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Updated October 12, 2022 · 6 Min Read
Earning a master's degree can increase your salary potential and lead to an exciting career. Find the best online master's programs for you.
Are you ready to discover your college program?
A master's degree can lead to more opportunities in today's competitive job market. Graduate degree-holders can also qualify for high-paying careers. According to Payscale data from Dec. 2021, master's degree-holders earn an average salary of $78,000 per year. Comparatively, Payscale reports that bachelor's degree-holders earn an average annual salary of $65,000.
Professionals with a master's degree often become leaders in their field. Master's degree-seekers learn about theories that guide practices and write a thesis. Virtual learning allows learners to earn an advanced degree conveniently. This guide covers the steps to earning an online master's degree.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Master's Degrees
How many years is a master's degree?
Most full-time students earn a master's degree in about two years. Part-time learners may need four years.
What's the difference between a bachelor's degree and a master's degree?
Bachelor's programs take longer than master's programs. Bachelor's curricula focus on entry-level information, while master's students gain a specialized view of their subject.
Can I get a master's degree in a field unrelated to my bachelor's degree?
Yes. Many master's programs accept students with a bachelor's degree in any subject. Learners pursuing a master's degree in a field unrelated to their undergraduate studies may need to take prerequisite courses.
Featured Online Masters Programs
Find a program that meets your affordability, flexibility, and education needs through an accredited, online school.
Why Get a Master's Degree?
Master's degree-holders often earn more than people with a bachelor's degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), professionals with a master's degree earn a median weekly income of about $1,545. Bachelor's degree-holders earn a median of $1,300 per week.
In addition to qualifying holders for higher salaries, a master's degree can lead to more job opportunities. Graduate students learn the reasoning and theories that guide practice in their field. They also conduct research to fill in industry knowledge gaps.
Busy students often pursue an online master's degree. The flexibility of online learning allows students to continue working while earning their degree.
How Much Does a Master's Degree Cost?
The exact cost of earning a master's degree depends on a few factors. For example, private institutions tend to charge more than state schools. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, graduate students paid an average of $19,792 in tuition and fees for the 2019-20 academic year. However, graduate students attending public institutions paid an average of $12,410 for the same academic year.
Online learners often pay discounted tuition rates and are exempt from paying campus fees. They may also save on commuting costs. The following section highlights additional fees for online students.
Additional Online Master's Student Fees
Many online programs charge a virtual classroom fee. Online students may need to pay for an upgraded video conferencing platform, such as Zoom.
Online students should also budget for books. Learners can save money by purchasing used books, renting materials, or choosing digital versions. Online students also need to purchase and maintain a quality computer, and they need high-speed internet access.
Careers in some fields, such as education and medicine, require certification or licensure. These credentials require additional fees.
Available Online Master's Degrees
Students earning an online master's degree build upon foundational industry knowledge. In addition to practical applications, degree-seekers explore theory and research. Students learn to think critically and make decisions based on best practices. Many master's programs feature lecture-based courses and research assignments. Learners also complete a thesis.
With many options to choose from, graduate students can find a master's degree to fit their career goals. The following list highlights a few noteworthy options. Program availability varies by school, so learners should research their prospective institution for more information.
Education Professionals in the education field can pursue a master of arts in teaching or a master of education. The latter highlights theory and research. Learners think critically about the state of education. A master of arts in teaching emphasizes practice. Students specialize in an area such as math or English.
The BLS projects employment for education professionals to increase 10% from 2020-2030. A master's in education qualifies graduates to become high-earning teachers, administrators, and college professors.
