Category: Student Focus

Now that you’ve got your degree, it’s time to decide where you want to put down roots and start a career. Transitioning into the “real world” can be difficult, especially when you start to consider long-term goals, like buying a house and starting a family. Home ownership remains firmly a part of the traditional American dream, after graduating college and landing a job. However, for soon-to-be or recent college graduates, not all housing markets are created equal. The best locations should provide the ability to purchase a house and live comfortably after making mortgage payments.

To help grads find the right place to settle down, we investigated the economic prospects and cost of living in all 50 states to determine if, in fact, the American dream is still attainable and how much it actually costs. The states that top the list share two common traits: First, they have excellent projected employment growth rates; and second, they offer earning potential that is relative to the housing prices in the state.

Jump to the 25 Best States to Start Your Post-College Life

25 Best States to Start Your Post-College Life

1. Texas

In Texas, a college graduate’s dollar goes further in the housing market than any other state in the country. The state is home to three of the five fastest growing cities in the U.S. — Houston, Austin, and San Antonio — as well as a booming economy. Between 2012 and 2022, there are projected to be 7,000 job openings in the technology sector alone.

• Average score: 31.68/40
• Median house value: $149,600
• Median annual salary: $64,795
• Cost of living: 15th

2. Virginia

Chasing Texas for the top spot is Virginia, a state that offers college graduates a growing economy and an affordable housing market. Employment projections are strong in the technology sector, with more than 7,400 job openings expected for individuals with degrees in subjects like computer programming and software development between 2012 and 2022.

• Average score: 31.30/40
• Median house value: $262,000
• Median annual salary: $70,305
• Cost of living: 25th

3. Georgia

The blend of career opportunity and low cost of living earns Georgia a top three ranking on this year’s list. As the state’s economy grows, job prospects are expected to be particularly strong in tech and business. The largest employment gains between 2012 and 2022 are expected in accounting, entrepreneurship, and retail management occupations.

• Average score: 30.24/40
• Median house value: $152,400
• Median annual salary: $62,155
• Cost of living: 16th

4. North Carolina

North Carolina lands in the top five thanks to a job market and economy that together represent a great opportunity for degree holders both to bring home a decent paycheck and purchase a house. Two rapidly growing markets include business and health care, with job prospects especially strong for dental hygienists.

• Average score: 29.26/40
• Median house value: $165,500
• Median annual salary: $65,980
• Cost of living: 23rd

5. Washington

Rounding out the top five is Washington, a state that has a growing and diverse economy which offers graduates the fourth-highest median salary nationally based on our study. A technology hub, the state is fostering growth in its technology sector, with the software development and computer programming industries projected to add at least 6,660 new jobs between 2012 and 2022.

• Average score: 29.06/40
• Median house value: $259,700
• Median annual salary: $72,443
• Cost of living: 36th

6. Colorado

Colorado joins the top 10 powered by strong employment growth in multiple industries and median house values under $250,000. Multiple cities — Fort Collins, Boulder, and Denver — are high-growth startup centers in the tech sector, and the state is also experiencing rapid growth in multiple business fields, including accounting and entrepreneurship.

• Average score: 28.40/40
• Median house value: $246,500
• Median annual salary: $69,530
• Cost of living: 31st

7. Alabama

Two of the biggest advantages in Alabama are its low cost of living and sub-$150,000 median housing market. The business sector is projected to have the biggest employment gains between 2012 and 2022, while health care offers a diverse mix of occupations with upward movement, including dental hygienist — the third-fastest-growing career in the state.

• Average score: 26.90/40
• Median house value: $141,400
• Median annual salary: $61,583
• Cost of living: 10th

8. Michigan

Michigan grabs a spot in the top 10 with an excellent mixture of low housing prices and a high ranking for affordability. Although the state is experiencing employment gains in several industries, the strongest job growth is expected to be in technology, particularly networking, software development and programming, and computer systems analysis.

• Average score: 26.34/40
• Median house value: $130,200
• Median annual salary: $60,720
• Cost of living: 7th

9. Minnesota

Although Minnesota is not as affordable as some of its Midwest counterparts, solid economic growth and earning potential offset a slightly more expensive housing market. The degree areas expected to see the biggest employment gains are all in business (ex. entrepreneurship and management) and technology (ex. information technology and computer systems analysis).

• Average score: 26.28/40
• Median house value: $188,700
• Median annual salary: $65,413
• Cost of living: 32nd

10. Ohio

Rounding out the top 10 is Ohio, a state with median house values under $140,000, good earning potential for college graduates, and a mixture of diverse occupational opportunities in multiple industries. The largest job gains through 2022 are expected to be concentrated in information technology, entrepreneurship, and retail management.

• Average score: 25.58/40
• Median house value: $135,900
• Median annual salary: $59,560
• Cost of living: 19th

11. Arizona

Arizona offers balanced economic opportunity and cost of living for college graduates — both are right in the middle nationally. The state offers good potential in the technology sector, but the biggest growth is expected to be in business, specifically business administration and accounting.

• Average score: 25.54/40
• Median house value: $178,200
• Median annual salary: $61,940
• Cost of living: 28th

12. Maryland (tie)

Although Maryland is home to one of the country’s more expensive housing markets, the median salary for the most employable degrees (third nationally) might help offset that cost. There are strong employment opportunities in both business and technology between 2012 and 2022. Entrepreneurship is projected to experience the most growth, outpacing the second-fastest-growing career field (retail management) by a whopping 60.8 percent.

• Average score: 25.00/40
• Median house value: $287,600
• Median annual salary: $72,446
• Cost of living: 40th

12. New Jersey (tie)

Although New Jersey has a higher-than-average cost of living, its median salary ranks first nationally. Job growth is expected to be diverse, with an economic climate projected to see significant gains in technology, marketing, and business administration. Software development, computer programming, and information technology are three fields anticipated to experience some of the largest job growth numerically between 2012 and 2022.

• Average score: 25.00/40
• Median house value: $287,600
• Median annual salary: $76,442
• Cost of living: 45th

14. Illinois

Illinois makes the top 15 as a state that offers good salaries and a relatively affordable housing market. The industries with the largest employment growth, like many other states, are expected to be in business (ex. retail management), but tech fields such as information technology, software development, and computer programming show promise as well.

• Average score: 24.56/40
• Median house value: $179,700
• Median annual salary: $62,893
• Cost of living: 22nd

15. Utah

Utah is one of the country’s more affordable states, where housing values are just slightly north of $200,000. Relative to the state’s population, employment growth is expected to be strong in health care — especially dental hygiene — as well as a mix of technology and business-related occupations, including entrepreneurship.

• Average score: 24.32/40
• Median house value: $214,300
• Median annual salary: $58,485
• Cost of living: 11th

16. Indiana

Indiana joins the top 25 as another Midwest state that offers college graduates an opportunity for post-graduation success. One of the most affordable regions in the country, Indiana is also home to a surging job market, particularly in health care, ranking in the top 11 nationally for all the health-related fields in our study.

• Average score: 24.26/40
• Median house value: $129,900
• Median annual salary: $54,423
• Cost of living: 4th

17. Massachusetts

Excellent earning potential offsets the relatively high cost of living in Massachusetts, coupled with strong job growth in business and technology. Computer programming, software development, and entrepreneurship are just a few examples of occupational areas expected to see continual gains between 2012 and 2022.

