25 Best Accelerated Bachelor’s Degrees Online [2025 Guide]
By Joy Miller
Edited by Tania Staley & Briana Sukert
Updated on December 1, 2024
Earning your bachelor’s degree faster is within reach. Accelerated programs online offer flexibility, efficiency, and quality education tailored to your goals. These degrees are structured to save time, letting you graduate sooner without sacrificing learning.
Progress, purpose, potential—all combined to reshape your future. Whether advancing in your current field or starting fresh, these programs adapt to your life, not the other way around. Accelerated online degrees bring opportunity closer, helping you achieve your aspirations without delay or compromise.
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Methodology: Universities are listed alphabetically, each offering an accelerated bachelor’s degree available online or hybrid. Only regionally accredited institutions are included to ensure academic quality and recognition.
Albertus Magnus College, located in New Haven, Connecticut, is a private institution started by the Dominican Sisters of St. Mary. The school offers accredited bachelor’s degrees online and 8-week accelerated courses.
Albertus Magnus College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
American Intercontinental University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees with open admission. The school has Atlanta and Houston campuses, but its main campus, with over 15,000 students worldwide, has been online since 2001.
AIU offers 5-week accelerated courses in its online bachelor’s degree programs.
American International University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Arizona State University is a public research institution spread across five campuses in the Phoenix area and four other centers around the state. It enrolls nearly 90,000 students a year and around 40% are online students.
ASU offers over 400 bachelor’s degree programs and over 350 graduate programs. Accelerated 7.5-week course options are available.
Arizona State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Cameron University was founded in Lawton, Oklahoma, in 1908. Emphasizing liberal arts, science, and technology, it offers over 50 degrees and programs.
The school offers independent study, cooperative education, pre-professional studies, teacher certification, and an Army ROTC program. Accelerated 8-week course options are available.
Cameron University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Founded in 1870, Colorado State University is a public institution with a 583-acre main campus in Central Fort Collins. It also has a 1,400-acre campus in Foothills, a 1,500-acre campus for agricultural studies, and a 1,100-acre campus in Pingree Park.
The university offers accredited online bachelor’s degrees with accelerated 8-week course options.
Colorado State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Colorado Technical University was founded in 1965. Its main campus is in Colorado Springs, with two other campuses in Denver and Aurora, but most of its students take their courses fully online.
CTI offers online bachelor’s and postgraduate degrees, primarily in technology and business management. Accelerated 5.5-week courses options are available. The National Security Agency has named CTU as a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education by the National Security Agency.
Colorado Technical University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Columbia College has been committed to helping students improve their lives through higher education since 1851. It is a private, non-profit college that takes pride in providing excellent bachelor’s degree programs, highly trained faculty and staff, and small class sizes.
Columbia College believes everybody deserves access to high-quality, affordable education and learning should be individualized, flexible, and innovative. The school offers online bachelor’s degrees with accelerated 8-week course options.
Columbia College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Founded in 1899, Elizabethtown College maintains 19 academic departments, offering 53 bachelor’s degrees and 90+ minors and concentrations, with a core curriculum emphasizing the arts, humanities, and sciences.
Elizabethtown offers online bachelor’s degree programs with 5-week accelerated course offerings.
Elizabethtown College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
With nearly 14,000 students enrolled, Indiana Wesleyan University is the largest private Christian university in the state. Headquartered in Marion, it has fifteen education centers throughout Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio.
The school offers accelerated 8-week course options.
Indiana Wesleyan University is accredited as a whole by the Higher Learning Commission.
Keiser University is a private, non-profit university. It’s based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but has many locations throughout the state. The organization offers bachelor’s, graduate, and doctoral degree programs through traditional and online campuses.
Keiser’s online programs have 4-week accelerated course options available.
Keiser University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
With locations in Longview, Dallas, and Houston, Texas, LeTourneau University is a private, interdenominational Christian school. Its graduate and bachelor’s degree programs are specially designed for makers, doers, creators, and those who learn by doing.
Founded in 1946 for returning World War II veterans, LeTourneau has become a worldwide education center with nearly 3,000 enrolled annually. Its online degree programs have accelerated 8-week course options available.
LeTourneau University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Founded in 1962, Lynn University is a private institution in Boca Raton, Florida. It offers nearly 100 different areas of study and has an annual enrollment of 2,000 students dispersed across six colleges.
Lynn’s core curriculum, the Dialogues of Learning, is widely recognized as one of the best methods for comprehensive education. The school offers carefully designed bachelor’s degree programs with 8-week accelerated course options.
Lynn University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
National University is a network of nonprofit educational institutions headquartered in San Diego, California, dedicated to providing flexible, quality education for busy adults.
NU has over 30,000 students enrolled and more than 220,000 alumni worldwide. It offers accredited bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs that can be attended online or at one of its on-campus locations in California. Accelerated 8-week course options are available.
