Are Online Degrees Respected? What Employers Really Think in 2024

Online learning was on the rise long before the spring of 2020. It was starting to crop up in classrooms across the country, where adult learners, seeking to shift or change careers, were discovering the convenience and affordability of online education. Then along came COVID. Virtually all aspects of our society were changed. Education, possibly more than any other sector, was forced to shift dramatically. Online learning was no longer a neat idea. It became a necessity. Today, it’s clear that while the pandemic may have passed, online education is here to stay. With all that being said, are online degrees respected?

With online education, students of all ages no longer have to report to a specific classroom at a specific time. They don’t have to spend hours commuting to class, they can attend lectures at their own convenience, and they don’t need to expose themselves to viruses and other germs that may cause sickness. It seems perfect. However, there are still lingering concerns. Despite the prevalence of online degrees and the fact that they continue to grow, there is still a concern that online degrees may carry lesser weight, quality, and respect than traditional degrees. Some wonder if you can get a job with an online degree. In the eyes of a potential employer, is an online degree as good as a regular degree?

While online degrees bring their own set of challenges, it’s clear that yes, online degrees offer legitimate educations that lead to world-class jobs.

In this article, we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions, including topics such as:

• Are online colleges good?
• Are online degrees the same as traditional degrees or worthless?
• Are online degrees respected by employers?
• How to discuss your online degree with an employer

Are Online Degrees Respected? The Current State of Online Learning

Just how large is online learning? Is it a fringe market that represents a tiny fraction of the total education sector? Or is it a significant portion of academia?

There are many stats, surveys, and studies showing the increased importance of online learning. Just look at the market size: according to Global Market Insights, the e-learning market in 2021 was $318.4 billion. (Yes, billion!) Just one year later (2022), the market was valued at $399.3 billion.

While we don’t have final numbers for 2023 yet, the market is expected to have an annual growth rate of 14% between 2023 and 2032. That’s 14% growth per year. At that rate, by 2032, the e-learning market may reach an estimated $1 trillion.

Across the academic world, numerous schools are adding online learning to their menu of degree and class options. Some students may take a single online class among a slate of in-person courses, while others will participate entirely online and never visit the school’s campus.

Are Online Degrees Becoming More Popular?

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 41% of undergraduate students at two-year public institutions (community colleges, etc.) participated exclusively in distance education classes. The percentage was 35% at private non-profit and 15% at private for-profit two-year schools. 20% of students at four-year schools (excluding for-profit) were taking 100% online classes, while 71% of students at for-profit four-year schools were taking entirely online courses.

A survey of chief online officers (COOs) at two- and four-year institutions found that face-to-face enrollment is “stagnant or declining” while online or hybrid models are growing. Roughly half of the COOs surveyed said that their institutions have plans to emphasize online learning, while about 36% say that a strategic shift is occurring.

All of these stats point to one common trend: online learning is strong and getting stronger. However, the market share of online learning isn’t of concern to the degree seeker. What really matters is whether or not that degree will lead to a high-quality career.

What Do Employers Really Think of Online Degrees?

Are online degrees respected by employers? The ultimate purpose of a college degree, especially for the traditional online learner (parents, working professionals, etc.), is to prepare someone for a job. Most online degrees closely parallel, even mimic, the in-person equivalent degree. An online bachelor’s degree in business administration from Wichita State University, for example, includes the same classes as the in-person degree, except for a single class. While the delivery system is different, what you learn remains, essentially, the same.

Employers are becoming increasingly aware of this fact. They understand that an online degree from a high-quality institution requires the same amount of work, the same commitment, and the same advanced knowledge.

Because of this, employers are increasingly open to hiring candidates with online degrees. A 2019 paper from Northeastern University shows positive signs for graduates of online programs. Even before the pandemic, 61% of human resource managers felt that online learning was equal to or greater than traditional learning. 72% of organizations, according to the paper, had hired someone with an online degree within the past year. The paper cites another survey that found 83% of business leaders view an online degree from a well-known school as having the same value as an on-campus degree.

Unfortunately, there are still some employers who give less respect to an online degree. They may (wrongfully, we believe) see these degrees as less challenging and less intense. Fortunately, employers who think this way are declining. As the data shows, most hiring managers and company leaders are perfectly comfortable hiring someone with an online degree. Skills, talents, knowledge, experience, and work ethic matter far more to an employer than whether or not someone earned an online degree.

