What Are the Best Online Master’s Degree Programs in 2021?
Completing postsecondary studies leads to career opportunities. For some, an associate’s or bachelor’s degree is sufficient to enter their career field. Others benefit from pursuing graduate studies and earning a master’s degree.
College tuition is expensive. The average student who attends college in their home state spends more than $9,500 on tuition, while students who attend school in a different state pay an average of $27,437. The cost is a critical consideration for most students and may influence their decision to pursue a master’s degree. Some may opt to complete an online master’s degree to work while continuing their studies. Let’s explore some of the best graduate degrees to pursue in 2021 and how to prepare for your master’s program application.
Demand for information technology (IT) professionals is strong.
IT professionals enjoy strong job prospects upon graduation. Cybercrime’s on the rise, and businesses of all sizes are susceptible to data breaches. The costs of ransomware and malware attacks range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. Experts project the total costs of cybercrime will exceed $10 trillion by 2025.
You can prepare for a career in IT by earning a bachelor’s degree in data science or a comparable discipline. After completing your undergraduate degree, you can pursue a Master of IT online degree. In addition to your undergraduate transcripts, you’ll need three letters of recommendation, a goal statement, and a resume to complete your application. During the college admissions process, admissions boards favor applications with a 3.0 GPA.
A master’s of science (MS) in IT includes courses in cybersecurity, advanced storage technologies, technologies for social networking, biostatistics, and data analysis. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that computer and information research scientists earned median annual incomes of $126,830 in 2020. A master’s degree in computer science or a similar discipline, such as IT, is required for most opportunities in this field. The BLS projects job opportunities for these IT professionals will increase by 15 percent between 2019 and 2029.
A master’s of science in nursing (MSN) degree opens doors in the medical field.
Demand for qualified medical professionals remains high. The BLS reports nurse midwives will see job prospects grow by 12 percent between 2019 and 2029, while opportunities for nurse anesthetists increase by 14 percent. These growth rates are notably higher than the four percent growth rate for all occupations expected during the same ten-year period. Nurse practitioners will outpace both nurse-midwives and nurse anesthetists with a projected 52 percent job growth rate during the same period.
Master of Science in Nursing programs cover courses in advanced pharmacology, pathophysiology, health assessments, and nurse practitioners in primary care. MSN students can complete all courses online. They’ll also need to complete a practicum to graduate from their online master’s program.
The BLS reports that midwives enjoyed median annual salaries of $111,130 in 2020, while nurse practitioners took home $111,680. Nurse anesthetists enjoyed average annual incomes of $183,580 the same year.
There are other popular online master’s degree programs you can consider.
Popular master’s degree programs can increase your earning potential and job prospects. While IT and nursing studies are two popular options, professionals can also benefit from earning a master of engineering management, master of business administration (MBA), or master of science in finance.
The number of credit hours required to graduate varies. Online degree programs from accredited institutions qualify for financial aid and scholarships, ensuring graduate students can pursue studies at their own pace while completing their master’s degree can afford graduate studies.
A college application counselor can help you find the right master’s program.
Turn to a college application help service for expert insight when you’re comparing online master’s degree programs. College counselors can help you identify programs suited to your career goals and personal needs. They’ll also help you navigate the college application process, ensuring you have a compelling application that will impress the admissions committee.
Earning a graduate degree can expand your job prospects and increase your income. Popular online master’s degree programs include studies in IT, nursing, and business administration. Working with a college admissions counselor can help you ensure you meet the admissions criteria for your dream school.