Most Useful Online Degrees (2020-2021)

It’s no secret that graduating college students entering high demand fields have an easier time landing sweet entry-level positions. Making decisions on what to study with the end goal of employment in mind is a good idea, albeit a little less romantic.

In today’s economic environment, the traditional dreamy narrative of earning a liberal arts degree while attending a storybook campus isn’t practical. While a strong foundation is always a good place to start, today’s employers expect and need specialized skills that many graduating college seniors simply don’t have. Starting the process early on with a roadmap can help students graduate with employable assets.

We looked at the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ projections in job growth to come up with the top-ten most opportunity-laden fields. Piecing together opportunity areas with both the fastest-growing job outlook and the most jobs added between 2018 and 2028, we devised a list of careers with big potential and put together viable degree paths to get you there.

The biggest growth sectors in tomorrow’s economy fall under two umbrellas: healthcare and technology. The growth in these areas, fueled by changes in technology, science, patient care, and an aging population are undoubtedly driving the explosion in job growth.

As healthcare settings rely more and more on people working directly with patients, jobs like physical therapy assistants will continue to be in higher demand. Positions like nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and physical therapy assistants—all on our top-ten growth list—typically work under the supervision of a higher-level medical professional, depending on local practice authority rules. That said, they will be increasingly relied upon to spend more time with patients and carry out the bulk of patient care. Not surprisingly, all three of these job categories are anticipated to have huge growth over the next decade, with a combined addition of nearly 140,000 new positions.

Of particular note is the field of physician assistants (PAs), a big growth area that opens more doors for those who are passionate about patient care. Becoming a physician assistant requires a slightly non-traditional path as most postgraduate programs require that students have worked in the medical field in some capacity, in addition to completing their bachelor’s degrees. With the high price tag of medical school and the ability for medical offices to bill visits with PAs at the same rate as physicians, expect to see more and more physician assistants in the coming years.

With the growth of healthcare comes the need for postsecondary teachers in the respective subfields. In general, postsecondary tenure track positions have been on the decline. The reliance on part-time instructors highlights institutions’ preference for individuals currently working in their areas of expertise. For those wishing to pursue full-time faculty positions, doctoral degrees are expected, and usually required, depending on the field. Dual-careers in healthcare are common, whereby doctors and specialists combine teaching with current practice.

As the cost of education seems to soar with no end in sight, readers will be happy to know that there are many budget-friendly education options for careers in expanding fields that are both financially and intrinsically rewarding.

Notably, Utah State University’s out-of-state online students pay only a per-credit tuition rate that is quite reasonable ($349 for undergraduates and $445 for graduates). Put in perspective, an entire undergraduate degree can be earned for under $42,000. Florida State University offers many affordable online degree options, also with a low price tag. Some schools offer a tuition freeze, while others cap the rate of increase for incoming students.

In many cases, distance learners will attend a few immersions on campus. Some programs require more on-campus immersions than others. For example, Emerson’s speech and language master’s program requires two on-campus visits in Boston. It’s a good idea to plan for the cost of travel and accommodations when making your education budget.

When choosing an online program geared for a specific career field, it is important to verify accreditation. Many fields have their own accrediting bodies, such as the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

When planning long-term futures in these career fields, consider whether or not you think you may want to pursue further education and licensures, such as a master’s or doctoral education. Many online bridge programs may be good options for students who wish to climb within the field.

When compiling our list, we based our decision on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH 2019). It reports projected job growth (2018-2028). We took into account factors such as salary, the actual number of jobs projected to be added in the coming years (not just the percentage growth rate), the potential for career advancement, and the economic environment that will affect growth in these categories.

Think one of our top-ten career fields is for you?

The following list of degree programs includes suggested routes of study. We’ve calculated cost and time based on current published requirements, and have included current fees when possible. Tuitions are calculated using non-resident tuition rates as of July 2020.

Many accredited online programs in fields such as physical therapy and occupational therapy are actually hybrid programs with in-person labs and training required. Some, such as the physical therapy assistant program at Whatcom Community College, give hybrid students options to choose various campus locations around Washington State.

Others, such as the graduate-level speech and language pathology program at Emerson College require less frequent travel.

It’s good news for ambitious students with a penchant for planning. A quality, skill-specific education can be earned through diligent online study, and in many cases, the cost is quite reasonable.

As more and more state schools continue to increase their online program offerings, we anticipate even more affordable options in the coming years. And to help take the sting out of the monetary investment, salaries in many high-demand fields are also quite promising as the economic demand for skilled professionals expands. So while strolling amongst ivy-lined walls may not be in every student’s future, the dream career is absolutely within reach.