Online degree programmes are becoming more and more popular.
As our lives are becoming more hectic, it’s important to be able to balance your personal and career commitments with further study.
Flexibility is provided by online degree programmes. Students can manage their career and family commitments while completing their studies from any location.
Students can save money by using an online learning method. A lot of universities grant full-time online students tuition reductions.
Regardless of where the students live, they may impose a set tuition fee.
In 2019, approximately 3.5 million college students enrolled in completely online colleges, with more than seven million taking online courses.
Students have a flexible, convenient option for continuing their education with online programmes.
Online students can enrol in a variety of programmes for undergraduate and graduate degrees. Business, health, and education are common sectors.
For some programmes, virtual classes must be attended at predetermined times. Others let students finish their assignments whenever it’s convenient for them.
The majority of programmes let online students fulfil any in-person prerequisites locally.
The top online colleges are included in our list. This list can help potential students identify schools that match their needs in terms of finances and academic objectives
Read this complete article to know what is the best online school in 2024.
Common Online Courses
Students who pursue an online bachelor’s finish their main and elective courses as well as general education requirements.
Advanced curriculum and specialization opportunities are available in master’s programmes. Information on three popular online degrees can be found here:
Business
Online business programmes educate students in management, finance, marketing, and accounting.
There are numerous online programmes that provide specialisations in fields including international business, information systems, and entrepreneurship.
To get ready for the workforce, online students can conduct regional internships or other tasks.
Nursing
Learners can prepare for a variety of nursing vocations through online nursing programmes. Students finish their courses, laboratories, and practice.
The major aids students in acquiring job-ready abilities such as conducting health evaluations and coordinating patient care.
Online nursing programmes coordinate local clinical experiences with students.
Education
A degree is sometimes required for employment in education, including teaching and managerial roles.
A degree in education earned online can be used to train teachers for leadership positions in the classroom.
Distance learners research curriculum development, instructional technology, and assessment techniques.
Local requirements like student teaching are also finished by them.
The 10 Best Online Schools
Here we’ve listed the top online schools that can provide you with a quality education in your area of interest, along with the ability to study from the comfort of your own home.
1. University of Arkansas – Little Rock
RATE OF GRADUATION: 43%
Available concentrations include writing, business, communication, criminal law, education, social and health sciences, and information sciences.
Upwards of 9,000 students attend UA Little Rock. The institution offers affordable online undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Online courses at UA Little Rock combine in-person instruction with the convenience of home study.
The majority of courses set weekly submission deadlines. Some courses demand sporadic on-site attendance.
The same educational resources are available to online and on-campus students. A library, academic counselling, and technical support are some of these resources.
Transcripts and exam results from high school should be submitted by undergraduate applicants.
Graduate applicants must be a bachelor’s degree holder and have a GPA of at least 2.75.
2. Franklin University – Columbus, Ohio
RATE OF GRADUATION: 28%
Economics, business, economics, accounting and finance, healthcare, management, communications and marketing, nursing, social and public sciences, and technology are available as private concentrations.
Over 80% of students here enroll in distance learning programmes.
Columbus, Ohio hosts a campus for the university as well. At the bachelor, master, and doctorate levels, students can pursue certifications and degrees.
A maximum of 94 undergraduate transferable credits and 12 postgraduate transferable credits may be accepted by Franklin.
Associate degree holders are welcome at the institution. GRE scores are not submitted by graduate applicants.
These students can finish their degrees in 12 months after enrolling. Applications can be finished in roughly 20 minutes.
3. Brenau University – Gainesville, Georgia
RATE OF GRADUATION: 46%
There are other concentrations you can choose from, including education, autism certification, human resource management, liberal arts, communications, accountancy, business, finance, marketing, organizational leadership, and psychology.
Brenau now provides more than 40 online degree and certificate programmes.
Options include a bachelor’s degree in marketing, a doctorate in primary education, and an associate in education.
Seven weeks are spent in class. Online students are considered full-time enrollees by Brenau.
The school allows for test-free admission. Within 2 weeks of applying, applicants find out if they were accepted or not.
Military personnel, their partners, and employees of the government receive reduced tuition at Brenau.
4. Franciscan University – Steubenville, Ohio
RATE OF GRADUATION: 77%
Concentrations include dual enrollment, Catholic studies, teaching, business administration, theology, psychology, management, and catechetics and evangelization.
Franciscan University was established in 1946 and provides postgraduate and undergraduate level online degrees.
These initiatives support students’ formation inside the Catholic tradition.
For students who desire to earn academic credit while still in high school, the institution also offers online courses.
A bachelor’s degree in management, a master’s degree in Catholic studies, and an associate degree in philosophy are among the online degrees offered by Franciscan.
Program-specific entry requirements differ. Applicants typically require a high school record with a GPA of 2.4 or above.
Additionally, they require either a rating of 1000 or an ACT rating of 21. A bachelor’s degree is required for graduate applicants.
5. Indiana University-Purdue University – Indianapolis
RATE OF GRADUATION: 50%
Business, computer technology, design, education, health sciences, humanities, informatics, labour studies, library science, music, philanthropy, public health, science, and social work are available concentrations.
Upwards of 27,000 students attend IUPUI. The university provides online undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate programmes.
Some classes are only offered online. Some call for on-site campus visits. Online students might have to take synchronous video classes.
