Easiest Online Degrees and College Majors (2026)

If you’re comparing the easiest online degree options for 2026, you’re usually balancing what matches your strengths with what your schedule can handle—rolling starts, asynchronous courses, generous transfer policies, or accelerated terms. Whether you searched for easy degrees or the easiest majors in college, your real syllabus and prerequisites matter more than the adjective in the query. You can use the sections below to map your goals to fields like business administration, general studies, liberal arts, communications, psychology, and criminal justice—we cover those and more in EDsmart’s own words.

Find the perfect major in 5 minutes or less

You’ll find many schools with rolling admissions—so you can often start a program within weeks if you’re ready.

Key takeaways

• You won’t find a legitimate “effortless” degree—accredited programs require real work. What feels easier for you depends on your skills and schedule.
• You can make finishing easier with logistics: asynchronous classes, multiple start dates, transfer credit, and advising—especially if you’re juggling work or family.
• When we cite Payscale mid-career figures, use them as directional; your pay will depend on your role, region, and experience.
• You should verify accreditation for every school you consider, and steer clear of offers that sound too good to be true.
• You might type easiest online degree, easiest degree to get, or easiest online college—the real question is still which accredited path fits you.

Table of contents

• What makes an online degree easier to finish?
• How we think about “easiest” majors
• Strategies that can make finishing easier
• Easiest degree to get: what “easy” means
• Easiest majors for 2026 (20 degree paths by level)
• Easiest bachelor degree (online)
• Why get a degree online?
• How easy is it to earn a degree online?
• Schools with flexible online programs
• FAQ (easiest degree, majors, online college)
• Sources

What makes an online degree easier to finish?

You might hear “easy major” and “easy path” as two different ideas—and they are. Your degree can feel easier when the format fits your life: self-paced or modular terms, synchronous vs asynchronous choices, and tutoring or advising you can actually use. Cost and transfer policy matter for you too—less financial stress and fewer repeated courses usually mean a smoother finish. When you ask which is the easiest online college, you’re often really comparing logistics—start dates, transfer acceptance, and pacing—not a single brand that is “effortless” for everyone. That’s why the same major can feel harder at one college than another.

If you want shorter terms or competency-based pacing, you can sometimes finish faster without lowering standards—as long as the institution is accredited and you’re ready for the workload. For more on speed vs rigor, see our fastest accelerated online degrees guide.

How we think about “easiest” majors

There is no objective “easy” label that applies to every student—including you. We use broad patterns from research: for example, Cornell-led work has reported lower average GPAs in some science and engineering pathways than in several humanities and social-science fields—meaning “ease” is partly visible in grade distributions, but those differences also reflect grading norms and student mix, not just intrinsic difficulty.

We list majors that are widely available online with flexible schedules—not because every course is effortless for you, but because you can often complete them while working. STEM majors such as computer science can be rigorous even when they are common online; use our list as a starting point, then compare syllabi and outcomes for your situation.

Strategies that can make finishing easier

Beyond picking a major that fits your strengths, you can sometimes shorten or simplify the path—without lowering standards—using mechanisms many accredited schools support:

• Competency-based education (CBE): Some programs let you advance when you demonstrate mastery, which can reduce seat time if you already know the material. Policies vary by institution.
• Prior learning assessment (PLA): Portfolio or exam-based credit for training, military experience, or professional certifications—where the college allows it and accreditation rules are met.
• Transfer and dual credit: Community college or approved online course providers may cover general education at lower cost before you enroll in your bachelor’s program—always confirm transfer rules in writing with your target school.
• Pacing choices: Fewer courses per term can feel “easier” month to month even if total time to degree is longer—match load to work and family constraints.

You’ll see these same ideas in many student success guides; they are not shortcuts around accreditation or academic integrity. If an offer sounds too good to be true to you, verify the institution in DAPIP before you pay tuition.

Easiest degree to get: what “easy” really means

If you’re asking for the easiest degree to get or you typed what is the easiest degree to get, you probably want a straight answer: which accredited path fits your job, your family, or your return to college—not a promise of almost no studying. Online or on campus, the least-friction degree for you is the one whose requirements match your strengths (math vs writing vs hands-on skills) and whose weekly load you can sustain to graduation.

You might also search easy online degrees, easy degrees, or easy degrees to get online; the wording changes, but you’re still comparing real syllabi and prerequisites—not a magic label. If you want a lighter typical math load, you often start with majors such as general studies, liberal arts, business, communications, education, or psychology—then narrow your pick using the easiest majors sections below.

