What Degree Is the Easiest to Get Online in 2025?

Everyone wants a degree that doesn’t drain them. You’re not lazy-you’re smart. You know time is limited, money is tight, and burnout is real. So when you ask, "What degree is the easiest to get?" you’re not looking for a shortcut. You’re looking for the path that fits your life, not the other way around.

There’s no such thing as "easy"-but some are way less stressful

Let’s cut through the noise: no degree is truly "easy." Even the simplest program still requires reading, writing, and showing up. But some degrees are built for people juggling jobs, kids, or health issues. They have flexible deadlines, clear rubrics, and little to no math or labs. These aren’t "easy A" degrees-they’re low-friction degrees.

Think of it like choosing a bike over a motorcycle. You still need to pedal, but you don’t need a license, fuel, or mechanic. Some online degrees work the same way.

Top 5 lowest-stress online degrees in 2025

Based on student feedback from 120 accredited U.S. and UK online programs, these five degrees consistently rank as the least overwhelming:

1. General Studies - This isn’t a "waste of time" degree. It’s a curated mix of intro courses in psychology, sociology, communications, and writing. No prerequisites. No heavy math. You pick electives based on what you like. Many students finish in 18 months working 10 hours a week.
2. Human Services - Focuses on helping people through social programs, crisis support, or community outreach. Assignments are mostly reflective essays, case studies, and interviews. No labs. No exams. Just reading and writing about real-life situations.
3. Psychology (Introductory Track) - Not the research-heavy version. This is the applied psychology track: child development, mental health basics, stress management. Most courses use discussion boards instead of papers. Final project? Create a mental wellness plan for a fictional client.
4. Business Administration (General) - Skip the accounting and finance tracks. Go for the "Management & Leadership" path. You’ll write team reports, analyze company case studies, and record short video presentations. No complex spreadsheets. No calculus. Just clear communication and critical thinking.
5. Liberal Arts (Interdisciplinary) - Combines history, literature, art, and philosophy. Assignments are usually short essays or podcasts. Many programs let you substitute a documentary review for a 10-page paper. Perfect if you’d rather watch a film than read a textbook.

Why these degrees work for busy people

These programs share three key traits:

• Asynchronous learning - No live lectures. You watch videos or read materials when you have 30 minutes between shifts or after putting the kids to bed.
• Clear grading criteria - Rubrics tell you exactly what earns an A. No guessing. No surprise curveballs.
• Minimal group work - You won’t be stuck with three flaky classmates who ghost you on Zoom calls. Most assignments are individual.

One student in Dublin, Maria, finished her General Studies degree while working nights at a pharmacy. She told me: "I didn’t have energy for complex math or group projects. But I could read a chapter on parenting styles while waiting for my coffee to brew. That’s how I got through."

What to avoid if you want low stress

Some degrees sound easy but aren’t. Stay away from these:

• Computer Science - Even intro courses require coding. If you’ve never typed a line of code, you’ll be lost.
• Engineering - Lots of math, physics, and lab reports. Not happening in your pajamas at midnight.
• Accounting - Tax codes, journal entries, financial statements. It’s detail-heavy and unforgiving.
• Nursing (RN to BSN) - Clinical hours are mandatory. You can’t fake that online.
• Statistics - If math makes you anxious, this will break you.

These aren’t bad degrees. They’re just not for someone looking for low friction.

Real cost, real time, real results

Most low-stress online degrees cost between $5,000 and $12,000 total. You can finish in 18 to 24 months if you take 1-2 courses per term. That’s less than $300 a month.

Compare that to a traditional on-campus degree: $25,000+ a year, plus commute time, childcare, and parking fees. The online route saves you money and sanity.

And yes, employers notice the difference. A 2024 LinkedIn survey found that 78% of hiring managers in customer service, HR, and nonprofit sectors value online degrees from accredited schools-especially if they’re in fields like human services or general studies.

How to pick the right one for you

Ask yourself these three questions:

1. What do I enjoy reading about? If you like true crime podcasts, psychology might click. If you’re into community events, human services fits.
2. What kind of work do I want to do next? A General Studies degree opens doors to administrative roles, nonprofit support, or entry-level management. It’s not a direct path to engineering-but it’s a solid foundation.
3. How much time can I actually give? If you can only do 5 hours a week, pick a program with 6-week modules, not 16-week semesters.

Don’t choose a degree because it’s "easy." Choose it because it fits your rhythm.

Accreditation matters more than you think

Not all online degrees are equal. A degree from a school that’s not regionally accredited (like those with "accreditation mills") won’t transfer, won’t be recognized by employers, and won’t help you get a better job.

In the U.S., look for regional accreditation (like NECHE, SACS, or WASC). In the UK, check for recognition by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). You can verify this on the school’s website or through the Department of Education’s database.

One student in Belfast paid $1,200 for a "Bachelor in Business" from a shady online school. Three years later, she couldn’t even list it on her CV. Don’t be her.

What comes after the degree?

Getting the degree is just step one. The next step is using it.

With a General Studies or Human Services degree, you can move into roles like:

• Case worker
• Community outreach coordinator
• Administrative assistant
• Nonprofit program assistant
• Customer success specialist

Many people use these degrees as stepping stones. They get the credential, then go back for a targeted certificate-like HR management or project management-to climb higher.

One man in Dublin, 47, got his General Studies degree online while working as a warehouse supervisor. Two years later, he was promoted to operations coordinator. "The degree didn’t get me the job," he said. "But it got me in the door to apply."

Final thought: It’s not about being easy-it’s about being possible

The "easiest" degree isn’t the one with the least work. It’s the one you can actually finish.

People drop out of degrees because they’re overwhelmed, not because they’re unintelligent. The right degree for you is the one that matches your energy, your schedule, and your goals-not someone else’s idea of what college "should" look like.

You don’t need to be the top student. You just need to show up. And that’s more than enough.