promoted to management and administrative positions as well.

A bachelor’s degree majoring in mechanical engineering is among the most versatile of engineering degrees. Industry, government, consulting, and research organizations will hire mechanical engineers.

13. Agricultural Engineering

Entry Level Pay: $61,200

Average Annual Salary: $80,720

Agricultural engineering is the engineering discipline that studies agricultural production and processing. Agricultural engineering combines mechanical, civil, electrical and chemical engineering principles.  It then applies the principles to technology. Agricultural engineers use the latest technology to advance environmental issues and activities.

Students in a bachelor’s degree program in agricultural engineering study machine components and equipment. They test agricultural machinery to ensure safety and performance.  These programs provide an understanding of the natural, mathematical, and engineering sciences. Also, how to apply this understanding to design devices and processes. Graduates may choose from a wide range of careers in civil, mechanical, electrical, agricultural, environmental, and process engineering. Examples include: 

• design
• development
• testing
• process control
• management
• electronic communications
• food processing
• mechanical equipment
• paper production
• consultation
• textiles
• government

14. Civil Engineering

Entry Level Pay: $64,170

Average Annual Salary: $87,760

A civil engineer designs and maintains the structures that make up a city, country or other area. Structures include:

• roads
• buildings
• airports
• bridges
• water systems
• sewers

There are many responsibilities for these projects. Civil engineers will research, create long term plans, evaluate cost and test materials for their projects. They will share these results with the public. 

A bachelors in civil engineering will include classroom learning, fieldwork and lab work. A civil engineer should have strong math, decision- making and problem-solving skills. Good communication skills are also necessary. Civil engineering is an in-demand career. As population grows, water systems must be put into place. Renewable energy projects are increasing as well.

15. Actuarial Mathematics and Science

Entry Level Pay: $62, 780

Average Annual Salary: $108,35

Actuarial science applies mathematical and statistical methods to assess risk in insurance, finance and other industries and professions. Actuaries use their mathematical expertise, business intelligence, and computer skills to help companies assess risk and solve financial problems. 

Historically, actuarial science used deterministic models in the construction of tables and premiums. Because of computer software the science has gone through many changes in the last 30 years. Students of this discipline learn mathematical theory, critical thinking, problem-solving, and statistical analysis.  They learn to apply knowledge to solve real problems in the actuarial industry. (Learn more about what degree you need to be an actuary.)

16. Construction Engineering Management

Entry Level Pay: $60,500

Average Annual Salary: $95,260

Construction engineering applies technical and scientific knowledge to the processes of infrastructure construction projects. The construction engineering and management industry is made up of:

• general construction firms
• small specialized contractors
• materials suppliers
• equipment manufacturers
• design services of architects and engineers

Construction engineering managers are integral to the successful completion of construction projects.  A construction engineering manager will likely work on a wide variety of projects. This includes the design of drainage and sewage systems, building construction, or even larger infrastructure projects like developing highways or railroads.

With a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering and management graduates can pursue careers as:

• estimators
• field superintendents
• construction schedulers
• expediters
• project managers
• survey crew chiefs
• materials technicians
• architectural and civil draftspersons
• cost engineers

17. Operations Management and Information Systems

Entry Level Pay: $60,100

Average Annual Salary: $84,810 

A bachelor’s degree in Operations Management and Information Systems provides students a solid foundation in managing business operations and information technology. Students will use IT systems, operations management, and business fundamentals to design, improve, and manage business processes.

Bachelor’s degree in operations management and information systems focuses on management topics such as:

• quantitative analysis
• operational design
• system security
• organizational behavior.

Graduates will find a wide range of employment opportunities upon entering the job market. Opportunities for employment include:

• inventory control manager
• operations analyst
• industrial production manager
• purchasing manager

18. Economics and Mathematics

Entry Level Pay: $60,000

Average Annual Salary (Economist): $105,020

A Bachelor’s degree with a major in economics and mathematics teaches statistics, problem solving, communication and public speaking, team collaboration. These skills will prepare graduates to enter the business world with high demand skills.

A degree in mathematical economics will equip graduates for the beginning of a career in:

• operations research
• actuarial science
• economist
• management accountant
• bank examiner
• market research analyst
• financial analyst
• marketing/sales manager
• financial planner
• claims examiner
• investment manager
• international trade specialist
• real estate investor

19. Statistics

Early career pay: $60,000

Average Annual Salary: $92,030

Making valid conclusions, predictions and decisions based on data is statistics. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in statistics learn probability, mathematical statistics, data analysis, and statistical computing. With the recent rise of Big Data, Data Science, and Analytics, the demand for this set of skills has increased. The degree is highly flexible. It can lead to a career in:

• analysis of investment data in the banking industry
• identification of patterns in transaction data for online sales
• estimation of actuarial risk in insurance industry
• analysis of political surveys
• analysis of performance data in manufacturing

The bachelor’sdegree consists of coursework providing essential instruction in statistical methods, applications, and theory.  Students can often concentrate their studies in one of three areas of statistics:

• statistics in business
• industry
• government, and research
• statistical computing and data science
• mathematical statistics

20. Fire Protection Engineering

Entry Level Pay: $58,800

Average Annual Salary: $91,410

Fire protection engineering professionals use science and technology to research the causes of fires and determine fire protection methods. Fire and safety engineers:

• recommend or design fire detection materials
• do building inspection
• advise architects
• planning and prevent damage from fire, wind, and water
• manage installation and maintenance of fire protection systems

Fire and safety engineers enjoy a wide range of career opportunities in diverse organizations.

The 10 Best Online Fire Science Degree Bachelor’s Programs

Bachelor’s degrees in fire protection engineering are uncommon. Those who complete these programs will be well equipped to fill a niche in the job market. Graduates will go on to work in hospitals, colleges, insurance companies, and even the entertainment industry.

21. Business and Information Technology

Entry Level Pay: $58,700

Average Annual Salary: $146,360

From small to large, private or public, for-profit businesses and non-profit institutions alike, technology holds together all successful, forward-thinking organizations. Students earning a bachelor’s degree in IT management with a business emphasis will fill a variety of in-demand roles. They will dramatically increase their earning potential, and improve opportunities for advancement in any organization.

Graduates will be prepared to begin careers as:

• information systems managers
• IT project managers
• IT security managers
• IT directors
• computer systems engineers
• computer systems analysts
• chief technology officers
• chief information officers

22. Physics

Entry Level Pay: $58,000

Average Annual Salary: $122,220

Physics is a natural science that uses mathematics to quantify changes in energy and matter.  Industries employing physicists include:

• aerospace and defense
• education
• energy
• engineering
• instrumentation
• manufacturing
• oil and gas
• elecommunications

A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Physics covers the theoretical foundations and history of physics research. Since research in physics applies to many fields, courses are often interdisciplinary. Students also complete hands-on laboratory experiments. The skills that students learn in a bachelor’s degree in physics prepare them for careers in and out of scientific disciplines. Many graduates work in academia, while others choose careers in business, law or consulting.

23. Industrial and Labor Relations

Early career pay: $57,800

Average Annual Salary: $69, 020

Labor relations specialists can be found in a wide variety of industries such as:

• manufacturing companies
• technical services
• insurance firms
• healthcare assistance organizations

Graduates may find employment as union leaders, human resources specialists, management consultants, training specialists, benefits managers, and more.

 Bachelor’s degrees in this discipline prepare students to become leaders in labor management.  After completing their degree, students may go onto earn optional certification or a master’s degree in labor relations. Curriculum will likely include courses in:

• labor history
• labor law
• labor and American politics
• industrial and organizational psychology
• globalization and labor

24. Public Accounting

Entry Level Pay: $57,500

Average Annual Salary: $71, 500

Public accounting serves clients through:

• preparation, review, and auditing of financial statements
• preparation of income tax returns
• estate and tax planning
• consulting and advice involving accounting systems
• mergers, and acquisitions

With many accounting tasks using advanced computing software, accountants today must take on a variety of new responsibilities.  This includes financial planning, analysis, forecasting, and more.

With a bachelor’s degree in business administration or accountancy, students should be competent in areas of:

• managerial accounting
• cost accounting
• auditing
• financial accounting
• accounting and information systems
• international financial reporting standards

In addition to careers in public accounting, graduates of these bachelor’s degree programs may go on to work as a corporate accountant; tax examiner, collector, or revenue agent; or an internal auditor.

Note that some, but not all bachelor’s in accountancy programs are designed to fulfill the requirements for certification as a public accountant.

25. Computer and Information Science

Early career pay: $56,200

Average Annual Salary: $146,360

Computer programs, software and networks are used daily to run business operations. We rely on technology to help with everything from scheduling to problem-solving to keeping us connected.

In Computer and Information Sciences you must be able to:

• develop computer software
• customize programs
• build and maintain networks
• manage information technology projects

A background in computer programs and software along with mathematics are a good base for pursuing a degree in Computer and Information Sciences. Students should also be critical thinkers, creative, and have the ability to work in a team and multitask.

Bachelor’s degrees in computer and information science can be earned in a wide variety of majors such as:

• Computer Information Systems
• Computer Programming
• Information Science
• Computer Systems Analysis
• Computer Science
• Computer Software and Applications
• Computer Systems Networking
• Information Technology

26. Finance and Investments

Early career pay: $55,200

Average Annual Salary: $85,660

The field of finance is the science of money management. Finance aims to price assets based on their risk level and their expected rate of return. Finance can be broken into three sub-categories:

• public finance
• corporate finance
• personal finance

Undergraduate finance degree programs are common. Some schools might also offer an investment major, minor or concentration. A bachelor’s degree program will provide students with the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills needed for a career in investment finance. General education and elective courses offer interdisciplinary perspective to complement the field of finance.

27. International Business and Finance

Early career pay: $54,600

Average Annual Salary: $88,000

International business finance is business of managing money on a global scale. It involves an understanding of global currencies, diplomacy and worldwide stock exchanges. With a degree in International business and finance, graduates can pursue a career with:

• a multinational corporation
• financial institution
• consulting firm

Graduates may find employment internationally. They will be especially well equipped through strong foreign language skills and a specialized area of finance.

Students interested in this field study various areas of finance, such as investments and corporate finance. With a bachelor’s degree you will be eligible to entry level positions in international business. You will qualify for leadership positions and other advanced roles in private, public, and nonprofit organizations.

RELATED: What Are the Highest-Paying Business Entry-Level Jobs?

Many upper-level international management positions require an MBA or master’s degree. Graduates will be ready to work across industries as:

• business analyst
• human resources generalist
• operations manager
• marketing specialist

In general, course work for a bachelor’s degree in international business and finance includes management principles and practices. This may include: 

• business-oriented computer applications
• accounting
• finance
• information technology
• marketing
•  international trade policies and practices
• micro and macroeconomics
• psychology
• public speaking.

28. Geophysics

Early career pay: $54,100

Average Annual Salary: $75,729

Geophysics is the branch of Earth science concerned with exploring and analyzing active processes of the Earth through physical measurement. Geophysics applies mathematical and physical principles to the study of the Earth and planets. The term geophysics sometimes refers only to the geological applications. However, modern geophysics organizations use a broader definition that includes:

• the water cycle
• fluid dynamics of the oceans and the atmosphere
• electricity and magnetism in the ionosphere and magnetosphere and solar-terrestrial relations
• analogous problems associated with the Moon and other planets

At the bachelor’s level, students gain a broad grounding in physical and mathematical fundamentals. Students gain experience using measurements of Earth science and related engineering problems using current, industry-standard computational and GIS tools.

29. Environmental Health and Safety Management

Entry Level Pay: $51,900

Average Annual Salary: $95, 410

Environmental, Health and Safety professionals perform vital roles in the protection of America’s workforce. Environmental Health and Safety professionals strive to identify, evaluate and eliminate or control hazards which expose people, property or the environment to danger or harm. In an era of technological and scientific advancement, environmental, health and safety management has become a challenging and rewarding career path.