Checklist before you enroll: verify accreditation in DAPIP; read the full program map (general education + major); ask about transfer credit and PLA; choose term length and course load you can hold for the whole program—not only the first session.

Easiest majors for 2026 (20 degree paths by level)

Below you’ll find our guide to the easiest majors and related degree paths by level—grouped so you can scan. Salary figures are approximate mid-career numbers from Payscale and can change; click through to their pages for methodology.

Easiest majors for associate degrees

General Studies: A general studies associate degree is a strong fit if you want to keep studying but you’re still choosing a major. You’ll take general education courses online that prepare you for upper-level classes and the working world. You can use the degree as a stepping stone to a bachelor’s or to qualify for entry-level roles. According to Payscale.com, the average mid-career salary for someone with an associate degree in general studies is $60,700.

Liberal Arts: If you’re earning an associate’s degree in liberal arts, you’ll study English, literature, math, history, and social sciences—and more. You can use that breadth to pick a focus later or to build skills you take straight into work. According to Payscale.com, someone with an associate’s degree in liberal arts can expect roughly a $61,900 mid-career salary.

English: If you’re an English major in an associate program, you’ll read literary classics and practice different kinds of writing. You can take speech, creative writing, and composition. With this degree, you can qualify for entry-level roles in editing, proofreading, social media, and more. Payscale.com puts mid-career salary for associate-level English language and literature around $61,000 on average.

Childhood Care & Education: With an associate’s degree in childhood care and education, you can work as a teacher’s assistant, preschool teacher, or childcare worker. The average mid-career salary for someone with an associate’s degree in early childhood education is $39,500 according to Payscale.com. You’ll take classes like child development, teaching young children, and classroom management—and you’ll build skills you can use with kids or as a stepping stone to a bachelor’s.

Communications: An associate’s degree in communication can open many career paths. If you want to keep going in school, it’s a solid foundation before a bachelor’s. You can take public speaking, introduction to journalism, introduction to advertising, and more. Payscale.com lists an approximate mid-career salary of $65,100 for someone with an associate’s degree in communication.

Easiest bachelor degree: what you’re usually asking

If you’re searching for easiest bachelor degree or easiest bachelor degree to get online, you’re usually making the same decision as “easiest majors,” but at the four-year level: which BS or BA pathway fits your skills and schedule. Business, liberal arts, communications, education, and general studies are common online because they’re widely offered with flexible pacing—but prerequisites still vary by school.

Before you choose, compare math and statistics requirements, writing load, labs or clinicals, and any proctored exams. Use the bachelor’s major write-ups below as a starting point, then confirm details on each program’s official site.

Easiest majors for bachelor’s degrees

Computer Science: If you want to go deep on computers, programming, and engineering, you’ll apply to a computer science degree program. Payscale.com lists an average salary after graduation around $85,400. As you move through the program, you’ll take tougher courses in artificial intelligence, data logic, calculus, and algorithms—and you’ll build the skills employers expect in this field.

Business Administration: Business Administration is a strong choice if you want a business career. You’ll study organizational leadership, business ethics, financial management, resource management, economics, marketing, and electives you pick. Finishing your online BA can sharpen your confidence and leadership—and Payscale.com lists approximate mid-career salary around $96,300.

Education: A bachelor’s degree in education can be rewarding—but you’ll need patience. With it, you can pursue roles like school psychologist, child life specialist, family counselor, career counselor, or education consultant. Payscale.com puts mid-career salary around $75,800. You’ll study early language acquisition, literacy, and working with children who have special needs.

Nursing: A BS in Nursing is a key step if you’re working toward registered nurse licensure. You’ll take hands-on coursework in patient care, emergency care, adult/pediatric/geriatric nursing, and nursing research. Nursing is competitive—you’ll need patience, compassion, and focus. Payscale.com lists about $93,900 yearly mid-career for bachelor’s-prepared nurses.

Accounting: A BS in accounting can give you the opportunity to go into professions in accounting, bookkeeping, forensic accounting, and even working for the government. The main focus of accounting is business so you'll be taking courses in business law, accounting software, principles of management, business statistics, and many more advanced courses. On average graduating with a BS in accounting has a potential mid-career salary of $105,100 according to Payscale.com. 

