Online degrees have come a long way in the last few years, especially with the surge of tech advancements in virtual communication since the global pandemic in 2020. Still, those looking to complete their degrees might still be unsure if the investment is worth the outcome. Adult learners in particular, who can benefit greatly from the added flexibility, might wonder if online degrees are worth it. The answer is generally yes, especially if the program is accredited, aligns with your career goals, and has a curriculum designed for working adults.
However, online degrees aren’t the right fit for everyone. In this guide, we’ll talk about what separates an online degree from a traditional model, bust common myths about their return on investment (ROI), and help you determine if they’re the right choice for your goals.
The Short Answer: It Depends on Your Goals
An online degree’s value is conditional, not absolute. Its worth will be determined by factors like the program’s quality and accreditation, how the material aligns with your career goals, and your personal circumstances surrounding time, work, and family commitments. For example, if your degree doesn’t come from an accredited institution, it might not be respected by employers, no matter how much effort you put into earning it.
It’s important to note that degrees from traditional brick-and-mortar universities are also not always absolute. An online degree from a well-respected and reputable university can be more valuable than an in-person degree from a lower-tier school. Similarly, going for a degree in person won’t be a good investment if you get poor grades or have to retake classes because you’re juggling too much at once.
What Makes an Online Degree Worth It?
Accreditation, career outcomes, and a program’s level of online learner support are some of the most important factors that determine an online degree’s value. Let’s take a deeper look at how they can affect an online degree, and how you should consider them moving forward.
1. Accreditation and Academic Quality
Like those you earn on a campus, online degrees are only valuable if they come from an accredited institution. In the vast majority of cases, this means the university offering the degree has been regionally accredited. Accreditation is the process by which an accrediting body validates that a university can offer students a valuable education. It evaluates faculty, curriculum, graduation, and retention rates to assess the overall academic quality of the program.
Regional accreditation has historically been considered more prestigious than national or programmatic accreditation due to its high standards and selective process. A school can also be accredited by more than one governing body. For instance, National University is accredited by a variety of institutions to accommodate many different paths of study for our students.
It can’t be overstated that accreditation isn’t a “nice-to-have” when selecting a degree program. It can mean the difference between working years to earn a diploma that opens doors to new opportunities or one that is just a piece of paper.
2. Career Relevance and Outcomes
You should also consider online degree career outcomes. More plainly: what do you want to do with your degree once you’ve graduated? Degrees tied to in-demand fields such as nursing, engineering, mathematics, and computer science can deliver a higher return on investment (ROI) because they teach high-value technical skills that can be difficult to learn on the job. Conversely, degrees in the humanities and social sciences can help students develop strong transferable skills in communication, writing, and critical thinking that employers prioritize when hiring for senior management and consulting roles.
No matter your major, it’s important to create a roadmap for your future career, so you can be sure to choose job-aligned online degrees in the field you’re passionate about. Even if this plan changes as you study (and it likely will, even if just slightly), thinking proactively about your career goals can help you get the most ROI out of your education.
3. Accessible for Working Adults
For many adults, the flexibility of an online education can allow you to earn credentials without putting your career on hold. This can be a critical edge for those who want to level up into senior-level or leadership roles, but are supporting families and can’t afford to step back from a reliable paycheck.
An online degree’s asynchronous format allows working students to complete coursework anytime, from anywhere, whether contributing to discussion boards during their lunch hour or listening to lectures during their commute.
Online Degrees vs. Traditional Degrees: What’s the Difference?
When comparing online vs. traditional degrees, the primary difference lies in how the content is delivered, not in the curriculum itself. In traditional programs, students attend classes on campus, with coursework built around face-to-face interaction with professors and peers. Online programs offer more flexibility, as their coursework is often structured around asynchronous learning. Instead of attending in-person lectures, students may watch recorded videos or contribute to discussion boards. The curriculum is comparable; only the method of delivery differs.
Outcomes for online degrees depend largely on program quality, not its packaging. Online programs that prioritize the latest industry developments and technologies can prepare you more thoroughly for a rewarding career than a traditional program that still teaches outdated concepts. That’s why research into the programs themselves – not just the institution – is critical for determining if a school is right for you. A program from an accredited institution with high educational standards can yield comparable career outcomes to those who attended a traditional university.