Environmental health and safety bachelor’s degree programs

• manufacturing
• production
• health care
• insurance
• public safety
• law enforcement
• construction
• public and private utilities
• communication
• transportation industries

30. Sales and Business Marketing

Early career pay: $50,900

Average Annual Salary: $63, 790

Marketing is a subdivision of business that explores ways to generate public interest in goods, services and organizations.  Marketers must analyze sales data, customer reviews, economic trends, and other factors that affect consumer activity. Many marketers specialize in specific areas of the industry. For example:

• public relations
• brand management
• web marketing
• social media

Most careers in marketing are attainable with a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree in sales and marketing can prepare you for organizational and presentational roles in the field. Careers for graduates in this major are boundless and include:

• advertising
• insurance sales
• real estate brokers
• sales engineers
• sales managers
• securities and financial services
• travel agents

(Learn more about how much you can make with a degree in digital marketing.)

Bonus: East Asian Studies

Entry Level Pay: $42,300

Average Annual Salary: $51,830

The East Asian studies major introduces undergraduates to the knowledge, language skills, and research methods they will need to enter various specialized professional paths relating to China, Japan, and Korea. The field includes the study of the region’s culture, written language, history, and political institutions.  East Asian studies majors usually choose a focus area such as:

• history
• political science
• sociology

East Asian Studies majors will get training in the methods and theory of a particular academic discipline. They will also get solid language training. Careers post-graduation may include:

• translator
• foreign correspondent
• foreign consultant
• financial advisor for Asian markets
• international marketing specialist

DQ Staff

Updated: July 2020

More Articles of Interest:

• Highest Paying Degrees in Computer Science – Majors & Careers
• Highest Paying Jobs With a Biology Degree – Degrees in Biology – Majors & Careers
• Highest Paying Degrees in Communications – Majors & Careers
• Highest Paying Degrees in Business – Majors & Careers
• Highest Paying Degrees in Counseling – Majors & Careers

For Further Reading:

Top 10 Paying Jobs With an Associate’s Degree

Top 10 Highest Paying Engineering Careers

Top 10 Paying Jobs That Involve Math

What Degree Do I Need to Be an Intelligence Analyst?

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Tax Accountant?

What Degree Do I Need to Be a Computer Technician?

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

How Long Does It Take to Become an Accountant?

The post 30 Highest Paying Bachelor’s Degrees appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

However, some universities do an extraordinary job educating undergraduate students. These schools often offer the most important things students should look for in an undergraduate degree program: a wide array of majors to choose from, impressive research opportunities and undergraduate core curricula that equip students with a breadth and depth of knowledge. When you choose one of the 20 best degree programs for undergraduates, you won’t just get a bachelor’s degree – you’ll get a well-rounded, comprehensive education that will help you achieve whatever personal and professional goals you pursue.

1. Princeton University

The best national university for education at the undergraduate level is Princeton University in New Jersey. The Ivy League institution didn’t just top U.S. News & Report’s list of the best undergraduate programs. It also earned recognition as the best national university overall, the second best value in education in the country and a number of its undergraduate engineering programs, along with more than 60 of the school’s graduate-level programs. Princeton University’s history dates back to 1746, when the institution was founded in Elizabeth, NJ, as the College of New Jersey. The school kept this name for 150 years, during which it moved twice, first to Newark and then to its present location in Princeton. Princeton University is one of the most selective schools to make the list of the best degree programs for undergraduates, accepting just seven percent of applicants. Princeton University confers two types of degrees on its undergraduate students. Students at the School of Engineering and Applied Science graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E.) degree. The other 75 percent of Princeton University students earn an Artium Baccalaureus, or A.B. degree. Princeton University used the Latin term for its Bachelor of Arts degree when it was first founded 270 years ago and has since decided to keep the designation, in part because it required students to study Latin through 1930.

Students pursuing an Artium Baccalaureus at Princeton University can choose from more than 30 majors, including foreign languages, architecture, music and physical and social sciences. There are also 53 interdisciplinary certificate programs available to undergraduate students. All A.B. undergraduate students at Princeton start off their academic careers with two years of general education courses, cultivating a breadth of knowledge at the collegiate level, before choosing a concentration or major. B.S.E. students also take a range of general education courses, but they focus primarily on coursework in science, mathematics and computing. They choose from six engineering concentration options in the second half of their freshman year and spend the later semesters of their undergraduate education taking advanced coursework and working on independent research. Princeton University’s exceptionally small student to faculty ratio – five to one – means that undergraduates at the school can look forward to small class sizes and personal attention, no matter which degree they’re pursuing. Around 98 percent of undergraduates at Princeton live on campus.

Location: Princeton, NJ

Enrollment: 5,402 students

Tuition: $45,320

2. Miami University—Oxford

Landing the second spot on U.S. News & World Report’s list of the best universities for undergraduates is a larger and much more accessible Ohio institution. Miami University—Oxford is a public university that admits 65 percent of applicants. The school was founded in 1809 and named for the nearby Miami Indian Tribe. The school has several claims to fame, including being the founding place of four popular fraternities, the alma mater of former President Benjamin Harrison and the home of many athletes who have gone on to coach collegiate and professional sports. Miami University—Oxford has earned recognition from many publications, including repeated placements on the annual President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, features in Princeton Review’s The Best 381 Colleges, spots on Forbes magazine’s America’s Top Colleges lists and Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine’s 100 Best Values in Public Colleges ranking. U.S. News & World Report has also ranked the school highly on lists of the top public schools, the best undergraduate business programs, the best undergraduate engineering programs and the best colleges for veterans.

Undergraduate students at Miami University—Oxford can choose from more than 100 majors and 100 minors to study. Academic programs at the bachelor’s level run the gamut from technical, like accountancy and biological physics, to the creative, like theatre and music composition. Whatever subject Miami University—Oxford students choose to study, they’re sure to graduate with a strong and well-rounded educational background thanks to the school’s core curriculum, which makes up about 30 percent of their academic work. This program, called the Global Miami Plan, includes coursework in English composition, natural and social sciences, mathematics, humanities, technology, fine arts, reasoning and global perspectives. Students also delve into a thematic sequence of courses outside their major as well as a capstone seminar, workshop or project. To help fight the rising cost of a college education, the institution makes first-time undergraduate students Miami’s Tuition Promise, guaranteeing that the cost of attendance – tuition, fees and room and board – will not increase over the four consecutive years the student remains at the school. Given that the median time to graduation is just 3.7 years at Miami University—Oxford, that offers students plenty of time to earn their degrees without worrying about cost increases.

Location: Oxford, OH

Enrollment: 16,387 students

Tuition: $31,592 (out-of-state), $14,288 (in-state)

3. Yale University

Third on the list of national universities that excel at teaching undergraduates is another Ivy League institution. Yale University, originally known simply as the Collegiate School, was founded in Saybrook, CT, in 1701. The institution became Yale College in 1718, shortly after moving to its present home in New Haven. In 1732, the school became the first college in America to offer scholarships. Over the course of its more than 300 year history, the institution has continued its tradition of innovation. A number of Yale alumni played integral roles in the American Revolution, signing the Declaration of Independence and serving in the Continental Congress. The school remains revolutionary today. Yale University began pioneering online education options in 2001 and now features a variety of online learning offerings that range from open non-credit classes to for-credit courses and entire certificate programs. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the institution highly on several best colleges lists, including the Best Value Colleges. With an acceptance rate of just seven percent, gaining admission into Yale University isn’t easy – but the top-notch undergraduate education it provides is well worth the effort.

Though the institution as a whole now goes by Yale University, undergraduate education takes place at Yale College. Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree from Yale will start off their liberal arts education taking distributional requirements in the arts and humanities, the sciences, the social sciences, a foreign language, quantitative reasoning and writing. Completing this coursework helps students develop a broad range of knowledge. Undergraduate students must also select a major program of study from the more than 70 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree programs available. Students in every major will complete a senior requirement, which could take the form of a project, essay or exam. Students pursuing their B.A. or B.S. at Yale University can also take advantage of extensive research opportunities not often offered to undergraduates. The school encourages all undergraduate students at Yale College to consider spending a summer, a term, or a year studying abroad sometime during their college careers, and 64 percent of students do so.

Location: New Haven, CT

Enrollment: 5,532 students

Tuition: $49,480

4. Brown University

Ivy League school Brown University is next on our list of the top degree programs for undergraduate students. The institution became the seventh-oldest college in America when it was founded in 1764. Brown University has a generous financial aid policy, meeting 100 percent of demonstrated student need, and 65 percent of students who receive aid have no student loans. This policy is, in part, what landed Brown University a top ten spot on U.S. News & World Report’s list of the best value schools. The publication also ranked Brown University highly on additional lists, including its Most Innovative Schools ranking. The private college boasts a 7-to-1 student to faculty ratio, and upwards of 70 percent of classes have few than 20 students enrolled. More than three-quarters of the student population at Brown University lives on campus. With an average freshman retention rate of 98 percent, it’s clear that the students who make it into Brown University – a selective school that admits just nine percent of applicants – want to stay there throughout their education.

Brown University is a particularly excellent choice for undergraduate students who value academic freedom and want to customize their education. Unlike many of the schools recognized for their outstanding undergraduate teaching practices, Brown University does not have a required core curriculum of general education courses every student must take. Instead, the school features an open curriculum, one that invites undergraduate students to compile a unique mix of courses that forms their educational core. Brown University also extends this freedom to the selection of a major. Rather than forcing students to choose from a small number of possible degree programs, the school allows students to develop their own individualized program, choosing from more than 2,000 courses offered each year. There are more than 80 concentrations, or majors, that students can explore and customize at Brown University. As a research university, Brown is able to offer undergraduate students research and teaching opportunities beyond what most students at the bachelor’s level can expect.

Location: Providence, RI

Enrollment: 6,652 students

Tuition: $51,367

5. Rice University

Tied for fifth place on U.S. News & World Report’s list of national universities that excel at educating undergraduates is Rice University in Texas. Rice University’s history dates back 125 years, but the story of its founding is somewhat unusual. A businessman named William Marsh Rice chartered the school – then to be called the William Marsh Rice Institute for the Advancement of Literature, Science, and Art – in 1891, but stipulated that only after his death could work on the school begin. Rice was murdered in 1900. The school officially opened as Rice Institute in 1912, on the twelfth anniversary of Rice’s death. Rice University has also earned coveted spots on U.S. News & World Report’s lists of the best colleges for veterans, best value schools and most innovative schools. The student to faculty ratio at Rice University is just six to one, and the median class size at the undergraduate level is just 14 students.

Like other colleges that made this list, Rice University makes it a priority to provide its students with a comprehensive education that includes knowledge in a broad range of subjects. To achieve this goal, students take four courses in each of a set of distribution requirements. These requirements include coursework in the applied sciences, the social sciences and the humanities. At the undergraduate level, students can chose from more than 50 possible majors spread across six varied divisions: Engineering, Architecture, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Music and  Humanities. Degree program options range from bioengineering to medieval and early modern studies and everything in between. Students can also pursue one of 18 minors or one of four interdisciplinary programs. The school offers online learning options in the form of free massive open online courses (MOOCs) through RiceX and paid certificate programs through Coursera. To help make an undergraduate education affordable, Rice University offers payment plans that allow students to make their tuition payments in installments rather than as one large chunk at the start of the semester.

Location: Houston, TX

Enrollment: 3,910 students

Tuition: $43,918

6. Wake Forest University

Another institution where undergraduate education goes above and beyond is North Carolina’s Wake Forest University, a private college that combines a liberal arts education with outstanding research opportunities. Wake Forest University tied for fifth place on U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of the best colleges for an undergraduate education and also earned high rankings on the publication’s list of the best value schools, best undergraduate business programs and top national universities. Since its founding in 1834 as a manual labor institution, the college, originally located in Wake Forest, N.C., has offered students a top-notch education. Students at Wake Forest University live on campus through their junior year of school, enjoying the close-knit community of a residential college. Wake Forest University is known for small class sizes, with a 10 to one student to faculty ratio and an average class size of just 21 students. The institution accepts about 29 percent of applicants.

Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Wake Forest University are part of the Undergraduate College or, if pursuing a business degree, the School of Business. Wake Forest University awards both Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees. Students in the School of Business can pursue a B.S. in Business degree in accountancy, business and enterprise management, finance or mathematical business. Undergraduate core requirements at Wake Forest University include a first-year seminar, a writing seminar, a foreign language course and two health and exercise science classes. Students must also complete coursework in the divisions of humanities, literature, fine arts, social sciences and math and natural sciences. However, motivated students at the Undergraduate College can apply to the school’s open curriculum, giving them the flexibility to customize their education more extensively. Undergraduate students can choose from more than 40 majors or create an interdisciplinary major that combines studies in two or more academic departments.

