This system provides students the opportunity to build a large network of colleagues and contacts. Drexel also offers various study abroad opportunities that are available to online students. Arizona State online university offers six different start dates for online students making it convenient for students to start when they are most available. Most classes have specific deadlines for assignments, and some require students to log in at designated times of the day or week.
Online students are given the same opportunities that on-campus students have with access to enrollment counselors and academic advisors.
The University of Minnesota offers 17 different online undergraduate programs including Accounting, Management, and Communications. These degrees can be completed entirely online, but the school also offers several hybrid programs where students can complete their education partially online and partially on-campus.
Online students have access to academic advisors and several other resources offered through the Digital Campus online system. CMU is all about research for the future; from discovering new ways to treat diseases, to advanced ways to improve teaching and learning, and more! Central Michigan University has 20, students enrolled on campus and 7, online students. Since students have had the opportunity to take part in the Penn State environment without having to travel to campus.
As a pioneer to eLearning, Penn State has evolved to include many enhanced learning experiences to help improve the way students learn. Washington State offers nine different undergraduate programs including Accounting, Psychology, Management, and Social Sciences. With degree programs in Alternative Medicine, Construction Management, Aviation Management and more, you can choose an online degree program that is best for you at Everglades University. All online courses are prepared by staff that creates an interesting, interactive learning environment that can be accessed anywhere through the world wide web.
Both on campus and online courses are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, which means students will be taught with their success in mind.
ULM offers over 30 degree programs, resources, and a caring community to help get you through your college degree. University of Louisiana at Monroe online is ranked 14 in the top 50 online schools in the country by GraduatePrograms.
Texas Tech uses Blackboard as the online management system to facilitate forums, file share, and curate live courses. RIT online is staffed with a diverse group of experienced faculty, prepared to ensure a high-quality learning experience for everyone taking classes online.
Whether you are completing a few courses, earning a certification, or doing a complete degree online, the RIT staff are ready to help you succeed. RIT online has been building programs based on real-time employer demand, and business needs for over 30 years. Discover programs available at RIT online today. Northeastern is a nationally ranked private research university that offers rigorous courses online to help you get ahead.
Northeastern provides over 60 degrees and programs completely online. Built in , Northeastern University became a global, experiential, research university with a drive to engage the world and have students do the same. The making of this list was based on undergraduate tuition costs per credit hour where possible and are listed from the least tuition per credit hour to the most.
Please visit our methodology page for more information. We are always looking to make our lists and rankings stronger, so we can provide our readers with the most accurate information. For more specific information on these programs, please visit the links provided in this article or feel free to contact us with any other concerns. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , the average American spends about People within 25 — 54 years of age spend about That comes to about 8 hours every day on average.
Now add to that the number of hours spent on traffic, social visits, other obligations, and for about 7. That is one of the main reasons why online colleges and universities have become so popular: they give the busy, working adult an avenue to join an online degree program and get their certification while still maintaining their jobs and hectic lifestyle.
Which, to millions of potential under and postgraduate students, is excellent news. Imagine being able to choose the kind of degree program you want to undertake and being able to take it at your own pace and in your own time until completion?! That is exactly what most online universities offer you. In contrast, others offer synchronous classes that require the students to attend live online lectures at specified times. Either way, you look at it, distance learners can attend these classes from wherever they are without going too much out of their way to do so.
In this guide, we will look at online universities and all that they bring to the table. We will also look at some of the best online degree courses, how to choose the best online university for your needs, and why accreditation is so important throughout this process. There is a reason why Ivy League schools are so in demand, so difficult to get into, and just as equally expensive — they are worth it.
You know that you are going to get a high-quality education when you join one. You know that you will interact with students and faculty from across the globe, all of which will open up your mind to previously unseen opportunities. The same applies to online colleges. If you choose the best ones, not only will you get a top-quality education, but you will be introduced to a network of students, albeit distance learners, faculty, and culture, that will expose you to new opportunities to not only progress your career but maybe also your social life.
Unfortunately, not all online programs or universities are created equal. They are there — it just takes a bit of researching and knowing what to look for when doing so. Just as you would take your time picking land-based colleges, researching them, maybe taking a campus tour, and meeting a few of the students before deciding to enroll, you should also take your time researching and choosing an online college.
Instead of campus tours, here are some factors that you should consider when choosing the best accredited online college for you:. Some of the best colleges and universities have earned their pedigree because they have been around for ages.
