Are you wondering about the fastest way to get a degree online? Fast online degrees can offer considerable value to today’s student. Not everyone has the luxury of attending school for four years in one stretch – much less to immediately jump into a graduate program for an additional multi-year commitment! From working professionals to busy parents to older adults finally fulfilling their academic goals, there are plenty of nontraditional students out there who have limits on their study time. Thankfully, online colleges cater to this restriction by helping their students learn efficiently, quickly, and conveniently. We’ve listed some of the very best (and most affordable) below.
In this ranking, we examine the best value colleges for fast online degrees.
Allied American University Fast Online Degrees
The fast online degree programs at AAU include numerous certificate options with a quick turnaround.
10. ALLIED AMERICAN UNIVERSITY
Website
At AAU you can earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in business administration, criminal justice, general studies, or medical office management. There are additional certificate options for students seeking jobs in the rapidly growing healthcare field: medical administrative assisting, medical billing, medical coding, and pharmacy technician among them. AAU has a special commitment to serving the military, including benefits such as a no-fee transcript evaluation to see how many of your credits will transfer; military members may also be eligible for textbook grants! AAU sometimes accepts transfer credits from advanced high school programs (AP and CLEP) and other industry and military certifications. Between this and the optional 8-week class schedule (with multiple start dates) AAU is one of the best fast online degrees for motivated students.
Net Price: $14,898/yr
Score: 58.75
Trident University International Fast Online Degrees
With a “Fastrac” program and transfer credit options, TUI has some of the best fast online degree options in the country.
9. TRIDENT UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL
Website
Trident was the first fully online university to be accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Catering to military veterans and adult learners, its accelerated “Fastrac” program lets you complete courses in just eight weeks, with new sessions starting every month. The Trident Learning Model uses case-based learning instead of traditional tests, with the goal of developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. You can get a bachelor’s, master’s, or even doctoral degree online in a career-focused field like business, technology, or health sciences. Already have your associate’s degree from a community college? Trident will evaluate your credits and apply them toward your bachelor’s. With tuition breaks for military spouses and dependents, Trident offers affordable fast online degrees to a range of students.
Net Price: $11,572/yr
Score: 58.85
New England College of Business and Finance Fast Online Degrees
Previous jobs, military experience, and past academic coursework will all earn students credit toward the affordable, fast online degree programs at NECB.
8. NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND FINANCE
Website
Offering accredited fast online degrees for working professionals, this Boston-based school incorporates group projects into its industry-relevant curriculum. This helps students network with potential colleagues and develop the technology-enabled collaboration skills they’ll need in today’s increasingly distributed workplaces. NECB’s Prior Learning Assessment program considers your work experience and job skills, open source courseware study, volunteer work, job skills and other background (including military experience) in granting you academic credit toward your degree. Looking for professional development or a new skill set in business or finance? You can easily enroll in a course or two without pursuing a degree.
Net Price: $9,563/yr
Score: 60.13
Grantham University Online Fast Degrees
Grantham’s cheap, fast online degrees allow students to earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a fraction of the time.
7. GRANTHAM UNIVERSITY
Website
Grantham’s accelerated online degree programs allow you to complete your associate’s degree in under two years or your bachelor’s degree in under four years. Bachelor’s degrees focus on in-demand fields like accounting, financial planning, and computer science. For nurses there’s even a RN-to-BSN completion program, making this one of the best fast online degree options in nursing. Grantham recognizes that flexibility is particularly important to first responders – established firefighters, police officers, and EMS professionals – and offers degrees and some scholarship assistance tailored to these groups. There are also scholarships and textbook/software grants for military members and a special partnership with the Community College of the Air Force to help Air Force members complete their bachelor’s degrees through an accelerated program.
Net Price: $12,808/yr
Score: 62.50
Western Governors University Fast Online Degrees
WGU’s customized academic planning make it a source for some of the best fast online degrees.
6. WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY
Website
This nonprofit university grants bachelor’s and master’s degrees in teaching, IT, business, and nursing. The Teacher’s College in particular has many subject–specific licensure programs, helping students prepare efficiently for their careers. Because tuition is charged according to the length of time you are enrolled, not the number of courses you take, you are rewarded financially for progressing quickly – a dream scenario for fast-paced students! You can also get personalized Degree Plans that take into account your prior skills and knowledge, performance on pre-enrollment assessments, and remaining requirements, so you only take exactly the courses you need. And because WGU requires “On Time Progress,” you’ll have plenty of support to make sure you don’t languish in your academic efforts. Plus, students who have completed either an associate’s degree or coursework at a community college can transfer credits, expediting their progress and making WGU a standout in this ranking of fast online degrees.
Net Price: $8,624/yr
Score: 62.82
National Paralegal College Fast Online Degree
NPC’s legal studies program is a no brainer for students who want a fast online degree studying law and government.