• Average score: 24.18/40
• Median house value: $330,600
• Median annual salary: $69,902
• Cost of living: 43rd

18. Delaware

At No. 18, Delaware is another East Coast state that offers good opportunity for college graduates to put their post-graduation earnings to work. Although the state has an above-average cost of living, it boasts the second-highest median salary in the degree areas surveyed. For job growth, accounting is the fastest-growing occupational field in Delaware, followed by the technology sector.

• Average score: 24.10/40
• Median house value: $233,900
• Median annual salary: $74,213
• Cost of living: 37th

19. Missouri

The sixth Midwestern state in the top 25, Missouri is expected to have strong professional opportunities in the business sector, particularly entrepreneurship and accounting. With median housing values below $150,000, the state offers college degree holders both affordability and career mobility.

• Average score: 23.82/40
• Median house value: $144,200
• Median annual salary: $58,760
• Cost of living: 17th

20. Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania offers college graduates a combination of affordable housing, solid earning potential, and job growth across a variety of industries. Marketing represents the strongest academic area for future career success in the state, and for job growth, business and technology professions are both projected to experience strong gains between 2012 and 2022.

• Average score: 23.68/40
• Median house value: $178,000
• Median annual salary: $65,050
• Cost of living: 34th

21. Connecticut

Although Connecticut is one of the most expensive areas to live in the country — second only to Hawaii — those high costs are offset by a strong job outlook and higher-than-average salaries. The strongest employment opportunities are expected to be in technology and business, especially in accounting and marketing.

• Average score: 23.60/40
• Median house value: $272,800
• Median annual salary: $70,767
• Cost of living: 49th

22. Kansas

Kansas ranks in the top 10 nationally for affordability and has a sub-$150,000 median home value. The low cost of living represents real opportunity for degree holders, especially those pursuing careers in business, technology, and health care. Those three industries are expected to experience the largest employment gains numerically in the state between 2012 and 2022.

• Average score: 23.52/40
• Median house value: $147,400
• Median annual salary: $56,790
• Cost of living: 9th

23. California

California is the second West Coast state to make the top 25. Although cost of living is significantly higher than the national average, a positive job outlook and solid professional opportunities in the technology sector place the state on this year’s list. Nine of the 10 top-scoring degrees for California are in tech, with information science topping our list.

• Average score: 23.28/40
• Median house value: $383,200
• Median annual salary: $71,943
• Cost of living: 46th

24. Florida

Florida is projected to see strong employment growth in health care, with two occupations — osteopathy and occupational therapy — ranking in the top 10 nationally for overall job openings in the field. Salaries and cost of living are both middle-of-the-road, placing the state near the bottom of the best states for housing affordability after graduation, but still in the top 25.

• Average score: 23.20/40
• Median house value: $163,600
• Median annual salary: $61,070
• Cost of living: 27th

25. Tennessee

The low cost of living in Tennessee is a strong enough factor to earn it a place in the top 25. On the other hand, job growth is primarily strong for lower-paying occupations, particularly in health care. Occupational therapy and surgical technology are two of the best occupations for Tennessee degree holders, based on growth projections.

• Average score: 23.16/40
• Median house value: $147,400
• Median annual salary: $54,342
• Cost of living: 2nd

Methodology

For each of the top 25 degrees featured in OnlineDegrees.com’s Most Employable Degrees, we ranked every state on the four data points listed below:

1. Average salary — The median annual salary for graduates holding this specific degree in this state (based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and National Center for Education Statistics).
2. Leftover salary — How much money a degree holder can expect to have left over after mortgage payments on a median-priced home (based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center for Education Statistics, and the American Community Survey, 2013).
3. Job potential — How many new jobs are projected for careers associated with this degree in the state between 2012 and 2022 (based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Projections Central, the Michigan Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, and Workforce West Virginia).
4. Cost of living — How affordable the state is to live in overall (based on data from the Council for Community and Economic Research, 2014).

Each category was scored out of a possible 10 points, then added together for a total score of up to 40. Once we had a total score for each of the top 25 degrees, we averaged the state’s scores together to see which scored highest overall across all degrees. The states were ranked based on which had the highest average out of 40 points.

Note: The median annual salaries listed for each state are only for careers related to the 25 degrees included in our study.

You may have seen stories about cool college elective classes, but some institutions really embrace the road less travelled by being among the first to offer obscure degree programs in niche fields of study. And some of these off-the-beaten-path majors can lead to amazing careers in high-demand industries for the students brave enough to pursue them. Fortunately, many of these unique college degrees have fully online or hybrid formats for people who like to live off the beaten track but still want to tuck a degree under their belt. So if you’re looking for cool things to major in college, read on!

Oftentimes, these unique, highly focused degree programs catch on because of the strong career potential associated with them. Although you probably never knew some of these strange majors existed because they’re only available at a limited number of schools, we chose to spotlight some that we think can lead to big bucks, early entrance into an emerging industry, or just a really fascinating career path. Check out these eight obscure degrees, and how they might pay off:

Outdoor Product Design

Majoring in product design isn’t exactly new, but focusing specifically on outdoor gear is. This first-of-its-kind degree is currently being offered at Utah State University, and aims to prepare students for careers in designing outdoor products and apparel. The coursework teaches design, engineering, sustainability, and supply chain management studies, all through the lens of outdoor recreation.

As outdoor activities like hiking, snowmobiling, mountain biking, and others continue to grow in popularity, companies — many in Utah itself — are looking to bring in talent who can develop products that can outlast the elements. In fact, over $184 billion was spent on outdoor products in 2017, according to the Outdoor Industry Association, and that number is likely much higher today. Students who graduate from the program can expect a high concentration of job prospects in the local area.

Race Track Management

If this year’s Triple Crown inspired a passion for the racing industry, you’re in luck! The University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program (RTIP) can prepare you for a sure-bet career at the track. Undergrads can choose from two program options: A business path focused on race track management, regulation, and pari-mutuel racing organizations; or the equine management path, which deals with racing and breeding animals.

With more than 100 thoroughbred racetracks nationwide, and opportunities at state racing boards, graduates of this program can put themselves on track to qualify for high-level positions in this exciting industry.

Cloud Computing

Finally, a major for students with their heads in the clouds! With just about every technology offering a cloud-based solution these days, students choosing the Cloud and Mobile Computing Applications specialization as part of San Jose State University’s Master of Science in Software Engineering program will graduate with a highly coveted skill set for an emerging field.

Experts project that the worldwide cloud computing market will reach a market size of $641 billion by 2024, making it safe to say that the forecast for this career is cloudy with a strong chance of success.

Drones

Look up in the sky: It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a drone? Yes, drone technology has really taken off, and as such, the demand for those who can pilot and operate Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) has skyrocketed (pardon the puns). What began as a technology mostly used by the military is being adapted for everything from package delivery to precision agriculture to wildfire surveillance.

As such, at least two schools — the University of North Dakota’s School of Aerospace Science and Illinois’ Lewis University — have created bachelor of science degrees that focus on UAS Operations. According to the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, the drone industry will create more than 100,000 new jobs and $82 billion in economic impact through 2025. Graduates of these programs may be able to snatch the best opportunities in the field.

Demography/Population Research

Big data is poised to keep getting bigger, which is why organizations need to hire people who can crunch down demographic and population research and statistics. Not surprisingly, this demand has inspired a new major: demography. It’s essentially the science of how populations grow and change, and how that affects social and economic progress.

While those with this specialized knowledge traditionally work for government entities like the U.S. Census Bureau, more businesses are seeking these skills to help predict consumer behavior so they can adapt their marketing and manufacturing strategies accordingly. Interested students can pursue a master of arts in demography at UC Berkeley, or opt for a dual degree program in the field at Penn State.

