Best Online Certificate Programs
Get detailed information about best online Certificate programs and their tuition, accreditation, career prospects, scholarships, admission details and much more
Online Certificate Programs
Education isn’t limited to a four-year bachelor’s degree anymore. Today, you have plenty of education opportunities to choose from, including bachelor’s, associate’s, and master’s degrees, as well as various professional certificates and short-term courses. You even have access to plenty of easy online certifications that can score you employment.
Maybe you already have a degree in your field but want to specialize in a certain niche. Or, you don’t have the time or budget to embark on a four-year degree program, and crave a less time-intensive option.
Some specific career paths also require a certificate either as a stand-alone qualification or in addition to other credentials. There are even certifications you can get online to kickstart or pump up your current career and education.
Luckily, the best online certificate programs offer you all of the above: quality education, flexibility, and advancement opportunities. Ready to take your career and education to the next level with a wicked certificate program? Stay tuned as we walk through 20 top online certificate programs
Why Get an Online Certificate
The best online certificate programs offer you a marketable credential without demanding the same time and financial commitment as a four-year university program. This makes certificate programs attractive to people managing a stressful job while studying, raising children, or other obligations. Moreover, certificates are known to bump salary potential by 13%-25%. For example, project managers who earn a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification enjoy median salaries that are 25% higher than those who are not PMP certified.
Certificate programs are in-depth studies of a particular subject, often specialized and specific to a specific role. They usually take less time to complete than a degree (between six months to two years), and offer more flexibility in study.
Another key aspect of certificate programs is your peers. You might not find your average freshman in a certificate program because many already-working professionals enroll to heighten specific skills and advance their careers.
Some popular certificate courses these days are in the computer science area, like data analytics, artificial intelligence, digital marketing, ethical hacking, and programming languages like Java and Python.
Bottom line? People get certificates to:
- Save on costs
- Improve specific skills
- Advance in existing career paths and increase salaries
- Achieve school-life balance
What's the Difference Between an Online Certificate and a Degree?
One big distinguisher between online certificates and degrees is the time aspect. Most degree completion times range between 2-4 years, even longer for doctoral degrees. Degrees are also more “prestigious” in certain job settings, with some postings demanding a bachelor’s education.
Certificates are much quicker to complete, ranging between six months to two years. In fact, you can even find accredited certification programs online that take a few weeks to a few months to complete. While you’ll receive a certificate of completion upon graduating, the credential isn’t thought to be as strong as a degree in the job market on a broad level. If you’re in a specific niche, though, that’s a different story.
Degree programs offer a more wide range of study, allowing you to specialize in different areas and pursue multiple career paths. Certificates, on the other hand, consist of focused training meant to apply to a specific career. For example, health care specialists can become “certified nursing assistants,” and auto mechanics can obtain certificates in certain repair techniques.
Today, there are a variety of certificate programs available.
Students who do not have a college or university degree can choose from undergraduate certificate programs. Graduate degree holders can choose from both undergraduate and post-graduate certificate programs.
How to Pick from Best Online Certification Programs
If you're considering an online certificate program, remember one thing: not every online course will be right for you. With that in mind, consider these factors as you browse our list of the best online certifications.
1. Cost
Certificate programs vary greatly in price, and you’ll find many cheap certificate programs out there. It’s hard to judge a program only on this factor, but think about it this way:
You don’t need to pay for the most expensive certificate program for a quality education. On the other hand, the cheapest program might not be bad, but it might not necessarily be good either.
Don’t rush into a choice just because of the price. After researching, pair the price with other considerations, like financial aid opportunities, scholarships, and your personal interest in the program.
2. Program Offerings
Not all certificates are created equal. Go through each program offering with a fine-toothed comb to ensure it covers material relevant to your goals and interests. You should also confirm that the name of the certification is consistent with your desired industry’s expectations.
Our advice? Find three programs in the same field that look similar. Find out which one is more attractive in terms of curriculum and course features, and rank them from 1-3. Then, do the same with certificates for a different specialty if you’re considering multiple fields. Find the top online certificate programs for each of your interested fields then compare the top contenders across the board.
3. Program Structure and Schedule
Is your certificate program completely online, or must you go to campus to take exams? Is the schedule full of live lectures you must be present for, or are they pre-recorded, allowing you to attend at your convenience? Think about how you prefer to learn and compare that with each program structure.
4. Program Requirements
Before you apply for a professional certification course, take a look at the course's requirements for working professionals and distance learners.
Pay attention to the following:
- Whether the program requires a high school diploma, undergraduate degree, or master's degree
- Tuition and fees
- Technical requirements and learning times
- Whether there’s a certification exam, and parameters for second attempts
5. Parent University
Many reputable universities host online certificate programs, like Harvard, the University of North Carolina, and many more.
