Today’s ambitious students are increasingly turning to accelerated, often called fast-track, degree programs to reach their goals sooner and start seeing a return on their investment faster.
But speed isn’t everything. The degrees featured here also lead to jobs with real earning potential and demand.
Featured Programs
There are several fields offering fast-track programs. However, the most popular fast online degrees that pay well include:
- Information Technology
- Business Administration
- Healthcare Administration
- Cybersecurity
- Accounting
Before diving into the fast online degrees that pay well, it helps to be realistic: salaries vary by location, experience, industry, and licensure requirements. But with the right plan, finishing fast and earning well is absolutely within reach.
Related:
- 10 Online Degrees with the Highest Salaries
- Best Online Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree Programs
- Top 20 Degrees for the Future
- 5 Top STEM Jobs for College Graduates
What Makes an Online Degree “Fast”?
The exact structure varies by school. Here’s how fast online degrees work:
Accelerated Terms
Many online schools offer classes in 5–8 week modules instead of traditional 16‑week semesters. This lets students take more courses per year and reduce total time to graduation.
Year‑Round Enrollment
Instead of long summer breaks, programs often allow students to keep taking courses through winter and summer. This cuts months off completion timelines.
Transfer Credits
If you already have college credits from a community college, previous bachelor’s coursework, or professional certifications, many schools will accept those and shorten your pathway.
Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)
National testing programs like CLEP and DSST let students test out of introductory college courses. By earning qualifying scores, they can skip entry-level classes and move straight into advanced coursework.
Competency‑Based Education (CBE)
In CBE programs, students advance once they demonstrate mastery of material, not based on time spent in a classroom. This is ideal for self‑paced learners.
No Required On‑Campus Residencies
While some online degrees require short in‑person sessions, truly fast online degrees let you complete everything, including exams, fully online.
How We Chose These Fast Online Degrees
The quickest online degrees with high pay were selected based on:
Time to completion
Most can be completed in about 1–2 years with accelerated options.
Salary outcomes
All lead to mid‑career salaries that generally exceed the U.S. median wage for bachelor’s holders.
Job market demand
These fields are projected to grow faster than average, giving graduates a better shot at stable employment.
Availability of accredited online programs
Each field is widely offered online through recognized institutions.
Long‑term career growth
Beyond just starting pay, these fields often offer room for advancement and specialization.
Quick Overview — Fast Online Degrees That Pay Well
Here’s a quick overview of short online degrees with good salaries:
| Degree | Typical Completion Time | Average Salary Range |
| Information Technology | 12–24 months | $75k–$120k |
| Business Administration | 12–24 months | $65k–$110k |
| Healthcare Administration | 12–24 months | $70k–$120k |
| Cybersecurity | 12–24 months | $80k–$130k |
| Accounting | 12–24 months | $65k–$100k |
The 5 Fast Online Degrees That Pay Well
1. Information Technology
IT has always been one of the best online degrees you can finish fast. Many online associate and bachelor’s programs in IT let students wrap up in 1–2 years with accelerated terms.
An IT degree can lead to the following high-paying positions:
- IT Manager: $180,720 average salary per year
- Computer Systems Analyst: $103,790 average salary per year
- Network Administrator: $96,800 average salary per year
Many IT roles can be done fully remotely, making this field especially attractive for online learners seeking flexibility.
Because technology evolves quickly, employers often look for certifications in addition to a degree. Some of the most respected IT certifications include:
- CompTIA A+ (entry-level foundational certification)
- CompTIA Network+
- CompTIA Security+
- Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
2. Business Administration
Business degrees are among the top accelerated online degrees that pay well. From finance to marketing to human resources, business degrees open doors across sectors.
Some students start with a fast bachelor’s in business administration (BBA). However, others leverage work experience into accelerated MBA programs.
For people with work experience, an accelerated MBA can dramatically increase earning potential, sometimes outweighing the extra time. Graduates can move into positions like:
- Operations Manager
- Project Manager
- Business Analyst
These positions often command six‑figure salaries with experience.
3. Healthcare Administration
For those who want to work in healthcare but don’t want a clinical license like an RN or PA, healthcare administration is a strong alternative. The U.S. healthcare system continues to expand with an aging population, generating more openings in administrative leadership.