Data Center Engineering

Speaking of big data, another soon-to-be popular degree is in data center engineering. The first one was actually developed by Southern Methodist University in direct response to a request by Hewlett-Packard. Talk about demand for skills driving educational offerings!

According to the Worldwide Datacenter Network, the expansion of datacenter networks from 2015 to 2020 in IT organizations is forecast to grow 8.4 percent. According to Cisco, by 2021 data center storage capacity will experience a 4-fold growth. Data center engineering students in the degree program can expect to take courses in data centers, facilities and infrastructure, data analytics, virtualization, and cloud computing.

Ski Business Management

How would you like to major in something that sounds more like a winter vacation getaway? For students who wish to merge their passions for the slopes with a career interest in hospitality and resort management, there’s a major to go with this highly specialized area of study. Students can currently pursue this degree track with Sierra Nevada College’s Ski Area Business Management program, or Northern Michigan University’s Ski Business and Resort Management major.

Here’s why it could be a great move: Outdoor tourism is snowballing. In fact, according to the National Ski Areas Association, the number of snowsports visits in the U.S. during the winter of 2016-2017 was 54.8 million — that’s more than double the number of people who attended NFL games in 2016.

Winemaking

Apparently you don’t have to be of legal drinking age to become a wine expert. At Cornell University, undergrads can major in Viticulture and Enology, which is the science behind winemaking. Students learn about wine chemistry, vineyard management, and grapevine biology, among other libation lessons.

Similarly, the Fermentation Sciences degree at Appalachian State University is popular among students who wish to pop the cork on their goal of working in a winery, brewery, distillery, or biotechnology business.

Sources:
The Outdoor Recreation Economy, the Outdoor Industry Association, 2017, https://outdoorindustry.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/OIA_RecEconomy_FINAL_Single.pdf
Cloud Computing Services: A Research Brief, Global Industry Analysts, Inc., USA, January 2018, http://www.strategyr.com/MarketResearch/Cloud_Computing_Services_Market_Trends.asp
Cisco Global Cloud Index: Forecast and Methodology, 2016–2021 White Paper, February 2018, https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/collateral/service-provider/global-cloud-index-gci/white-paper-c11-738085/#_Toc503317520
Worldwide Datacenter Network Forecast, 2016 – 2020, IDC, December 2016, IDC, https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=US41314616
List of National Football League attendance figures, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_National_Football_League_attendance_figures, accessed March 2018
Kottke National End-of-Season survey 2016-2017, RRC Associates, http://www.nsaa.org/media/303945/visits.pdf, accessed March 2018.

There are many factors to consider when deciding where to live after college. Apart from proximity to family and friends, the perfect location should offer good employment opportunities and salary. It should also be a place in which buying a house is a realistic, affordable option.

Unfortunately, while the median listing price for a home has increased by six percent nationally since 2014, according to Realtor.com, the earning potential of many careers have not kept pace. That means college graduates may find themselves in a pinch when it comes to realizing the dream of home ownership.

To help graduates get started on the right foot, we’ve analyzed which states offer the best opportunities for degree holders, and which offer the worst. The states that top our list of worst places to settle in post-college are burdened by a combination of poor job prospects, low median salaries, and expensive housing markets. To see which states show the most promise for degree holders, check out the 25 Best States to Start Your Post-College Life.

Methodology

For each of the top 25 degrees featured in OnlineDegrees.com’s Most Employable Degrees 2015, we ranked every state on the four data points listed below:

1. Average salary — The median annual salary for graduates holding this specific degree in this state (based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and National Center for Education Statistics).
2. Leftover salary — How much money a degree holder can expect to have left over after mortgage payments on a median-priced home (based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center for Education Statistics, and the American Community Survey, 2013).
3. Job potential — How many new jobs are projected for careers associated with this degree in the state between 2012 and 2022 (based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Projections Central, the Michigan Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, and Workforce West Virginia).
4. Cost of living — How affordable the state is to live in overall (based on data from the Council for Community and Economic Research, 2014).

Each category was scored out of a possible 10 points, then added together for a total score of up to 40. Once we had a total score for each of the top 25 degrees, we averaged the state’s scores together to see which scored highest overall across all degrees. The states in this list were ranked based on which had the lowest average out of 40 points.

Note: The median annual salaries listed for each state are only for careers related to the 25 degrees included in our study.

25 Worst States to Start Your Post-College Life

1. Hawaii

Hawaii tops the list of worst states for graduates to move to post-college, as the combination of one of the country’s most expensive housing markets and relatively low employment opportunities means there is limited opportunity for degree holders to purchase a home. However, health care is an emerging and growing industry, one that offers solid career and earning potential in several areas, including dental hygiene and sonography.

• Average score: 4.10/40
• Median house value: $500,400
• Median annual salary: $58,070
• Cost of living: 50th

2. West Virginia

On one hand, West Virginia is a relatively inexpensive place to live. On the other, it is home to a weak economy with below-average employment prospects and one of the country’s highest unemployment rates. Yet, as with Hawaii, health care is a silver lining, with growth expected in fields such as radiation therapy, diagnostic medical sonography, surgical technology, and dental hygiene.

• Average score: 10.82/40
• Median house value: $122,600
• Median annual salary: $46,928
• Cost of living: 24th

3. Vermont

Vermont has a blend of low employment growth and a relatively expensive housing market. The size of the state means there are limited economic growth potential and fewer jobs. Although Vermont has a low unemployment rate (tied for fourth nationally), there isn’t much excitement around employment opportunities. Health care remains a bright spot with projected job gains in multiple fields, such as physical therapy, surgical technology, and diagnostic medical sonography.

• Average score: 10.96/40
• Median house value: $222,900
• Median annual salary: $58,995
• Cost of living: 41st

4. Montana

Montana is an affordable option for college graduates, but it’s saddled with low salary potential and an economy that lacks a diverse range of growing career fields. Earning power is the largest issue confronting degree holders. For example, technology occupations that are some of the best paying careers in the country only average in the mid-$40,000 to low $50,000 range in Montana, and the state isn’t in the top tier for affordability. However, positive professional opportunities do exists, particularly in health care and the energy (oil and gas) industries.

• Average score: 11.92/40
• Median house value: $206,200
• Median annual salary: $52,900
• Cost of living: 30th

5. North Dakota

Montana’s neighbor, North Dakota, rounds out the worst five states for college graduates to settle down in. The state falls in the middle nationally for cost of living and has simply average employment projections and earning potential for most major industries. Conversely, the energy industry represents real potential, especially in petroleum engineering and related fields.

• Average score: 13.40/40
• Median house value: $169,400
• Median annual salary: $54,668
• Cost of living: 29th

6. Maine

Maine is in a similar situation to Vermont: It’s a small state with a small economy. The housing market is affordable, and median salaries are competitive, but employment opportunity is constrained to a few industries, particularly technology and health care. In addition, several industries are expected to experience employment losses between 2012 and 2022. The top job opportunities are concentrated in the medical field, in areas such as radiation technology, respiratory therapy, and diagnostic medical sonography.

• Average score: 14.62/40
• Median house value: $178,800
• Median annual salary: $56,030
• Cost of living: 38th

7. Alaska

Employment opportunities are limited in Alaska, and the state has the fourth-highest unemployment rate in the country. It ranks in the bottom five nationally for cost of living, which depresses how far post-graduation salaries can go. Nevertheless, the state has strong oil and gas and tourism industries and an expanding health care sector — each of which could offer solid earning potential.