Location: Winston-Salem, NC

Enrollment: 4,871 students

Tuition: $49,308

 7. Dartmouth College

Taking seventh place on U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of the best national universities for an undergraduate education is New Hampshire’s Dartmouth College. The Ivy League school’s history dates back to 1769, when a reverend founded the institution primarily to education Native American youth but also students from other heritages. Today, Dartmouth College continues its commitment to diversity, and 35 percent of its undergraduate students are people of color, while eight percent of students seeking a bachelor’s degree are international students. Dartmouth College also ranked fifth on U.S. News & World Report’s list of the best colleges for veterans and seventh among the best value schools in the nation. The school’s graduate programs, too, have received national recognition. Dartmouth College accepts just 11 percent of applicants. The student to faculty ratio at Dartmouth College is just seven to one, and more than 63 percent of classes offered have fewer than 20 students. Notable alumni of Dartmouth College include politician Daniel Webster and author Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss.

Undergraduate students at Dartmouth College follow a quarter-based academic calendar, rather than semester-based one. This means they learn during four ten-week terms spread throughout the year and take classes in the winter and summer as well as spring and fall. A flexible study plan allows Dartmouth College students to customize their education not just based on which courses they take, but when they choose to study. Students can set their study schedule so that they have an entire year off of classes to focus on attaining hands-on experience through an internship or research opportunity – without falling behind in their education or taking time off from college. Dartmouth College offers more than 50 possible academic majors, which students declare during their sophomore years. Students can also personalize their degree path with a modified major or special major, or by selecting academic minors that add breadth and depth to their knowledge. Undergraduate students who begin their academic careers at Dartmouth College like the experience so much that the school boasts a 98 percent freshman retention rate.

Location: Hanover, NH

Enrollment: 4,307 students

Tuition: $51,438

8. University of Michigan—Ann Arbor

Tied with Dartmouth College on U.S. News & World Report’s ranking is a much larger public college, the University of Michigan—Ann Abor. Notably, the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor’s School of Education ranked 12^th nationally among graduate education programs, and all of the institution’s graduate education specializations rank among the top six programs in the country. The institution has also achieved high rankings on lists of the Top Public Schools, Most Innovative Schools and Best Colleges for Veterans. At the undergraduate level, the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor has earned recognition for its exceptional business and engineering programs, including numerous concentrations within those programs. At the graduate level, the school’s business, education, engineering, law, medical, nursing, social sciences, health, sciences, fine arts, public affairs and library and information sciences programs have all placed highly on the relevant college ranking lists. The University of Michigan—Ann Arbor was founded in 1817 and today has more than 28,000 undergraduate students and upwards of 3,200 acres of land.

The University of Michigan—Ann Arbor has 14 different undergraduate colleges and schools, These colleges specialize in teaching education, architecture and urban planning, engineering, art and design, business, information, medicine, kinesiology, nursing, pharmacy, public policy, natural resources, music and performing arts and literature, science and the arts. The University of Michigan—Ann Arbor offers more than 265 degree programs, the most popular of which are business administration and management, economics, political science and psychology. The school also features residential Learning Communities in which students pursuing degrees in similar subjects live in designated residence halls together, and more than one-third of the college’s sizable population of students choose to live on campus. Despite being such a large school with a large undergraduate enrollment, the class sizes at the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor are surprisingly small. The student to faculty ratio is just 15 to one, and more than 57 percent of courses have fewer than 20 students enrolled. An impressive 97 percent of students who start their college education at the University of Michigan stay their throughout their undergraduate studies.

Location: Ann Arbor, MI

Enrollment: 28,312 students

Tuition: $43,476 (out-of-state), $13,856 (in-state)

9. University of Notre Dame

Also tied for the seventh place spot on U.S. News & World Report’s ranking is the University of Notre Dame, a well-respected private institution located in South Bend, Indiana. The university has also placed highly among lists of the best value schools and the best colleges for veterans and been recognized for its excellent undergraduate programs in engineering and business. Since its founding by a French priest in 1842, the University of Notre Dame has provided students an outstanding Catholic college education, and it retains that Roman Catholic affiliation today. The University of Notre Dame’s commitment to meeting 100 percent of student financial need means that more than three-quarters of students at the school receive aid, averaging more than $37,000 per student.  The student to faculty ratio is just 10 to one at the University of Notre Dame. More than 60 percent of courses have fewer than 20 students enrolled, and more than 90 percent of classes are smaller than 50 students.

Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame can choose from more than 75 academic majors offered by the College of Science, the College of Engineering, the School of Architecture, the Mendoza College of Business and the College of Arts and Letters. University of Notre Dame’s freshmen students kick off their college education with the school’s liberal first year curriculum. The requirements include studies in subjects like mathematics, science, foreign language and writing. They also include specially-design University Seminar courses and a two-semester sequence of college transition and orientation courses known as the Moreau First Year Experience. Completing this coursework early ensures that students start off their college education on the right foot, developing a strong background in a breadth of academic subjects and cultivating versatile thinking and communication skills. The University of Notre Dame is a residential school. While the institution only requires students to live on campus during their freshman year, so many students choose to live there throughout their education that four out of five total University of Notre Dame students live in the on-campus residences. Students overwhelmingly also choose to finish their undergraduate education at the school, which maintains a 98 percent freshman retention rate.

Location: Notre Dame, IN

Enrollment: 8,462 students

Tuition: $49,685

10. Stanford University

Tied for 10^th place on U.S. News & World Report’s list of the top national universities with the best undergraduate degree programs is Stanford University in California. Stanford University took second place among the most innovative schools in the nation and fourth on the list of the best value schools. The school has also earned recognition as the best college for American veterans. Its undergraduate engineering programs also rank second in the nation. As the most selective school on our list, Stanford University accepts just five percent of applicants, and its current enrollment is just shy of 7,000. Stanford University celebrated its 125^th anniversary of educating students this year, having opened in 1891 after being established in 1885. Personal attention isn’t a problem at Stanford University, as the school boasts an astonishingly small student to faculty ratio of four to one and more than 70 percent of its classes have fewer than 20 students enrolled.

Undergraduates at Stanford University study at the schools of engineering, earth sciences or humanities and sciences. Students can choose from dozens of departmental and interdisciplinary academic majors, the most popular of which include biology, engineering, computer science and the interdisciplinary Science, Technology and Society degree program. No matter which major students at Stanford University choose, they’ll graduate with a comprehensive liberal arts background. Programs offered to help undergraduate students build their skills include introductory seminars, the Oral Communication Program, the Program in Writing and Rhetoric, the Thinking Matters course, the Ways of Thinking/Ways of Doing Applied Quantitative Reasoning course and Special Focus programs. Stanford University also offers residential programs for students interested in participating in learning communities in the arts or sciences or in general studies during their freshman and sophomore years. For undergraduate students who are looking forward to excellent research opportunities, Stanford University is a strong choice. The school has a total research budget of $1.22 billion, with 5,500 externally sponsored active research projects in progress.

Location: Stanford, CA

Enrollment: 6,999 students

Tuition: $47,940

11. Vanderbilt University

Also tying for 10^th place on U.S. News & World Report’s Best Undergraduate Teaching list is Vanderbilt University in Tennessee. Vanderbilt University also ties for sixth place on the U.S. News Best Colleges for Veterans list, ties for 15^th place among national universities overall and ties for 23^rd place among the most innovative schools. Vanderbilt University has also achieved recognition from other publications, like the Princeton Review. The school ranked highly on several lists, including first on College City Gets High Marks, second on the Happiest Students list, fourth on Great Financial Aid, seventh on Best Quality of Life, seventh on Best Financial Aid and 11^th on the Most Beautiful Campus list. The private research university’s history dates back to 1873. Though founded with the help of a Methodist bishop, who won support – and funding to the tune of $1 million – from 79-year-old Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, Vanderbilt University no longer reflects any religious affiliation. It does, however, consider an applicant’s character to be a strong factor in its admissions process, and accepts just 12 percent of applicants.

The College of Arts and Science, the Blair School of Music, the School of Engineering and the Peabody College of education and human development at Vanderbilt University all offer bachelor’s degree programs. Students can choose from nearly 70 academic majors in disciplines like the arts, natural and social sciences, humanities, engineering and education.  At the undergraduate level, Vanderbilt University’s student to faculty ratio is just eight to one. Nearly 99 percent of undergraduate students at Vanderbilt University study full-time. Only freshmen at Vanderbilt University must live on campus, residing in the Martha Rivers Ingram Commons as part of a first-year learning community. However, many students choose to stay on campus even after their freshman year, and 93 percent of all undergraduate students currently reside in campus housing.  Vanderbilt University meets 100 percent of demonstrated student financial need without loans, allowing many students to graduate debt-free. Nearly two-thirds of students at Vanderbilt receive financial aid of some kind.

Location: Nashville, TN

Enrollment: 6,883students

Tuition: $45,610

12. College of William & Mary

Twelfth on U.S. News & World Report’s ranking is Virginia’s College of William & Mary. U.S. News & World Report ranked the College of William and Mary sixth on its Top Public Schools list, tied for 19^th place among the Best Colleges for Veterans, 32^nd on the National Universities list and tied for 43^rd among undergraduate business programs. Founded in 1693 by King William III and Queen Mary II of England, the public school happens to be the second oldest college in the United States. Founding Father and former President Thomas Jefferson is just one of the College of William & Mary’s distinguished alumni. The research university is one of only eight institutions in America considered to be a “Public Ivy” school – public institutions that offer an education and college experience on par with prestigious private Ivy League schools. The College of William & Mary accepts about 34 percent of applicants.

Undergraduate education at the College of William & Mary begins at the Arts & Sciences program, which awards nearly 90 percent of the school’s bachelor’s degrees. During their studies, students seeking a bachelor’s degree will develop a strong liberal arts foundation as they complete coursework required by the College Curriculum. Some of these course requirements focus on first-year learning, while others, like an original research requirement, aren’t completed until the senior year of studies. Business, management, marketing, biological sciences, psychology and the social sciences are among the most popular undergraduate majors offered at the College of William & Mary. Students can also pursue an interdisciplinary major or earn a degree in a unique self-directed major. Undergraduate students at the College of William and Mary enjoy small class sizes, with a student to faculty ratio of just 12 to one and fewer than 20 students in 49 percent of courses offered. The school maintains a high freshman retention rate of 96 percent.

Location: Williamsburg, VA

Enrollment: 6,301 students

Tuition: $41,718 (out-of-state), $18,687 (in-state)

13. Purdue University—West Lafayette

Another public institution, Purdue University—West Lafayette, occupies the 13^th spot on U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of the best national universities for undergraduate studies. The school has also earned recognition as one of the Most Innovative Schools, Top Public Schools and Best Colleges for Veterans. Purdue University—West Lafayette’s undergraduate business and engineering programs, in particular, have been recognized for excellence. A survey published by The Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education recently rated Purdue University the fourth best public college in the United States. With an in-state tuition cost of just over $10,000 per year, Purdue University—West Lafayette is the most affordable college on our list for in-state students – and its $28,804 out-of-state tuition cost isn’t bad, either. Purdue University was founded in 1869, but the land-grant college’s history dates back to 1862, when President Abraham Lincoln signed into law the Morrill Land Grant Act.

Undergraduate students at Purdue University—West Lafayette can choose from hundreds of possible academic majors in a range of disciplines. This wide variety of bachelor’s degree programs is offered by Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management, College of Liberal Arts, College of Science, College of Engineering, Purdue Polytechnic Institute, College of Agriculture, College of Education, College of Health and Human Sciences, College of Pharmacy, College of Veterinary Medicine and Exploratory Studies. One thing that makes Purdue University—West Lafayette’s undergraduate education stand out is its commitment to learning communities for first-year students.  With a student to faculty ratio of 12 to one, undergraduates at Purdue can enjoy small class sizes and personal attention. Purdue University—West Lafayette accepts 59 percent of applicants, making it one of the most accessible schools on our list. Once students get into Purdue University—West Lafayette, they stay there. The college’s freshman retention rate is 92 percent.