5. NATIONAL PARALEGAL COLLEGE
Website
Through this school’s accelerated online degree programs, you can earn your bachelor’s in legal studies in under 3 years or an associate’s degree in just 15 months. Lots of interesting classes run simultaneously, some of which you’d expect in a legal curriculum (American Government; Torts and Personal Injury; Constitutional Law and Criminal Procedure) but others will broaden your education, including The Science of Nutrition, Environmental Science, and Laws of Cyberspace. Depending on your schedule, you can join live online lectures or watch recordings whenever you have time. Unsure if this school is right for you? Simply by filling out an application, you’ll get two free weeks of enrollment, including lectures and discussions with your potential instructors and classmates. This free trial period could be just what you need to decide to complete an affordable, fast online degree at NPC.
Net Price: $13,709/yr
Score: 69.33
American Public University System Online Fast Degrees
Students who are eager to earn an affordable fast online degree can enroll at APU as early as next month.
4. AMERICAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
Website
APUS has been serving non-traditional students since 1991, well before online education became mainstream. Originally founded as American Military University to cater to mobile military learners, it reorganized into APUS in 2002 in order to serve a wider range of learners – and today 42% of its students are civilians. Even so, American Public University continues to enroll more members of the armed forces than any other school. Although it offers nearly 200 degrees and certificates, the school’s most popular programs include business administration, criminal justice, general studies, sports and health sciences, psychology, and homeland security. With courses starting on the first Monday of every month and lasting either 8 or 16 weeks, there’s no need to wait for a new semester to begin, earning APUS a top spot in our fast online degree rankings.
Net Price: $9,572/yr
Score: 70.60
American InterContinental University Fast Online Degrees
Accredited, fast online degrees are in abundance at AIU, which offers programs in everything from business to web design.
3. AMERICAN INTERCONTINENTAL UNIVERSITY-ONLINE
Website
In addition to the career-focused fields found at other online schools – business, criminal justice, IT, education, and healthcare – AIU also has several degrees in design fields, making it a great choice for students who want to blend vocational skills and artistic vision. You can earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design, web design, illustration, or even fashion. For students who live in the greater Atlanta or Houston areas and want face-to-face learning and physical classrooms, there are campuses waiting to welcome you. A generous credit-transfer program allows you to save time and money, making this a truly affordable fast online degree. AIU also has a special admissions department just for the military and offers a 45% tuition discount to active service members, as well as a 10% discount for Reserves, National Guard, and their spouses.
Net Price: $15,495/yr
Score: 71.82
Sessions-College-for-Professional-Design(1)
2. SESSIONS COLLEGE FOR PROFESSIONAL DESIGN
Website
Speaking of artistic degrees for vocational trades, Sessions is a great choice for students who want an accredited fast online degree in the arts, such as graphic design, web design, digital photography, and much more. Experienced designers can also take quick professional development courses in Photoshop and other specific skills without pursuing an entire degree. This makes Sessions a standout among the many online colleges that offer more traditional programs in professional fields like business, teaching, or information technology. While Sessions offers numerous certificates and associates degrees, students can also earn credits that transfer to bachelor’s degrees at Excelsior College. All courses have three different start dates a year – January, May and September – giving you plenty of flexibility when planning your schedule.
Net Price: $12,352/yr
Score: 74.74
American Broadcasting School Fast Online Degrees
The American Broadcasting School is #1 on this fast online degree ranking and undoubtedly the best option for aspiring journalists.
1. AMERICAN BROADCASTING SCHOOL
Website
Granting an inexpensive, fast online degree in radio broadcasting, this school offers a fast track to careers in news, sports, talk, or music radio, as well as other creative voice opportunities. The entire program takes just over eight months to complete (71% of students graduate), uses exclusively one-on-one instruction, and allows you to work at your own pace. You’ll get all the software and equipment you need (as long as you provide your own computer) and personalized vocal coaching. Starting in your very first week, you’ll have the opportunity to record your own radio shows and receive live critiques from professional instructors. Because success in broadcasting requires more than just talent, you’ll also learn digital production, marketing, and other tools of the broadcasting trade. Looking to enroll quickly? You can begin on any Monday of the year!
Net Price: $9,459/yr
Score: 82.13
See our methodology page for more information about how we calculated this ranking.*
*For this ranking, we added an extra feature to the standard methodology. Because we wanted to focus specifically on “speed” rather than general measures of quality, we custom-designed a scale to rank schools based on this highly desirable “fast factor.” Specifically, we researched each online college and asked ourselves the following questions:
Does the school offer bachelor’s degrees that one could complete in less than four years? What about associate’s degrees in less than two years?
Are there many short certificate options for students who want to quickly augment their skills in an established field?
Are there “accelerated” degree paths and options for students who want to earn a combined bachelor’s/master’s degree?
