Online education has grown dramatically in recent years. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 28% of U.S. undergraduates were enrolled exclusively in online courses in 2021. That nearly doubled the proportion of students (15%) who fit the same profile in 2019.
Online learning offers convenience, flexibility, and efficient degree completion. This makes it particularly appealing if you're seeking a graduate degree — a valuable educational upgrade.
Featured Online Master's Programs
Find a program that meets your affordability, flexibility, and education needs through an accredited, online school.
Best Online Master's Programs 2024
Why Get a Master's Degree Online?
Master's degree-holders often earn more than people with just a bachelor's degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), professionals with a master's degree earn a median weekly income of about $1,661. Meanwhile, bachelor's degree-holders earn a median of $1,432 per week.
In addition to qualifying you for a higher salary, a master's degree can lead to more job opportunities. In a graduate program, you learn the reasoning and theories that guide practice in your field. You also conduct research to fill in industry knowledge gaps.
Busy or working professionals can pursue a master's degree online rather than in person. The flexibility of online learning allows you to work at your own pace and continue working while earning your degree.
How Much Does a Master's Degree Cost?
The exact cost of earning a master's degree depends on a few factors. For example, private institutions tend to charge more than public state schools.
According to NCES, graduate students as a whole paid an average of $20,513 in tuition and fees for the 2021-22 academic year. In comparison, graduate students attending public institutions paid an average of $12,596 for the same academic year.
As an online student, you often benefit from discounted tuition rates and are exempt from paying campus fees. You can also save on commuting costs.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Master's Degree Online?
The length of time it takes to earn an online master's degree varies among programs and schools. That said, it usually takes about two academic years of full-time study to meet graduation requirements. In most cases, you can complete a master's degree in 1-3 academic years when enrolled full time.
Program structures and your enrollment status can impact timelines. Some schools offer accelerated master's programs. These programs move quickly through material and primarily appeal to students already familiar with the subject matter. Enrollment status can also affect how long it takes to complete your degree — studying part time will take longer.
Use these generalized figures as guidelines for estimating degree completion timelines:
Accelerated: 12-16 months
Part Time: 3-5 years
Full Time: 18-24 months
More Featured Online Master's Programs
Find a program that meets your affordability, flexibility, and education needs through an accredited, online school.
Which Master's Degree Is in Highest Demand?
One of the most in-demand master's degrees includes a master of science in nursing (MSN). An MSN can help qualify you for roles such as nurse anesthetist and practitioner, which are expected to grow 38% from 2022-2032, according to the BLS.
A master of business administration (MBA) is also highly sought-after. Employers often seek MBA-holders to fill executive roles.
Other in-demand master's degrees include healthcare degrees and computer science specializations, such as data science and information security.
Refer to the table below for a list of in-demand jobs that prefer or require a master's degree.
| Degree Field | Most Common Job | Growth Rate (2022-2032) |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing | Nurse Anesthetist or Practitioner | 38% |
| Data Science | Data Scientist | 35% |
| Health Administration | Medical or Health Services Manager | 28% |
| Epidemiology | Epidemiologist | 27% |
| Computer Science | Computer or Information Research Scientist | 23% |
Source: BLS
How to Choose the Right Online Master's Program for You
To narrow down your master's degree options, begin by prioritizing your academic interests and career plans. You can also let your personal interests guide you as you select a subject to study. Once you've identified your needs and goals, you can research specific programs.
Use this five-step framework to guide your search for the ideal master's program:
Consider Your Goals: It is best to pursue a master's degree only once you have identified specific career or learning goals. Seek programs that align with those objectives, and consider specializations if they are available or relevant.
Conduct Research and Evaluate Programs:Confirm the accreditation of each school and program that interests you at an early stage of your research. Next, consider program formats, like asynchronous and synchronous learning, and how they match your goals. Each format has pros and cons.
Evaluate Program Length and Requirements: Compare program lengths and consider whether accelerated, full-time, or part-time learning best meets your needs. You should also research admission and academic requirements and assess how well they match your learning profile.
Assess Costs and Financial Aid Options: When looking at costs, consider both the net cost of attendance and the school's financial aid options. If you plan to attend a public institution, check to see if higher out-of-state rates apply to online programs.
Check for Online Student Support: Some schools do a better job of supporting online learners than others. Consider factors like academic support and tutoring, networking, career services, and recruitment opportunities.
Available Online Master's Degrees
Business, computer science, education, law, nursing, and STEM fields are particularly sought-after subject areas for master's degrees. The sections below introduce options available within each of these disciplines.
Business
The long-established trend of high demand for MBA programs continues to rise. Most MBA programs offer several concentrations you can choose to specialize in, such as business analytics and consulting.
Other popular examples include accounting, marketing, and finance. Master of finance programs, in particular, continue to emerge as a popular alternative to an MBA.
Featured Master's in Business Programs
Computer Science & Information Technology
Master's programs in computer science build advanced, versatile, and readily transferable knowledge bases. Information technology is a popular area of focus, but business needs and technology trends signal strong opportunities in other specializations.
Examples of more business-focused fields include cybersecurity, information security, data science, and artificial intelligence.
Featured Master's in Computer Science & Technology Programs
Education
Master's in education programs offer multiple specialization options. Examples include early childhood education, special education, and education for gifted students.
However, aspiring teachers are not the only learners who pursue online master's in education programs. A master's degree in education can also lead to careers in curriculum development, education policy, and school administration.
Featured Master's in Education Programs
Law and Legal Studies
You can pursue a master's degree in multiple fields related to law and criminal justice. For instance, a master's in legal studies may appeal to you if you're interested in non-lawyer career paths that still require advanced knowledge of the legal system.
Beyond criminal justice, other programs include specialized degrees in criminology, dispute resolution, and compliance-related fields.
Featured Master's in Law and Legal Studies Programs
Nursing & Healthcare
Online master's programs in nursing include standalone MSN degrees and accelerated BSN-to-MSN programs. You can also earn a master's degree focused on public health, healthcare administration, and medical specializations such as family care and nursing education.
Health informatics is another practical field where an advanced degree may help boost your career prospects. Some business schools also offer specialized MBAs in healthcare management and administration.
Featured Master's in Nursing & Healthcare Programs
Psychology and Counseling
Psychology is a broad academic field relevant to career paths in academia, counseling, and social work, among other areas. Online master's in psychology degrees may also appeal to you if you want to become a psychologist or psychiatrist.
A master's degree in counseling can help qualify you for clinical positions, as well as roles in individual and group counseling. A graduate degree also provides the necessary academic training to advance to a doctoral program, where you can pursue a Ph.D. in counseling.
Featured Master's in Psychology and Counseling Programs
STEM
STEM degrees translate well to the online learning landscape. You can review digitally delivered lectures and instructional sessions as you work through challenging material. Some courses in STEM programs may require in-person practical components, like lab or field courses. Some popular degrees in the STEM field include a master's in mathematics, statistics, mechanical engineering, and computer science.
Featured Master's in Engineering Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Master's Degrees
According to NCES, business, education, healthcare, computer science, and public administration combined to account for 69% of all master's degrees awarded in the United States in 2020-21.
Business led all subjects, with graduate students earning 202,300 degrees to account for 23% of the national master's-level total.
