Although bachelor’s programs are usually advertised as four-year degrees, only one-third of campus undergrads finish the 120-credit behemoth curriculum on time. According to National Student Clearinghouse (NSC), the average bachelor’s length is currently 5.2 academic years. That’s partly why nontraditional learners are turning to online education to accelerate their learning.
Online colleges are increasingly shortening the traditional 16-week semester to fit more virtual coursework into students’ schedules. Accelerated students work year-round without extended breaks to jump into their dream careers faster. Not only will you potentially save thousands on tuition, but you’ll quickly enter a workforce where bachelor’s grads snag a median salary of $50,556. Therefore, we set out to outline 40 Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs that take two to three years or even less.
Featured Schools
There’s no easy way in higher education, but accelerated bachelor’s degree programs are at least convenient. Full-time study in online classes is more flexible than on-campus. You can earn college credits from work experience or transfer credit hours from a lower-level undergraduate degree like an associate or certificate programs. If your general education requirements are out of the way, your accelerated online degree can take just a year and require no internships. Adult learners pay lower tuition rates for online courses as well. Areas like human resource management, social work, healthcare management, and social sciences have excellent job market value. You may even move on to online master’s degree programs from your bachelor of arts degree.
To complete this ranking, we consulted with the U.S. News and World Report’s online bachelor’s rankings to access the quality of and record tuition data for each fast-track program. We never overlook accreditation, so every bachelor’s needed regional approval from CHEA-recognized bodies. We gave preference to nonprofit colleges with traditional campuses over big-name online universities like Capella and Strayer that everyone knows. We also preferred accelerated degrees where life experience, prior learning, and CLEP credits were easily transferred. Other factors were online technology, course length, major flexibility, cohort size, graduation rate, and support services.
Here are our selections for 40 Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs:
1. University of Oklahoma
Started in 2003, the University of Oklahoma’s College of Professional and Continuing Studies serves 1,302 undergrads 100 percent online for $630 per credit in America’s third best online bachelor’s. The PACS Extended Campus offers eight-week courses on Canvas for transfers to complete six bachelor’s degrees, including the B.A. in World Cultural Studies, B.S. in Aviation, and B.A. in Lifespan Care Administration, in just 18 months.
Learn more about the University of Oklahoma’s Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs here.
2. Arizona State University
Charging $510-$718 per credit, Arizona State University welcomes 23,672 undergrad Sun Devils with up to 90 transfer credits into its HLC-accredited virtual classroom for the fourth best online bachelor’s degrees. Funds like the Starbucks College Achievement Plan help afford 7.5-week, accelerated courses in 71 ASU Online baccalaureate programs, such as the Operations Management BAS, Integrative Health BS, and Food Industry Management BA.
Learn more about Arizona State University’s Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs here.
3. California University of Pennsylvania
Belonging to the 14-school PASSHE system, California University of Pennsylvania enrolls 2,422 online undergrads for just $308 per credit into 12 bachelor’s degrees that rank sixth nationally with the 16th best student outcomes on Eduventures. CalU Online admits associate-level transfers into asynchronous, accelerated courses for finishing the B.A. in Land Management, B.S. in Global Business, B.A. in Arabic Language, and others in four semesters.
4. West Texas A&M University
Taught by terminally qualified faculty, West Texas A&M University’s Distance Education Office serves 1,234 undergrads for $295 per credit in 10 fully online bachelor’s degrees that tied for sixth place nationally. Accredited by the SACS, Education on Demand courses condense the 16-week semester into six weeks to accelerate through online credentials like the BBA in Economics, B.S. in Criminal Justice, or B.S. in Health Sciences.
5. California Baptist University
Utilizing Blackboard 9.1, California Baptist University delivers America’s eighth best online bachelor’s programs that attract 2,236 undergrad Lancers during rolling admission for $547 per credit. Since 2012, CBU Online has developed 22 WASC-accredited baccalaureate degrees, including the Accounting B.S., Public Health B.S., and Kinesiology B.S., that associate grads can complete in 12 to 18 months with two eight-week sessions per semester.
Learn more about California Baptist University’s Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs here.
