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

 

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

 

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

 

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 Design


Design Accreditation: Request Info

Profit Type: Public

Avg Tuition: Request Info

Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,580

Avg Institutional grant awarded: $5,717

Graduation Rate: 67%

Specializations Offered: Operations Management


Total Programs in Design (2)


Design Accreditation: Request Info

Profit Type: Private Not-For-Profit

Avg Tuition: Request Info

Avg Federal grant awarded: $5,239

Avg Institutional grant awarded: $18,108

Graduation Rate: 66%

Specializations Offered: Game Design


Total Programs in Design (2)


Design Accreditation: Request Info

Avg Credits: 27

Avg Tuition: $ 10,125

Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,834

Avg Institutional grant awarded: $7,797

Graduation Rate: 76%

Specializations Offered: Graphic Design


Total Programs in Design (2)


Design Accreditation: Request Info

Avg Credits: 12

Avg Tuition: $ 5,196

Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,073

Avg Institutional grant awarded: $13,510

Graduation Rate: 64%

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Total Programs in Design (2)

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Certificate in Design


Design Accreditation: Request Info

Profit Type: Public

Avg Tuition: Request Info

Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,127

Avg Institutional grant awarded: $1,477

Graduation Rate: 37%

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Total Programs in Design (2)


Design Accreditation: Request Info

Profit Type: Private Not-For-Profit

Avg Tuition: Request Info

Avg Federal grant awarded: $6,860

Avg Institutional grant awarded: $39,639

Graduation Rate: 93%

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Total Programs in Design (2)


Design Accreditation: Request Info

Profit Type: Private Not-For-Profit

Avg Tuition: Request Info

Also See: Programs & Tuitions


Total Programs in Design (2)


Design Accreditation: Request Info

Profit Type: Private Not-For-Profit

Avg Tuition: Request Info

Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,412

Avg Institutional grant awarded: $11,594

Graduation Rate: 69%

Also See: Programs & Tuitions


Total Programs in Design (8)

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Certificate in Design


Design Accreditation: Request Info

Profit Type: Public

Avg Tuition: Request Info

Avg Federal grant awarded: $5,055

Avg Institutional grant awarded: $2,066

Graduation Rate: 62%

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Total Programs in Design (2)

Certificate in Engineering


Design Accreditation: Request Info

Avg Credits: 29

Avg Tuition: Request Info

Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,501

Avg Institutional grant awarded: $3,675

Graduation Rate: 28%

Specializations Offered: Web Development


Total Programs in Design (2)

Certificate in Communications


Design Accreditation: Request Info

Avg Credits: 23

Avg Tuition: Request Info

Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,501

Avg Institutional grant awarded: $3,675

Graduation Rate: 28%

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Total Programs in Design (2)

Certificate in Applied Science


Design Accreditation: Request Info

Profit Type: Public

Avg Tuition: $ 3,075

Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,998

Avg Institutional grant awarded: $5,493

Graduation Rate: 53%

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Total Programs in Design (2)

Undergraduate Certificate in Design


Design Accreditation: Request Info

Profit Type: Public

Avg Tuition: Request Info

Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,730

Avg Institutional grant awarded: $2,474

Graduation Rate: 32%

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Total Programs in Design (2)

Certificate Programs in Paralegal Studies


Paralegal Studies Accreditation: Request Info

Avg Credits: 30

Avg Tuition: $ 9,000

Avg Federal grant awarded: $5,205

Avg Institutional grant awarded: $12,065

Graduation Rate: 55%

Also See: Programs & Tuitions


Total Programs in Paralegal Studies (2)


Paralegal Studies Accreditation: Request Info

Avg Credits: 31

Avg Tuition: $ 4,030

Avg Federal grant awarded: $5,226

Avg Institutional grant awarded: $3,861

Graduation Rate: 31%

Also See: Programs & Tuitions


Total Programs in Paralegal Studies (2)


Paralegal Studies Accreditation: Request Info

Avg Credits: 30

Avg Tuition: $ 9,420

Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,090

Avg Institutional grant awarded: $3,147

Graduation Rate: 32%

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Total Programs in Paralegal Studies (2)


Paralegal Studies Accreditation: Request Info

Avg Credits: 24

Avg Tuition: $ 12,192

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Total Programs in Paralegal Studies (2)

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Certificate in Paralegal Studies


Paralegal Studies Accreditation: Request Info

Avg Credits: 30

Avg Tuition: Request Info

Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,286

Avg Institutional grant awarded: $1,172

Graduation Rate: 19%

Also See: Programs & Tuitions


Total Programs in Paralegal Studies (2)


Paralegal Studies 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%

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Total Programs in Paralegal Studies (12)