• Average score: 15.04/40
• Median house value: $266.800
• Median annual salary: $66,602
• Cost of living: 47th

8. South Dakota

Even with median house values in the $150,000 range, salaries are not keeping pace in South Dakota to make home buying easily affordable. There is, however, decent employment growth projected in some health care and mining or petroleum professions. Business careers can pay into the low $60,000 range, which means prospective residents should be intentional about which fields of study they pursue.

• Average score: 16.20/40
• Median house value: $152,300
• Median annual salary: $61,050
• Cost of living: 35th

9. Louisiana

Louisiana has the sixth-highest unemployment rate in the country, and below-average wages affect the overall affordability of the housing market. Even though the state is projected to experience good growth potential in areas such as health care and technology, those occupations are not as lucrative as they are in other areas of the country. Yet, software development, computer science, and computer systems analysis are three example career areas projected to see higher than average employment gains between 2012 and 2022.

• Average score: 16.48/40
• Median house value: $161,400
• Median annual salary: $53,475
• Cost of living: 20th

10. South Carolina

South Carolina is faced with the third-highest unemployment rate in the country, middling wages, and mediocre projected employment growth. Even occupations that have high growth potential are limited in total number in the state. Certain areas of health care, business, and technology (such as marketing and information security) could see solid job growth, which presents opportunity to some grads.

• Average score: 16.76/40
• Median house value: $155,500
• Median annual salary: $53,252
• Cost of living: 21st

11. Mississippi

Mississippi is a state of contrasts. Although it ranks first nationally for affordability, it ranks next to last for median income. That means earning potential doesn’t offset the actual cost of living in the state. Additionally, Mississippi faces high unemployment figures — fifth-highest in the country — and mixed job growth in multiple industries. The best opportunities should be in business (e.g. retail management, accounting) and some health care careers between 2012 and 2022.

• Average score: 17.12/40
• Median house value: $121,700
• Median annual salary: $50,000
• Cost of living: 1st

12. Wyoming

Wyoming falls in the middle of the road for both cost of living and economic growth. The state’s small population and limited economic growth poses an issue for new college graduates. There are positives, however: Wyoming has a low unemployment rate and more than 100 occupations have projected growth rates of above 20 percent between 2012 and 2022.

• Average score: 17.34/40
• Median house value: $205,200
• Median annual salary: $57,370
• Cost of living: 18th

13. Arkansas

Arkansas is affordable and has decent employment growth in several industries but still makes the list of worst states for college graduates. The reason? Overall, unemployment figures are higher than the national average, and job growth for skilled careers is limited, which may not bode well for individuals with a college education. However, health care remains a bright spot in the state, with several occupational fields — radiation therapy and occupational therapy, for example — topping the list of fastest-growing careers in the state between 2012 and 2022.

• Average score: 17.48/40
• Median house value: $124,700
• Median annual salary: $50,663
• Cost of living: 12th

14. New Hampshire

New Hampshire is an expensive place to live, but it also boasts low unemployment rates and decent pay. The problem? The limited career opportunities due to a small job market pose problems for college graduates. The fastest-growing occupational fields are often low-paying or unskilled career areas, such as home health care. There are some opportunities in business and technology jobs, such as software development, that are expected to experience decent growth and offer salaries above the state median.

• Average score: 18.94/40
• Median house value: $239,500
• Median annual salary: $65,680
• Cost of living: 39th

15. Oklahoma

Oklahoma offers a friendly housing market, and its unemployment is hovering just above four percent, which is below the national average. However, salaries are generally below average and total job growth is limited. On the plus side, health care is emerging as a growing industry with occupations in physical therapy and diagnostic medical sonography showing promise.

• Average score: 19.08/40
• Median house value: $130,200
• Median annual salary: $51,696
• Cost of living: 5th

16. Nevada

Nevada faces both the highest unemployment rate of any U.S. state and a higher-than-average cost of living. The best job growth is reserved for unskilled positions, and occupations requiring a college degree are projected to see minimal employment gains between 2012 and 2022. Health care remains a silver lining with good job openings expected in areas such as occupational therapy and diagnostic medical sonography.

• Average score: 19.44/40
• Median house value: $169,000
• Median annual salary: $61,173
• Cost of living: 33rd

17. Kentucky

Kentucky is home to an affordable housing market, but earning potential constrains what college graduates can afford. Two important sectors — business and technology — are not keeping pace with growth rates in other states, and overall economic opportunity is limited. Again, health care is a strong industry, one that is expected to see market gains in areas including dental hygiene, diagnostic medical sonography, and occupational therapy.

• Average score: 19.80/40
• Median house value: $137,400
• Median annual salary: $51,585
• Cost of living: 6th

18. Wisconsin

The fastest-growing career fields in Wisconsin don’t align with best-paying ones, and job growth is not as strong as in surrounding Midwest states. Overall economic movement in technology and business is slow, and employment gains in the business sector are decent at best. Health care occupations in areas such as surgical technology and diagnostic medical sonography are projected to see the largest employment gains, making health care the primary economic bright spot.

• Average score: 20.26/40
• Median house value: $168,300
• Median annual salary: $58,354
• Cost of living: 26th

19. Oregon

Oregon is a state of averages: average economic growth, average housing market, average salaries. The state has an unemployment rate slightly above five percent (close to the U.S. average), and many of the top occupations don’t align with market value nationally. However, health care and technology are emerging as strong industries, with occupations in computer systems analysis and dental hygiene standing out as solid options for college graduates looking to afford a home in Oregon.

• Average score: 20.46/40
• Median house value: $238,900
• Median annual salary: $66,525
• Cost of living: 44th

20. Idaho

Idaho has an affordable housing market and low unemployment rates — both positives for grads seeking to buy a home and find a job. But those are largely offset by the below-average earning potential across multiple industries. Employment prospects are decent in areas such as technology and business, but are limited overall because of the size of the state’s economy. There are good job prospects in health care, including osteopathy and dental hygiene, but wages are still lagging behind national averages.

• Average score: 20.48/40
• Median house value: $162,700
• Median annual salary: $52,768
• Cost of living: 3rd

21. New Mexico

New Mexico is hampered by a relatively small economy that lacks diversity. The unemployment rate ranks 40th nationally, just over six percent. Numerically, the state is expected to see job growth in some areas, such as retail management, but those figures drop when the rest of business-related occupations are factored in. However, the below-average cost of living is a strength, and health care and tech are projected to see better-than-average job gains.

• Average score: 21.32/40
• Median house value: $172,700
• Median annual salary: $57,370
• Cost of living: 13th

22. Iowa

Iowa benefits from an affordable housing market and low unemployment, but still struggles with a limited economic environment that is not projected to produce significant job growth between 2012 and 2022. The occupations expected to see the biggest gains do not offer the highest salaries, but there are still opportunities for grads looking to make enough money to afford a home. The best are in retail management and accounting, with some health care growth figured for areas such as dental hygiene and osteopathy.

• Average score: 21.56/40
• Median house value: $136,600
• Median annual salary: $56,027
• Cost of living: 14th

23. Rhode Island

Rhode Island is one of the most expensive places to live in the country, and it also has one of the higher unemployment rates in the nation. Coupled with its small size (only one major city), economic growth is projected to be limited, which can make it a tough place to buy a home. However, earning potential is strong in the state, especially in health care and tech.

• Average score: 21.68/40
• Median house value: $233,400
• Median annual salary: $69,747
• Cost of living: 42nd

24. New York

New York trails only Connecticut and Hawaii as one of the most expensive states in which to live, with the sixth-highest median home value in the U.S. The size of the population means more competition, especially for attractive occupations in industries such as health care and technology. But in many cases, salaries are keeping pace with the cost of living — New York City is an exception — which means home ownership is still a legit possibility here.

