Quickest Degree to Get Online: Fast-Track Your Education

Quickest Degree to Get Online: Fast-Track Your Education

People want degrees fast—no shame in that. If you’re hoping for the quickest online degree, you’re not alone, and honestly, there are some options that are actually legit.

The catch? Not all “quick” programs are created equal. Some promise you’ll finish in six months but hand you a piece of paper employers side-eye. Others are intense but give you a real associate, bachelor’s, or even master’s in less time than you’d think.

If you just want a degree on your wall, there are definitely ways to get one fast. But if you want something you can use for a new job, promotion, or career switch, you need to focus on the fastest degrees that are actually recognized by real employers.

Start by looking for words like “accelerated,” “competency-based,” or “flexible pacing”—those programs let you move as quickly as you can handle. Some let you blow through a semester’s worth of material in a month if you already know your stuff. Stack credits or test out of courses, and you’ll shave even more time off. Heads up though, it’s not always easy, but if you’re motivated, you can finish a degree online way faster than you could sitting in a lecture hall.

• What Counts as the Quickest Degree?
• Top Fast-Track Online Degree Types
• Hidden Shortcuts: Credits, Exams, and Experience
• Warning Signs: When Fast is Too Fast
• Is a Quick Degree Worth It?

What Counts as the Quickest Degree?

The real question: How fast can you actually earn a degree online without sacrificing quality? When people talk about the “quickest degree to get online,” they usually mean a legit, accredited college degree you can finish in less time than the usual program—sometimes in months rather than years. But there’s no magic shortcut that works for everyone, so it comes down to the type of degree, your previous credits or experience, and the program’s system.

Here’s what really counts as a quick online degree:

• Associate degrees. These are designed to be finished in two years, but you can find some online that take as little as 12 months if you push hard or get credits for what you already know.
• Bachelor’s degrees. Typically they’re four years, but many online schools now offer options where you can finish in one to two years—especially if you have some college credits already.
• Competency-based degrees. These let you move at your own pace. If you fly through material and pass the tests, it counts. Western Governors University and Southern New Hampshire University are both known for this style.
• Certificate programs. Not technically degrees, but if you’re aiming purely for speed and a credential you can put on your resume, some take just a few months and actually hold weight in certain fields.

The fastest online degrees almost always depend on:

• How many classes you can handle at once (some programs really let you double up—hello, 8-week sessions!)
• If you can transfer previous credits
• Whether you can test out of general ed courses with CLEP or similar exams
• Whether you bring in work or military experience for credit

If someone promises you a bachelor’s in under six months from scratch, that’s sketchy. But with smart planning and by choosing recognized programs, you can absolutely earn a quickest degree online—a real one—way faster than the old-school route.

Top Fast-Track Online Degree Types

You’ve got more choices for quick online degrees than you might think, and schools are always trying to make things faster (and cheaper) to grab your attention. The classic options are associate and bachelor’s degrees. Some master’s programs are getting in on the speed game too. Don’t worry, I’ll break down which ones really let you finish fast.

The quickest degree online is usually an associate degree, because it’s just two years under normal circumstances, but certain programs let you finish in as little as 12 months—sometimes less if you transfer credits. Health, business, IT, and criminal justice are popular picks. Bachelor’s degrees are next; some places offer accelerated bachelor’s that take about 18–24 months if you go hard, versus the old-school four years.

• Associate Degrees: You can find legit, regionally accredited community colleges and universities with 100% online options. For example, Independence University and Franklin University both have options you can complete in under 18 months if you transfer credits.
• Bachelor’s Degrees: Big names like Western Governors University and Southern New Hampshire University let you move at your own pace. If you already know the material (or have military or work experience), you could be done in under two years.
• Fast Master’s Degrees: Schools like Capella University, Purdue Global, and Western Governors University have master’s programs that you can finish in one year if you already have some undergrad credits or relevant experience.

Check out this table showing just how much time you can save compared to the usual timelines:

The best part? Many programs offer rolling admissions and short 5–8 week course sessions. That means you don’t have to wait through a long semester system—if you want to start next month, you probably can.

"We’ve built our competency-based programs so committed students can cut the time to graduation by a year or more," says Paul LeBlanc, president of Southern New Hampshire University. "If you hustle, you’ll save time and money."

Just remember, the faster you go, the more dedication it takes. But if you’re motivated and need to finish quick, these programs can really help you out.

Hidden Shortcuts: Credits, Exams, and Experience

If you want the quickest degree online, you need to work smarter, not just harder. Schools these days offer a bunch of ways to turn your past learning and life experience into real college credits. The best part? You can skip whole classes and finish your degree months—or even years—faster than your classmates.

