It’s easier than ever to enroll in grad school, thanks to the rise of online degree programs. Applications to graduate schools significantly increased between 2011 and 2021, according to the Council of Graduate Schools, and 40% of graduate students are enrolled exclusively in distance education courses, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports. Many colleges offer the same degrees both online and in person. As a distance learner, you can learn from experienced faculty and attend virtual classes with peers. And when you graduate from an online program, your diploma won’t say “online.”