Nov
25
- by Dhruv Ainsley
- 0 Comments
Online Degree Employer Acceptance Calculator
See how your online degree might be perceived by employers based on key factors from the article. This tool helps you understand what employers actually care about when reviewing your credentials.
Your Degree Details
Your Professional Proof
Based on your inputs, employers are likely to view your degree as credible and valuable
Recommendations to improve your chances
- Consider adding more project examples to your portfolio
- Highlight specific skills you've developed through your degree
- List any relevant certifications you've earned
- Focus on outcomes rather than just listing your degree
When you finish an online degree, one question keeps popping up: Do employers dislike online degrees? It’s not just about the diploma-it’s about whether your hard work will actually be seen as equal to a traditional campus degree. The truth? The stigma is fading fast, but not everywhere. And if you’re counting on old-school hiring habits to guide you, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.
Online degrees are now mainstream-here’s how we got here
Back in 2015, if you told someone you got your business degree online, they’d raise an eyebrow. Now? In 2025, over 60% of Fortune 500 companies say they actively recruit candidates with online degrees. That’s not a trickle-it’s a tide. Institutions like Arizona State University, the University of Florida, and Northeastern have built entire online programs with the same faculty, same curriculum, and same accreditation as their on-campus versions. Employers know this. They’re not blind to the difference between a diploma from a brick-and-mortar school and one from a fully accredited online program.
What changed? Two things: scale and proof. Millions of working adults, parents, veterans, and international students have earned degrees online while holding full-time jobs. They got promoted. They delivered results. Companies noticed. A 2024 survey by LinkedIn found that 83% of hiring managers in tech, healthcare, and finance said they viewed online degrees as equally credible as traditional ones-if the school was reputable.
It’s not about online vs. in-person-it’s about the school and the proof
Here’s the hard truth: employers don’t care if your degree was earned online. They care if you went to a school that’s respected. A degree from an unaccredited online college? That’s a red flag. A degree from Southern New Hampshire University, Purdue Global, or the University of London? That’s a green light. Accreditation isn’t just paperwork-it’s a signal that the program met strict quality standards.
And it’s not just about the name on the diploma. Employers look at what you did while you were earning it. Did you complete capstone projects? Internships? Group collaborations? Did you build a portfolio? If your online degree included real-world assignments-like designing a marketing campaign for a local business or coding a live app-you’ve already outperformed many campus students who only took exams.
One recruiter in Sydney told me: “I’ve hired three people from Coursera’s degree programs in the last year. All three had stronger project portfolios than candidates from top Australian universities. The difference wasn’t the delivery method-it was the output.”
Where the bias still lives-and how to beat it
Yes, some hiring managers still hold onto old ideas. You’ll run into them in industries like law, academia, or traditional finance-especially in older firms or regional offices. But even there, the tide is turning. A 2025 report from the Australian Higher Education Quality Agency showed that 78% of Australian employers now list “accredited online degree” as an acceptable qualification in job postings.
So what do you do if you sense hesitation? Don’t hide your degree. Own it. In your resume, write: “Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, University of the People (Accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission).” Don’t say “online.” Say “accredited.”
On LinkedIn, add your degree under education-but also list key projects, skills, and outcomes. If you led a team project, wrote a research paper, or built a website for your capstone, put it front and center. Employers don’t scan for “online.” They scan for “results.”
What employers actually look for (and what they ignore)
Here’s what hiring managers say they care about, ranked:
- Proven skills (can you do the job?)
- Relevant experience (internships, freelance work, volunteer projects)
- Portfolio or work samples
- Communication and self-discipline (proven by completing an online degree)
- University reputation and accreditation
- Delivery format (online vs. campus)-this is last, and often not even considered
Notice anything? The format of your degree isn’t even in the top five. What matters is whether you can solve problems, adapt, and deliver. Online learners often have an edge here. They’re used to managing time, working independently, and using digital tools-skills that are now essential in nearly every job.
Real examples: People who beat the system
Meet Maria, from Adelaide. She earned her MBA online while working nights at a hospital. She didn’t mention “online” on her resume-she listed the university and her capstone project: “Led a team to reduce patient wait times by 22% using process mapping.” She got hired by a healthcare consultancy within six weeks.
