Addressing Employer Scepticism: How Companies View Online Degrees

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Komal

01 July, 2025

Addressing Employer Scepticism: How Companies View Online Degrees

With the advent of technology, online education has gradually become an integral part of our world, as if it had always been there. One of the primary reasons online education has become so popular in such a short time is its accessibility, flexibility, and the ability to be part of esteemed institutions from the comfort of one’s own home.

However, despite all the perks online courses have to offer, there are still several doubts about online learning and its value. The prime question out of all that resurfaces again and again is, do employers really value degrees pursued via online mode? Has the stigma around online learning vanished, or do online degrees still not hold as much value as traditional programmes?

With this blog, we shall be discussing how companies view online degrees, several factors that can influence their opinions, and how online graduates can find excellent professional opportunities in the market.

Online Degrees: Changing the Outdated Perception of Education

People have always been resistant to accepting societal changes. For several centuries, people had been following the traditional system of learning, which involved commuting to a place of learning, having a teacher guide all the students in our class, and engaging in face-to-face interactions. However, with online education, the barriers of traditional learning systems were broken, and students experienced the advantages of flexible and accessible learning from the comfort of their places.

Online learning is still a relatively new concept, especially to older generations, as there are often several cases of fake degrees or universities engaging in scams while offering online courses. However, gradually, the perception has significantly changed, and more people are now pursuing online degrees. Several statistics show that in the coming decade, there shall be an 18 to 22% rise in the number of students going for online education in comparison to the present decade.

Why Online Education? Here is your Honest Answer.

If you belong to the many people who have their doubts about all their education and wonder what exactly makes online learning such a powerful disruptor for the education industry, here are several reasons.

Online learning systems have broken the physical, social and economic barriers to education. Students who can not commute to bigger cities or belong to a deprived section of society or do not have enough funds to pursue their education can be a part of the online learning system that makes sure that education reaches the doorsteps of each learner. Along with it, here are several advantages that an online degree offers:


  • Flexibility and accessibility

  • Self-paced learning

  • Affordable degrees

  • Highly developed learning management systems

  • Accessible resource materials

  • Cutting costs like on a daily commute

  • Wider reach

  • Part of a global online learning community

How Do Companies View Online Degrees?

If you’re wondering whether online degrees are recognised in the eyes of an employer, the answer is yes, absolutely. Companies today increasingly hire candidates who have pursued online degrees from accredited and recognised universities, as it is a testament to their skills and knowledge in their particular domain. Truthfully, despite the mode of education, whether online or offline, what really matters is whether a candidate has the right qualifications, an evolved skill set, and applicable knowledge for the professional role applied for.

As long as you meet all the requirements that a company seeks for a particular job title, whether your degree has been pursued through online or offline mode, you shall be considered the perfect candidate to secure the role.

How Do Companies View Online Degrees

Actual Focus on your Skills and Practical Applications

The companies that recognise online degrees also focus on the skills and practical exposure that the candidates have. Rather than focusing on the mode of degree, the company actually concentrates more on what the candidates would bring to the company in terms of their skills and knowledge. If you pursue degrees from top universities such as IITs, IIMs, or other universities, when completed online, they carry considerable weight that is highly valuable in the eyes of the employer.

How Relevant is Your Degree?

To remove scepticism, companies also look at the point as to how relevant your degrees are to the position you are applying for. For example, if you have pursued an online MCA degree, you are fit to work in a technical market since your educational background is related to IT and computing skills. In truth, despite your mode of degree, the relevance of your degree and the skills you have in accordance with your desired job role shall be considered by the employers.

Focus on Extras: The More, the Merrier

Today’s job markets focus on the employees who have an evolved skill set. Additional certifications or micro-credentials can serve as a great asset to amplify one’s portfolio and increase the value of an employee in the eyes of the company. Professionals who keep updating their skills, expand their knowledge and have additional certifications along with their formal degrees are often more recognised in the eyes of employers since it is a testament to an adaptable and diverse professional.

