- May
9
2025 - 5
Ever caught yourself searching, 'What's the easiest degree that still gets you real money?' Yeah, you’re not the only one. With so many online courses out there, picking the right one can feel like scrolling for hours on a food app—too many choices, too little certainty. But let’s be straight: some degrees are easier than others, and a handful actually lead to good jobs. Forget those people who say you have to grind for years or pick something painfully complicated to make a solid salary.
There are smart shortcuts—degrees where you don’t have to pull all-nighters or write 25-page papers every week, but you can still bag a career with decent pay. Plus, online courses have changed the game. You can learn at home, while you work, or during those random moments between walking the dog (shout-out to Bruno for his patience during my own online classes). The trick is finding courses that aren’t just fluff and have real value in today's job market.
- What Makes a Degree 'Easy' and Profitable?
- Most Popular Online Degrees That Check Both Boxes
- Surprising Jobs You Can Land with These Degrees
- Practical Tips: Choosing and Finishing Your Program
What Makes a Degree 'Easy' and Profitable?
So what actually makes a degree easy? First, let’s bust the myth—'easy' doesn’t mean totally effortless. “Easy” really means flexible, doable, and with less intense math or science. If you’re dreading labs, endless equations, or never-ending group projects, certain degrees skip all that. Most of these let you work at your own pace and don’t expect perfection out of gate. The most popular easy degrees usually have more reading, discussion, or project-based work instead of tricky formulas or memorizing an encyclopedia’s worth of facts.
- Flexible Deadlines: Online degrees often let you pick when you study—huge plus for anyone juggling a job or family.
- Practical Assignments: You’re more likely to get real-world tasks, not just theory crammed into boring essays.
- Supportive Teachers and Resources: Many online programs make it easy to get help, whether it’s tutoring or quick email answers.
- Shorter Duration: Some programs are packed into 18-24 months, so you’re not stuck in the student zone forever.
But 'easy' is only one part. What about getting paid? Profitable means jobs that pay well right after you finish. These are fields that don’t require a master’s or years of grinding as an intern. Think roles in IT support, business administration, digital marketing, and healthcare management. These don’t always need high-level math or hours in a chemistry lab, but companies are hungry to fill them.
Here’s a table that shows the average entry-level pay for some well-known 'easy' online degrees and how long they typically take to complete:
| Degree | Field | Typical Study Duration | Average Entry-Level Pay (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration | Business | 2-4 years | $48,000 |
| Health Information Management | Healthcare | 2-3 years | $43,000 |
| IT Support/Network Administration | Technology | 1-2 years | $54,000 |
| Digital Marketing | Marketing | 1-2 years | $50,000 |
| Liberal Arts | General | 2-4 years | $40,000 |
The best part? Many of these degrees have online classes designed for people who need a second (or even third) chance at school, without feeling lost. So if you’re after a degree that's both stress-free and worth the cash, focus on programs that are flexible, skip the heavy science or math, and feed into industries with open jobs and solid paychecks.
Most Popular Online Degrees That Check Both Boxes
If you want a degree that's actually doable and leads to a decent paycheck, you’ve got a few clear winners. Let’s skip the hype and focus on easy degrees that employers actually respect and that you can finish online.
Here are the top picks people go for:
- Business Administration: This is probably the biggest hit. The classes usually aren't loaded with math or dense science, and a ton of jobs want people who understand business basics. Typical online programs make it streamlined, too.
- Information Technology (IT): Not all IT is about coding for hours! Many programs focus on support, networking, or basic web tools. You’ll find plenty of positions that care more about your certification or hands-on skills than impossible theory.
- Healthcare Administration: Don’t picture needles or surgery—this is about keeping clinics or hospitals running smoothly. The coursework is often practical, covering things like scheduling and healthcare laws. Since healthcare isn’t going anywhere, jobs are always popping up.
- Marketing: Creative types love this path. Most courses are project-based, not endless tests. These programs cover social media, market research, even some design, and every business needs someone who gets how to put their message out there.
- Human Resources (HR): If you’re good with people and aren’t a fan of heavy numbers, HR is a safe bet. A lot of the classes are about workplace laws, communication, and recruitment—all practical, less brain-melting topics.
And here’s the real talk: Each of these degrees can be done at your own pace if you pick the right online school. Plenty offer accelerated programs, so you finish in less than the classic four years. That means less time, less debt, and a quicker jump into a job.
| Degree | Average Salary (USD) | Typical Completion Time (Years) | Common Entry-Level Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration | $57,000 | 2 - 4 | Account Manager, Sales Rep |
| Information Technology | $60,000 | 2 - 4 | IT Support, Network Admin |
| Healthcare Administration | $55,000 | 2 - 4 | Clinic Manager, Office Admin |
| Marketing | $54,000 | 2 - 4 | Marketing Assistant, Social Media Manager |
| Human Resources | $52,000 | 2 - 4 | HR Coordinator, Recruiter |
One thing to keep in mind: “Easy” isn’t the same for everyone. But these majors usually have less math, less science, and way more flexibility than something like engineering or nursing. Plus, you get stuff that hiring managers notice—like internships or portfolios—without burning out before you even start your first job.
