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High-Demand Online College Degrees
Why Choose an Online College?
Earning your degree online from an accredited online college can help you launch a new career, or further your current one. Check out our online degree guides to find your ideal education path that will suit your skills and interests.
Why Choose an Online College?
Online learning has surged in popularity over the past decade. An estimated 5.8 million students were enrolled in online courses – a staggering 263% increase from just 12 years ago. There’s a reason online degree programs are on the rise. As technology has advanced, so have the capabilities for distance learning. In fact, 94% of academic leaders say that digital curricular resources have improved student learning, and it’s estimated that half of all college classes will be taught online by 2019. While there are plenty of benefits to online education, most students tend to be attracted to online colleges for their low tuition and the convenience they offer.
AFFORDABILITY
One of the biggest factors drawing students to online colleges is the price. While a traditional college degree can set students back $85,000 on average, the total cost of an online degree is around $30,000. On top of cheaper tuition rates, distance students don’t need to dole out money for pricey campus housing or commuter costs.
FLEXIBILITY
Because online students aren’t confined to a classroom, they can complete coursework virtually anywhere – as long as there is internet access. This makes online learning particularly appealing for working professionals and students with family obligations or other responsibilities that make it hard to travel to and from campus regularly. Additionally, most online curriculum is delivered asynchronously, meaning that students can log on at any time and complete coursework at their own pace.
Is Online College Right For Me?
Despite what some students may think, online colleges are no less challenging than traditional colleges. Depending on a student’s learning style, keeping up with online work may actually prove to be more demanding for some. When asked about the greatest challenges they face while studying online, a majority of students in a Learning House survey cited motivation, attention, and focus as their main concerns.
That being said, many students find the online learning experience to be extremely rewarding. These are some common traits of students who thrive in an online learning environment.
The Importance of Accredited Online Colleges
All of the online schools, at any degree level, featured on our website are accredited, ensuring that they meet high standards of quality. In order to be accredited, online colleges are evaluated based on criteria such as curricula, faculty, course offerings, facilities, financial resources, and support services. Accreditation in the United States comes from federal and state agencies as well as non-governmental bodies approved by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation not only demonstrates the quality of an online school, but can also determine whether credits are transferable to other accredited online colleges. To find out whether an accreditation agency is legitimate, make sure it is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Learn more about online college accreditation here.
Common Online College Majors
Online learning has come a long way over the years, and distance students today can pursue degree programs that match their interests from the associate to the doctorate level. While not every program is suited to the online environment, nearly 80% of educators find that generally, online learning is equal to, if not better than, traditional classroom learning. Some of the most popular undergraduate majors for online students include:
More students are choosing to pursue master’s and doctorate degrees through accredited online colleges to expand their skill set and move up in their careers. The flexibility of online learning is particularly beneficial to professionals who want to earn an advanced degree while they continue working. Graduate programs that require students to complete practicum hours or internship experiences typically accommodate students by helping them find sites near their home. Some of the most popular graduate majors for online students include:
Paying For Online College
While accredited online colleges are typically cheaper than their brick-and-mortar counterparts, many online students still need financial help to ease the cost of tuition. Fortunately, an increasing number of online colleges now offer aid for distant learners in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and occasionally, work-study programs.
The process of applying for student aid at an online college is similar to the application process at a traditional school. To be eligible, students must first fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA becomes available online on October 1 annually; students should start preparing their FAFSA form as soon as possible, as many awards are offered on a first-come-first-serve basis. Note that students applying for student aid must be enrolled at an online college that has been accredited by a federally recognized accreditation agency. The status of an online student (full time or part time) may also affect their eligibility to receive aid.
To learn more about paying for online college, review our guide to financial aid for online college, or contact an advisor at your prospective school to discuss financial aid opportunities for distance students.
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