20 online degrees that pay well – and 10 you might want to avoid

Gone are the days when you had to go to a college campus for 4 years to earn a respected degree. Online college is becoming increasingly popular – and many employers have no compunctions about hiring graduates of fully remote or hybrid programs.

Lucrative careers for people with degrees you can get online include engineering, nursing, computer science, and countless business-related roles.

On the other hand, there are many online degrees that aren’t worth your time and money. Thinking of getting an online degree in human development or rhetoric? Go ahead. Just don’t expect much of a return on your investment.

In this article, we list 20 online degrees that pay well – ranked by earning potential – and tell you which online university is offering you the best deal in that field. We also list the worst online degrees out there.

We understand that there’s more to life than your paycheck. People spend most of their waking lives at work, so finding a degree that interests you is just as important as economic considerations.

Still, the average American is taking on a lot of debt to pay for college, which has major repercussions throughout life. And at Degreechoices, we’re all about the ROI of college degrees: we’re here to give you the facts on when college is worth it.

The rest is up to you.

The highest-paying online degrees

At the bachelor’s level, the best online degree you can get is Electrical Engineering – people with an online Electrical Engineering degree go on to earn an average of $87,692 just 4 years after graduation.

1. Engineering

Engineering is the art of problem-solving. Professional engineers apply scientific principles to design, create, and optimize structures, systems, and processes. They blend creativity with precision, using advanced tools and technologies to construct everything from towering skyscrapers to microscopic nanodevices.

We have written a comprehensive guide to engineering degrees that explains the field in more detail.

Below is a breakdown of how much different types of engineers with online degrees earn:

2. Construction Management

Construction management is basically project management for builders; students learn how to plan, coordinate, and execute construction projects. During your degree program, you will learn more about construction materials and methods, the cost of labor, technology, budgeting, construction law, safety, environmental considerations, site management, and much more. Construction management is also on our list of the easiest college majors that pay well!

3. Materials Science

Materials science is closely related to engineering, but it is a distinct field, although it is sometime taught in conjunction with engineering principles. Material scientists study the properties and behaviors of physical substances in order to find new applications and drive technological development.  

For instance, materials scientists may work to invent new alloys that help the aviation industry build more fuel-efficient aircraft. 

4. Intelligence, Command Control, and Information Operations

This CIP Code refers to degrees related to military intelligence. You will learn how to gather and analyze intelligence data, study systems and technologies to manage military operations, learn strategies for conducting information warfare, and more. Your degree program could also touch upon geopolitics, risk assessment, leadership, and military technology.

5. Computer Science

Computer Science students learn about algorithms, data structures, and the principles behind computing systems. There is a focus on both practical and theoretical aspects of the field.

Piques your interest? We’ve written a special guide to computer science degrees and careers.

As a computer science student, you may learn about programming languages, software development, operating systems, database management, cybersecurity, software engineering, app development, and much more. You will also probably need to take math classes.

6. Registered Nursing

It may surprise you, but online programs are increasingly popular among nurses-in-training. These usually have a hybrid format, meaning that while instruction is largely online, there is a hands-on component as well. This ensures that nurses get the practical training they need to care for patients while still preserving some of the flexibility of online learning.  

You can learn more in our guide to nursing degrees. 

7. Fire Protection

While the traditional route to becoming a firefighter has involved joining a fire academy right out of high school, times are changing. People who major in fire protection get more insights into the technical side of fires – why they happen, how they spread, and how to prevent them.  

Besides firefighters, fire protection majors can go on to fire inspectors, arson investigators, emergency management specialists, or public safety educators. 

8. Quality Control & Safety Technology

Quality control and safety specialists ensure you work in a safe environment. In this major, you will learn how to keep workplaces healthy, safe, and productive. You will also study environmental and regulatory compliance.   

9. Computer Systems Analysis

This major encompasses fields relating to the organization and management of computer systems. Coursework may touch on IT and information systems, data analysis, and cybersecurity. Graduates will be equipped to become systems analysts, information security analysts, or network administrators. 

10. Energy Systems Technologies

Energy systems technicians learn how to install, operate, and maintain energy systems – which are vital for our country to run. As renewable energy becomes increasingly important to the American economy, demand for energy systems technicians will grow.  

Most energy systems technologists work at power plants or with solar energy, wind energy, hydroelectric energy, or geothermal energy. 

Hints on finding an online degree

Many online colleges offer stellar degrees that are prized on the job market. However, some online colleges are better than others.

To determine whether an online college is legit, the first thing you should do is check its accreditation. A good online college should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Both organizations’ websites have searchable databases that allow you to check if a university is accredited.

Alternatively, you can take our short quiz to find an accredited online college that suits your needs.

You will also want to check if a program is fully online or hybrid. Hybrid programs involve some form of hands-on training or physical presence, making them unsuitable for some learners.