Surprising Jobs You Can Land with These Degrees
Most people think you need a hardcore degree to make good money, but that’s not true—especially when you look at easy degrees you can get online. The reality? Companies are hiring for practical skills, not just fancy diplomas.
Let's talk about some roles you might not expect to see on this list. For example, with an online degree in business administration or communications, you could end up as a social media manager. The job is mostly creative, not tech-heavy, and many folks with these jobs earn between $50,000 to $70,000—sometimes more if you jump into bigger companies or specialized industries.
If numbers aren’t your enemy, a simple online associate degree in accounting or bookkeeping lands you gigs as a junior accountant or payroll clerk. These jobs often start at $45,000-$55,000 a year, with not much stress after you get the hang of it. You don’t have to be a math whiz—basic spreadsheets and organization skills go a long way.
Healthcare has some shockers too. A two-year online degree in health information management can get you hired as a health records technician. It isn’t patient-facing, so you’re behind a desk, making sure medical documents are organized and accurate. Most of these roles pay over $50,000, and you can often move up once you’ve got some experience.
If you’re more of a tech enthusiast, but not into hardcore coding, check out online IT support or network associate degrees. Tech support specialists or helpdesk analysts are always in demand, and they pull in salaries from $45,000 to $60,000. Bonus: you get to solve real problems for people, and there’s lots of room to grow with quick certification upgrades online.
Don’t overlook administration either. An online degree in management or project management can set you up as an office manager or project coordinator. These jobs don't require you to boss people around 24/7—instead, you’ll run schedules, budgets, and meetings. Pay can go upwards of $55,000 in most industries.
- Social Media Manager: Easy to break into with a communications or marketing degree. Pay is solid, and remote work is common.
- Health Records Technician: Just need a two-year program. Great pay for organizing information instead of dealing with patients.
- IT Support Specialist: Plenty of opportunities with an online tech degree, and salaries keep going up due to demand.
- Junior Accountant: Entry-level but steady work, perfect for spreadsheet fans who like reliable routines.
- Project Coordinator: Organize teams without needing years of prior experience; pay and growth chances are better than most expect.
Real tip: If you have transferable skills from another job (like customer service, retail, or admin work), these degrees help you move up way faster than you’d think. Don’t discount your old experience—it can make these 'easy' online degrees go even further in your job search.
Practical Tips: Choosing and Finishing Your Program
Picking an easy degree that still boosts your career isn’t just about guessing what sounds simple. You’ve got to dig a bit to find programs that actually lead to getting hired, not just another digital badge sitting in your email. Here’s how to do it right from the jump.
- Check the school’s credibility. Look for online courses from places employers respect. Regionally accredited schools or big names—think Arizona State University Online or Purdue Global—are safe bets. Skip anything that feels sketchy or has endless ads but zero real reviews.
- Pick a degree that matches jobs in demand. For example, business administration, information technology, and health sciences are three areas where folks finish school and actually find decent work. Job boards like Indeed or the Bureau of Labor Statistics site are perfect for checking which fields need more people.
- Try free modules before paying. Tons of schools let you taste a week of class before you spend money. Use that! You’ll know if the content makes sense or if it’s full of jargon that’ll have you googling every five minutes.
- Set a schedule right from the start. Most people stall out online because there’s no one pushing them. Block out a couple of fixed study times each week—make it routine, like morning coffee or taking out the trash.
- Use built-in support. These days, good programs offer tutoring, chat with teachers, or student forums. If you’re stuck or want career advice, don’t be shy—fire off an email or set up a call. Many schools even have job placement help or resume reviews.
Burnout is real when you juggle life and school. If you drop the ball on an assignment, just talk to your prof—most are cool about letting you catch up, especially in online courses built for adults. And remember, finishing is way more valuable than obsessively getting perfect grades. Employers mostly care about the degree in your hand and your grit for actually finishing, not if you got an A+ in every class.
About Author
I am a passionate education specialist residing in India, deeply engaged in analyzing and enhancing the Indian educational landscape. I frequently contribute articles on educational reforms and emerging pedagogical trends in India. As a writer, I am committed to shedding light on the evolving role of technology in our education system. I believe in the power of informed discourse to bring meaningful changes for future generations.
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