• Average score: 21.70/40
• Median house value: $239,900
• Median annual salary: $72,269
• Cost of living: 48th

25. Nebraska

Nebraska falls just outside the list of the top 25 states for degree holders to move to after college. The state boasts the lowest unemployment rate in the country — just 2.5 percent — and has an affordable housing market. However, earning potential and job growth are both merely average. Nebraska does offer a diversity of employment options in expanding industries, such as tech and health care, which presents opportunity to prospective homebuyers.

• Average score: 22.70/40
• Median house value: $141,500
• Median annual salary: $58,216
• Cost of living: 8th

Did you know that you may not need a four-year degree to land a high-paying job? Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, recently said that about half of Apple’s US employment in 2018 consisted of people who did not have a four-year degree. Statistics too support the idea that an associate degree that takes two years or less to complete, and that too at a lower cost than required for a bachelor’s degree, may provide access to high-paying jobs in specialized, fast-growing fields. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in associate degree-level occupations is projected to grow 11 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the 7.4-percent average projected for all occupations. Entry-level professionals with an associate degree had a median annual wage of $53,700 in 2018.

Several colleges and universities offer online associate degree programs. An online degree program may provide you with the flexibility you need to work and attend to family responsibilities alongside your education.

Here are six jobs that may be lucrative options for graduates with associate degrees.

1. Air Traffic Controller

The aviation industry is in the midst of major changes, especially with the entry of new players such as Amazon and the initiation of deliveries by drones. Air traffic controllers are invaluable for monitoring and directing the movement of aircraft to ensure safety and efficiency. They usually work at airports at control towers, approach control facilities, or route centers.

Why it’s in demand: The BLS estimates a projected job growth of 3% through 2026 for this highly specialized occupation. This amounts to around 900 jobs.

Dollar details: Air traffic controllers earned a median annual wage of $124,540 as of May 2018.

How to break in: To become an air traffic controller, you may typically need at least an associate degree through an Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative program that is approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). You may also need to pass a pre-employment biographical assessment that gauges your personality fitness for the job. Air traffic controllers may be further required to hold an Air Traffic Control Tower Operator certificate.

2. Radiation Therapist

The healthcare field is always in need of skilled professionals such as radiation therapists. These therapists administer radiation treatments that are required for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. They usually work with other healthcare professionals such as oncologists and nurses at healthcare facilities.

Why it’s in demand: The demand for these professionals is on the rise, with a 13% growth in job opportunities expected through 2026.

Dollar details: Radiation therapists had a median annual wage of $82,330 as of May 2018.

How to break in: You may need at least an associate degree in radiation therapy to secure employment as a radiation therapist. You may also need licensure and national-level certification to be eligible to practice.

3. Nuclear Technician

Globally, there is an increasing emphasis on using clean and renewable energy sources for electricity generation. Nuclear energy is one such source of energy. Nuclear technicians are usually employed at nuclear power plants where they use special equipment to monitor the performance of nuclear reactors. They may also test for radioactive contamination in the environment, manage nuclear waste at waste management facilities, or work in research laboratories.

Why it’s in demand: According to the BLS, a projected job growth of 1%, that is an increase of around 100 jobs, is expected through 2026 in this highly technical profession.

Dollar details: Nuclear technicians make a comfortable living with a median annual wage of $79,140 as of May 2018.

How to break in: To become a nuclear technician, you may first need to complete an associate degree in nuclear science, nuclear technology, or a related field. A background check and security clearance may be needed after you are hired. You may learn most of the skills you need through on-the-job technical training. You could also secure certification such as industrial radiography and radiation safety personnel certification or Registered Radiation Protection Technologist certification.

4. Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Imaging is often an essential first step in the diagnosis of diseases. Some imaging tests and treatment methods may require the use of radioactive drugs. These are prepared and administered by highly skilled nuclear medicine technologists.

Why it’s in demand: An increase of 10% in the number of job opportunities for nuclear medicine technologists, a total of about 2,000 jobs, is expected through 2026.

Dollar details: With a mean annual wage of $76,820 as of May 2018, these professionals have plenty of financial support.

How to break in: An associate degree or a higher qualification in nuclear medicine technology can help you find a job as a nuclear medicine technologist. If you already have a qualification in a related health field, a 12-month certificate program in nuclear medicine technology may qualify you for the job. As a technologist, you may require licensure as well as certification to practice. You could also specialize in positron emission tomography, nuclear cardiology, or computed tomography.

5. Dental Hygienist

When you go for a dental checkup, you probably spend most of your time during the session with a dental hygienist. A dental hygienist usually evaluates a patient’s oral and dental health, cleans teeth, diagnoses certain health problems, and provides guidance on how to maintain good oral health. Dental hygienists may practice either under the supervision of a dentist or independently.

Why it’s in demand: Dental hygienists are in tremendous demand. The projected job growth through 2026 is 20% with around 40,900 jobs expected to become available.

Dollar details: Dental hygienists earned a mean annual wage of $74,820 as of May 2018.

How to break in: An associate degree in dental hygiene is the least qualification needed to secure an entry-level position as a dental hygienist. You may also need to secure licensure to practice.

6. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Another high-demand healthcare profession is that of diagnostic medical sonographer. These technicians specialize in operating special imaging equipment to create images, called sonograms, of the tissues and organs of a patient’s body. They also analyze the images to help physicians and surgeons diagnose medical conditions.

Why it’s in demand: Like other healthcare professions, this occupation can expect a projected job growth of 23%, with about 15,600 jobs expected to become available through 2026.

Dollar details: The mean annual wage of diagnostic medical sonographers as of May 2018 was $72,510.

How to break in: To become a diagnostic medical sonographer, you may need to complete an associate degree program in sonography or a certificate program available at certain colleges and hospitals. You may also secure advanced certification to specialize in one or more areas of diagnostic imaging, such as in abdominal sonography.

Future opportunities for students specializing in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are said to be bright. However, these four fields cover a wide range of majors and potential occupations, some of which look more promising than others. In an effort to help students make a more informed decision about their educational investment, we’ve ranked every popular degree specialization based on numerous cost-benefit factors. This article will look specifically at science and math fields that topped our list of most employable degrees for 2015.

A recent study by OnlineDegrees.com examined which majors offer the best “bang for your buck,” with “bang” defined as job opportunities in high-demand areas coupled with decent pay, and “buck” being the cost associated with obtaining a degree in the field.

Data from this study were derived by comparing expected number of job openings and average salaries provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to degree information from the National Center for Educational Statistics. This anaysis was used to create the Degree & Career Match-Up tool, a ranking of degree programs based on which offered the best ratio of high pay/opportunity versus investment in tuition and time.

As you look over this ranking, keep in mind the following caveats:

• This list is focused primarily on science and math fields. Engineering and technology are the subject of a different set of rankings.
• Our analysis is based on historical information that can change, especially in dynamic scientific fields
• The degree titles used as the basis of this list include categories that might overlap and not necessarily correspond to what you will find at every university.

With those qualifiers in mind, here are the 20 science and math degrees that offer the best potential return on investment for prospective students:

1.Geographic Information Science and Cartography

Why such high demand in fields related to mapping and location-related data? Ask your smartphone to find directions to your job interview to get a taste of the many applications that are emerging from a convergence of cartography (map making), geographical data systems, and the Internet.