Does the school offer credit for life/work experience and past academic coursework in order to help students move ahead on their degree path?
Does the school offer multiple course formats so that students have the option to start several times a year and/or to choose between classes of varying lengths?
But don’t worry – we still considered graduation rate and tuition costs as well!
We hope this has been helpful in providing information about fast online degrees from accredited colleges. There are many fast online degree programs available, and we encourage you to do a broad search to find the program that’s best for you.
THIS CONCLUDES OUR RANKING OF THE BEST VALUES IN FAST ONLINE DEGREES.
Sources:
College Navigator
By CVO Staff
Published March 2016
https://www.collegevaluesonline.com/rankings/fast-online-degrees-best-values/
Secret #1: Don't spend too much time on a life insurance quote.
Do not be fooled by the low price quotes you get online - they don't apply to you unless you are extremely healthy. Statistically only 10% of people who apply actually get the lowest priced policy. The premium you end up paying has nothing to do with the initial quote you get online or from an agent. It is amazing to me how often I see people getting duped by an agent who quotes company X at a lower price than another agent.
Life insurance policies are the same price no matter who you buy from! One agent or website quoting a lower premium means nothing. Prices for any given policy is based on your age and health. There are a few exceptions to this but that is beyond the breadth of this article.
Most life insurance companies have 10-20 different health/price ratings and no agent or website can assure you the quote they give you is accurate. You have to apply, do a health check, and then go through underwriting (meaning you complete a mini-exam with a nurse in your home and then the company checks you doctor records and reviews and 'rates' your health) to get the real price of the policy. Remember that a health rating also factors in your family history, driving record, and the type of occupation you have. Only use quotes to help narrow down your choices to the top companies. You may want to consider a no load or low policy. The more that you save on commissions the more money builds up in your policy. You can even buy term insurance no load, and save a lot on premiums. You will not get the help of an agent, which may be worth something if they are very good.
The most important factor determining price is matching your particular health history with the company best suited for that niche. For instance company X might be best for smokers, company Y for cancer survivors, Company Z for people with high blood pressure, etc. Secret #2: Ignore the hype on term versus cash value permanent insurance. You can go crazy reading what everyone has to say on buying term insurance versus a whole or universal life policy. Big name websites give advice that I think borders on fraudulent. Simply put there is NO simple answer on whether you should buy permanent cash value policies or term insurance. But I do think there is a simple rule of thumb - buy term for your temporary insurance needs and cash value insurance for your permanent needs. I have read in various journals and run mathematical equations myself which basically show that if you have a need for insurance beyond 20 years that you should consider some amount of permanent insurance. This is due to the tax advantage of the growth of the cash value within in a permanent policy. I am divorced and have taken care of my children should I die. I probably no longer need as much insurance as I now have. I have earned a great return on my policies and have paid no taxes. I no longer pay the premiums, because there is so much cash in the policies. I let the policies pay themselves. I would not call most life insurance a good investment. Because I bought my policies correctly, and paid almost no sales commissions my policies are probably my best investments. I no longer own them, so when I die my beneficiaries will get the money both tax free, and estate tax free.
Since most people have short term needs like a mortgage or kids at home they should get some term. Additionally most people want some life insurance in place for their whole life to pay for burial, help with unpaid medical bills and estate taxes and so a permanent policy should be purchased along with the term policy. Secret #3: Consider applying with two companies at once. Life insurance companies really don't like this "trick" because it gives them competition and increases their underwriting costs. Secret #4: Avoid captive life insurance agents. Look for a life insurance agent who represents at least fifty life insurance companies and ask them for a multi company quote showing the best prices side by side. Some people try to cut the agent out and just apply online. Just remember that you don't save any money that way because the commissions normally earned by the agent are just kept by the insurance company or the website insurance company without having your premium lowered. Plus a good agent can help you maneuver through some of the complexities of filling out the application, setting up your beneficiaries, avoiding mistakes on selecting who should be the owner, the best way to pay your premium, and also will be there to deliver the check and assist your loved ones if the life insurance is ever used. Secret #5: Consider refinancing old life policies. Most companies won't tell you but the price you pay on your old policies has probably come down dramatically if you are in good health. In the last few years life insurance companies have updated their predictions on how long people will live. Since we are living longer they are reducing their rates rather dramatically. Beware the agent may be doing this to obtain a new commission, so make sure it really makes sense. I really am amazed at how often we find that our client's old policies are twice as expensive as a new one. If you need new life insurance consider "refinancing" your old policies and using the savings on the old policies to pay for the new policy - that way there is no extra out-of-pocket costs. We like to think of this process as "refinancing your life insurance" - just like you refinance your mortgage. Secret #6: Realize life insurance companies have target niches that constantly change. One day company 'X' is giving good rates to people who are a little overweight and the next month they are super strict. Company 'Y' might be lenient on people with diabetes because they don't have many diabetics on the books - meaning they will give good rates to diabetics. At the same time company 