Accredited online college programs that might interest you

You can learn about start dates, transfer credit, financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Easiest master’s degrees

Liberal Studies: An MA in Liberal Studies is an interdisciplinary program that broadens your knowledge across liberal arts fields—history, writing, philosophy, psychology, creative art, and more. With this degree, you can pursue paths like art direction, events, design, journalism, archives, or web development. Payscale.com lists about $82,000 annually mid-career for many MLA holders.

Business Administration: An MBA can take your business career up a level. You’ll be ready to work in small or large organizations—and you’ll take marketing management, organizational research, financial management, ethics for managers, and global strategic management. In a competitive field, an MBA can help you stand out. Average base salary for MBA graduates is about $98,000 per year per Payscale.

Healthcare Administration: Healthcare administration and management are one of the fastest-growing career fields. With a Master's in Healthcare Administration, you'll be prepared to take on expert-level positions and manage large companies. You'll perfect your skills in leadership, interpersonal communication, organization, mentoring, problem solving, working as a team, patient care, budgeting, and quality assurance. According to Payscale.com the average salary after earning a master's in healthcare administration is $78,816.

Health Education & Behavior: An MPH in health promotion, education, and behavior prepares you to promote healthy habits and run education programs. You’ll take epidemiology, community health, program planning, health communication, disease prevention, and more. You can aim for roles like community health educator, organizer, program coordinator, or alcohol education specialist. Average base salary for health educators is about $51,802 per year per Payscale.

Criminal Justice: An MS in criminal justice can help you move toward law enforcement, investigation, or further study. The field rewards detail and persistence. You might pursue paths like intelligence analysis, forensics, emergency management, cyber roles, advocacy, or profiling—depending on employers and credentials. Approximate pay with an MS in criminal justice is about $61,000 according to Payscale.com.

Easiest doctorate degrees

Law Degree, Juris Doctorate: A JD is what you typically earn before you sit for the bar and practice law. You’ll study civil procedure, criminal law, constitutional law, contracts, property, and administrative and regulatory law. It’s demanding—you’ll need strong study habits and problem-solving skills. Payscale estimates salary for many law graduates around $106,000 annually.

Physical Therapy: A Doctor of Physical Therapy prepares you for licensure (required in all 50 states). You’ll take human anatomy, clinical practice, kinesiology, biomechanics, exercise principles, and physiology. A DPT can lead you toward physical therapy roles or related support roles, depending on licensing rules where you live. Approximate pay after a DPT is about $76,000 according to Payscale.com.

Education: A doctorate in education can prepare you for leadership roles—as a professor, scholar, or faculty leader—depending on your path. It’s often called a terminal degree because it’s the highest credential in the field. You’ll take advanced research methods, curriculum theory, dissertation work, comparative higher education, and courses on how schools and systems change. Payscale.com lists average salary around $87,000 for many EdD holders.

Management: A doctorate in management can sharpen your research, analysis, and leadership toolkit. With it, you can pursue consulting, executive roles, HR leadership, economics, government work, or entrepreneurship—depending on your experience and interests. It won’t be effortless, but it can help you advance. Average yearly base salary for many holders is around $121,000 per Payscale.

Pharmacy: A Doctor of Pharmacy is what you need to become a pharmacist—and you can branch into hospitals, community practice, government, home care, or research. To advance, you’ll want attention to detail, analytical skills, and the ability to juggle competing priorities. Payscale.com lists approximate salary around $127,000 annually for many PharmD holders.

Easiest medical-related majors

Biology: You’ll study living organisms—how they work and how they fit into ecosystems. Expect genetics, anatomy and physiology, cell biology, and ecology and evolution. If you’re aiming at nursing or medical school, biology is a common path—but check each program’s prerequisites.

Human Physiology: You’ll focus on how the human body works—how organs and cells keep you alive. You may be able to concentrate in pathology (disease and how it affects the body). Typical courses include cell biology, systems physiology, physics, organic chemistry, nutrition, and more.

Easiest business majors

Human Resources: In HR, you’ll focus on your workplace and what employees need to succeed. You’ll juggle hiring, pay, training, compliance, and safety—so the work stays varied. As an HR major, you’ll typically take behavioral science, employment law, organizational theory, and performance management.

Marketing: In a marketing major, you’ll learn how businesses promote products and reach customers. The degree is flexible—you can aim for roles like marketing manager, market research analyst, content strategist, digital marketing lead, or agency copywriter. Payscale.com lists approximate pay for a marketing bachelor’s degree around $71,000 annually.

Easiest science majors

Anthropology: You’ll study human behavior, societies, cultures, biology, and how humans evolved. Coursework often includes culture and personality, forensic anthropology, primate behavior, origins, and biological anthropology. Payscale.com lists about $69,000 mid-career for many anthropology bachelor’s graduates.