• Average Salary of Related Professions: $77,623
• Projected Job Growth (2012-2022): 12.03%
• Average Tuition Cost Per Year: $12,888
• Number of Schools Offering Programs in this Field: 157

2.Paleontology

Who knew that the study of dinosaurs pays so well (at least for graduates of some of the few schools offering degrees in this field)? Actually, the field is now subdivided into numerous sub-disciplines that study the fossil record of animals, plants, and microscopic organisms, making paleontology one of the most dynamic areas of the life sciences.

• Average Salary of Related Professions: $96,800
• Projected Job Growth (2012-2022): 10.97%
• Average Tuition Cost Per Year: $5,522
• Number of Schools Offering Programs in this Field: 5

3. Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation

This field involves developing and understanding computer-based visual simulation which supports not just technology behind the latest CGI-laden blockbuster, but all kinds of applications relating to visual/quantitative analysis of data and human-machine interaction.

• Average Salary of Related Professions: $84,890
• Projected Job Growth (2012-2022): 13.18%
• Average Tuition Cost Per Year: $17,907
• Number of Schools Offering Programs in this Field: 19

4. Algebra and Number Theory

The way our research was compiled means that you will occasionally find a degree — like this one in advanced mathematics — offered by just a single university (one that seems to be producing high-paying graduates for fairly short tuition).

• Average Salary of Related Professions: $95,070
• Projected Job Growth (2012-2022): 13.3%
• Average Tuition Cost Per Year: $6,856
• Number of Schools Offering Programs in this Field: 1

5. Mathematics, General

This broader mathematics discipline seems to be yielding significant levels of opportunity (measured in high job growth for well-paying jobs), albeit via degree programs with relatively high tuition. Growth in this field is being fueled by advances in computer science that are turning what were once abstract theories into practical technological advances.

• Average Salary of Related Professions: $80,133
• Projected Job Growth (2012-2022): 14.23%
• Average Tuition Cost Per Year: $21,672
• Number of Schools Offering Programs in this Field: 2647

6.Physics, General

Just as graduates with a degree in mathematics can find employment in organizations able to put those skills to use pushing forward advances in computer science, a degree in physics opens up opportunities in engineering and industry, as well as in research at the frontiers of science.

• Average Salary of Related Professions: $90,725
• Projected Job Growth (2012-2022): 8.85%
• Average Tuition Cost Per Year: $23,792
• Number of Schools Offering Programs in this Field: 1,613

7.Geology/Earth Science, General

Those trying to mine the planet, save it, or just explore what goes on beneath our feet (and in the ecological systems we inhabit) all have uses for the skills learned by those studying geology and earth science, an area that supports degree programs from close to a thousand institutions.

• Average Salary of Related Professions: $91,528
• Projected Job Growth (2012-2022): 10.83%
• Average Tuition Cost Per Year: $22,464
• Number of Schools Offering Programs in this Field: 893

8. Biotechnology

High risk and high reward is associated with a biotech field that continues to receive huge investment dollars from those looking for the next blockbuster drug or medical technology breakthrough. But even in less dramatic industry and research efforts, the need for those with experience working at the intersection of high-tech and life science remains high.

• Average Salary of Related Professions: $88,433
• Projected Job Growth (2012-2022): 8.2%
• Average Tuition Cost Per Year: $16,265
• Number of Schools Offering Programs in this Field: 236

9.Biology/Biological Sciences, General

Like general math and physics, biology and biological sciences covers a huge range of disciplines that research and experiment with life forms both micro and macro. And speaking of macro, the number of degree programs in this discipline is close to 3000, with tuition also ranking among the highest in any of the science fields included in this study.

• Average Salary of Related Professions: $77,518
• Projected Job Growth (2012-2022): 8.06%
• Average Tuition Cost Per Year: $21,011
• Number of Schools Offering Programs in this Field: 2,796

10.Physical Sciences

The physical sciences represent a cross-disciplinary field that looks at non-living (inorganic) matter from a variety of scientific perspectives. Careers that make use of graduates of physical science programs often cross boundaries between physics and chemistry, and even astronomy and earth science.

• Average Salary of Related Professions: $86,100
• Projected Job Growth (2012-2022): 5.6%
• Average Tuition Cost Per Year: $15,103
• Number of Schools Offering Programs in this Field: 247

In some ways, math and science subjects that involve solving problems that have correct and incorrect answers are ideally suited to online learning. That said, several disciplines involve lab and field work, which means an advanced degree in the sciences might require enrolling in hybrid programs that combine solitary online learning with hands-on activity in a research lab or other site.

And while the image of the lone scientist generating brilliant insights after toiling in isolation for decades still resonates strongly (even among scientists), math and science are social activities where collaboration and joint work are increasingly being facilitated through online communities and other systems that allow people working remotely to share their thoughts, experiences, and data.

Here are 10 more science and math majors that made our list of promising degrees for 2015:

11. Water Resources Engineering

12. Biochemistry

13. Earth Science Teacher Education

14. Mathematics and Statistics

15. Mathematics Teacher Education

16. Biostatistics

17. Oceanography, Chemical and Physical

18. Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering

19. Statistics, Other

20. Geological/Geophysical Engineering

Higher education has been valued since time immemorial. In ancient times, students would travel far from their homes to learn from teachers in great halls of learning — and they still do today. Stressing the importance of a college education in today’s job market is almost unnecessary, although it is significant to note that many jobs today need higher educational qualifications than they used to. According to a 2018 study by Northeastern University’s Center for the Future of Higher Education and Talent Strategy, 44 percent of employers reported that they increased the level of education preferred for the same job roles in just five years.

However, attending a traditional brick-and-mortar school isn’t always possible for individuals who have work, family or other commitments which can make adhering to a rigid schedule difficult. Online degrees can fill this gap, allowing students access to the education they need in order to pursue the careers they want to. Colleges and universities realized this and, to quote Learning House’s 2019 report, “swiftly launched online programs that proved popular among adult learners who wanted a flexible program that fit their busy lives”. The Learning House reports that 93 percent of online students today enroll in online programs to fulfill their career aspirations.

While online learning can be convenient, it can require tremendous amount of hard work and self-discipline. To help you through this learning curve, we have come up with 10 tips for successful online learning.

Even though online degrees have increased in popularity, the Northeastern University reports that not much is known about employers’ perception of candidates holding such degrees nor how they affect hiring policies. And this is why we are presenting below five ways for succeeding with an online degree and how to present your online degree to employers:

1. Show employers you have the drive to succeed

A large percentage of those obtaining an online degree do not represent the 18-22 year old demographic normally associated with residential degree programs. Instead they might be older career changers, veterans, parents returning to the workforce after raising children, or others who have decided to earn a degree after having some other type of life experience (travel, volunteer work, taking care of aging parents, etc.).

These experiences represent compelling stories, and the fact that someone demonstrates the readiness to retool, the drive to earn a degree while shouldering other responsibilities, and the courage to enter the workforce through non-conventional means say important things that potential employers should know about. So in your resume, your cover letters, your interviews, and any other communication you have with potential employers, you should be ready to tell your complete story, rather than just rely on a degree listed at the bottom of your resume to say all there is to say about your experience.

2. Demonstrate Transferable Skills

Apart from knowledge in a particular field, employers also look for ‘soft skills’ like communication and teamwork in a candidate. Show them how your online degree program helped you develop these. For example, if you worked on a group project, explain to them how you managed to do so remotely, across time and language barriers to finish your project on time. Remote working is becoming increasingly common according to an article on Virgin.com, so it can be a good skill to demonstrate. Other soft skills that online degree programs can help you cultivate include self-motivation, organization, time-management, and problem solving skills.