While you won't be attending that university, in most cases, it's important to make sure the college sponsoring the online program or online course is well-known, accredited, and recognized in your field.
Best Online Certificate Programs
1. Leadership Certificate
Anyone in a corporate position can benefit from a leadership certificate, especially if they’re managing other people. The certificate teaches you how to look at your organization with a strategic lens and propel business growth forward.
Top 5 Leadership Certificate Programs
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Notre Dame
- Cornell University (online)
- Liberty University (online)
- Seattle University (online)
2. Business Management Certificate
Business management certificates are similar to leadership certificates, but more broad and applicable to more roles within an organization. It offers you both a resume goodie and solid, marketable skills to improve your performance. Some topics you’ll cover include business communication, accounting, leadership, operations management, and human resources topics. If you’re currently in a business or corporate role, the certificate will help you move up to managing teams more effectively or planning and strategizing better profits and efficiency.
Top 5 Business Management Certificate Programs
3. Data Science
A data science certificate offers you extremely in-demand skills for 2022, with data scientists making a median salary of $100,000 in the US. Any industry could benefit from data science skills to improve decision-making and strategize growth. Some topics you’ll cover include machine learning, probability, programming, cloud computing, and more.
Top 5 Data Science Certificate Programs
4. Project Management
A project management certificate doesn’t only give you actionable skills to improve business strategy and workflows — the renowned PMP Certification also opens up more job and promotion opportunities. Project managers manage workplace goals, progress, deliverables, budgeting, and resource management. They’re also responsible for coordinating teams and partners to work together toward common goals, and managing communication top-down from executives as well as from other stakeholders.
Top 5 Project Management Certificate Programs
- University of Virginia
- University of Washington
- University of Texas at Austin
- Cornell University (online)
- Southern New Hampshire University
5. Paralegal Certificate
Interested in a career in law without the price tag and time commitment of law school? Paralegal certificate programs teach you all about litigation, family and real estate law, civil law, and much more. The career path also has a faster-than-average project growth in the next ten years, promising lots of job opportunities for certificate graduates.
Top 5 Paralegal Certificate Programs
- University of Miami
- California State University
- Hofstra University (Online)
- Villanova University
- Monroe County Community College
Final Thoughts
The best graduate certificates to get depend on a few factors, like your interests, career needs, industry standards, schedule, and tuition costs. Now more than ever, education is accessible to students through various avenues, including flexible, online certificate programs.
Ready to pump up your career opportunities or gain a new, valuable skill? Browse through our list of the best online certificate programs. Then, take a look at our scholarship page to fund your education.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What Certificates Can I Get Online?
You can get many different certificates online, including for project management, data analytics, leadership, human resources, and many more.
2. What Certificate Jobs Pay the Most?
Some of the highest-paying certificate jobs include:
- Data analytics
- IT support
- Coding programs
3. What is the Quickest Certification to Get?
You can find the quickest certification programs on websites like Coursera, with some courses needing only a few weeks of your time. However, the quickest university or college certificates usually take a minimum of six months.
4. What Certifications Are In High Demand?
Here’s a list of certifications in high demand, according to Glassdoor:
- Chartered Professional Accountant
- Human Resources
- Desktop Analyst
- Sales
- Project Management
- Software Certifications (Salesforce)
5. Can Certification Get You a Job?
Absolutely. Some jobs require specific skills that a broader bachelor’s degree might not dive deep enough into to please an employer. You can score a job or promotion with many certifications in the IT, project management, finance, and sociology fields.