Location: West Lafayette, IN

Enrollment: 29,497 students

Tuition: $28,804 (out-of-state), $10,002 (in-state)

14. Duke University

Next on our list is private Methodist college Duke University. U.S. News & World Report ranked Duke University in a four-way tie for 14^th place on its list of the best national universities for earning a bachelor’s degree. The publication also awarded Duke University high rankings in categories like the Best Colleges for Veterans, the Best Value Schools, the Most Innovative Schools and the best undergraduate biomedical engineering degree programs. Duke University’s history dates back to 1838, when Union Institute opened in what was previously Brown’s Schoolhouse in Randolph County, North Carolina. The institution was rechartered as Normal College in 1851 and then became Trinity College in 1859. The school moved to Durham, N.C. – its current location – in 1892. Not until 1924 did the college take on its current name in honor of its benefactors, the Duke family. Small class sizes are common at Duke University, where the student to faculty ratio is just six to one and 73 percent of courses offered have fewer than 20 students enrolled.

There are two main paths of study for undergraduate students at Duke University: the liberal arts and engineering. Around 80 percent of students pursuing a bachelor’s degree from Duke University study at the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, where they can chose from 48 different liberal arts majors. However, most students here don’t choose just one program of study. Close to 83 percent of undergraduate students at Duke University earn a complete a minor, certificate or dual major in addition to their intended major. Students also complete a required core curriculum. This curriculum includes studies in five areas of knowledge: civilizations, quantitative studies, natural sciences, social sciences and arts, literatures. It also requires a focus on a variety of modes of inquiry, including writing, research, foreign language, cross-cultural inquiry, ethical inquiry and inquiries in science, technology and society. Duke University undergraduates who choose the engineering path are part of the Pratt School of Engineering, though many students complete a double major in non-engineering disciplines. Though engineering students don’t follow the same core curriculum as liberal arts students, the first-year engineering experience covers a breadth of topics in engineering opportunities.

Location: Durham, NC

Enrollment: 6,639 students

Tuition: $51,265

15. Georgia State University

Another institution included in the four-way tie for 14^th place on U.S. News & World Report’s list is a public school, Georgia State University. With upwards of 25,000 undergraduate students, Georgia State University is one of the larger schools on our list. It’s also one of the more inclusive, accepting 58 percent of applicants. At around $10,600 for in-state students and $28,900 for out-of-state students, Georgia State University is among the most affordable schools to make the list. In addition to excelling at teaching undergraduate students, Georgia State University was named fourth on U.S. News & World Report’s Most Innovative Schools list and has earned national recognition for its quality undergraduate business degree programs. Since its founding in 1913, Georgia State University has awarded 227,705 degrees. As a research university, Georgia State University offers plenty of research opportunities – including high-tech facilities and more than $120 million in research funding – to undergraduate students as well as graduate students.

Undergraduate students at Georgia State University have more than 70 academic major options to choose from as well as more than 50 possible minors. Students can choose to pursue up to two minors per major. Some of the most popular undergraduate degree programs at Georgia State University include biological sciences, business, management, marketing, psychology, social sciences and art. In addition to completing the required coursework for their selected major, students seeking a bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University must satisfy the school’s core curriculum requirements. These include courses in English composition, mathematics, natural science, social science, art, humanities and foreign language. Students must also take classes known as Institutional Foundations, which include studies in critical thinking, human communication, and interdisciplinary courses in cultural, scientific, and human expression perspectives. The school also offers optional Freshman Learning Communities to help students transition into college life and make friends with fellow students who have similar academic interests.

Location: Atlanta, GA

Enrollment: 25,160 students

Tuition: $28,896 (out-of-state), $10,686 (in-state)

16. University of Wisconsin—Madison

With more than 31,600 undergraduate students, the University of Wisconsin—Madison is the largest school on our list. The public institution is also among the most affordable colleges on the list. U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of Wisconsin—Madison among the top public schools in America and praised its undergraduate business and engineering degree programs as well as placing it tied for 14^th place on the Best Undergraduate Teaching list. The institution was founded in 1848 and currently has 428,257 living alumni. The University of Wisconsin—Madison is a research university that spends $1 billion on research every year. Though the University of Wisconsin—Madison offers programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels, 65 percent of the degrees it awarded last year were bachelor’s degrees.  Despite its large size, the University of Wisconsin—Madison has a student to faculty ratio of 17 to one, and more than 45 percent of courses at the school have fewer than 20 students enrolled.

Students find plenty of academic variety at the University of Wisconsin—Madison. The school offers 232 majors and certificate programs at the undergraduate level and a total of 4,769 courses to choose from, so it’s easy to customize your education. The University of Wisconsin—Madison places a priority on educating undergraduate students in a breadth of academic subjects. The general education requirements include coursework in social studies, natural science and Literature, arts and the humanities as well as classes designed to improve communication and literacy, enhance quantitative reasoning skills and develop an understanding of other cultures and ethnicities. With a 49 percent acceptance rate, the University of Wisconsin—Madison is more inclusive than many of the schools on our list. Once students get into the college, they tend to stay there for the duration of their education. The University of Wisconsin—Madison has an average freshman retention rate of 95 percent.

Location: Madison, WI

Enrollment: 31,662 students

Tuition: $32,738 (out-of-state), $10,488 (in-state)

17. Washington University in St. Louis

Washington University in St. Louis is yet another school that tied for 14^th place on U.S. News & World Report’s Best Undergraduate Teaching list. The private Missouri institution has been educating students since 1853 and has earned recognition as a best value school, best college for veterans and top-ranked national university, as well as a college with outstanding undergraduate business and engineering programs. The Princeton Review has also ranked Washington University in St. Louis highly on lists like Best College Dorms (ranked number one), Best-Run Colleges and Best Quality of Life. The student to faculty ratio at Washington University in St. Louis is just eight to one, and more than 63 percent of undergraduate courses contain fewer than 20 students. Washington University in St. Louis has a 96 percent freshman retention rate and an 86 percent four-year graduation rate, which shows that students who pursue a bachelor’s degree from this institution want to stay there until it’s time to graduate – and that the majority of students will graduate on time.

The majority of undergraduate students at Washington University in St. Louis – 4,117 of them, to be precise – study in the School of Arts & Sciences. The School of Engineering follows with an undergraduate enrollment of 1,291, while 942 undergrads are part of the School of Business. The School of Art is home to 294 undergraduates, and 197 students attend the School of Architecture. The College of Arts & Sciences now follows the Integrated Inquiry, or IQ, Curriculum. Through this curriculum, students develop core skills in writing, numbers (Applied Numeracy) and social differentiation as well as studying a breadth of academic subjects that include the humanities, social and behavioral sciences, natural sciences and mathematics and language and cultural diversity. Around 80 percent of undergraduate students at Washington University in St. Louis pursue more than one academic major or minor, and close to 40 percent fit a study abroad experience into their college education.

Location: St. Louis, MO

Enrollment: 7,504 students

Tuition: $49,770

18. University of California—Berkeley

One of three schools tied for 18^th place on U.S. News & World Report’s list of the Best Undergraduate Teaching National Universities is the University of California—Berkeley. The large institution is the best public school in America, as well as one of the best colleges for veterans and most innovative schools, according to U.S. News & World Report. The University of California—Berkeley’s undergraduate business degree program tied for second place in the nation, and its undergraduate engineering degree is third in the nation. The State Constitution of California, which was ratified in 1849, expressed hope for the establishment of a college that would “contribute even more than California’s gold to the glory and happiness of advancing generations.” In 1868, that aspiration became a reality with the founding of the University of California. UC Berkeley is the oldest – and one of the most highly praised – University of California campuses

The University of California—Berkeley offers more than 120 academic majors for undergraduate students, ranging from molecular biology to theater and performance studies. Six of the University of California—Berkeley’s 14 colleges educate undergraduate students: the College of Letters and Science, the College of Chemistry, the College of Engineering, the College of Environmental Design, the College of Natural Resources and the Haas School of Business. While undergraduate graduation requirements for University of California—Berkeley students vary depending on the specific college and degree program they’re pursuing, there are a few requirements all UC Berkeley students must meet. The University of California as a whole requires students to satisfy an entry-level writing requirement and an American History and Institutions requirement, either prior to enrolling or during their college studies. The Berkeley campus requires all students to take an American Cultures course, but with more than 50 departments offering courses from different frameworks that fulfill this requirement, there’s a class that’s relevant to every major and every student.

Location: Berkeley, CA

Enrollment: 27,496 students

Tuition: $40,191 (out-of-state), $13,509 (in-state)

19. University of Maryland—Baltimore County

Also tied for 18^th on U.S. News & World Report’s list is the University of Maryland—Baltimore County (UMBC). A public honors university with an affordable price tag (especially for Maryland residents), UMBC is also the youngest school on the list, having been founded in 1963. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the institution the fifth most innovative school in the nation, tied for 83^rd place among the top public schools and tied for 159^th place among national universities. UMBC operates on a 4-1-4-based academic calendar, which means the school fits in a month-long term in January in between the traditional fall and spring semesters. The institution offers excellent research opportunities at the undergraduate level in subjects that range from the technical to the creative and provides research funding of up to $1,500 through its Undergraduate Research Awards. UMBC is among the more inclusive schools on our list, accepting 59 percent of applicants.

Undergraduate students at the University of Maryland—Baltimore County can choose from more than 40 possible academic majors in subjects that range from art and the humanities to mathematics and the natural sciences. Among the most popular programs of study at the undergraduate level at UMBC are psychology, the social sciences, engineering, biological sciences and computer and information sciences. UMBC awards Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degrees. Required general education courses at UMBC include studies in physical education, writing, English composition, mathematics, arts and humanities, sciences, social sciences, culture and a foreign language. The honors university requires that students take 45 college credits – more than one-third of their undergraduate education – in upper level courses in order to graduate. The student to faculty ratio at UMBC is 19 to one, and more than 38 percent of courses offered have fewer than 20 students enrolled.

Location: Baltimore, MD

Enrollment: 11,243 students

Tuition: $24,492 (out-of-state), $11,264 (in-state)

20. Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Completing our top 20 list is Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts. When you think of national universities that provide an exceptional undergraduate education, you might not think of a technical institute. However, education in technology and the applied sciences isn’t the only thing Worcester Polytechnic Institute excels at. The institution is a prominent private research university that dates back to 1865. U.S. News & World Report ranked the Worcester Polytechnic Institute tied for 18^th place on its Best Undergraduate Teaching list as well as in coveted spots on the Best Colleges for Veterans list, the Best Value Schools list, the National Universities list, the Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs list and the Best Undergraduate Business Programs list. Worcester Polytechnic Institute accepts 49 percent of applicants, and students at the institution have a four-year graduation rate of 76 percent. The school boasts a student to faculty ratio of 13 to one, and more than 64 percent of courses at Worcester Polytechnic Institute have fewer than 20 students.

A bachelor’s degree program at Worcester Polytechnic Institute isn’t your typical undergraduate education. For one thing, the school follows a unique academic calendar, with four seven-week terms during the traditional school year and two additional terms during the summer. These shorter but more frequent terms allow full-time students to take just three intensive classes at a time and focus their full attention on these studies. Undergraduate students follow the WPI plan, which focuses on attaining hands-on experience early through project based learning. While the majority of the school’s dozens of majors are based in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), Worcester Polytechnic Institute strongly encourages students to pursue passions of all kinds. Around 80 percent of students there play a sport, and the curriculum is such that 100 percent of undergraduate students will complete the equivalent of a minor in the humanities and arts. The school also offers a teacher preparation program that allows STEM students to expand their career options by preparing for a role as a middle or high school educator.

Location: Worcester, MA

Enrollment: 4,299 students

Tuition: $46,994

Editor’s Note: This list of the 20 universities that provide the best undergraduate education is meant to be used solely as a guide to aid students in their college search. Data such as enrollment figures, acceptance rates, tuition costs, school history and ranking information were provided by U.S. News & World Report, the Princeton Review and the official websites of the above ranked institutions. Students should use this information as a starting place for their own research as they determine which college is right for them.

The post 20 Best Degree Programs for Undergraduates appeared first on DegreeQuery.com.

Below you’ll find the 23 fastest schools for earning an online bachelor’s degree. Choosing one of these schools can save you a considerable amount of time and money – and quite possibly put you on the road to achieving your dreams sooner.

