2027 Best Majors for Single Parents
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Choosing a major while raising children alone means weighing more than career interest: class times, childcare, tuition, and the hours a future job requires all matter. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects registered nurse employment to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034, but strong demand does not make clinical training or shift work easy to manage.
This guide compares majors across healthcare, technology, business, education, and other fields so you can identify a realistic path—not just an appealing job title.
Key Things You Should Know
- For schedule flexibility, business, information technology, and some computer science programs are worth comparing first; check for live classes and fixed deadlines before enrolling.
- For a defined career path, nursing and licensed social work can be strong choices, but required placements and state rules may limit scheduling options. The BLS reports a $93,600 median annual wage for registered nurses in May 2024; that is an occupational figure, not a starting salary for graduates.
- Eligible undergraduates could receive a Federal Pell Grant of up to $7,395 in the 2025-26 award year. Compare your actual aid offer with the full cost of tuition, fees, transportation, and childcare.
Top 10 Best Majors for Single Parents
Business Programs
Business administration, accounting, and marketing can lead to work across many industries. A bachelor's degree is a common entry route; a master's in business administration or accounting generally makes more sense when you already have experience or a specific advancement goal. Many courses can be taken online, but group projects and scheduled meetings still require planning. Accounting may offer a clearer occupational focus than general business, while public accounting can bring seasonal overtime. Ask whether a graduate program requires foundation courses and whether its cost supports your intended career move.
Healthcare Programs
Healthcare administration and public health offer alternatives to bedside care. Bachelor's programs can prepare students for entry-level administrative work; master's programs in healthcare administration or public health usually serve more specialized or experienced applicants. Online coursework may fit around parenting, although internships or applied projects can require daytime availability. These degrees do not grant a clinical license, and management positions commonly require relevant work experience. Choose this family of majors if you want to work in healthcare but cannot accommodate the clinical schedule of nursing or another patient-care program.
Information Technology Programs
Information technology majors emphasize networks, systems, cloud services, and technical support. A bachelor's degree can support entry into many IT roles; a master's in IT or cybersecurity is more often a specialization or advancement path. Online labs may be flexible, but team projects, security operations, and on-call jobs can disrupt family schedules. Compare the program's hands-on coursework with job postings you could realistically pursue. Certifications may complement a degree, but neither a credential nor an online format assures a remote position.
Computer Science Programs
Computer science focuses more heavily on programming, algorithms, and computing theory than many IT majors. It suits parents who enjoy sustained problem-solving and can protect time for demanding projects. A bachelor's degree is a common route into software development; a master's may support specialization but is not normally required for entry. Online study can reduce commuting, not the workload. If you lack math or programming prerequisites, ask how foundation courses affect your timeline and cost. A shorter coding certificate may be worth considering for a narrower skills goal.
Nursing Programs
Nursing offers a defined license-to-career pathway, but it is among the least flexible majors during training. Associate and bachelor's nursing programs generally require supervised, in-person clinical work; graduates must also meet state requirements and pass the NCLEX-RN to become registered nurses. A master's in nursing usually requires an existing nursing credential and may involve additional clinical hours and certification, depending on the role. Before applying, confirm clinical shift assignments, childcare coverage, program accreditation, and whether the program meets the rules of the state where you intend to practice.
Psychology Programs
Psychology is useful for studying behavior, but degree level determines its career options. A bachelor's degree alone does not qualify someone to practice as a psychologist or licensed counselor. Master's programs in counseling or related fields commonly require supervised practica and separate state licensure steps; becoming a psychologist typically requires doctoral education and additional requirements. For a single parent, placement hours may matter more than whether lectures are online. Choose a concentration only after checking the precise credential required for the job you want.
Education Programs
Education can appeal to parents seeking a school-based career, but school calendars do not eliminate before-school, after-school, or childcare needs. A bachelor's teacher-preparation program or a qualifying alternative route may lead toward initial licensure, depending on the state. Master's programs may serve licensed teachers, career changers, or aspiring specialists; not every master's leads to a first teaching license. Student teaching is usually in person and may require a substantial daytime commitment. Verify state approval, placement arrangements, and the license outcome before choosing an online program.
