Accelerated and fast-track programs are a very viable option in online distance learning programs these days. Most every distance education student requires a flexible schedule to accommodate their busy lifestyle, as well as a degree from an online school that they can earn in as short a time as possible. These 35 Fastest Online School Degree Programs give potential students all of the quickest, most accelerated curricula in online schools across America.
Some schools provide only a few of their programs at an accelerated rate, but many of these academic institutions offer short terms, huge amounts of transfer credits, and coursework that is designed to give students the same amount of information but in a condensed form. Challenging, yet rewarding, these schools and degree programs will turn any student into a working professional in no time!
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Check out our “Things to Consider” section:
Is an accelerated degree program right for me?
Keep in mind that accelerated online degree programs for working adults aren’t for everybody! The rigorous curriculum can take its toll on the mind and body, particularly for individuals who must also balance their personal responsibilities to their families and their professional roles. You must then be 100% committed to the program and adopt effective study habits, among other measures.
What are some of the fastest degrees to earn in an accelerated program?
Although there are many, consider these:
- Business Administration
- Accounting
- Computer Science
- Education
- Nursing
- Human Resources
- Project Management
- Liberal Arts
- Communications
- And, many more!
Why should I consider an accelerated or fast-paced degree program?
For some, getting started in the real-world workforce is a goal that they just can’t obtain fast enough. Whether you are a young student fresh out of high school or a working adult who has returned to school to begin a new career, finishing your education quickly will allow you to begin earning a living much faster. An accelerated degree program will allow you to do that, sometimes in half the time needed to complete a traditional degree program. What’s the catch? You may have to work extra, extra hard! Also, in some cases, fast degree programs cost less… but not always. If you are career-driven, this is a great option to at least consider.
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Methodology:
For some students, completing a degree program and getting out into the workforce as soon as possible is their top priority. The below 35 Fastest Online School Degree Programs highlight establishments that offer accelerated or fast-paced degree options designed to assist students who are busy working adults, for those concerned about their family life and childcare, as well as those who simply wish to start earning a salary very soon. The below schools were chosen according to several factors, such as:
- Availability of accelerated distance education programs within the institution,
- Cross-referenced with student satisfaction according to the retention rates and student/academic resources,
- Offers a wide breadth of coursework and/or programs within an accelerated timeframe,
- Provides a convenient 100% Online or Hybrid degree format for flexibility,
- Aids in Financial concerns through Scholarships, Grants, and Military Aid,
- Displays a Learning Management System designed to provide interactive video and lecture experiences, along with accessing to classwork 24/7,
- Has established Student Help Desks for technology-related inquiries and Career Centers for future job placement.
Check out our Methodology page for more information.
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EAST COAST POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
Fast Online Degree Programs
School Highlights:
At the East Coast Polytechnic Institute, there is a large variety of options when it comes to accelerated online degree programs, and as classes are completed during 5-week terms it takes about 2.5 years to complete a bachelor’s degree and 1.5 years to complete an associates degree. There are majors available within a number of departments at ECPI: Information Technology, Engineering Technology, Business, Criminal Justice, Health Science, and Nursing. The accelerated nursing degrees offer students some particularly exciting options in the RN to BSN program and the master’s program. The fast-paced coursework in these online school degrees has been recognized by many different resources, such as U.S. News and World Report and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for their excellence in teaching distance education students. These are some of the fastest online degree programs available.
Acceptance Rate: 84.4%
Retention Rate: 43%
Graduation Rate: 50.9%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EAST COAST POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE’S FAST ONLINE PROGRAMS!
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CAPELLA UNIVERSITY
quick and easy online programs
School Highlights:
Capella University is one of America’s most popular and successful online colleges that also provides accelerated learning options through its FlexPath programs. Through FlexPath, students can design the pace of their bachelor’s and master’s coursework in a wide range of majors in Business, Education, Health Care Administration, Information Technology, Psychology, and Nursing. The accelerated nursing programs are particularly popular choices and fantastic alternatives to traditional programs. Individuals who are looking to try out fast online bachelor’s degree courses can take a FlexPath Trial Course at Capella University to see if it is a good fit. The schedule allows students to create their own deadlines and course load, and because the tuition is established in a 12-week period, the faster that students complete their curriculum, the less the ultimately pay, making these programs both fast and cheap! FlexPath is only available for select programs.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CAPELLA UNIVERSITY’S QUICK AND EASY ONLINE PROGRAMS!