Part-time and full-time students may be eligible. Federal Work-Study jobs are often related to the student's field of study. On- and off-campus positions may be available through the program, depending on availability. Those who work on campus usually work for the school, while off-campus employees often work for nonprofit organizations or public agencies. According to a Society of Human Resource Management report, about half of private organizations offer tuition assistance to employees who wish to earn a postsecondary degree.
These plans are mutually beneficial. Employees who receive assistance can offset some of the out-of-pocket costs for their education, and employers strengthen their workforce with workers who have advanced training in their field. However, tuition reimbursement may not cover all of a student's expenses.
Additionally, the employee may be required to work for the organization for a certain length of time after earning their degree or certificate. A grant is a form of financial aid delivered to students in a lump sum.
For example, the federal government provides Pell Grants to low-income students, and many colleges and universities also offer similar grants. Fellowships are essentially a type of grant for students who conduct independent research. Scholarships are similar to grants, but these are normally available through private organizations. Additionally, while grants are typically need-based awards, scholarships may be awarded based on variables like academic merit, field of study, or demographic factors.
Some grants, fellowships, and scholarships impose restrictions on how the money may be spent. Recipients who do not follow these guidelines may need to pay back some or all of the award. Otherwise, these forms of financial aid — unlike loans — do not need to be repaid by online graduates. Learn more about scholarships and financial aid options for online college students. Once you've decided on the best online school for you, you'll need to take many of the same steps required to apply to an on-campus program.
Make note of important deadlines and submission dates before starting the process so you'll have time to prepare and collect the proper materials. Over schools accept the Common Application. Students who fill in some basic information and answer a few school-specific questions can apply to multiple schools or universities at a time. Check to see if the online school you're applying to accepts this type of application. If not, you can find the admissions application on your target school's official website.
Many applications require a long-form essay that addresses a general topic or creative prompt. Be sure to write multiple drafts of your essay to ensure it is free of grammatical errors, typos, and ambiguities. If the prompt is general, make sure to emphasize your academic, professional, and extracurricular experiences to demonstrate your value as a student.
You'll likely need to submit at least one letter of recommendation with your application packet, so try and come up with a few good references who you can ask. Teachers, school counselors, and employers are all good resources to reach out to.
Alternatively, graduate students may be asked to submit their undergraduate transcripts, as well as GMAT or GRE results, depending on their school and area of study. While online learning courses have their own unique expectations, they share many of the same components and objectives as traditional in-person learning courses.
Here's what you can expect from online college courses. Specific requirements vary by program, but most online students log into their school's learning management system LMS to participate in online class lectures.
Asynchronous learning programs allow students to view lecture recordings on their own time. Alternatively, synchronous programs may require students to watch live-streaming lectures. In some cases, synchronous courses feature video conferencing components that allow students to ask questions and interact with their professors and fellow students. Online coursework often features discussion boards where students can communicate through written posts.
Videoconferencing may also be available, and students may contact one another by phone, email, or social media to coordinate study sessions or work on group projects.
Additionally, students who live close to campus can coordinate in-person study groups with their classmates. Individual online classes frequently feature a discussion board where students can leave faculty questions. Many professors will also provide their personal contact information — including email, phone, and social media — to ensure their students can contact them if they have questions or concerns.
The assignments and homework requirements for online college courses usually mirror on-campus classes. Depending on the subject, these assignments may include group projects, presentations, and research papers. Many online classes also require students to participate in group discussions on LMS boards. The LMS will feature specific drop boxes for individual classes and assignments.
Synchronous courses often follow a tight schedule. In contrast, asynchronous courses may allow more flexibility for assignments, though most still have weekly deadlines. Online college courses may use online platforms, such as Pearson MyLab , which organize course content into quizzes, tutorials, and other interactive materials. Online coursework may include presentation assignments.
In most cases, group members communicate and work on their projects through discussion boards, email, or phone. The presentations are usually delivered remotely, using web conferencing tools like Blackboard Collaborate or Zoom. Videos may also be posted on websites like YouTube. Quizzes for most online college courses are completed using the LMS. Tests and exams in online classes may be proctored or monitored remotely.
Proctored exams usually require students to visit local testing centers, where onsite proctors monitor test-takers. For virtually monitored exams, the proctor may observe the student using a webcam. Some courses also use cheating detection software to monitor the student's web activity while taking the exam. Venable, Ph. Every year when we conduct our annual survey of online students , respondents say they wish they had compared more programs before enrolling.
