Key takeaway: Accredited online degree programs are distance-learning programs offered by colleges and universities recognized by an accreditor that the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) approves. Accreditation is what makes a degree transferable between schools and accepted by employers and licensing boards. Always confirm a school's accreditation status before you enroll.
Choosing an accredited online degree program is the single most important step in protecting the value of your degree. This guide explains what accreditation means, how to verify it, and how to compare accredited online degree programs across every major field and credential level for 2026.
Schools to Compare
How We Rank Schools
Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most
recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS).
To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the
U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked
against schools at the same credential level:
BOCSCORE
- Graduation rate 30%
- Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
- Average net price (lower is better) 20%
- Retention rate 15%
- Fully online availability 10%
Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score.
Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.
Graduation rate
93%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$102,772
Avg net price
$12,116/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 98%
- Programs offered: 64
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
97%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$124,080
Avg net price
$13,807/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 98%
- Programs offered: 100
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Acceptance rate
11%
Graduation rate
93%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$92,446
Avg net price
$13,481/yr
TuitionIn‑state$16,347
Out‑of‑state$50,547
Key stats
- Retention rate: 97%
- Programs offered: 127
Source:Accreditor: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission · IPEDS · College Scorecard
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 97%
- Programs offered: 6
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
89%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$71,588
Avg net price
$6,541/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 97%
- Programs offered: 172
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Acceptance rate
8%
Graduation rate
95%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$89,718
Avg net price
$13,370/yr
TuitionIn‑state$64,144
Out‑of‑state$64,144
Key stats
- Retention rate: 98%
- Programs offered: 78
Source:Accreditor: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges · IPEDS · College Scorecard
Acceptance rate
9%
Graduation rate
93%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$82,511
Avg net price
$12,548/yr
TuitionIn‑state$15,203
Out‑of‑state$49,403
Key stats
- Retention rate: 97%
- Programs offered: 161
Source:Accreditor: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission · IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
94%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$83,648
Avg net price
$13,138/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 98%
- Programs offered: 206
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
What are accredited online degree programs?
Accredited online degree programs are fully or primarily online degrees offered by institutions reviewed and approved by a recognized accrediting agency. Accreditation is a voluntary, periodic quality review in which an independent agency verifies that a school meets established standards for faculty, curriculum, student support, and financial stability. When a program is accredited, the degree you earn online carries the same recognition as the on-campus version from that same institution.
In the United States, an online degree only counts as “accredited” if the accreditor itself is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or both. Degrees from unaccredited or providers without recognized accreditation are generally not accepted by employers, other colleges, or licensing boards.
What does accreditation mean for an online degree?
Accreditation determines whether your online degree transfers to other schools and is recognized by employers and licensing boards. There are two layers to understand:
- Institutional accreditation applies to the whole college or university. This is the most important type for most students.
- Programmatic (specialized) accreditation applies to a specific program - for example, ABET for engineering, CCNE or ACEN for nursing, or AACSB for business. Some careers and licenses require it.
You may also see the terms regional and national accreditation. Both can be legitimate when the accreditor is federally recognized. Credit transfer is decided by the receiving institution, so confirm transferability with any school you may attend for transfer or graduate admission.
| Accreditation type |
What it covers |
Why it matters |
| Institutional (regional) |
The entire institution |
Widest credit transfer acceptance |
| Institutional (national) |
The entire institution |
Recognized for transfer, though acceptance can be narrower |
| Programmatic |
A single program or department |
Often required for licensure (nursing, engineering, counseling, social work) |
How do I verify that an online degree program is accredited?
Verify accreditation directly through official government and accreditor databases, never just the school’s own marketing. Use these free, authoritative sources:
- U.S. Department of Education - the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP).
- Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) - searchable directory of accredited institutions and recognized accreditors.
- The accreditor’s own website - confirm the school is listed as currently accredited, not “candidate” or “lapsed.”
- The school’s accreditation page - cross-check the accreditor name against the recognized list above.
If a program cannot be found in these databases, treat that as a serious warning sign.