Paralegal Studies Accreditation: Request Info

Profit Type: Public

Avg Tuition: Request Info

Avg Federal grant awarded: $5,055

Avg Institutional grant awarded: $2,066

Graduation Rate: 62%

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Total Programs in Paralegal Studies (2)

Certificate in Law


Paralegal Studies Accreditation: Request Info

Profit Type: Public

Avg Tuition: $ 8,990

Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,998

Avg Institutional grant awarded: $5,493

Graduation Rate: 53%

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Total Programs in Paralegal Studies (2)

Certificate Programs in Homeland Security

Certificate in Homeland Security

Waldorf University

Waldorf University

Forest city, Iowa


Homeland Security 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 Homeland Security (4)


Homeland Security Accreditation: Request Info

Avg Credits: 18

Avg Tuition: $ 6,750

Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,834

Avg Institutional grant awarded: $7,797

Graduation Rate: 76%

Specializations Offered: Security Management


Total Programs in Homeland Security (2)


Homeland Security Accreditation: Request Info

Avg Credits: 9

Avg Tuition: $ 8,379

Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,907

Avg Institutional grant awarded: $9,892

Graduation Rate: 78%

Also See: Programs & Tuitions


Total Programs in Homeland Security (2)


Homeland Security Accreditation: Request Info

Avg Credits: 24

Avg Tuition: $ 7,056

Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,613

Avg Institutional grant awarded: $4,377

Graduation Rate: 48%

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Total Programs in Homeland Security (2)

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Homeland Security Accreditation: Request Info

Avg Credits: 16

Avg Tuition: Request Info

Avg Federal grant awarded: $5,385

Avg Institutional grant awarded: $31,116

Graduation Rate: 92%

Specializations Offered: Public Policy


Total Programs in Homeland Security (2)


Homeland Security Accreditation: Request Info

Avg Credits: 15

Avg Tuition: Request Info

Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,500

Avg Institutional grant awarded: $3,611

Graduation Rate: 61%

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Total Programs in Homeland Security (2)


Homeland Security Accreditation: Request Info

Avg Credits: 15

Avg Tuition: $ 6,615

Avg Federal grant awarded: $3,941

Avg Institutional grant awarded: $15,211

Graduation Rate: 44%

Specializations Offered: Emergency Management


Total Programs in Homeland Security (2)


Homeland Security Accreditation: Request Info

Avg Credits: 9

Avg Tuition: $ 1,467

Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,440

Avg Institutional grant awarded: $1,452

Graduation Rate: 14%

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Total Programs in Homeland Security (2)

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Certificate in Criminal Justice


Homeland Security Accreditation: Request Info

Avg Credits: 18

Avg Tuition: Request Info

Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,336

Avg Institutional grant awarded: $941

Graduation Rate: 17%

Also See: Programs & Tuitions


Total Programs in Homeland Security (2)

Certificate Programs in Political Science


Political Science Accreditation: Request Info

Avg Credits: 15

Avg Tuition: Request Info

Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,289

Avg Institutional grant awarded: $2,505

Graduation Rate: 37%

Also See: Programs & Tuitions


Total Programs in Political Science (2)


Political Science Accreditation: Request Info

Avg Credits: 15

Avg Tuition: $ 19,510

Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,477

Avg Institutional grant awarded: $2,740

Graduation Rate: 46%

Also See: Programs & Tuitions


Total Programs in Political Science (2)


Political Science Accreditation: Request Info

Avg Credits: 18

Avg Tuition: $ 4,518

Avg Federal grant awarded: $5,276

Avg Institutional grant awarded: $2,518

Graduation Rate: 6%

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Total Programs in Political Science (2)

Certificate Programs in Safety


Safety Accreditation: Request Info

Profit Type: Public

Avg Tuition: Request Info

Avg Federal grant awarded: $4,580

Avg Institutional grant awarded: $5,717

Graduation Rate: 67%

Also See: Programs & Tuitions


Total Programs in Safety (2)


Safety 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 Safety (16)

Waldorf University

Waldorf University

Forest city, Iowa


Safety 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: Health and Wellness


Total Programs in Safety (2)


Safety Accreditation: Request Info

Avg Credits: 36

Avg Tuition: $ 13,500

Avg Federal grant awarded: $5,318

Avg Institutional grant awarded: $7,183

Graduation Rate: 53%

Also See: Programs & Tuitions


Total Programs in Safety (2)

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Certificate in Applied Science


Safety Accreditation: Request Info

Profit Type: Private Not-For-Profit

Avg Tuition: Request Info

Avg Federal grant awarded: $5,919

Graduation Rate: 35%

Also See: Programs & Tuitions


Total Programs in Safety (2)

Certificate in Criminal Justice


Safety 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 Safety (2)