Also Read: How Online Education is Reshaping Higher Education

Online Degrees: Knowing the Right Way

So you are interested in pursuing an online degree. It is important to ensure that your degree is valid and recognised, as this will make you eligible to apply for job roles. Here are a few pointers to remember when reaching out for online education.

Check for accreditation and recognition

One sure way to know that your online degrees are valid is to go only for colleges or universities that have accreditation and recognition. This is also what employers look for primarily when they are sorting out the best candidates in terms of their educational background. UGC or University Grants Commission accreditation is one of the best ways to sort out the universities with legitimate recognition rather than fake universities or platforms.

Where to Study Online: India’s Best Universities and Platforms for Becoming a Top Professional

Since online degrees have become so popular, there are multiple platforms and institutions that offer online degrees or certifications. However, it is very important that you pursue your online programme from a recognised institution or platform. Here is a list of top online universities in India from where you can pursue several online programmes, along with the top platforms offering various online certifications to boost career growth and open up several professional opportunities for you.

Top Platforms

  • ☑️
    Udemy
  • ☑️
    Coursera
  • ☑️
    upGrad
  • ☑️
    edX
  • ☑️
    Simplilearn
  • ☑️
    SWAYAM

The Freedom of Online Learning: Classroom in Your Pockets and Future in Your Hands

If there has to be another name for online education, it would be ‘Learning Without Borders’. Online degrees have reinvented the face of learning and offer a platform where classes never truly end. You can pause and play whenever you wish, learning again and again; reimagining the new age of education.


  • Unlike traditional programmes, online degrees have opened up an endless world of learning opportunities. You can connect with online learning communities and be a part of a global learning system.

  • Online degrees are also more beneficial for professionals or individuals with prior commitments. They give learners the flexibility to pursue their education while managing work simultaneously.

  • There are times when pursuing a course can be heavy on your pockets. However, multiple online institutions offer flexible EMI payment options to support your online programmes, making it easier to manage the cost while continuing your job.

  • Unlike learning in a classroom setting, online classes provide the privilege of revisiting the content again and again. Most programmes offer recorded sessions that help you clear your doubts more effectively and allow you to revisit lessons repeatedly to expand your knowledge or resolve any queries.

Conclusion

Gone are the days of online degrees being considered lesser than traditional programmes, as that idea is outdated. Online programmes are equally valuable, credible, and professionally relevant as degrees pursued through formal methods of attending classes in institutions. Companies today also look for employees who have completed their educational degrees, regardless of the mode of pursuit. Employers would rather focus more on the skills of the applicant and what value they shall add to the company’s benefit. However, you need to make sure that your online degrees are pursued from accredited institutions and that your skills are relevant according to the demands of the industry. Online degrees are not just mere proof of your education; rather, they can also bring several professional advantages for you.

FAQs

Q.1. Are online degrees valid when applying for a job?

Yes, an online degree from a recognised and accredited institution is valid for applying for any job.

Q.2. Are online degrees considered when applying for government jobs?

Yes, in both the private and government sectors, you can apply for jobs if you have a valid online degree from a recognised institution.

Q.3. Does the mode of the degree really matter in the eyes of employers?

While there may be a few employers who prefer traditional degrees over online ones, most companies only consider whether the candidate has the right educational qualifications and skills required for the job role they are applying for.

Q.4. How do I know if an online degree is valid?

If you are pursuing an online degree, ensure that it is from an institution that has received UGC recognition, as the University Grants Commission (UGC) is the statutory education board in India that sets and maintains educational standards for institutions.

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Komal - Author

Komal Content writing / Copywriting

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Komal Rajoria is a content strategist and mental health professional with over four years of experience in digital content, blog writing, copywriting, and script development. At Learning Routes, she craft content that informs, inspires, and supports learners in making confident career decisions. With a background in psychotherapy, Komal brings empathy, clarity, and purpose to her writing. Her work blends storytelling with insight, helping readers connect not just with information, but with themselves. She is deeply passionate about education, mental wellness, and the power of words to create change. Whether she’s guiding professionals through online learning options or shaping brand voice with her editorial skills, Komal approaches each project with thoughtfulness and impact. She’s also an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness and believes in writing with both heart and honesty.

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