Want to earn a degree without spending four years (and a fortune) in college? You’re not alone.
In today’s fast-moving world, flexibility is everything — especially when it comes to education. Whether you’re working full-time, raising a family, or simply want to upgrade your skills fast, online degrees that you can complete in under two years are changing the game.
But here’s the problem: There are hundreds of programs out there, and not all of them are worth your time (or money).
That’s why I created this guide — to help you find the best accredited online degrees that are fast, flexible, and actually lead to real career growth.
In this post, you’ll discover:
Which online degrees are fastest to complete
The best degree options if you already have an associate degree
Most popular online programs in 2025 (and why they’re trending)
Top schools offering these accelerated courses
Let’s dive in — your future self will thank you.
🏆 Top Accredited Online Degrees Under 2 Years
🎓 Associate Degrees
Associate degrees are typically designed to be completed in about two years. They cover fields such as business, healthcare, technology, and criminal justice. These degrees serve as both career qualifications and stepping stones to bachelor’s degrees.
Popular Fields:
Business Administration
Nursing
Criminal Justice
Information Technology
🚀 Accelerated Bachelor’s Degrees
Some accredited online colleges offer accelerated bachelor’s degree programs that can be completed in about two years by taking consecutive short terms year-round. Popular fields include business, marketing, health sciences, and computer science.
Key Features:
Year-round courses
Intensive pace
Credit transfer options
📜 Online Certificates and Diplomas
Many online certificates can be completed in 6 months to 1 year, focusing on specialized skills like digital marketing, healthcare management, information technology, and more. These are often stackable toward degrees or valuable standalone credentials.
Examples:
Digital Marketing
Healthcare Management
Information Technology
🎓 Online Master’s Degrees (Fast-Track Options)
While most master’s degrees take about two years, some programs offer accelerated tracks or credit for prior learning to shorten completion time. Fields such as business administration, education, computer science, and health administration are common.
Advantages:
Accelerated options
Credit for prior learning
Flexible pacing
📊 Summary Table of Popular Online Degrees
Degree Type
Typical Duration
Popular Fields
Notes
Certificate Programs
6 months – 1 year
Digital Marketing, Healthcare, IT
Often stackable to degrees
Associate Degrees
~2 years
Business, Nursing, Criminal Justice
Entry-level career and transfer option
Accelerated Bachelor’s
~2 years
Business, Marketing, Health, CS
Requires year-round study
Master’s Degrees
~2 years
Business Analytics, Education, CS
Some offer accelerated options
🏛️ Notable Accredited Online Institutions Offering Fast Programs
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU): Offers affordable, flexible online degrees with accelerated options in business, healthcare, and technology.
Purdue Global: Provides personalized online learning with accelerated degree options and extensive support services.
Walden University: Known for online graduate degrees with flexible pacing, including accelerated master’s programs.
Indian Universities (UGC-Approved): Offer affordable online certificates, diplomas, and degrees, some of which can be completed in under two years, such as postgraduate certificates and diplomas.
🎯 Best Online Degrees for Someone with an Associate Degree
For someone who already holds an associate degree and wants to continue their education online, the best options are typically bachelor’s degree programs designed as degree-completion tracks or accelerated online bachelor’s degrees. These programs allow you to transfer your associate credits and finish your bachelor’s degree efficiently.
📘 Bachelor’s Degree Completion Programs
Designed specifically for students with an associate degree to transfer credits and complete a bachelor’s degree faster, often in about 1-2 years.
Popular Majors:
Business Administration
Nursing (RN to BSN)
Criminal Justice
Information Technology / Computer Science
Education
⚡ Accelerated Bachelor’s Degrees
These programs offer year-round courses and a faster pace, enabling degree completion in under two years after transferring associate credits.
Common Fields:
Business
Marketing
Health Sciences
Computer Science
🎨 Specialized Bachelor’s Degrees
Depending on your associate degree, you might pursue specialized bachelor’s degrees such as:
Graphic Design or Digital Media (if your associate was in a creative field)
Healthcare Administration or Health Information Management (if your associate was in healthcare)
Software Development or Computer Information Systems (if your associate was in applied science or IT)
📈 Why These Degrees Are Ideal
Leverage your existing credits, reducing time and cost.
Offered fully online with flexible schedules to accommodate working adults.
Accredited programs recognized by employers and other institutions.
🌐 Examples of Popular Online Associate-to-Bachelor’s Pathways
Business Administration: Transfer your associate degree credits and complete a bachelor’s in business with courses in management, finance, and marketing.
Nursing (RN to BSN): Many online RN to BSN programs allow you to complete your bachelor’s in about one year.
Information Technology: Programs that build on your associate degree with advanced IT skills and certifications.
Criminal Justice: Continue your studies to qualify for higher-level positions in law enforcement or legal fields.
Education: Complete a bachelor’s degree to become a licensed teacher or advance in educational roles.
The most popular online degree programs currently reflect strong demand in fields that combine career growth potential with flexible learning. Based on recent data and trends, here are the top online degree programs:
💼 Business and Management
Business degrees remain the most sought-after online programs, including specializations like business administration, marketing, finance, and management. These programs are offered widely by institutions such as Southern New Hampshire University, Purdue Global, and Boston University.
💻 Computer Science and Information Technology
Degrees in computer science, software engineering, data science, cybersecurity, and information systems are highly popular due to the tech industry’s growth. Universities like Johns Hopkins, University of Texas at Austin, and Northeastern University offer strong online programs in these areas.
🏥 Nursing and Healthcare
Online nursing degrees (including RN to BSN and master’s programs), healthcare administration, and medical billing/coding are in high demand. These programs cater to working professionals seeking advancement and are offered by institutions like Walden University and University College London.
🎓 Education
Online degrees in education, including teaching credentials and educational leadership, are popular among those pursuing or advancing careers in K-12 and higher education. Universities such as University of Glasgow and Monash University offer fully online education degrees.
⚙️ Engineering
Online engineering degrees, including specialized fields like electrical, mechanical, and software engineering, are growing in popularity. Schools like Georgia Institute of Technology and University of California, Los Angeles provide online engineering programs.
⚖️ Law
Online law degrees and master’s in law are emerging options, especially in India, allowing students to pursue legal careers with flexible study options.
💰 Finance and Accounting
Degrees in finance, accounting, and commerce (like online M.Com in India) remain popular for career advancement in corporate and financial sectors.
🧠 Psychology and Social Sciences
Psychology, counseling, social work, and related social sciences degrees are increasingly offered online, supporting careers in mental health and social services.
📊 Data Science and Analytics
With the rise of big data, degrees in data science, business analytics, and statistics are highly sought after, offered by top universities like University of Michigan and University of Pittsburgh.
🎨 Creative and Design Fields
Graphic design, digital media, and related creative degrees are also popular online options, often offered as bachelor’s or certificate programs
