Want to advance your career without quitting your job?
For decades, going back to school meant choosing between a paycheck and a diploma. But times have changed. Today you can work toward a degree – even an online finance degree – without having to put your career on hold.
Here’s the best part:
Thanks to the flexibility of online learning, it’s never been easier. With a plan in place, you can work toward a credential that opens new doors… without closing the ones you currently have open.
This guide breaks down how to do it.
What you’ll discover:
- Why More Professionals Are Going Back To School
- Why An Online Finance Degree Makes Sense
- 5x Steps To Earn A Degree Without Pausing Your Career
- The Most Common Mistakes To Avoid
Why More Professionals Are Going Back To School
The “traditional” college student is no longer typical.
Actually, nearly 17% of undergraduates are over age 30 and a large percentage of those students have full-time jobs. They’re nurses, salespeople, accountants, parents, and managers. Students with jobs want one thing: a better life.
Here’s why this trend keeps growing:
- Promotion barriers: Many companies won’t promote you to senior roles without a degree.
- Higher pay: A credential often unlocks a meaningful salary bump.
- Career switching: A finance, business, or analytics degree opens doors to new industries.
- Skill gaps: New tools and new tech require formal training to master.
And the great news?
Times have evolved drastically. According to a 2024 Northeastern poll, 71% of recruiters view an accredited online degree just as credible as one that was completed on campus. Ten years ago, that would have been unimaginable.
That means the stigma is gone — and the opportunities are wide open. Now, programs like online undergraduate business degrees allow working adults to learn about finance, management and accounting without having to put their career on hold. An online finance degree has become one of the most popular degrees for driven professionals who want to reach the next level.
Why An Online Finance Degree Makes Sense
Of all the online programs available… why does finance stand out?
Finance is the core of every business. Whether you work in healthcare, technology, retail, or government, every sector will always have a need for finance professionals. The need for talented finance experts is not going anywhere.
Here’s why an online finance degree is such a smart move:
- High demand: Finance roles are projected to keep growing for years.
- Strong salaries: Entry-level finance jobs often start well above the national average.
- Versatility: You can work in banking, corporate finance, investing, insurance, or consulting.
- Job-ready skills: Budgeting, forecasting and financial analysis skills you can use at your job starting tomorrow.
Did you know business is actually the most popular major in the country? 17.7% of undergrads at four-year colleges are studying business in some capacity. Finance degrees are one of the most prestigious tracks for those students.
But here’s the catch…
You need a plan, and still. Choosing the right program and how you go about it can mean the difference between those who finish and those who don’t.
5x Steps To Earn A Degree Without Pausing Your Career
Now to the good stuff.
Here’s the step-by-step roadmap that’ll enable working professionals to balance work, family and school life – without freaking out. Select which steps apply to you and start implementing them now.
Step 1: Choose An Accredited Online Program
This is the most important decision you’ll make.
Accreditation provides value to your degree. When you apply for that dream job, employers want to see that your institution provides an education that meets established academic standards. If your school doesn’t carry the right accreditation, your degree could be looked down upon — or not accepted at all.
Search for schools that are accredited by organizations such as SACSCOC, HLC, or programmatic accrediting agencies such as ACBSP. Accreditation means they show proof your education is legitimate.
Step 2: Pick An Asynchronous Schedule
Asynchronous learning is a game-changer for working adults.
It just means… you are not required to be logged in at a certain time of day. You can watch your lectures, read your material and turn in assignments whenever you have time. Whether that’s before work, during lunch or after the kids go to bed.
Flexibility is one of the reasons online education has boomed. About 25% of students take classes 100% online these days and the majority of them are adult employees.
Step 3: Transfer Credits And Use Prior Learning
Don’t start from scratch if you don’t have to.
Lots of programs will accept transfer credits from previous college courses or military experience. Training certificates may also transfer depending on the school. Some schools will even give you credit for past learning — that means your job experience could count towards your degree.
That can cut months (or years!) off your timeline. It can also save you thousands in tuition.
Here’s what to ask the admissions team:
- How many credits will transfer from my previous studies?
- Do you accept ACE-recommended credits for work or military experience?
- Are there credit-by-exam options like CLEP?
Step 4: Build A Study Routine That Fits Your Life
This is where most people fall apart.
If you don’t have a legitimate schedule, school work gets put off until “later” — and “later” never arrives. Schedule set study times on your calendar and treat them as client appointments. They are not negotiable.
Only 5-10 hours of concentrated study per week is required to make consistent progress in most online courses.
Step 5: Tap Into Employer Tuition Support
This is the most underrated step on the list.
Lots of employers offer tuition reimbursement/help — and most employees never inquire about it. If your company offers any tuition benefits, take advantage. It can save you money on your degree. It may even help you bond with your boss.
The Bottom Line
Earning a degree while working full-time is hard work… But it’s absolutely doable.
It’s all about choosing the right program and sticking with your schedule by taking full advantage of every opportunity available to you. Whether it’s tuition reimbursement or transferring credits, earning an online finance degree is one of the best investments you can make as a working professional today.
To quickly recap:
- Choose an accredited program
- Pick asynchronous, flexible courses
- Transfer in credits and prior learning
- Build a steady study routine
- Use employer tuition help
The days of leaving work to pursue higher education are over. Enroll in the right online program and you can continue your career advancement while earning the credentials to advance even further. It’s time to take the first step.