Best Online Colleges for Working Adults of 2025

Getting your degree doesn’t have to mean putting your career on pause.

Many working adults and other nontraditional students choose online programs because of their flexibility, the possibility of learning from anywhere, and the potential to save time and money.

A number of online programs tailor their degrees specifically for working adults. We’ve compiled a few that can help you take your career to the next level without leaving the workforce.

We ranked the best online colleges for working adults based on factors like the number of programs offered, the support services available to nontraditional students, affordability, and financial aid.

We used data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We also ensured each school was accredited to make sure it provided a quality education.

Purdue Global offers more than 175 online graduate and undergraduate degrees and features asynchronous, module-based courses with a focus on flexibility. Purdue Global also offers personalized student support services, including career support, no-cost tutoring, an online library, and networking opportunities.

At Purdue Global, you can earn your online degree in business, criminal justice, education, or nursing. Programs at Purdue Global have frequent start dates throughout the year and do not require SAT or ACT scores for admission.

Cost per credit hour varies at Purdue Global, but most online undergraduate programs cost $371 per credit hour.

University of Florida Online has exceptionally low tuition rates for its online programs and offers the Yellow Ribbon program for veterans and their dependents. Online programs on UF Online cost 40% less than in-person programs at the University of Florida. Students are also eligible to be considered for federal, state, or institutional financial aid.

The University of Florida Online offers 27 fully online bachelor’s degrees. Tuition and fees are just $129 per credit hour for Florida residents. Non-Florida residents pay more, totaling $552 per credit hour — although that’s still significantly more affordable than an in-person degree from UF.

UF Online focuses on bachelor’s degrees, but the University of Florida also offers distance learning options for master’s degrees, as well as non-degree programs. Some online bachelor’s programs from UF Online include advertising, computer science, elementary education, and journalism.

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) offers 300 online program options. The private university is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education and has programmatic accreditation for its business, education, health, and hospitality programs.

Classes are mostly offered in an asynchronous, flexible format to help you work toward your degree around your busy schedule.

You can transfer up to 90 credits to SNHU. SNHU has no undergraduate or graduate fees and charges $342 a credit for undergraduate degrees and $659 a credit for graduate degrees.

Charter Oak State College is an ideal option if you’re one of millions of Americans with somme college, but no credential. Charter Oak offers a flexible transfer program by which students can transfer up to 87 credits and earn credit for standardized tests, military experience, and prior learning.

Charter Oak enrolls over 2,000 students and has an alumni network of over 19,000 professionals. Undergraduate tuition is $329 per credit, and graduate tuition is $529 per credit. It is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

Thomas Edison State University (TESU) is well-regarded for its online, flexible format that caters to adult, working students.

TESU is a public university based in Trenton, New Jersey. TESU is open to evaluating your prior life and work experience and giving you credit so that you can spend less time and money on school.

At TESU, you can pick from a variety of bachelor’s degree options, including anthropology, computer science, criminal justice, or English. TESU also offers online master’s degrees in nursing, accounting, and business administration.

Regis University is a Jesuit university in Denver, Colorado. It offers nationally recognized programs, hands-on career training, and expert faculty. Regis also makes a special effort to provide academic support to working students, which has earned it a place on our list.

Regis offers 13 bachelor’s degrees in areas like criminology, cybersecurity, and communication. Some of those programs are offered in an accelerated format, so you can earn your degree faster. Regis also offers 32 master’s degrees, including specialized fields within education.

Tuition varies by degree type, and ranges from $599 to $975 for undergraduate and $679 to $1,216 for graduate programs.

Maryville University is a is a fast-growing university that has strong industry ties to businesses like Boeing and Edward Jones. Its online programs have an emphasis on flexibility and real-world applications for working adults.

Maryville University has an admissions process that’s streamlined for working adults: It doesn’t require an admissions fee or entrance exam. Once you’re admitted, you can enroll in one of its 30 online undergraduate degrees or 18 master’s degrees in high-demand areas like data analytics and AI.

Tuition varies by program, but you’ll generally pay $575 per credit or more.

Northeastern Online offers degrees for working professionals through its College for Professional Studies. It offers industry- and career-centered programs like degrees in business, engineering, healthcare, and technology. The fully online courses are flexible to your schedule and include high-quality video lectures and interactive content.

Northeastern University offers bachelor’s completion programs in addition to master’s degrees in business and AI. The school also offers dozens of graduate certificates in areas like sports management, project management, IT, and more.

Tuition varies by program, but is $919 per credit hour for most graduate programs.

Endicott College is a private college in Beverly, Massachusetts and another school that markets its online degrees specifically for working professionals.

Endicott’s online students at the Van Loan Division of Professional Studies have the same access to support services as on-campus students. You can earn an online bachelor’s degree in business management, criminal justice, nursing, or psychology. Tuition varies by program and format.

Bethel Universitys is a private Christian university that offers online associate and bachelor’s degrees, as well as non-degree certificates. At Bethel, you can get your bachelor’s degree in business management, psychology, social work, and special education.

Bethel offers 35 online programs when including master’s, doctoral, and graduate certificate programs. It’s another strong option if you have past work or military experience, since Bethel can count that toward your degree and save you time and money. Tuition is $430 per credit hour.

So, how do you decide on an online school? You can start by looking for schools that are prepared to help working adults reach their academic and career goals.

BestColleges’ ranking methodology considers various factors, including graduation rates and the availability of academic and career counseling services.