Registered nurses can pursue a master's degree to become nurse practitioners. Nurse practitioners diagnose and treat ailments, and they write prescriptions. The curriculum covers topics including medical ethics and pharmacology.Nursing
A master's degree in information technology explores new uses for technology. Degree-seekers explore computing processes and gain problem-solving skills. Graduates often become computer and information research scientists, who earn a median salary of $126,830 per year, according to BLS data.Information Technology
Best Online Master's Programs 2022
#1
Southern New Hampshire University
School Information | |
---|---|
Location | Manchester, New Hampshire |
Admission Rate | 88% |
Graduation Rate | 44% |
Instituation Type | Private |
Accreditation | Yes |
Percent Online Enrollment | 94% |
Fast Facts
School Type: Private
Concentrations Available: Accounting, applied economics, business analytics, communication, criminal justice, cybersecurity, data analytics, English, nursing, finance, history, higher education administration, healthcare, information technology, marketing, psychology, sports management
Accredited By: New England Commission of Higher Education
Do Distance Learners Pay In-State Tuition? N/A
Founded in 1963, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) enrolls over 135,000 students and offers more than 250 programs. Students can pursue one of over 100 master's degrees in fields like accounting, communication, and cybersecurity. Learners can complete their degree in 10 months.
SNHU charges $627 per credit. Most online master's degrees require 36 credits. Enrollees can transfer up to 12 graduate credits. SNHU offers five annual start dates. The school does not require the GMAT or GRE.
Available Scholarship: Finlay Family Scholarship
#2
Liberty University
School Information | |
---|---|
Location | Lynchburg, Virginia |
Admission Rate | 51% |
Graduation Rate | 47% |
Instituation Type | Private |
Accreditation | Yes |
Percent Online Enrollment | 92% |
Fast Facts
School Type: Private
Concentrations Available: Accounting, aeronautics, counseling, biomedical sciences, Bible, business administration, communication, criminal justice, cybersecurity, divinity, education, engineering, history, homeland security and disaster management, human biology, human performance, information systems and technology, international relations, juris master, marketing, medical science, music, nursing political science, psychology, public administration, public health, public policy, public safety, religion, sports, worship studies
Accredited By: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Do Distance Learners Pay In-State Tuition? N/A
A Christian school in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty University offers nearly 300 online master's degrees across many academic fields. Liberty has provided distance-education options since 1985. Learners can pursue master's degrees in fields like nursing, education, and political science. Students typically take classes in eight-week blocks. Most programs require 1.5-2 years to complete.
Liberty offers tuition discounts for qualifying military members, first responders, missionaries, and Southern Baptists from select states. Admission requirements vary by degree.
Available Scholarship: Middle America Scholarship
#3
Florida International University
School Information | |
---|---|
Location | Miami, Florida |
Admission Rate | 58% |
Graduation Rate | 63% |
Accreditation | Yes |
Percent Online Enrollment | 68% |
Fast Facts
School Type: Public
Concentrations Available: Accounting, African and African diaspora studies, computer engineering, construction management, criminal justice, curriculum and instruction, engineering management, finance, global affairs, healthcare, health informatics and analytics, health services administration, hospitality management, human resource management, international business, international real estate, logistics and supply chain management, logistics engineering, marketing, mass communication, music education,
public administration, public health, special education
Accredited By: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Do Distance Learners Pay In-State Tuition? Yes
Florida International University (FIU) enrolls almost 54,000 students, giving it one of the nation's 10 largest student bodies. The school offers hundreds of majors, including 50 online graduate degrees in a variety of concentrations. Some options include economics, education, and engineering.
FIU also offers some programs in an executive or hybrid environment. Some programs may lead to professional licensure or certification. Online students learn from the same instructors who teach on-campus programs. FIU's online platform lets learners study in a flexible and interactive format.
Available Scholarship: Academic Merit Scholarship
#4
Ohio State University-Main Campus
School Information | |
---|---|
Location | Columbus, Ohio |
Admission Rate | 54% |
Graduation Rate | 86% |
Accreditation | Yes |
Percent Online Enrollment | 34% |
Fast Facts
School Type: Public
Concentrations Available: Plant health management; art education; bioethics; nursing; dental hygiene; engineering management; engineering leadership; healthcare innovation; learning technologies; public administration and leadership; public health; agricultural communication, education, and leadership; translational pharmacology; welding engineering; health-system pharmacy administration; social work; translational data analytics; business administration; business analytics
Accredited By: Higher Learning Commission
Do Distance Learners Pay In-State Tuition? No
The Ohio State University maintains one of the world's largest alumni networks, with more than 500,000 graduates all over the globe. Students can pursue their master's degrees online and learn from the same faculty who teach on campus.
