Are Online Degrees Respected? A Complete Guide to Credibility and Value

Online degrees have become popular among many students in recent years because they offer flexibility and convenience. They let people earn a qualification from anywhere, whether working, raising a family, or managing other responsibilities. For many, online education provides a practical way to keep learning online and growing without disrupting daily life.

A common question, however, is whether online degrees are truly respected by employers, universities, and the professional community. Perceptions have changed over time, and today, many employers value online programs, predominantly from accredited and well-known institutions. As technology has improved and universities have strengthened at least one online course, the quality of online education is now nearly on par with traditional on-campus learning. This article explores how online degrees are viewed in the real world, what affects their credibility, and how to choose programs that provide real value and support your career goals.

What Is an Online Degree?

An online degree is an official academic qualification you earn by studying online instead of attending in-person classes. Students take courses, do assignments, and sit exams using tools like video lessons, discussion boards, and interactive modules. Online degrees are offered at all levels, including associate, online bachelor’s degree, master’s, professional, and doctoral programs.

These programs cover various subjects, including business, healthcare, information technology, engineering, education, social sciences, and the arts. Many universities now offer specialized online university courses that match industry needs, helping students gain practical, career-focused skills while earning a respected degree.

Online learning also uses creative methods like virtual simulations, group projects, and live online classes with teachers. These help students learn the online degrees of the theory and the practical skills needed for real-world jobs.

Why Online Degrees Have Grown?

The growth of online education in recent years has been fueled by several key factors:

Accessibility: Online degrees remove geographical barriers. Students from remote locations, those with physical disabilities, or those who cannot relocate for family or work reasons can now access high-quality education from top institutions worldwide.
Flexibility: Online programs allow students to study whenever it’s convenient. Courses can be taken in the evenings, on weekends, or during any free time. This makes learning much easier for people with jobs, families, or busy schedules.
Cost-effectiveness: Many online programs are more affordable than traditional on-campus degrees. Students save on commuting, housing, and campus fees while receiving the same accreditation and curriculum quality.
Technological Advancement: Modern online programs offer helpful tools like live webinars, video lessons, virtual labs, discussion boards, and group projects. These tools make learning interactive, engaging, and complete for online students.
Globalization of Education: Universities now recruit students worldwide, offering online programs that cater to international or online learners. This has contributed to a growing recognition of online degrees as legitimate and valuable.

This combination of factors has helped online degrees evolve from being viewed as a “novelty” or alternative pathway to becoming a respected educational option embraced by students, potential employers, and professional organizations.

Are Online Degrees Accepted in the Job Market?

Employers’ views on online degrees have significantly changed in the past ten years. While a few companies may still be cautious, most now see online degrees as valid, especially from accredited and well-known schools, colleges, and universities.

A survey by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that more than 90% of employers may consider degrees from accredited online programs credible, especially when the degree comes from a well-known university that also offers traditional on-campus courses.

Factors Influencing Employer Perception

Several key factors shape how employers recognize and respect online degrees:

Institutional Reputation: Degrees from well-known, respected universities usually hold more value than online degrees from lesser-known online-only schools. For example, an online degree from Harvard Extension School or the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will likely be recognized much like its on-campus version.
Accreditation: Employers check whether the program is accredited by recognized agencies. Accreditation is a seal of quality, assuring employers that the coursework, faculty, and assessment meet high academic standards.
Program Rigor: Employers consider whether online students engage in challenging coursework equivalent to on-campus programs. Programs with comprehensive assessments, projects, and interactive learning components signal a strong skill foundation.
Industry Relevance: Some industries, such as IT, business, marketing, and finance, are more accepting of online degrees. Fields requiring hands-on practical experience, like healthcare, nursing, or engineering, may place additional value on in-person training or certifications alongside an online degree.
Skill Demonstration: Employers often look beyond the degree itself, focusing on the skills candidates demonstrate. Online programs that include practical projects, internships, or portfolio-based assessments help online graduates showcase tangible expertise.

Real-World Examples

Tech Industry: Companies like Google, Microsoft, and IBM hire online program graduates. They often value practical skills and project experience more than whether the degree was earned online or in person.
Business Roles: Employers widely recognize online MBAs from accredited schools, including Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School.
Healthcare and Education: Licensed online programs in nursing, public health, and education that meet accreditation standards are fully respected and allow graduates to practice professionally.