Are Online Colleges Legitimate? 3 Factors That Matter

Although employers and the general public are accepting online degrees are legitimate educations, you still need to make sure your degree meets the highest standard. This, of course, is just like any other form of education: you need to identify the best schools, research the programs, and find a degree that best fits your goals. You can start by reviewing each degree for these factors…

Accreditation

Are online colleges legit? One way to ensure a school meets high academic standards is to research accreditation. In short, accreditation is a form of quality review to ensure colleges and universities are delivering world-class education. In the United States, institutional accreditation, which covers an entire school, is granted by independent organizations that are approved by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Regional groups are responsible for reviewing schools and granting institutional accreditation. For example, the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) covers a large territory in the Northeast that includes (among others) Massachusetts, Maine, and Connecticut.

Accreditation is essential for all types of learning, including college degrees. When an accrediting body grants approval to a school, it covers all of the degrees granted by that institution. For example, Purdue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. This accreditation covers the school’s in-person degrees as well as their online programs.
The first step, therefore, is to research and review accreditation. If the school is not accredited by a CHEA-approved regional organization, it may not deliver the same high-quality education you expect.

If you are wondering “Are online colleges respected?”, the answer often comes down to accreditation.

IMPORTANT NOTE: All of the programs listed on our website come from accredited institutions. Accreditation is one of the main requirements for inclusion in our database; the other requirement is the program must be primarily online. (Most programs are 100% online.)

Public vs Private

Like in-person degrees, online degrees come from private and public schools. Each type can deliver a world-class education, but there are a few issues to consider when researching these institutions.

State governments fund public colleges and universities, which are usually much larger. Think of the University of Illinois and Florida State University.

Private colleges do not receive government money, at least not directly. They may receive tuition through loans and grants funded by state and federal governments, but they do not get direct taxpayer support.

One of the factors you may consider when choosing an online degree is the overall name recognition of the school. In general, public schools are larger and carry more name recognition. Waldorf University, an excellent private university in Iowa that offers numerous online degrees, has far less name recognition than the University of Iowa, the University of Northern Iowa, or Iowa State University. Waldorf is an elite school that offers top-quality degrees, but graduates may need to explain their degrees because fewer people have heard of the college.

Are online degrees respected? Degrees from well-known public schools may carry more legitimacy, at least until the employer researches the program.

Of course, there are plenty of highly-recognized private schools. The University of Southern California, Northwestern, Creighton, New York University, and Vanderbilt are all private schools with outstanding national reputations. But in general, a major public school will have more recognition among employers.

Private Non-Profit vs Private For-Profit

There are two broad subcategories of private schools: non-profit and for-profit. (Technically, all public schools are non-profit; there’s no such thing as a for-profit public school.)

Most of the private schools you can name are non-profit institutions. Northwestern, New York University, and the University of Southern California are all private non-profit schools. Essentially, these schools have a primary goal of creating a quality education. All money that is donated or raised through tuition is invested in the university; the goal is to improve the student’s experience and increase learning and post-graduation success.

For-profit organizations, that can deliver excellent learning, have a primary goal of generating income for investors, founders, and owners. These schools often carry career and technical degrees that give students skills in specific fields; they are common in technology and medical fields.

Income at a for-profit institution is not automatically used to enhance the school or the programs. Therefore, some view them as less reputable. However, many for-profit schools have accreditation from regional groups; they deliver high-quality learning that can lead to excellent careers, especially in the trades and technical fields.

The Best Online Learning Majors That Are Respected

Are online degrees respected? Do employers and hiring managers take online degrees seriously? At times, it depends on the specific major.

Practically any subject can be learned online. Online degrees run the full spectrum of academia, ranging from traditional liberal arts degrees like history and literature to highly specific, cutting-edge technology degrees like data security and information systems. If there is information to share, it can be shared through an online course.

But certain subjects, in truth, are more adaptable to online learning. Business, marketing, education, and languages are common subjects for online degrees. These subjects require students to master certain concepts and memorize specific points; there is little hands-on work.

More Challenging Majors for Online Learning

Other academic fields are ideal for online learning but will require some in-person training. Take nursing and healthcare as an example. Students need to thoroughly understand heaps of information in subjects like anatomy, biology, chemistry, physiology, and other scientific topics, and they can receive this education through an online platform. But eventually, a nurse needs to know how to draw blood, deliver shots, listen to a patient’s lungs, and check their heart rate. You can’t master these skills through a computer screen; you need to show up and practice.