Criminal Justice Programs
Criminal justice examines law enforcement, corrections, courts, and policy. A bachelor's degree can provide broad preparation, while a master's in criminal justice may be better suited to an experienced professional pursuing analysis, administration, or policy work. Neither degree automatically qualifies a graduate for a specific agency job: hiring, background checks, academy training, and shift requirements vary. Parents seeking predictable hours should research the actual occupation, not just the major. Compare administrative and analytical roles with frontline positions before committing to graduate tuition.
Engineering Programs
Engineering can lead to technical careers, but laboratory courses and tightly sequenced math prerequisites may constrain a parent's schedule. A bachelor's degree in a specific discipline, such as civil or mechanical engineering, is the usual starting point; a master's is generally for specialization or advancement. Some coursework is online, yet labs, design projects, and accreditation considerations may make fully remote study impractical. If professional engineer licensure is a goal, check the state board's education and experience rules. Consider whether an engineering technology program serves your intended occupation equally well.
Social Work Programs
Social work offers a clearer practice pathway than a general human-services major. A bachelor of social work can support entry-level roles; a master of social work is commonly required for clinical social work and advanced practice. Both levels may include supervised, in-person field education, and clinical licensure requires additional state-specific steps. Some MSW programs offer advanced standing to eligible BSW graduates, but others do not, and placement hours remain. Ask when fieldwork occurs and whether local placements are available before assuming an online program will fit your childcare schedule.
What are the best college majors for single parents?
The best major is one whose training requirements and likely work schedule fit your family while supporting a career you actually want. The comparison below highlights practical trade-offs; it is not a ranking of guaranteed earnings or outcomes.
Use these distinctions to narrow your choices before comparing schools. Requirements vary by program, employer, and state.
| Major or field | Potential advantage | Main scheduling trade-off |
| Business or accounting | Broad employer options and often online coursework | Projects, meetings, or seasonal overtime |
| IT or computer science | Technical career paths and possible remote work | Time-intensive projects; some jobs require on-call coverage |
| Nursing | Defined route to a licensed occupation | In-person clinicals and possible shift work |
| Education or social work | Clear community-serving roles | Student teaching or field placements |
| Psychology or criminal justice | Broad subject matter and career exploration | Target roles may require further training or selective hiring |
Start with the job you want, then work backward to its entry requirements. If earnings are a priority, use comparisons of the highest paying degrees to generate questions about career paths—not as a prediction of what you personally will earn.
Business, IT, computer science, psychology, and some healthcare administration programs commonly offer online coursework. Flexibility depends on the specific program: an online class can still have live meetings, weekly deadlines, proctored exams, or a fixed sequence of courses.
Request a sample course schedule and ask whether part-time students can take every required class when they need it. Returning students—including older parents exploring a one year degree for seniors—should check what prior credits the school will accept. A short completion estimate may assume substantial qualifying credit; it does not mean a new student can finish an entire degree in one year.
Nursing, accounting, IT, education, and social work each connect to recognizable occupations, but no major guarantees employment or a family-supporting income. Job availability, local wages, benefits, licensing rules, and hours differ substantially. Healthcare demand may be attractive, for example, while overnight or weekend shifts can raise childcare costs.
Compare occupations rather than degree names alone. Look up local job postings for required credentials and schedules, then estimate take-home pay after work-related childcare, commuting, and any loan payment. For fields such as psychology or engineering, distinguish the entry-level work available with a bachelor's degree from roles requiring graduate education, experience, or licensure.
Healthcare is not one pathway. Nursing requires approved education, clinical training, and licensure for RN practice. Healthcare administration and public health can lead to nonclinical work but do not provide an RN or other clinical license. Program length depends on your starting credential, prerequisites, transfer credits, enrollment pace, and placement availability.
Do not choose a healthcare degree solely because demand is strong. Ask how clinical or internship sites are assigned, whether evening and weekend placements exist, and whether the program meets your state's professional requirements. If a placement would force you to stop working, include that lost income in your cost comparison.