National University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
Peirce College, a private college in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, focuses on adult learners. It was created in 1865 by Thomas May Peirce to provide Civil War veterans with a business-focused education.
Today, it offers specialized accelerated online education. Its online bachelor’s degree programs have 3- and 8-week course offerings available.
Peirce College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Since its founding in 1890, this private university in Waterbury, Connecticut, has become known for academic excellence.
Online and hybrid degree programs with 8-week accelerated course options are available to fit students’ scheduling and educational needs. Post offers extensive support services, including academic advising, tutoring, financial aid advisors, and career services support.
Post University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Regent University is an interdenominational Christian college that offers accredited online bachelor’s and graduate degrees, with 8-week accelerated course options. They were founded by Pat Robertson in 1977 as a place to nurture a new generation of multidisciplinary Christian leaders.
Regent’s campus is in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Over 8,000 students are enrolled at Regent. Students are heavily encouraged to participate in charity and community outreach activities.
Regent University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1877, this award-winning university is divided into five colleges designed to strengthen graduates’ skills and perspectives to help them achieve their goals and passions. Many of the school’s bachelor’s degree programs are available online. Regis also has 8-week accelerated course options.
Regis University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Founded in 1889, Saint Leo University is the oldest Catholic university and one of the leading academic institutions in Florida. The Saint Leo community adheres to a culture of service and volunteerism in the spirit of its core values: excellence, community, respect, personal development, responsible stewardship, and integrity.
The university’s mission is to live the rich Catholic values of individual and collective excellence. It maintains its identity as a “living-learning-serving” community open to everyone from all faiths and backgrounds.
Many of its bachelor’s degrees are offered online and accelerated 8-week course options are available.
Saint Leo University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a private university between Manchester and Hooksett, New Hampshire. The school offers high-quality accelerated programs taught by experienced faculty.
A bachelor’s degree can be earned in only 3 years at SNHU through the school’s 8-week accelerated class options.
Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Founded in 1887, Troy University places great emphasis on providing students with quality bachelor’s degree programs at affordable rates.
It is committed to creating excellent learning experiences that equip students with the tools necessary for future success. Troy offers 9-week accelerated course options.
Troy University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Houston – Downtown is a public institution in Houston, Texas. It’s the second-largest university in the area with a vast campus and more than 14,000 students enrolled.
It’s primarily an undergraduate institution, with over 50 bachelor’s degree programs. Accelerated 8-week course options are available.
The University of Houston – Downtown is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Maine – Augusta is a public institution, the third-largest of the University of Maine System, in Augusta, Maine. It’s a regional state university that provides high-quality bachelor’s degrees and select associate degrees for residents of central Maine and online. Accelerated 7-week courses are available.
It was established in 1965 and is now divided into two primary academic colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Professional Studies. UMA is especially noted for its experience and success working with adult students and their unique challenges, such as family and work responsibilities.
The University of Maine at Augusta is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
The University of Massachusetts – Global is a private, non-profit institution offering over 50 bachelor’s degree programs designed for working adults in business, arts, sciences, health, and education. Accelerated 8-week courses are available.
The University of Massachusetts – Global is accredited by the WSCUC Senior College and University Commission.
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university in Norman, Oklahoma. It has a yearly enrollment of over 31,000 and offers over 150 bachelor’s, 160 master’s, and 75 doctorate programs. Accelerated 8-week class options are available.
It also maintains the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art and the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. The Sooners sports teams are well-known for participating in the NCAA Division I.
The University of Oklahoma is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Located in Fayette, Upper Iowa University has over 15 centers worldwide and online degree programs.
With over 40 bachelor’s degrees, the school primarily supports students seeking undergraduate degrees, but a master’s degree in education is also offered. Accelerated 7-week courses are available.
Upper Iowa University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
These are some of the most popular majors in which online accelerated bachelor’s degrees can be found. Click the links below to jump to the majors that interest you the most.
Many universities offer online degree programs, and these are not the only majors available.
According to the BLS, many accounting jobs have higher-than-average salaries and projected job growth.
With a bachelor’s in accounting, you may work as a forensic accountant, financial analyst, environmental accountant, personal financial advisor, or anti-money laundering officer.
You’ll study business, statistics, and economics. If you are organized and good with numbers, accounting could be a good career choice.
Have you ever thought about running a business? Earning a bachelor’s in business administration can teach you how to lead businesses in advanced careers.
You’ll study accounting, common business software applications, sales, and basic management and develop communication and organizational leadership skills.
A bachelor’s degree in communication can open many doors. This bachelor’s degree is popular because it can be beneficial in so many careers, including journalism, broadcasting, public relations, advertising, film, and photography.
After graduating, you could pursue a job on the radio or write for film or television. You could become a public relations officer for a company or write speeches for a politician.