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HERZING UNIVERSITY
accelerated online degree programs
School Highlights:
Herzing University is an impeccable online school that is well-known for providing some of the most popular distance education degree programs available, which includes its impressive accelerated online degrees in Nursing and Business. Students in the Business program can choose between the Associate’s (2 years), the Bachelor’s (3 years), or the Master’s degrees (3 years). If students plan accordingly, they can also earn dual credits by taking both undergraduate and graduate courses simultaneously, which will earn them their Master’s degree even faster! Students can also get a bachelor degree online in 2 years if their previous college credits are transferred.
The accelerated online RN-to-BSN is a famous distance education program from Herzing University that can be completed in as few as 12 months, which is a fraction of the time considering that regularly paced nursing programs can take 36 months to complete. Herzing also offers the opportunity in this program to earn dual MSN credits for students seeking a master’s degree in nursing alongside their bachelor’s degree.
Herzing also offers several short online college courses in nursing, public safety and business. Most of these are graduate certification programs suitable for working professionals.
Acceptance Rate: 84%
Retention Rate: 50%
Graduation Rate: 35%
LEARN MORE ABOUT HERZING UNIVERSITY’S ACCELERATED ONLINE PROGRAMS!
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FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE AT JACKSONVILLE
fast online degree programs
School Highlights:
This particular online school offers fast-paced degree options through the Accelerated College Program that are designed and dictated by individual students. Depending on their prior learning and transfer credits, as well as their ability to take on a heavy course load, a student can create their own accelerated associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs. FSCJ offers examples of accelerated schedules that some students have taken up in the past, which gets them in and out of school in about 4.5 terms for an associate’s program. The quick and easy programs and the faculty members at this online college have been nationally recognized for their achievements in academia, and provide students with strong curricula in a wide range of areas.
FSCJ’s reputation for offering cheap online degrees fast is partly due to its public college status and its wide range of financial aid opportunities. The tuition structure is affordable to begin with, too – the FSCJ website says that a full-time load of 12 units in a semester costs $1,259 for Florida resident students. Now, that’s definitely the cheapest self paced online college we’ve come across!
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: unavailable
Graduation Rate: 39.8%
LEARN MORE ABOUT FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE AT JACKSONVILLE’S FAST ONLINE DEGREE PROGRAMS!
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CHARTER OAK STATE COLLEGE
accelerated distance learning degree programs
School Highlights:
Charter Oak State College provides a diverse number of accelerated online degree programs that can be completed on 5-week and 8-week term schedules, among the fastest online degree programs we’ve come across. Earning a bachelor’s or master’s in this frame drastically reduces a student’s time spent in college. COSC is also very accepting of transferable credits from other degree programs, evaluated training programs, and a standardized test, all of which will reduce their time even more. The school is extremely dedicated to providing its student body with everything that they need to finish their online courses within the accelerated rate. Some of the most popular programs at this online school include Business Administration, Cyber Security, Health Care Administration, Psychology, and more, many of which have 5 week online college courses on the curriculum. Having been educating students since 1973, this institution of higher education has perfected their program structures.
Acceptance Rate: unavailable
Retention Rate: 64.3%
Graduation Rate: unavailable
LEARN MORE ABOUT CHARTER OAK STATE COLLEGE’S ACCELERATED ONLINE PROGRAMS!
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WISCONSIN LUTHERAN COLLEGE
fastest online bachelor’s degrees
School Highlights:
Wisconsin Lutheran College has an impressive online accelerated Bachelor in Business Management and Leadership program that can be taken entirely online or one night per week on-campus, if students are so inclined. There is also an affordable tuition rate offered for this program as well as comfortable financial aid options. Students often find that while they are working and studying at Wisconsin Lutheran College that they are promoted in their place of business, making this program an incredibly lucrative move for any business-minded individual. This degree is a perfect accelerated program for working adults as it is flexible, convenient, and highly affordable from a well-respected and highly accredited institution of higher education. Faculty members represent skilled experts within the field of business and management. 100% of students, both in and out of the program, recommend this coursework to anyone.
Undoubtedly, its quickest online degree is the Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Business Management and Leadership. This is a two-year degree program with a choice in online classes or a one-night-a-week on-campus class.
Acceptance Rate: 91.8%
Retention Rate: 75%
Graduation Rate: 60.2%
LEARN MORE ABOUT WISCONSIN LUTHERAN COLLEGE’S ACCELERATED ONLINE BACHELOR’S DEGREE!
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EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
online accelerated degree programs
School Highlights:
What is unique about Eastern Kentucky University’s accelerated online degree programs is the range of options that students have. There are associates, bachelors, masters, doctorates, and certificates available in an online and flexible format from this online university! The bachelor’s programs have received national recognition for their excellence, and EKU is a great option for veterans as well. The courses are completed in 8-week terms during the regular school year, and over the summer students work in 6-week terms; both formats result in the quickest online bachelors degree programs in the state. If classes are taken throughout the year, programs can be completed in alarmingly fast! But if you want a more sedate pace, then the 8 week online college courses is your better choice. After all, learning well is the better path than learning fast.
