Online bachelor's degree programs designed for students like you.
WGU offers fully online bachelor's degrees focused on helping students prepare for their dream career. Our affordable, accredited online bachelor's degrees are geared toward career growth, helping students not only earn important credentials, but skills that will prepare them for their future. There are many things about WGU bachelor's degree programs that make them a great fit for most students, including:
- Flexible schedule. Most of our programs are entirely online, enabling you to do your coursework any time, any place. You don't have to log in to class at a certain time—you are in the driver's seat of your education.
- Accelerate progress. Our unique learning model allows you to move through courses as quickly as you can master the material. You don't have to wait for a certain date to progress—you move forward on your timeline.
- Credibility. WGU's bachelor's degree programs are regionally accredited, meaning they have high academic standards and will be valued by your employer.
- Experienced faculty. Faculty members at WGU have often worked in the very career field they teach, giving you relevant experience. Our curriculum for each bachelor's degree program was designed by industry experts to ensure you're prepared to thrive.
- Affordable. At WGU our tuition is charged per-term instead of per-credit, so finishing faster actually saves you money. And we also offer federal financial aid and scholarships to make your degree as affordable as possible.
Top 12 online bachelor's degree programs at WGU.
#1—Nursing (RN-to-BSN Online) – B.S.
An RN to BSN degree designed for registered nurses who are ready...
An RN to BSN degree designed for registered...
An RN to BSN degree designed for registered nurses who are ready to pursue a bachelor's degree.
- Time: 66% of graduates finish within 18 months.
- Tuition and Fees: $3,475 per 6-month term, plus one-time Health Professions Student Fee of $350.
- Transfers: On average, students transfer 81 credits.
With over 35,000 BSN alumni, this is one of WGU's most popular online degree programs. Learn more about the RN to BSN program.
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College of Health Professions
#4—Elementary Education – B.A.
An online teacher certification program for aspiring elementary...
An online teacher certification program for...
An online teacher certification program for aspiring elementary teachers.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on teaching certification in your state.
- Time: 60% of grads earned this degree within 36 months.
- Tuition and fees: $3,770 per 6-month term.
Candidates for this program often include:
- Aspiring elementary school teachers who currently lack a teaching license.
- Substitute teachers.
- Career-changers.
- School paraprofessionals.
- Others who feel the call to teach.
This elementary education degree program includes courses in the foundations of teacher education, instructional planning and presentation, assessment, and classroom management. Core teacher education courses focus on diversity, disciplinary literacy, elementary education methods, and pedagogy. It requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time demonstration teaching. This online teaching degree program helps you to be eligible for teaching certification in any of the 50 states.
Teachers College
#7—Health Information Management – B.S.
A program designed for future leaders in HIM:...
A program designed for future leaders in HIM:...
A program designed for future leaders in HIM:
- Time: 60% of grads earned this degree in 36 months or less.
- Tuition and fees: $3,795 per 6-month term, plus one-time Health Professions Student Fee of $350.
Some careers and jobs this degree will prepare you for:
- Director of informatics
- HIMS chief
- Information systems auditor
- Outpatient coder
- Health records manager
This CAHIIM-accredited program makes you eligible for the RHIA exam.
College of Health Professions
#10—Software Development – B.S.
You're a creative and tech genius who wants the bigger...
You're a creative and tech genius who wants the...
You're a creative and tech genius who wants the bigger opportunities.
- Time: 67% of graduates finish within 30 months.
- Tuition and fees: $3,920 per 6-month term.
- Certifications: several CIW and CompTIA included in this program.
CIW User Interface Designer, CompTIA A+, and CompTIA Project+ are included in the program coursework. Software development is the second-highest rated specialty within IT. Secure your future with a degree and additional certifications.
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College of I.T.
#2—Business Management – B.S. Business Administration
Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:...
Hone your business acumen and garner added...
Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:
- Time: 68% of graduates finish within 36 months.
- Tuition and fees: $3,720 per 6-month term.
Sample careers and jobs this business degree will prepare you for:
- Account executive
- Business analyst
- Program manager
- Director or Senior director
- Vice president
This online degree program is an excellent choice for kick-starting your organizational management career.
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College of Business
#5—Information Technology – B.S.
Award-winning coursework and value-add certifications make this...
Award-winning coursework and value-add...
Award-winning coursework and value-add certifications make this online program a top choice:
- Time: 71% of graduates finish within 30 months.
- Tuition and fees: $3,920 per 6-month term.
- Certifications: Includes CIW, ITIL, LPI and CompTIA.