Overall, opinions about online degrees are improving. Employers now focus more on the quality of the program and the candidate’s skills than just whether the degree was earned online.

What Is Accreditation and Why Does It Matter?

Accreditation is the process of reviewing a school or program by an independent organization to ensure it meets certain academic standards. In the United States, accreditation is usually approved by the Department of Education (DOE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Accredited programs are carefully reviewed to confirm that they meet quality standards in several areas:

Rigorous Academic Standards: The coursework, tests, and learning goals are all designed to give students a complete and well-rounded education.
Qualified Faculty: Instructors are verified for appropriate degrees, experience, and teaching ability.
Structured Curriculum: Programs follow a coherent structure that builds knowledge progressively and aligns with industry requirements.
Reliable Student Outcomes: Graduates meet defined benchmarks in skills, knowledge, and employability.

Without accreditation, employers, other academic institutions, or professional licensing boards may not recognize a program.

How Accreditation Impacts Respectability?

Accreditation is essential for employers and online schools to judge whether a degree is credible. Graduates from non-accredited institutions may be considered illegitimate or unreliable, even if the program seems comprehensive.

Accreditation also affects more than just credibility:

Financial Aid: Only accredited programs qualify for federal student aid, including loans, grants, and scholarships.
Credit Transferability: Credits earned from an accredited online school or program are more likely to be accepted if you transfer to another online college or university.
Graduate School Admissions: Accredited degrees are required for acceptance into most graduate programs.
Employer Recognition: Many employers check accreditation when evaluating job candidates, especially for regulated professions.

Tips to Verify Accreditation

Before enrolling in an online program, prospective students should take the following steps:

Check the DOE’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs – This official government database lists all recognized accredited institutions.
Confirm with CHEA’s List of Recognized Accrediting Agencies – CHEA provides an additional verification layer for quality assurance.
Avoid Programs Claiming Unverified Accreditation – Some programs use fake or international accrediting agencies that cannot be independently verified. Always cross-check claims.

Taking these precautions ensures your degree is legitimate, respected, and valuable in the professional and academic world.

Advantages of Online Degrees

Online degrees offer several advantages, making them an appealing option for many learners. Here’s a closer look at the main benefits:

Flexibility for Working Professionals

One of the most significant benefits of online education is its flexibility. Students can often study at their own speed by following self-paced lessons or joining scheduled online classes. This flexibility allows learners to fit their studies around other responsibilities, like work, family, or personal commitments, without needing to relocate or change their job schedules.

For example, a person studying for an online MBA can keep working full-time and take classes in the evenings or on weekends. This lets them learn new skills and earn their degrees online without stopping their career. Online learning makes it possible to grow professionally while still studying.

Access to Prestigious Institutions

Online education has expanded access to top-tier universities. Many well-known institutions now offer fully online programs that carry the same academic credibility as their on-campus equivalents. Examples include:

Harvard Extension School: Offers rigorous programs in liberal arts, management, and technology.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: Its online Master of Computer Science is highly respected in the tech industry.
Penn State World Campus: Offers a wide range of online degrees recognized across multiple industries.

If you’re a student who previously could not relocate for education, you can now earn your degrees from globally recognized universities.

Opportunities for Skill Development

Online learning often focuses on practical skills that are useful in real jobs and theoretical knowledge. Students get hands-on experience with tools and technologies commonly used in today’s workplaces, such as:

Digital collaboration platforms (Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom)
Project management software (Asana, Trello, Jira)
Data analysis and visualization tools (Excel, Tableau, Python)

This focus on applied learning ensures graduates are knowledgeable and job-ready, giving them a competitive advantage in the workforce.

Career Advancement

Online college degrees are especially valuable for working professionals seeking career advancement. Completing a degree earned while employed demonstrates discipline, commitment, and strong time management skills, all qualities that employers value in online degrees.

Many programs are also designed to match what employers are looking for, helping students to:

Qualify for promotions or salary increases
Transition to new roles or industries
Build a professional network through online cohorts and alumni communities

For example, a marketing professional who earns an online MBA may move into a managerial role or take on international responsibilities without leaving their current job.

