Are Online Certificates Worth It?

Professionals are increasingly turning to online education, including online certificates, to hone new skills and expand their knowledge in an effort to move further in their careers, make a career shift, or merely explore a topic that interests them. 

Institutions offer a range of online programs, including certificates, associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctorate degrees. The time and effort you invest in online learning often influence what you get out of it. In many cases, advancing your education can lead to higher earnings. 

With that in mind, are online certificates worth it? Or do you prefer to go for a degree?

It’s worth noting that certificates offer distinct value apart from a degree. They're focused on specific skills to help you in the workforce—something that can be very attractive in an economy with stiffer competition among degree holders and wherein employers are looking for employees with readily applicable skills. 

Explore online certificates’ wide-ranging benefits and consider if pursuing an online certificate in your industry is a good fit for your career goals. 

What is an online certificate?

An online certificate verifies that you have completed a college-level program dedicated to a specific topic or industry. The programs are typically more niche, require less time, and are more affordable than a traditional degree program. They’re designed to supplement an existing degree, expand career-related skills, or help you obtain an industry-specific license. 

For example, Google’s UX Design Professional Certificate focuses specifically on UX design and AI; you might use this course to begin creating a UX portfolio in an effort to expand your career opportunities or simply aid in a current role. In another instance, if your end goal is to obtain your real estate license, you might start with the Keller Williams Real Estate Agent Professional Certificate, which aims to prepare students for the licensure process. 

What field can you get an online certificate in?

You can find online certificate programs that apply to a very wide swathe of subject areas and industries, with potential certificates applicable to fields including:

• The arts

• Media

• Business and management

• Education

• Psychology

• Technology

Some certificates specifically focus on in-demand skills or areas of growing interest, such as AI and machine learning, data management, UI, and UX. 

Do note the differences between certificates and certifications. Many certificates come from educational institutions, verifying that you completed an educational program. Certifications, on the other hand, certify that you’re competent to perform a particular role; sometimes, that means you finished a course of study, passed industry-relevant tests, or otherwise proved your competence. Trusted organizations, associations, certification groups, and/or private companies may issue certifications.

Benefits of online certificates

The many benefits of online certificates—including affordability and convenience—make them attractive to busy professionals with limited time and the desire to enhance their professional skill set.

Check out some of the key benefits of getting an online certificate compared to another path:

Pay a lower cost.

Online learning, in general, is more affordable than in-person learning, with private schools charging, on average, $62,756 for an online degree versus $198,616 for an in-person degree [1]. When you compare the costs of graduate-level certificate programs and graduate degrees, the difference is similar. For example, the average cost of a Harvard Extension graduate certificate ranges from $10,020 to $16,700, while the average cost of a master’s degree through Harvard Extension is between $33,400 and $40,080 [2].

Work while enrolled and learn at your own pace.

The vast majority of students work full-time while simultaneously studying to receive an online certificate. This is possible because many online certificate programs are asynchronous, allowing you to study when and how it works for you. In some cases, you may need fewer than 10 hours per week to study, allowing you to fit in your coursework in the evenings or on weekends, whenever you have a spare moment.

Target specific skills.

Certificate programs typically focus on a niche set of skills. More specifically, many programs focus on growing skill sets directly related to current industry trends and needs. For example, in 2025, in-demand job skills include those related to AI, big data, networks, cybersecurity, and technological literacy. As such, you might choose to pursue a certificate deliberately focused on AI, like IBM’s AI Developer Professional Certificate. 

Gain a competitive edge or promotion.

You can use online certificate programs to build specific, career-focused skill sets. You might choose to study a niche program that helps you build in-demand skills within your industry or hone skills necessary for a new field. Whatever program you choose, though, you may just see that achieving an online certificate results in a competitive edge within the labor force, if you’re searching for a new job, a promotion, or greater responsibilities in an existing role.

In one survey, 42 percent of students who recently completed a certificate program reported that they’d resultingly either gained a promotion, gained new responsibilities in an existing job, or successfully switched careers [2]. 

Meanwhile, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, those who earned some level of higher education, like a certificate, even without a more advanced degree, make about $100 more per week than those with a high school diploma only [3]. 

Likewise, a 2024 Educational Testing Service study found that nearly 90 percent of respondents said they felt that certifying their skills, combined with continuous learning, improved their career trajectory, chances of getting a job with a higher salary, and security and well-being, with 80 percent of respondents actively working toward the development of skills that would “future-proof” their careers [4]. The study found key areas of interest include AI literacy, communication, and technical skills.

Disadvantages of online certificates

While they do come with plenty of benefits, online certificates may not be as widely recognized as degrees, depending on your industry and individual employers. As such, before committing to an online certificate program, research your chosen field and whether it will be beneficial for you to pursue a certificate or a degree. 

Another note is that online certificates tend to be more specific than generalized degrees. Though that specialization may be a benefit for a specific job role, you might want a more generalized education through a degree that offers a wider array of subjects to prepare you for your future career. Some specific jobs also require a degree, such as being a doctor or lawyer, so you’ll need to consider if your certificate gives you the credentials for the job you want. 

How to find the right online certificate for you

If you’re eager to see some of the above benefits in your career, before signing up for an online certificate program, consider your existing skill set, availability, and budget to make sure you’re making the right decision for your career goals.

Consider how it will affect your professional path.

Think about your professional goals, first and foremost. Do you want to switch careers or even industries completely? Do you hope to climb the ladder within your current organization? What skills do you need to get there? Rather than choosing a more generalized online certificate, take advantage of certificate programs’ targeted focuses and choose a program that will deliver the precise knowledge and skills that will most likely help you succeed.

Decide your price range.

Just as is the case when comparing traditional degree programs, online certificate programs vary widely in cost, even though they are, on average, more affordable than a degree program. In general, expect to pay somewhere around several thousand dollars for a certificate program, with lower-cost programs costing $1,000 or less and more expensive programs costing $5,000 or more. 

Think about your timeline.

Online certificate programs vary in length, typically ranging from a few weeks to six months. When deciding what fits your schedule, consider how quickly you want to build your skills or make a career move. Shorter programs may help you gain momentum fast, while longer ones may explore more complex topics or include additional hands-on learning. 

Look for accredited options.

Lastly, look for online programs offered by accredited institutions or organizations, as accreditation is a stamp of quality. Accreditation means that an institution or organization’s educational offerings meet certain standards, as determined by a third party. Since private companies can offer certificate programs, not all will be reputable, and some programs may be more credible and of higher quality than others, which may impact how a future employer views your future certificate.

Earn a Professional Certificate on Coursera

Earning an online certificate can be an accessible and effective way to build your skills and advance your career. You may find that pursuing an online certificate generally requires less time and less expense than pursuing a traditional degree and comes with benefits such as greater earning potential and a possible competitive edge in the job market. 

Are online certificates worth it for you? If so, explore the wealth of Professional Certificate options available on Coursera, with top options including Google’s UX Design Professional Certificate, Meta’s Data Analyst Professional Certificate, and IBM’s Product Manager Professional Certificate, among others.