6. New England Institute of Technology
Accredited by the NEASC, the New England Institute of Technology in East Greenwich expanded its operation in 2011 to teach 123 undergrads for $230 per credit in America’s eighth best online education. The Flex Program lets transfers with 60+ credits enter 10-week online sessions starting quarterly to finish the Automotive Service Management B.S., Criminal Justice B.S., or Rehabilitation Science B.S. in 18 months.
7. CSU Global
Directed by president Becky Takeda Tinker since 2010, Colorado State University-Global presently bills $350 per credit for 10,670 working adults enrolled in HLC-accredited online bachelor’s programs ranked 15th countrywide. Free application codes help undergrads transfer up to 90 credits into 13 CSU-Global degrees, such as the B.S. in Communication, B.S. in Human Services, or B.S. in Marketing, with accelerated, eight-week terms starting monthly.
8. Daytona State College
Offering 100 percent admission, Daytona State College is an SACS-accredited FCS member ranked 15th nationally for asynchronous online bachelor’s courses accessed by 1,607 Falcons for $550 per credit. With the 2+2 A.S. Transfer model, Daytona Online accelerates the completion time for the B.A.S. in Supervision and Management, B.S. in Electrical Engineering Technology, and B.S. in Information Technology to 24 months.
Learn more about Daytona State College’s Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs here.
9. Charleston Southern University
Affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention, Charleston Southern University started SACS-accredited online education in 2009 that’s now ranked 21st nationally by instructing 329 undergrads for $490 per credit. Accelerated, seven-week semesters allow CSU Online students to tackle six bachelor’s like the B.S. in Hospitality and Tourism, B.S. in Project Management, or B.S. in Healthcare Administration fast with CLEP credit acceptance.
10. Siena Heights University
Reporting 98 percent student satisfaction, Siena Heights University is an HLC-accredited Catholic school in southern Michigan that’s charging $495 per credit for its 529 online undergrads to pursue bachelor’s degrees ranked 24th nationally. The Adult Degree Completion Program provides speedy, eight-week terms for 18 upper-division, 60-credit majors, such as the B.A. in Multidisciplinary Studies, B.A.S. in Respiratory Therapy, and B.B.A. in Entrepreneurship.
Learn more about Siena Heights University’s Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs here.
11. University of Massachusetts – Amherst
Open for admission until April 15th yearly, the University of Massachusetts-Amherst’s University Without Walls (UWW) has accelerated, student-tailored online degrees ranked 24th in America with 1,567 enrolled undergrads. Presently priced at $385 per credit, 40+ NEASC-accredited bachelor’s degrees, including the B.A. in Journalism Studies, B.A. in Children’s Learning, and B.S. in Sustainability, have six-week online sessions and accept up to 100 credits.
12. Palm Beach Atlantic University
Recognized for America’s 28th best online bachelor’s learning, Palm Beach Atlantic University “Enriches Souls” by admitting small cohorts for $475 per credit into instructor-led, faith-based courses with SACS approval. The Office of Online Learning has 73 enrolled undergrads taking accelerated, eight-week terms for transfer-friendly B.A. Ministry, B.S. Psychology, B.S. Organizational Management, and RN-BSN Nursing programs.
13. Northeastern University
Located in Boston as the 40th best college nationwide, Northeastern University’s College of Professional Studies launched in 1960 has developed online education for 1,456 nontraditional students paying $378 per undergrad credit. Accredited by the NEASC, Northeastern has three Fast-Track programs for transfers to finish the B.S. in Finance and Accounting, B.S. in Leadership, or B.S. in Management 100 percent online in 18 months.
Learn more about Northeastern University’s Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs here.
14. City University of Seattle
Graded “A-” by Fast Company, City University of Seattle is a nonprofit, NWCCU-accredited distance institution where 2,562 online undergrads pay $404 per credit for America’s 45th best baccalaureates. Using a competency-based model, CityU offers 14 online bachelor’s transfer options like the B.S. Cybersecurity, B.A. Education, and B.S. Information Systems that can be finished fast in just two years with 10-week courses.
Learn more about City University of Seattle’s Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs here.