Most lucrative online degrees that aren’t STEM

Generally speaking, people who major in a STEM subject go on to earn above-average salaries. This is also true for online degrees, as reflected in our rankings above.

But not everyone is a math and science type. If you want a decent salary after graduation, but you can’t see yourself studying engineering or computer science, we’ve put together a list of the best online degrees that aren’t STEM, ranked by average earnings 4 years after graduation.

Degree programs are categorized according to IPED’s CIP codes, and the top program is the one with the best Economic Score, according to our signature methodology.

While some of these degrees are designated as bachelor of science, their primary focus is not on hard science or math.

» Read: The difference between a B.A. and a B.S.

Note that we did not include non-STEM majors that already appear on the first list, like construction management and fire protection.

1. Sales and Marketing Operations

This major, referred to in IPEDs as General Marketing Operations, gives students a comprehensive understanding of how to get potential clients to buy a company’s product or service. It is a subset of marketing.

You will learn how to make a sales pitch, plan promotional activities, and present services. Coursework could also touch on pricing or display design.

» Read: The 27 best accredited online marketing degrees

2. Homeland Security

This major teaches the fundamentals of national and international security measures, emphasizing the protection of critical infrastructures and how to respond to various threats. Students study counterterrorism strategies, border security, and crisis management.  

A homeland security degree will prepare you for a career in federal agencies, law enforcement, cybersecurity firms, and emergency management organizations. 

3. Business and Commerce

This broad major provides a foundational understanding of key business concepts, encompassing areas such as accounting, finance, marketing, and management.  

Students gain insight into the global business landscape, learning to analyze market trends, manage financial resources, and make strategic business decisions. Graduates are well-prepared for diverse roles in management, entrepreneurship, consulting, and various industry sectors. 

4. International Studies

International studies majors gain a comprehensive understanding of global affairs, including political, economic, cultural, and social dimensions. Students may explore international relations, global economics, and regional studies to analyze complex global issues.  

Many international studies majors also learn foreign languages and intercultural communication, preparing them for careers in diplomacy, international development, global business, or NGO work. 

5. Urban Planning

With most of the world’s population living in cities, many local governments and development companies are eager to make urban environments as convenient and pleasant as possible. 

Students learn to analyze urban landscapes, assess community needs, and formulate comprehensive city plans. They study zoning regulations, transportation systems, and environmental policies, preparing them for careers in city planning departments, real estate development, and urban policy analysis. 

6. Business Administration

While the quintessential business degree is the MBA – which is a master’s level program – more and more people are studying business administration at the bachelor’s level. 

Business administration and management majors learn the principles of management, finance, marketing, business ethics, some fundamentals of economics, project management, human resources, and other important business skills.  

You can learn more about studying business in our comprehensive guide. 

7. Peace and Conflict Resolution

Global conflict is a complex issue that requires equally complex solutions. Peace and conflict resolution is an interdisciplinary major that aims to understand and address human conflict, often in the context of war. Students of this major develop skills in mediation, negotiation, and conflict prevention and intervention.  

Graduates go on to work in diplomacy, law enforcement, restorative justice, and various peacebuilding roles.  

8. Public Administration

The public administration major prepares students for public service by providing the skills needed to effectively run public programs and public policy. Public administration graduates often find work as supervisors or managers in the government or nonprofit organizations. 

9. Agricultural Business and Management

Students of agricultural business and management learn how to run a farm or ranch. This major is multidisciplinary, and it usually involves a little bit of business, finance, marketing, farm management, and biology.  

Besides running an agricultural business, graduates could also work in the insurance sector or as analysts or managers in agriculture-related business. 

10. Corporate Communications

Corporate communications is all about finding effective communication strategies within the corporate environment. Students develop skills in written, verbal, and digital communication to convey messages that align with organizational goals.  

They learn to manage public relations, crisis communication, and internal communications, making them invaluable assets in corporate communication departments, public relations firms, and marketing agencies. 

The worst online degrees

Now that we’ve listed some online degrees that pay well, we should probably issue a fair warning and list the online degrees that pay the worst.

The worst online degree you can get is human development and family, with salary of just $37,922 4 years after graduation.

In terms of earnings, human development and family is also among the top 20 worst majors you can get period, whether you study online or on campus. Advocating for child and family welfare is great, but not if it leaves you in debt for most of your adult life.  

» Also read: 21 useless degrees and what you can study instead

The 2nd worst online degree is rhetoric and composition, a kind of English degree that focuses on oral and written arguments. While rhetoric may be a fascinating field of study, don’t expect a big paycheck at the end of the month. 

Salary information for the worst online degrees listed below comes from IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Final thoughts

Getting a college degree from the comfort of your home has never been easier – or less risky: online degree holders going on to earn comparable salaries to people who attended college on campus. Just remember, look for accredited online colleges that accept FAFSA and provide financial aid.

Whether you want to become a nurse, engineer, or even a rhetorician (don’t say we didn’t warn you), there are online or hybrid-learning options out there for you.