Here’s a quick look at some key factors you should consider when making a traditional vs online college comparison:
| Consideration Factor | Traditional Degree | Online Degree |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Tuition may vary by residency (in-state vs. out-of-state). Additional costs for housing, dining, commuting, and parking. | Often flat or discounted tuition regardless of location. Saves on commuting, parking, and housing. May include tech fees, often offset by fewer campus fees. |
| Learning Format | Fixed class times on campus. Structured around live lectures and in-person participation. | Flexible scheduling around work and family. Coursework, materials, and discussions fully online. |
| Networking Opportunities | In-person connections with local peers and faculty. | Broader, more diverse network of students and instructors from various locations. |
| Time Commitment | Requires attending scheduled classes plus commuting time. Less flexibility in daily schedule. | Similar workload, but more flexibility in when and where you study. |
The Real ROI: Cost, Time, and Opportunity
The return on investment (ROI) for online degrees can be very high, and not just in terms of job placement after graduation. Adult learners and working students, in particular, can reap significant cost benefits from online college vs a traditional program.
Because online programs don’t have set class times (unlike traditional college, which often schedules classes during the standard workday), working adults can continue their professional careers while earning their degree. This means they can continue earning income while many traditional students have to reduce their working availability or rely on student loans. Online degrees also greatly reduce relocation and commuting costs, which can add up quickly when accounting for expenses around daily public transit, gas, parking, and wear-and-tear on your vehicle.
Online degrees also often offer competency-based or self-paced models instead of traditional semester-long courses. These models create opportunities for self-disciplined students to work at their own pace, sometimes ahead of where they would be at the same point in a structured classroom. To this point, while many traditional universities only offer certain classes in specific semesters, National University’s rolling system of 4- and 8-week classes can allow students to progress through their degree faster than they might at a traditional school.
When Online Degrees Are Especially Worth It
For adult learners, especially those looking to make a career change, online degrees can be a valuable tool for upskilling while continuing to work full-time. By developing in-demand skills through earning a degree during their free time, these students can strategically work towards senior-level roles that might have otherwise been unavailable to them.
Online degrees are also excellent options for adults who started a degree years ago but might have paused their education to work or take care of their family. The rigid structure of traditional degrees can make accommodating working adults’ unique needs difficult, which ultimately puts the onus on the student to make the balance work. The versatility of online degrees means these programs are more accessible for non-traditional students with more on their plates.
When an Online Degree Might Not Be Worth It
Online degrees can be an ideal option for the right student, but they aren’t for everyone. There are some disadvantages of online degrees for students who work well in highly structured programs. The asynchronous nature of online curriculum requires a higher level of self-motivation from students. If you benefit from a set schedule or have a learning style that is more suited for in-person structure, a traditional program might be a better choice. While some students naturally have personalities that have no challenges establishing relationships without face-to-face contact, others might connect with peers and professors more easily when they’re in the same room.
Certain areas of study, such as the fine arts or lab-intensive fields like biotechnology, are highly hands-on. It can sometimes be difficult for these students to master skills in an online classroom. If you do choose to study a high-touch discipline online, you will need a university that has strong internal support systems and a well-researched curriculum.
Only a program within an accredited university will be worth the investment of earning a degree. Without accreditation, employers will likely not recognize your degree as valid proof that you’ve learned the skills necessary to succeed in your chosen career. Programs that aren’t based on clear outcomes can also result in lower ROI because the skills you learn in the program might not align with what your future employers have prioritized.
Common Myths About Online Degrees
For online degrees, misconceptions around student and employer interest have long been a barrier for adult students weighing the flexibility of online learning against real-world outcomes. However, with today’s advancements in remote learning and working, many of the perceived “drawbacks” of online programs are actually myths. For instance, according to the 2025 report by The Changing Landscape of Education (CHLOE), 66% of adult learners plan to incorporate some form of online learning into their undergraduate education, and 74% of graduate students report the same.