Ohio State offers master's degrees in many fields, including art, business, and education. Online applicants follow the same admissions procedure as on-campus students. Requirements vary by program. Once enrolled, distance education learners can access technical support and other student services.
Available Scholarship: J. Parker and Kathryn Webb Dinius Fellowship
#5
Arizona State University-Skysong
School Information | |
---|---|
Location | Scottsdale, Arizona |
Admission Rate | 64% |
Graduation Rate | 4% |
Accreditation | Yes |
Percent Online Enrollment | 98% |
Fast Facts
School Type: Public
Concentrations Available: Architecture and construction, arts, business, communication and media, computing and mathematics, education and teaching, engineering and technology, entrepreneurship, health and wellness, humanities, interdisciplinary studies, law, justice and public service, science, social and behavioral sciences, sustainability, STEM
Accredited By: Higher Learning Commission
Do Distance Learners Pay In-State Tuition? No
Arizona State University-Skysong (ASU) offers over 100 online master's degrees in a variety of fields. Some options include forensic psychology, project management, and engineering. ASU offers enrollment options throughout the year.
ASU offers several opportunities for current undergraduate students to accelerate their education. Some fields let learners start studying for a master's degree concurrent with their bachelor's degree.
Specific timeframes, requirements, and admissions criteria vary by program. Applicants typically need a bachelor's degree and a minimum 3.0 GPA in the final 60 credits.
Available Scholarship: Dr. Mark and Mrs. Judy Searle Graduate Scholarship
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FAQs
Which masters degree is most in-demand 2022? ›
- Business administration. A Master of Business Administration, or MBA, is one of the most highly sought-after master's degrees globally and a stepping stone to C-suites jobs at big organisations. ...
- Healthcare administration. ...
- Computer science. ...
- Marketing.
- Marketing.
- Human resources.
- Business ethics.
- Business law.
- Accounting.
- Finance.
- Economics.
- Business policies.
- Masters of Fine Arts (MFA)
- Masters of Arts (MA)
- Masters in Mass Communication.
- Masters of Psychology.
- Masters of Finance.
- Masters of Human Resource Management (MHRM)
- Masters of Business Administration (MBA)
- Masters of Science (MSc)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Science in Nursing.
- Master of Engineering Management.
- Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering.
- Master of Science in Finance.
- Master of Arts in Political Science.
- Master of Science in Computer Science.
A master's degree is one of the most prestigious educational degrees available in the U.S., and can lead to a well-paying career in one of several industries. Some of the highest-paying master's degrees are in nursing and computer science, but psychologists, economists, and mathematicians rank highly too.
Is it worth getting a Masters in 2022? ›Having a master's degree may be very good for your job prospects. In fact, there are some jobs that outright require them. If you're looking for work as a statistician, political scientist, biomedical engineer, or speech-language pathologist, a master's degree is often expected.
What is the most popular Master degree? ›A master's in business and finance will make you an asset to any corporation. This is one of the most common masters degrees out there.
Which 4 majors are most in demand? ›- Engineering. ...
- Business. ...
- Nursing. ...
- Hospitality. ...
- Education. ...
- Computer Science. ...
- Architecture. ...
- Pharmaceutical Sciences.
The most common master's degrees are Master's of Arts (M.A.) and Master's of Science (M.S.) . Additionally, there are three types of master's programs: Research Master's degrees are typically for academic and applied research disciplines.
What is the lowest paying masters degree? ›- Human services. Median pay: $46,600 per year. ...
- Early childhood education. Median pay: $49,200 per year. ...
- Professional counseling. Median pay: $51,200 per year. ...
- Community counseling. Median pay: $51,700 per year. ...
- Museum studies. ...
- Divinity. ...
- Mental health counseling. ...
- Library science.
