Cheap Online Colleges
Cheap online colleges have been around nearly as long as the Internet itself. While your first reaction may be disbelief that an online college can provide a good education, keep in mind that leading universities are now offering an online education for people who cannot attend traditional classes for one reason or another.
Off-Campus Education is More Affordable
Cheap online colleges do not require high overhead costs and can, therefore, provide an education to students at a reduced rate. In contrast, brick-and-mortar colleges often have substantial overhead costs such as teaching materials and campus space that require high tuition that many people simply cannot afford.
With the rising cost of post-secondary education these days, many individuals are seeking more affordable options and online colleges are providing a viable solution. Another factor that is causing more people to opt for an online education is today’s economy. Most people are looking for ways to decrease spending, and choosing a less costly education is one of the best ways to reduce your overall budget.
Online Colleges Offer Convenience
A growing number of people are beginning a post-secondary education at an older age than is traditional. In many cases, these individuals have many obligations that prevent them from attending an on-site college or university. Cheap online colleges offer a way for “non-traditional” students to get the education they want from the comfort of their own home so that they have enough time to take care of other obligations.
Non-traditional students are not the only ones attending online colleges. Students that are just out of high school often find that getting an education online is a savvy financial decision.
Cheap online colleges do not require a commute and can be accessed wherever Internet is available. Reputable online colleges offer teacher assistance and guidance at convenient hours of the day. Most will also provide “classroom” settings where students can work with one another online to gain a better grasp of course material.
A List of the Most Affordable Online Colleges
Since the primary reason that most people have for attending online colleges is the cost savings, we’ve included a list of cheap online colleges from the least expensive to the most costly. Keep in mind that these are just a few of the available online colleges. Research your options well to determine which college will best suit your education goals and your budget.
Portland State University currently starts at $146 per online credit hour for undergraduate students.
California Coast University currently starts at $150 per online credit hour for undergraduates and $230 per online credit hour for graduate students.
Oregon State University currently starts at $160 per online credit hour for undergraduates and $386 per online credit hour for graduate students.
Kendall College currently starts at $210 per online credit hour for undergraduate students.
National American University currently starts at $250 per online credit hour for undergraduate students.
Grantham University currently starts at $265 per online credit hour for undergraduates and $265 per online credit hour for graduate students.
Indiana State University currently starts at $272 per online credit hour for undergraduate and graduate students.
University of Wisconsin-Superior currently starts at $275 per online credit hour for undergraduates and $515 per online credit hour for graduate students.
Assumption College currently starts at $285 per online credit hour for undergraduates.
Liberty University currently starts at $295 per online credit hour for undergraduates and $425 per online credit hour for graduate students.
Southern New Hampshire University currently starts at $302 per online credit hour for undergraduates and $591 per online credit hour for graduate students.
Ivy Bridge College currently starts at $315 per online credit hour for undergraduate students.
These colleges are just a small sample from the sea of cheap online colleges that are available.
Narrowing Down Your Options
To narrow down your choices of online colleges, consider writing down a list of your personal education goals. What degree are you planning on attaining? Many online colleges have specialized programs, and some online colleges offer a superior education in certain programs. Will you be going on to graduate school? Not all online colleges offer graduate programs. It is also a good idea to determine what graduate program you are interested in attending now or in the future since entry requirements vary from school to school. Preparing ahead will give you the most options down the line.
Taking your time to carefully assess your individual goals so that you are able to find an online college that best suit your objectives will be well worth it in the end. You are likely to find that there are several online colleges available that will offer you a quality education.