Guide to Online Degrees

• Online degrees provide a flexible way for working adults to study and get their degree.
  
• Schools now offer online degrees at the associate, bachelor, masters and PhD levels.
  
• When deciding on an online college or university, some important considerations include the time it will take to finish your degree, cost and if they offer career services.

In today’s competitive job market, education plays a crucial role in career advancement. High-quality, affordable education is the key to unlocking new opportunities and achieving success. However, the rising cost of traditional education can be a barrier for many aspiring professionals. That’s where affordable online colleges come in.

Top Affordable Online Colleges

Table of Contents

1. Role of Online Colleges in Providing Accessible Education
2. What Are the Essential Factors to Consider When Looking at Online Colleges?
3. Colleges vs Universities – What’s the Difference?
4. What type of Online Degrees Do Schools Offer?
5. Online Associate’s Degree Program
6. Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs
7. Online Bachelor Completion Programs
8. What Schools Offer Online Bachelor Completion Degree Programs
9. Online Master’s Degree Programs
10. Are Online Degrees Offered as Synchronous or Asynchronous Learning Paths?
11. Are There Support Services for Students Enrolled in Online Degrees?
12. For-Profit vs Non-Profit College? What’s the Difference?
13. Is It a Public or Private Institution?
14. What Is Regional Accreditation vs. National Accreditation?

Role of Online Colleges in Providing Accessible Education

Online colleges offer the flexibility and convenience that many adult learners and non-traditional students need to balance work, family, and education. These institutions provide accessible and affordable options for those looking to advance their careers without breaking the bank. By offering a wide range of accredited programs, online colleges help learners achieve their goals and unlock new opportunities.

Deciding on a college or university can be stressful. The options seem endless, and there’s so much to consider. You want to find a place that’s a good fit for you, academically, geographically, and financially.  Then there are the many online degrees to choose from.

Deciding on an online degree — where you can study anywhere you want from wherever you want — offers even MORE options than the traditional college and university search. However, more choices can mean more stress in making your final decision. 

But don’t fret! We’ve listed the most important things to consider when researching online degrees. We also go over the basics including what it is, if they’re worth it, and how much you can expect to pay for an online degree.

What are Online Degrees?

Online degrees are a great way to pursue a college education without having to commute to school every day. Online degrees are also a good option for those who have been out of school for some time and would like to get back into the college environment without having to start from scratch.

The best part about an online degree is that you can do it at your own pace, which means you can work on it during your spare time or whenever you have free time. You can also work on an online degree through night classes or evening study sessions, which means you don’t have to worry about missing out on any work responsibilities or social activities because of your studies.

*Pro-tip: If you want to improve your grades, follow our college study tips that can help you achieve optimal performance.

Should You Get an Online Degree?

Students who want to get their degree online have many options. They can choose from a wide range of online colleges and universities that offer their degrees online in different subjects. Online education has become an increasingly popular option for students as it is the most flexible and the most affordable way to earn a degree.

Choosing to pursue an online degree program is a personal choice and is usually driven by professional and personal commitments. The main advantages of online degrees are that they are convenient and flexible. You can study at any time, from anywhere with an internet connection. This means that you can continue to work while studying or fit your studies around your family commitments. If those reasons are appealing to you, then online learning might be right for you.

The most notable disadvantage to getting an online degree is that it doesn’t provide the same level of networking opportunities as on-campus degrees and it can be difficult to make connections with other students or professors without leaving home.

How Much Does it Cost to Get an Online Degree?

The cost of an online degree can vary depending on the type of degree you are pursuing. The most expensive online degrees are typically in the fields of nursing, medical, and law. These degrees require a lot more time in school and often include clinical rotations or internships. Additionally, the higher the degree level, the more it will cost your on a per-credit basis. Online master degrees and doctorate degrees will cost more than an online undergraduate degree.

The cost associated with obtaining an online degree is not only tuition fees but also includes living expenses, technology fees, books, and other supplies that are needed to complete the degree requirements.

Factors to Consider When Searching for Affordable Online Colleges

Accreditation

Accreditation is vital. It ensures that a college meets specific quality standards and is recognized by employers, other institutions, and professional organizations. Before enrolling in an online college, verify its accreditation status. Regional accreditation is the most prestigious and widely recognized form of accreditation. National accreditation is also valid but may have different requirements and standards.

Financial Aid Options

Don’t overlook financial aid. Many online colleges offer various financial assistance options, including grants, scholarships, and loans. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility for federal aid. Also, explore institution-specific financial aid programs. Every dollar counts!