Students work closely with advisors, professors, and the administration to design their own course schedule that works for their individual commitments and careers. No matter what, students can complete their degrees as quickly as possible with Eastern Kentucky University.
Acceptance Rate: 71%
Retention Rate: 74%
Graduation Rate: 19%
LEARN MORE ABOUT EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY’S ACCELERATED ONLINE DEGREES!
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UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK
accelerated online degrees
School Highlights:
The accelerated online degree programs offered from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock include both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Bachelor’s programs are the RN-to-BSN, Applied Communication, and Criminal Justice degrees, whereas the Master’s programs are the Rural and Urban School Leadership, Reading, and Criminal Justice degrees. These represent some of the most unique fast-paced online programs on this list, particularly the final two graduate programs. Students would be hard-pressed to locate more distinctive coursework at an accelerated rate. The graduate degrees can be completed in as little as 12 months and the undergraduate degrees in as little as 12-18 months. In these programs, students can concentrate more on the time on each individual course and there is always a week-long break offered between each course!
Acceptance Rate: 89.8%
Retention Rate: 68%
Graduation Rate: 32.4%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK ACCELERATED ONLINE PROGRAMS!
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CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY-GLOBAL CAMPUS
online accelerated bachelor’s to master’s degree programs
School Highlights:
Central Michigan University’s Global Campus offers accelerated Bachelors to Masters degree programs that drastically reduce students’ time spent in school. There are three options available, which include an Administration program, a Community Development degree, and an Integrated Leadership Studies major, all of which are accelerated to save both time and money. Each degree includes consternation options that further specialize in the curricula. The master’s coursework is incorporated into the bachelor’s program so that students are getting highly advanced educations. If students prefer to have some face-to-face time with their classmates and professors, there are options to do so, however, the entirety of each degree is available fully online. There is no difference between the on-campus and online programs at CMU, and students gain the exact same resources and educations in both formats.
Acceptance Rate: 68.8%
Retention Rate: 78%
Graduation Rate: 21%
LEARN MORE ABOUT CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY’S ACCELERATED ONLINE BACHELORS TO MASTERS DEGREES!
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COLUMBIA COLLEGE
fast-paced online degree programs
School Highlights:
All of Columbia College’s online degrees are scheduled at an accelerated rate. Students can major in a huge variety of different undergraduate and graduate degree programs in which terms are 8 weeks long. This intensifies the coursework somewhat but allows students to complete classes with speediness and efficiency. Columbia College is an excellent online school with a fine reputation behind its programs. Students are very happy in their various studies, which are known to be quite challenging, and all online classes are instructed by superb faculty members. Online students who are looking for a well-rounded school that values students’ time and academic progress, as well as enough breadth within the curricula, Columbia College is a great choice.
Columbia College can offer the fastest online college degree programs because it allows transfer of credits from previous college courses. Students can also request for academic credits for their professional licensure, military service and relevant work experience.
Acceptance Rate: 88.1%
Retention Rate: 70%
Graduation Rate: 42.8%
LEARN MORE ABOUT COLUMBIA COLLEGE’S ACCELERATED ONLINE PROGRAMS!
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COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY-GLOBAL CAMPUS
accelerated distance learning degrees
School Highlights:
Colorado State University-Global Campus provides numerous quick and easy online degree programs at an accelerated rate and is one of the most popular and well-reputed online schools in America. Courses are asynchronous and terms are 8 weeks long, giving students significant command and control over their schedules. Courses are updated regularly to reflect the most relevant information possible pertaining to their particular field of study. Every degree offered from CSU-Global is customizable and contains a multitude of specialization options, which vastly expands each student’s understanding and knowledge-base. Students can also look forward to bountiful resources, such as personalized advising and career counseling, throughout both their academic and professional careers.
Acceptance Rate: 96%
Retention Rate: 70.5%
Graduation Rate: 52.5%
LEARN MORE ABOUT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY—GLOBAL CAMPUS ACCELERATED ONLINE PROGRAMS!
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ALBERTUS MAGNUS COLLEGE
accelerated online degree programs
School Highlights:
Albertus Magnus College is an online college that has been offering flexible, accelerated degree programs since 1985, and has since perfected the scheduling, curriculum structure, and management in these degrees in the last three decades. Today, every accelerated bachelor’s degree program (of which there is a huge amount) at this online school is self-paced and coursework is fast at giving working adults the education and professional training needed to excel in their current/future careers. Students at this school can count on steadfast, personalized career planning and preparation with individual advisors, as well as close academic advisement with the faculty and staff of AMC. Distinguished faculty members have been well-recognized for their achievements in academia, and are an excellent foundation for the accelerated framework of each course.
