Online Colleges and Degrees
Let us help you get matched for FREE to Accredited Online Colleges!
The emergence of accredited online colleges has revolutionized not only how students learn, but also when and where they learn. For busy individuals who aspire to earn a degree, we offer a free online college finder service that matches you with suitable programs based on your interests. Online degrees can be a perfect solution for those who have a specific career goal in mind and need to balance school, work, and family. Many online students work full time and have unique needs that traditional students may not face. Consider the following benefits of pursuing an online college education to help you achieve your academic and professional goals.
5 ONLINE COLLEGE BENEFITS
Online colleges may offer several benefits for both undergrad and grad students.
- 1 Cost of Online Colleges
- 2 Online Classes Are Flexible
- 3 Access to Online Colleges
- 4 Rolling and Open Admissions
- 5 Resources
1. COST OF ONLINE COLLEGES
Attending college online can be more cost-effective than traditional methods. Choosing a school with low tuition rates can provide excellent value for your investment. Although tuition and fees vary between schools, there are some common cost-saving advantages to online learning. For instance, you can save money on travel expenses and study materials since many online colleges utilize digital tools, such as ebooks. Furthermore, some schools offer students a loaner laptop or tablet for the program
Cheapest Online Colleges and Universities
The NCES tells us that the following list of online colleges offer the cheapest tuition.
| BACHELORS TUITION | # of Students | |
| Taft University | $3,292 | 751 |
| Aspen University | $4,230 | 4,973 |
| Shiloh University | $4,510 | 53 |
| Columbia Southern University | $5,415 | 20,818 |
| City Vision University | $5,600 | 113 |
| Western Governors University | $5,780 | 98,627 |
| Huntington College of Health Sciences | $6,155 | 166 |
| Midwives College of Utah | $6,400 | 247 |
| Grantham University | $6,540 | 9,303 |
| American Public University System | $6,880 | 46,420 |
2. ONLINE COLLEGES ARE FLEXIBLE
Online colleges offer students a flexible learning schedule that allows them to complete coursework on their own time. Unlike traditional on-campus classes, online programs allow students to choose when they want to study.
There are two types of online learning formats:
- Synchronous learning involves real-time participation in discussions, group projects, and lectures with a teacher present.
- Asynchronous learning is self-paced and can be accessed at any time on an online learning platform. Course materials, including readings and assignments, are available whenever students are ready to complete them.
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Learning
| REAL TIME | SELF PACED | |
|---|---|---|
| When do classes take place? | At a set time | Whenever you want |
| Tools & methods used |
|
|
| May suit a student who has these traits |
|
|
If you play to your strengths, you may complete your degree on time. An adviser from the online school you want to attend may be able to help you with this choice.
3. ACCESS TO ONLINE COLLEGES
Enrolling in an online college can save you time and allow you to balance your education with work and family duties. Many online students choose to study for career reasons, and most of them live within 100 miles of a campus where they are enrolled.
There are many online programs available in various fields, but the top 5 are Business, Information Science, Social/Behavioral Sciences, Health, and Education. If you're not sure what to study, you could enroll in a general Liberal Arts program.
- Business
- Information Science
- Social / Behavioral Sciences
- Health
- Education
According to the NCES, 5.2% of online undergrad students have not declared a major! So, if you’re not sure what to study, you could choose to enroll in a general Liberal Arts program.
4. ROLLING AND OPEN ADMISSIONS
At an online school with rolling admissions, you can start your classes any month, not just in the fall or spring. This can be helpful if your schedule doesn't work with a regular school year.
Open admissions is when a school accepts all students and doesn't require things like test scores or recommendation letters as part of the application process. So, you can apply to these schools without worrying about meeting specific requirements.
4. RESOURCES
Online students have access to many of the same resources as campus students, even if they don't attend a physical school building. Accredited online colleges usually offer support services to their students. It's important to research these resources beforehand to know what they are and how to use them. Here are some resources to look for:
- Orientation for online student
- Web-based learning systems (e.g. Blackboard)
- Technical support for online students
- Interlibrary loan system
- Online libraries and digital textbooks
- Online student advising
- Tutoring services
4. ROLLING AND OPEN ADMISSIONS
At an online school with rolling admissions, you can start your classes any month, not just in the fall or spring. This can be helpful if your schedule doesn't work with a regular school year.
Open admissions is when a school accepts all students and doesn't require things like test scores or recommendation letters as part of the application process. So, you can apply to these schools without worrying about meeting specific requirements.
4. RESOURCES
Online students have access to many of the same resources as campus students, even if they don't attend a physical school building. Accredited online colleges usually offer support services to their students. It's important to research these resources beforehand to know what they are and how to use them. Here are some resources to look for:
- Orientation for online student
- Web-based learning systems (e.g. Blackboard)
- Technical support for online students
- Interlibrary loan system
- Online libraries and digital textbooks
- Online student advising
- Tutoring services
ARE ONLINE COLLEGES RESPECTED?
Yes, online colleges are respected nowadays, but it’s important to be aware of diploma mills that don’t care about student outcomes. That’s why it’s crucial to choose a reputable online college based on factors such as accreditation support
services offered, and retention and graduation rates. Talking to people from each school and learning about the careers of recent graduates can also help you make an informed decision.
It’s worth noting that many online students are satisfied with their investment of time and money, with around 60% of undergrad students and 70% of grad students reporting complete satisfaction. Additionally, almost 90% of online students report that online study is equal to or better than classroom study.
Reputable & Accreditation
When considering an online college, it is essential to assess its reputation. One way to do this is by examining the school’s accreditation. The most reputable online colleges are accredited by external organizations that ensure the institution meets the established standards of education. It is crucial to pay attention to the type of accreditation the school holds. There are two types: regional and national. Keep in mind that if you choose a regionally accredited online college, they may not accept transfer credits from nationally accredited schools. The chart below provides a breakdown of the accreditations you should consider when deciding which school to attend.
Regional vs National College Accreditation
| REGIONAL | NATIONAL | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Academics | Typically offers vocational, career or technical programs |
| Who Belongs? | Both nonprofit and for profit colleges hold regional accreditation | Typically for profit schools |
| Recognized by the Department of Ed? | Yes | Yes |
| Recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)? | Yes | Yes |
| Agencies |
|
|
What is Program Accreditation?
Program accreditation, much like regional accreditation, is conferred by an external organization. However, program accreditation focuses on setting academic standards for specific professions, such as nursing, accounting, and psychology. While program accreditation is not a substitute for regional or national accreditation, it serves as an additional evaluation. Main accreditation assesses the overall institution, whereas professional accreditation evaluates a particular program within the institution.
DO ONLINE COLLEGES ACCEPT ANYONE?
It’s true that some online colleges have open admissions policies, meaning they accept anyone who applies. Additionally, there are several online colleges with high acceptance rates. However, it’s crucial to understand that each online college has its own set of admission standards.
It’s worth noting that a high acceptance rate doesn’t necessarily indicate a high-quality institution. Since online classes don’t require a physical classroom, some schools may be able to admit an unlimited number of students.
Consequently, it’s important to conduct thorough research on an online college’s admission process. While some schools may require SAT or ACT scores, letters of recommendation, or specific GPAs, others may waive certain requirements. Therefore, if you’re interested in pursuing an online degree, it’s important to find a program that aligns with your specific needs and goals.