'W' might be very strict on diabetics because they are insuring lots of diabetics and are afraid they have too big of a risk in that area - meaning they will give a bad rate to new diabetics who apply. Unfortunately when you are applying a life insurance company will not tell you, "Hey, we just raised our rates in diabetics." They will just happily take your money if you were not smart enough to shop around. This is the number one area a smart agent can come in handy. Since a good multi-company agent is constantly applying with multiple companies he or she will have a good handle on who is currently the most lenient on underwriting for you particular situation. The problem is that this is hard work and many agents are either too busy or not set up to efficiently shop around directly to different underwriters and see who would make you the best offer. This is a lot harder than just running you a quote online. Secret #7: Don't forget customer service. Most people shopping for insurance focus on companies with the lowest price and the best financial rating. Unfortunately I know of some A+ rated companies with low rates who I would not touch with a ten foot pole simply because it's easier to give birth to a porcupine backwards then it is to get customer service from them. Before I understood this I used a life insurance company that gave a client a great rate but 2 years later the client called me and said, "I have mailed in all my payments on time but just got a notice saying my policy lapsed." It turned out the company had been making lots of back office mistakes and had lost the premium payment! We were able to fix it because we caught the problem so early. But if the client happened to have died during the short period the policy had lapsed, his family might have had a hard time proving that the premium had been paid on time and they might not have received the life insurance money - a loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars in that case. Secret #8: Apply 3-6 months ahead of the time you need the insurance if possible. Don't be in a hurry to get a policy if you already have some coverage in force. But go ahead and apply right away knowing that you might need months to shop around if the first company does not give you a good rate. Even though the life insurance industry is getting more automated your application will still often be held up for weeks or months while the insurance company waits on your doctor's office to mail them a copy of you medical records. If you are in a hurry and buy a quickie 'no-underwriting' policy without going through the full health checks and underwriting that a mainstream life insurance company requires, you will end up paying 20%-50% more because the insurance company will automatically charge you higher rates because they don't know whether you are healthy or about to die the next day. Secret #9: Avoid buying extra life insurance through work if you are healthy. I am sure there are exceptions to this "trick" but I have rarely found one. By all means keep the free life insurance your employer provides. But if you are healthy and you are paying for supplemental life insurance through payroll deduction you are almost certainly paying too much. What is happening is that your 'overpayments' ends up subsidizing the unhealthy people in your company who are buying life insurance through payroll deduction. Usually the life insurance company has cut a deal with your employer and will waive the required health exam for all employees - instead they just average the price for all the employees and offer one or two rates for males or females at any given age. Life insurance companies know they will pick up lots of unhealthy clients this way so they jack up the price on everyone so that the healthy people end up overpaying so that the unhealthy employees get a cheaper policy. Also, unlike the guaranteed term policies which we recommend, most life insurance you buy through work will get more expensive as you get older. Also group life insurance is generally not portable when you retire or change jobs meaning that when you retire or change jobs you might have to apply all over again even though you will be older and probably not as healthy and risk being turned down for a policy. If the group plan does allow portability they generally limit your conversion choices and force you to go into expensive cash value plans. I remember helping someone evaluate his supplemental life insurance. He was sure it was a better deal than any policy I could find him. Little did he know that the price of his group plan would go up every year? By the time he retired his premium would have risen to over $10,000/year. I found him a policy for around $1000/year that would never go up. Also, unlike his old group life policy, he could take the individual policy with him when he changed jobs or retired.
via Grid.ID
Are you wondering about the fastest way to get a degree online? Fast online degrees can offer considerable value to today’s student. Not everyone has the luxury of attending school for four years in one stretch – much less to immediately jump into a graduate program for an additional multi-year commitment! From working professionals to busy parents to older adults finally fulfilling their academic goals, there are plenty of nontraditional students out there who have limits on their study time. Thankfully, online colleges cater to this restriction by helping their students learn efficiently, quickly, and conveniently. We’ve listed some of the very best (and most affordable) below.
In this ranking, we examine the best value colleges for fast online degrees.
Allied American University Fast Online Degrees
The fast online degree programs at AAU include numerous certificate options with a quick turnaround.
10. ALLIED AMERICAN UNIVERSITY
Website
At AAU you can earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in business administration, criminal justice, general studies, or medical office management. There are additional certificate options for students seeking jobs in the rapidly growing healthcare field: medical administrative assisting, medical billing, medical coding, and pharmacy technician among them. AAU has a special commitment to serving the military, including benefits such as a no-fee transcript evaluation to see how many of your credits will transfer; military members may also be eligible for textbook grants! AAU sometimes accepts transfer credits from advanced high school programs (AP and CLEP) and other industry and military certifications. Between this and the optional 8-week class schedule (with multiple start dates) AAU is one of the best fast online degrees for motivated students.