Each programme sets its own standards for admittance.
Undergraduate candidates may exchange up to 90 credit points from a four-year institution or up to 64 credit points from college. IUPUI uses an established calendar.
6. Campbellsville University, Kentucky
RATE OF GRADUATION: 36%
Business, Christian studies, teaching, communications, liberal arts and sciences, social work, healthcare, English, computer science, and sport management are among the concentrations offered.
CU started off as a Christian university in 1906 and is now based in Campbellsville, Kentucky.
The institution continues to emphasise producing Christian leaders while accepting many viewpoints.
The college provides 71 online college degrees. Also available to learners are 13 certifications or endorsements.
There are social work bachelor’s, justice studies master’s, and educational administration specialist programmes available.
Program-specific entry requirements differ. Up to 72 transferable credits may be accepted by CU toward a bachelor’s. One of the six yearly start dates is open to new students.
7. Liberty University – Lynchburg, Virginia
RATE OF GRADUATION: 47%
Available concentrations include business, criminal justice, teaching, nursing, and counselling in over 100 online programmes.
Liberty University is a Christian institution with over 100,000 students and is based in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Upwards of 100 online degrees, including associates, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctoral degrees, are available to students.
Additionally, Liberty provides online certificate programmes. Most courses span eight weeks and are entirely online.
Online college degrees from Liberty are available in a variety of academic fields, including business, nursing, and counselling.
Candidates deliver certified transcripts. Program-specific entry requirements differ. There are eight yearly start dates that students can enrol in.
8. South Utah University – Utah
RATE OF GRADUATION: 50%
Concentrations include accounting, business administration, communication, cybersecurity, history, library media, music education, nursing, political science, sports conditioning and performance.
SUU is now based in Cedar City, Utah. Learners have access to more than 140 undergraduate degrees offered online. 21 postgraduate and certificate programmes are also available at SUU.
The school has a faculty-to-student ratio of 19 to 1. SUU’s 133-acre main campus is complemented with a farm and a ranch.
Online degrees in disciplines like communication, cybersecurity, and aviation administration are available at SUU.
A scholarship is available to online students. This scholarship pays the entire four-semester tuition for undergraduate students.
9. City University – Seattle, Washington
RATE OF GRADUATION: 33%
Education, business, computer science, health sciences, and project management are available concentrations.
CityU, a nonprofit organisation, provides degrees at every level. Students have several options for completing their degree programmes: online, on-campus, hybrid, or performance-based.
A PhD in management, a bachelor’s degree in data science, and a postgraduate certificate in analytics are all available online.
Quarterly new terms start. 30 days before the start of the quarter, applicants must submit all required admissions paperwork.
CityU can convert acceptable extracurricular activities into college credits. Students who have worked or served in the military should complete a prior learning evaluation form.
10. Alfred State College – Alfred, New York
RATE OF GRADUATION: 60%
There are several concentrations you can choose from, including business leadership, project management, healthcare information, human services leadership, and many more.
Alfred State is a liberal arts-focused career college that offers upwards of 80 majors.
A bachelor’s degree in business admin, a bachelor’s degree in construction supervision, an associates in court and real-time reporting, and an RN-to-BSN programme are all available online from colleges and universities.
Students may enroll either full- or part-time.
Online tutoring is available for students in disciplines including arithmetic, biology, and chemistry.
A postsecondary activities form and an application are submitted by prospective students. Students can start in the winter, spring, fall, or summer term.
What Is the Cost of an Online Degree?
Costs for degrees vary by programme and institution. In general, bachelor’s programmes are more expensive than associate programmes.
Typically, private schools charge far more than public ones.
According to statistics for 2019–20, public, in-state institutions charge their online bachelor’s degree students a median of $9,350 in fees and tuition annually.
Private college students spend a total of $32,770 in fees and tuition. Students can use scholarships and grants to help pay for their degree.
Budgeting for additional costs, such as updating their internet or purchasing a new computer, is advised for online learners.
Some online institutions charge fees for graduation and remote learning. Additionally, students must purchase books and other course supplies, which run a median of $1,240 a year..
A portion of certain online programmes is offered on-campus. Students should budget for accommodation and travel.
The overall cost of a degree might be inquired about by potential students before deciding on an online college.
Funding Options For Online Education
It’s time to look into and submit an application for online university grants if you have been delaying a formal education owing to financial difficulties.
Online programmes accept sponsorship, just like conventional on-campus programmes do, to lessen the pain of ripping off a big price tag. Prices are always rising.
A one-time financial reward based on academic achievement or financial need is known as an online college grant.
Grants, as opposed to online student loans, are unearned funds that are typically not repaid.
Federal, state, and local governments, your college, as well as a number of commercial organizations like trade and professional associations, all offer free grants.
Final Thoughts
Online degree programmes are available from colleges and universities in well-known industries including business, medicine, and education.
At the associates, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate levels, students can pursue their preferred degrees from the comfort of their own homes.
Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities can be developed through online training. Students also improve their communication, writing, research, and problem-solving abilities.
Because the cost of earning a degree is always on the rise, it’s important to consider how you will pay for your schooling.
There are many funding options available to online students just as there are for traditional on-campus courses, so make sure to look into all of your available funding opportunities before committing to the financial burden of an online program.
