The state universities and community colleges will be the best and least expensive way to further your education online. Usually degrees obtained online from state universities and colleges will be no different than a degree granted to a student sitting in class, which means that there won’t be a credibility problem. You probably won’t get a scholarship, but financial aid is possible.

Stay away from the for-profits because of high cost. Some will be reasonable, but most, like University of Phoenix, overcharge. While probably most employers do not have an issue with a degree from a school that is primarily online, some employers do discount the quality of those degrees. It all depends upon the employer and the school.

If you are just starting your college education or have less than 60 semester credit hours, try your local community college first. They may have an online AA degree program. If they don’t, try other community colleges in your state.

Once you have an AA degree, you can enroll in an online bachelor’s degree completion program at one of the state universities. Many state universities now have online degrees. The following are some web sites to get you started.

http://www.fhsu.edu/virtualcollege/
http://www.peru.edu/
http://outreach.uwyo.edu/ocp/
http://www.distance.msstate.edu/
http://www.online.uillinois.edu/
http://worldcampus.psu.edu

When comparing tuition costs, you have to check if the school is on semester or quarter credit hours. To convert from quarter hours to semester hours, divide the tuition by 0.67. For example, if tuition is $180 per quarter credit hour, that is equal to $268.66 per semester credit hour.

When you choose a school, make sure it is at least regionally accredited. You can check accreditation athttp://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx You can learn more about accreditation at http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html

Finally, there are a couple of forums online with members who have obtained their degrees online. Some have gone pretty far with their online degrees. The forums are free to join but you can read the forum without joining. You just won’t be able to post. http://forums.degreeinfo.com and http://www.degreeforum.net

Good Luck!

I encourage you to evaluate the full course listing from the schools you are considering. Some schools load up the degree with extras so they can make more money off students (presumably)

I know of an online program called McKinley College. The syllabus is straightforward and the program is actually career focused. . . unlike so many that say they are but are not. Plus their flexbile with logins times and scheduling. Probbally worth checking out

http://www.mckinleycollege.edu/

Good luck!

“Online programs take about half the time as actually attending class…”

This is not always the case. The academic coursework is just as demanding as being in class physically and will take up just as much time. The only way for it to *not* be as time-consuming is if you take 1-2 classes per semester – meaning you have a light course-load. I took online classes during the summers when I attended my undergraduate university – 3 classes – and they were just as academically demanding as if I had been there in person.

You have to do the research to find credible universities – often those “quickly” obtained degrees (2 years or less) are Associate’s degrees, not Bachelor’s.

Try consulting the credible state universities near you and seeing if they offer online degree routes that lead to a diploma – many do! Even if they do not, they may be able to help you find accredited online programs – consult with their admissions/academics department.