Are online masters degrees respected? ›
Yes. Advanced degrees completed online have just the same value as if you were to attend class in person. Just look for one that's verified by one of the many accrediting agencies out there and backed up by U.S. News & World Report's highest level higher education rankings.
What master's degrees are worth it? ›...
20 majors most likely to have a graduate degree.
Major | Share with graduate degree |
---|---|
Aerospace engineering. | 51.8%. |
Mathematics. | 51.2%. |
Foreign language. | 50.8%. |
Psychology. | 50.6%. |
In conclusion, no age is too old to get a graduate degree. There are so many advantages in waiting a while for further study that you may even choose to become a lifelong learner!
Are two masters degrees equivalent to a Phd? ›If you have one doctorate, you've achieved the doctoral level. A second (or higher) master's keeps you at the master's level. It can give you greater breadth, but that's not the same as greater depth. It's also not the same level of credential, especially for administrative positions, which often require a doctorate.
Which course is best for Masters? ›- Marketing and International Business.
- Computer Science (Master's in Business Administration, Computer Science major)
- Economics (MBA)
- Marketing Management.
- Entrepreneurship.
- Strategy.
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists.
- Petroleum Engineering.
Answer: Yes, there is no upper age limit to take Master's Degree at most universities. The prerequisites are usually a Bachelor's Degree, proof of English proficiency, and money to pay for your tuition and living costs. A GRE-test is another common requirement.
What is the average age to do a Masters? ›The average age of students is typically between 27 and 30. A Master of Public Administration (MPA) is similar to an MBA in that it is a graduate-level professional degree.
Is a Masters a lot harder than a degree? ›Yes. Master's degrees are a bit harder than most undergraduate studies. However, a postgraduate course of study is the best way to improve your academic career and personal life. You'll find ways to adjust to the increased difficulty as you go.
What is the most respected degree? ›Rank | Degree subject | % high meaning |
---|---|---|
1 | Petroleum Engineering | 72% |
2 | Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) | 44% |
3 | Applied Economics and Management | 69% |
4 | Operations Research | 48% |
...
- Computer Engineering. ...
- Computer Science. ...
- Electrical Engineering. ...
- Chemical Engineering. ...
- Aerospace Engineering. ...
- Mechanical Engineering. ...
- Industrial Engineering. ...
- Physics.
Which degree has the most value? ›
- Biomedical engineering. ...
- Computer science. ...
- Marine engineering. ...
- Pharmaceutical sciences. ...
- Computer engineering. ...
- Electrical engineering. ...
- Finance. ...
- Software engineering.
- #1: Psychology. Psychology majors study the inner workings of the human psyche. ...
- #2: Criminal Justice. ...
- #3: English. ...
- #4: Education. ...
- #5: Social Work. ...
- #6: Sociology. ...
- #7: Communications. ...
- #8: History.
...
Let's get to it!
- Theatre. ...
- Creative Writing. ...
- Social Work. ...
- History. ...
- Communications and PR. ...
- Women's Studies. ...
- Religious Studies. ...
- Foreign Language.
A master's student is called a graduate student or “grad student” for short. A student still studying for a bachelor's degree is called an undergraduate student or “undergrad student.”
What title do you call someone with a masters? ›Titles. Master's degrees are commonly titled using the form 'Master of ...', where either a faculty (typically Arts or Science) or a field (Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Business Administration, etc.) is specified.
Is an MS better than an MA? ›A master's degree can be either a Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MS) and provides in-depth learning beyond a bachelor's degree. The key difference between the two degrees is that the former focuses on arts and humanities while the latter is geared more toward scientific and technical fields.
What to do if you cant afford a Masters? ›Currently, the only way to pay for a master's course is through a university bursary or scholarship scheme, or by getting out a government career development loan, which requires you to pay back the money as soon as you complete the course, rather than when you are earning.
Is it better to get an online master's or on campus? ›If you're pursuing a master's or Ph. D. in a science-based field, you may want to be on campus because these are primarily research-based and require lab work. However, if you're pursuing a humanities degree, an online program may be conducive to that type of work.