Many accredited institutions now offer healthcare administration degrees fully online. Accelerated tracks can get students ready in about 18–24 months.
These fast online degrees for working adults are designed to prepare students for roles like:
- Health Services Manager
- Practice Administrator
- Clinic Operations Coordinator
- Department Director
Healthcare administrators earn an average of $117,960 per year, with an expected growth rate of 23 percent from 2024 to 2034.
4. Cybersecurity
The global cybersecurity workforce currently numbers around 5.5 million professionals. However, that may still fall short of meeting the growing cybersecurity demands of tomorrow. The world still needs 4.8 million more cybersecurity professionals, a shortfall that has grown over 40% in just two years.
That’s why many bachelor’s and master’s programs now offer fast-track options. Students can also earn certifications like CompTIA Security+ or CISSP alongside their degree to boost skills and career readiness.
With an average yearly salary of $124,910 per year and a 29 percent growth rate, this is perfect for students looking for online degrees with a quick ROI.
5. Accounting
Accounting may seem traditional, but accelerated online degrees make it quick to enter. Skilled accountants remain in demand, with about 124,200 annual openings projected across industries.
As one of the fastest online bachelor’s degrees, many students can graduate in 1–2 years, especially if transfer credits apply. Many students start with a fast bachelor’s in accounting and aim for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential, which can significantly boost career options.
Bachelor’s vs Master’s — Which Fast Degree Pays More?
Time‑to‑completion:
Bachelor’s degrees usually take 2–4 years online (with transfer or acceleration), while accelerated master’s can take about 1–2 years beyond that.
Salary difference:
On average, workers with a master’s degree earn about $20,000–$30,000 more per year than those with only a bachelor’s, though the exact difference depends on field and experience.
When a master’s is worth it:
For fields like cybersecurity, a master’s can unlock leadership positions and more strategic roles, boosting mid‑career pay.
Fastest ROI:
In many cases, accelerated bachelor’s programs paired with certifications offer the quickest return on investment, especially for learners entering the workforce sooner and gaining experience immediately.
Who Should Consider a Fast Online Degree?
Fast online degrees are especially good for:
- Career changers who want to transition fields without spending too many years in school
- Working adults balancing jobs and families
- Military and veterans who can leverage GI Bill benefits and prior learning credits
- Students with transfer credits from college, community college, or prior certificates
- Professionals seeking promotion who need a credential quickly to advance
How to Choose the Right Fast Online Degree
So, how do you compare short-term online degrees with high pay?
- Accreditation: Make sure a legitimate accrediting body recognizes the program.
- Completion time: Compare actual timelines and options for acceleration.
- Salary ceiling: Research pay ranges for your target career.
- Licensure requirements: Some fields require exams like the CPA or state approvals.
- Program flexibility: Evening, weekend, and pacing options matter.
- Employer recognition: Talk to recruiters or professionals in your target industry.
- Total cost vs ROI: A cheaper degree isn’t always a better investment. Long‑term earnings matter most.
How to Finish an Online Degree Faster
Here are practical tips on how to finish high paying online degrees fast.
- Transfer prior credits: Maximize what you’ve already earned.
- Test out with CLEP or PLA: Skip material you already know.
- Choose competency‑based programs: Move at your own pace.
- Enroll year‑round: Avoid unnecessary breaks.
- Stack certificates: Build qualifications while you complete your degree.
Are Fast Online Degrees Respected by Employers?
Accelerated degrees are increasingly respected, especially if they’re from an accredited school and paired with strong skills and portfolio evidence. When presenting an accelerated degree on a resume, highlight certifications, projects, and real‑world experience to reinforce readiness for the job.
Conclusion
Fast online degrees can lead to well‑paying careers, but success depends on more than speed alone. The field you choose, how you leverage transfer credits and certifications, and how you plan your career path all shape your outcomes.
For those who want to pursue fast online degrees that pay well, consider these steps:
- Compare accredited accelerated programs
- Focus on ROI and job demand
- Align degree choice with long‑term career goals
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest online degree that pays well?
Fields like cybersecurity, IT, and business administration often offer accelerated online degrees that can be completed in 12–24 months and lead to above‑average salaries.
Can you finish an online degree in one year?
Yes. With accelerated schedules, credit for prior learning, and competency‑based formats, many students complete online associate or bachelor’s degrees in about one year.