1. Saint Louis University

Since 1818, Saint Louis University in Missouri – identifying itself as “one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious Catholic universities” – has educated students in the Jesuit tradition. As the school approaches its bicentennial anniversary, it now educates close to 13,000 students not just across the United States, but nationwide. The school’s long history and regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission aren’t the only factors that make it reputable. St. Louis University’s focus on community service has earned the school recognition as a “character-building college,” and the institution has achieved numerous honors and rankings. The Princeton Review included St. Louis University on its Best Midwestern, Green Colleges, and Best 381 Colleges lists. U.S. News & World Report recognized the private institution in several of its college rankings, including:

• National Universities (tied for 96^th place)
• Best Value Schools (55^th place)
• Best Colleges for Veterans (tied for 62th place)
• High School Counselor Rankings (tied for 83^rd place)
• Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (tied for 151^st place)
• Business programs, at 10^th place for Entrepreneurship programs and 11^th place for International Business programs

Saint Louis University takes online education seriously. At the undergraduate level, the school offers more than a dozen majors, as well as a number of minors and certificate programs, for online students. Possible programs of study include aviation management, computer information systems, general studies, hospitality management, industrial psychology, organizational studies, project management, security and strategic intelligence, social work and strategic communications. Many of these online degree options are part of Saint Louis University’s School for Professional Studies, an adult-focused program aimed toward educating students 22 years of age or older who have at least three years of work experience. While the institution offers a “flexible, accelerated schedule” for its online certification and degree programs, how long your program will take can vary. Students who have already completed some college studies elsewhere can graduate faster.  The school’s transfer policy allows students to transfer “an unlimited number of credits” from four-year colleges and, in most cases, as many as 64 credit hours from community colleges. If you transfer the maximum number of credits, you only have to complete 30 credit hours at Saint Louis University to graduate – which can be done in as little as a year. Students in the R.N.-to-B.S.N. program, specifically, can complete their studies in just two semesters (or nine months).

Minimum Time to Graduate: As little as 9 months

How Students Graduate Faster: Degree completion program, transfer credits

2. Capella University

If you’re looking for a school that offers plenty of undergraduate degree options in less than two years, consider Capella University. The for-profit university is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, but educates students primarily through online learning. Capella University has earned regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. Since its founding in 1993, Capella University has awarded 68,950 degrees. Students at Capella range from age 19 to age 84, but the average age is 39, making the school a great choice for adult learners seeking a degree that will help them advance or switch careers. About 89 percent of Capella University students are enrolled part-time, but those who choose full-time study options can complete their degrees quickly. Around 18 percent of students at Capella are either active military personnel or veterans. The vast majority of learners at Capella University – 82 percent – receive some form of financial aid to help offset the costs of their education.

Capella University offers 52 degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Bachelor’s degree programs include studies in business, information technology, psychology, nursing, health sciences and criminal justice. Different programs take different lengths of time to complete, but programs that incorporate the school’s FlexPath direct assessment option offer the shortest time to graduation. Business administration students can earn their degrees in just nine months if they transfer the maximum amount of credits and take a full load of classes per term. Students studying information assurance and security can complete their degrees in just 15 months by transferring the average number of credits. Depending on transfer credits, 18-month study plans are available for students in the criminal justice program, the health care administration leadership program and the R.N.-to-B.S.N. degree completion program. Business intelligence students 20 months if they transfer the average number of college credits. Students can also shorten the length of their education by earning competency-based credit for prior learning as well as credit for work experience or by transferring up to 75 percent of credits from a previous college experience.

Minimum Time to Graduate: As little as 9 months

How Students Graduate Faster: Transfer credits, competency-based learning, accelerated schedule, prior learning credits

3. Rasmussen College

Rasmussen College may be a for-profit school, but don’t let that fact deter you from considering this institution, especially if you want to earn your undergraduate degree quickly. The school was founded in 1900 in St. Paul, Minnesota, and it has been educating students ever since, largely avoiding the notoriety that many online for-profit colleges have attracted, according to Inside Higher Ed. Rasmussen College’s close ties to the Midwest and to Florida have helped the school achieve a trusted reputation, much as non-profit local colleges often do. The institution is also regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. While the school has plenty of online degree offerings for students to choose from, Rasmussen College also has more than 20 physical campuses located throughout Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. Despite the school’s modest size, enrollment has grown consistently, even during periods of economic recession, Inside Higher Ed reported.

Rasmussen College offers more than 30 online degrees at the associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s levels as well as certificates and diplomas. Though these online degree programs are just as rigorous as their on-campus equivalents, they’re offered fully online for maximum flexibility. If you really want to earn your degree quickly, look for one of Rasmussen College’s numerous accelerated bachelor’s degree completion programs. With offerings from the School of Business, the School of Health Sciences, the School of Education, the School of Justice Studies and the School of Technology, it’s safe to say there’s an option to fit just about every interest. If you transfer the minimum number of credits, you can graduate in 24 months. Students transferring the maximum number of credits, 80, can get their degrees in just 12 months. You can also shorten the time it takes to earn your degree by choosing the Flex Choice learning option, which allows for either self-paced competency-based learning or self-directed assessments that you take independently online to earn college credit.

Minimum Time to Graduate: As little as 1 year

How Students Graduate Faster: Degree completion, transfer credits, competency-based learning, self-directed assessment tests

4. Albertus Magnus College

For adult learners, an online degree program at Albertus Magnus College could be precisely what you’re looking for to give your career a boost. The school was founded in 1925 by the Dominican Sisters of St. Mary of the Springs (now called the Dominican Sisters of Peace) and has since retained its Roman Catholic affiliation. U.S. News & World Report ranked the New Haven, Connecticut, college as tied for 108^th place among Regional Universities North as well as tied for 205^th place among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs. The private liberal arts school is on the small side, with close to 1,200 total undergraduate students and about 300 online undergraduate students. The small size of the institution equates to small class sizes, with a student-to-faculty ratio of just 14 to one. Like many private schools, Albertus Magnus College has a tuition rate that may seem a little steep – $30,650 per year if you choose the traditional undergraduate path. Fortunately, not only do nearly 90 percent of Albertus Magnus College students receive financial aid to lessen the cost of college, but students in an accelerated program pay considerably lower tuition rates of $1,530 per three-credit course.

Albertus Magnus College offers Online & Flex Programs that culminate in a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in subjects such as accounting, business management, computer information systems, criminal justice, finance, general studies, health care management and sociology. Students can choose from fully online programs, blended courses, programs that allow you to mix online and on-campus learning and accelerated on-campus programs. Students in an accelerated degree program typically take two courses per eight-week term, completing 30 credits per year. Students who have taken college classes before at other schools can further accelerate their progress by transferring up to 90 credits from a four-year school or 64 credits from a community college – reducing the amount of credits they need to earn to one year’s worth of accelerated study. You can also apply life experience credits toward earning your degree by taking CLEP or DANTES examinations or challenge exams or by creating a portfolio of your professional experience and projects.

Minimum Time to Graduate: As little as 1 year

How Students Graduate Faster: Accelerated programs, transfer credits, credit for life experience

5. Colorado State University

Colorado State University is a school with a great reputation online and offline. The public university has been educating students since 1870. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, the institution is located an hour from Denver, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Colorado State University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and the school has earned recognition on many top colleges rankings lists. The Princeton Review ranked Colorado State University on its Best 381 Colleges, Best Western and Top 50 Green Colleges lists. U.S. News & World Report recognized the institution on several of its ranking lists, including:

• National Universities (tied for 129^th place)
• Top Public Schools (tied for 61^st place)
• Best Colleges for Veterans (tied for 86^th place)
• Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (tied for 75^th place)
• High School Counselor Rankings (tied for 117^th place)

Colorado State University’s online programs, too, performed well. U.S. News & World Report recognized five of the school’s online graduate degree programs. The undergraduate online program, which has a total enrollment of around 543 students, tied for 48^th place on the publication’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs list.

The school’s online learning options are offered through Colorado State University’s Global Campus, where eight-week terms help students graduate more quickly. How long it will take you to graduate depends on how many transfer credits and alternative credits you have. The school’s transfer policy allows students to make use of up to 90 credits, potentially cutting down your time to graduation to just one year of full-time study. Alternative credit options include credit for competency-based exams, advanced placement exams, CLEP tests, military service, prior learning assessments, corporate training and professional certifications and licenses. Students can choose from 13 online bachelor’s degree options in subjects such as accounting, applied social sciences, business management, communication, criminal justice, health care administration, human resource management, human services, information technology, management information systems, marketing, organizational leadership and project management. Online courses at Colorado State University include a great deal of virtual interactions with instructors and fellow students, and coursework comes in the form of critical thinking assignments and portfolio projects. SCU’s Global Campus offers a Tuition Guarantee that ensures that once you enroll, your tuition rate won’t increase.

Minimum Time to Graduate: As little as 1 year  

How Students Graduate Faster: Accelerated courses, transfer credits, alternative credits

6. Regis University

Since its founding in 1877 as a Jesuit university in Las Vegas, New Mexico, Las Vegas College has had a Roman Catholic religious affiliation. The institution retained that affiliation even after the school took on its new name, Regis University, and moved to its current Denver, Colorado, location in 1887 – and it continues to stand by that religious tradition today. The school is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Five colleges make up Regis University: Regis College, the College of Contemporary Liberal Studies, the Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions, the College of Business and Economics and the College of Computer and Information Sciences.  U.S. News & World Report ranked Regis University as tied for 23^rd place among Regional Universities West. The school also earned recognition for its online programs specifically, including tying for 156^th place among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs and 133^rd place among the Best Online Graduate Education Programs and taking 29^th place among the Best Online Graduate Criminal Justice Programs.

Regis University offers more than two dozen accelerated online degree programs – including Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) options – for adult learners. Its offerings include studies in business, nursing and health care, liberal arts, computer technology, communication, criminal justice, education, psychology and anthropology. Accelerated programs are also available on campus in the evenings for students who prefer face-to-face interaction. Students can transfer as many as 90 credits taken at other colleges into their program at Regis University, drastically reducing the amount of time it will take to earn you degree. The fastest degree you can earn is the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Accelerated degree, a one-year program intended to prepare students with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing for a career as a nurse. Some programs offered online at Regis University have as many as six start dates per year, so you don’t have to put your ambitions on hold for half a year while you wait for the next term to begin.

Minimum Time to Graduate: As little as 1 year

How Students Graduate Faster: Accelerated terms, transfer credits

7. Champlain College

Champlain College is a private nonprofit college in Burlington, Vermont, that has educated students since 1878. The school’s small size – 2,200 traditional undergraduate students – allows it to offer small classes, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 14 to one. Despite its small size, Champlain College is global in scope, with additional campuses in Dublin, Ireland, and Montreal, Canada and students enrolled from 17 nations. The Princeton Review included Champlain College on a number of ranking lists, including the Best 381 Colleges, Best Northeastern, Top 50 Game Design (for undergraduates) and Top 50 Green Colleges. The school also earned accolades from U.S. News & World Report, which ranked Champlain College third among the Most Innovative Schools, tied for 52^nd among the Best Colleges for Veterans, tied for 91^st among Regional Universities North. U.S. News & World Report also recognized the school’s online undergraduate degree programs, in which 1,676 students were enrolled, as tied for 148^th place among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs in the nation.

Champlain College offers 11 fully online Bachelor of Science degree programs in subjects such as accounting, business management, healthcare administration, computer and information systems, cybersecurity, web development, software development, computer forensics and economic crime investigation. The academic calendar is split into three semesters per year, each of which is further divided into two seven-week terms. These accelerated courses allow students to make more progress toward their degrees faster and focus on a smaller number of courses at a time. The school’s transfer policy allows students with previous college experience to transfer up to 90 credits toward their 120-credit bachelor’s degree, shrinking the number of credits you must complete at Champlain to just 30. The more courses you take per semester, the quicker you’ll be able to earn your bachelor’s degree. Of course, you’ll need time to complete the coursework for each of your classes. Champlain College recommends planning to spend 10 to 15 hours per week studying and working on your assignments for each online undergraduate class you take.