Transferability of Credits

Transferability matters. If you’ve previously attended college or plan to switch institutions, confirm that your credits will transfer. Losing credits means losing time and money. Research each college’s transfer credit policies and speak with an academic advisor to ensure a seamless transfer process.

Quality of Education and Resources

Affordability is essential, but so is quality. Investigate the curriculum, faculty credentials, and student outcomes at each college. Look for colleges with strong support services, such as academic advising, tutoring, and career counseling. These resources can make all the difference in your educational experience and future success.

Questions To Consider In Your Search for Online Degrees

Here are seven questions we’ve come up with to help you in your search for the best online degree program and school.

1. What Are the Essential Factors to Consider When Looking at Online Colleges?

When you first start your search, you have a seemingly endless selection of schools. Here are some factors to help you start narrowing down your list.

Programs and Majors

First things first, you want to be sure the schools you’re looking at have your desired program or major. 

If you’re not sold on one major yet, check out the offerings of online colleges or colleges that offer online coursework. See if they have everything you’re considering. 

Also, ask about their policies for enrolling undecided or changing majors later in the program.

School and Program Rankings

It’s not a make-or-break, but it can also be worth looking into a school’s rankings. 

Name recognition and alumni connections go a long way, but most importantly, you want to be sure the department you’re interested in has a good reputation. Enrolling in a university with a highly-ranked business school won’t be that helpful to you if you’re studying biology!

Just keep in mind that there are many pros and cons to these kinds of rankings, and take them with a grain of salt. A school that’s famous for its theater program might have excellent instructors and look great on future resumes. Still, you might not get the same kind of one-on-one attention and opportunities you’d get somewhere with a smaller online degree program that’s a little more under the radar.

2. Colleges vs Universities – What’s the Difference?

Colleges and universities are both forms of higher education that come after you graduate from high school. But have you ever wondered why some schools are referred to as colleges while others are universities? When referring to higher education institutions, we often use college and university interchangeably. It can be easy to think they are the same. When you go to school, you are often referred to as a college student, not a university student. If you’re talking about schools in general, it’s okay to use either term. When you’re referring to a specific school or schools, you should use the right term. For example, you shouldn’t refer to Princeton as Princeton College. That’s because Princeton is a university. Likewise, you shouldn’t refer to Dartmouth as Dartmouth University. That’s because Dartmouth is a college.

The term university can be used in a number of ways. In its original sense, it’s an institution of higher education and research that grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. The term can also refer to a degree-granting institution that is not an institute or a college.

A university is an organization that provides both undergraduate and postgraduate education, usually to a large number of students, typically on one campus. It’s often distinguished from other types of schools such as colleges or academies, which typically only offer undergraduate degrees and whose focus is on teaching undergraduate students.

Colleges, on the other hand, are typically smaller in size and offer two-year and four-year degrees. They can include community colleges as well as vocational schools. Colleges tend to focus on a specialized area or they may offer general degrees such as a liberal arts degree. For example, some universities have smaller colleges as part of their academic system such as a College of Arts & Sciences.

3. What type of Online Degrees Do Schools Offer?

Above all else, however, when it comes to getting an online degree, make sure your specific program is available! The school you like might offer a degree in mechanical engineering and they might offer online courses. Be sure, however, that the degree you want is something you can complete online! 

Be aware that some courses labeled “online” may be part of a hybrid program and might require some in-person coursework.  Consider whether you’re able and willing to travel to campus for that before you put down your deposit with that school. 

Online Associate’s Degree Program

An associate’s degree is an entry-level college degree for many professions. An associate degree can be earned in 2 years or less. The coursework of an associate’s degree program is designed to provide a general education, which includes courses in English, mathematics, science, social sciences, humanities, and arts. An associate’s degree can be an excellent stepping stone to a bachelor’s degree or it can be the end goal if you are already certain about your career path.

Completing your associate degree online means that you will complete around 60 credit hours of study. These online degree programs are offered at community colleges, four-year private colleges, and four-year public colleges. Some of the most popular online associate degrees include:

• Accounting
• Criminal Justice
• Cybersecurity
• Medical Billing and Coding
• Business Administration
• Nursing
• Construction Technology
• Medical Assisting
• Health Care Management
• Computer Science
• Early Childhood Education
• Paralegal Studies
• Veterinary Technician
• Finance

Associate in Arts vs Associate in Science Degree

An associate of arts degree is a two-year degree program that is usually offered by liberal arts colleges and programs. Most programs with an AA option include programs in liberal arts, fine arts and humanities.