Why are online degrees not respected? ›Experts say employers are largely more interested in the person than the degree. They generally won't recognize immediately if that person's degree was obtained online or in person. Some schools are fully online while others offer online programs in addition to their traditional in-person options.
Is getting a Masters online hard? ›How hard are online classes? In general, master's degree programs are challenging for most students because you're encouraged to adopt learning modes that are different from what you experienced in undergraduate college.
Is a 1 year master's degree worth it? ›
If there is a clear goal in your mind and you are content in your field, a one-year Masters programme is a great choice. People with longer work experience and a proven quantitative aptitude tend to prefer this type of programme, because they can handle the intensity of the coursework.
What is the best degree to get 2022? ›- Nursing. ...
- Hospitality. ...
- Education. ...
- Computer Science. ...
- Architecture. ...
- Pharmaceutical Sciences. ...
- Information Technology. ...
- Construction Management.
- Information Security Analyst.
- Nurse Practitioner.
- Physician Assistant.
- Medical and Health Services Manager.
- Software Developer.
- Data Scientist.
- Financial Manager.
S No | Most in-demand careers |
---|---|
1 | Product design |
2 | Data science |
3 | Business analyst |
4 | Digital marketing |
- Data Science. ...
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. ...
- Big Data. ...
- Business Intelligence. ...
- Cloud Computing. ...
- Project Management. ...
- Software Development. ...
- Full-stack development.
- Earth Sciences (84.5%)
- Chemistry (84.1%)
- Statistics (83.0%)
- Medicine (82.7%)
- Geography (82.3%)
- Physiotherapy (82.2%)
- Dentistry (81.8%)
- Classics (81.7%)
- #1. Artificial Intelligence.
- #2. Big Data.
- #3. Biotechnology.
- #4. Nursing.
- #5. Sustainability.
- #6. Health Information Technology.
- #7. Medical Technology.
- #8. Construction Management.
...
- Computer Engineering. ...
- Computer Science. ...
- Electrical Engineering. ...
- Chemical Engineering. ...
- Aerospace Engineering. ...
- Mechanical Engineering. ...
- Industrial Engineering. ...
- Physics.
- Dental Hygienist.
- Physical Therapist.
- Radiation Therapist.
- Optometrist.
- Human Resources Manager.
...
High-Paying Jobs With Little Schooling Required
- Police Officer. ...
- Aircraft Mechanic. ...
- Mechanical Engineering Technician. ...
- Radiologic (X-Ray) Technologist. ...
- Welder. ...
- Diesel Mechanic.
Which online course sells the most? ›
- Blockchain and Crypto.
- Trading.
- Video Production.
- Graphic Design.
- Photography.
- Arts & Crafts.
- Health and Fitness.
- Personal Development.
- Graphic Design.
- Cyber Security.
- Data Analytics.
- Digital Marketing.
- Social Media Marketing.
- Programming.
- Foreign Language.
- Web Development.
- Engineering. Engineering is a large scientific branch focused on the practical design and building of structures or machines. ...
- Healthcare. ...
- Psychology. ...
- Computer Science. ...
- Business. ...
- Information Technology. ...
- Accounting. ...
- Economics & Finance.
- Pharmacology. For a lucrative career helping people, pharmacology is at the top of the list for in-demand degrees. ...
- Computer Science. ...
- Health Science. ...
- Information Technology. ...
- Engineering. ...
- Business Administration. ...
- Finance. ...
- Human Resources.
- Computer Science.
- Chartered Accountancy.
- Medicine.
- Engineering.
- MBA.
- Architecture.
- Psychology.
- Civil Services.
- PG PROGRAMME IN PRODUCT MANAGEMENT. ...
- CYBERSECURITY CERTIFICATION COURSE. ...
- CERTIFICATION IN BLOCKCHAIN. ...
- PROFESSIONAL GRADUATE PROGRAMME IN BIOTECHNOLOGY. ...
- PGP IN BUSINESS ANALYTICS AND BIG DATA.