Then there’s James, a single dad in Brisbane. He got his cybersecurity certificate through edX and built a home lab to practice penetration testing. He posted his projects on GitHub. Within three months, he was hired by a Melbourne-based IT firm-not because he had a degree, but because they could see his code, his documentation, and his initiative.
These aren’t outliers. They’re the new norm.
What to avoid: The traps that hurt your credibility
Not all online degrees are equal. Here’s what to steer clear of:
- Diploma mills-schools with no accreditation, no faculty, no coursework
- Programs that promise degrees in 30 days
- Universities that don’t list their accreditation publicly
- Programs with no alumni network or career support
If a school’s website looks like it was built in 2003, if you can’t find a list of instructors, or if they don’t let you talk to current students-walk away. Employers will spot these from a mile away.
Always check the accreditation. In Australia, look for TEQSA. In the U.S., look for regional accreditors like WASC or NECHE. International? Check if the school is listed in the International Association of Universities database.
How to prove your degree has value-before you even apply
Don’t wait for an employer to ask. Build your proof ahead of time:
- Get certified in tools you used in your program (e.g., Tableau, Python, QuickBooks)
- Build a personal website or portfolio showing your best work
- Ask a professor or project supervisor for a LinkedIn recommendation
- Join professional associations related to your field-many offer free student memberships
- Apply for internships or volunteer roles to gain real-world experience
These aren’t extras-they’re your insurance policy against bias. If an employer has a bias, your portfolio will override it.
Bottom line: Employers don’t hate online degrees. They hate weak candidates.
Whether you studied on campus or online, what matters is what you learned, what you built, and how you present it. Online degrees aren’t a shortcut-they’re a different path. And if you walk it with discipline, proof, and confidence, employers won’t just accept your degree. They’ll respect it.
The world didn’t stop valuing degrees when they went online. It just stopped caring about where you sat while you earned them.
Are online degrees respected by employers in Australia?
Yes, especially if the program is accredited by TEQSA or offered by a well-known university like UNSW, RMIT, or Monash. Most Australian employers now treat online degrees the same as on-campus ones, particularly in tech, healthcare, and business sectors. A 2025 survey by the Australian HR Institute found that 74% of employers in major cities consider online degrees equally valid.
Do employers check if a degree was earned online?
Most don’t ask unless they’re verifying accreditation. Employers typically check the institution’s name and accreditation status-not the delivery method. If your degree is from a legitimate, accredited school, the fact that it was online rarely comes up unless you bring it up. Focus on the school’s reputation, not the format.
Can I get a job with a degree from an online-only university?
Absolutely-if the university is accredited and your program includes real projects, internships, or industry certifications. Schools like Southern New Hampshire University, University of the People, and Griffith Online have strong reputations. What matters more than the name “online” is what you produced: portfolios, skills, and outcomes. Many employers can’t tell the difference between an online and on-campus graduate when the work speaks for itself.
Is it better to get a degree online or on campus?
It depends on your goals. If you need structure, campus life, or hands-on labs (like in engineering or nursing), campus may be better. But if you’re working, have family obligations, or want to build digital skills while studying, online is often the smarter choice. The degree itself holds equal value-what sets you apart is how you use it.
What’s the biggest mistake people make with online degrees?
They assume the degree alone is enough. Many students finish their program and just send out resumes without building a portfolio, getting certifications, or gaining real-world experience. Employers hire people who can do the job-not people who just have a piece of paper. Your degree opens the door. Your skills and proof keep it open.
If you’re considering an online degree, don’t let fear of judgment stop you. The real question isn’t whether employers dislike online degrees-it’s whether you’re ready to prove you belong.
Dhruv Ainsley
I am an education specialist with a focus on international educational systems, particularly in India. I enjoy exploring how educational practices can be improved to foster better learning environments. Writing about such topics allows me to share insights and encourage meaningful discussions. My work seeks to inspire educational reforms that prioritize inclusive and quality learning experiences.
