Great question – and who doesn’t want to work in a Fortune 500 Company?
The quick answer is Yes: Many Fortune 500 companies—including Apple, Amazon, Google, and IBM—hire candidates with online degrees. The key is that the online degree must have been obtained from accredited programs (e.g., SNHU, Capella University, or Coursera partner schools).
What matters most is skills, experience, and the school’s reputation.
Key Insights in Getting a Fortune 500 Company Job with an Online Degree
Top Employers Accept Online Degrees: Companies like Dell, Bank of America, and Microsoft actively recruit from online programs (e.g., University of Phoenix, Walden University).
Accreditation is Critical: Degrees from regionally accredited schools (like WGU or Purdue Global) hold equal weight to traditional degrees.
Tech & Business Sectors Lead: Fields like IT, cybersecurity, and business (where Udacity nano-degrees or Pluralsight certs help) prioritize skills over degree format.
Internal Upskilling Programs: Some Fortune 500 firms (e.g., Walmart, Amazon) even sponsor employees to earn online degrees via Guild Education or edX.
Networking Matters: Online programs from LinkedIn Learning or MasterClass (for soft skills) can help bridge gaps in traditional resumes.
FAQs
Do Fortune 500 Companies Verify Online Degrees?
Yes—they validate the accreditation of qualifications via the National Student Clearinghouse or directly with schools like UoPeople or Capella University.
Which Online Degrees Do Fortune 500 Companies Prefer?
- Tech: Georgia Tech’s OMSCS (https://omscs.gatech.edu) or Udacity’s AI programs.
- Business: Indiana Kelley’s Online MBA (https://kelley.iu.edu).
- Healthcare: Walden University’s nursing degrees (https://www.waldenu.edu).
Can I Get Hired at Google with an Online Degree?
Yes, if paired with certifications (Google Career Certificates on Coursera) and hands-on projects.
Do Fortune 500 Companies Sponsor Online Degrees?
Some do! Amazon’s Career Choice and Starbucks’ College Achievement Plan cover tuition for schools like ASU Online .
Final Thoughts
Fortune 500 companies do hire online degree holders—especially from accredited programs (SNHU, Coursera, or edX partners). To stand out, combine your degree with industry certs (Pluralsight, The Princeton Review) and real-world experience.
For flexible, employer-recognized options, explore:
All the best in your learning endeavors.