WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ONLINE COLLEGES (2024)
by: Kristen Scatton (Contributing Writer) | published: January 26, 2024
Image & article source: Intellegent.com
“Attending an online college can be a convenient and flexible way to pursue higher education,” says Blanca Villagomez, a program coordinator and counselor at UC Irvine. “However, it’s important to carefully research and evaluate the institution and program you’re considering to ensure that it meets your needs and will be recognized by employers or other educational institutions.”
With this in mind, there are a few things students must be aware of when considering enrolling in an online college.
Accreditation
This list includes only accredited colleges because of how important accreditation is to the quality of school and the educational experience it provides students. There are two types of accreditation for U.S. colleges — regional and national. Schools with regional accreditation are typically nonprofit and may be public or private. Nationally accredited schools are typically for-profit and private institutions.
Regional accreditation is the more widely recognized accreditation type, with rigorous standards for academic quality. Employers typically seek out job candidates from regionally accredited schools. In some professions, like teaching, students must have a degree from a regionally accredited institution to be eligible for necessary licenses and credentials.
Accreditation also matters when it comes to transferring schools or pursuing advanced study. Regionally accredited schools only accept credits and degrees from other regionally accredited schools, not nationally accredited schools. This can limit future educational options for students who earn an undergraduate degree at a nationally-accredited school.
There are also financial implications to consider. While nationally-accredited schools may have lower tuition than regionally-accredited schools, their programs may not be eligible for the full range of student financial aid options. Additionally, the limitations of degrees from nationally-accredited schools in the job market may impact students’ future earnings and employment opportunities.
Most schools include their accreditation status in their marketing materials, but if you need more clarification, you can check the U.S. Department of Education’s database.
Nonprofit vs. for-profit status
Like accreditation, a school’s status as a nonprofit or for-profit also impacts the quality of education, future employment opportunities, and financial aid eligibility.
The majority of higher education institutions in the U.S. are nonprofit. This status is considered the standard-bearer for post-secondary education since, by definition, they can’t turn a profit. Instead, they must reinvest all revenue into the school via faculty and staff salaries, infrastructure, student services, and more.
As the name implies, for-profit schools are designed to make money. As such, they can use revenue to pay shareholders, executives, and investors rather than invest revenue in the school, which can impact the quality of programs and infrastructure.
Residency requirement
While online programs may advertise the ability to learn from anywhere, that might not always be possible. Restrictions in the U.S. may prevent students from attending school in a specific state or pursuing a specific degree program. In order to grant degrees to students living in different states, Institutions must be authorized by those states to award degrees to their residents. Otherwise, students are ineligible for enrollment. To make learning across state borders easier, over 2300 institutions throughout 49 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), ensuring their distance education programs are authorized to operate and grant degrees in multiple states.
A student’s area of study can also impact where they earn their degree. For those pursuing teaching degrees, there are certification requirements that vary by state and may dictate that a student earn their degree in the state in which they plan to teach. When exploring online colleges and programs, it’s important to keep this type of career-specific in mind.
Online program availability
As with residency requirements, the ability to complete a program entirely online may come with some restrictions. Although there are many degree programs that students can complete without ever leaving their homes, others may have components that require in-person attendance, either on campus or at another site. Online programs offered by colleges with brick-and-mortar campuses may be taught in a hybrid or blended format, with some online and some in-person classes. Other programs, like nursing, counseling, or teaching, require students to gain experience in the field through internships or clinical rotations, which they may need to complete in person.
Avoiding online scams
The rise of online education has led to many benefits for students. However, there are also downsides, including scams like diploma mills, which are more concerned with turning a profit than providing quality education. Online marketing may make these schools look legitimate, so it’s on students to be savvy and know the warning signs of a scam college. These include:
- Lack of accreditation or accreditation by organizations that the U.S. Department of Education doesn’t recognize.
- An unrealistic time frame for earning a degree. For example, earning a bachelor’s degree, which typically takes a minimum of four years, in a few months.
- A name that is very similar to a well-known, accredited institution. For example, San Francisco University is unaccredited, whereas San Francisco State University and the University of San Francisco are accredited, reputable institutions.
- Tuition paid on a per-degree basis or offering discounts for enrolling in multiple degree programs. Accredited institutions charge on a per-credit or per-term basis.
- Lack of interaction with professors.
- A P.O. Box or suite number in place of a physical street address
How much does online college cost?
Multiple factors influence how much it costs to attend an online college.
Public universities tend to charge lower tuition than private institutions, although in-state students typically pay less than out-of-state students. For example, in the 2020-21 academic year, the average annual undergraduate tuition and fees at public universities was $9,375 for in-state students and $27,091 for out-of-state students. The average tuition and fees at private schools, which charge the same regardless of student residency status, was $32,764. However, for online students, some public colleges charge the same tuition, regardless of where students live.
Degree level also impacts program cost. In the 2020-21 academic year, the average annual tuition for graduate degree programs was $12,394 at public universities and $26,621 at private institutions.
However, by attending college online, students can cut down on associated costs like room and board, transportation, and campus activities fees. Online students should be sure to budget for tech-related expenses, like a computer, webcam, microphone, and reliable internet access.
How long does it take to earn an online degreee?
The length of time it takes to earn an online degree largely depends on the type of degree that you’re earning:
- Associate degrees: Minimum of 60 credits; typically take at least two years of full-time study to complete.
- Bachelor’s degrees: Minimum of 120 credits; typically take at least four years of full-time study to complete.
- Master’s degrees: Minimum of 30 credits; typically take at least one year of full-time study to complete
- Doctoral (Ph.D.) degrees: Require 60-120 credits. Program duration varies based on dissertation and research requirements, but Ph.D. programs typically take a minimum of three years to complete.
Because of the flexibility of online learning, many online colleges offer accelerated programs that can be completed in shorter time frames. This can include degree completion programs, which allow students to maximize previously earned credits and earn a bachelor’s degree in as few semesters as possible, and accelerated programs that offer complete programs in a compressed timeline.
A student’s enrollment status also affects how quickly they earn their degree. Students who enroll part-time typically take longer to complete their programs since they take fewer classes each term, but they still need to reach the minimum number of credits their degree requires.
Do employers respect online colleges?
“Every industry and employer will value online education differently, but most are very accepting of degrees from online colleges as long as there’s proof of accreditation,” Villagomez says. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated trends toward a wider acceptance of online colleges and degrees, with 75% of students enrolling in online classes during lockdowns.
To understand how potential employers view candidates who attend college online, Villagomez encourages students to conduct informational interviews with employers or professionals in their intended field to understand their perceptions of online learning.
Is attending an online college worth it?
From a financial and career perspective, there are several benefits to earning a degree, whether it’s from an online college or a brick-and-mortar institution.
For example, the more education an individual has, the more they’re likely to earn. Individuals with college degrees also experience lower unemployment rates than those without higher education experience. One contributing factor is that many jobs in fast-growing fields, such as chemical engineers, marketing managers, computer and IT managers, and health services managers, require a degree.
However, Villagomez points out, “The value of attending an online college depends on various factors, including the reputation of the school and the program, student support services, the degree’s accreditation, and the specific career or educational path students are pursuing.”
She adds, “Earning a degree online can be a very rewarding experience for those seeking to advance their career in a flexible, accessible way. But the return on investment ultimately depends on a student’s personal needs, educational goals, and potential career outcomes.”
To help them make smart choices, Villagomez recommends that students consult an admissions counselor or trusted mentor to find the program that best suits their needs and goals.