Among its fast bachelor degree programs online are in the areas of accounting, business management, communications, computer information systems, finance, general studies, and healthcare management. Many of these programs are also available at the associate degree and master’s degree levels.
Acceptance Rate: 87%
Retention Rate: 70%
Graduation Rate: 66.7%
LEARN MORE ABOUT ALBERTUS MAGNUS COLLEGE’S ACCELERATED ONLINE PROGRAMS!
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MERCY COLLEGE
fast-paced online degrees
School Highlights:
Mercy College offers a number of online accelerated programs in both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Students can complete their degrees in as little as 12-15 months through accelerated 5- and 10-week courses. The virtual classroom gives students a comfortable, friendly, and supportive learning environment that is rich with discussion forums, project-based work, and in-depth lectures. Students can also take advantage of academic resources and supplemental work to feel more involved in their courses, yet another reason for its status as the best self paced online college. Accelerated online programs at Mercy College include Bachelor’s degrees in Applied Management, Business, Health Care Administration, Human Resource Management, Management, Marketing, Nursing, and Religious Studies, as well as Master’s degrees in Criminal Justice and Business Administration. This online school has an astoundingly high job placement rate for graduates at 96%, and 80% of students gain real-world experience through internships and other career-related experiences.
Acceptance Rate: 65.7%
Retention Rate: 72%
Graduation Rate: 39%
LEARN MORE ABOUT MERCY COLLEGE’S ACCELERATED ONLINE PROGRAMS!
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NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
accelerated bachelor’s and master’s degree programs online
School Highlights:
Northern Kentucky University offers a wide range of intensive online degree programs, many of which can be completed in as little as 12-14 months when taken at the accelerated rate. Both bachelor’s and master’s students have opportunities at NKU in Business, Healthcare, and Nursing. Some of the programs are offered at very few other institutions of higher education, such as the Accelerated Women’s Health NP/Certified Nurse Midwife to Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate Online, which is a 14-month program it’s among the fast degree programs we recommend for individuals who want to enjoy career advancement in the healthcare industry. NKU is committed to supplying each individual student with whatever resources and assistance are needed to complete their online degree programs, and students have outstanding things to say about their experiences. The virtual campus provides an open, welcoming learning environment where students feel safe to make their voices heard. Some of the most popular programs within the entire university are also offered online, such as the Nursing and Psychology programs!
Acceptance Rate: 91.9%
Retention Rate: 72%
Graduation Rate: 39.5%
LEARN MORE ABOUT NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY ACCELERATED ONLINE BACHELOR’S AND MASTER’S DEGREES!
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WESTERN NEW ENGLAND UNIVERSITY
fast online bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs
School Highlights:
Western New England University offers several degree programs that can be completed online and at an accelerated rate. The most popular fast-paced degree programs are the bachelor’s and master’s Business Administration programs. These degrees are designed for students who have 60 transferable credits or more, which can either be from an associate’s degree or otherwise. Students can transfer up to 90 credits, which will make their coursework incredibly reduced. This online school also offers a Bachelor/Master Business Administration program can be completed in as little as, which gives students both their graduate and undergraduate coursework simultaneously at a fraction of the time that each individual program can be completed both online or on-campus. Distance education students also have the Master of Accounting program that can be completed online and in a fast-paced format. These programs provide highly in-depth coursework and brilliant faculty members, making students skilled professionals who are ready for the job market.
Acceptance Rate: 80.9%
Retention Rate: 78%
Graduation Rate: 61.9%
LEARN MORE ABOUT WESTERN NEW ENGLAND UNIVERSITY’S ACCELERATED ONLINE BACHELOR’S AND MASTER’S PROGRAMS!
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LEWIS UNIVERSITY
online bachelor’s degree accelerated programs
School Highlights:
Lewis University’s online school offers numerous options for distance education degrees that can be completed at an accelerated rate. Students can choose from a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Information Security and Risk Management, and Information Technology Management. Some of these programs are not offered in an online fast-paced manner at any other school on this list, such as the Information Security and Risk Management program. This school also offers numerous individual classes in an accelerated format in both undergraduate and graduate curricula. The coursework is designed to fit individual learning styles so that students feel comfortable with their programs. There is a wide range of academic support options, advisory, and assistance available for individuals to rely on. Students can work at their own pace while working around some specific deadlines throughout the academic year.
Acceptance Rate: 61.8%
Retention Rate: 79%
Graduation Rate: 53.8%
LEARN MORE ABOUT LEWIS UNIVERSITY’S ACCELERATED ONLINE BACHELOR’S PROGRAMS!
