Over the past decade, many universities have begun to offer online degree programs. While online degrees had originally received a questionable reputation, today even top colleges offer students the ability to complete degree coursework from their homes.
Universities Offering Online Degrees
In addition to well-known online universities such as University of Phoenix, many prominent, traditional universities now offer online degree programs. Some of the best online universities include Rutgers University, Brandeis University, Fordham University, Northwestern University, and the Rochester Instutite of Technology. In addition to private colleges, many state schools are beginning to offer online degree programs, such as the California State University system and the University of Massachusetts system's UMassOnline program.
Benefits of Online Degrees
Students choose to earn their degrees online rather than the traditional classroom format for a variety of reasons, such as scheduling, cost, convenience, and personal obligations.
Online Degree Time Commitment
The length of time needed to complete an online degree depends on a variety of factors, including:
- The type of degree sought (Associates, Bachelors, Masters, and so on);
- Whether the student is full-time or part-time; and
- Whether the university offers accelerated online degree programs.
For example, a full-time student would typically earn a Masters degree in a traditional-format setting in 2 years. Some universities, such as the George Washington University, maintain the 2 year time frame for their online programs as well. Others, such as Northeastern University, offer intense, accelerated programs that allow a full-time student to graduate in 18 months.
Online Degree Financial Commitment
The ultimate cost of an online degree is often much less than attending the university in person. While universities typically charge the same tuition for online courses as they do for their traditional courses, many times fees that are assessed to on-campus students are waived for online students. Additionally, online students do not incur expenses from commuting, dormitories, or meal plans, which can cost thousands per year.
Students also benefit financially from online programs in that they tend to be more accommodating to students with full-time jobs. Because classes are often not held in real-time, students can maintain any needed work schedule while working on their coursework at times that accommodate their schedules. By enabling students to maintain full-time employment, often with benefits, online degree programs further provide fiscal value.