Common Misconceptions About Online Degrees

Despite their growing acceptance, the best online degrees still face misconceptions:

Myth 1: Online Degrees Are Easier

Online students often spend as much or even more time on self-directed learning and projects than traditional students. These programs require strong discipline, good time management, and active participation from both peers and instructors.

Myth 2: Employers Don’t Value Online Degrees

Surveys show that employers generally respect online degrees from accredited schools. For example, a study by the University of Illinois at Chicago found that 70% of organizations had hired employees with online degrees in the past year.

Myth 3: Online Degrees Lack Networking Opportunities

While traditional programs provide in-person networking, online programs now offer virtual networking, group projects, and alumni communities. These features help students build professional connections and expand their networks even without being on campus.

Risks of Non-Accredited or Fake Programs

Not all online programs are legitimate. Non-accredited programs, sometimes called “diploma mills,” can carry serious risks:

Legal Issues: Using a fake degree for employment can result in termination, fines, or legal action.
Career Damage: Employers quickly identify non-accredited degrees, which can harm credibility.
Financial Loss: Students may pay for programs that offer little educational value.

How to Avoid Fake Programs:

Verify accreditation through official databases
Check university reviews and alumni feedback
Look for detailed course descriptions, qualified faculty, and transparent tuition policies

Tips for Choosing a Respected Online Program

To ensure your online degree is respected:

Research Accreditation: Confirm institutional and program-level accreditation.
Assess Curriculum and Faculty: Review course structure and instructor qualifications.
Check Employer Recognition: Investigate whether your target industry accepts degrees from that institution.
Evaluate Alumni Outcomes: Success stories, job placements, and further education opportunities indicate program credibility.
Consider Rankings and Reviews: While rankings aren’t the only factor, they can give a valuable indication of a program’s reputation.

Case Studies: Online Degrees That Command Respect

Business and Management:

Many online MBA programs, like those from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business or the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, are well respected by employers.

IT and Technology:

Online programs, such as Georgia Tech’s Online Master of Computer Science, are considered equivalent to on-campus degrees and are highly respected in the tech field.

Health and Education:

Some online nursing, education, and public health degrees are fully accredited and meet licensing requirements, making them respected credentials in professional circles.

These examples show that the value of online degrees depends on the quality of the program and its accreditation, not whether they are earned online or in person.

The Future of Online Education

As remote work, digital learning tools, and global education platforms become more common, respect for online degrees is expected to increase. Leading universities invest in online programs using the same teachers, resources, and academic standards as on-campus courses. Online degrees focusing on practical, real-world skills will likely gain even more recognition as employers place greater value on skills over formal credentials.

Online degrees can be respected, provided they come from accredited, reputable online and on-campus institutions. They offer flexibility, access to high-quality education, and opportunities for career advancement.

When choosing an online degree program, consider accreditation, curriculum quality, alumni success, and industry recognition. Avoid non-accredited programs or diploma mills, which can harm your career.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Online Degrees

Are online degrees respected by employers?

Yes, employers respect online degree holders from accredited and reputable institutions. Many surveys show that over 90% of employers think that degrees provided by accredited online programs are credible, particularly when the issuing university offers traditional on-campus programs.

Is there a difference between an online degree and a traditional degree?

Academically, no. Accredited online programs are built to meet the same academic standards as traditional on-campus programs. The main difference lies in the delivery of online format programs, which offer flexibility and digital learning tools, while conventional programs involve in-person classes.

Can I get a promotion or salary increase with an online degree?

Absolutely. Many working professionals pursue online degrees specifically to enhance their careers. Employers value the discipline and skills demonstrated by completing a degree while working. Online degrees help qualify for promotions, higher salaries, or career transitions.

How can I verify if an online degree program is legitimate?

Check the program’s accreditation status through recognized agencies like the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) or Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Avoid programs that claim accreditation from unverified or unknown organizations.

Do online degrees offer networking opportunities?

Yes. While online programs lack in-person interactions, most accredited programs include discussion forums, group projects, webinars, and alumni communities that allow students to connect with peers, instructors, and professionals in their field.

Are online degrees accepted in regulated professions like healthcare or law?

It depends. Online degrees in regulated fields must meet accreditation and licensing requirements. For example, the relevant nursing boards must approve online nursing programs to allow graduates to take licensure exams. Always check state or professional regulations before enrolling.