Some jobs require in-person classes or training. To illustrate, we can take another look at nursing. To become a registered nurse, you need at least an associate’s degree and in-person experience. The Associate of Science / Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from Excelsior University, for instance, can be completed mostly online. Still, there is an “Advanced Clinical Practicum,” requirement that must be completed at a clinical site.

Skilled trades are often harder to complete online. Students can complete certain courses that cover basic concepts and theories online, however, they must develop physical skills like welding, machining, woodworking, auto repair, or HVAC service in person, usually under the supervision of an experienced instructor.

Are you wondering: is an online degree respected? It may ultimately depend on the program you pursue.

Are Online Master’s Degrees Respected?

Some also ask the question: are online master’s degrees respected? This is a fair question, as master’s degrees are one of the highest levels of academic achievement, second only to a doctorate. However, the same basic principles apply to master’s degrees as well. They are growing in popularity (just like bachelor’s) and meet the same quality as an in-person master’s degree.

Online MBA programs, for example, offer a viable alternative to traditional on-campus programs, providing flexibility, a robust curriculum, and valuable networking opportunities. They are particularly appealing to professionals looking to advance their careers without stepping away from their current job roles. Their curriculum typically mirrors that of traditional on-campus programs. Core subjects often include finance, marketing, management, operations, and strategy. Many programs also offer specializations in areas like technology management, healthcare administration, or international business.

Are Online Degrees Respected by Employers: How to Discuss Your Degree

Whether you’re nearing graduation or considering an online program, you may be wondering: are online degrees taken seriously by employers? Do hiring managers and human resource professionals take online colleges seriously?

While we have demonstrated that online degrees, especially from accredited schools, are rigorous, legitimate programs that meet a high standard, you may still need to explain your degree.

Some people wonder: “Are online degrees good?”. It may depend on how you describe the education. Consequently, you may need to sell an employer on the fact that your degree matters.

Fortunately, there are some strategies for discussing your online degree.

Emphasize the Coursework

You know how hard you worked. The employer does not. Online programs challenge their students in their courses. They complete difficult, complex assignments. Online students in accredited programs need to demonstrate a high proficiency in the subject and show how they have mastered various topics. When meeting with employers, talk about the work you put into classes and how these challenges have made you a true professional. To emphasize the legitimacy of your education, talk about the qualifications of your instructors, how they are experts in their fields, and how they shared this expertise with you.

Some may ask: “Are online degrees easier?”. Certainly, they don’t understand how hard it is to complete these programs. You need to help them understand!

Demonstrate Your Skills

Employers appreciate education, but they are primarily concerned with what you can do for them. To begin with, prepare a list of skills that you have developed through your online learning. From problem-solving to communication to job-specific skills, match this list with the qualifications of the job. Be sure to emphasize how these skills will benefit the employer.

Discuss the Challenges of Online Learning

Online degrees have many benefits, but they are not easy. Compared to in-person learning, online programs bring unique challenges, including a deep requirement for self-discipline and motivation. Online learning brings flexibility and freedom, but these benefits also require you to personally manage time and schedule your life around the education. It takes initiative, planning, resourcefulness, and organization to successfully complete an online degree. You can apply all of these traits to your next job.

Finally, be proud of the fact that you completed an online degree. Come to the interview with a list of accomplishments and be proud of the fact that you completed an online degree. If you treat it like a major accomplishment, a potential employer will too.

How good are online degrees for getting a job? Ultimately, they are as good as you make them!

Final Thoughts: Are Online Degrees Worth it?

So, are online degrees respected? As we’ve shown, these degrees can lead to excellent careers in a vast assortment of professions. In fact, those who graduate from these programs have a strong chance at landing a world-class career, and company leaders are opening their eyes to the fact that online degrees are just as challenging and rigorous as any education.
Online learning is large and getting larger. As these degrees grow, the overall understanding and respect for these degrees will grow as well.

But, just like with in-person programs, you need to take your time, research the program, and find a degree that fits your needs. After graduation, don’t shy from the fact that you earned an online degree. Instead, be proud! Be proud of the work you’ve put in and employers will take notice. Respect it as a legitimate, challenging degree, and they will too!

When you are ready to enroll in a world-class program from an accredited institution, visit GetEducated.com today. We have a massive database of legitimate degrees from some of the leading institutions in the country.