Are online degrees respected by employers? Discover the ASU difference

Yes. Employers respect degrees from accredited universities they recognize. Often, what matters most to employers is what you learned and how you can apply that expertise. A degree from a respected university signals knowledge, follow-through and the ability to take on something demanding and finish it.

The research backs this up. In the National Association of Colleges and Employers' Job Outlook 2024 survey, employers that track how new hires earned their degrees reported paying graduates with online degrees the same starting salary as their peers.

At ASU, the answer comes with something extra. Online students earn an Arizona State University degree, backed by the same faculty and academic standards as every other ASU degree. More than 100,000 students have graduated online from ASU, and each of them carries that name into the next chapter of their career.

What do employers look for in a degree?

Hiring managers tend to focus on a few clear signals when they review your education:

• An accredited university. Accreditation confirms the school meets established standards for academic quality.
• A recognized, top-ranked university. National rankings give employers an outside measure of a university’s quality and the strength of its programs.
• Relevant knowledge and skills. Your field of study, coursework and projects show what you bring to the role.
• Proof of commitment. Earning a degree takes persistence, especially while balancing work, family and other responsibilities.

An ASU degree meets each of these. It tells employers you learned from a university known for preparing graduates for the workforce. ASU ranks #2 in the U.S. for employability among public universities, ahead of UCLA, University of Michigan and Purdue, according to the Global Employability University Ranking and Survey (2023–26).

Your program may carry its own recognition, too. For example, ASU’s online master’s programs in educational and instructional media design, offered through the Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation, rank #1 in the U.S., according to U.S. News & World Report in 2026. When a program ranking connects to the role you want, it’s worth mentioning in a cover letter or interview.

Most of all, your degree reflects the work you put in to earn it. Finishing it on your own schedule while managing the rest of your life shows real commitment, and that effort deserves a credential employers recognize and respect. The payoff continues long after graduation, as the data on the value of a college degree shows.

Does accreditation matter for online degrees?

Yes, and it should be one of the first things you check when choosing a university. Accreditation is a review by an independent organization that confirms a school meets standards for academic quality. It is tied to financial aid, credit transfer, professional licensure and how employers and graduate schools view your degree.

Arizona State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and that accreditation covers all of the university's online degree programs. When you earn an ASU degree online, it carries the same institutional accreditation as every other ASU degree.

If your career requires a professional license, many online degrees at ASU prepare you for licensure in the state of Arizona. However, licensure rules vary by state, so check the requirements where you plan to work and how an ASU degree might support licensure there.

One ASU degree, however you earn it

Online at ASU, you learn from ASU faculty and follow the same curriculum as students across the university. Faculty partner with instructional designers who specialize in online learning, so each course is built to support how you learn while holding to the university’s academic standards.

That commitment to quality shows up in national rankings too. ASU’s online bachelor’s programs rank in the top 10 in the country, according to the U.S. News & World Report in 2026.

“These rankings reflect Arizona State University’s continued focus on designing online degree programs that put students first,” says Nancy Gonzales, executive vice president and university provost at ASU, in response to news of the online programs’ achievements. “Across undergraduate and graduate programs, our faculty and staff are working to ensure learners receive the same high-quality academic experience online as they would on campus, with the flexibility needed to succeed.”

And when you finish, you’re invited to celebrate in person. Online students are welcome to walk at ASU’s commencement and convocation ceremonies alongside campus students.

What does an ASU diploma say?

Your diploma reads Arizona State University. It does not say "online," and neither does your transcript. The degree you earn is an ASU degree, with no separate designation for how you took your classes.

Why does that matter for your career? Your diploma, transcript and resume all tell one consistent story. When an employer, licensing board or graduate school reviews your education, they see an Arizona State University degree and the major you completed.

How to list your online degree on a resume

The best way to list your online degree on a resume is to match it to your diploma. Follow these steps to keep your education section clear and professional:

1. Name the university as Arizona State University. That is the institution that grants your degree.
2. Write out your full degree and major. For example, Bachelor of Science in psychology or Master of Business Administration.
3. Add your graduation date. If you're still enrolled, list your expected graduation date.
4. Include honors or a concentration. A formal concentration appears on your diploma and transcript, so it belongs on your resume too.
5. Highlight relevant coursework and projects. A capstone, research project or internship shows employers what you can do.

Here's how a finished entry might look:

Arizona State University
Bachelor of Science in psychology, May 2026

Use the same format in the education section of your LinkedIn profile so your story stays consistent.

If an interviewer asks about your college experience, you have a strong answer ready. Earning a degree online shows you can manage your time, meet deadlines on your own schedule, communicate clearly in writing and collaborate with classmates using digital tools. Those are skills many employers value every day.

You don't have to prepare alone, either. ASU career services are free to all students and alumni, including online students. You can submit your resume for review, schedule a virtual practice interview and meet with a career advisor online.

Put the ASU name on your resume

Your degree will matter, because the name behind it does. When you study online at ASU, you earn an accredited ASU degree taught by ASU faculty, with a full team of coaches, advisors and career experts supporting you from your first class through graduation and into your career.

ASU offers 400+ online programs, including bachelor's and master's degrees, doctoral programs and graduate certificates. Explore ASU's online degree programs and find the one that moves your career forward.