When I first started looking at online degrees a few years ago, I wasn’t really thinking about passion or “following my dreams.” Honestly, I just wanted something practical—something that would pay off. Bills don’t care about your dreams. Rent doesn’t care either. Like a lot of people, I was asking one blunt question: what degree can actually get me to a six-figure salary without wasting years of my life in school?
That’s how I stumbled into researching the online degree market. And let me tell you, there’s a lot of noise out there. Every school promises you the moon, every blog claims to have “the ultimate list,” and yet… many of those “top jobs” pay nowhere near six figures unless you’re living in Silicon Valley or working 90 hours a week. So, let’s cut the fluff.
Here’s a closer look at the top five online bachelor’s degrees that really can set you on the path to making six figures. Not overnight, not without effort—but realistically, if you play your cards right, these fields open doors to some of the best-paying jobs in the U.S.
1. Computer Science
Let’s start with the obvious one: computer science. If you’ve spent more than five minutes Googling “degrees that pay well,” this one is everywhere. And for good reason.
A bachelor’s in computer science online is probably the most straightforward ticket into the tech world. You can land jobs like software engineer, systems architect, or machine learning specialist—many of which regularly start in the $80k–$100k range and scale quickly into the six figures. And no, you don’t need to be a coding prodigy who builds apps in their free time. What you do need is persistence, because the coursework can be brutal.
I remember taking an intro programming class while working full-time. Half the class dropped out by week three because debugging code at 2 a.m. after a long workday is not glamorous. But here’s the payoff: once you stick through it, companies don’t really care whether you learned in a brick-and-mortar university or logged into Zoom. They just want results.
That said, here’s the catch: the tech bubble doesn’t guarantee lifelong security. Outsourcing, AI automation, and waves of layoffs in Silicon Valley show that this path isn’t without risk. So yes, it’s lucrative, but don’t buy into the myth that “learn to code = instant millionaire.” It’s more like “learn to code, keep learning constantly, and maybe you’ll build a career that sustains six figures.”
2. Nursing (BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
Nursing may surprise people on this list because it’s usually associated with compassion rather than cash. But here’s the reality: experienced registered nurses, especially those who hold a BSN and pursue leadership or specialized clinical roles, often cross into six-figure salaries. And the beauty? You can get your BSN fully online if you’re already an RN through bridge programs.
I met a nurse during the pandemic who told me she switched from bedside care into a nurse informatics role—basically blending healthcare and data analysis—and her salary jumped by $25k in a single year. The path isn’t glamorous (12-hour shifts, emotional burnout, endless charts), but the demand is massive, and the financial rewards are real.
There’s also the geographic factor. A nurse in rural Mississippi might not hit $100k easily, but nurses in California, New York, or Massachusetts? Six figures is practically expected after a few years of experience. That said, the online BSN can be tricky—you’ll still need in-person clinicals, so it’s not “fully remote.” It’s a hybrid, but for people already working in healthcare, it’s a manageable path that pays dividends.
3. Engineering (Various Branches)
Engineering is one of those degrees where the word “hard” doesn’t even begin to cover it. Online or not, you’re going to spend nights staring at equations, questioning your life choices. But if you push through, the payoff is undeniable.
Mechanical, electrical, civil, petroleum—pick your flavor, and six-figure jobs open up down the line. Petroleum engineers, for instance, can make six figures practically out of the gate, though the industry is volatile and tied to oil prices. Software and electrical engineers have more stability and flexibility, and civil engineers often move into government contracts or large infrastructure firms that pay well.
I once had a roommate who studied civil engineering online while working construction. He told me the coursework often felt disconnected from the real-world problems he saw on job sites. But once he graduated, his salary doubled when he moved into a project engineer role. The irony? The same contractors who used to treat him as “just another worker” suddenly respected his opinion once he had that degree framed on the wall.
Here’s where the nuance comes in: not every engineering branch guarantees six figures immediately. Some climb slowly. And the online option may not suit everyone—labs and design projects can be difficult to replicate virtually. So while this degree opens lucrative doors, it demands resilience and often some creativity to make the online format work.
4. Business Administration (with a Finance or Accounting Focus)
Business administration alone gets a bad rap. Too many people graduate with a generic business degree and struggle to stand out. But when you combine it with a finance, accounting, or data analytics concentration, the salary prospects improve dramatically.
Accountants who become CPAs, financial analysts, and corporate managers regularly make six figures. And the thing about money management jobs? They’re not going away. Even in recessions, businesses need people who understand how to stretch budgets, optimize cash flow, or analyze risks.
I’ll be blunt though—this is one of those degrees where the outcome depends heavily on you. A business degree can be a ticket to six figures… or it can be a very expensive piece of paper. The difference usually lies in whether you pursue certifications (CPA, CFA, CMA), internships, and networking.
I once interviewed a financial planner who got her bachelor’s in business administration online while raising two kids. She said what saved her career was networking in local chambers of commerce. Without that, the degree alone wouldn’t have opened doors.
So yes, business can lead to six figures, but you’ll likely have to hustle harder than an engineer or nurse.
5. Information Technology (IT or Cybersecurity)
Last but not least: information technology. If computer science is the theory-heavy cousin, IT is the practical one who shows up to fix the Wi-Fi and then quietly secures the entire company network from hackers.
Cybersecurity, in particular, has exploded. A bachelor’s in IT or cybersecurity online can land you roles as a security analyst, IT manager, or systems administrator, many of which creep into the six-figure range after a few years. And unlike some careers, the demand here is relentless. Every time a major company suffers a data breach (which seems to be monthly), salaries for cybersecurity pros get another bump.
The cool part about IT is the ladder: you don’t always have to wait until graduation to start earning. Many students land entry-level help desk or junior admin roles while still finishing their degree. That means you’re stacking experience alongside education, making you more employable by the time you graduate.
But let’s be clear—IT isn’t glamorous. You’ll deal with 3 a.m. server crashes, angry employees who forgot their passwords, and endless patch updates. Yet for those who thrive on problem-solving and don’t mind the occasional chaos, the six-figure payoff is very real.
So, Which Degree Is “Best”?
I wish I could give you a neat answer, but the truth is: it depends. If you love problem-solving and don’t mind screens dominating your life, computer science or IT may be perfect. If you’re drawn to healthcare and can handle emotional intensity, nursing is rewarding and stable. Engineering pays well if you have the grit for technical rigor. And business is a solid choice if you’re entrepreneurial or aiming for corporate leadership.
What I’ve learned—both from research and from watching friends in these fields—is that the degree is only part of the story. Certifications, internships, location, and even personality often determine whether you’ll reach that six-figure milestone.
Final Thoughts
The appeal of making six figures is obvious. It feels like a finish line—security, comfort, maybe even freedom. But the reality is a little messier. An online bachelor’s degree can absolutely be a stepping stone to that salary bracket, but it’s not a golden ticket. It’s a foundation. What you build on it depends on persistence, timing, and sometimes plain old luck.
If I had to give one piece of advice, it would be this: don’t just chase the money. I’ve seen too many people burn out in careers they hated, even if the paycheck was fat. Aim for that sweet spot where financial potential and personal interest intersect. That way, when the hard nights hit—and they will—you’ll have more than just dollar signs pushing you forward.