What are the Best Online Graduate Degrees to Earn?

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Although you can earn almost any graduate degree online, some degree types are in higher demand today than ever. These degrees are more accessible, provide more options when choosing schools, and lead straight into careers or advance careers for professionals who already have a foot in the door.

Areas of study such as business, healthcare, and education offer the most options for furthering your career through online graduate degree programs and offer the most competitive and rewarding results after college.

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In these three main degrees, we looked at the likelihood of your online degree leading to a lasting career and a higher-paying salary. Additionally, we evaluated the range of options regarding programs and school choices for these particular areas of study.

Online Graduate Degrees in Business

Earning a fully online master’s degree in Business, such as a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA), is particularly enticing for career-driven individuals because there are a wealth of accelerated online MBA programs available. Programs can be completed in as little as eighteen months, which is no surprise considering the high demand for MBA graduates in the workforce today.

Big business and the corporate workforce are expanding annually across the nation. With an ever-expanding global economy, the demand for career-minded, educated individuals who hold their MBA is in high demand. Fully online graduate degrees in other areas of business, such as Accounting or Management are additionally beneficial for business professionals hoping to advance their careers. Some of the fastest-growing careers nationally are Financial Managers, Business Operations Managers, Medical or Health Services Managers, and Accountants.

Online Graduate Degrees in Education

It should come as no surprise that in the field of education, earning your master’s degree online can further your career. Having your Master of Education (MEd) will allow you to teach the courses you want and allow you to branch out beyond the traditional classroom through jobs like teacher training or research. In all cases, your MEd will bring a higher salary.

The chart below compares the Median Annual Wages for teachers in various careers with either a bachelor’s or master’s degree. MEd programs tend to focus on advanced teaching methods, educational technology training, and educational philosophy. Here is a list of Value College’s Top 50 Best Value Online Graduate Education Programs available today!

CareerBachelor’s DegreeGraduate Degree
Early childhood education$39,000$53,000
Elementary education$43,000$57,000
Secondary teacher education$48,000$64,000
Special needs education$45,000$61,000

Online Graduate Degrees in Healthcare

Earning an online graduate degree in almost any area of the healthcare field will take you far: you’ll gain access to better job choices, higher pay, work flexibility, and a wealth of professional positions. The most popular online graduate degree in healthcare is the online RN to BSN degree. Still, fully online master’s degrees can be earned in areas such as Nurse Practitioner, Occupational Therapy, Physician’s Assistants, or Orthotics and Prosthetics. Each is a demanding field in its own right. For example, students with graduate degrees in Occupational Therapy earn an annual mean wage of $85,570, with the top 10% making $123,840 (BLS).

Nurse Practitioners with master’s degrees extend their careers past primary care. They can assist doctors by performing duties such as prescribing medications or ordering laboratory tests, and the demand for nurse practitioners increases annually. The prosthetic industry continues to grow, and the BLS estimates that employment in this field will increase 14% nationally between 2021 and 2031.

At the end of the day, earning your online graduate degree entirely online if you plan on pursuing or advancing a career in business, education, or healthcare is a wise move, allowing you access to better jobs, better pay, and a better quality of career life overall.


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Aya Andrews

Editor-in-Chief

Aya Andrews is a passionate educator and mother of two, with a diverse background that has shaped her approach to teaching and learning. Born in Metro Manila, she now calls San Diego home and is proud to be a Filipino-American. Aya earned her Masters degree in Education from San Diego State University, where she focused on developing innovative teaching methods to engage and inspire students.

Prior to her work in education, Aya spent several years as a continuing education consultant for KPMG, where she honed her skills in project management and client relations. She brings this same level of professionalism and expertise to her work as an educator, where she is committed to helping each of her students achieve their full potential.

In addition to her work as an educator, Aya is a devoted mother who is passionate about creating a nurturing and supportive home environment for her children. She is an active member of her community, volunteering her time and resources to support local schools and organizations. Aya is also an avid traveler, and loves to explore new cultures and cuisines with her family.

With a deep commitment to education and a passion for helping others succeed, Aya is a true inspiration to those around her. Her dedication to her craft, her community, and her family is a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence in all aspects of her life.

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ValueColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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