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WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY
online accelerated degree programs
School Highlights:
At this online school, students pay for time spent, not per credit hour. Tuition is a flat rate, 6-month fee that allows students to complete as much as they can within that time frame. Using this unique structure, students can typically finish their accelerated bachelor’s degree programs in less than 2 years, particularly with relevant transfer credits. As the normal time to graduate with a bachelor’s is about 4-5 years, this is a significantly reduced amount of time and money spent in college. Online WGU students can major in fast-paced undergraduate and graduate degree programs, as well as certificates, in a huge range of majors and concentration areas. Western Governors University has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and other such journalistic resources for its outstanding online degrees. Coursework is challenging but has shown to be massively popular among students.
Students can earn a bachelor degree in 12 months here, too, provided that they have the maximum credits transferred. This can range between 60 and 80 credits, which can come from previous college courses, life and work experience, and military experience.
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 74%
Graduation Rate: 38.8%
LEARN MORE ABOUT WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY’S ACCELERATED ONLINE PROGRAMS!
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SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE UNIVERSITY
fast online degree programs
School Highlights:
Southern New Hampshire University is one of the most popular and successful online schools in the nation and offers numerous accelerated degrees that can be completed in as few as 15 months. SNHU offers master’s degrees and bachelor’s degrees, such as the well-recognized accelerated nursing program that incorporates a registered nursing certificate, a bachelor’s degree, and a master’s degree into the coursework! SNHU students can look forward to quick and cheap curricula that match individual schedules and budgets. GRE/GMAT scores are not required, making program accessibility all the more easy and quick. Each major provides opportunities inside and outside of school that connect students with excellent certifications and careers. Dedicated faculty members and advisors give students assistance throughout their academic and professional careers.
Acceptance Rate: 91.7%
Retention Rate: 75%
Graduation Rate: 54.1%
LEARN MORE ABOUT SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE UNIVERSITY’S ACCELERATED ONLINE PROGRAMS!
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CALIFORNIA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
fast-paced online degrees
School Highlights:
This small online university offers impeccable distance education bachelor’s and master’s degrees at highly accelerated rates. Some programs take less than a year to complete, and yet still offer as much depth and opportunity as full-length, on-campus degrees. Coursework can be taken at personalized rates, giving students as much control over their classes and schedules as possible, while also offering competent administrative resources and financial allocations. Accelerated bachelor degree programs include areas in Accounting, Organizational Leadership, Public Administration, and Sociology. Masters degrees include Counseling Psychology, Public Relations, Business Administration, and Education, each of which also has relevant specializations. CBU also offers several exciting certificate opportunities.
Acceptance Rate: 65.4%
Retention Rate: 76%
Graduation Rate: 67.2%
LEARN MORE ABOUT CALIFORNIA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY’S ACCELERATED ONLINE PROGRAMS!
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UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY
accelerated online degrees
School Highlights:
The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley has seven master’s degrees available in an accelerated format, including Business, Public Affairs, Education, Health Sciences, Nursing, and Social Work. These are one year online college programs that combine theoretical and practical learning experiences. The admissions process is quick and easy and allows students to enter into their programs as fast as possible. Coursework can be completed in one year at this fast online college, yet remains thorough and in-depth in its content. Each of the seven majors gives students access to specialized knowledge and information that is taught through state-of-the-art technologies and by highly competent faculty members. Curricula are well-suited to those who are seeking to enhance their knowledge and understanding of a particular subject, or who are looking to enter into an entirely new field in a quick and easy manner. Student resources are numerous at UTRGV, and individuals have access to them at all times.
Acceptance Rate: 82.2%%
Retention Rate: 80%
Graduation Rate: 42.8%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY ACCELERATED ONLINE PROGRAMS!
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REGIS UNIVERSITY
fastest online degrees
School Highlights:
This online university is very well-liked by students, which is reflected in their impressive job placement rate, and provides an enormous amount of distance education programs of all degree types (certificates, bachelors, and masters) that are offered at an accelerated rate. Consistently ranked as a top-tier online school in America by U.S. News and World Report, Regis students receive excellent resources and opportunities through which they can bolster their standing within their particular field. There are several methods that can be employed to shorten the number of required credit hours in each program, and the accelerated rate of the curricula significantly reduces the amount of time spent in the online programs. Advisors and counselors are readily available to all individuals to help design coursework that maximizes flexibility and acceleration.
Acceptance Rate: 65.7%
Retention Rate: 80%
Graduation Rate: 53.4%
LEARN MORE ABOUT REGIS UNIVERSITY’S ACCELERATED ONLINE PROGRAMS!
