Certain occupations fare better with an online degree than others. Using the data from the U.S. News and World Report’s 100 Best Jobs of 2019, below are six careers that students can train for via online degree programs. Other criteria used in the selection of these jobs were employment opportunity, salary, work-life balance and job security.
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
This rapidly growing healthcare career field requires an advanced practice registered nurse graduate degree. NPs can practice primary care or become specialized in a healthcare field. While some NPs work in a physician’s office, others practice independently. Depending on the state, some NPs can prescribe medications and order lab tests.
Ranking – 7th
Median salary – $103,660
Projected Growth – 36%
Best online schools – John Hopkins University, Ohio State University and St. Xavier University
Computer Systems Analyst
Graduates in this field study an organization’s computer systems and networks, and design ways for these systems to operate more efficiently and effectively to better meet the needs of the organization. Usually a bachelor’s degree in computer or information science is required.
Ranking – 27th
Median Salary – $88,270
Projected Growth – 9%
Best online schools – Colorado State University and Pennsylvania State University – World Campus
Information Security Analyst
Those employed in the IS world plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization’s networks and computer system from hacking or unauthorized access. Typically, a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field like computer science, information assurance or programming is required.
Ranking – 40th
Median Salary – $95,510
Projected Growth – 32%
Best online schools – Colorado Technical University, Maryville University and Norwich University
Market Research Analyst
These are the marketing specialists behind most ads you see for a product or service. They study markets, create surveys and evaluate data to determine how to best market a product or service to potential buyers. While many in this field have a bachelor’s degree in market research or marketing itself, others break in to the field with degrees in statistics, math or computer science.
Ranking – 60th
Median Salary – $63,230
Projected Growth – 20%
Best online schools – University of Alabama – Birmingham or Arizona State University
Cost Estimator
In the world of product creation or providing a service, cost estimators collect and analyze data to create estimates of how much time, money, materials and labor will be required for a project. For many of the jobs in this field, only a bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering or finance is required.
Ranking – 61st
Median Salary – $63,110
Projected Growth – 9%
Best online schools – Colorado State University Global Campus and Indiana State University
Speech-Language Pathologist
Professionals in this field assess, diagnose, treat, and in general work with patients who have trouble swallowing or speaking due to a variety of causes or conditions. Most positions in this field require at least a master’s degree in speech-language pathology.
Ranking – 23rd
Median Salary – $76,610
Projected Growth – 27%
Best online schools – Emerson College, New York University or Baylor University
Since many veterans are older and have a spouse and kids, they may have to juggle a job, family life and go to school. Online programs like these six work better for many veterans, due to the program flexibility, no time wasted commuting and how it fits into the veteran’s schedule, lifestyle and commitments. These careers also have a good measure of job security, employment potential and pay well.
