What's the easiest online degree to get? Real options for busy adults

If you're juggling a job, kids, or bills and thinking about going back to school, you're not alone. Millions of adults are choosing online degrees because they fit around life-not the other way around. But here’s the truth: no online degree is truly "easy." If it sounds too simple, it probably is. What you really want is the easiest online degree that matches your skills, time, and goals. Not the one with the least work-but the one that feels doable.

What "easy" really means for online degrees

"Easy" doesn’t mean no effort. It means low barriers to entry, flexible pacing, and clear structure. The easiest degrees are the ones where you don’t have to start from scratch. If you’ve ever managed a budget, written an email, or organized a team project, you already have skills that count.

Most easy online degrees are in fields that don’t require labs, clinical hours, or advanced math. You won’t need to memorize chemical formulas or learn surgical procedures. Instead, you’ll focus on communication, basic systems, and practical problem-solving. These programs are built for adults who need results without upending their lives.

Top 5 easiest online degrees in 2025

Here are five degrees that consistently rank as the most manageable for working adults. They’re offered by accredited schools, have low dropout rates, and don’t require prior experience.

• Associate of Arts in General Studies - This isn’t a "degree for nothing." It’s a flexible foundation. You pick courses in psychology, history, writing, or business. Many students use it to test the waters before committing to a major. Some schools let you transfer credits from life experience-like managing a household budget or running a small side hustle.
• Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership - This degree teaches you how to lead teams, manage projects, and communicate clearly. You’ll study conflict resolution, ethics, and basic management. No engineering background needed. If you’ve ever mediated a family argument or coordinated a volunteer event, you’re already halfway there.
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - Don’t let the name scare you. You won’t become a therapist with just a bachelor’s. But you will learn how people think, why they act the way they do, and how to read behavior. Courses are mostly reading and writing. No labs. No memorizing brain parts. Many students use this to improve their communication at work or prepare for human resources roles.
• Associate of Science in Business Administration - This one’s popular because it’s practical. You learn accounting basics, marketing principles, and how to use spreadsheets. Most courses use real-world examples: "How do you price a product?" "How do you write a customer email?" You don’t need to be a math whiz. Just willing to learn step by step.
• Bachelor of Arts in Communication - If you can write a text message, you can handle this. You’ll study media, public speaking, interpersonal communication, and digital content. Many grads end up in customer service, HR, sales, or social media roles. The workload is heavy on writing, not math or science.

What makes these degrees easier than others?

These programs avoid three big traps most students struggle with:

1. No STEM requirements - You won’t need calculus, physics, or chemistry. If you hated high school science, you’re safe.
2. No proctored exams - Many of these degrees use open-book tests, take-home assignments, or discussion boards instead of timed, high-pressure exams.
3. No capstone projects or internships - Some programs replace complex final projects with a single research paper or reflective essay. That’s it.

For example, at Southern New Hampshire University, a student in the Organizational Leadership program might write three 5-page papers, participate in weekly online discussions, and submit a final portfolio. That’s it. No group projects. No presentations. No fieldwork.

How long does it really take?

Most associate degrees take two years if you go full-time. But if you’re taking one class at a time while working 40 hours a week, it’s more like three to four years. That’s still faster than you think.

Some schools offer accelerated terms-five to eight weeks per class. That means you can finish a two-year associate degree in 18 months if you take two classes per term. It’s intense, but doable. One student in Ohio finished her associate in general studies in 14 months while working nights and raising two kids.

Cost matters more than you think

The easiest degree isn’t the one with the fewest assignments-it’s the one you can afford to finish. A $30,000 degree that takes six years because you keep pausing isn’t easy. A $6,000 degree you finish in two years? That’s the real win.

Public online colleges like Western Governors University (WGU) and University of the People charge under $7,000 total for a bachelor’s. WGU uses competency-based learning: you move faster if you already know the material. One student passed seven courses in a single month because she’d worked in retail management for ten years.

Avoid for-profit schools that promise "get your degree in 6 months" for $20,000. They’re expensive, and their credits often don’t transfer. Stick to regionally accredited schools. Check accreditation at chea.org.

Who these degrees are perfect for

These programs aren’t for everyone. But they’re ideal if you:

• Need a credential to get promoted or switch jobs
• Want to feel smarter without going back to college full-time
• Have trouble sitting through long lectures or in-person classes
• Learn better by reading and writing than by watching videos
• Need to start now, not wait for the next semester

If you’re a single parent, a shift worker, or someone who’s been told "you’re too old" or "it’s too late," this is your path. You don’t need to be a genius. You just need to show up, turn in the work, and keep going.

Red flags to avoid

Not all online degrees are created equal. Watch out for:

• Promises of "no work" degrees - If a school says you can graduate without writing a single paper, walk away. It’s not accredited.
• High-pressure sales tactics - Legit schools don’t call you at 8 p.m. asking for your credit card.
• No clear syllabus - If you can’t see what you’ll study before you enroll, that’s a problem.
• Unaccredited schools - Credits from unaccredited programs won’t transfer or be recognized by employers.

Always verify accreditation. The gold standard is regional accreditation (like SACSCOC, MSCHE, NWCCU). National accreditation is okay for trade schools, but not for degrees you want to use for career growth.

How to start today

You don’t need to quit your job or sell your car. Here’s your simple first step:

1. Decide what you want the degree for. Promotion? Confidence? A new job? Write it down.
2. Look at the five degrees listed above. Which one feels most relevant to your life?
3. Visit the website of one school offering it-like WGU, Southern New Hampshire, or Arizona State Online.
4. Use their free degree planner tool. It shows you exactly what courses you’ll take.
5. Apply. Most schools accept applications year-round. You can start in as little as two weeks.

One woman in Texas applied on a Friday, got accepted by Monday, and started her first class on Wednesday. She finished her associate in business in 11 months. Now she’s a team lead.

What comes next?

Getting your first degree is the hardest part. Once you have it, you’ll see how much easier the next one becomes. Many people go from an associate to a bachelor’s in less than a year because they already know how to handle online learning.

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to begin. One assignment at a time. One week at a time. You’ve already done harder things.

Final thought: It’s not about being the smartest

The easiest online degree isn’t the one with the least work. It’s the one you’ll actually finish. The one that fits your life. The one that gives you a real credential without burning you out.

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to start. And you’ve already taken the first step by asking this question.