Net Price: $14,898/yr
Score: 58.75
Trident University International Fast Online Degrees
With a “Fastrac” program and transfer credit options, TUI has some of the best fast online degree options in the country.
9. TRIDENT UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL
Website
Trident was the first fully online university to be accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Catering to military veterans and adult learners, its accelerated “Fastrac” program lets you complete courses in just eight weeks, with new sessions starting every month. The Trident Learning Model uses case-based learning instead of traditional tests, with the goal of developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. You can get a bachelor’s, master’s, or even doctoral degree online in a career-focused field like business, technology, or health sciences. Already have your associate’s degree from a community college? Trident will evaluate your credits and apply them toward your bachelor’s. With tuition breaks for military spouses and dependents, Trident offers affordable fast online degrees to a range of students.
Net Price: $11,572/yr
Score: 58.85
New England College of Business and Finance Fast Online Degrees
Previous jobs, military experience, and past academic coursework will all earn students credit toward the affordable, fast online degree programs at NECB.
8. NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND FINANCE
Website
Offering accredited fast online degrees for working professionals, this Boston-based school incorporates group projects into its industry-relevant curriculum. This helps students network with potential colleagues and develop the technology-enabled collaboration skills they’ll need in today’s increasingly distributed workplaces. NECB’s Prior Learning Assessment program considers your work experience and job skills, open source courseware study, volunteer work, job skills and other background (including military experience) in granting you academic credit toward your degree. Looking for professional development or a new skill set in business or finance? You can easily enroll in a course or two without pursuing a degree.
Net Price: $9,563/yr
Score: 60.13
Grantham University Online Fast Degrees
Grantham’s cheap, fast online degrees allow students to earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a fraction of the time.
7. GRANTHAM UNIVERSITY
Website
Grantham’s accelerated online degree programs allow you to complete your associate’s degree in under two years or your bachelor’s degree in under four years. Bachelor’s degrees focus on in-demand fields like accounting, financial planning, and computer science. For nurses there’s even a RN-to-BSN completion program, making this one of the best fast online degree options in nursing. Grantham recognizes that flexibility is particularly important to first responders – established firefighters, police officers, and EMS professionals – and offers degrees and some scholarship assistance tailored to these groups. There are also scholarships and textbook/software grants for military members and a special partnership with the Community College of the Air Force to help Air Force members complete their bachelor’s degrees through an accelerated program.
Net Price: $12,808/yr
Score: 62.50
Western Governors University Fast Online Degrees
WGU’s customized academic planning make it a source for some of the best fast online degrees.
6. WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY
Website
This nonprofit university grants bachelor’s and master’s degrees in teaching, IT, business, and nursing. The Teacher’s College in particular has many subject–specific licensure programs, helping students prepare efficiently for their careers. Because tuition is charged according to the length of time you are enrolled, not the number of courses you take, you are rewarded financially for progressing quickly – a dream scenario for fast-paced students! You can also get personalized Degree Plans that take into account your prior skills and knowledge, performance on pre-enrollment assessments, and remaining requirements, so you only take exactly the courses you need. And because WGU requires “On Time Progress,” you’ll have plenty of support to make sure you don’t languish in your academic efforts. Plus, students who have completed either an associate’s degree or coursework at a community college can transfer credits, expediting their progress and making WGU a standout in this ranking of fast online degrees.
Net Price: $8,624/yr
Score: 62.82
National Paralegal College Fast Online Degree
NPC’s legal studies program is a no brainer for students who want a fast online degree studying law and government.
5. NATIONAL PARALEGAL COLLEGE
Website
Through this school’s accelerated online degree programs, you can earn your bachelor’s in legal studies in under 3 years or an associate’s degree in just 15 months. Lots of interesting classes run simultaneously, some of which you’d expect in a legal curriculum (American Government; Torts and Personal Injury; Constitutional Law and Criminal Procedure) but others will broaden your education, including The Science of Nutrition, Environmental Science, and Laws of Cyberspace. Depending on your schedule, you can join live online lectures or watch recordings whenever you have time. Unsure if this school is right for you? Simply by filling out an application, you’ll get two free weeks of enrollment, including lectures and discussions with your potential instructors and classmates. This free trial period could be just what you need to decide to complete an affordable, fast online degree at NPC.
Net Price: $13,709/yr
Score: 69.33
American Public University System Online Fast Degrees
Students who are eager to earn an affordable fast online degree can enroll at APU as early as next month.
4. AMERICAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
Website
APUS has been serving non-traditional students since 1991, well before online education became mainstream. Originally founded as American Military University to cater to mobile military learners, it reorganized into APUS in 2002 in order to serve a wider range of learners – and today 42% of its students are civilians. Even so, American Public University continues to enroll more members of the armed forces than any other school. Although it offers nearly 200 degrees and certificates, the school’s most popular programs include business administration, criminal justice, general studies, sports and health sciences, psychology, and homeland security. With courses starting on the first Monday of every month and lasting either 8 or 16 weeks, there’s no need to wait for a new semester to begin, earning APUS a top spot in our fast online degree rankings.