Deciding between online programs can be challenging — especially since there are more choices now than ever before — but there are a few things you can do to find the best option for your needs. Beyond ensuring the online programs you're considering are accredited by a reputable organization and within your reach financially, the best place to start is with your own goals.
From career advancement to lifelong learning, students choose their online degree programs with a variety of objectives in mind. Take some time to identify why you want to pursue an online degree and the kinds of support you'll need to succeed.
Look for support services and resources that are important to you, such as tutoring, career counseling, internship coordination, social clubs, and health and wellness classes. Can't find what you're looking for while searching for online degree programs? Don't be afraid to reach out and ask a school directly! Some schools offer sample classes or course tours online to show you what the experience will be like once you become an online student.
Rankings compiled by the BestColleges Ranking Team. We review hundreds of online college programs each year to help students find the best online universities and colleges to meet their needs. Each ranked school is a fully accredited, nonprofit institution. Our methodology uses qualitative measures and data provided by the National Center for Education Statistics and proprietary school surveys. Read our ranking methodology. Use our ranked list of the best online colleges and universities to begin your search for a program that works with your budget, schedule, and learning style.
Each school profile includes information about available subjects and majors, as well as notable student outcomes. We hope our resource helps you find the school that is best for you.
An online bachelor's degree typically includes credits, which full-time students can complete in approximately four years. Program length can vary considerably, however, depending on the training schedules available.
For example, schools may offer part-time schedules to accommodate working professionals and accelerated options for learners interested in expediting graduation. Online colleges tend to offer more flexibility than traditional schools. Many online programs deliver courses asynchronously, which learners can complete during the most suitable hours for them. Since asynchronous programs do not rely on live instruction, students may be able to take heavier course loads and graduate more quickly.
Degree-seekers may shorten their study times in other ways, as well. Online schools may offer transfer credits for learners with previous undergraduate training, and some even provide credit for students with certain types of professional experience. There are several important factors to consider when selecting the specific program that will best meet your needs, such as the reputation of the school for teaching that subject, any options for adding a concentration or area of emphasis, and the degree to which you can customize your program through the choice of electives.
Another important factor is your return on investment , meaning the cost of the program as compared to your increased earning potential over the course of your career.
On OnlineU. As you conduct your school search, you might also want to investigate the school's virtual learning environment before making your final choice.
Some useful questions to ask are:. Are the courses entirely asynchronous , allowing you to complete work on your own time, or are elements of the courses synchronous , requiring you to be online with the instructor at specific days and times?
Does the school require you to come to campus for any live learning events, and will you have the time and resources to attend these sessions? Will you be able to meet the expected demands of the courses in addition to your other time commitments? Will you have access to financial aid and student support services if enrolled online?
Once you've settled on one or more programs, you're ready to apply. Prospective students use the same process to apply for online programs as they do for traditional programs, and they must meet the same admissions standards. To submit an application for an online degree program, start by visiting the school's website.
You may be directed to submit an online application directly to the school, or you may be asked to submit your application through one of the communal college application portals, such as the Common App. If you are applying to an associate or bachelor's degree program, you will probably also be asked for:. If you are a transfer student continuing with a bachelor's program or applying to an online master's or doctoral program, you will most likely be asked for additional materials, such as transcripts of your previous college coursework and a resume or curriculum vitae.
One of the most important factors in choosing an online degree program is ensuring it has been accredited by an approved, independent agency.
Accreditation means that the college or university has undergone a thorough evaluation. In this process, coursework, faculty, and student resources have been determined to meet high standards for quality and value. All of the schools listed on our website have been accredited. Visit our accreditation page to learn more about specific types of accreditation and how they impact transfer credits and financial assistance.
These are important considerations for online students when choosing a specific higher education program or school. The vast majority of online degrees are legitimate, coming from accredited colleges and universities. Accreditation is the most important indicator that a school—its programs, staff, facilities, and services—have been thoroughly reviewed and found to meet accepted standards of quality and academic rigor set by the U.
Department of Education. The best online college degrees will be regionally accredited, but there are also many reputable online programs available from nationally accredited schools. What all students should avoid is enrolling in a "diploma mill," meaning a business that is awarding degrees that are not legitimate and have no value.
