Fastest Online Technology Degree Programs of 2024
Writer
Editor & Writer
Writer
Editor & Writer
www.bestcolleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
Turn Your Dreams Into Reality
Take our quiz and we'll do the homework for you! Compare your school matches and apply to your top choice today.
The tech industry has been booming for nearly 30 years, and that trend continues. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects jobs for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers will grow 25% in the next 10 years.
An online accelerated technology program can help you complete your degree sooner, save on tuition, and launch your career on your terms. Getting your bachelor's in this field offers the possibility of lucrative and rewarding careers, whether you plan to work as a programmer, UX designer, cybersecurity analyst, or something else.
Below, you'll find some of the best online technology programs to get your degree faster.
Featured Online Bachelor's in Technology Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Fastest Online Technology Degrees of 2024
We use trusted sources like
Peterson's Data
and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
Browse programs Discover matches Request info
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT - 4 years
- Online
Cost per Six-Month Term:
In-State | $3,755
Out-of-State | $3,755
Credits to Graduate: 120
Most students in WGU's online BS in business IT management program earn their degree within 42 months. Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, the program has no course load cap, so you can finish as quickly as you can study.
WGU's online classes start every month and run asynchronously. You can also complete certificates in leadership, technology management, and strategic thinking and innovation. For admission, you typically need a minimum 2.0 GPA.
Regis University
Denver, CO - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $589
Out-of-State | $589
Credits to Graduate: 120
Regis University's online BS in information technology features three optional track options — general IT, cybersecurity, and web application development — allowing you to match your coursework with your interests. One of the few programs accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, this online bachelor's option features six annual start dates and five- or eight-week courses.
The accelerated and flexible schedule allows you to complete your degree faster than many on-campus programs. And if you have transfer credits, Regis will accept up to 81 of them. Regis also offers an accelerated bachelor's-to-master's pathway program in IT.
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
Ranking Methodology Summary
To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:
- Affordability (30%)
- Student outcomes (30%)
- Reputation (20%)
- Diversity and social mobility (20%)
In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.
How Fast Can You Get an Online Tech Degree?
How fast you can get an online degree depends on how many credits you take per semester and whether you're a full-time or part-time student. A bachelor's degree program from an accredited university typically consists of 120 credits, however, exact requirements vary by university and degree.
You can take a heavier course load to earn an accelerated technology degree faster. Accelerated degree programs include 15 credits or more each semester. With 15 credits per semester, including the summer, you could finish a bachelor's degree in eight semesters, or just under three years.
Some universities may have a set course schedule and use a cohort model. In that case, you should finish in their projected time, assuming you stay with your cohort.
Why Get an Accelerated Technology Degree? 5 Benefits
An accelerated technology degree online can be a gateway into a fulfilling, interesting career and a smart financial move. Here is an overview of key benefits:
- Flexible schedule: Most online, accelerated tech degree programs allow you to take asynchronous courses. This way, you can fit coursework around work or personal obligations.
- Save on tuition: Online, accelerated technology degrees may cost less than traditional four-year degrees, although this varies by program. You can live at home and save on housing costs.
- Start working sooner: By entering the workforce a year or more early, you'll have a chance to start building your career sooner, as well as earning higher-than-average salaries common in tech careers.
- Build a network of peers: Online courses still allow you to connect with other students and work on projects together. You could gain valuable insights or career leads from professors and classmates.
- Get a degree from home: Perhaps the best and most obvious perk of enrolling in an accelerated online program is that you can study at a university across the country from the comfort of your home.
What Can You Do With an Online Tech Degree?
Enrolling in an accelerated technology degree program online can open doors to diverse career paths in subfields like development and UX. The BLS projects that most of these careers will grow faster than average in the next 10 years.
For example, the BLS projects jobs for web developers to grow by 16% from 2022-2032. Roles for computer systems analysts are projected to grow by 10%, and jobs for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers are projected to grow by 25%.
| Jobs | Median Annual Salary (May 2022) |
|---|---|
| Software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers | $124,200 |
| Computer and information systems managers | $164,070 |
| Computer programmers | $97,800 |
| Database administrators and architect | $112,120 |
| Network and computer systems administrator | $90,520 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Online Technology Degrees
Is an online technology degree worth it?
Yes. An online technology degree can help you to launch a lucrative career in a fast-growing field. Most tech careers offer median salaries above the national median with growth opportunities.
For example, the BLS projects jobs for computer and information systems managers to grow 15% from 2022-2032. These professionals earned a median salary of $164,070 in May 2022.
What's the fastest way to earn a degree in tech?
The fastest way to earn a degree in tech is through an accelerated degree program. Accelerated bachelor's degrees usually take 2-3 years to complete. To complete the degree faster, you can take a heavier course load and choose to work during the summer semester to potentially finish the degree faster.
What are the highest-paying jobs in technology?
Some of the highest-paying jobs in tech, according to the BLS, include computer and information research scientists, with a median pay of $136,620 in 2022; computer network architects, with a median pay of $126,900; and computer and information systems managers whose median pay was $164,070.
