Increase Income Potential Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that master's degree-holders earn higher median weekly salaries than bachelor's or associate degree-holders ($1,497 versus $1,248 and $887, respectively)
Lower Unemployment Risk Professionals with a master's degree enjoy lower unemployment levels (2%) compared to workers with a bachelor's (2.2%) or associate degree (2.7%).
Meet Job Requirements Many colleges and universities require professors to hold at least a master's degree in their field to be considered for teaching or tenure-track positions.
Expand Knowledge A master's program allows enrollees to broaden their knowledge and improve their skills in their field.
Prepare for Doctoral Studies Most doctoral programs require candidates to hold a master's degree. Research and academic writing coursework at the master's level provide an excellent foundation for doctoral work.
Completing a graduate program bestows many benefits, like career advancement and increased expertise. More and more colleges and universities are beginning to offer online graduate programs too, which attract professionals who wish to pursue a postgraduate degree without leaving their full-time jobs.
TheU.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that master's degree graduates earn an average of $12,000 more per year than bachelor's students. Depending on your field, you can earn upwards of 45% more with an advanced degree. If you're considering earning a master's, this guide covers type of graduate degrees, common core courses, and financial aid, to help narrow your search.
Online Graduate Programs for You
These top schools offer a variety of online graduate degree programs. Figuring out where to apply? Consider one of these online Master's or PhD programs.
What Are the Best Online Master's Degrees? Here Are Our Top 10:
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Graduate Schools Programs
How do I find grad school programs?
Prospective students should first review schools' websites. They can then research individual departments to find available programs. For example, for graduate programs in nursing, prospective learners can check a college's science department.
How can I go to graduate school for free?
Most colleges and universities publish scholarship or fellowship information under student services. Private organizations and professional associations also offer funding opportunities.
How long are master's programs?
Master's programs typically take 1-3 years to complete. Some schools offer online graduate programs with multiple start dates throughout the year, which may allow learners to graduate sooner.
How long do Ph.D. programs take?
Most schools give doctoral students up to seven years to earn the Ph.D. However, doctoral students often graduate within 3-5 years.
Is it possible to get a masters degree online?
Yes, you can earn a master's degree online. There are many online programs and schools that are accredited in the same way a traditional degree is. You can even choose programs that offer a hybrid of online and in-person courses.
What is the easiest master's degree to get online?
The easiest degree to complete online can vary depending on the student. Some subjects may come easier, especially if you have a passion or interest in them. Each program has a different level of rigor as well, regardless of degree. Your online degree can be made easier by choosing an asynchronous program — where you can set your own pace and take fewer credits at a time. The most popular online degrees include business, education, criminal justice, nursing, engineering, and information technology.
How much does an online master's degree cost?
An online graduate degree is typically cheaper than a traditional degree, but tuition varies widely depending on the school and degree. Tuition can be anywhere from $4,000 to $30,000.
Is a Master's Degree Worth It?
According to the BLS, a master's degree can increase your salary by an average of $12,000 per year. That can vary by industry and company, but most graduate students have the potential to earn more money than those with an undergraduate degree.
Typically, a master's degree takes two years to complete. Some online programs offer the flexibility to complete the degree at your own pace. Tuition can range anywhere from $4,000 to $30,000 depending on the university and program. Online schools tend to be more affordable.
What Are the Benefits of a Graduate Degree?
Although graduate programs usually require a significant investment of time and money, they also bring many benefits. See below for just a few upsides to earning a graduate degree.
Featured Online MBA Programs
Find a program that meets your affordability, flexibility, and education needs through an accredited, online school.
What Are the Types of Graduate Degrees?
After you've completed an undergraduate bachelor's degree, you can pursue two kinds of graduate degrees — a master's degree and then a doctoral degree. Advanced degrees are available in nearly every field, each with the opportunity to choose a specialization.
Art and Design
Business and Management
Computer and Technology
Criminal Justice and Legal
Education and Training
Liberal Arts and Humanities
Nursing and Healthcare
Psychology and Counseling
Science and Engineering
How to choose an online graduate school
There's a lot to consider when choosing a graduate school — tuition, program details, reputation, and career outlook.
Start with what you intend to study and search for schools that offer that program. Review the course descriptions and any concentration options. Depending on your career goals, you may prefer a school that has more general courses or a more unique program plan.
You should also research what it'd take to finance the program. Tuition, fees, and any scholarship or financial aid potential should be taken into account.
And lastly, consider details that will indicate what it's like to attend that school. You may want to know if they offer flexible online programs. Can you complete the degree part-time? Can you set your own pace? Are there required on-campus visits? We recommend comparing several schools and speaking with program representatives before choosing.
Accreditation for a Graduate Program
Colleges and universities throughout the United States voluntarily seek out accreditation as a way of signaling their commitment to providing quality education. The U.S. Department of Education[/hen-ui-link] (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) act as overseers of the accreditation process. The process entails representatives of an accrediting agency recognized by ED and CHEA assessing a school's academic offerings and institutional soundness according to established standards.
Degree-focused nonprofit institutions typically seek regional accreditation. Vocational and sectarian for-profit schools seek national accreditation. Regional accrediting agencies usually adhere to more rigorous standards than national accreditors, which is why regional accreditation is viewed as the more prestigious designation.