Certificate Programs in Public Administration
Public Administration Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 15
Avg Tuition: $ 5,850
Graduation Rate: 67%
Also See: Programs & Tuitions
Total Programs in Public Administration (2)
Waldorf University
Forest city, Iowa
Public Administration Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 15
Avg Tuition: $ 4,350
Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,511
Avg Institutional grant awarded: $12,750
Graduation Rate: 23%
Specializations Offered: Emergency Management
Total Programs in Public Administration (2)
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland
Public Administration Accreditation: Request Info
Profit Type: Private Not-For-Profit
Avg Tuition: $ 4,007
Avg Federal grant awarded: $5,680
Avg Institutional grant awarded: $37,115
Graduation Rate: 92%
Specializations Offered: Public Health
Total Programs in Public Administration (2)
Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York
Public Administration Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 12
Avg Tuition: $ 18,000
Avg Federal grant awarded: $5,294
Avg Institutional grant awarded: $27,108
Graduation Rate: 82%
Specializations Offered: Leadership
Total Programs in Public Administration (2)
Certificate in Public Administration
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College
Cincinnati, Ohio
Public Administration Accreditation: Request Info
Profit Type: Public
Avg Tuition: Request Info
Avg Federal grant awarded: $3,151
Avg Institutional grant awarded: $3,355
Graduation Rate: 13%
Also See: Programs & Tuitions
Total Programs in Public Administration (4)
Public Administration Accreditation: Request Info
Profit Type: Private Not-For-Profit
Avg Tuition: Request Info
Also See: Programs & Tuitions
Total Programs in Public Administration (2)
Certificate in Communications
Portland State University (PSU)
Portland, Oregon
Public Administration Accreditation: NASPAA
Profit Type: Public
Avg Tuition: Request Info
Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,613
Avg Institutional grant awarded: $4,377
Graduation Rate: 48%
Specializations Offered: Communications
Total Programs in Public Administration (2)
Certificate Programs in Theology
Loyola University
New Orleans, Louisiana
Theology Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 30
Avg Tuition: $ 12,270
Avg Federal grant awarded: $5,211
Avg Institutional grant awarded: $24,214
Graduation Rate: 55%
Also See: Programs & Tuitions
Total Programs in Theology (6)
Ohio Christian University (OCU)
Circleville, Ohio
Theology Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 3
Avg Tuition: Request Info
Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,013
Avg Institutional grant awarded: $5,015
Graduation Rate: 34%
Specializations Offered: Leadership
Total Programs in Theology (2)
Belhaven University
Jackson, Mississippi
Theology Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 18
Avg Tuition: $ 6,660
Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,382
Avg Institutional grant awarded: $10,928
Graduation Rate: 36%
Specializations Offered: Biblical Studies
Total Programs in Theology (2)
Barclay College
Haviland, Kansas
Theology Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 48
Avg Tuition: $ 18,960
Avg Federal grant awarded: $3,672
Avg Institutional grant awarded: $10,606
Graduation Rate: 60%
Specializations Offered: Biblical Studies , Christian Ministry
Total Programs in Theology (6)
Certificate in Leadership
Theology Accreditation: Request Info
Profit Type: Private Not-For-Profit
Avg Tuition: $ 1,200
Specializations Offered: Leadership
Total Programs in Theology (2)
Grace College of Divinity (GCD)
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Theology Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 30
Avg Tuition: $ 6,310
Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,053
Avg Institutional grant awarded: $1,690
Graduation Rate: 56%
Specializations Offered: Leadership
Total Programs in Theology (6)
Certificate in Education
Stillman College
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Theology Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 24
Avg Tuition: Request Info
Avg Federal grant awarded: $5,400
Avg Institutional grant awarded: $4,777
Graduation Rate: 18%
Also See: Programs & Tuitions
Total Programs in Theology (2)
Certificate in Business Administration
Colorado Christian University (CCU)
Lakewood, Colorado
Theology Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 12
Avg Tuition: $ 5,460
Avg Federal grant awarded: $5,342
Avg Institutional grant awarded: $14,300
Graduation Rate: 53%
Specializations Offered: Biblical Studies
Total Programs in Theology (2)
Certificate Programs in Literature
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
Literature Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 9
Avg Tuition: $ 4,752
Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,723
Avg Institutional grant awarded: $5,934
Graduation Rate: 72%
Specializations Offered: Communications
Total Programs in Literature (4)
Sacred Heart University (SHU)
Fairfield, Connecticut
Literature Accreditation: Request Info
Profit Type: Private Not-For-Profit
Avg Tuition: $ 1,920
Avg Federal grant awarded: $5,801
Avg Institutional grant awarded: $14,017
Graduation Rate: 60%
Also See: Programs & Tuitions
Total Programs in Literature (2)
Literature Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 15
Avg Tuition: $ 5,115
Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,291
Avg Institutional grant awarded: $14,023
Graduation Rate: 65%
Specializations Offered: Communications
Total Programs in Literature (2)
East Carolina University (ECU)
Greenville, North Carolina
Literature Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 12
Avg Tuition: Request Info
Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,500
