[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you hold college credits or an associate degree, you may be able to finish your college education quickly and efficiently through an online bachelor’s degree completion program.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]These degree programs feature generous transfer credit policies, flexible study options, and a short path to graduation.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://nscresearchcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/SCNCReport2024.pdf” target=”_blank”]National Student Clearinghouse[/hen-ui-link] reports that as of July 2022, 41.9 million Americans had college credit but no degree. If that’s your story, a degree completion program may help you advance in your workplace, launch your dream career, or qualify for graduate or law school admission.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”editorialListings” /] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]10 Best Bachelor’s Completion Programs Online[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How We Chose These Schools”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]At TheBestSchools, we use trusted data from the U.S. Department of Education to evaluate schools without bias. Our ranking methodology helps prospective students from various backgrounds find the best fit. We consider key factors like academic quality, online offerings, and affordability, so every type of student can find the best fit for them.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This ranking is from 2025. Learn more about how our formula works on [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/ranking-methodology/”]our ranking methodology page[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Is a Degree Completion Program?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]Degree Completion Program vs. Traditional Degree Program[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Factor[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Degree Completion Program[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Traditional Degree Program[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Average Length of Time to Complete[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Factor”]One to two years, depending on the number of transfer credits you have[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Degree Completion Program”]Four years[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Transfer Credits Required for Admission?[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Factor”]Yes[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Degree Completion Program”]No[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Number of Transfer Credits Required for Admission[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Factor”]30-90 (number varies by school and program)[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Degree Completion Program”]None[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Total Credits Required to Earn Bachelor’s Degree[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Factor”]120[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Degree Completion Program”]120[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Degree Earned Upon Graduation[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Factor”]Bachelor’s degree[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Degree Completion Program”]Bachelor’s degree[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Degree completion programs are designed to help students with college credits finish their bachelor’s degree programs. Most degree completion programs accept 60 to 90 credits toward the degree, allowing you to [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/how-to-get-a-bachelors-quickly/”]finish a bachelor’s degree program in one to two years[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Depending on the program, you may pursue a specific major like English, economics, or psychology. Some programs offer broader options, such as a [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/general-studies/”]general studies degree[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many degree completion programs allow you to complete the degree program online, offering greater flexibility. Many also offer part-time options or [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/bachelors/accelerated/”]accelerated programs[/hen-ui-link] to fit your schedule and professional goals.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]5 Benefits of Online Degree Completion Programs[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/bachelors/”]bachelor’s degree[/hen-ui-link] can help you advance your career and increase your earning potential. Many career paths require a bachelor’s degree for entry-level positions, and [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm” target=”_blank”]2024 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics[/hen-ui-link] marks a difference of over $30,000 a year between the annual salary of a person with a bachelor’s degree and a person who holds a high school diploma.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Earning a bachelor’s degree is an investment, and finishing it online can be a more flexible way to reach that payoff.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Why You Should Complete Your Bachelor’s Degree Online:[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-list variant=”ordered” bullet-style=”number”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Complete the degree on your schedule.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Reduce the total costs of your bachelor’s degree by earning your degree faster.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Use previously earned credits to advance your career.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Learn from anywhere on a flexible schedule.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Increase your earning potential after graduation.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Removing Barriers to Earn a Degree[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=40″ target=”_blank”]National Center for Education Statistics[/hen-ui-link] reports that as of 2021, 64% of undergraduate students earned their bachelor’s degree within six years, meaning 36% did not complete their bachelor’s program. Some students leave college because of work or family obligations, while others face financial barriers. A degree completion program can help these students use prior college credits to earn their degrees.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Is an Online Degree Completion Program Right for You?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you have credits from a previously unfinished degree or you have an associate degree, an online bachelor’s degree completion program may be a great fit for you. Many online degree completion programs let you complete coursework and [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/synchronous-vs-asynchronous-programs-courses/”]classes on your own schedule[/hen-ui-link], making them especially appealing if you have work and family obligations.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Online degree completion programs can also help you save money. By pursuing a bachelor’s degree online, you can [hen-ui-link href=”https://thebestschools.org/rankings/online-colleges/”]compare schools nationwide[/hen-ui-link] to find the [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/bachelors/affordable/”]most affordable option[/hen-ui-link]. Just make sure the degree completion program is fully accredited so you can qualify for [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/college-finances/online-college-financial-aid/”]federal financial aid opportunities[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About Online Degree Completion Programs[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What’s the difference between an accelerated degree program and a degree completion program?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/resources/what-is-an-accelerated-program/”]Accelerated degree programs[/hen-ui-link] allow you to graduate sooner by taking a higher course load or taking courses year-round. Unlike degree completion programs, accelerated programs typically do not require you to hold and transfer previously earned credits.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Some accelerated degree programs also combine a bachelor’s and master’s degree, allowing you to earn both credentials in around five years. In contrast, a degree completion program allows you to transfer previously earned college credits or to utilize an associate degree to earn a bachelor’s degree faster.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How do I find an online degree completion program?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]TBS offers a list of the best online degree completion programs. Top programs include Northeastern University, New York University, Adams State University, and Boston University.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many online colleges also offer degree completion programs or [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/should-you-go-back-to-college/”]pathways for returning students[/hen-ui-link] that allow transfer credits. Some also provide online transfer credit calculators to see transfer possibilities instantly. You can check with the college or program you’re interested in to determine how many of your credits will transfer.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How long are bachelor’s degree completion programs?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A bachelor’s degree completion program can take one to two years, depending on how many credits you can transfer and how many credits you take per term. A bachelor’s degree usually requires 120 credits.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most schools accept transfer credits, with some degree completion programs accepting up to 90 transfer credits. In addition to previous college work, you can often transfer [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/how-to-earn-college-credits-in-high-school/”]credits earned in high school[/hen-ui-link] from CLEP, DANTES, and AP exams. You may also be able to transfer [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/college-credit-for-work-experience/”]credits for work experience[/hen-ui-link], including military service and prior learning assessment credits.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] [hen-ui-section-header title=”Discover More College Resources” /] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”2-col” ids=”970,1538,905″][/hen-ui-article-row]