A paper by McKinsey on the future of the workforce states that along with the soft skills mentioned above, technological skills are going to be increasingly in demand. So if you’ve completed an entire degree online, it can show employers you aren’t afraid of trying out new tech!

3. Accreditation

A big question is “are online degrees respected by employers?”

The Northeastern University study has some positive news and found that 61 percent of HR leaders firmly believe that online learning is of equal or greater quality to more traditional methods. However, these HR leaders will typically also look at where you earned your degree. Accreditation can play an important role in this case. An accredited school can demonstrate that you have received the education you need to succeed in your chosen field. So, even if the online degree program you enrolled in was not offered by an Ivy League school, its accredited status may go a long way.

4. Be Creative in Your Approach

No, we don’t mean fabricating your CV – we mean find innovative ways to get in on the inside track. Because so much of the traditional job application process has become automated, it is very possible that an algorithm or intern might chuck out hundreds of applications (including yours) to create a short-list for decision-makers based on rigid criteria that won’t screen in your story, your portfolio, or anything else that makes you unique. Use online platforms like LinkedIn, for example, to network and connect with decision-makers.

Another way to get on the inside in places where you’d like to work is by interning, volunteering, creating something (like a logo or app) that might be useful to them without being asked, interviewing the CEO for your blog or podcast, etc.

5. Career Fairs, Placement Services and Portfolios

Maintain a good relationship with your online school, even after you’ve earned that degree. Many schools offer career fairs and placement services that can put you in touch with different employers, fine-tune your resume or help you build your portfolio of work. In fact, the 2019 Learning House Survey of online students found that even though a majority of them are employed full-time, they still value and use a number of career services offered by universities like career advice services, job searches on university website, interview workshops, and networking events among others.

Building your portfolio and resume of work can boost your chances of getting noticed too. For example, in fields like design or computer programming, employers may be much more interested in looking at samples of professional work vs. your college transcript. So if you are looking to be a journalist, write something (ideally many things), get published, and include those published pieces on a personal website or blog that shows off your writing chops. If you’re a designer, donate your time to non-profits that need logos or posters and use that material to build a handsome portfolio you can share with potentially paying clients or employers. And if you’re a programmer — program! Develop apps or other work products that show off your skill and share those (along with your other credentials) via a web page that highlights your talent, creativity, and seriousness.

All of these steps could lead to a job offer that does not require competing with hundreds of other candidates, some of whom might look better than you on paper. But in the rough-and-tumble game of hustling for a job, scissors (i.e., your talent cutting through the noise) cuts paper and can provide the rock upon which to build your career.

Online degree programs are more popular than ever, and not just with students. From small community colleges to the most prestigious universities in the world, schools of all shapes and sizes have jumped on the e-learning bandwagon. But with so many programs to choose from, how can students separate the the best online degrees from the rest?

We asked six experts to weigh in on what distinguishes a truly great online degree program. Their responses illustrate just how far these programs have come in recent years, and how seriously schools now take virtual education.

What are the characteristics of the best online degree programs?

Renata Engel, Associate Vice Provost for Online Programs, & Karen Pollack, Assistant Vice Provost for Undergraduate Online and Blended Programs at Penn State University

The best online degree programs share two characteristics: highly qualified faculty who are in tune with and engaged with their students and excellent student support services and resources. At the Penn State World Campus we are proud of the fact that the faculty who teach in our online programs are the same faculty who teach on our residential campuses — and that is a high bar. They have terminal degrees in their fields of study and have participated in faculty development activities before they teach their first online course. Research in the field has consistently shown that students view the quality of engagement that they have with their instructors as being the most critical to deep and meaningful learning.

The second most important characteristic is excellent student support services: experienced academic advisors and technical help desk services that are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Busy adult learners need to know that help is available when they need it in a variety of specialized areas including financial aid counselors, career counselors, staff who are expert on providing services to students with disabilities and military student populations. Tutoring and remediation support are important, as well as staff who are able to assist students in evaluating transfer credits and experiences outside the traditional classroom that may be appropriate for prior learning assessment.

Mary Oriol, Associate Professor and Interim Director of School of Nursing at Loyola University New Orleans

A well-developed program with a strong faculty. The best online programs begin with a strong curriculum, a full-time faculty dedicated to the curriculum and to online learning, and the technology to deliver the learning experiences using the latest tools to engage students. The level of engagement with the professor and the learning experience can be directly linked to the student’s professional and personal growth.

Caliber of Your Student Peers

One of the most valuable aspects of an online program is the caliber of the students that are in class. In an online environment, students are not restricted by geography so they tend to be from all over the country, and even the world. Having this kind of diversity offers opportunities that are not easily gained in a traditional classroom setting, for example, sharing industry knowledge and advice, thoughts, perspectives and even networking.

Flexibility & Individual Attention From Faculty

Working in an online modality also provides a flexibility that makes advanced education possible for the busiest working professionals. For nurses specifically, who are fitting their academics in around long days and hectic schedules, the online environment removes the stress of attending a physical classroom at rigid class times that may or may not fit their schedules. Our online nursing courses at Loyola University New Orleans have been instrumental for our graduates reaching their goals for this very reason.

Another key benefit I would certainly call out is the individual attention provided by faculty due to smaller class sizes.

Timothy W. Spannaus, Program Coordinator for Instructional Technology at Wayne State University

The best online degree programs treat students as individuals, respecting their strengths and addressing with their weaknesses, rather than as an undifferentiated group of learners. Students have the opportunity to interact individually with their instructors and classmates, as well as collaborating with other learners.

The best programs take advantage of learning as an active process, so that students are engaged in activities that foster deep learning. They are not passive audiences for recorded lectures. The best programs offer multiple ways of interacting with the content, the instructor and other students. They offer authentic assessments that allow students to demonstrate and apply their new knowledge.

William Andrew McCollough, Associate Provost and Professor of Finance at the University of Florida

1. Quality content
2. Institutional commitment; proactive, strategic planning
3. Design to promote student engagement
4. Creative assessment modalities that meet the baseline of evaluative integrity
5. Development of and adherence to best practices and markers of excellence in the production of online programs
6. Clear identification of clientele to be served and appropriate standards for participation
7. Use and build on the strengths of the modality — do not try to replicate alternative modalities that have characteristics that are not replicable on line
8. An early and continuing commitment to research in the science of teaching and learning — the opportunity presented by the conjunction of external data and learning analytics

Lisa L. Templeton, Executive Director of Oregon State University Extended Campus (Ecampus)

The best online degree programs give learners around the world access to the same enriching educational opportunities that students receive in a traditional campus setting. The learning outcomes in programs that are delivered online should be identical to the ones taught on campus.

At Oregon State Ecampus, our most successful online degree programs engage learners through rigorous course work that prepares them for career advancement, as well as high-touch interaction between learners and their instructors and classmates. OSU’s online degree programs consist of courses that feature three types of interaction: student-to-instructor, student-to-content and student-to-student. This helps eliminate the natural divide between our distance learners and our university and provides them with a genuine Oregon State experience.

The hiring professional says…

Chad Thies, VP of Union Bank Trust

College costs continue to rise and people want degrees but can’t afford them. Personally, I know a lot of college professors who have never worked outside of “higher education” and if you are talking to any professor that fits that mold I would consider their opinion as weak at best.

I think reputable professors are critical. Most professors that I have seen in the online space have their PhD’s from very respectable schools. At the very least they tend to have a Masters from a reputable school. Furthermore, a lot of the people teaching these classes on-line are working “real” jobs so they have practical applications they can share with their students.