An associate of science degree is a type of degree that is awarded to students who have also completed two years of study. The coursework for an AS degree typically includes general education courses. The degree options that are available are typically offered in fields such as natural and physical sciences, nursing, engineering, criminal justice, accounting and business management.

Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs

A bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate degree that typically takes four years to complete. It’s the most common type of degree and it is required for many entry-level jobs. They are typically classified as degrees in the arts, humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and mathematics. Online bachelor’s degrees usually consist of a minimum of 120 credits. You can earn a bachelor’s degree completely online at a four-year private or public college. Colleges offer online bachelor’s degrees in pretty much every subject area that’s offered at your traditional college. Some of the most popular online bachelor programs include the following:

• Anthropology and Sociology
• Accounting
• Arts & Design
• Business Admin
• Computer Science
• Communication
• Criminal Justice
• Cybersecurity
• General Studies
• Graphic Design
• English Studies and Journalism
• Health Sciences
• Human Services
• Information Technology
• Nursing (BSN)
• Game Development
• Public Health
• History and Political Science

Bachelor of Arts vs Bachelor of Science Degrees

A Bachelor of Arts degree is a four-year program that provides students with a broad liberal arts education. Students take courses in the humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and mathematics. A bachelor’s degree can be used to study almost any subject area in the humanities, social sciences, and fine arts. Compared to a BA degree, the bachelor of science degree is a four-year degree program in subjects more oriented towards STEM subjects such as mathematics and the sciences. Some colleges offer a bachelor of science degree in areas with the social sciences if the degree program is data intensive.

Online Bachelor Completion Programs

A bachelor’s completion program or online degree completion program is geared toward those who have some college background. Sometimes life gets in the way and you need to hit the pause button on your education. The online degree completion program is intended for those who meet one of the following criteria:

• Completed general education requirements
• Received an associate’s degree
• Completed at least 60 credits
• Have some transferable college credits

When applying to an online degree completion program, you will want to make sure that your credits transfer to the school.

The most important advantage of an online degree completion program is that they are usually less expensive than if you were to enroll in a 4-year degree program. Not all schools offer this type of program though.

What Schools Offer Online Bachelor Completion Degree Programs

The following online colleges and universities offer bachelor’s completion programs:

James Madison University

James Madison University, JMU, offers an online bachelor’s completion program. In order to qualify for admission, you’ll need a minimum of 30 college credits and a 2.0 GPA. They also have a minimum age requirement of 22. JMU has 5 start dates per year so be sure to check their admission deadline to make sure you get your application in on time.

Widener University

Widener University offers online degree completion programs at the associate, bachelor, and master’s levels. You’re able to transfer up to 90 credits and classes are offered 100% online for your convenience. You can finish your online degree in Allied Health, Psychology, Organizational Development and Leadership and Liberal Studies.

Thomas Edison State University

Thomas Edison State University, TESU, offers online degree completion programs in over 100+ academic subjects. This is by far the best option in terms of academic offering and credits you’re allowed to transfer into their online degree completion program – they allow up to 120 transferrable credits. TESU also accepts credits you’ve earned from exams such as CLEP.

Online Master’s Degree Programs

Online master’s degrees are offered at four-year private or public institutions. The course length or the number of credits required will vary by program and school. Popular online master’s programs that are offered at accredited universities include the following programs:

• MBA
• Education
• Christian Counseling
• Counseling
• Cybersecurity
• Health Sciences
• Data Analytics
• Data Science
• Nursing
• Social Work
• Psychology
• Public Administration

4. Are Online Degrees Offered as Synchronous or Asynchronous Learning Paths?

Online colleges and universities offer two standard models for teaching classes: synchronous and asynchronous. 

Synchronous courses more closely resemble the traditional in-person college experience. You’ll typically “attend” a live class taught by an instructor in real-time via live stream or video conference. You can ask questions in real-time and may even participate in group discussions with other students via chat or video.

Asynchronous courses are more self-guided. You don’t have a set time to log on and can access pre-recorded lectures and other course materials online at your own pace. Depending on the type of course, you will likely have a week to log on and view each class’s materials, plus respond to any discussion boards or online collaboration tools. You can do this at any time throughout the week, and you can go back and review materials as often as you’d like.

Synchronous courses often create a more collaborative, community-based learning environment closer to in-person learning than asynchronous teaching. That said, the pressure of responding at the moment (and, often, the need to type fast!) can be overwhelming for students who prefer to have more time to gather their thoughts. 