15. Westfield State University
Opened by Horace Mann in 1839, Westfield State University now educates 146 online undergrads for $297 per credit in America’s 45th best online bachelor’s education with NEASC accreditation. Accepting applications until March 1st, the Westfield Graduate & Continuing Education Office uses the MassTransfer system to provide six 2+2 accelerated online completion programs, such as the History (B.A.), Business Management (B.S.), and Sociology (B.A.).
Learn more about Westfield State University’s Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs here.
16. University of the Incarnate Word
Since 2000, the University of the Incarnate Word has employed scholar-practitioner faculty to teach 1,686 undergrads in America’s 48th best online degrees for $515 per credit. Featuring free textbooks, the UIW School of Applied Sciences squeezes six eight-week terms into one year for accelerating through six online bachelor’s programs like the B.S. in Nutrition, B.S. in Psychology, and B.S. in General Studies (Military Training).
17. Lamar University
Admitting 1,848 online undergrads at a 19:1 student-faculty ratio, Lamar University ranked 68th nationally for its 11 SACS-accredited bachelor’s programs costing $248 per credit on Blackboard . Headquartered in Beaumont, the Division of Distance Learning shrinks semesters from 15 to eight weeks for A.A.S. transfers to finish the B.S. in Industrial Technology, B.S. in Computer Science, B.B.A. in Management, and others within two years.
Learn more about Lamar University’s Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs here.
18. Florida Institute of Technology
Labeled a Barron’s “Best Buy,” the Florida Institute of Technology uses Canvas to teach 2,657 online undergrads for $510 per credit in the United States’ 68th best online bachelor’s education. Authorized in 50 states, the SACS-accredited Online Learning Division has accelerated, eight-week semesters that speed up 13 baccalaureates, including the Logistics Management BS, Aviation Management BA, and Homeland Security BA.
19. American Public University
Accepting the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), American Public University is an online, Virginia-based nonprofit that’s enrolling 57,909 undergrads in America’s 92nd best online baccalaureate degrees for $270 per credit after free, 20-minute applications. Thanks to the Momentum Option, APU associate transfers can culminate 44 bachelor’s programs, such as the Natural Sciences BS, Government Contracting BA, or Philosophy BA, within four terms online.
20. Bellevue University
Respected since 1996, Bellevue University is a nonprofit, adult-friendly HLC-accredited college tied for 92nd place nationally with career-relevant online baccalaureates costing $410 per credit for 6,504 enrolled Bruins. The 16-month Accelerated Cohort lets Bellevue transfers take six-week online courses for 48 fast bachelor’s degrees, including the Nonprofit Management BS, Graphic Design BA, and Business Analytics BS, with only 49 credits total.
Learn more about Bellevue University’s Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs here.
21. Granite State College
Ranked #1 in New England for affordability, Granite State College has 15 years of experience delivering America’s 99th best online bachelor’s teaching for 2,139 undergrads paying $335 per credit. Offering a liberal transfer policy, Granite State has nine NEASC-accredited, accelerated degree completion pathways, such as the Health Information Management (B.S.), Public Service (B.S.), and Nursing (RN-B.S.N.), mandating only 15 online courses.
Learn more about Granite State College’s Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs here.
22. Drexel University
Granted the Sloan-C Award for Institutional Excellence, Drexel University is ranked 110th nationally for online bachelor’s teaching 2,144 undergrads for $572 per credit with 2,500+ corporate partnership discounts. Since 1996, Drexel Online has developed 13 bachelor’s completion options like the B.S. Behavioral Health Counseling, B.S. Public Relations, and B.S. Education that accept up to 135 quarter credits before accelerated, 10-week courses.
Learn more about Drexel University’s Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs here.
23. Upper Iowa University
Given the “Military Friendly” badge, Upper Iowa University is a Fayette-based, HLC-accredited nonprofit that’s enrolling 2,399 online undergrads for $430 per credit in America’s 110th best baccalaureate education. Offering 32 majors like the Emergency Management B.S., Liberal Arts B.A., and Fire Science B.S., the UIU Online Program is accelerated with five, eight-week sessions per year and transfer articulation agreements for 90 qualified credits.
Learn more about Upper Iowa University’s Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs here.