Some of the most interesting things happening in online learning are taking place not in the realm of individual online classes or online degrees, but in the space between the two.

Members of certain professions, such as IT, have long participated in online certification programs comprised of individual courses or sets of courses, with the passing of high-stakes exams (such as CompTIA’s A+) the prime marker of success — as well as a ticket to a higher-paying job.

The territory between courses and degrees also includes ongoing professional-development programs in fields like education and accounting, where professionals must participate in ongoing training to receive and maintain certification. And, as with other formal but non-degree bearing learning, professional development credit programs are increasingly moving online.

The availability of paying customers in this segment of the market has led to a number of new programs with innovative business models emerging in fields where something short of a full degree has demonstrated market value.

Harvard University — an institution that has made huge investments in free online learning through their commitment to the edX Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) consortium — has also been at the forefront of paid, certificate-based non-degree education.

For example, the Harvard Extension School, which allows students to take individual courses or earn an undergraduate or graduate degree, also offers a series of Professional Graduate Certificates in areas such as Business Communications, Natural Resource Management and Sustainable Ecosystems, Data Science, and Museum Studies. Earning an Extension School certificate involves taking 3-5 courses in the specific area of study, with most Extension School courses offered on the Harvard’s campus at a price of approximately $2500 per course.

On the online front, Harvard Business School (HBS) recently introduced HBX, an initiative that provides students access to core business school online courses without being enrolled at HBS or any other MBA program.

Unlike the comprehensive training one would receive as an MBA student, HBX focuses on a subset of skills relevant to anyone working in a business environment. Their initial HBX Core offering includes three online courses covering Business Analytics, Economics for Managers, and Financial Accounting. And their target audience includes undergraduates who might want to build business skills without majoring in the subject, or college graduates who find themselves in a business career that requires understanding of accounting and economics, but not necessarily an MBA.

Another field where the need for knowledge transcends a traditional profession is law, given that executives, managers, and many others are increasingly involved in transactions and interactions where an understanding of contract law or other legal matters is vital. And even practicing lawyers need to keep up with their field, which they can do through an increasing number of courses (both live and online) that — like HBX — focus on specific subjects such as contract and criminal law.

While Massive Open Online Courses have been synonymous with free learning, one of the biggest MOOC players, Coursera, recently introduced a new Specialization program that allows students to combine multiple courses into something that’s not a degree, but represents more than a bunch of unrelated classes.

Coursera has been offering both paid and free versions of its classes for years. While both are identical in terms of content, paying for a Coursera MOOC via the company’s Signature Track program adds a level of security that attempts to ensure students are doing their own work. And those who complete a course under the program receive a special Signature Track certificate that seems to be developing caché in the marketplace (the organization had sold over four-million dollars’ worth of Signature Track certificates at the start of 2014).

Specializations take this process one step further by stringing together a set of courses (all taken under the Signature Track umbrella) and requiring students to complete a capstone project that integrates material from all those courses together. The company already has over two-dozen Specialization offerings in areas such as Data Mining (offered by the University of Illinois at Urbana), Interactive Design (the University of California at San Diego), and Reasoning, Data Analysis and Writing (Duke University) with the total cost for completing a Specialization under $1000.

At a conference on online learning at MIT last year, Sir John Daniel, former President of the UK’s Open University (the largest distance educator in the world), criticized MOOCs for not providing an option to receive a formal degree — still the coin of the realm in terms of turning education into opportunity. But with the emergence of new certificate programs like those described above, it’s an open question whether something more than a course but less than a degree might become a new and accepted unit of learning, one with a price tag people will willingly pay for the benefit it confers.

The fact that online degree programs are… well… online means students participating in them tend to log in to learn rather than party, row crew, or take part in any of the life-transition experiences traditionally associated with time spent at a residential college.

But unless you are one of those who just wants a credential and doesn’t care how much or how little you learn on the way to obtaining one, getting the most from any online learning experience requires an important set of skills and virtues that enable genuine education via the Web.

Interested in earning a degree online? See how well you stack up with regard to the following:

Self-discipline

Learning college-level material is hard. If it’s not, you’re either a genius or just looking to coast to a diploma by taking un-challenging classes. And really learning (vs. just passing) requires dedicating time to (1) listening to lectures while taking careful notes; (2) processing that material after class ends to make sure you understand what you were taught; (3) reading (not just skimming) everything assigned by the professor; and (4) giving tests and written assignments your all.

We live in a time when many things compete for our time and attention. But if you find yourself skipping lectures, neglecting readings, or cutting corners in classes where you know you can pass by doing the minimum, perhaps a residential program that provides more social scaffolding for success is a better choice for you.

Time management

Because of the workload associated with any substantial college degree program (online or off), you will need to juggle lecture time, reading time, and time set aside for participation and assignments for multiple classes simultaneously. And if your online degree is being earned in parallel with working full time or taking care of kids, the ability to create and stick to a structured academic schedule becomes paramount.

Online degree programs have the advantage of letting you pace yourself based on the amount of time you have to commit to studies any given semester. But if you are someone who falls behind on commitments if no one is looking over your shoulder, you might want to consider a different path than online education. That said, if you excel in time management, online courses allow you to accelerate your learning, giving you the opportunity to earn a diploma at whatever pace you can handle.

Multi-tasking

Think you’re a master at juggling multiple tasks simultaneously, like listening to a lecture while checking your e-mail, posting to Facebook, and downloading the latest from Bastille? Guess what? You’re wrong! Studies show that while people think they can do several things at once, what we really do when we multitask is dedicate ever smaller slices of time to individual tasks that our brains still handle one at a time.

Why is this important? Because learning requires sustained concentration, not just many tiny moments of concentration spread out over time. So if you have maintained the ability to listen intently through an entire 45-60 minute lecture, read a book from beginning to end, and write a paper without stopping to Tweet, you are not only a candidate for success with genuine online learning but are likely to outcompete those whose attention spans are shriveling from minutes to seconds.

Integrity

Research also shows that cheating is no more prevalent in online than residential classes. Unfortunately, that’s because academic integrity problems are at an all-time high regardless of where learning is (allegedly) taking place. Now those research findings have been challenged. But suffice to say that if you want to cheat your way to a degree, there are ways to accomplish that odious goal, whether in a classroom or logged into an online learning management system.

Despite parental wisdom that says that cheaters only cheat themselves, cheating actually harms others by diminishing the value of all degrees (including those obtained honestly). But that wisdom does hold in that passing a course by doing something other than the assigned work means you will be entering life without the knowledge you supposedly spent time and paid money to learn. Which means anyone with a degree obtained via cheating has successfully credentialized both their dishonesty and foolishness.

Who are you?

If you are a disciplined and patient student, one who can postpone texting until after class and homework is completed, one who welcomes each course as the chance to discover a new world and each assignment as an challenge to put that learning to work, then you have the right stuff to be a successful online learner.

For everyone else, fear not! Even those of us who occasionally Alt-Tab while writing can develop, nurture, and sustain those virtues needed to master the art of successful independent online education.

About the Author:

Jonathan Haber is a writer/researcher who has worked in the fields of professional assessment, employment, curriculum development and educational technology. His Degree of Freedom project (degreeoffreedom.org) chronicled his attempt to learn everything you would get from being enrolled in a four-year, liberal arts degree program in just twelve months using only Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and other free educational resources. He is currently a Visiting Fellow at HarvardX and has just completed a book on MOOCs for MIT Press.