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CHAMPLAIN COLLEGE
online accelerated degree programs for working adults
School Highlights:
Champlain College is committed to designing flexible, easily attainable, accelerated online degree programs for working adults. Students can choose from a range of associates, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, all of which are designed to be fast-paced yet thorough. Some of the most popular degrees at this online school include Accounting, Business Management, and Computer Science/Information Technology focused programs. Champlain is also focused on keeping the virtual classroom as tight-knit and community-based as possible, so that students feel that they are a part of something bigger, rather than just working through their courses alone at their computer. Faculty members and advisors are close at hand for distance education students and are constantly available for support of all kinds. Curricula are highly personalized and past and current students alike say that they form strong relationships with their professors.
Acceptance Rate: 66.2%
Retention Rate: 82%
Graduation Rate: 57.2%
LEARN MORE ABOUT CHAMPLAIN COLLEGE ACCELERATED ONLINE PROGRAMS FOR WORKING ADULTS!
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AZUSA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY
fast degree completion online programs
School Highlights:
Azusa Pacific University offers several different fast-paced degree programs online, including an incredibly popular online accelerated BSN program. The nursing degree is designed for registered nurses to complete their coursework to be able to work in hospitals and other healthcare organizations as quickly as possible. The other degree completion programs are well-suited for working adults to earn a college education without disrupting their already busy lives and schedules. The majors span a nice variety of subjects including Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Psychology, and more. This online Christian university provides faith-based degree programs that are both dynamic and flexible and welcoming to students of all backgrounds. Expert faculty members guide students to success through their accelerated programs, and students feel supported and well-taken-care-of throughout their distance education. Azusa is an incredibly successful online university, which can be seen reflected in their superb percentages below!
Acceptance Rate: 80.9%
Retention Rate: 86%
Graduation Rate: 67.2%
LEARN MORE ABOUT SCHOOL ACCELERATED ONLINE DEGREE COMPLETION PROGRAMS!
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INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
accelerated degree programs
School Highlights:
Indiana Wesleyan University is a prestigious and highly celebrated online school that has received tremendous recognition for their accelerated degree programs. The accelerated. Operating on the principles of Evangelical Christianity, IWU provides faith-based education that is also well-founded in the liberal arts. There are accelerated nursing degrees, as well as those in management, business, leadership, education, and more! Indiana Wesleyan has designed their online coursework to be great accelerated online degree programs for working adults are well-designed that are focused within three main areas of the school: Service and Leadership, Business, and Educational Leadership. Students have options in bachelors, masters, and certificate programs that are contained in the key areas of education at Wesleyan. The programs are meticulously designed to conform to busy schedules so that students can enter and exit their online college experience as quickly as possible.
Acceptance Rate: 95.2%
Retention Rate: 82%
Graduation Rate: 65%
LEARN MORE ABOUT INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY’S ACCELERATED DEGREE PROGRAMS!
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LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
fast online degrees
School Highlights:
Liberty University is one of the most highly celebrated online universities in the country and offers a huge range of accelerated degrees of all levels—undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D. programs—that can be completed in very little time. Many programs, such as the online M.Div. include accelerated tracks, as well as short, 8-week courses. Coursework is flexible, yet challenging, and the institution gives students complete control over their degree programs. Students can transfer up to 50% of their credits as well, which would make for even faster program delivery.
Acceptance Rate: 21.6%
Retention Rate: 83%
Graduation Rate: 51.8%
LEARN MORE ABOUT LIBERTY UNIVERSITY’S ACCELERATED ONLINE PROGRAMS!
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WALSH UNIVERSITY
accelerated online degrees
School Highlights:
Online students at Walsh University have the advantage of completing most of their coursework at an accelerated rate through 8-week term sessions. This highly accredited and well-celebrated online school offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees that have received recognition from a large number of reputed sources, such as the Business Education Alliance and the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. Students complete their online coursework through Walsh University state-of-the-art platform called the Electronic Course Network, which is a collaborative learning environment where individuals are actively engaged in writing, discussions, and activities. This virtual classroom makes the fast-paced coursework easy to approach and quick to finish without running into any unsolvable or frustrating hangups. Faculty members represent an impressive collection of highly educated and well-experienced professionals who bring worlds of information to the online classroom.
Acceptance Rate: 80.3%
Retention Rate: 83%
Graduation Rate: 55.2%
LEARN MORE ABOUT WALSH UNIVERSITY’S ACCELERATED ONLINE DEGREES!