Net Price: $9,572/yr
Score: 70.60
American InterContinental University Fast Online Degrees
Accredited, fast online degrees are in abundance at AIU, which offers programs in everything from business to web design.
3. AMERICAN INTERCONTINENTAL UNIVERSITY-ONLINE
Website
In addition to the career-focused fields found at other online schools – business, criminal justice, IT, education, and healthcare – AIU also has several degrees in design fields, making it a great choice for students who want to blend vocational skills and artistic vision. You can earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design, web design, illustration, or even fashion. For students who live in the greater Atlanta or Houston areas and want face-to-face learning and physical classrooms, there are campuses waiting to welcome you. A generous credit-transfer program allows you to save time and money, making this a truly affordable fast online degree. AIU also has a special admissions department just for the military and offers a 45% tuition discount to active service members, as well as a 10% discount for Reserves, National Guard, and their spouses.
Net Price: $15,495/yr
Score: 71.82
Sessions-College-for-Professional-Design(1)
2. SESSIONS COLLEGE FOR PROFESSIONAL DESIGN
Website
Speaking of artistic degrees for vocational trades, Sessions is a great choice for students who want an accredited fast online degree in the arts, such as graphic design, web design, digital photography, and much more. Experienced designers can also take quick professional development courses in Photoshop and other specific skills without pursuing an entire degree. This makes Sessions a standout among the many online colleges that offer more traditional programs in professional fields like business, teaching, or information technology. While Sessions offers numerous certificates and associates degrees, students can also earn credits that transfer to bachelor’s degrees at Excelsior College. All courses have three different start dates a year – January, May and September – giving you plenty of flexibility when planning your schedule.
Net Price: $12,352/yr
Score: 74.74
American Broadcasting School Fast Online Degrees
The American Broadcasting School is #1 on this fast online degree ranking and undoubtedly the best option for aspiring journalists.
1. AMERICAN BROADCASTING SCHOOL
Website
Granting an inexpensive, fast online degree in radio broadcasting, this school offers a fast track to careers in news, sports, talk, or music radio, as well as other creative voice opportunities. The entire program takes just over eight months to complete (71% of students graduate), uses exclusively one-on-one instruction, and allows you to work at your own pace. You’ll get all the software and equipment you need (as long as you provide your own computer) and personalized vocal coaching. Starting in your very first week, you’ll have the opportunity to record your own radio shows and receive live critiques from professional instructors. Because success in broadcasting requires more than just talent, you’ll also learn digital production, marketing, and other tools of the broadcasting trade. Looking to enroll quickly? You can begin on any Monday of the year!
Net Price: $9,459/yr
Score: 82.13
See our methodology page for more information about how we calculated this ranking.*
*For this ranking, we added an extra feature to the standard methodology. Because we wanted to focus specifically on “speed” rather than general measures of quality, we custom-designed a scale to rank schools based on this highly desirable “fast factor.” Specifically, we researched each online college and asked ourselves the following questions:
Does the school offer bachelor’s degrees that one could complete in less than four years? What about associate’s degrees in less than two years?
Are there many short certificate options for students who want to quickly augment their skills in an established field?
Are there “accelerated” degree paths and options for students who want to earn a combined bachelor’s/master’s degree?
Does the school offer credit for life/work experience and past academic coursework in order to help students move ahead on their degree path?
Does the school offer multiple course formats so that students have the option to start several times a year and/or to choose between classes of varying lengths?
But don’t worry – we still considered graduation rate and tuition costs as well!
We hope this has been helpful in providing information about fast online degrees from accredited colleges. There are many fast online degree programs available, and we encourage you to do a broad search to find the program that’s best for you.
THIS CONCLUDES OUR RANKING OF THE BEST VALUES IN FAST ONLINE DEGREES.
Sources:
College Navigator
By CVO Staff
Published March 2016
https://www.collegevaluesonline.com/rankings/fast-online-degrees-best-values/
Are you wondering about the fastest way to get a degree online? Fast online degrees can offer considerable value to today’s student. Not everyone has the luxury of attending school for four years in one stretch – much less to immediately jump into a graduate program for an additional multi-year commitment! From working professionals to busy parents to older adults finally fulfilling their academic goals, there are plenty of nontraditional students out there who have limits on their study time. Thankfully, online colleges cater to this restriction by helping their students learn efficiently, quickly, and conveniently. We’ve listed some of the very best (and most affordable) below.
In this ranking, we examine the best value colleges for fast online degrees.
Allied American University Fast Online Degrees
The fast online degree programs at AAU include numerous certificate options with a quick turnaround.