Avg Institutional grant awarded: $3,611
Graduation Rate: 61%
Also See: Programs & Tuitions
Total Programs in Literature (2)
Certificate Programs in Sociology
Saybrook University
Pasadena, California
Sociology Accreditation: Request Info
Profit Type: Private Not-For-Profit
Avg Tuition: Request Info
Specializations Offered: Nutrition , Organizational Leadership
Total Programs in Sociology (44)
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU)
Richmond, Kentucky
Sociology Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 18
Avg Tuition: $ 7,362
Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,575
Avg Institutional grant awarded: $6,155
Graduation Rate: 41%
Specializations Offered: Leadership
Total Programs in Sociology (2)
Sociology Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 12
Avg Tuition: Request Info
Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,289
Avg Institutional grant awarded: $2,505
Graduation Rate: 37%
Specializations Offered: Health and Wellness
Total Programs in Sociology (2)
Claremont Lincoln University
Claremont, California
Sociology Accreditation: Request Info
Profit Type: Private Not-For-Profit
Avg Tuition: $ 1,500
Also See: Programs & Tuitions
Total Programs in Sociology (2)
Certificate in Behavioral Sciences
Columbia Southern University (CSU)
Orange Beach, Alabama
Sociology Accreditation: Request Info
Profit Type: Private For-Profit
Avg Tuition: Request Info
Avg Federal grant awarded: $5,235
Avg Institutional grant awarded: $473
Graduation Rate: 31%
Specializations Offered: Forensic Science
Total Programs in Sociology (2)
St Francis College
Brooklyn Heights, New York
Sociology Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 3
Avg Tuition: Request Info
Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,938
Avg Institutional grant awarded: $11,435
Graduation Rate: 52%
Also See: Programs & Tuitions
Total Programs in Sociology (2)
Certificate in Homeland Security
Seattle Central College
Seattle, Washington
Sociology Accreditation: Request Info
Profit Type: Public
Avg Tuition: Request Info
Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,933
Avg Institutional grant awarded: $2,397
Graduation Rate: 23%
Specializations Offered: Drug, Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Total Programs in Sociology (2)
Certificate Programs in Behavioral Sciences
Certificate in Behavioral Sciences
Columbia Southern University (CSU)
Orange Beach, Alabama
Behavioral Sciences Accreditation: Request Info
Profit Type: Private For-Profit
Avg Tuition: Request Info
Avg Federal grant awarded: $5,235
Avg Institutional grant awarded: $473
Graduation Rate: 31%
Also See: Programs & Tuitions
Total Programs in Behavioral Sciences (2)
Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia
Behavioral Sciences Accreditation: Request Info
Profit Type: Private Not-For-Profit
Avg Tuition: $ 6,000
Avg Federal grant awarded: $7,155
Avg Institutional grant awarded: $38,784
Graduation Rate: 94%
Specializations Offered: Early Childhood Education
Total Programs in Behavioral Sciences (2)
Cleveland State University (CSU)
Cleveland, Ohio
Behavioral Sciences Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 18
Avg Tuition: $ 10,015
Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,635
Avg Institutional grant awarded: $5,987
Graduation Rate: 41%
Also See: Programs & Tuitions
Total Programs in Behavioral Sciences (2)
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Behavioral Sciences Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 12
Avg Tuition: $ 12,690
Specializations Offered: Autism Education
Total Programs in Behavioral Sciences (4)
Utah State University (USU)
Logan, Utah
Behavioral Sciences Accreditation: Request Info
Profit Type: Public
Avg Tuition: Request Info
Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,147
Avg Institutional grant awarded: $7,187
Graduation Rate: 47%
Specializations Offered: Counseling
Total Programs in Behavioral Sciences (4)
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Behavioral Sciences Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 12
Avg Tuition: $ 12,672
Also See: Programs & Tuitions
Total Programs in Behavioral Sciences (2)
Bowling Green State University (BGSU)
Bowling Green, Ohio
Behavioral Sciences Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 15
Avg Tuition: $ 6,750
Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,264
Avg Institutional grant awarded: $5,431
Graduation Rate: 55%
Specializations Offered: Autism Education
Total Programs in Behavioral Sciences (2)
East Carolina University (ECU)
Greenville, North Carolina
Behavioral Sciences Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 13
Avg Tuition: Request Info
Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,500
Avg Institutional grant awarded: $3,611
Graduation Rate: 61%
Specializations Offered: Drug, Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Total Programs in Behavioral Sciences (6)
Certificate in Business Administration
Behavioral Sciences Accreditation: Request Info
Profit Type: Public
Avg Tuition: Request Info
Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,357
Avg Institutional grant awarded: $2,024
Graduation Rate: 43%
Also See: Programs & Tuitions
Total Programs in Behavioral Sciences (2)
Behavioral Sciences Accreditation: Request Info
Profit Type: Private Not-For-Profit
Avg Tuition: Request Info
Avg Federal grant awarded: $5,150
Avg Institutional grant awarded: $511
Graduation Rate: 32%
Also See: Programs & Tuitions
Total Programs in Behavioral Sciences (2)
Certificate in Education
Portland State University (PSU)
Portland, Oregon
Behavioral Sciences Accreditation: Request Info
Avg Credits: 29
Avg Tuition: Request Info
Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,613
Avg Institutional grant awarded: $4,377
Graduation Rate: 48%
Also See: Programs & Tuitions
Total Programs in Behavioral Sciences (2)