24. Utica College
Enrolling 901 online undergrads with a median 3.42 GPA, Utica College is a private, MSCHE-accredited technical institute honored for America’s 132nd best online baccalaureate teaching worth $400 per credit. Requiring 57+ transfer credits, Utica Online delivers eight accelerated bachelor’s completion programs, including the B.S. in Fraud and Financial Crime Investigation, B.S. in Nursing, and B.S. in Information Assurance, online for 16-24 months.
Learn more about Utica College’s Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs here.
25. Champlain College
Celebrating its 140th year, Champlain College presently bills $641 per credit for 1,676 online undergrads taking the country’s 148th best online bachelor’s programming with applicable, NEASC-accredited coursework. Online students take two seven-week courses each trimester for 11 accelerated baccalaureates, such as the B.S. in Economic Crime Investigation, B.S. in Software Development, and B.S. in Integrated Studies, with up to 90 test-out credits.
Learn more about Champlain College’s Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs here.
26. Texas A&M University – Commerce
Accepting $60 ApplyTexas applications until August 1st, Texas A&M University-Commerce has 1,656 undergrads enrolled in America’s 201st best online bachelor’s programs for $568 per credit. Requiring as few as 36 credits in 16 months online, TAMUC Online offers eight accelerated baccalaureate completion programs like the B.A.A.S. in Organizational Leadership, B.S. in Agribusiness, and Bachelor of General Studies using the eCollege AU platform.
27. Albertus Magnus College
Operated by the Dominican Sisters of Peace since 1925, Albertus Magnus College has selective 71 percent admission for 303 online undergrads paying $530 per credit for the 205th top online baccalaureates nationally. The Adult Accelerated Program offers six- and eight-week, NEASC-accredited Flex courses with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio for finishing 13 majors online, including the B.S. in Financial Planning, B.A. in Sociology, and B.S. in Human Resources.
Learn more about Albertus Magnus College’s Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs here.
28. Logan University
Dedicated to “Maximizing Human Performance,” Logan University is an HLC-accredited, nonprofit health sciences center that’s ranked 205th nationally for online bachelor’s education costing only $275 per credit. Currently, 55 Logan undergrads are taking the Flexible Accelerated Science Track (FAST) for quicker, eight-week classes each trimester in the Bachelor of Science in Human Biology and Bachelor of Science in Life Science programs online.
Learn more about Logan University’s Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs here.
29. Arkansas Tech University
Located in Russellville, Arkansas Tech University started branching out in 2004 to offer its 6,960 Bulldogs access to the United States’ 213rd best online baccalaureate degrees costing $438 per credit before financial aid. Offering Credit for Prior Learning, the Bachelor of Professional Studies (B.P.S.) lets eTech adults with 60+ credits accelerate eight majors like Child Development, Workforce Technology, and Industrial/Organizational Psychology in 18 months.
Learn more about Arkansas Tech University’s Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs here.
30. Fisher College
Headed by Dr. Alan Ray in Boston, Fisher College’s Division of Accelerated & Professional Studies (DAPS) presently charges $369 per credit for 112 online undergrads benefiting from the 226th best online bachelor’s options nationally. Featuring a free 72-hour admission process, Fisher runs six fast, eight-week terms for adults earning 16 online degrees, including the B.A. in Media Studies, B.S. in Event Management, and B.S. in Early Intervention.
Learn more about Fisher College’s Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs here.
31. Wisconsin Lutheran College
Created in 1973 by the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, Wisconsin Lutheran College is the Midwest’s 17th top regional school with the 12th best professors nationally according to CBS MoneyWatch who instruct 1,188 Warriors. The HLC-accredited School of Adult & Graduate Studies currently bills $525 per credit for its Accelerated B.S. in Business Management and Leadership that takes transfers just 20 months online.
Learn more about Wisconsin Lutheran College’s Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs here.
32. Campbell University
Named for Baptist minister James Archibald Campbell in 1926, Campbell University is a nonprofit, SACS-accredited “Military Friendly” school that’s ranked 27th in the South with 7,121 undergrad Camels. Presently priced at $425 per credit, the Adult & Online Education Division delivers an accelerated, eight-week format for 12 bachelor’s degrees, including the B.A. in Christian Studies, B.S. in IT Security, and B.A. in Humanities.
Learn more about Campbell University’s Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs here.