Psychology: Psychology is a popular major because you’ll study human behavior, the mind, and social interaction. You’ll likely take cognitive psychology, social psychology, research methods, statistics, and abnormal psychology. Payscale.com lists about $70,000 per year mid-career for many psychology bachelor’s graduates.

Easiest STEM majors

Earth Science: You’ll study how Earth works—its layers, atmosphere, water, and landforms—and how the planet has changed over time. You’ll connect geology, physics, and chemistry to real-world problems. Payscale.com lists about $66,000 mid-career for many earth science bachelor’s graduates.

Astronomy: As an astronomy major, you’ll study the universe—planets, stars, galaxies, and how they form and evolve. You might take astrophysics, planetary geology, cosmology, stellar structure, and solar system courses. You can aim for careers like meteorology, climatology, astronomy research, planetarium work, and more. Payscale.com lists about $80,000 average yearly for many BS astronomy graduates.

Jump back to our easiest majors list

Why get a degree online?

You might choose online programs because they fit your schedule in ways traditional classes don’t. You usually don’t have to commute to a classroom, and you can often log in when it works for you—especially in asynchronous formats. That flexibility helps if you can’t be full-time on campus or you need to shift between part-time and full-time terms.

Online programs also work if you want to set your own pace: you can finish faster if you stay disciplined—or slow down when life gets busy. Accredited online degrees should meet the same standards as on-campus programs; the difference is how you access the coursework.

How easy is it to earn a degree online?

Let’s get this out of the way: if you’re looking for a shortcut to a college degree, there isn’t one. There’s no truly “quick and easy” college degree—every accredited program requires real work and discipline. Even the most flexible online program still expects you to show up for coursework and complete assignments.

If a program asks almost nothing of you, be careful—it may not be legitimate. Real colleges hold you to standards that match accreditation expectations.

Don’t shortchange your education by going for ease over quality.

However, there are some degrees that require “less” effort—depending on your own strengths and weaknesses. For example, someone great at math might have a hard time with an art history class and struggle with writing and vice versa. To determine whether a program is easy for you, just take a good look at your strengths, and be realistic about it. You’re not going to suddenly become really good at physics just because you opened one book and you liked a YouTube video.

The Easiest College Majors

If you’re hunting for the easiest bachelor’s degree to get online, be careful what you wish for: not all bachelor’s degrees lead to the same careers—for example, you won’t qualify for engineering roles with an art history degree alone.

Across programs we review, some of the bachelor’s fields you’ll find most often online—with flexible formats—include computer science, business administration, nursing, education, accounting, criminal justice, and early childhood education.

That doesn’t mean every course in those majors is “easy”; it means you can usually find accredited online options and schedules that make finishing more realistic for you.

The easiest online college degree programs

Some universities make admission, transfer, and pacing more flexible than others for online degree programs. Use the list below to explore schools that may be easier for you to get into—and that offer formats you can finish at a faster pace if you stay on track. Ask each school what financial aid you qualify for and whether you get access to tutoring and advising.

Brigham Young University-Idaho

An affordable, flexible option whether you’re an adult learner or a more traditional student, BYU–Idaho lets you earn certificates, associate’s degrees, and bachelor’s degrees online. If you have little or no college credit—or you’re rebuilding from weaker high school grades—you can start with PathwayConnect and transfer credits into BYU–Idaho’s online programs. For many students, that pathway makes success more reachable.

Academy of Art University

Located in San Francisco, the Academy of Art University focuses on creative industries. If you enroll, you can pursue degrees in areas like fashion styling, visual development, and communications—sometimes in as little as 18 months, depending on your pace and program rules.

Baker College

Baker College of Michigan is known for strong culinary programming—and it treats your time as valuable. You can finish certain courses in as little as eight weeks. Through Baker’s Virtual College, you get 24/7 access to dozens of online undergraduate majors so you can move at a pace that fits you.

Miami Dade College

Miami Dade College serves a huge student body and has won the Aspen Prize for community college excellence. If you want speed as well as breadth, MDC offers eight-week sessions for online undergraduate programs across many majors—check their site for what’s open to you.

Walden University

If your goal is speed, Walden may fit you. Depending on your transfer award and program rules, you may be able to apply up to 75% of required credits toward a bachelor’s and finish in as few as 12 months—verify your situation with the school and see our fastest accelerated online degrees guide for context.