10. ALLIED AMERICAN UNIVERSITY
Website
At AAU you can earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in business administration, criminal justice, general studies, or medical office management. There are additional certificate options for students seeking jobs in the rapidly growing healthcare field: medical administrative assisting, medical billing, medical coding, and pharmacy technician among them. AAU has a special commitment to serving the military, including benefits such as a no-fee transcript evaluation to see how many of your credits will transfer; military members may also be eligible for textbook grants! AAU sometimes accepts transfer credits from advanced high school programs (AP and CLEP) and other industry and military certifications. Between this and the optional 8-week class schedule (with multiple start dates) AAU is one of the best fast online degrees for motivated students.
Net Price: $14,898/yr
Score: 58.75
Trident University International Fast Online Degrees
With a “Fastrac” program and transfer credit options, TUI has some of the best fast online degree options in the country.
9. TRIDENT UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL
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Trident was the first fully online university to be accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Catering to military veterans and adult learners, its accelerated “Fastrac” program lets you complete courses in just eight weeks, with new sessions starting every month. The Trident Learning Model uses case-based learning instead of traditional tests, with the goal of developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. You can get a bachelor’s, master’s, or even doctoral degree online in a career-focused field like business, technology, or health sciences. Already have your associate’s degree from a community college? Trident will evaluate your credits and apply them toward your bachelor’s. With tuition breaks for military spouses and dependents, Trident offers affordable fast online degrees to a range of students.
Net Price: $11,572/yr
Score: 58.85
New England College of Business and Finance Fast Online Degrees
Previous jobs, military experience, and past academic coursework will all earn students credit toward the affordable, fast online degree programs at NECB.
8. NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND FINANCE
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Offering accredited fast online degrees for working professionals, this Boston-based school incorporates group projects into its industry-relevant curriculum. This helps students network with potential colleagues and develop the technology-enabled collaboration skills they’ll need in today’s increasingly distributed workplaces. NECB’s Prior Learning Assessment program considers your work experience and job skills, open source courseware study, volunteer work, job skills and other background (including military experience) in granting you academic credit toward your degree. Looking for professional development or a new skill set in business or finance? You can easily enroll in a course or two without pursuing a degree.
Net Price: $9,563/yr
Score: 60.13
Grantham University Online Fast Degrees
Grantham’s cheap, fast online degrees allow students to earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a fraction of the time.
7. GRANTHAM UNIVERSITY
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Grantham’s accelerated online degree programs allow you to complete your associate’s degree in under two years or your bachelor’s degree in under four years. Bachelor’s degrees focus on in-demand fields like accounting, financial planning, and computer science. For nurses there’s even a RN-to-BSN completion program, making this one of the best fast online degree options in nursing. Grantham recognizes that flexibility is particularly important to first responders – established firefighters, police officers, and EMS professionals – and offers degrees and some scholarship assistance tailored to these groups. There are also scholarships and textbook/software grants for military members and a special partnership with the Community College of the Air Force to help Air Force members complete their bachelor’s degrees through an accelerated program.
Net Price: $12,808/yr
Score: 62.50
Western Governors University Fast Online Degrees
WGU’s customized academic planning make it a source for some of the best fast online degrees.
6. WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY
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This nonprofit university grants bachelor’s and master’s degrees in teaching, IT, business, and nursing. The Teacher’s College in particular has many subject–specific licensure programs, helping students prepare efficiently for their careers. Because tuition is charged according to the length of time you are enrolled, not the number of courses you take, you are rewarded financially for progressing quickly – a dream scenario for fast-paced students! You can also get personalized Degree Plans that take into account your prior skills and knowledge, performance on pre-enrollment assessments, and remaining requirements, so you only take exactly the courses you need. And because WGU requires “On Time Progress,” you’ll have plenty of support to make sure you don’t languish in your academic efforts. Plus, students who have completed either an associate’s degree or coursework at a community college can transfer credits, expediting their progress and making WGU a standout in this ranking of fast online degrees.
Net Price: $8,624/yr
Score: 62.82
National Paralegal College Fast Online Degree
NPC’s legal studies program is a no brainer for students who want a fast online degree studying law and government.
5. NATIONAL PARALEGAL COLLEGE
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Through this school’s accelerated online degree programs, you can earn your bachelor’s in legal studies in under 3 years or an associate’s degree in just 15 months. Lots of interesting classes run simultaneously, some of which you’d expect in a legal curriculum (American Government; Torts and Personal Injury; Constitutional Law and Criminal Procedure) but others will broaden your education, including The Science of Nutrition, Environmental Science, and Laws of Cyberspace. Depending on your schedule, you can join live online lectures or watch recordings whenever you have time. Unsure if this school is right for you? Simply by filling out an application, you’ll get two free weeks of enrollment, including lectures and discussions with your potential instructors and classmates. This free trial period could be just what you need to decide to complete an affordable, fast online degree at NPC.
