Want a flexible, affordable online degree without pausing your life? Here are five accredited online schools built for working adults. Plus, discover a simple credit-transfer hack to lower costs and finish faster.

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1. Western Governors University (WGU): Finish Faster With Flat-Rate, Self-Paced Terms

For busy adults, WGU’s flat-rate, self-paced, competency-based model lets you advance as fast as you can: no class times, mentor support, and lower overall costs.

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• Tuition: about $4,000 per six-month term
• Format: competency-based, demonstrate mastery, then move on. No set class times or deadlines
• Why it’s a fit for adults: take as many courses as you can finish each term; motivated learners can accelerate and save time
• Strong areas: business, IT, healthcare, education
• Support: dedicated mentor to keep you on track

2. Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU): Frequent Starts and Big Transfer Room

SNHU streamlines graduation with straightforward admissions, clear degree maps, and schedules that flex around work and family.
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• Terms: 100% online in eight-week blocks with frequent start dates.
• Cost: around $342 per credit.
• Transfer policy: up to 90 transfer credits toward a bachelor’s. Many finish with only 30 credits left
• Programs: psychology, business, communication, criminal justice
• Student services: free tutoring, 24/7 course access, admissions and finance advising, career coaching

3. University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC): Built for Working Adults and Military

UMGC turns work and service experience into momentum, pairing adult-first pathways with career-focused guidance so you can graduate on your terms. It’s flexible, supportive, and designed for real life.

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• Terms: multiple short sessions (typically eight weeks); rolling admissions.
• Learning materials: no-cost digital textbooks/resources.
• Cost: about $330/credit in-state; $499/credit out-of-state (discounts available, especially for military).
• Transfer and prior learning: up to 90 credits for previous coursework, work, or military experience.
• Supports: writing help, career coaching, advisors, job-search tools and virtual career fairs.

4. ASU Online (Arizona State University): Accelerated Courses with Big-School Resources

ASU Online combines big-school reputation with structured acceleration and hands-on coaching, giving working learners flexible pathways to keep momentum. Get name-brand flexibility with structured acceleration.

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• Pace: 7.5-week courses; six start dates per year.
• Breadth: 300+ online degree programs.
• Support: dedicated success coach; optional live-plus-asynchronous “ASU Sync” experience.
• Cost: averages around $560 per credit for many out-of-state undergrad programs.
• Transfer friendly: accepts transfer credits to reduce time and cost.

5. Capella University (FlexPath): Total Control, Flat Fee per 12 Weeks

Capella’s FlexPath puts you in charge. Choose your rhythm, get hands-on coaching, and build career-ready skills without derailing life. When your schedule changes weekly, FlexPath flexes with you.

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• Model: no set deadlines; take one or two courses at a time, progress at your pace
• Cost: around $3,000 per 12-week session—complete as many courses as you can in that window
• Try-before-you-enroll: free FlexPath trial course
• Programs: especially strong for psychology, business, IT, and nursing
• Support and transfer: advisors, academic coaches, writing center; many students transfer prior credits

The Money-Saving Hack: Use ACE-Recommended Alternative Credit

Alternative credit lets you complete general education or prerequisite courses online, at your own pace, through providers like Study.com, Sophia Learning, or StraighterLine. These courses cover common requirements and are designed to be flexible and affordable.

How ACE-Recommended Credits Can Help You Finish Your Degree Faster

Many of these courses carry ACE (American Council on Education) credit recommendations. A wide range of accredited colleges accept ACE-recommended transfer credits, which can cut both time and tuition. Just confirm your target school’s policy before you enroll.

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Here’s how to apply it:

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1. Map required gen-ed/prereq classes at your chosen university
2. Complete the matching ACE-recommended courses with an alternative provider at lower cost
3. Send official transcripts to your university to apply transfer credit
4. Result: Skip expensive semesters, finish faster, and cut tuition significantly, especially when combined with transfer-friendly schools like SNHU, UMGC, WGU, and Capella.

Step-By-Step: Fast-Track Your Online Degree

1️⃣ Pick your destination school and major.‍

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2️⃣ Audit your existing credits and experience (transcripts, military service, certifications).

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3️⃣ Ask admissions which general-eds or prerequisites they’ll accept from ACE-recommended providers.

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4️⃣ Complete the cheapest, fastest equivalents first — such as Study.com, Sophia, or StraighterLine.

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5️⃣ Transfer your credits and finish the remaining university courses as quickly as your schedule allows.

The Adult Learner’s Shortcut to Graduation

If you’re a busy adult, you don’t need to choose between work, family, and finishing your degree. Pick a transfer-friendly online school, stack ACE-recommended credits to trim time and cost and use coaching and support to keep momentum.

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For your next step, see our guides on mapping gen-eds to alternative credit and building a 90-credit transfer plan. Your degree is closer than you think.