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.

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.

	Capella University — Capella University was founded with the busy working adult professional in mind. More than 23,000 students who have taken Capella programs have profited from their online education. Capella offers degree programs in criminal justice, healthcare, nursing, education, teaching, information technology, business, and retail management.
	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 maangement, health communication, physical theraphy, occupational therapy, IT, and more.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	Westwood College — Westwood College Online is headquartered at its Denver North Campus and offers degree programs in fashion merchandising, interior design, visual communications, business, IT, healthcare, criminal justice, and much more.
	Argosy University — Founded in 2001 after the merger of three different institutions, Argosy offers online degrees in business, health/medicine, criminal justice, psychology, and liberal arts.
	Grand Canyon University — Grand Canyon University offers an academically challenging education to its students in a Christian community. Multiple degree programs are offered in subjects such as liberal arts, Christian studies, business, finance, accounting, marketing, education/teaching, sociology, criminal justice, healthcare, and nursing.
	DeVry University — DeVry University offers its programs entirely online so you can learn from the convenience of your office or home without the burden of having to commute to class at a specified time. DeVry offers one master's degree-level program in electrical engineering.
	Everest University — Everest University was founded with the busy working adult in mind. For those that may not have the time to attend class on a regular basis, Everest offers its classes in a convenient online format. Master's degree subjects of study include: business and criminal justice.
	American InterContinental University — American InterContinental University's mission is to encourage students to learn real-world skills that they can apply to their careers instantly upon graduation. Master's degree subjects include: business, IT, education, and healthcare.
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