Here’s a look at some common online degree myths and the truth of what you can actually expect:
Myth: “Online degrees are easier.” Online degrees are just as rigorous as traditional degrees. While their asynchronous classwork provides flexibility to work on your own schedule, they also require a higher level of self-motivation, as students will have to create their own structure for when and how they complete assignments. Online degrees can often also require more reading and writing than an in-person program because classwork and participation are captured through discussion boards instead of face-to-face lectures.
Myth: “Employers don’t respect online degrees.” Employers care more about school accreditation and reputation than they do about whether a degree was delivered online or in person. Many employers are looking for practical application of the skills you’ve learned, such as portfolios and measurable outcomes, in addition to your degree credentials. Students who have developed strong asynchronous communication skills through an online degree also have an advantage, as many companies lean into remote work and virtual communication.
Myth: “They’re not real degrees.” Online degrees are just as legitimate as traditional degrees, as long as they come from an accredited program. When it comes from a respected institution with strong online support systems, you can develop the same hard and soft skills you could at a traditional university — just with more flexibility in your personal and professional life.
What Adult Learners Should Consider Before Deciding
There are a few factors you should consider if you’re an adult learner who is considering starting (or returning to) school online:
- Time Availability: Think about your current obligations around family, work, and any extracurriculars that are important to you. Online classes can allow you to study on your own schedule, whether it’s listening to a lecture during your lunch break or finishing assignments after you’ve put the children to bed. However, you’ll need to have strong time management skills and strong boundaries to protect the time you’ve blocked for schoolwork.
- Learning Style: If you greatly benefit from structured learning, a traditional degree may be a better fit for you. However, if you’re comfortable communicating virtually, are self-motivated, and can structure your own classwork well, an online program can be a more accessible and faster way of earning a degree.
- Support Systems: Look for programs that offer comprehensive support designed specifically for online learners. This might look like 24/7 tech support, specialized advisors and career coaching, virtual libraries and tutoring, and robust peer networks. You might also need to create a plan with members of your household about how they can support your education goals, such as your partner or spouse temporarily taking on more responsibility so you can devote time to studying.
- Employer Tuition Benefits: Many employers offer tuition assistance, especially if your education plan aligns with the company’s goals or if the skills you learn will position you as an industry expert. Talk to your human resources (HR) department to see if your benefits package includes tuition support and what limitations or requirements may come with it.
How to Decide If an Online Degree Is Worth It for You
Deciding if an online degree is worth it to you is a personal decision that will be different for everyone. However, if you’re wondering if you should get an online degree, there are a few questions you should always ask yourself:
- Is the program accredited?
- Does it align with your career goals?
- Can you balance it with work/life?
- Do the outcomes justify the cost?
Balancing work and life alongside earning a degree can be challenging, but not impossible. At National University, we specialize in flexible online degrees designed to help you further your education without disrupting your professional or family life.
Summary: Are Online Degrees Worth It?
Online degrees can be well worth the investment and provide a high ROI, as long as you’ve chosen a program that is reputable and well-suited to your needs. Here’s a look at our online degree decision guide for evaluating an online degree’s potential:
Are online degrees worth it?
- Yes, online degrees are worth it when they come from an accredited university
- Yes, online degrees are worth it when their curriculum is career-aligned and built to help you develop high-value and up-to-date skills for your chosen industry
- Yes, online degrees are worth it when flexibility is crucial for your success.
- No, online degrees aren’t worth it if the program is low-quality, is considered a “diploma mill”, or isn’t accredited
- No, online degrees aren’t worth it when your goals aren’t clear or if the program doesn’t ladder up to measurable, career-oriented outcomes
Frequently Asked Questions
Online degrees are worthwhile when they come from an accredited institution, align with your career goals, and are completed through a reputable institution.
Yes, and most employers focus on accreditation, skills, and experience, not whether the degree was earned online or on campus.
Online degree programs are often more affordable than in-person programs, especially when factoring in reduced housing, commuting, and opportunity costs.
Yes, graduates pursue the same roles when programs are accredited and career-aligned.
Those who benefit the most from online degrees are people who have competing demands on their time, especially working professionals, parents, military-affiliated students, and adults returning to school. An asynchronous format allows students to complete coursework on their own schedule.
