Fastest Bachelor’s Degrees You Can Get Online
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Key Takeaways
- Accelerated online bachelor’s programs can help students graduate in as little as 2-3 years.
- These programs offer intensive courses and flexible scheduling to help students complete their degrees quickly.
- Completing college credit in high school, leveraging work and life experience, and earning credit through exams can also expedite graduation.
- Accelerated programs are popular in areas like business, nursing, and criminal justice.
Need a bachelor’s degree but don’t have any time to spare? No worries — there are a lot of programs that can get you in and get you out, fast.
We rounded up a list of the fastest online degree programs available in 2024. Accelerated programs like these are designed for speed. They offer concentrated, condensed coursework on a flexible schedule that works for you.
Note that the following schools may or may not offer accelerated pathways for students.
How Do Fast Bachelor’s Degree Programs Work?
How fast can you get a bachelor’s degree? Traditional programs require four years of full-time study. Many students take closer to 5-6 years to finish.
But the right program can get you to the finish line in as few as 2-3 years. Accelerated online programs are great for students who know exactly what they want to accomplish, are laser-focused, and can handle an intense pace of study.
Fastest Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Below, you will find fast online degree programs for some of the most popular undergraduate majors. These are just a few examples of what’s available — not an exhaustive list.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Find it on our program search page.
Use the links below to jump straight to the subject that interests you.
Fast Online Business Degrees
- Bethel University offers an online bachelor’s in business administration that can be earned in as few as two years.
- Regis University offers an accelerated business administration degree program that most students complete within 3-4 years.
- Kansas State University offers a faster path to degree completion for business students who already have some college credits under their belts.
Note that the following schools may or may not offer accelerated pathways for students.
Fast Online Computer Science Degrees
- Western Governors University students can earn their BS in computer science in 30 months.
- Lewis University offers an accelerated degree program in computer science for busy folks with at least 30 transfer credits and who are looking to break into tech careers quickly.
- Regis University‘s eight-week classes can get you your computer science degree faster — and its FastForward program can help you earn a master’s degree at the same time.
Note that the following schools may or may not offer accelerated pathways for students.
Fast Online Criminal Justice Degrees
- San Diego State University offers an asynchronous criminal justice program that transfer students with at least 60 credits can earn in just 15 months.
- Citadel Military College of South Carolina transfer students with at least 30 credits can earn their degrees in under two years.
- University of Oklahoma transfer students can earn their criminal justice degree in just one year, depending on their transfer credits.
Note that the following schools may or may not offer accelerated pathways for students.
Fast Online Education and Teaching Degrees
- Clarke University offers an intensive, curriculum-packed online education program that can get you in front of a classroom within a year and a half of graduating.
- Regis University bachelor of education students enjoy quick eight-week terms and can transfer in over 80 credits to speed things up.
- Texas Tech‘s BS in education fast-tracks students through online learning and field training so they can earn their teaching certifications in just one year.
Note that the following schools may or may not offer accelerated pathways for students.
Fast Online Nursing Degrees
- University of Arkansas at Little Rock offers an RN-to-BSN program that can be completed in just 12-18 months.
- University of North Florida Online offers an accelerated RN-to-BSN program with terms lasting 6-8 weeks.
- Madonna University offers a BSN program that you can finish in just 16 months.
Note that the following schools may or may not offer accelerated pathways for students.
Fast Online Psychology Degrees
- Ottawa University Online offers an accelerated bachelor’s in psychology that can prepare you for the job market quickly.
- University of Idaho students who already have an associate degree can earn their BA or BS in psychology in just two years.
- University of St. Mary‘s average completion time for psychology students with at least 60 transfer credits is only 18 months.
Note that the following schools may or may not offer accelerated pathways for students.
Fast Online Social Work Degrees
- Simmons University offers an online bachelor’s degree in social work that allows you to transfer up to 96 credit hours to earn your degree faster.
- Mount Vernon Nazarene University makes it possible to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in social work in as few as 27 months.
- Millersville University of Pennsylvania offers a year-round social work program for students who already hold an associate degree and don’t want to waste time taking summers off.
Note that the following schools may or may not offer accelerated pathways for students.
How to Get a Bachelor’s Degree Fast: 4 Ways
Below are four strategies you can use to help you earn a fast online degree.
1. Accelerated Online Classes
Accelerated online programs offer intensive courses lasting 6-8 weeks. Flexible scheduling also makes it easier to stack your study term with extra courses (if you can manage the workload).
Eight-week classes maintain a slightly less intensive pace than six-week classes, but both options can help graduate sooner.
2. Earn College Credit in High School
Passing AP exams is a great way to earn college credits, which can reduce how many intro-level classes you have to take to earn a bachelor’s degree. The fewer classes you have to take, the faster you can finish.
3. Work and Life Experience
Many schools award college credit for life and professional experience — an important benefit to look into if you’re one of the 15% of full-time undergraduates over the age of 25.
Some examples of life experience include military or law enforcement service, corporate training, and professional credentials (like certifications and licenses).
4. Earn Credit through Exams
Prior-learning assessments (PLAs) test for knowledge acquired through work, experience, or nontraditional learning. They include exams like the CLEP and DSST, which are designed to measure your knowledge in specific subject areas.
Passing these tests may earn you college credit in those subject areas. Be sure to find out which schools accept PLAs before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Bachelor’s Degrees
Enrolling in an online accelerated bachelor’s degree program is typically the quickest way to get your degree, regardless of the subject you study. These programs can cut four years of study down to just two or three years depending on the program’s requirements and whether you’ve earned any college credits already.
Explore More College Resources
What Is an Accelerated Degree Program?
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Is an Accelerated Degree Program Right for Me?
An accelerated degree program is a flexible option that enables motivated students to graduate in less time and enter the workforce more quickly.
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