Asynchronous teaching is often better for part-time learners or students with challenging schedules and commitments. However, you may have less opportunity to engage with and learn from your instructor and other students. Some students also find the relative lack of structure overwhelming, as you are more responsible for managing your own time and assignments. 

One isn’t necessarily “better” than the other, so think about what will be the best fit for your and your learning style! 

5. Are There Support Services for Students Enrolled in Online Degrees?

Most online colleges and universities offer support services for admissions, requirements, costs, and financial aid, just as they do for in-person prospective students. This support can include dedicated admissions specialists for online learners, online information sessions, and even online orientations. 

You should be able to contact your admissions and financial aid specialists via phone, email, or web chat. Most online degrees also offer online resources for scholarship and aid information. Be sure to ask about these early on in your search.

Just because you’re learning online doesn’t mean you’re not entitled to all the academic support a university has to offer. If you’re doing a full degree online, you should also get an academic advisor and access to virtual office hours, tutoring, and online writing centers. 

Technical support is essential for any college student today but is especially important for online learners. Be sure to ask what tech services your college offers and make sure it jives with your level of tech-savvy.  If any of this isn’t available to you as an online student, it should be a red flag!

6. For-Profit vs Non-Profit College? What’s the Difference?

This one sounds pretty straightforward: for-profit colleges look to maximize their earnings and pass them along to shareholders. Non-profit colleges prioritize education and, while they, of course, want to ensure their operating costs don’t exceed their revenues, focus less on money and profits.  There are, however, some things to consider in a for-profit college and university when determining if you have a preference between the two choices.

Many for-profit schools operate entirely online, so you’re sure to encounter them if you’re searching for online degrees. Since these colleges are profit-focused, they sometimes invest more in recruitment to boost their enrollments and fill seats.  In the past, for-profit schools may have received bad press or been seen as investing more in advertising and marketing rather than investing in quality instructors.  That is not the case today.  For-profit schools provide quality instruction and employ qualified, reputable and knowledgeable professors. 

The benefit, of course, to these for-profit colleges is that they are almost exclusively online, so anyone can enroll from anywhere in the world. They also typically have less stringent admissions requirements, as compared to non-profit colleges. They are more accessible to people who might have trouble getting into a more traditional university.  In some cases, they are also more affordable.

7. Is It a Public or Private Institution?

To put it simply, public institutions receive funding from the government. Private colleges and universities rely on student tuition and endowments made up of charitable donations, often from wealthy alumni. 

Price-wise, a private institution almost always has a higher sticker price than their public counterparts, but not all private and public institutions are comparable. The cost of public college online degree varies widely by state. In Vermont, for example, tuition for public college was about $13,000 a year in 2020 — and that’s if you live in-state. If you’re from Maine and want to attend a public college in Vermont, it will be $28,000 in tuition alone. In California, by contrast, a year’s tuition is just over $3,000 for in-state students and about $12,000 for out-of-state.

But if you’re on a budget, it doesn’t necessarily mean all private schools are out of reach. Some private universities offer merit scholarships and financial aid for their online degrees. It means you might be able to secure a spot at a private university for the same or even less than the cost of a public one. 

Check out the common data set for data on how much merit and need-based financial aid your top schools get and crunch some numbers even before you apply.  

8. What Is Regional Accreditation vs. National Accreditation?

It might seem counter-intuitive, but regional accreditation is what you want to be on the lookout for when it comes to online colleges and universities. Six regional accrediting agencies in the United States oversee institutions in each of their geographic regions. By contrast, national accrediting agencies handle institutions nationwide based on career focus or curriculum. 

Regional accrediting agencies review most public and private non-profit colleges and are the more prestigious accreditation. Meanwhile, national accrediting agencies review mostly for-profit colleges and vocational schools and programs. 

Nationally accredited universities typically accept credits from other nationally accredited schools and regionally accredited schools, making them relatively easy for transferring between online degree programs. Regionally accredited schools, however, usually do not accept credits from nationally accredited schools. It means you might have to start your coursework all over again if you decide to transfer from a nationally accredited college to a regionally accredited one.  

You should also be aware that nationally accredited online degree programs are not always eligible for corporate tuition reimbursement. If that’s on your radar, a regionally accredited school is a much safer bet. 

Conclusion

It can seem impossible to make the right decision about your online degree program with so much to consider. But the good news is that lots of options mean lots of opportunities to find something great.  And while online degrees are just one of the education pathways to getting into a career you want, it might just be the most important one.

Search our list below of accredited online colleges and universities that offer low tuition and have a great reputation in the higher education industry.

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Top Affordable Online Colleges and Universities

Frequently Asked Questions