Minimum Time to Graduate: As little as 1 year

How Students Graduate Faster: Accelerated terms, transfer credits, credit for professional training, credit for competency based on test-out exams

8. Charter Oak State College

Charter Oak State College in New Britain, Connecticut, is a small, public liberal arts school with an undergraduate enrollment of just 1,735. The school’s online program caters to adult learners, which makes the school an excellent choice for students who have busy work schedules or who have already completed some college-level studies and want to finally finish their degrees. In fact, past completion of at least nine college credits at another college or university is one of Charter Oak State College’s admission requirements. Since its founding in 1973, Charter Oak State College has awarded degrees to 15,000 alumni. The institution has earned regional accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The school offers competitive tuition rates, with in-state undergraduates paying just $287 per credit and out-of-state students paying $377 per credit. Students can also take advantage of interest-free payment plans to put the cost of college within reach.

Charter Oak State College offers six programs of study at the bachelor’s degree level as well as numerous concentration and elective options. Students can major in business administration, cyber security, health care administration, health information management, psychology or general studies. As a school with a strong focus on degree completion, the most significant way students can speed up their education is by taking full advantage of Charter Oak State College’s transfer policy. Students are allowed to transfer as many as 87 credits – even credits earned at a community or junior college – toward their bachelor’s degree program. You can also receive credit through the school’s Prior Learning Assessment program in a number of ways. You can test out of courses through standardized exams like CLEP and DSST. If you already hold a professional license or certification, you can turn that credential into college credits, too. You can apply your past work experience toward your degree by seeking credit for professional training or military training or by building a portfolio of your work.

Minimum Time to Graduate: As little as 1 year

How Students Graduate Faster: Degree completion, transfer credits, credit for military training, credit for portfolio, test-out credit

9. Western New England University

The private institution Western New England University is quickly approaching its 100-year anniversary of educating students, having been founded in 1919. The school is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges but has also earned specialized accreditation for individual degree programs from numerous highly-respected accrediting bodies, including AACSB International, ABET, Inc., the Council on Social Work Education and the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.

U.S. News & World Report recognized Western New England University in a number of its ranking lists, including:

• Best Value Schools (27^th place)
• Best Colleges for Veterans (tied for 39^th place)
• Regional Universities North (tied for 67^th place)
• Engineering Programs at schools that don’t offer doctoral studies (tied for 88^th place)
• Business Programs (tied for 446^th place)

What makes the school such a great value is its generous financial aid policy. Close to 98 percent of students at Western New England University receive some form of financial assistance in the form of a Merit Scholarship, a need-based scholarship, a grant, a job on campus or student loans.

You might be surprised to learn that the accelerated programs at Western New England University are considered part-time. Don’t let this term trick you – these programs allow adult learners with prior college experience to complete their bachelor’s degrees in as little as one to two years. While on-campus students can choose from close to 50 part-time undergraduate programs available during the day or in the evening, the school also offers a popular Online Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree through its College of Business. To be eligible for this fully online degree completion program, prospective Online BBA students must transfer in at least 30 hours of college credits completed at another institution. However, the school’s transfer policy allows for as many as 70 credits earned at a two-year college or 90 credits from a four-year college to be applied to your bachelor’s degree requirements. To earn a degree from Western New England University, transfer students must complete a minimum of 30 credits at the school.

Minimum Time to Graduate: As little as 1 year

How Students Graduate Faster: Degree completion, transfer credits

10. East Coast Polytechnic Institute University

For students interested in science, East Coast Polytechnic Institute, or ECPI University, might be the place to enroll. The institution’s mission is to provide students with a learning environment that uses education to enhance students’ professional and personal lives. ECPI University was founded in 1966 and operates in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida. The school also offers numerous degree programs online in fields such as technology, health science, nursing, and business and criminal justice. In order to provide a high-quality education, ECPI University follows four Core Values. To excel in academics, ECPI University maintains industry-relevant programs and promotes theoretical foundations. The school is committed to its students and offers internship experiences. To demonstrate professionalism in action, ECPI University reinforces punctuality, attendance and professional appearance in its courses. The institution makes it a priority to offer students plenty of opportunities, including on-site employer interviews, networking and professional events. ECPI University utilizes a year-round schedule that allows students to complete their majors quickly.

ECPI University has many online Bachelor of Science degrees that can be completed in just two and a half years. Students interested in technology have options to study cloud computing, electronics engineering, mechatronics, web design and development, software development, mobile development, or cybersecurity. Students with an affinity for business and criminal justice can focus on accounting, criminal justice, homeland security, business administration, hospitality management, or even IT management. For health science-oriented students, the only option to graduate in two and a half years is by earning a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration. However, ECPI University’s Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences degree completion program can be completed quicker. The program allows students with an associate’s degree in Radiography to complete their bachelor’s degree in one year. The knowledge students gain through ECPI University’s undergraduate radiologic sciences degree will allow them to advance in the radiology profession to become a leader, educator or even an administrator – without having to uproot their current life.

Minimum Time to Graduate: 1 year

How Students Graduate Faster: Degree completion, year-round schedule

11. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Mercy University is a private institution with a 160-acre campus located in Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania, just half an hour from Philadelphia. Adult students in Gwynedd Mercy University’s Graduate and Professional Studies program can also study at satellite locations in Center City Philadelphia and Bensalem. The Roman Catholic institution was founded in 1948 and currently educates 2,035 undergraduate students and 632 graduate students. U.S. News & World Report ranked Gwynedd Mercy University as tied for 137^th place among Regional Universities North. Gwynedd Mercy University has earned regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The school offers a competitive tuition rate and a financial aid policy that awarded aid to 100 percent of first-year, full-time undergraduate students.  The institution has a student-to-faculty ratio of just 11 to one. The school has a retention rate of 84 percent, which means that the vast majority of incoming freshmen students choose to return to Gwynedd Mercy University in their sophomore year.

At the undergraduate level, Gwynedd Mercy University offers accelerated online degrees in business administration, nursing and psychology. The school’s online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree can be completed in just two years and offers concentration options in health administration and Organizational Management. Applicants must have 46 credits of college experience completed elsewhere to apply to the degree completion program. The applied psychology degree program, also two years, requires students to transfer in at least 30 college credits. Registered nurses who want to pursue their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degree can do so in just two years with the accelerated online R.N.-to-B.S.N. program, while aspiring nurses who have a bachelor’s degree in another field can complete an online accelerated B.S. N. program in as little as 15 months. Accelerated courses at Gwynedd Mercy University take just five weeks and are offered 100 percent online, though students may also have the option of choosing classes offered on-campus or in a hybrid format, as well.

Minimum Time to Graduate: As little as 15 months

How Students Graduate Faster: Degree completion, transfer credits, accelerated degree programs  

12. Indiana Wesleyan University

Indiana Wesleyan University, located on a 320-acre campus in Marion, Indiana, is a private nonprofit institution. The school also offers degree programs for adult learners at 15 Education Center locations across Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. Of course, these programs are also available online – and they have been since 1997. Since the school’s founding in 1920, the evangelical Christian institution has retained an affiliation with the Wesleyan Church, influencing the school’s “Christ-centered community” and its academic offerings. U.S. News & World Report ranked Indiana Wesleyan University as tied for 27^th place among Regional Universities Midwest. The institution is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Indiana Wesleyan University has a total enrollment of 14,102 students and has awarded degrees to more than 79,243 alumni since its founding. Indiana Wesleyan University is home to five colleges, the College of Adult and Professional Studies, the School of Nursing, the Graduate School, Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University and the College of Arts and Sciences, which is further split into the John Wesley Honors College, the School of Arts and Humanities, School of the Physical and Applied Sciences, the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Business, the School of Teacher Education and the School of Theology and Ministry.

Online degree offerings at Indiana Wesleyan University include 20 undergraduate programs of study in subjects such as business, communication, computer science, counseling, criminal justice, education, liberal arts, nursing, psychology and theology. Indiana Wesleyan University allows students to transfer as many as 90 credits of prior college experience, so that they can begin their studies at the school with advanced standing. This allows transfer students to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in many subjects, like business, in just 18 months. Certain programs of study, like the Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, can take longer. On the other hand, registered nurses who want to attain their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degree can complete Indiana Wesleyan University’s online R.N. to B.S.N. degree program in just 15 months. Transferring college credits earned at another school isn’t the only way students can advance their progress toward a degree. This institution also awards as many as 40 college credits for portfolios that demonstrate the student’s work experience, professional training and other forms of prior learning and experience.

Minimum Time to Graduate: As little as 15 months

How Students Graduate Faster: Degree completion, transfer credits, credit for prior learning, portfolio credit

13. Northeastern University

Since its founding in 1898, the private research institution Northeastern University has educated students on its Boston, Massachusetts, campus as well as its four graduate campuses across North America. Northeastern University is a well-respected school that has earned numerous accolades from reliable publications. The Princeton Review has recognized Northeastern University on its several of its lists, including the Best 381 Colleges, Best Northeastern, Best Career Services, Best Schools for Internships, Colleges That Pay You Back, Colleges That Create Futures Green Colleges, Top 25 Entrepreneurship and Top 50 Game Design. U.S. News & World Report has recognized Northeastern University on many of the publication’s college ranking lists for both traditional and online programs, including:

• Most Innovative Schools (tied for 7^th place)
• National Universities (tied for 39^th)
• International Business Programs(10^th place)
• Best Online Graduate Computer Information Technology Programs (tied for 32^nd place)
• High School Counselor Rankings (tied for 36^th place)
• Best Online Graduate Business Programs, not including MBA (tied for 37^th)
• Best Online MBA Programs (tied for 42^nd)
• Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (tied for 53^rd)

Students at Northeastern University can choose from 10 online bachelor’s degree programs: finance and accounting management, health management, human services, information technology, leadership, liberal studies, management, political science, professional communication and psychology. Some of these degree programs – like the Bachelor of Science in Health Management, Bachelor of Science in Management, Bachelor of Science in Finance and Accounting Management, Bachelor of Science in Leadership and Bachelor of Science in Information Technology – are available in a Fast-Track format that allows students to graduate in just 18 months. Fast Track programs are degree completion programs intended for students who have already earned an associate’s degree or completed an equivalent amount of college credits. Students can also apply additional credits to their degrees by creating portfolios that showcase their work and life experience or earning a passing score on proficiency exams to test out of classes. Students considering the Fast Track option at Northeastern University should be aware that the curriculum and course schedule in these accelerated programs are often demanding, highly structured and less flexible than a typical online class.

Minimum Time to Graduate: As little as 18 months

How Students Graduate Faster: Degree completion, accelerated degree programs, transfer credit, portfolio credit, exam credit

14. Florida State College at Jacksonville

Over the 52 years of Florida State College at Jacksonville’s history, the school has taken on a number of identities. At the time of its founding in 1965, the institution was known as Florida Junior College. In 1986, the school became known as Florida Community College at Jacksonville. Today, the institution’s designation as a state college, rather than a junior or community college, reflects its expanded academic offerings at the bachelor’s degree level. The school now enrolls 50,000 students annually – a considerable increase from the 2,610 students that made up its inaugural class. Florida State College at Jacksonville is home to several campuses located across Duval County and Nassau County: the Downtown Campus, the Kent Campus, the North Campus, the South Campus, Cecil Center, Nassau Center and Open Campus and Deerwood Center. The institution is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission. Florida State College at Jacksonville awards a number of different degrees, such as the Associate in Science (A.S.), Associate in Arts (A.A), Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) degrees.

Eight of the accelerated bachelor’s degree programs offered at Florida State College at Jacksonville can be completed online. The B.S. in Business Administration, B.S. in Financial Services, B.A.S. in Supervision and Management and B.A.S. in Public Safety Management can all be completed in 18 or 24 months. The B.S. in Human Services, B.A.S. in Logistics, B.A.S. in Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications and B.A.S in Information Technology Management take 20 months to complete. Courses offered through the Accelerated College include an accelerated curriculum, in which students complete online courses in just eight weeks and, often, juggle multiple courses at one time to complete their degree requirements faster. Students can also earn up to 45 credits toward their degree through various forms of Prior Learning Assessment. This may include receiving credits for passing exams, attaining an industry certification and cultivating a portfolio that illustrates their work, life or military service experiences.

