How to Earn An Online Bachelor’s Degree Quickly

Between 1993 and 2023, educational attainment has skyrocketed. More than 38% of American adults aged 25 and older hold college degrees, representing a 74.9% increase in the past 30 years.

College graduates enjoy lower unemployment, higher starting salaries, and increased leadership opportunities. A bachelor’s degree is valuable in a job market that increasingly opens its doors to more educated candidates. But, with the demands of work and family, you may be thinking a bachelor’s degree will be too difficult to manage.

You’re right about one thing—life won’t stop for you to go back to school. But there is a way to earn your degree while keeping your work and family commitments. Online bachelor’s degree programs offer much-needed flexibility for people returning to college or those with an associate degree who want a competitive edge in the workplace. Many other working adults are succeeding in online programs—and so can you.

It’s important, however, to figure out a plan for how to earn your undergraduate degree as quickly as possible. After all, you don’t want to have to maintain this balancing act forever. Plus, the sooner you earn your bachelor’s degree, the quicker you can use your new skills to improve your career prospects.

Tips for earning an online bachelor’s degree quickly

Here are seven tips to help you finish your bachelor’s degree as quickly as possible to get a head start on your goals.

1. Know why you want to finish your degree

Whether you’re going to school to obtain a better job in your field, start a new career, or earn more money, your reason for finishing your degree is what will keep you motivated when you feel stressed or overwhelmed. Inevitable late-night study sessions, evening work-related engagements, or family commitments can make you question if it’s worth it. During challenging times, it’ll be important to remember why you chose to finish your degree in the first place.

There are hundreds of online degree programs to choose from, which can complicate your decision to return to school; too many options can promote inaction. However, you can figure out the right program by defining your “why.” Get a clear understanding of your goals—and how a degree can help you get there—to reduce overwhelm and frustration during the process.

Do you want to learn new skills, change jobs, or start a new career? Is your desire to complete your degree solely a “bucket list” item? The answers to these questions will lead you toward the best program and university for you and your goals.

2. Choose the right program and university

Here are three things to consider that may help you choose the best online bachelor’s degree program for you.

1. Flexibility: Does the program or university offer courses at times that do not conflict with your family time or work schedule?

2. Location: Would you prefer to take some of the classes online and the rest on-site at the college or university? If so, will you have to move to attend university? Do you have the money to cover moving expenses?

3. Support: What types of academic and admissions support does your prospective university offer? Do you feel comfortable that you’ll be able to get your questions answered? How accessible are faculty members and advisors? (Also, does your family support your decision to return to school online? While not critical to success, having a family support system to cheer you on is invaluable.)

Unsure of how to narrow down your selection? Identify your areas of interest and present them to the admissions officer. They can help direct you toward a path that will help you meet your ultimate career goal. Use the admissions resources available at your prospective university to determine the best program to achieve your goals.

3. Understand the commitment required to complete an online bachelor’s degree

If you want to complete an online bachelor’s degree fast, prepare to establish a routine that supports your efforts. Depending on the online course setup (asynchronous or synchronous delivery), you may be able to determine precisely when you want to attend class.

Asynchronous online delivery allows flexibility in accessing course materials. While not completely self-paced, students complete coursework at their own discretion as long as assignments and tests are completed according to the deadlines noted on the course syllabus. Communication mainly occurs via message boards and discussion groups.

Synchronous online delivery requires you to log in according to a predetermined schedule to access the virtual classroom. Instruction is offered in real-time and may incorporate instant messaging and videoconferencing as the main methods of communication.

Online delivery can give you the flexibility you need to complete your degree. With these online classes, however, comes the same responsibility of turning in assignments and projects and participating in an online environment.

4. Know which of your credits will transfer

The ability to transfer the maximum allowable college credits to your bachelor’s degree program will not only determine how fast you can finish but will also impact how much it will cost. If you started a degree program and stopped or have already earned your associate degree, those credits may be transferable. Look for schools that have articulation agreements with other colleges and universities. Northeastern University, for example, has agreements with over 20 community colleges in six states to support the seamless transfer of credits to one of their programs.