Accounting, marketing, management information systems, and business administration can support roles with computer-based work, but remote eligibility depends on the employer and position. Accounting provides a relatively specific skill set; marketing roles may require a portfolio and collaboration during business hours. General business offers breadth but may require you to build experience before targeting a specialized role.
Choose courses that develop skills visible in local job postings, such as accounting software, data analysis, or project coordination. Check whether internships are optional or required and whether the school offers evening or part-time access to upper-level courses.
Yes, if you enjoy technical troubleshooting and can set aside regular practice time—but a remote job should be treated as a possibility, not the expected first outcome. Help-desk work can involve fixed shifts; cybersecurity and systems roles may involve incidents outside normal hours. Software jobs may allow remote work but often require intensive collaboration.
Compare IT, which commonly emphasizes systems and support, with computer science, which usually has more programming and theory. Ask programs about hands-on labs, live sessions, and career preparation. Then check actual entry-level postings for location and experience requirements.
There is no reliable single price for a major. Total cost depends on the school, residency status, credits required, transfer evaluation, fees, books, technology, and any travel or placement costs. Compare the cost of completing the credential—not just tuition per credit. Clinical, laboratory, and student-teaching requirements can also affect how much paid work you can maintain.
Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for federal grants, loans, and work-study; ask schools about institutional grants and aid for part-time enrollment. Pell Grants generally support eligible undergraduates, not most master's students. If you have qualifying military benefits, comparisons of military friendly online colleges may help you identify schools to investigate, but confirm your own benefit eligibility and the program's approved status.
How can single parents choose an accredited program that fits their schedule?
First, identify the occupation and credential you need. Then verify the school's institutional accreditation and, for regulated fields, any required program approval or programmatic accreditation. Accreditation alone does not establish that an online program meets the licensing rules of your state.
Before paying an enrollment deposit, get written answers to the questions most likely to change your plan:
- Which required courses have live meetings, in-person labs, or daytime placements, and can I enroll part-time?
- Which of my existing credits apply to this specific degree, and what requirements will remain?
- What is my estimated total cost after grants, including fees and placement-related expenses?
- If I need a license, does this program meet the education requirements in my intended state of practice?
A common mistake is choosing an inexpensive online program without checking placement hours or licensing eligibility. Another is assuming accepted transfer credits satisfy major requirements. Ask for a degree audit and a realistic term-by-term schedule before deciding.
Other Things You Should Know About
It is possible, especially with part-time study, but the right course load depends on childcare, work hours, and required in-person activities. Ask for a schedule showing when each required class is offered.
No. Online classes may still have live sessions and fixed deadlines, while clinicals, internships, and student teaching can require in-person attendance.
Choose the credential required for your target role. A master's usually requires a bachelor's degree and may add value for specialization or licensure, but it is not automatically the best or fastest starting point.
Yes. Many single parents use the federal Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program, which supports on-campus or near-campus child care at participating colleges. Students can also apply for FAFSA-based aid, state child care subsidies, and local workforce or social-service grants.
- Education pays: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm
- Fast Facts: Undergraduate graduation rates (40) | ed.gov https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp
- Understanding the Needs of Single Mothers Pursuing Higher Education | Counseling Center | University of Illinois Chicago https://counseling.uic.edu/news-stories/understanding-the-needs-of-single-mothers-pursuing-higher-education/
- 6 Healthcare Degrees that Don't Require Clinical Rotations | Herzing University https://www.herzing.edu/blog/healthcare-degrees-dont-require-clinical-rotations
- Tuition & cost of attendance | UC Admissions https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/tuition-financial-aid/tuition-cost-of-attendance/
- How Internships, Practicums, and Clinicals Actually Work | Florida National University (FNU) https://www.fnu.edu/internships-practicums-clinicals-explained/
- The Labor Market for Recent College Graduates | newyorkfed.org https://www.newyorkfed.org/research/college-labor-market
- Career earnings by college major - The Hamilton Project https://www.hamiltonproject.org/data/career-earnings-by-college-major/