Minimum Time to Graduate: As little as 18 months

How Students Graduate Faster: Accelerated curricula, credit for prior learning, credit by exam, portfolio credit, credit for professional training, credit for military training

15. Neumann University

For more than five decades, Neumann University has educated students in the Roman Catholic Franciscan Tradition. When the private institution was founded in 1965 by the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, it went by the name Our Lady of Angels and had a total student population of just 115 women. The school grew substantially over the years, changing its name to Neumann College and becoming coeducational in 1980. In 2009, after Neumann College had begun offering graduate and doctoral degree programs, the Pennsylvania Department of Education approved the switch to its current name, Neumann University. The Aston, Pennsylvania, institution is just half an hour from Philadelphia and less than 10 miles north of Wilmington, Delaware. Neumann University has earned regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The Princeton Review recognized Neumann University on its Best Northeastern list. The school currently has a total student population of 3,011, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 14 to one.

Neumann University offers two fully online programs of study, the B.S. in Public Safety Administration and M.S. in Education. The undergraduate public safety administration program caters to adult learners – requiring applicants to be at least 19 years of age – who have busy schedules and prior college experience. Neumann University’s bachelor’s in public safety administration squeezes a full semester’s class into an accelerated course that students can complete in just six to eight weeks. New students can begin their studies three times a year, with enrollment periods taking place in the fall, spring and summer. The degree completion program at Neumann University requires prospective students to have a minimum of 60 college credits to be considered, but Neumann University allows students to apply as many as 90 credits earned at a regionally accredited two-year or four-year school toward their bachelor’s degrees. You can also get additional credit for any professional or military training.

Minimum Time to Graduate: As little as 22 months

How Students Graduate Faster: Accelerated programs, degree completion program, transfer credit, prior learning credit

16. Concordia University Chicago

Since its founding in 1864, Concordia University Chicago has educated students in the Lutheran tradition. The private liberal arts school is actually found in the suburbs of Chicago, with a 40-acre campus located in River Forest, Illinois. Concordia University Chicago has earned regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. Though the school was first established as a college for teachers, it now is home to a College of Business, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Innovation and Professional Programs and College of Graduate Studies as well as a College of Education. The school’s online learning options, in particular, have won it recognition from U.S. News & World Report on lists such as Best Online Bachelor’s Programs (tied for 63^rd place), Best Online Graduate Education Programs (tied for 66^th place) and Best Online MBA Programs (tied for 168^th place). Concordia University Chicago is one of 10 schools across the United States that together make up the Concordia University System.

At the undergraduate level, Concordia University Chicago offers accelerated online bachelor’s degrees in organizational management, healthcare management, sports and recreation, and management information systems. There is also an associate’s degree in organizational management option and a “3+1” bachelor’s degree in healthcare management offered in conjunction with the College of DuPage, a community college. For admission to these degree completion programs, students must provide documentation that they have two years of full-time work experience outside the home. To take part in a degree completion program, you need to start with at least 30 college credits earned at another institution. However, Concordia University Chicago typically allows students to transfer up to 67 credits, slashing the time it will take them to earn their degree nearly in half. Reducing your time to graduate can result in a significant cost savings in and of itself. Concordia University Chicago goes the extra mile to keep school affordable by making every student a tuition guarantee, promising that “as long as there are no interruptions in your course of study, we guarantee your tuition will remain the same and never increase.”

Minimum Time to Graduate: As little as 2 years

How Students Graduate Faster: Degree completion, transfer credits, accelerated courses

17. California Baptist University

Since its founding in 1950, California Baptist University has increased from an enrollment of just 42 students to a student body of 9,157. As the school’s name suggests, it retains a religious affiliation with the California Southern Baptist Convention, and the private institution continues to provide a “Christ-centered educational experience” for its traditional and online students. California Baptist University is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and has earned specialized accreditation for its individual colleges and degree programs from respected accrediting agencies such as the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs, the National Association of Schools of Music, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. U.S. News & World Report has ranked California Baptist University high on a number of college ranking lists for both its traditional programs and its online programs, including:

• Regional Universities West (tied for 37^th place)
• Best Colleges for Veterans (21^st place)
• Engineering Programs at schools that don’t offer doctoral studies (tied for 131^st place)
• Best Online Bachelor’s Programs (tied for 8^th place)
• Best Online Graduate Business Programs, not including MBA (73^rd place)
• Best Online MBA Programs (tied for 95^th place)
• Best Online Graduate Education Programs (tied for 101^st place)

The Online and Professional Studies division of California Baptist University offers nearly two dozen bachelor’s degree programs in studies such as business, communication, computer science, criminal justice, graphic design, kinesiology, nursing, psychology and sociology. While the typical bachelor’s degree requires four years of full-time study, students at California Baptist University can complete their degree in half the time – and save themselves tens of thousands of dollars as a result. Students who want to reduce their time to graduation can do so by taking full advantage of California Baptist University’s generous transfer policy, taking two courses per session instead of just one and completing three semesters of work each year. Up to 70 semester units earned at a community college and 100 semester units earned at a four-year institution can be applied toward a bachelor’s degree at California Baptist University. Other ways students can accelerate their education at California Baptist University include earning credits for exams such as CLEP and DSST, receiving credit for military experience or experience as emergency service personnel and turning professional certifications into college credits.

Minimum Time to Graduate: As little as 2 years

How Students Graduate Faster: Transfer credits, three semesters per year, accelerated course load, military credit, exam credit, professional experience credit

18. Liberty University Online

Liberty University is an online, nonprofit Christian institution. U.S. News & World Report ranks the school 148^th among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs. Liberty University has a variety of online bachelor programs in fields such as:

• Aviation
• Business
• Communication
• Criminal Justice
• Educations
• General Studies
• Government
• Healthcare
• History
• Information Systems
• Information Technology
• Nursing
• Paralegal
• Psychology
• Social Work
• Religion

Some of these programs offer multiple educational paths. For instance, business students can study accounting or business administration. Government students can focus on government, law & policy, pre-law or political science. Religion students can choose biblical and educational studies, Christian leadership and management, or a Bachelor of Science in religion. There are numerous benefits of attending Liberty University Online. Online Liberty University students can complete their coursework from anywhere in the world as long as they have an Internet connection, so it doesn’t matter if they move to a new location. There are no required login times during the week for Liberty University Online courses, so students have flexibility when it comes to completing assignments. All students have to do is make sure they meet their professor’s deadlines.

Liberty University offers an online RN to BSN degree program that most students complete in just two years. One way students accomplish this is by transferring up to 90 college credits earned at other schools into this program. The Office of Transfer Evaluations helps new Liberty University students to transition smoothly and to avoid having to retake courses. Liberty University also has an Experience Plus Program designed to help students earn additional credits towards their degree through six different options. Students can take examinations to show their knowledge in multiple subjects. Those with a military background can use courses they took in military service schools to earn undergraduate credit. RN to BSN students can use their professional nursing experience to earn credits for job training they have undertaken. Liberty students can also take a History MOOC (massive open online course) through Liberty University to earn free elective credit. Students might even get credit as a result of any unaccredited certificate programs they have completed. Last but not least, students at Liberty University can earn credit through an Experience Plus Portfolio that evaluates their previous experiences and job training.

Minimum Time to Graduate: 2 years

How Students Graduate Faster: Transfer credit, exam credit, military credit, credit for job training, portfolio credit

 19. Columbia College

Columbia College was founded in 1851 and has more than 150 years of experience in higher education. Columbia, originally called Christian Female College, started as the first women’s college west of the Mississippi River. In 1970, the institution became a coeducation college and took on its current name. Though it still has connections to its Christian origins, Columbia College is a nonsectarian school and accepts students from any religious denomination. While its main campus is located in Columbia, Missouri, Columbia College has 36 extended campuses located in Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington and even Guantanamo Bay. In addition to its physical locations, Columbia College offers online classes with over 800 courses and 29 full degrees. U.S. News ranks Columbia University’s online programs highly, with the undergraduate program of more than 5,000 students taking 103^rd place among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs. The publication also recognized Columbia College as 15^th among the Best Online Graduate Criminal Justice Programs.

Students interested in nursing should consider Columbia College’s RN to BSN program. This accelerated program allows students to complete the program in just two years, so they can go out into their professional field as quickly as possible. This program is fully online, which allows students to continue working in their current capacities as registered nurses. Columbia College’s RN to BSN program has six class sessions per year, with new sessions starting in August, October, January, February, May and June. Courses students will take include Fundamentals of Nursing, Professional Nursing Practice, Community Health Nursing and Leadership and Management in Nursing Practice. Unfortunately, this program does have some limitations in certain states. Students from the District of Columbia, Idaho, Minnesota, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Washington are not allowed in the RN to BSN program. In addition, Alabama students have the opportunity to take part in the advanced degree program, but the program does not indicate eligibility for approval to practice as an advanced practice nurse in Alabama.

Minimum Time to Graduate: As little as 2 years

How Students Graduate Faster: Degree completion, multiple class sessions throughout the year

20. Immaculata University

For Catholics looking to further their education, Immaculata University might be the school they are looking for. Immaculata University is a Catholic, coeducational institution with programs that merge academic rigor with Christian core values. The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary purchased the land in Immaculata, PA, in 1906. They broke ground in 1908, opened the building in 1914 and got the institution officially made a college charter in 1920, when it officially became the first Catholic college for women in the Philadelphia area. In 2005, Immaculata University began accepting male students as well. While it is Christian focused, the institution has many degree programs ranging from nursing and health care management to business management and education. Immaculata University also offers internship opportunities to all academic departments. U.S. News &World Report ranks Immaculata University 152^nd on its list of National Universities and states that 86 percent of the school’s classes have fewer than 20 students, allowing for more personal help from instructors.

Immaculata University offers several online degree-completion programs that allow students to transfer up to 72 credits. By taking nine credits per semester, students can complete their degree in only two years. Immaculata University offers a variety of Bachelor of Science online degree programs, including:

• Bachelor of Science in Allied Health for Clinical Professionals
• Bachelor of Science in Business Leadership
• Bachelor of Science in Business Management
• Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
• Bachelor of Science in Emergency Planning and Management
• Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management
• Bachelor of Science in Organizational Behavior
• Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management

Immaculata even offers a R.N. to B.S.N program, allowing Christian focused students a variety of options. Even though students can take their classes entirely online, Immaculata University’s Office of Financial Aid can and will provide aid to students in need making it not only easy to take the classes but affordable as well. By taking summer classes as well as courses in the fall and spring, students can further accelerate their education.

Minimum Time to Graduate: As little as 2 years

How Students Graduate Faster: Degree completion, transfer credit, accelerated course load, year-round course offerings

21. Boston University

Since Boston University’s founding in 1839, the private Massachusetts institution has earned national and even global recognition for the quality of the education it provides. U.S. News & World Report ranked Boston University 39^th among national universities and 23^rd among the best colleges for veterans. Boston University’s online education stands out due to the design of its programs. The Distance Education office and Boston University’s faculty members collaborate to design outstanding online degree programs. The Distance Education office makes sure that students’ online experience reflects the high caliber of education that Boston University is known for throughout the world. Boston University faculty and staff create online programs that incorporate simulations, video, audio, multimedia, and group discussion boards. BU’s online programs were first offered in 2002 and are constantly improved as the school works to introduces new tools and apps that extend the capabilities of a traditional classroom. This has led U.S. News & World Report to name Boston University’s online programs 4^th in Best Online Graduate Computer Information Technology Programs, 4^th in Best Online Graduate Criminal Justices Programs and tied for 10^th among Best Online Graduate Business Programs.