Narrow down your list of prospective universities, then request a transfer credit guide or transfer equivalency database from your top picks. If the college or university does not have a written transfer credit guide, let your admissions representative know about the credits you’ve earned from other institutions to help determine how much of the program you will need to complete to earn your bachelor’s degree.

Schools may also have a less formal review process which requires you to submit a copy of your transcript along with the course catalog from your prior institution. Transfer credit decisions can be made on a case-by-case basis. It may seem like a hassle to have to locate an old course description or syllabus, but it might be worth thousands of dollars in saved tuition.

Colleges and universities have residency requirements to graduate from their institution. Residency means that a certain number of credits must be completed “in residence” under the direction/guidance of the faculty at the institution. For example, Northeastern’s transfer credit policy allows students to receive approximately 60 semester credit hours toward a bachelor’s degree program. The remaining coursework must be completed in a traditional classroom setting. Check with your prospective institution to confirm transfer credit limitations.

5. Test out to complete your degree quickly

Before enrollment, explore the possibility of demonstrating proficiency in what you already know. It’s possible to test out of introductory-level coursework by passing challenge exams like Advanced Placement (AP) and College Level Examination Program (CLEP). There is a fee for each AP and CLEP exam you attempt, but if you test high enough on the exam, you will not need to take the course at college. Successfully passing a handful of challenging exams can significantly speed up the time it takes to complete your bachelor’s degree online while saving you money in the process.

Additionally, acceptance of prior life experience for transfer credit may be available. Not all institutions offer this benefit; these credits are subject to the policies of the college or university you plan on attending. 

Northeastern accepts transfer credit from many different sources, including:

• Northeastern University—Previously earned credit from colleges outside of the Northeastern College of Professional Studies can be applied toward a degree.
• Accredited institutions—Students can transfer previously earned credits from a regionally accredited institution such as a community college.
• College-level proficiency exams—Exam scores can be treated as transfer credit at no fee.
• Assessment of Prior Learning (APL)—An APL review of a student’s work and life experience, including professional certifications, could translate into academic credit.
• Military service—As a member of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC), Northeastern is committed to working with veterans and active-duty servicemembers to accept any credits previously earned. Active servicemembers can transfer up to 75 percent of the credits required for a bachelor’s degree.

Many accredited colleges and universities do have limitations on the amount of credit you can transfer toward a degree program. Check with your prospective university to understand the scope of transfer benefits available to you.

6. Take extra courses each term

Every degree plan is based on a student completing a minimum number of courses per semester. Enroll in the minimum and add at least one more class to your schedule. If you can handle it, take extra courses in the summer. Maxing out the allowable credits per term will help you finish the program sooner—but only if you can manage the course load.

7. Enroll in an accelerated online degree program

An accelerated degree program is structured in a way that allows you to receive the same required coursework as a traditional program student but in a compressed format. For example, a 16-week semester course may be reduced to eight weeks. The content of the course is not reduced—just the time span over which the course is delivered. Accelerated online bachelor’s degree programs may allow students to earn a degree in as little as 18 months.

Due to the intensity of this type of coursework, students should be prepared to allow more time, at least in the short term, for school. This option may work exceptionally well for students who lose focus under a traditional semester-based system. An accelerated program is intense and requires a significant daily and weekly time commitment. Such programs typically do not have summer breaks.

Is finishing a bachelor’s degree worth it?

As mentioned before, there are several reasons why pursuing a bachelor’s degree is worth it.

Completing a bachelor’s degree provides an individual with many opportunities, such as increased salary potential, higher career positions, and professional experience. In addition, college students are provided with adequate expertise to enter the workforce and are facilitated to meet the degree requirements listed in many job postings.

Along with the demand for this higher education, the ability to earn your education online provides even more opportunities for anyone to achieve their career goals. This popular learning format makes it possible for online learners to complete their degree at a faster pace without conflicting with their busy schedules.

Universities are offering more programs that meet the needs of non-traditional students seeking to obtain their college degrees quickly. You can finish your degree by enrolling at a college or university that offers accelerated online degree programs. Prior college course credits and work experience can also help slash the amount of time it takes to complete your bachelor’s degree program of choice. Use the tips presented here, and you may have your bachelor’s degree before you know it.