Getting a college degree can be a
significant investment
, but time and time again, the statistics show us that higher education is worth the costs. Take, for example, the average salary difference between those with a high school diploma and those with a college degree.
According to data from the
Bureau of Labor Statistics
, the median weekly salary for workers with just high school diplomas is about $730 per week. On the other hand, the average salary for workers with bachelor’s degrees is about $1,198 per week. As a result, you can expect to make significantly more over your lifetime with a college degree.
Luckily, while college is an investment, there are ways to get an
affordable college degree
. By attending an online school, you can save money and be on the way to earning your degree in no time.
Featured Online Programs
Figuring out where to apply? These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online degrees. Consider one of these accredited programs, and discover their value today.
Based in Florida, Saint Leo University focuses on preparing adult learnings for the jobs of the future. The school offers dozens of cheap online degrees, including five associate, 20 bachelor’s, and 41 graduate degrees.
Graduation rate: 45%
School status: Private
Tuition cost: $11,995 per semester
Estimated years of completion: Four
Credit requirements: Not disclosed
Admission requirements: Online application, high school transcripts, standardized testing scores, professional training documentation
Founded in 1962, the University of the Southwest is located in Hobbs, New Mexico. USW offers 28 undergraduate and seven graduate degree programs, some of which students can do completely through distance learning. All programs include at least some online classes.
Graduation rate: 32%
School status: Private
Tuition cost: $8,000 per semester
Estimated years of completion: Four
Credit requirements: Not disclosed
Admission requirements: Online application, high school transcripts
Davenport University is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and is a regionally accredited school. It offers a series of cheap online degrees, including 12 master’s degree programs, 15, graduate certificates, and 17 bachelor’s programs.
Graduation rate: 49%
School status: Private
Tuition cost: $565 per credit hour (out-of-state student rate)
Estimated years of completion: Four
Credit requirements: 120
Admission requirements: Online application, high school transcripts
SMWC, located in western Indiana, was founded in 1840. It delivers all courses from a Catholic perspective, although it welcomes those of all faiths. This college offers three associates, 16 bachelor's, and four master's degrees — all of which are completely online.
Graduation rate: 56%
School status: Private
Tuition cost: $496 per credit hour
Estimated years of completion: Four
Credit requirements: 120
Admission requirements: Online application, high school transcripts
Established in 1851, Columbia College is located in Columbia, Missouri. It offers 55 cheap online degrees covering subjects like business administration, crime scene investigation, environmental studies, instructional leadership, and sports management. These programs include associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees, along with several certificates.
Graduation rate: 28%
School status: Private
Tuition cost: $375 per credit hour
Estimated years of completion: Four
Credit requirements: Not disclosed
Admission requirements: Online application, high school transcripts
Arizona's Prescott College, which has been delivering distance learning opportunities since the late 1970s, now offers 32 cheap online degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels. It even features an online Ph.D. in sustainability education, focused on K-12 and postsecondary learning across traditional and nontraditional settings.
Graduation rate: 33%
School status: Private
Tuition cost: $5,976 per semester
Estimated years of completion: Four
Credit requirements: 120
Admission requirements: Online application, high school transcripts, academic focus essay, reference
Ottawa University, founded in 1865, is located in eastern Kansas. Ottawa University offers 70 bachelor's degrees and 23 master's degrees completely online. These programs cover the arts and sciences, business, and education.
Graduation rate: 51%
School status: Private
Tuition cost: $499 per course
Estimated years of completion: Four
Credit requirements: 124
Admission requirements: Online application, high school transcripts
A pioneer in distance education since 1932, SNHU offers more than 200 cheap online degrees at the associate, bachelor's, master's, and certificate levels. Students benefit from a variety of services, including an online library, technical support, tutoring, financial aid help, and veterans services.
Graduation rate: 44%
School status: Private
Tuition cost: $320 per credit hour
Estimated years of completion: Four
Credit requirements: 120
Admission requirements: Online application, high school transcripts
CSU's Global Campus offers 12 bachelor's and 13 master's degree programs covering diverse subjects like accounting, criminal justice, data analytics, human services, information technology, and organizational leadership. It features accelerated eight-week course formats, with new classes starting each month.
Graduation rate: 61%
School status: Public
Tuition cost: $8,400 per year
Estimated years of completion: Four
Credit requirements: 120
Admission requirements: Online application, high school transcripts, GPA of 2.80 or higher, ACT score of 18 or higher or SAT score of 980 or higher
CMU was founded in 1853 and is located in Fayette, Missouri. CMU's online offerings include 22 online undergraduate programs, along with an MS in mathematics, an MSN clinical nurse leader, and an MSN nurse educator. The university features both 8- and 16-week class formats, providing a high level of flexibility for working adults.
Graduation rate: 47%
School status: Private
Tuition cost: $260 per credit hour
Estimated years of completion: Four
Credit requirements: Not disclosed
Admission requirements: Online application, high school transcripts, GPA of 2.50 or higher, ACT score of 21 or higher or SAT score of 1050 or higher
National University, based in San Diego, offers more than 90 cheap online degree programs. With most classes delivered asynchronously, students can access lectures, materials, assignments, and discussions on their own schedule — an ideal format for working adults. NU's distance programs include associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees, along with certificate and credential programs.