University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC)

UMGC (formerly UMUC) has earned recognition for adult-focused online education. You get multiple start dates per year with eight-week modules across many degrees, and you may transfer in up to 90 credits in some programs—confirm what applies to you on UMGC’s site. You can explore fields like gerontology, humanities, communications, and more.

Southern New Hampshire University

SNHU offers 200+ degree programs built to help you move toward a career on your timeline—and it’s one of the more accessible large online providers we track. Whether you want a bachelor’s or a master’s online, you can explore accounting and finance, art and design, business, writing, economics, engineering, healthcare, marketing, nursing, psychology, sports management, and more.

City University of Seattle

City University of Seattle advertises generous transfer policies—up to 135 quarter credits in some cases—so you may bring more of your past work with you. If you enroll online, you could finish certain undergraduate degrees in fields like general studies, project management, and applied psychology in about two years, depending on your transfer award and pace.

Weber State University

Weber State has been growing—and it often ranks among the stronger regional options in the West. If you choose WSU online, you’ll find programs designed around busy students’ needs, including bachelor’s options like professional sales, integrated studies, general studies, and health services administration—confirm what’s available when you apply.

FAQ: easiest online degrees and majors

What is the easiest degree to get?

No single major wins for everyone—ease depends on your strengths and prior knowledge. You might lean toward general studies, liberal arts, business, communications, education, or psychology if you want a lighter math load, or toward nursing or data-heavy fields if those match you better. Online or on campus, you should verify accreditation and compare the real course list, not the marketing label. See also what “easy” really means above.

What are the easiest college majors?

Lists vary because difficulty is subjective. Research on GPAs can hint at grading patterns, but your skills matter more than a label. When you compare programs, look at math requirements, labs, writing load, and pacing—then pick what matches your goals, not only what sounds least effort. Use our easiest majors by level section as your starting outline.

What is the easiest online degree to get?

It depends on your strengths. You may find business, communications, liberal arts, general studies, psychology, or criminal justice a manageable fit online because coursework is often flexible and programs are easy to find—but “easy” still means real, accredited work. Use our major sections above and double-check each school’s requirements on the official site.

What is the easiest bachelor degree?

There is no accredited bachelor’s that is universally “easiest” for everyone—it depends on whether you prefer quantitative work, writing, or hands-on courses. Online, you’ll often see business, liberal arts, communications, education, and general studies with flexible formats; nursing, accounting, or computer science might suit you better even though the workload is heavier. Compare syllabi and read our easiest bachelor degree section plus the major write-ups below.

What is the easiest online college?

There isn’t one accredited college that’s easiest for every student—including you. “Easiest” usually means the best fit: a schedule you can keep (often with asynchronous options), clear transfer rules, multiple start dates, and advising you can actually reach—not a brand that promises effortless degrees. Large online programs and regional publics often emphasize flexibility, but you should still verify accreditation in DAPIP and compare total cost. See what makes an online degree easier to finish above.

How do I choose the easiest online college for my situation?

Shortlist accredited schools first, then compare asynchronous vs synchronous requirements, published transfer policies, start dates per year, advising access, and full program cost (tuition plus fees and materials). Request a sample term schedule or syllabus list before you enroll, and avoid any program that implies you can earn a degree with almost no work.

Are easy online degrees accredited?

They can be—if you pick a real college. Legitimate schools publish accreditation clearly. If a program promises a degree with almost no work on your part, walk away. Check the U.S. Department of Education’s DAPIP database and the school’s accreditor before you pay tuition.

Is computer science an easy major?

You may find computer science demanding because of math and programming intensity. We include it partly because online bachelor’s options are common and career outcomes are strong—not because every course is effortless for you. Read the syllabus and prerequisites before you commit.

Can you finish the easiest bachelor’s degree online faster?

Sometimes. Accelerated terms, transfer credit, and year-round schedules can shorten time. Faster is not always easier if the workload is compressed; weigh pace against your job and family obligations.

Do online degrees pay well?

Your earnings depend on your field, experience, and employer—not only on whether you studied online. Use our Payscale figures as directional, then cross-check the Bureau of Labor Statistics for occupation-level medians that match the job you want.

Sources

• Payscale — mid-career salary snapshots you see in this guide (your results may vary)
• Cornell University — referenced in research context on GPA patterns across fields (see methodology above)
• U.S. Department of Education — DAPIP — accreditation verification
• Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook — career outlook context

Accredited programs that might interest you

You can learn about start dates, transfer credit, financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.