The CIW User Interface Designer, LPI Linux Essentials and ITIL® Foundation Certification are central to this program. Included CompTIA certifications are A+, Network+, Security+, Project+, and Cloud Essentials+.
College of I.T.
#8—Accounting – B.S. Business Administration
Have a knack for numbers or fine-tuning finances?...
Have a knack for numbers or fine-tuning finances?...
Have a knack for numbers or fine-tuning finances?
- Time: 62% of graduates finish within 36 months.
- Tuition and fees: $3,720 per 6-month term.
Some careers and jobs this business degree will prepare you for:
- Accounting manager
- Financial director
- Vice president of finance and operations
- Chief financial officer
- Forensic accountant
Take your first step toward CPA certification and learn how to use GAAP, ledgers, and journals.
College of Business
#11—IT Management – B.S. Business Administration
IT managers are needed in nearly every organization:...
IT managers are needed in nearly every...
IT managers are needed in nearly every organization:
- Time: 66% of graduates finish within 36 months.
- Tuition and fees: $3,720 per 6-month term.
Some careers and jobs this business degree will prepare you for:
- Vice president of risk management
- Product security incident manager
- Vice president of technical services
- CTO and CIO
- Director of IT
Key competencies of these online courses align with industry needs: management and leadership, networks and security, and information systems management.
College of Business
#3—Cybersecurity and Information Assurance – B.S.
Protect your career and earning potential with this degree:...
Protect your career and earning potential with...
Protect your career and earning potential with this degree:
- Employer approval: 74% of graduates finish within 18 months.
- Tuition and fees: $4,245 per 6-month term.
Some careers and jobs this degree will prepare you for:
- Cyber crimes investigator
- Director of cybersecurity
- Chief of cyber counterintelligence
- Cybersecurity engineer
- Cyber operations planner
College of I.T.
#6—Healthcare Management – B.S. Business Administration
You can become a healthcare industry leader:...
You can become a healthcare industry leader:...
You can become a healthcare industry leader:
Compare with B.S. Health Information Management
- Time: 73% of graduates finish within 30 months.
- Tuition and fees: $3,720 per 6-month term.
Sample careers and jobs this business degree will prepare you for:
- Health information manager
- Community service managers
- Clinical managers
- Medical records managers
- Social service managers
The online courses in this career-focused business degree program will prepare you with management-level skills and an up-to-date understanding of our healthcare delivery system.
College of Business
#9—Special Education and Elementary Education (Dual Licensure) – B.A.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for...
An online teaching degree and teacher...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring K–12 special education teachers. Leads to dual licensure—elementary education teaching license and special education teaching license.
(Specific grade levels will vary depending on licensure in your state.) If your state offers a single K–12 special education teaching license and you are interested in focusing on teaching students with mild to moderate exceptionalities, consider the B.A. Special Education (Mild to Moderate) online teaching degree.
- Time: 62% of grads earned this degree within 3½ years.
- Tuition and fees: $3,770 per 6-month term.
Candidates for this online teaching degree often include:
- Aspiring special ed teachers who currently lack a teaching license.
- Substitute teachers.
- Career-changers.
- School paraprofessionals.
- Others who feel the call to teach.
This special education teaching online degree program prepares you to teach students with mild-to-moderate disabilities, with courses in the foundations of teaching, instructional planning and presentation, assessment, and classroom management. Core elementary and special education courses focus on diversity, disciplinary literacy, elementary education methods, and special education topics such as law, assessment, and behavioral management. This program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time demonstration teaching. Compare B.A. Special Education (Mild to Moderate)
Teachers College
#12—Network Operations and Security – B.S.
For network operations and security professionals:...
For network operations and security professionals:...
For network operations and security professionals:
- Time: 71% of graduates finish within 36 months.
- Tuition and fees: $3,920 per 6-month term.
- Certifications: several Cisco and CompTIA included in this program.
Included certification:
- Cisco Certified Network Associate
CompTIA certifications included are A+, Network+, Security+, and Project+. This program will help you develop strong skills in network design, network operations, and security management.
College of I.T.
Research all of our bachelor's degrees at WGU.
Why earn a bachelor's degree in 2020?
Is it worth it to get a bachelor's degree? Sometimes it can be confusing to know if a bachelor's degree is the right path for you. However, statistics and research show the great value that a bachelor's degree can add to your life. Some of the many benefits of earning a bachelor's degree include:
- More job opportunities. Research shows that 35% of job openings require at least a bachelor's degree. If you don't have a degree, you're limiting yourself to only about 30% of jobs available in the United States. With a degree, your job possibilities more than double.