Accredited online degree programs by field
Accredited online degree programs are available across nearly every major field of study. Explore our in-depth program guides to compare coursework, concentrations, degree levels, and career outcomes for each field:
- Business Administration - management, finance, marketing, and more
- Accounting - taxation, auditing, and forensic accounting
- Computer Science - software engineering, AI, and data science
- Technology - cloud computing, networking, and web development
- Cybersecurity - network security, digital forensics, and ethical hacking
- Engineering - civil, electrical, mechanical, and software engineering
- Nursing - RN-to-BSN, nurse practitioner, and nursing leadership
- Healthcare - public health and health informatics
- Healthcare Administration - health policy and long-term care administration
- Psychology - clinical, cognitive, and developmental psychology
- Counseling - mental health, school, and substance-abuse counseling
- Social Work - clinical, school, and medical social work
- Criminal Justice - corrections, forensic science, and homeland security
- Education - early childhood, special education, and educational leadership
- Liberal Arts - communications, English, history, and sociology
For a side-by-side view of fields by career demand and program quality, see our guide to the best online degrees.
Accredited online degree programs by degree level
Accredited online programs are offered at every credential level, from short certificates to doctoral degrees. The right level depends on your goals, prior education, and timeline.
| Degree level |
Typical length |
Best for |
| Certificate |
A few months to 1 year |
Building a specific skill or credential quickly |
| Associate |
About 2 years |
An affordable entry point or a path to a bachelor’s |
| Bachelor’s |
About 4 years (less with transfer credit) |
The standard requirement for most professional careers |
| Master’s |
1-2 years |
Specialization, advancement, or career change |
| Doctoral |
3+ years |
Research, academic, and senior leadership roles |
Searching specifically for an online bachelor’s through distance learning? Most accredited universities offer fully online bachelor’s degrees that are identical in name and recognition to their on-campus counterparts. Compare options on our best online degrees and best online colleges pages.
Are accredited online degrees respected by employers?
Yes - employers generally accept a degree from an accredited institution regardless of whether it was earned online or on campus. Most accredited universities issue the same diploma and transcript for online and on-campus students, with no notation that the program was online. What matters to employers and graduate schools is that the issuing institution is accredited. This is why verifying accreditation matters far more than whether a program is delivered online.
How much do accredited online degree programs cost?
Tuition for accredited online programs varies widely by institution, degree level, and whether the school is public or private. The U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard publishes verified tuition and median-earnings data for accredited programs so you can compare cost against outcomes before enrolling.
To find lower-cost options without sacrificing recognition, see our guide to affordable accredited online colleges.
Next steps
Start by confirming accreditation, then narrow your search by field and budget:
- Compare schools using the Schools to Compare cards above.
- Read our guides to accredited online colleges and affordable online programs.
- Choose a field with our program guides - popular accredited paths include criminal justice, healthcare, and computer science.
Return to the online colleges guide to compare schools, rankings, and accreditation in one place.
Bottom line: Accredited online degree programs give you the flexibility of online learning with the full recognition of an accredited credential. Confirm a school’s accreditation through the U.S. Department of Education or CHEA, compare programs by field and level, and weigh cost against published outcomes before you enroll.
Frequently asked questions
What are accredited online degree programs?
Accredited online degree programs are distance-learning degrees offered by institutions reviewed and approved by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or CHEA. Accreditation confirms the school meets quality standards and makes the degree recognized for transfer and accepted by employers.
Are online degree programs as good as on-campus degrees?
Yes, when the institution is accredited. Most accredited universities issue the same degree and transcript for online and on-campus students, and the online format is usually not noted on the diploma. The deciding factor is the institution’s accreditation, not the delivery method.
How do I know if an online degree program is accredited?
Verify accreditation through the U.S. Department of Education’s DAPIP database, the CHEA directory, and the accreditor’s own website. Confirm the school is listed as currently accredited rather than a candidate or lapsed institution, and never rely on the school’s marketing alone.
What is the difference between regional and national accreditation?
Both can be legitimate when the accreditor is federally recognized. Since 2020 the Department of Education recognizes all such agencies as institutional accreditors rather than regional or national ones. Credit transfer is always the receiving institution’s decision, so confirm transferability in writing with any school you may attend later.
Are accredited online degrees respected by employers?
Yes. Employers generally accept degrees from accredited institutions whether earned online or on campus, because accreditation is the standard that signals academic quality. Many employers cannot tell whether a degree was earned online unless the applicant says so.
Are there affordable accredited online degree programs?
Yes. Many accredited public universities and community colleges offer low-cost online programs. Compare verified options on our affordable accredited online colleges guide.