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FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
fast online undergraduate degrees
School Highlights:
The Florida Institute of Technology is another of the country’s finest purveyors of distance education, and there is an array of accelerated online master’s degree programs that are well-suited to dedicated students. One quick-to-complete program is offered through the online school’s Fast Track department, which gives undergraduate students the opportunity to complete graduate courses while undergoing their bachelor’s degree: the Online B.A./MBA, which is available to any undergraduate student with a 3.4 GPA or above. Otherwise, each online degree is offered in 8-week terms, which drastically reduces the time spent in school. There is a slew of accelerated degree programs for associate’s and bachelor’s students in the areas of Accounting, Aviation, Business, Criminal Justice, Cybersecurity, Healthcare, and Information Technology.
Acceptance Rate: 61.6%
Retention Rate: 83%
Graduation Rate: 57%
LEARN MORE ABOUT SCHOOL FAST ONLINE UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS!
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GWYNEDD MERCY UNIVERSITY
fast-paced undergraduate and graduate degree programs
School Highlights:
This online university offers both associates, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees at an accelerated pace. Students in undergraduate online programs complete courses in 5-week terms and those in graduate online programs complete courses in 7-week terms. Students design their own schedules at Gwynedd Mercy University so that their work schedules and personal lives are disrupted by their schooling as little as possible. Schedules can be modified to help students understand courses that may be more challenging than others, and each person learns at their own pace. These are some of the fastest online degree programs in the United States, and students can look forward to caring faculty members and a dutiful administration, both of whom provide as much help and support as is needed. GMU is well-decorated in accreditations and awards from various resources is extremely well-liked by all students, and is also a well-known military-friendly online school.
Acceptance Rate: 68.5%
Retention Rate: 84%
Graduation Rate: 63.7%
LEARN MORE ABOUT SCHOOL ACCELERATED UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE PROGRAMS!
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ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
accelerated bachelor’s and master’s degrees
School Highlights:
Arizona State University is one online university that has been recognized time and time again for its outstanding online degree programs, a huge number of which are also offered at an accelerated rate! Students at ASU can major in over 50 different bachelors (42) and masters (16) programs that are fast-paced. The degree programs stem from many different colleges and departments within the university, and all of them give students access to the myriad resources and amenities offered to distance education students. From Engineering to Criminal Justice to Global Health, the accelerated online degree programs at Arizona State University cover the entire map of options. Students can also earn their bachelor’s and masters in tandem in as little as 5 years, or just their bachelor’s in 2.5 to 3 years. Students are supported by a gigantic alumni base of over 500,000 graduates, as well as more than 200 nationally recognized faculty members. ASU truly shines brightly among many of the fastest online schools.
Acceptance Rate: 82.9%
Retention Rate: 81%
Graduation Rate: 43%
LEARN MORE ABOUT ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY’S ACCELERATED BACHELOR’S AND MASTER’S PROGRAMS!
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ELMHURST COLLEGE
accelerated online programs
School Highlights:
Elmhurst College is an extremely popular and well-liked accelerated online school, which is reflected in its magnificent freshman student retention rate below. There are three unique online degree completion options for adults (over the age of 24) that can be completed in as little as one year. This significantly reduced amount of time spent in class (three terms) allows students to transfer a generous amount of credits earned to another degree, which reduces their time even more. Elmhurst students have an excellent track record for finishing their degrees on time due to the strong nature of the coursework. The accelerated online degree programs for working adults include majors in Business Administration, Information Technology, and Psychology.
Acceptance Rate: 54.8%
Retention Rate: 84%
Graduation Rate: 74%
LEARN MORE ABOUT ELMHURST COLLEGE’S ACCELERATED ONLINE PROGRAMS!
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SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY
accelerated online degrees
School Highlights:
Saint Louis University is a Jesuit Catholic online school that offers a range of accelerated bachelors, masters, and certificate programs. Most notably, there are bachelors-to-masters programs that allow students to achieve both degrees in a fraction of the time that it would take other students, both traditional and online. There are accelerated degrees in business, management, computer science, nursing, and more—students can choose from any of the 20 accredited programs that can be designed to fit individual schedules and timetables. Saint Louis University is a celebrated online school that has been ranked in the top 100 research universities in America by U.S. News and World Report, and as such gives students an excellent array of resources and amenities to make their time easier and smoother as online learners.
Acceptance Rate: 63.3%
Retention Rate: 91%
Graduation Rate: 66.9%
LEARN MORE ABOUT SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY’S ACCELERATED ONLINE PROGRAMS!