If you enjoy working with people, communicate well with others, and have a creative flair, a bachelor’s degree in communications could be the right choice.
Computer science focuses on the study of computers and software systems. While earning a bachelor’s degree in computer science, you’ll study programming languages, artificial intelligence, database systems, networks, and software engineering.
This degree could be ideal if you love working with computers and problem-solving issues and are adept in logical thinking.
With this degree, you can pursue many internationally viable and often lucrative careers. You could become a programmer, software engineer, mobile app developer, data analyst, game designer, database administrator, IT consultant, VFX artist, website developer, or AI researcher.
Criminal justice focuses on the study of the criminal justice system. A bachelor’s in criminal justice and a degree in criminology are distinctly different degrees, though they share some parallel studies and employment prospects.
In a criminal justice program, you’ll study juvenile law, criminal law, criminal procedure, corrections, US court systems, and policing.
This could be a good field for you if you have a strong sense of justice and a desire to pursue careers in law enforcement or legal and justice systems.
You may become a police officer, probation officer, correctional officer, private detective, fish and game warden, security consultant, state trooper, crime scene investigator, fraud investigator, FBI agent, or CIA agent.
Earning a bachelor’s degree in education involves more than just developing lesson plans to meet curriculum needs. You’ll learn how to share knowledge, inspire others, teach different learning styles, meet students’ needs, and help students overcome challenges.
In addition to core education courses, you’ll study psychology, best teaching practices, and communication. You’ll also take classes in the subjects you plan to teach.
Finance programs focus on finances, money, and related topics. A bachelor’s in finance has a wider focus than a bachelor’s in accounting.
This degree could be ideal if you enjoy working with money and figures and desire a career in business, banking, trading, or the corporate world at large.
You’ll study commercial banking, financial accounting, economics, asset management, financial trading, private equity, corporate finance, and risk assessment.
With this degree, you can pursue a career as an investment banker, hedge fund manager, private equity analyst, sales executive or manager, trader, auditor, actuary, financial analyst, financial planner, or IRS agent.
Want to work in healthcare but aren’t sure which bachelor’s degree is the right fit? Healthcare administration is a viable option to consider.
There are a lot of people who work behind the doctors and nurses that you see in the hospital. If you‘re interested in healthcare but can‘t stand the sight of blood, you could consider earning a bachelor’s in healthcare administration.
Like other businesses, healthcare facilities need managers to maintain their organizations. After earning this degree, you could work in small clinics or major medical centers.
You’ll study healthcare delivery systems, ethics, organizational practices, communication, and medical terminology.
Are you interested in how we’ve become who we are as a society? Are you passionate about learning from our past? A history degree can allow you to explore the past and learn how to research the historical topics you are passionate about.
Earning this degree can help you develop analytical, communication, problem-solving, and research skills.
Many history majors become historians and write or teach others about certain periods. You could work in a museum or archive preserving historical documents or teaching others about the past.
You could also use your degree to work in other fields where a foundation in history is a boon, such as law or government positions.
Information technology focuses on the study of storage and manipulation of data and information with computer systems and databases. If you love working with computers and understanding the ins and outs of how computers organize and process data, this could be the degree for you.
You’ll study introductory programming, operating systems, network administration, IT management, database management, and related technology.
With this degree, you can pursue a career as an IT consultant, tech support officer, cyber security analyst, computer network architect, web developer, software developer, or computer programmer. Jobs in this field are often lucrative and job prospects are positive because of the technological needs in most fields.
Are you searching for an interdisciplinary bachelor’s degree program?
A bachelor’s degree in liberal arts might be a good choice. You’ll study English, philosophy, psychology, political science, history, economics, languages, religious studies, sociology, and the arts.
Liberal Arts students are often intellectuals who have a strong affinity for the arts and human interaction. They may prefer working with big concepts rather than tangible things.
With a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts, you can pursue careers in the private sector, government and non-government organizations, religious sectors, or higher education.
This is a well-rounded degree that can prepare you for numerous careers. You could become an author, editor, teacher, public relations specialist, fundraiser, minister, politician, lobbyist, diplomat, translator, or even a news broadcaster.
In a bachelor’s degree in management, your studies will focus on the management of resources, business operations, information, and people within organizations.
You’ll study accounting, law and ethics, marketing, human resource management, project management, financial management, and data management. This could be the degree for you if you love business or prefer working in the corporate world.
With this degree, you can pursue work as a project manager, supply chain manager, sales executive, marketing executive, business adviser, operations executive, financial analyst, or entrepreneur.
Marketing focuses on the study of business marketing and related topics.
If you are confident and articulate, love the corporate world or entrepreneurship, and want to influence people’s buying behaviors, this could be a great degree for you to seek.
Your courses will explore marketing principles, research, strategy, and management. You’ll study product management, retail and sales marketing and management, logistics, macroeconomics, public relations, managerial and business communications, and financial theories.