Some diploma mills openly sell fictitious degrees, while others try to disguise themselves as legitimate educational institutions. When conducting a school search for online accredited programs, examine each school's website carefully. Some warning signs to look for are:. Yes, in today's educational landscape, many reputable colleges and universities are offering legitimate degrees through online-only master's programs. As long as your master's degree is from an accredited school, it has the potential to carry the same level of respect as a traditionally earned degree.
An online master's degree from an accredited institution shows that you have studied the same curricula, completed the same graduate-level coursework, and demonstrated your mastery of the course materials and skills through assessments and examinations. Historically, there have been two types of accreditation: regional and national.
While many schools are regionally accredited, some—often technical colleges, trade schools, and for-profit online universities—are nationally accredited. Regional accreditation is generally considered to be the more prestigious, indicating the highest academic standards. It is generally best to choose a school with regional accreditation if you are seeking an online degree in an academic subject, intend to apply for financial aid, plan to enter a field that requires licensure or a credential, or think you may want to pursue a higher level degree in the future.
On the other hand, if your goals involve attending an online career school or trade school, you may want to consider both regionally and nationally accredited schools. Students do not have to take any steps to get their online classes or online degrees accredited. If the school you attend is accredited, your classes and your degree will automatically be accredited. Accelerated programs usually feature up to 12 short four-, six-, or eight-week terms scheduled consecutively year-round, which allows you to complete all of your graduation requirements in about two years.
You'll find that there are accelerated programs available in many fields, including business, marketing, and health, so you can choose among many subjects to study.
Depending on your history, you may be able to earn a bachelor's degree in one year. There are several schools that offer accelerated, one-year degree programs online, but you will need to have some prior college, work, or military experience, and you may need to score well on placement exams to "test out" of some courses.
Using this same approach, there are also online master's, associate, and certificate programs that can be completed in one year. There are a number of master's, associate, and certificate programs that can be completed in six months through accelerated online programs. Even with transfer credits and "earned" credits for life experience, it will probably take at least one year to complete your bachelor's degree online.
Yes, you can easily get a four-year degree online. Many colleges and universities offer bachelor's degree programs through distance education in a wide range of subjects, including sociology, project management, early childhood education, and more. The degrees are the equal of traditional, on-campus degrees, and they typically do not state that they were earned online.
At each college degree level—associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral—there are programs available at a wide range of prices. The most expensive component of any online college degree is tuition. One way to compare tuition across schools is to multiply each school's per-credit tuition rate by the number of credits you'll need to earn to graduate. When checking school websites for these data points, be sure to locate the correct tuition rate for the level of degree you're pursuing.
Some schools charge different rates for on-campus and online students or different rates for in-state and out-of-state residents. Notably, however, many online schools charge out-of-state students the same rate as in-state students, which can cut down the cost when compared to on-campus programs. However, all prospective students need to factor in a number of other expenses when calculating the potential cost of an online degree.
Some items to consider include books and supplies, annual and one-time-only fees charged by the school, interest on student loans, childcare costs, and transportation costs related to on-site learning activities.
The cost of an online four-year degree can vary dramatically, mainly due to the wide range of tuition rates among the schools offering bachelor's degrees. Although there are a few online school programs that tout tuition-free degrees, these programs are not really free, as they charge enrollment and testing fees that, when added up, can be comparable to the tuition at some online schools.
However, many states, community colleges, and four-year universities offer "last-dollar" scholarships for students whose federal and state aid don't cover the full cost of tuition.
At most schools, online students are eligible for financial aid packages, just like their on-campus counterparts. The most desirable forms of financial aid are grants, scholarships, fellowships, and work-study programs, generally provided by the federal or state government or by the schools themselves.
Aid from these sources does not have to be paid back. Some students may also be eligible for other types of financial assistance. For instance, active duty military and veterans, along with their dependents, are often entitled to tuition discounts. Some schools also have partnerships with organizations, and members or employees of these organizations may gain access to tuition assistance.
Federal and private loans are another useful option, although students will need to pay back the loans with interest. For the vast majority of financial aid programs, the application process begins by filling out the FAFSA form.
Perhaps the one circumstance in which online students will face a different financial situation than traditional students is at the doctoral level.
Many on-campus Ph. Essentially, they receive a tuition free education and possibly even a stipend in exchange for teaching and contributing to research projects at the university's research facilities. Because these fully funded programs require the recipients to be on campus to perform the work, online Ph.