Graduation rate: 36%
School status: Private
Tuition cost: $370 per quarter unit
Estimated years of completion: Four
Credit requirements: 189 quarter units
Admission requirements: Online application, high school transcripts, GPA of 2.00 or higher
Located in Trenton, New Jersey, TESU offers 13 associate, 33 bachelor's, and 14 graduate programs completely online. The school also features numerous online undergraduate and graduate certificate programs.
Graduation rate: 44%
School status: Public
Tuition cost: $4,639 per semester
Estimated years of completion: Four
Credit requirements: Not disclosed
Admission requirements: Online application, high school transcripts, be 20 years of age or older or 18 years of age and an active member of the United States military
Since launching in 1998, Penn State World Campus has set itself apart offering cheap online degrees across more than 150 undergraduate and graduate programs. It focuses on providing career-focused curricula with instructors at the top of their respective fields.
Graduation rate: 39%
School status: Public
Tuition cost: $6,994 per semester
Estimated years of completion: Four
Credit requirements: Not disclosed
Admission requirements: Online application, high school transcripts
Western Governors University offers 30 cheap online degrees at the bachelor's level and 32 online master's degrees through its colleges of business, teaching, information technology, and health professions. Its competency-based format means students graduate as soon as they demonstrate they've mastered the content rather than spending a predetermined amount of time in class.
Graduation rate: 21%
School status: Private
Tuition cost: $6,670 per semester
Estimated years of completion: Four
Credit requirements: Not disclosed
Admission requirements: Online application, high school transcripts
UMUC, based in Adelphi, Maryland, offers cheap online programs covering 32 different majors at the bachelor's level, along with 18 master's degrees and two doctorate degrees. The school also features several online undergraduate and graduate certificate programs.
Graduation rate: 15%
School status: Public
Tuition cost: $499 per credit hour
Estimated years of completion: Four
Credit requirements: Not disclosed
Admission requirements: Online application, high school transcripts
Located in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin University offers dozens of cheap online degree programs in the areas of business, the social sciences, technology, healthcare, management, marketing, and communications.
Graduation rate: 28%
School status: Private
Tuition cost: $398 per credit hour
Estimated years of completion: Four
Credit requirements: Not disclosed
Admission requirements: Online application, high school transcripts
Founded in 1842, Mary Baldwin University is based in Staunton, Virginia. MBU offers 13 completely online bachelor's degrees in majors like business, criminal justice, healthcare administration, nursing, and social work. The school also features 13 master's degrees and 13 certificate programs.
Graduation rate: 38%
School status: Private
Tuition cost: $460 per credit hour
Estimated years of completion: Four
Credit requirements: Not disclosed
Admission requirements: Online application, high school transcripts
The nonprofit Excelsior College features all-online associate, bachelor's, and master's degree programs spanning a variety of subjects. These include bachelor's degrees in relevant majors like cybersecurity, military leadership, healthcare management, and national security.
Graduation rate: 46%
School status: Private
Tuition cost: $510 per credit hour
Estimated years of completion: Four
Credit requirements: Not disclosed
Admission requirements: Online application, high school transcripts
Granite State College is based in Concord, New Hampshire. Granite State's cheap online degrees balance the flexibility of distance learning with comprehensive student support to help adult learners earn their degrees quickly. The school offers 100% online associate, bachelor's, master's, and certificate programs.
Graduation rate: 19%
School status: Public
Tuition cost: $365 per credit hour
Estimated years of completion: Four
Credit requirements: Not disclosed
Admission requirements: Online application, high school transcripts
Located in Nebraska, Bellevue University offers cheap online degrees that cover 50 undergraduate majors, 27 master's programs, and a Ph.D. in human capital management. All distance learners have access to student services like a 24/7 service desk, academic advising, and easy tracking of grades, class schedules, and payment information through the BRUIN digital platform.
Graduation rate: 24%
School status: Private
Tuition cost: $430 per credit hour
Estimated years of completion: Four
Credit requirements: 120
Admission requirements: Online application, high school transcripts
At Best Value ig电子竞技(新疆)结果视频, we help students of all ages get the best possible value for their education. When choosing the best schools and programs, we prioritize tuition rates, student debt, financial aid opportunities, graduation rates, and the availability of online programs.
We source unbiased data from government and educational databases like the
National Center for Education Statistics
and the
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
for 6,374 schools across the U.S. We organize that data into five weighted categories to compile our school rankings.
Metric
Data Used
Percentage
Academic Quality
Full-time faculty percentage, student-to-faculty ratio, student retention and graduation rates
25%
Affordability
Tuition rates, median student debt, and financial aid
35%
Reputation
Admission and enrollment rates
15%
Program Offerings
Number of program options
10%
Online Enrollment Score
Portion of learners taking at least one online course
15%
You can read more about our comprehensive evaluation process on our
methodology page.
