Technology
Most Popular Online Degree Programs – Top Fields by Enrollment
Online degree programs are no longer a backup plan. According to NCES data, 53.2% of students across 5,677 postsecondary institutions were enrolled in at least one distance course in 2023, and 26.4% studied exclusively online. By fall 2024, that translated to 5,502,300 students enrolled in fully online undergraduate or graduate programs.
So which degrees are they actually choosing? This list ranks the 10 most popular online degree fields based on NCES graduation data, EducationDynamics enrollment surveys, and Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures.
Quick Reference
| Rank | Field | Typical Degree | Median Salary | Why It’s Popular Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business Administration | BBA / MBA | $80,920+ (BLS) | Biggest field by volume; 23% of online students (EducationDynamics) |
| 2 | Nursing | BSN / MSN | $93,600 RN (BLS) | Huge demand; hybrid clinical model is well-established |
| 3 | Computer Science | BS / MS | $105,990 (BLS) | Coding translates naturally to online delivery |
| 4 | Cybersecurity | BS / MS | $124,910 (BLS) | 29% job growth projected; virtual labs work well online |
| 5 | Psychology | BA / MS | $94,310 (BLS/UOTP) | Lecture-heavy; one of the most versatile undergrad degrees |
| 6 | Healthcare Administration | BHA / MHA | $110,680 (BLS) | No clinical hours; fully online is practical |
| 7 | Criminal Justice | BS / MS | Varies | Theory-heavy; popular with working law enforcement |
| 8 | Education | BS / MEd | $59,220 (BLS) | Pedagogy courses adapt well; strong demand in K-12 |
| 9 | Accounting | BS / MS | $81,680 (BLS) | Modern tools are digital; 5% projected growth |
| 10 | Social Work | BSW / MSW | $62,940 (BLS) | MSW options have expanded significantly post-pandemic |
1. Business Administration (BBA / MBA)
Business is the single biggest degree field in the country. NCES data shows 375,400 bachelor’s degrees conferred in business in 2021-22, accounting for 19% of all bachelor’s degrees. Online, that lead gets even wider: according to EducationDynamics’ 2024 survey, 23% of online students are studying business.
The salary ceiling is high. BBA graduates can expect a median starting point above $80,920, per BLS data. An MBA unlocks roles like Financial Manager ($156,100 median), Human Resource Manager ($136,350), and Chief Executive ($206,680), all per BLS figures.
It’s also a natural fit for online delivery. Business skills like communication, data analysis, and project management don’t require lab time or in-person simulations. Most of the learning happens through case studies, discussion boards, and group projects, all of which work fine over a screen.
2. Nursing (BSN / MSN)
Health Professions is the second-largest bachelor’s degree field in the U.S., with 263,800 degrees in 2021-22 per NCES, and nursing is its biggest sub-field. Online nursing programs have boomed because the demand for registered nurses is enormous and the theory-heavy portions of the curriculum adapt well to remote delivery.
Pay is strong across the board. The BLS reports a median salary of $93,600 for registered nurses (May 2024), $126,260 for nurse practitioners, and $212,650 for nurse anesthetists.
One thing to know before enrolling: online nursing degrees are hybrid programs. You will complete clinical hours at an approved local healthcare facility. The coursework is online; the hands-on practice is not. Most programs help students arrange placements, but it’s worth confirming before you commit to a school.
3. Computer Science
Computer Science consistently ranks as one of the most searched and enrolled online degrees at major providers like SNHU, ASU Online, and WGU. The appeal is obvious: writing code and solving software problems is something you can do from anywhere on a laptop.
Per BLS figures (May 2024), the median wage across computer and IT occupations is $105,990. Job growth across the sector is classified as “much faster than average.” That combination of high pay and strong demand keeps application numbers up year after year.
Online CS programs vary a lot in rigor. Some are career-focused bootcamp-style programs; others are full ABET-accredited degrees. Worth reading the fine print on accreditation if you plan to work for a large employer or go on to grad school.
4. Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity deserves its own spot, separate from general computer science. The BLS projects 29% job growth for information security analysts between 2024 and 2034, which is well above “much faster than average.” Median pay sits at $124,910 per BLS data.
Online delivery is a genuinely good fit here. Programs use virtual labs and simulated threat environments that replicate real-world attacks and defenses. You’re not missing anything critical by not being in a physical classroom.
Some schools offer cybersecurity as a standalone degree; others deliver it as a concentration within a broader CS or IT program. Either path can lead to the same certifications and job titles. What matters most is whether the curriculum aligns with industry frameworks like NIST or CompTIA.
5. Psychology
Psychology produced 129,600 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-22, representing 6% of all bachelor’s degrees per NCES. It’s one of the most popular undergrad majors both on campus and online, and for good reason: few degrees are as flexible in where they can take you.
Career paths include substance abuse counselor ($53,710), market research analyst ($74,680), HR roles, and healthcare support positions. Those who continue to a master’s or doctorate unlock clinical and research tracks. Per BLS data compiled by UOTP, the median salary across psychology-related occupations is $94,310.
The coursework itself (developmental psych, abnormal psych, research methods, statistics) is reading and lecture-intensive. It adapts to online formats as well as almost any subject on this list.
6. Healthcare Administration
Healthcare administration sits within the same Health Professions umbrella as nursing, but it’s a completely different type of program. No clinical hours. No scrubs. It’s focused on the business side of running hospitals, clinics, and health systems.
That makes it one of the cleanest fits for fully online delivery on this entire list. Health services managers earn a median salary of $110,680, per BLS data, and the role spans everything from small outpatient clinics to large hospital networks.
If you want to work in healthcare but the clinical path isn’t for you, this is a strong alternative. Demand for healthcare administrators tracks directly with the ongoing expansion of the healthcare sector.
7. Criminal Justice
Criminal justice may not show up in the top-line NCES degree volume numbers, but it consistently ranks as one of the most-offered online programs at high-enrollment institutions including SNHU, UMGC, ASU, and the University of Kansas. It’s particularly popular with people already working in law enforcement who want to advance or move into management.
The BLS projects approximately 63,000 annual job openings for police officers and detectives over the 2023-2033 period. Beyond patrol roles, the degree opens paths in corrections, homeland security, legal support, and private investigation.
The curriculum (criminal law, criminology, policy analysis, constitutional law) is almost entirely theory and writing-based. It’s a natural online subject.
8. Education
Teaching degree programs are widely available online, and the field produces a steady volume of graduates each year. BLS data puts the median teacher salary at $59,220, and the agency projects continued stable demand across K-12.
Similar to nursing, education degrees typically require a locally completed student teaching placement. You’ll spend a semester in an actual classroom working with students under a mentor teacher’s supervision. The coursework leading up to that, including pedagogy theory, curriculum design, and child development, happens online.
Graduate education degrees (MEd, EdS) are also heavily online, popular with teachers seeking licensure upgrades, administrative credentials, or specialization in special education or literacy.
9. Accounting
Accounting is a field where the tools have moved almost entirely digital. QuickBooks, SAP, Excel, and cloud-based audit platforms are standard. That makes online coursework genuinely practical rather than a compromise.
BLS figures show a median salary of $81,680 for accountants and auditors, with 5% projected job growth through the early 2030s. CPA licensure requirements vary by state, but most require 150 credit hours (typically a master’s degree or a combined bachelor’s with extra coursework) plus passing the CPA exam.
Online accounting degrees are offered at every level, from community college associate degrees to master’s programs at major state universities.
10. Social Work (MSW)
Social work rounds out the list. The BLS projects 6% job growth from 2024 to 2034 for social workers, with about 44,700 new jobs expected by 2034. Healthcare social workers earn a median of $62,940; mental health and substance abuse social workers earn a median of $53,710, per BLS.
The Master of Social Work (MSW) is the terminal practice degree in the field, required for clinical licensure in most states. Online MSW programs expanded significantly during and after the pandemic, with strong offerings at Howard University, University of Denver, and University of Southern California.
Like nursing and education, MSW programs include field placement hours completed locally. The classroom instruction is online; supervised practice is in person.
What These Programs Have in Common
The most popular online degree fields aren’t random. According to EducationDynamics’ 2024 data, 68% of online students are employed and 95% of those with children are actively parenting while studying. These are working adults building a degree around a full life.
The programs that win in that environment tend to share a few traits: coursework that’s lecture and reading-based (not lab-dependent), flexible scheduling, and clear career payoff. Business, healthcare administration, and criminal justice check all three boxes without much friction. Nursing, education, and social work require some in-person hours but have built hybrid models that make it manageable.
The fields at the top of this list dominate enrollment partly because they’re popular in traditional settings too, and partly because they travel well online. That combination is hard to beat.