Best Online Master's Degrees

Online Masters Degree Average Salary

Advancing your education is one of the best ways to earn a higher salary, no matter what your field or where you live. However, some question whether getting a master’s degree is really worth the time and money, even with the help of financial aid. One option to save both is to go to school online, as these programs are typically less expensive and more flexible in terms of scheduling.

No matter where you get your master’s degree, once you complete a program, you’ll likely see a substantial rise in income. You exact average salary depends on your program of study and subsequent career path, but on average across all fields, those with master’s level education earned $53,000 per year. Compared to other fields, that’s a huge jump in salary.

$33,000 more than high school drop-outs
$27,000 more than those with high school diplomas of GEDs
$22,000 more than those with some college experience
$20,000 more than those holding associate’s degrees
$10,000 more than those holding bachelor’s degrees

At one time, these numbers would be lower based on the fact that you got your degree online rather than getting it from a traditional campus college. Today, that’s typically not the case. According to reports online education is growing by more than 33% every year, and over 3 million students are currently participating in online classes. Employers are willing to hire the best person for the job, regardless of whether or not they went to a traditional school, as long as the program is accredited and respected. So, you can expect just as high of a salary with an online master’s degree as a master’s degree from a brick and mortar college.

Again, your exact salary with an online master’s degree depends on your filed, but some of the following careers are the most popular for those with advanced degrees. Average salaries for employees who have master’s degrees are as follows, according to Payscale.com:

Senior Software Engineer, Developer, or Programmer: $94,072
Physician Assistant: $72,250
Executive Director: $70,610
Physical Therapist: $62,437
Architect: $59,258
Licensed Clinical Social Worker: $50,506
High School Teacher: $49,547
Elementary School Teacher: $44,013

Of course, your salary will change depending on where you live. If you have a master’s degree, the highest average salaries can be found in the following states (data excludes those holding MBA degrees):

California: $76,708
Massachusetts: $65,431
Texas: $62,534
New York: $62,381
Illinois: $59,928
Florida: $59,507
Pennsylvania: $58,223

Remember, you’ll earn more if you live in a city, in general, than if you live in a more rural area, but in these locations, cost of living can be higher as well. No matter where you live, though, it makes sense to go back to school to get your master’s degree. With online programs, there are educational options no matter what your budget or schedule.

Find an Online Master\'s Degree

With all of the competition in today's workforce, having a bachelor's degree often times won't cut it. For those looking for better job placements and more opportunities in their career fields, consider embarking on an academic journey toward achieving a master's degree. Below are the top online universities that offer such graduate degree programs.

Master's Degrees PhD Degrees	Walden University — Walden University's mission is built on their vision that the 21st century will bring different challenges to learning, whereby graduates' knowledge will be judged by the degree to which it can be applied to solving societal problems and advancing the greater good. Walden offers programs in business, IT, education/teaching, health, nursing, science, criminal justice.
Master's Degrees	University of Massachusetts — UMass Online offers provides access to the University of Massachusetts accredited master's degree programs for students from all across the world. Master's degrees are offered in business administration, accounting, finance, information technology (IT), teaching, educational administration, counseling, therapy, criminal justice, and more.
Master's Degrees	Liberty University — Well-known as one of the top evangelical Christian online universities, Liberty was founded in 1971 by the late Rev. Jerry Falwell. Master's degree programs are offered in the following subjects: numerous theological subjects, business, teaching, human services, and counseling.
Master's Degrees	Benedictine University — As one of the nation’s largest Christian schools, Benedictine University has added several online Masters Degrees in response to shifts in education and the working environment. Students will find that online programs have a level of flexibility, convenience, and affordability not found in many campus programs. Students will find themselves at the center of several fast-growing industries upon graduation in many cases.
Master's Degrees PhD Degrees	Boston University — Boston University is proud to state that they have been open to admission for both sexes and every race and religion since its opening in 1839. In fact, Martin Luther King, Jr. is an alumnus of this university. BU Online offers degree programs in education, business, project mangement, health communication, physical therapy, occupational therapy, IT, and more.
Master's Degrees	Kaplan University — Headquartered in Davenport, Iowa, Kaplan University offers online and campus-based master's degree-level programs of study in the following subjects: business, IT, education, healthcare, nursing, and criminal justice.
Master's Degrees Doctorate's Degrees	Northcentral University — Northcentral University has a huge selection of accredited, online Masters Degrees for students to choose from. NCU even have several Doctorates Degrees if students want to take their career to its utmost potential. Both levels of degrees are designed with ambitious students who want to take on administrative or leadership positions in mind.
Master's Degrees	Strayer University — Strayer University offers numerous master's degree level programs in its business schools, including accounting, acquisition, finance, human resource management, information systems management, international business, management, marketing, professional studies, project management, and hospitality. Non-business master's degrees are offered in information systems, education, health services administration, and public administration.
Master's Degrees	Ashford University — Ashford University is built on a rich tradition of academic history. Founded in 1918, Ashford University is one of the most afforable and flexible online colleges you'll find. Master's degrees are offered in: business, education, healthcare, and public administration.
Master's Degrees PhD Degrees	University of Phoenix — With a reputation for being the largest online college in the world, the University of Phoenix has top-notch faculty and curriculum that are designed to get you placed in a job quickly after graduation. Master's degree-level programs of study are available in: business, IT, healthcare, nursing, psychology, public administration, and criminal justice.
Master's Degrees	Post University — Post University has several Masters Degrees available at the campus or through online courses. These programs include several of the most popular masters degrees, including Business Administration, Teaching, and Public Administration. These programs can be completed in as little as eighteen (18) months, allowing students to advance their careers in under two years.
Master's Degrees	Saint Joseph’s University — Saint Joseph’s University is a respected and accredited provider of online education. Online programs cut many of the cost associated with campus programs and can be completed at a pace that is comfortable to you. Masters Degrees are designed for students who looking to advance their careers quickly and fill high level or leadership positions.
Master's Degrees	Capella University — Cappella University, one of the nation's largest providers of higher education, has added several online programs to its course catalog. These programs are great for students who are seeking a convenient way to quickly advance their careers as most masters programs can be completed in just two years and doctorates degrees in three years.
Click here to see more online masters degrees...