You could pursue a career as a product manager, event planner, marketing manager or executive, creative director, media buyer, business adviser, advertising account manager, promotions manager, or entrepreneur.
Want to get your bachelor’s degree in nursing in less time? Many schools offer online, accelerated RN-to-BSN programs you can pursue if you already have your RN license.
An online RN-to-BSN program can take you from a Registered Nurse certification to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in less time than it would take you in a traditional campus setting.
If you are passionate about healthcare and helping others and want to earn your nursing degree fast, this is a good option to consider.
Are you intrigued by human behavior and want to understand what makes people tick? Do you want to help others work through their difficult situations? If so, a bachelor’s in psychology might be a great fit for you.
As a psychology major, you’ll learn about different factors that affect mental health. You’ll dive deep into the world of psychological disorders and learn about common mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression.
Earning this degree can prepare you for a career as a social worker, professor, psychologist, or counselor, but these occupations generally require at least a master’s degree.
While the speed at which you can earn your degree will depend on many factors, there are some things you can do to speed it up. Here are some tips to help you complete a bachelor’s degree as quickly as possible.
Following these tips can allow you to earn your degree faster than the traditional 4-year schedule.
Before you apply to any accelerated degree program, always research and confirm accreditation. Accreditation is one of the most important considerations for your future career potential when selecting a program.
These organizations assess schools and award regional accreditation:
Regional accreditation is required for many forms of financial aid, including federal aid. Employers are also more likely to recognize degrees from accredited programs, and credits are easier to transfer from accredited programs.
Just because you pursue your bachelor’s degree online doesn’t mean you aren’t eligible for financial aid and support. Many online accelerated bachelor’s degree programs offer financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, or federal loans. Filling out the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) is the place to start.
While they can still be pricey, accelerated programs are often less expensive than traditional programs, and there is financial aid to pursue to help with the costs.
An accelerated bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate degree program structured to be completed faster than a traditional on-campus program. They can enable you to earn a bachelor’s degree in 3 years or less.
A fast-track bachelor’s program is a unique educational pathway that:
While the structure and requirements vary across institutions, the primary objective remains to offer fast-tracked routes for motivated and dedicated individuals to earn a degree faster. Accelerated bachelor’s degrees have gained popularity due to their potential to save time and money.
These programs are well-suited for highly self-motivated and academically focused individuals with clear career goals. They often attract working professionals, career changers, and ambitious students eager to fast-track their academic journeys.
These programs can require heavier course loads, attendance in summer sessions, and more intensive and focused coursework.
While the condensed nature of these programs demands dedication and commitment, they can be rewarding for those looking to enter the job market sooner or explore advanced academic opportunities swiftly.
Yes, you can finish your degree online! Many universities and colleges now offer a range of online degree programs, providing flexible and convenient options for prospective students.
In an online degree program, you have the freedom to study from anywhere with an internet connection, at any time, allowing you to balance your studies with work, family, or other commitments.
These programs typically offer a variety of course formats, including video lectures, interactive discussions, and virtual classrooms, but have the same curriculum and requirements as their on-campus counterparts.
As you consider pursuing your degree online, it’s essential to research accredited institutions and programs to ensure you are making a well-informed choice. Online education can be a rewarding and flexible way to achieve your academic goals and advance your career.
While it is possible to complete a bachelor’s degree quickly online, earning one in just a year is very challenging and not typical for most degree programs. A traditional bachelor’s degree usually requires around four years of full-time study, but there are methods and strategies to expedite the time to completion.
One way to accelerate the degree process is by transferring credits from prior college coursework or completing college-level exams like CLEP or DSST to gain credit for previous knowledge. Another effective method is through degree completion programs offered by many universities. These programs are designed for students who have started but not finished a four-year degree or have earned an associate degree and wish to further their education.
Some institutions offer accelerated bachelor’s degree programs that condense coursework or provide intensive, year-round scheduling to speed up graduation.
Additionally, some online universities offer competency-based programs, allowing students to progress at their own pace based on demonstrated proficiency, potentially reducing the time to completion.
That said, completing a bachelor’s degree in 1 year requires significant time and effort, and it is not feasible for all students due to the rigorous course load and other responsibilities required. It’s essential to carefully research and assess your capabilities and circumstances before embarking on such an accelerated path.
While obtaining a bachelor’s degree in one year is rare, exploring these alternative methods can still lead to faster completion times and provide an efficient and flexible way to achieve your academic goals quickly.
Ready to get started and earn your bachelor’s degree quickly and efficiently?
Here’s a recap of our top tips for earning your degree quickly:
Although degree acceleration shouldn’t be your only concern when getting your degree, it’s often an important consideration. And now, we’ve made it quicker and easier to find the program of your dreams. Click “find my program” below to start your search for an accredited bachelor’s degree program.