33. University of Indianapolis
Placed as the Midwest’s 34th top choice, the University of Indianapolis budgets $80 million yearly to enroll 6,000 undergrad Greyhounds as a private, civic-oriented Methodist CIC member. Accredited by the HLC, the School of Adult Learning bills $330 per credit for accelerated, eight-week online courses in six bachelor’s programs like the B.S. in Digital Media, B.S. in Healthcare Consumer Advocacy, and B.S. in Community Engagement.
34. Bluefield State College
Belonging to the TMCF, Bluefield State College is a nonprofit, historically Black SACS-accredited online provider that’s affordably priced at $279 per credit for 1,362 undergrad Big Blues. Ranked the South’s 50th best school, Bluefield creates stimulating, six-week online sessions for associate degree holders to complete the B.S. in Early Childhood Education, B.S. in Criminal Justice, or B.S. in Management & Leadership within just 13 months.
35. DeSales University
Serving 2,388 undergrad Bulldogs, DeSales University in Allentown is the North’s 64th best regional college upholding Franciscan values in online education costing $474 per credit. Given a 2017 Spirit of Volunteerism Award, DeSales created the ACCESS Program with 11 annual start dates and 25-course transfer policies for entering six-week online sessions in 12 majors like the Theology B.A., Supply Chain Management B.S., and Accounting B.S.
Learn more about DeSales University’s Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs here.
36. Walsh University
Endowed for $22.6 million, Walsh University is ranked the Midwest’s 64th best college with Catholic, HLC-accredited liberal arts courses for 2,275 undergrad Cavaliers paying $500 per credit in North Canton or online. The School of Professional Studies (SPS) lets busy adults log into the Digital Campus for accelerated, eight-week sessions leading to the RN-BSN, B.B.A. in Management, B.S. in Corporate Communication, and five other bachelor’s.
Learn more about Walsh University’s Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs here.
37. Philadelphia University
Philadelphia University is a private, MSCHE-accredited nonprofit that’s making 2,888 undergrad Rams “Powered to Do What’s Next” as the North’s 64th best regional college. Currently charging $605 per credit, the Continuing & Professional Studies College offers eight-week Accelerated B.S. Degree Completion courses online in 11 majors, including Law Enforcement, Health Sciences, and Organizational Leadership, for adults transferring up to 72 credits.
Learn more about Philadelphia University’s Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs here.
38. King University
Linked to 6,716 alumni on LinkedIn, including Katherine Paterson and Cylk Cozart, King University is a private, Presbyterian SACS-accredited school in Tennessee that’s ranked 89th in the South. King Online teaches 11 bachelor’s programs online, such as the B.A. in English, B.S. in Health Informatics, and B.S. in Religious Studies, for transfers with 45+ credits to finish accelerated courses charging $305 per credit in as little as 16 months.
Learn more about King University’s Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs here.
39. McNeese State University
Ranked the South’s 104th top school, McNeese State University is a public, SACS-accredited University of Louisiana system member that’s attracting 665 online undergrads until May 1st annually for $1,526 per credit. The Electronic Learning Office accelerates assignments into two, seven-week sessions each semester for transferring adults in seven online bachelor’s programs, such as the B.A. in Family & Child Studies, B.S. in Criminal Justice, and RN-BSN.
40. Miami Dade College
Partnered with Florida Shines, Miami Dade College is ranked 411th nationally on Forbes as the Sunshine State’s largest public, SACS-accredited institution with 165,000 undergrad Sharks enrolled. The Virtual College costs just $91 per credit for A.A./A.S. transfers taking accelerated, eight-week Blackboard courses in five online bachelor’s, including the B.A.S. in Public Safety Management, B.A.S. in Information Systems, and B.A.S. in Supply Chain.
Learn more about Miami Dade College’s Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs here.
Related:
10 Fastest Online Bachelor’s in Radiation Science
10 Fastest Online Bachelor’s in Real Estate
10 Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs
10 Fastest Online Bachelor’s in Environmental Science
10 Fastest Online Bachelor’s in Legal Studies
10 Fastest Online Bachelor’s in Actuarial Science
10 Fastest Online Bachelor’s in Supply Chain Management
10 Fastest Online Bachelor’s in Business Administration
10 Fastest Online Bachelor’s in Engineering Management
15 Best Online Training and Development Programs
10 Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs