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PURDUE UNIVERSITY GLOBAL
fast online degree programs
School Highlights:
Purdue University Global offers some of the most excellent accelerated online degree programs in America to an incredibly satisfied and dedicated student body, which can be seen reflected in their magnificent percentage rates listed below. The fast-paced online programs are offered through the university’s ExcelTrack Degree Programs, which is a personalized approach to getting students in and out of college as quickly as possible. Not only do students finish their programs at a faster rate, but they also pay less money in doing so! Accelerated degrees offered in ExcelTrack include the Business Administration bachelors and masters, the Nursing bachelor’s and masters, the Bachelor’s in Cloud Computing and Solutions, and the Bachelors in Information Technology. These impressive, “hyperfocused” degrees are designed for students who have previous knowledge and experience in their area, allowing students to quickly get passed what they already know, get solid experience in what they do not, and enter the job field as professionals in their areas of expertise!
Acceptance Rate: 59%
Retention Rate: 91%
Graduation Rate: 68.6%
LEARN MORE ABOUT SCHOOL ACCELERATED ONLINE PROGRAMS!
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UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
distance learning accelerated degree programs
School Highlights:
The University of Wisconsin has a unique approach to its accelerated online degree options for working adults. This online school allows students the chance to take two fast-paced courses each term throughout their entire degree program. There are also accelerated degrees such as the RN-to-BSN program. Through the UW Flexible Option, students can move at their own pace throughout their degree, setting their own schedule, and testing whenever they are ready. Students can take advantage of a great number of academic support systems in their online degrees, such as the Academic Success Coach who guides their coursework and helps personalized their learning approach. UW is a particularly strong higher education institution for veterans and active-duty members of the military!
Acceptance Rate: 57.6%
Retention Rate: 95%
Graduation Rate: 83.3%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN’S ACCELERATED ONLINE PROGRAMS!
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NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
accelerated online degrees
School Highlights:
Northeastern University is a revered and popular online school that has been recognized repeatedly for its outstanding accelerated degree programs. The Fast-Track Bachelor of Science in Leadership is offered through the school of distance education and allows students to transfer up to 80 credit hours, which reduces the amount of time spent in school by more than half, allowing students to complete their degree in 18 months. This fast online bachelor’s degree gives students the option to either complete the curriculum at the pace set by Northeastern, or at a customizable rate, giving them complete control over their major. Graduates have a well-developed network of professional contacts, and a fabulous educational standing thanks to Northeastern University.
Acceptance Rate: 28%
Retention Rate: 97%
Graduation Rate: 82.1%
LEARN MORE ABOUT NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY’S ACCELERATED ONLINE PROGRAMS!
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These 35 Fastest Online Degree Programs give distance education students an incredibly broad array of options when selecting their college or university, as well as their major, whether they are looking for bachelors, masters, or doctorate programs. Many of the online schools on this list represent some of the most renowned distance-based colleges and universities in the country, and others are less well-known, yet still provide outstanding opportunities for students of all backgrounds. According to their retention and graduation rates, many of these institutions of higher education are also some of the best schools in the country and will provide only the most excellent academic careers and job placement opportunities for all.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a degree program the fastest?
A traditional course in any degree, through both online and on-campus formats, can be anywhere from 10-15 weeks long. An accelerated degree program includes courses that are shortened to 8 weeks, or 5 weeks in some cases, depending on the complexity of the curriculum.
But if you’re looking for the shortest possible course, you will find many 4 week online college courses! In this case, students are allowed to take a single course at a time instead of the usual 4-5 classes over a single semester. The 4 week classes online are then designed to give students ample time to study and, thus, keep on track.
Think about it: With just one course a month college online, you can focus on a single topic instead of being overwhelmed by one too many subjects. You’re then more likely to learn more and learn well. So, if you’re already juggling too many responsibilities but you still want to pursue your studies, look into 4 week online college credit courses.
How much faster will I earn my degree through an accelerated online program?
Depending on the degree you are earning—associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate—the amount of time spent in accelerated programs varies. Typically, the program is cut in half or a third through fast-paced coursework, meaning a four-year bachelor’s degree can be earned in 2 years, or even a 1.5 at some online schools!
Can you earn an online degree 6 months period? While there are no 6 month bachelor degrees programs that we know of, there are plenty of master’s degree programs for it. But there are ways to complete a bachelor’s degree in less than the typical four years including:
- Participating in a dual enrollment program where you’re taking college-level courses while you’re still in high school
- Enrolling in extra courses every semester
- Enrolling in winter and summer terms
- Enrolling in online courses that can be credited in college
Are accelerated online programs cheaper than traditional online programs?
That depends on the school itself. Some online schools have tuition rates based on the amount of time spent so that the faster a student completes their degree, the less they ultimately pay. Other schools have some additional fees for their online courses. It is best to check with the college or university’s Treasury or Financial Aid Departments to get answers about individuals schools’ tuition rates for accelerated online degrees.