ED and CHEA also oversee accreditors that assess specific programs. For instance, theCouncil on Social Work Education accredits social work programs at the bachelor's and master's levels. Since not all graduate programs have specific accreditors, prospective students should enroll in a program offered by an accredited institution.
Featured Online Engineering Master's[/hen-ui-heading data-ek="hen-ui-link:6"]
Find a program that meets your affordability, flexibility, and education needs through an accredited, online school.
Graduate programs offer many courses specific to a field of study or professional arena. For example, a graduate program in engineering features a curriculum that differs greatly from a social work program. Nevertheless, most colleges and universities require foundational courses such as those below.
How Can a Master's Student Pay for College?
Colleges and universities offering master's programs typically provide scholarships, teaching assistance grants, and fellowships to help learners offset costs. Learners can also apply for federal financial aid by completing the FAFSA. See below for some financial aid opportunities for students interested in online graduate programs.
AAUW Career Development GrantWho Can Apply: The American Association of University Women (AAUW) welcomes applications from women with a bachelor's degree who plan to pursue postgraduate studies in education, health and medical sciences, or social sciences. AAUW gives primary consideration to women of color and applicants pursuing their first postgraduate credential.Amount: $2,000-$12,000
ACHE Foster G. McGaw Graduate Student ScholarshipWho Can Apply: Applicants enrolled in a graduate program in healthcare management can apply for this scholarship from the American College of Healthcare Executives. Applicants may also be enrolled in a master's in health administration, an MBA in healthcare administration, or a master's in public health program. Applicants must hold full-time status and be entering their final year in the program.Amount: $5,000
ALA Christopher J. Hoy/ERT ScholarshipWho Can Apply: Administered by the American Library Association (ALA), this scholarship accepts applications from students enrolled in an ALA-accredited master's program in library or information science. Applicants must be American or Canadian citizens or permanent residents of the United States. ALA does not accept applications from students who have already completed more than 12 credits of their program.Amount: $5,000
AMBUCS Scholarships for TherapistsWho Can Apply: American Business Clubs (AMBUCS) accepts applications from students pursuing an accredited graduate-level degree in hearing audiology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or speech language pathology. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and show a strong history of community involvement. AMBUCS requires applicants to submit a one-page personal statement that includes their career objectives.Amount: $500-$6,000
Dr. W. Wesley Eckenfelder ScholarshipWho Can Apply: Undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree in the environmental field can apply for this scholarship. Some acceptable fields of study include environmental engineering, hydrogeology, and ecology. Applicants must have an undergraduate 3.0 GPA and must submit a personal essay of at least 250 words explaining their decision to focus on environmental studies.Amount: $5,000
How Can a Ph.D. Student Pay for College?
Most universities provide doctoral students with generous funding for the length of their studies or for their program's doctoral research phase. The U.S. government and several private organizations also provide many financial assistance programs for doctoral candidates pursuing a program of study relevant to their specific interests. Doctoral candidates can begin their search for funding with the programs listed below.
AICPA Fellowship for Minority Doctoral StudentsWho Can Apply: The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants accepts applications from minority students pursuing an accredited doctoral program in accounting. Applicants need a master's in accounting or must have a minimum of three years of full-time professional experience in the field. Applicants who do not yet hold a CPA license must pursue licensure if they receive the fellowship.Amount: $12,000
American Psychological Association Fellowship ProgramsWho Can Apply: Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and administered by the APA, this fellowship welcomes applications from mental health practitioners enrolled in a doctoral program. Recipients must commit to provide two years of service in a counseling profession that focuses on the healthcare needs of ethnic minority communities.Amount: Varies
Charles Koch Foundation Graduate Research FellowshipWho Can Apply: Doctoral candidates engaged in research in one of the foundation's focus areas can apply for this graduate fellowship. Acceptable research areas include toleration and free speech, criminal justice reform, international relations, and U.S. fiscal policy. Applicants must submit a writing sample of no more than 25 pages and a statement of their short- and long-term career goals.Amount: Varies
DOE Computational Science Graduate FellowshipWho Can Apply: Doctoral students enrolled in a program in a high-performance computing field can apply for this fellowship opportunity. Accepted study areas include scientific data management and engineering, physics-constrained machine learning, domain-specific languages, and programming models and abstractions for heterogeneous computing. The program provides funding for four years.Amount: Full tuition and fees, plus yearly stipend of $38,000 and $1,000 professional development allowance
U.S. Department of Defense National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate FellowshipWho Can Apply: Applicants must be pursuing a doctorate in fields beneficial to national security, including aeronautics, bioscience, oceanography, and mathematical science and engineering. Funding covers the first three years of enrollment in a doctoral program. Applicants must hold U.S. citizenship and be enrolled at an accredited college or university.Amount: $30,000, plus health insurance of up to $1,000
Who can apply for these scholarships?
There are scholarships and grants available for anyone looking for assistance covering tuition. You can find financial aid for graduate school from the school you're attending, general educational institutions, or specific organizations affiliated with your degree. Applicants typically need to be good students and have some distinguishing achievement, essay or experience. Members of minority groups or other specific communities can find scholarships exclusively for them too.
Explore these promoted online degree programs.
These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online graduate degree programs. Figuring out where to apply? Consider one of these online Master's or PhD programs.