- Higher pay. Stats show that when you earn a bachelor's degree you can expect your yearly salary to increase about $24,000 per year. It's hard to argue with those kinds of numbers! Jobs for those with a bachelor's degree tend to be higher paying, and having a degree often qualifies you for a salary increase due to your credential.
- Change careers. There are many professions where you won't even be considered unless you have a bachelor's degree, so by earning a degree you're opening the door to more job listings, and entire professions. For example, if you want to become a teacher you'll have to earn a bachelor's degree to be qualified. By earning a bachelor's degree, you'll be ready to enter or change careers, starting something you're passionate about.
Ranking the best online degree program for you.
Which online bachelor's degree is right for you? You can create a ranking system to help you determine which online bachelor's degree is the best fit for you. While it's tempting to try and find an existing degree ranking system that will tell you what degree to earn, in reality every person will have a unique online bachelor's degree program that will be best for them. Create your own ranking system to determine the best degree program for you by following these steps:
1. Narrow down your field of interest. Do you want to be a teacher? Do you want to be a nurse? Are you more interested in business or technology? Evaluate the kind of work you want to do to help you choose the right college, which can help you find the right degree.
2. Ask yourself what your dream job is. What is your dream profession? Is it to become a high school principal, or to design video games? Knowing what the end goal is will help you rank degree programs.
3. Research educational requirements for your dream career. If you want to be a teacher, you'll need to pursue a teacher licensing program. If you want to become a marketing manager, you'll need a business degree in marketing! It's important to get specific. For example, if you want to be a teacher, what kind of subject and grade do you want to teach? This will influence your degree options. If you want to go into information technology, do you want to be doing the coding or managing teams? Knowing these details will help you determine the right educational requirements.
4. Make a list of possible degree options. Take time to look at all the degree options available for you and make a list of the ones that would potentially work well for your dream career.
5. Talk to professionals. Spend some time talking to people in your dream field to determine which degrees can be most valuable for you.
6. Make a ranking list. Create a list of the best degrees for your dream career, ranking them from your top pick down. This will help you determine which online bachelor's degree you should pursue!
Frequently asked questions about earning an online bachelor's degree.
What is a bachelor's degree?
A bachelor's degree is a postsecondary, undergraduate degree. It is the degree you earn after you get your high school diploma, and before you earn a graduate degree. Most graduate and doctoral degree programs, including law and medicine, require you to graduate with a bachelor's degree before enrollment. These bachelor's degree programs are sometimes called baccalaureate degrees.
How long does a online bachelor's degree take?
Typically a bachelor's degree program will take 4 years to complete. However with online bachelor's degree programs, you may be able to accelerate and finish much faster. For example, at WGU students can move through courses as quickly as they can master the material. This enables them to move faster through material they understand or know well. Often our students are able to finish their bachelor's degree programs much faster than traditional degree programs. See how long it will take to earn an online degree from WGU.
Why should I do an online bachelor's degree?
For many students, an online bachelor's degree is the best option to further their education. An online bachelor's degree like those available at WGU offer many advantages for students including:
- Flexible schedule. A flexible schedule allows students to work on their courses on their timeline. For some students that will mean studying during nights or weekends after their full-time job, for others it will be during the day while their children are at school. You don't have to log in to class at a certain time, and there aren't due dates for your assignments. You're in charge of your education.
- More affordable. Online bachelor's degrees are often more affordable that traditional degrees because online schools don't have to pay for large campus buildings, sports teams, and other things that traditional schools need to pay for. This makes it a more affordable option for many students.
- Individual support. When you do an online bachelor's degree program, you don't have to feel alone. You'll have individualized support—for example WGU has dedicated program mentors who are responsible for helping you from the day you start, up until graduation day.
How much does an online bachelor's degree cost?
The amount you'll pay for an online bachelor's degree will depend on where you choose to attend. Different schools will have different tuition and fee amounts. WGU is one of the most affordable options for an online degree program, with each program costing between $3,600 and $4,100 for a six-month term. Tuition charged per term means that you won't pay more if you take extra classes, so if you finish faster you'll pay less!
How do I get an online bachelor's degree?
Start by applying to WGU today! You'll work with your Program Mentor to pick your courses, you'll watch videos or read to learn, and you'll prove you understand the material with tests and papers.
Programs begin the 1st of any month.
WGU enrolls new students at the beginning of each month, launching a new term for those students. A term at WGU is 6 months long. What does this mean for you? You can start when you’re ready, rather than rushing (or waiting) for fall or spring enrollment. So, it’s back-to-school time year-round at WGU!