Students who already have 52 to 64 credits can enter Boston University’s Undergraduate Degree Completion Program and earn their bachelor’s in only 30 months. This is a liberal arts program that focuses on areas such as social sciences, humanities and natural sciences. Upon completion, students will earn a Bachelor of Liberal Studies in Interdisciplinary Studies without having to put aside family time or their career. Students can use this degree to show potential employers that they have developed interpersonal awareness and the ability to think creatively. Some Boston University students use their online degree as a stepping stone towards their graduate studies. While working on this degree at Boston University, students will take interesting courses such as:

• Exploring Philosophy Through Film: Knowledge, Ethics, and Personal Identity
• Food Stuff: A Taste of Biology
• Sabermetrics
• China, the Emerging Superpower: A Model for Development?
• American Traditional Music
• Botany without Borders
• Mysteries of Archaeology
• Physics of Motion: Something in the Way It Moves

Minimum Time to Graduate: As little as 30 months

How Students Graduate Faster: Degree completion, transfer credit

 22. Western Governors University

Western Governors University is a nonprofit online university, making it truly one without any boundaries. It was thought of in 1995 by a group of governors and began accepting students in 1999, with its first graduation held in December of 2000. In addition to being entirely online, WGU tries its best to keep tuition low. During each six month term, students are allowed to take as many courses as they want for a flat rate. The more classes you complete per term, the lower the cost of your education. Instead of simply relying on the amount of time you spend in the classroom to measure student success, WGU uses competencies to measure student outcomes. The competency-based school determines progress toward a degree based on whether students can demonstrate mastery of any required courses. WGU allows students to complete assessments as fast as they are ready in order to prove themselves and accelerate their education. Western Governors University’s personalized programs match students’ schedules, helping them to maintain their career and family life.

While Western Governors University is entirely online, you don’t have to start your education that way. WGU accepts students from traditional schools and allows them to finish their bachelor’s degrees online. Many students who start their WGU education with an associate’s degree are able to clear most of the lower-division general education requirements they need to earn a bachelor’s degree in two or two and a half years. Students with an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or Associate of Applied Science might have an easier time transferring and completing in two years, but any associates will help speed up the time of completion. Even students who haven’t earned a degree might be able to clear some requirements by having an official transcript evaluation completed for them by Wester Governors University. This opportunity gives non-traditional students who didn’t finish college or who earned only an associate’s degree the first time around the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree without having to spend four more years studying at the undergraduate level.

Minimum Time to Graduate: As little as 2 to 2.5 years

How Students Graduate Faster: Degree completion, transfer credit, competency-based credit, accelerated course load

23. Becker College

Finishing out the list of the 25 fastest schools for online bachelor’s degrees is Becker College. Since its founding in 1785, the institution has been focused on delivering transformational learning experiences to every student, with the goal of becoming a nationally recognized institution of higher education. Becker bills itself as a “Transfer Friendly” college and dedicates Tuesdays to help new students transfer to Becker. In addition to help actually transferring, students will receive help with the selection of their classes, accepting financial aid awards and determining the best start date for them, whether it is the fall or the spring. Becker College strives to create an environment that celebrates diverse cultures and currently has a student body composed of more than 2,000 students from across the country and around the world. While the Massachusetts-based school has physical campuses located in both Worcester and Leicester, Becker College also offers a variety of online classes, including all courses for their bachelor of science in business administration.

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration is part of Becker’s Accelerated & Professional Studies program. This program will allow completion of the degree in only 3 years, shaving off a whole year from students’ completion time. To graduate in three years, students will need to take intersession and summer courses, which are all available online. Becker has a set schedule to help students stay on track and know what they need to take and when. This schedule starts with a student’s first fall semester that includes courses in Global Economics and Introduction to Business Models and continues through their third and last spring semester, when they will complete their Agile Mindset Capstone. Students can still take electives during their time at Becker, but to stay on track, they must be careful about what type of elective they take. Regardless, over the course of their education, students will study business, history and science and take five open electives.

Minimum Time to Graduate: 3 years

How Students Graduate Faster: Intersession and Summer Courses

Editor’s Note: While each school on this list offers some form of accelerated online undergraduate degree, there’s no guarantee how long it will take you to earn a specific degree at a particular institution or which college is the best choice for you. When choosing a college that will allow you to earn your degree quickly, you need to take into account what features are most relevant to you. Do you have a great deal of college credits already that you would like to transfer? Are you comfortable taking exams to test out of courses? Do you want to earn credit for your military experience or the professional certifications you have attained? Would you prefer to take your classes in a condensed format that lasts for only a few weeks, or is a full-length semester more appropriate for your schedule and learning style? There’s no one right answer. Any student who is considering ways to earn a bachelor’s degree fast should compare their options and get the facts about what kind of credit they can receive to accelerate their progress toward a degree before committing to a school or degree program.

Our Fast Degree Series

– Fastest Overall Programs
– Fastest Online Associates Degrees
– Fastest Online Bachelor’s Degrees
– Fastest Online Master’s Degrees
– Fastest Online Doctorate Degrees

For Further Reading:

Top 10 Graduate Degree Programs in Criminal Justice

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1. Savanah College of Art and Design

The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is a private institution that was founded in 1978. It is located in Savannah Georgia. It currently enolls over 14,000 students and has a student faculty ratio of 20 to 1. SCAD Regularly ranks among the best in the nation for their art programming. SCAD offers degree programming in film, design, art history, equestrian studies, printing, motion media design, visual effects, writing, urban design, and so much more. This is a special focus four-year arts music and design school.

Do you love art and technology? Then the Integrative design and game development program at SCAD may be right for you. SCAD offer is a bachelors as well as a masters degree in integrative design and game development. The bachelors degree program includes general education courses as well as concentration courses and interactive design. The total credit hour requirement is 180 credit hours and takes about four years to complete. The Masters of arts in interactive design and game development is a 45 credit hour program that affords you great flexibility. Students may select one of two concentrations: game development, or Integrative design. Additionally SCAD offers Masters of fine arts in integrated design and game development the difference being the general focus of the program. If you are looking for a wide array of opportunities in game development and design then look no further than SCAD.

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2. Franklin College

Franklin College is a liberal arts institution located in Franklin, Indiana. Franklin College was founded in 1834 and currently ranks as the 136th best liberal arts school in the nation according to the US News and World Feport. Franklin College currently enrolls over 14,000 students and has a student to faculty ratio of 20 to 1.

Franklin College offers an online interactive media degree. This bachelors of science program is 120 credit hours in length. The program is divided into five main component parts: fundamental general education core, additional general education requirements, technical credits, university electives, major. The major includes some of the following courses: communication-groups and teams, human-computer interaction, advanced graphic design, digital media design, interactive media for training and instruction, interactive media for advertising, and others. This online program features a project-based curriculum. The project-based curriculum curriculum gives you the opportunity to showcase actual client work when creating your portfolio. Additionally, you will get hands-on experience with some of the best technologies and exposure to the most popular programming languages in software. For more information about this program check out their website.

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3. University of Advancing Technology

The University of Advancing Technology is a private four-year institution located in Tempe, Arizona. The university offers associates, bachelors, and Masters degrees and enrolls just over 700 students. The student to faculty ratio is 15 to 1. This is a special focus four-year other technology related school. When it comes to academics offerings the University of Advancing Technology’s office programming in business, computer and information sciences, the visual and performing arts, and engineering. All of the programming is offered online.

UAT offers an online game design bachelor of arts. All of their online game design degrees first start off as a general online game design major and then proceed to become dual online gaming degrees. Students have the opportunity to select degree specializations that interest them. Students of this program have the opportunity to work with state of the art programming as well as all the tools of the trade. You will engage with interface design, design documentation, interactive storytelling, design balancing and play testing. Students may also pursue their online game programming degree in which they will learn C++ programming, direct X/open GL development, data handling, gameplay interaction, artificial intelligence, game engine architecture and other standard industry APIs. For more information about this online opportunity check out their website.

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4. Full Sail University

Full Sail University is a private four-year institution located in Winter Park, Florida there are 21,663 students enrolled and the students to faculty ratio is 27 to 1. The institution offers programming for associates, bachelors, masters degree candidates. Their programming is all offered online and includes degrees in business, communication technologies, computer and information sciences and support services, education, visual and performing arts, and others.

Full Sail University offers a Bachelor of Science in Game Design. If you are looking to become a game designer than this may be the path for you. This is a 29-month online bachelors degree that offers comprehensive programming for individuals looking to become game designers. Students will study technology in the entertainment and media industries, design tools, scripting for designers, game mechanics, psychology of play, game design pre-production, and more.

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5. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a four-year private institution located in Manchester New Hampshire. There are over 100,000 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 22 to 1. Their academic offerings include programming and business education, health computer sciences, social sciences and more. To support student success the university offers remedial help as well as academic and career counseling. Southern New Hampshire University offers a wide array of online degree programming. In fact, the majority of their programs are taught entirely online.

Southern New Hampshire University offers an online degree in game art design, game design and development. This is an online bachelors degree that is 120 credit hours in length. In addition to general education courses this curriculum includes technology courses and courses related to the major. Some of the courses may include: 3-D character animation, interactive animation, character design, creature design, 3-D art and design, game art and development, and introduction to digital imaging. For more information and to apply check out their website.

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6. Liberty University

Liberty University is a private institution located in Lynchburg Virginia. The university offers comprehensive programming from associates degrees to doctoral degrees. There are over 85,000 students currently enrolled in the student to faculty ratio at 17 to 1. The institution offers a vast online program. In fact, the majority of their programming is offered online and includes online programming and business management, journalism, education, literature, foreign languages, health, computer science, visual and performing arts and more.

Liberty University offers a Bachelor of Science in Information technology and gaming design. This is a 120 credit hour program that takes approximately 3.5 years to complete. The classes are 100% online and are eight weeks in length. If you are looking to become a creative director, graphics director, a mobile user interface design, a software programmer or a video game designer than this program may be right for you. Some of the featured courses in the program include courses in graphic design, digital imaging, and 3-D graphics. In your information technology courses you will learn advance job skills, as well as how to build foundational knowledge and web architecture in design computer hardware and operating systems. For more information about this program check out their website.

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7. Wilmington University

Wilmington University is a private four-year institution located in New Castle Delaware. The student population is over 14,000 and the student to faculty ratio is just 12 to 1. The university offers associates, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees. Their academic offerings include online programming and on-campus programming. In fact, nearly half of their programming is now offered entirely online. Some of their academic offerings include: masters degrees in computer information sciences, online bachelors degree in business management, and an online doctoral degree in higher education.

Wilmington University offers a bachelor of science in game design and development. This is a 120 credit hour degree that includes course material in interactive design, video production, 3-D modeling, graphic design, and programming. You use these skills to create video games and simulations for major platforms consuls and mobile devices. You’ll be able to take your video game concepts to a completed design. This is a hands-on online program.

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8. Lindenwood University

Lindenwood University is a private four-year institution located in St. Charles, Missouri. The student population is over 8000 and the student to faculty ratio is 12 to 1. The university offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. When it comes to academics offerings, Lindenwood University offers programming in business, computer information sciences, education, health, social sciences, and a visual and performing arts as well as many others. In recent years, Lindenwood University has started to offer online degree programs for undergraduates and graduate students.

Lindenwood University offers a bachelor of arts in game design. This is a highly ranked online game design degree program for their rigorous academic programming. This is a 120 credit hour course that takes between 24 and 48 months to complete. You will learn how to create two and three dimensional games from the character stages through to production and application. You’ll learn how to exhibit skills using design software and to create vector graphics as well as animation. For more information about this online degree head to their website.

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9. Baker University

Baker University is a private four-year institution located in Baldwin City, Kansas. There are over 2,000 students enrolled and the student to faculty ratio is 11 to 1. The university offers associates, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees. Their programming includes both programming on campus and online including in the fields of education, health, parks and recreation, social sciences, philosophy, and computer science.

Baker offers a bachelor of science in game software development. This is a 120 credit hour program that will take approximately four years to complete. The bachelor of science teaches you the skills you need to design and test your own games. You will be able to test your games across a number of platforms. The curriculum includes the following: senior design software, Java programming, C++ programming, Python programming, senior design projects, and an introduction to Android mobile, C Sharp programming, unreal game programming, game development, artificial intelligence , Linux, and much more. For more information about this program head to their website.

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10. EdX

EdX offers and number of game design courses including those from NYU, Harvard, Georgia Tech, UC San Diego, and the University of Texas at Austin. EdX gives you access to over 2500 online courses from over 140 institutions.

NYU offers three courses in game design including the theories of media and technology, creative coding, integrative digital media. Harvard University offers mobile phone app development with react native as well as an introduction to game development. The university of Texas at Austin offers embedded systems shape the world a multi threaded interfacing course. This online course use as a bottom up approach it as a simple hands-on lab course. MichiganX offers leading change: Go beyond Gamification with Gameful Learning. For more information and to enroll in one of these courses, check out their website.

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