Here’s where people often pick up the pace:

• Transfer Credits: If you started college before or have done community college, you might already have credits ready to go. Some universities accept up to 90 transfer credits toward a bachelor’s degree. Always ask for a credit evaluation before enrolling.
• Credit for Prior Learning (CPL): Say you’ve been working in a field for years—like business, IT, or healthcare. Many colleges let you submit a portfolio or take assessments to turn your know-how into instant credits.
• Challenge Exams: Ever heard of CLEP or DSST exams? You can test straight out of major subjects. For example, pass a CLEP exam in College Math and you’re done; no classroom needed. Each exam can save you months.
• Military Training: Served in the military? Schools like Liberty University and Thomas Edison State University often accept military transcripts for credit.
• Competency-Based Programs: Places like Western Governors University let you progress by proving what you know, not just sitting through lectures. Zip through subjects you already know and only slow down for the tough stuff.

If you want hard numbers, check out this data showing how much time you save with shortcuts like these:

The more shortcuts you use, the less time you’ll spend glued to your laptop. Just double-check your school’s rules—some cap how many credits you can bring in, and not all credits count toward your major. If in doubt, talk to an academic advisor and ask every detail up front. With the right plan, you could be swapping homework for a new job in half the time.

Warning Signs: When Fast is Too Fast

So, you’ve found the quickest degree online and it sounds almost too good to be true. Here’s the thing—sometimes it actually is. The internet is full of flashy ads for “degrees in 30 days” or diplomas delivered right after a credit card payment. These aren’t shortcuts, they’re dead ends.

If a program guarantees a bachelor’s degree in a couple of months with zero assignments or exams, run the other way. Real colleges, even online ones, have standards, deadlines, and actual work. Legit accelerated programs usually take at least a year to finish an associate degree and 18-24 months for a bachelor’s, even when you go hard. Good schools don’t let you skip the learning just because you want to go fast.

• Accreditation matters: Only pick schools recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or CHEA. If the website hides their accreditation info, that’s a red flag.
• No official transcripts needed? Real programs ask for records from high school or other colleges. If they don’t, your degree will probably be ignored by employers.
• Everything costs the same, no matter how many classes? Watch out for programs that have flat fees without saying what you’re paying for. Honest schools show costs per credit or course.
• Instant enrollment with zero admission rules: The easier it is to get in, the sketchier it usually is. Everybody loves convenience, but no interviews, essays, or document checks should make you suspicious.
• Glowing, generic reviews: If every testimonial says “changed my life” but doesn’t mention anything real about classes or teachers, you’re probably looking at fake marketing.

Degrees from diploma mills can seriously mess up your job search. Employers will spot a fake or unaccredited school within minutes—sites like the Better Business Bureau or U.S. Department of Education’s database make checking easy. If you’re ever unsure about a program, Google “[school name] scam” or check review forums. It’s better to take a little longer and get a degree that actually means something.

Is a Quick Degree Worth It?

Before you blow through an online degree in record time, it’s smart to ask why you want that degree in the first place. For some folks—like busy parents, career changers, or people who’ve already got work experience—it’s all about saving time and money. That’s totally valid. But speed alone doesn’t mean you’re getting a good deal.

The most important thing? Make sure the school is accredited. Employers do spot-check diplomas, and degrees from unaccredited programs (or worse, diploma mills) won’t get you far. In a 2023 survey by CareerBuilder, 72% of employers said they always verify the accreditation of applicants’ degrees. Nobody wants to end up with a piece of paper that just collects dust.

Another thing to think about is what field you’re aiming for. Some careers—think nursing or teaching—have strict requirements and might look sideways at the quickest degree online. Other fields, like business, IT, or project management, are much more open to online or fast-track credentials, as long as they're from real schools.

If you already have credits or plenty of job experience, fast programs let you skip what you already know. And the cost savings can be huge. On average, online students save about $10,000 in housing and commuting alone. That’s money back in your pocket.

• Check that your degree will get you past HR’s screening software—lots of job postings now use algorithms to sift out resumes from unaccredited schools.
• Ask your employer (or a recruiter) whether your target degree will qualify you for a promotion or new job.
• Don’t assume faster means easier. These programs are tough—they pack a lot into a short time and require real work.

The bottom line? If you pick a quickest degree online from an accredited program that lines up with your career plans, it can absolutely be worth it. Just don’t sacrifice quality for speed.