A college degree doesn’t guarantee a job these days, but if you’re trying to get ahead in your career, it just may help. Unfortunately, for working individuals, it isn’t always feasible to stop what you’re doing and take classes. You’ve got bills, as most working Americans do, and bills don’t stop for college classes. Advancing in your position may require further education or perhaps your employer is willing to cover educational expenses and you’ve always wanted to get your degree. Whatever your reason, a traditional educational environment may not be conducive to your lifestyle.
It was with these students in mind, that the first online colleges started cropping up and some traditional schools began to offer their programs online. If you prefer a classroom setting, many community colleges or universities offer night classes for your convenience, but if you’re willing to try online learning, there are plenty of schools to meet your needs. Online colleges are designed to help older students or working students get the degree they’ve always wanted without impacting your lifestyle too extensively. The curriculum lends itself to slowly immersing students and many allow the students to learn at their own pace. Here are some of the best:
Schools That Get an A+
1. Penn State World Campus – WE ARE! Rated one of the Best Online Programs for 2017 by U.S. News and World Report, this school offers several graduate and undergrad programs for the busy student. They also have several associate’s degree and certificate programs as part of their curriculum if you’re interested in one of those instead. They enroll more than 12,000 students per year and they have more than 120 different programs. Online students are taught by the same faculty as on-campus students and they have the same access to online tutoring and advisors.
2. UMass – The University of Massachusetts is a massive school that enrolls over seventy thousand students and dates back to the mid-1800s. They offer thirty bachelors degree programs, 40 masters degree programs, and several certificates. They have received the Excellence in Distance Teaching Award and they are accredited by the New England Associate of Schools and Colleges. UMass is a public nonprofit university with a 58% acceptance rate and a 90% retention rate.
3. Northeastern University – With its central campus located in Boston, this is the second New England based college to make the top five for the Best Online Programs. It is a private school and has several graduate schools in different states. They offer over sixty online programs, including twenty bachelor’s degrees. The school is a little bit more difficult to get into with an acceptance rate of 28%, but their graduation rate is over 80% and the retention rate for returning students is 96%. Per credit cost for undergrad is less than $400, the lowest on the list so far.
4. Indiana University/IU Online – Founded in 1820, IU enrolls over one hundred thousand students across nine campuses. Over 500,000 people have graduated from this college over its extensive history. They offer over a hundred online degree programs including over twenty master’s degrees. They have a higher acceptance rate, at 78%, but their retention rate is only 89%.
5. University of Arizona/UA Online – Not to be confused with the University of Phoenix, this online school is a bit more selective, offering only twenty-nine bachelor’s degree programs and twenty-four master’s degrees. Students can fully obtain their degrees online and for the most part, they are able to make their own schedules. There are some classes, however, that may require online meetings or scheduled discussions. It is a public university and it accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The popularity of online colleges has grown tremendously over the past ten years and more of these universities are being considered legitimate centers for learning. For busy students, with responsibilities that don’t lend well to a traditional curriculum, online programs are an incredible option. There are over one hundred colleges and universities listed in the Best Online Programs list, so picking one shouldn’t be difficult.
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