Have Questions About Online Degrees? We Have Answers.
How much does an online college degree cost?
The average cost of college in the United States is $35,720 per student, per year, according to research from
EducationData.org
. The cost of your online college degree, however, will depend highly on what school and program you choose to attend. Colleges and universities charge a wide range of tuition rates, and you can pay anywhere from $20,000 to $60,000 or more for your online education.
Is online schooling a cheaper option?
Online education is often
more affordable
than attending a traditional in-person program. That isn’t always the case, though, so it’s important to research school options and the costs associated with your specific program to ensure you’re getting a good deal.
Is there financial aid for online programs?
Yes, there is. Financial aid can be used to cover the costs of traditional degree programs, and you can also use financial aid to pay for your online degree program. Federal financial aid may be available, depending on your financial need, and some schools also offer their own financial aid opportunities.
What does it mean when a school is accredited?
When a school is accredited, it means that an accrediting agency has evaluated the school’s programs and curriculum and found it to meet the standards set for accreditation. By attending an accredited institution, you will know you’re receiving a quality education from a school respected by others. You will also be eligible to receive federal financial aid, which may not be the case with non-accredited schools.
Enrollment requirements will vary from one school to the next, but there are a few standard requirements you can expect no matter which school you apply to:
High school transcripts with a minimum GPA
ACT or SAT scores
Letters of recommendation
An essay or personal statement
These are simply the typical admission requirements, though. The standards for admission will vary from one school to the next. Highly competitive schools may require a GPA above 3.0 and will often give preference to applicants with GPAs above 3.5.
On the other hand, less competitive schools or programs may accept students with GPAs of 2.0 or higher. Before applying to any college or university, be sure to visit the website to learn about the specific admission requirements.
Online Bachelor’s Degree Options
If you choose to get your bachelor’s degree online, you have a wide range of options to choose from. Most degree programs that are available at universities will also be available through online colleges. And, in most cases, once you’ve chosen a school, the major you choose won’t affect your tuition.
Some of the most popular online degree programs include:
Business
Business and business administration have become increasingly popular degree programs for both in-person and online students. These degrees prepare students for a wide range of jobs, making it easy to begin a career after graduation.
Psychology
Psychology is the study of human behavior. It’s a broad field that gives students a wide range of career options after graduation. It’s also one of the most popular degree programs for both in-person and online colleges.
Nursing
Healthcare is a popular field of study across the board, but nursing is especially popular. There are many levels of nursing degrees available, from associate’s to doctoral degrees, making it a great option for online learning.
Education
Education is a popular degree program for both online and in-person students. Most people study education with the intention of becoming teachers, but there are many careers available to someone with an education degree.
Related Degrees
When it comes to attending college online, just about any type of degree is available to you. Whether you’re starting from scratch and looking to get an associate’s degree, or you already have a bachelor’s degree and want to pursue higher education, there’s a program available.
Degree programs available through online education include:
Associate’s degree: A two-year degree with a median weekly salary of $862
Bachelor’s degree: A four-year degree with a median weekly salary of $1,198
Master’s degree: An advanced degree with a median weekly salary of $1,434
Doctoral degree: The highest degree level available, with a median annual salary of $1,825
Erin Gobler is a freelance writer who covers education topics for Best Value ig电子竞技(新疆)结果视频, Graduate School Hub, and Criminal Justice Degree ig电子竞技(新疆)结果视频, among others. Her work has been published on sites like Fox Business, Rocket Mortgage, and The Balance.
Angelica Leicht is the schools editor at Best Value ig电子竞技(新疆)结果视频 who oversees our college rankings, school profiles, and other higher education coverage. She previously served as an education reporter at Kearney Hub, and an editor at the Dallas Observer and Houston Press. Her writing has appeared in Affordable Colleges Online, Bankrate, The Simple Dollar, and elsewhere.
Additional Resources
Use articles and resources to uncover answers to common questions, get guidance on your goals, and learn about applying to schools.
Finding popular online degrees isn't as difficult as one might think, considering that in America, the idea of an online education is becoming mainstream. As advancements in teaching become more...
So you've studied hard in high school, got good grades, and now you're ready to start focusing on what comes next: your career. Wow, that's a huge task, and it...
" data-src="https://res.cloudinary.com/highereducation/images/w_1060,h_739/f_auto,q_auto/v1631902810/BestValueig电子竞技(新疆)结果视频.com/GettyImages-658984513/GettyImages-658984513.jpg?_i=AA" alt="Is Attending College Online Cheaper Than Traditional College?" data-public-id="BestValueig电子竞技(新疆)结果视频.com/GettyImages-658984513.jpg" data-format="jpg" data-transformations="f_auto,q_auto" data-version="1631902810" data-size="1060 739" data-delivery="upload" onload=";window.CLDBind?CLDBind(this):null;" data-cloudinary="lazy" />
It is without a doubt that the and obtaining a degree is one of the biggest concerns for students. Many students solely base their decision on getting an education on...
Discover a program that is right for you.
Explore different options for you based on your degree interests.
