Everyone wants a degree that doesn’t eat up their life. You’ve got a job, kids, bills, or just plain burnout-and you still want something on paper that says you made it. The question isn’t really what degree is the easiest to get. It’s: which one fits your life without breaking you?
There’s no such thing as "easy"-but some are way less painful
Let’s get real: no degree is truly easy if you want it to mean anything. But some programs are built for people who are stretched thin. They don’t demand 12-hour study nights. They don’t force you to master calculus just to pass a sociology class. These are the ones that work when you’re juggling everything else.
Online degrees in General Studies, Psychology, and Human Resources consistently rank as the least stressful for working adults. Why? Because they don’t require labs, technical software, or heavy math. You read. You write. You discuss. You turn in papers. That’s it.
Take General Studies. It’s not a "major" in the traditional sense-it’s a catch-all. You pick four or five subjects you actually care about: history, communications, basic math, intro to business. No one forces you to take organic chemistry because it’s "well-rounded." You get to choose what feels manageable. Schools like Southern New Hampshire University and Purdue Global let you build your own path. That’s the secret weapon.
Why Psychology is the quiet favorite
Psychology degrees are everywhere online. And they’re popular for a reason. You’re not dissecting brains or running fMRI scans. You’re learning how people think, why they act the way they do, and how to talk to them better. The coursework? Mostly case studies, textbook summaries, and reflection essays.
Most intro courses don’t require statistics beyond averages and percentages. You’ll write about parenting styles, peer pressure, or why people procrastinate. Sounds familiar? That’s because you’ve lived it. Your own life becomes your research material. You’re not memorizing formulas-you’re connecting dots you already see.
And here’s the kicker: employers don’t care if your degree is "easy." They care if you finished it. A psychology degree shows you can handle reading loads of material, meet deadlines, and think critically. That’s more valuable than a harder degree you quit halfway through.
Human Resources: The corporate shortcut
If you’ve ever dealt with a bad boss, a confusing benefits packet, or a workplace drama that shouldn’t have happened, you already understand HR. An online HR degree teaches you the rules of hiring, firing, payroll, and compliance-not in dry legalese, but in real-world scenarios.
Most programs only require 1-2 business courses. No accounting. No finance. Just basics like employment law, training methods, and employee relations. You’ll learn how to write a job description that doesn’t scare people off. How to handle a complaint without getting sued. How to keep people from quitting after three weeks.
And here’s why it’s a game-changer: you can start applying for HR assistant roles while you’re still taking your first class. Many companies hire people with just an associate’s degree for entry-level HR jobs. You don’t need to wait four years to get your foot in the door.
What to avoid: the "easy" traps
Not all "easy" degrees are worth it. Some are designed to look simple but are actually dead ends.
- Liberal Arts sounds nice, but if it’s just random classes with no focus, employers won’t know what you can do. General Studies is better because it’s structured.
- Education might seem easy, but unless you’re already a teacher, you’ll hit roadblocks with student teaching requirements. Many online programs force you to find a local school to shadow for months.
- Criminal Justice is full of memorization. You’ll need to know every step of police procedure, court rules, and correctional laws. It’s not hard-it’s just tedious.
- Business Administration sounds safe, but if the program requires accounting, finance, or economics, you’re signing up for math-heavy courses you didn’t expect.
The trick is to pick a degree that’s simple in content, not just in workload. You want learning that feels familiar, not like you’re back in high school taking a class you hated.
Speed matters: associate’s degrees and accelerated programs
You don’t need four years. Many of the easiest degrees come as associate’s programs that take 18-24 months. Schools like Ashford, Capella, and Grantham offer 8-week terms. That means you can finish a class in the time it takes to binge a Netflix season.
For example: an Associate of Science in Human Services at Western Governors University lets you move as fast as you can. If you already know the material from life experience, you can test out of courses. No lectures. No deadlines. Just pass the exam and move on. You could finish in under a year if you’re disciplined.
And yes-some employers accept associate’s degrees for entry-level roles. HR coordinators, customer service managers, case workers, and administrative assistants often don’t require a bachelor’s. You save time. You save money. You get hired faster.
Real people, real results
Jamal, 34, worked night shifts at a warehouse. He started an online associate’s in General Studies because he wanted to "do something better." He picked classes on communication and basic psychology. He wrote papers during lunch breaks. He finished in 14 months. Today, he’s a shift supervisor with a 22% raise.
Maya, 29, was a single mom working two part-time jobs. She enrolled in an online Psychology degree through a community college. She didn’t have a computer at first-she used her phone to watch lectures and type essays on the bus. She graduated in 20 months. Now she’s a peer counselor at a mental health nonprofit.
These aren’t outliers. They’re the norm. People who chose degrees that matched their lives-not their dreams.
What you actually need to succeed
It’s not about the degree. It’s about consistency.
- Find a program that lets you take one class at a time.
- Make sure assignments are paper-based, not timed exams or group projects.
- Check if the school accepts prior learning credits (life experience, military training, certifications).
- Avoid schools that charge extra for "support services"-those are red flags.
- Look for programs accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). It’s not Harvard, but it’s legit.
You don’t need to be a genius. You just need to show up. Even 30 minutes a day, five days a week, adds up. That’s less time than you spend scrolling Instagram.
Bottom line: Pick the degree that doesn’t feel like a chore
The easiest degree isn’t the one with the fewest credits. It’s the one you can finish without hating your life. General Studies. Psychology. Human Resources. These aren’t glamorous. But they’re real. They work. And they get you out of the cycle of feeling stuck.
Start small. Take one class. See how it feels. If it doesn’t drain you, keep going. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to start.
Is an online degree really respected by employers?
Yes-if it’s from an accredited school. Employers care more about whether you finished than how you got there. A degree from SNHU, Purdue Global, or WGU is just as valid as one from a state university. What matters is your skills, your resume, and how you talk about what you learned.
Can I get a degree online without a high school diploma?
Most programs require a GED or high school diploma. But some schools, like Charter Oak State College, let you prove knowledge through exams or portfolio reviews if you don’t have one. It’s harder, but not impossible.
How much does the easiest online degree cost?
Associate’s degrees online typically cost between $3,000 and $8,000 total. Some, like those at Western Governors University, charge a flat rate per term-so you can finish faster and pay less. Avoid schools that charge over $500 per credit hour.
Do I need to be good at writing to get an easy degree?
You don’t need to be a great writer-you just need to be consistent. Most online courses ask for 3-5 page papers, not dissertations. If you can write a clear email, you can write a college paper. Many schools offer free writing help online, too.
What’s the fastest way to get a degree online?
Enroll in a competency-based program like Western Governors University. You move when you’re ready, not when the semester ends. If you already know the material, test out. Many people finish an associate’s in under a year by studying 10-15 hours a week.