Net Price: $13,709/yr
Score: 69.33
American Public University System Online Fast Degrees
Students who are eager to earn an affordable fast online degree can enroll at APU as early as next month.
4. AMERICAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
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APUS has been serving non-traditional students since 1991, well before online education became mainstream. Originally founded as American Military University to cater to mobile military learners, it reorganized into APUS in 2002 in order to serve a wider range of learners – and today 42% of its students are civilians. Even so, American Public University continues to enroll more members of the armed forces than any other school. Although it offers nearly 200 degrees and certificates, the school’s most popular programs include business administration, criminal justice, general studies, sports and health sciences, psychology, and homeland security. With courses starting on the first Monday of every month and lasting either 8 or 16 weeks, there’s no need to wait for a new semester to begin, earning APUS a top spot in our fast online degree rankings.
Net Price: $9,572/yr
Score: 70.60
American InterContinental University Fast Online Degrees
Accredited, fast online degrees are in abundance at AIU, which offers programs in everything from business to web design.
3. AMERICAN INTERCONTINENTAL UNIVERSITY-ONLINE
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In addition to the career-focused fields found at other online schools – business, criminal justice, IT, education, and healthcare – AIU also has several degrees in design fields, making it a great choice for students who want to blend vocational skills and artistic vision. You can earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design, web design, illustration, or even fashion. For students who live in the greater Atlanta or Houston areas and want face-to-face learning and physical classrooms, there are campuses waiting to welcome you. A generous credit-transfer program allows you to save time and money, making this a truly affordable fast online degree. AIU also has a special admissions department just for the military and offers a 45% tuition discount to active service members, as well as a 10% discount for Reserves, National Guard, and their spouses.
Net Price: $15,495/yr
Score: 71.82
Sessions-College-for-Professional-Design(1)
2. SESSIONS COLLEGE FOR PROFESSIONAL DESIGN
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Speaking of artistic degrees for vocational trades, Sessions is a great choice for students who want an accredited fast online degree in the arts, such as graphic design, web design, digital photography, and much more. Experienced designers can also take quick professional development courses in Photoshop and other specific skills without pursuing an entire degree. This makes Sessions a standout among the many online colleges that offer more traditional programs in professional fields like business, teaching, or information technology. While Sessions offers numerous certificates and associates degrees, students can also earn credits that transfer to bachelor’s degrees at Excelsior College. All courses have three different start dates a year – January, May and September – giving you plenty of flexibility when planning your schedule.
Net Price: $12,352/yr
Score: 74.74
American Broadcasting School Fast Online Degrees
The American Broadcasting School is #1 on this fast online degree ranking and undoubtedly the best option for aspiring journalists.
1. AMERICAN BROADCASTING SCHOOL
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Granting an inexpensive, fast online degree in radio broadcasting, this school offers a fast track to careers in news, sports, talk, or music radio, as well as other creative voice opportunities. The entire program takes just over eight months to complete (71% of students graduate), uses exclusively one-on-one instruction, and allows you to work at your own pace. You’ll get all the software and equipment you need (as long as you provide your own computer) and personalized vocal coaching. Starting in your very first week, you’ll have the opportunity to record your own radio shows and receive live critiques from professional instructors. Because success in broadcasting requires more than just talent, you’ll also learn digital production, marketing, and other tools of the broadcasting trade. Looking to enroll quickly? You can begin on any Monday of the year!
Net Price: $9,459/yr
Score: 82.13
See our methodology page for more information about how we calculated this ranking.*
*For this ranking, we added an extra feature to the standard methodology. Because we wanted to focus specifically on “speed” rather than general measures of quality, we custom-designed a scale to rank schools based on this highly desirable “fast factor.” Specifically, we researched each online college and asked ourselves the following questions:
Does the school offer bachelor’s degrees that one could complete in less than four years? What about associate’s degrees in less than two years?
Are there many short certificate options for students who want to quickly augment their skills in an established field?
Are there “accelerated” degree paths and options for students who want to earn a combined bachelor’s/master’s degree?
Does the school offer credit for life/work experience and past academic coursework in order to help students move ahead on their degree path?
Does the school offer multiple course formats so that students have the option to start several times a year and/or to choose between classes of varying lengths?
But don’t worry – we still considered graduation rate and tuition costs as well!
We hope this has been helpful in providing information about fast online degrees from accredited colleges. There are many fast online degree programs available, and we encourage you to do a broad search to find the program that’s best for you.
THIS CONCLUDES OUR RANKING OF THE BEST VALUES IN FAST ONLINE DEGREES.
Sources:
College Navigator
By CVO Staff
Published March 2016
https://www.collegevaluesonline.com/rankings/fast-online-degrees-best-values/