We've put together a Guide to Financial Aid for Online Students , where you can find detailed information on the various types of aid available, the application process, tax implications, and additional resources. There are relatively few subjects that aren't covered in online school programs — these include graduate-level study in law or medicine — allowing students to prepare for most occupations through these programs. People who have earned their degrees online are often equally eligible for jobs requiring a college education as those who've attended college in person.
We recently analyzed employment outcomes for alumni of popular online schools , and we found several interesting conclusions:. The BLS has identified quite a few occupations that are expected to grow substantially over the next decade, and many of these require degrees that can be obtained online.
For example, some high-growth occupations that require a bachelor's degree include health services manager, information security analyst, mental health counselor, data scientist, and operations research analyst. Some in-demand occupations also require a master's degree, such as statistician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, and speech language pathologist. Most occupations that require only a two-year degree fall into the fields of computer technology, engineering, office support, education, health care, transportation, and law.
Some specific occupations you can prepare for with an online associate degree or certificate program include computer support specialist, electrical engineering technician, bookkeeping clerk, and medical assistant, among others.
High paying occupations can be found in many different fields with varying educational requirements, creating numerous opportunities for prospective college students to choose career paths that will be both rewarding and lucrative.
The following is just a sampling of online degree programs to consider, with salary data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Payscale. Getting an online degree can definitely be worth it depending on your personal circumstances. The following are some factors to consider when deciding whether this is the right path for you.
OnlineU has over partner colleges that advertise on our site. Search results include only our partner colleges, which are marked with the word "Ad. Popular Online Programs Business. Social Work. Community Colleges. Public Colleges. Private Colleges. Private colleges can be further categorized: Non-Profit: As non-profit organizations, non-profit private schools are required to reinvest any profits back into the school.
Funds are often used to enhance facilities, hire additional instructors and staff, and expand the number of programs offered by the school. For-Profit: For-profit private colleges operate like any other for-profit businesses, with profits going back to investors. There are many types of for-profit universities, career colleges, and technical schools, and many of them exclusively offer online programs. What is the Easiest Degree to Get Online?
What is a Good Degree to Get Online? Associate Degree 1, Bachelor's Degree 8, Master's Degree 16, Doctoral Degree 2, Certificates 8, Criminal Justice. Liberal Studies. Healthcare Administration. Computer Science. Information Technology. Public Health. Are Online Degrees Legitimate? Are Online Master's Degrees Legitimate?
What is the Fastest Online Bachelor's Degree? Are There Free Online Colleges? Master in Education - Educational Leadership. Potential Benefits Online classes work around your lifestyle and provide more options. Having the ability to attend classes on your own schedule is ideal if you work full time, have family obligations, or time constraints that make it challenging to attend traditional classes.
With a wider selection of programs, you're more likely to find the best program to fit your career goals and budget without having to move to a different location. An online bachelor's degree could significantly increase your lifetime earning potential. Online degrees are becoming widely accepted in the workplace, which means that getting a college education online will likely lead to the benefits of earning a degree in general, including access to higher-level, better-paying jobs.
This average salary is based on earnings from 48, bachelor's graduates at colleges. Aerospace Engineering. This average salary is based on earnings from 3, bachelor's graduates at 60 colleges. This average salary is based on earnings from 6, bachelor's graduates at colleges. This average salary is based on earnings from 7, bachelor's graduates at colleges.
This average salary is based on earnings from 9, graduates of all degree levels at colleges. This average salary is based on earnings from 3, bachelor's graduates at 96 colleges. Art History. This average salary is based on earnings from 24, bachelor's graduates at colleges. This average salary is based on earnings from 3, bachelor's graduates at 56 colleges. This average salary is based on earnings from 71, bachelor's graduates at colleges.
This average salary is based on earnings from , bachelor's graduates at 1, colleges. This average salary is based on earnings from certificate graduates at 6 colleges. Chemical Engineering. This average salary is based on earnings from 9, bachelor's graduates at colleges. Child Development. This average salary is based on earnings from 13, bachelor's graduates at colleges.
Christian Counseling. This average salary is based on earnings from 1, graduates of all degree levels at 61 colleges. Civil Engineering. This average salary is based on earnings from 73, bachelor's graduates at colleges. Computer Engineering. This average salary is based on earnings from 50, bachelor's graduates at colleges.
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