Top Schools With Online Degree Programs
- University of Phoenix Click for Recommended Degree Program
- Kaplan University Online Click for Recommended Degree Program
- AIU Online Click for Recommended Degree Program
Cost of Online Degree Programs
An online degree has become a preferred choice for many individuals seeking to start a new career, enhance their current career, or continue pursuing a previous degree. There are almost as many schools to chose from as there are courses available, and new opportunities are opening up every day. Understanding what obtaining an online degree requires, and the cost of online degree programs, is the most important place to start, regardless of what a person’s individual goals may be or what their educational background is.
Prospective students seeking an online degree can also expect a challenging curriculum with the same standards as those students in the classroom and many times participate live via video or audio links, so familiarity with modern technology and computers is critical. Students have the luxury, in most cases, to dictate their own schedules, typically with an hourly quota calculated each week or month. This type of learning strategy requires strong self-discipline and self-motivational skills and is not for everyone.
Pursuing an online degree has several meanings and options as a direct result of the Internet, and not all of them are trustworthy. Be wary of schools that claim the cost of online degree programs is ridiculously low, as many graduates of these so called ‘diploma mills’ find that their degrees are all but useless. An online education from an accredited and recognized school can be somewhat cheaper than a traditional education, but the real savings are in the schedule flexibility and lack of commute; the cost of online degree programs that are useful in the real world tend to be comparable in cost to the same as a degree in a traditional school would, at least in terms of tuition costs.
What online degrees are offered?
The types of online degrees offered now number in the thousands, and the future possibilities are only limited by technology and imagination. There are two, three, and four-year degree programs in several different fields of study including science and technology, business, education, and marketing, as well as masters and doctorate programs.
The cost of online degree programs can often be lower, even if pursuing graduate studies in scientific fields, and students are provided with all the lab materials, tools, or equipment needed within reasonable circumstances. Many advanced scientific and technological degrees require hands-on lab time that would limit many options with unrealistically high-priced online degree programs, these courses have physical laboratories and classrooms for these instances.
What is the cost of an online degree compared to a traditional degree?
Surprisingly, the cost of a quality online degree is just about the same, in most cases, as the cost of a traditional degree obtained in a physical classroom. There is much truth in the adage ‘you get what you pay for’, particularly with low cost online degree programs. To achieve a degree that is practical and recognized in the professional world requires the same books and learning materials at home or in the classroom.
Price ranges do vary depending upon the degree type, area of study, and financial aid eligibility, but a typical online degree program can cost anywhere from $500 to $700 per credit hour. This can translate into anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 per semester, and ultimately cost around $20,000 to $40,000 per degree.
