Online Universities and Colleges

Posted on November 6, 2017



Long-distance learning is nothing new. Correspondence courses have been available for at least 125 years, and universities since then have tried providing courses through mail, radio and even television. However, it wasn't until the internet made online learning possible that long-distance programs would go mainstream.

Today, internet-based colleges, universities and technical programs are swiftly gaining in popularity. As more and more people pursue degrees in this fashion, the degrees themselves are becoming more widely accepted and respected. However, there are still plenty of controversies concerning long-distance education, and there are many predatory programs out there that will cost you a lot of money without delivering on the promises of a quality education or usable degree.

Understanding what online education is and how it works can help you to protect yourself and ensure that you make the right choice for your future. Let's take a look at the world of online universities, including how they stack up against traditional programs and what you should look out for before choosing this type of education.

What Online Programs Are Available?

Distance education programs are available for two-year, four-year and graduate degrees. Some classes are offered by brick-and-mortar universities with a distance learning option. Many others are provided by dedicated online universities.

Online classes may follow different formats and have differing expectations regarding student activity and involvement. Your online courses may be:

Synchronous Online Courses

This is the least flexible type of online learning. You "attend" classes virtually through online chats and teleconferences. The experience of synchronous online education is the closest to a traditional college environment. The name reflects the fact that all the students are "synchronized" to the same schedule. In some cases, individuals in these classes may meet in person at computer labs to attend learning sessions.

Asynchronous Online Courses

This less structured form of online education is what most people think of when they consider online education. In this type of program you will have regular time limits or deadlines for work, but you will be more or less on your own to complete them. There may be a message board for communication with other students, but real-time interactions are generally minimal as not all students are expected to work at the same pace.

Asynchronous learning may be more difficult for some because it demands more personal time management skills, but it can be the better option for people who need complete flexibility to pursue education between their other life commitments or work schedules.

What Degree Programs Are Most Popular?

Online degree programs are available for a wide range of majors and areas of study. However, some programs are much more popular than others. In general, people who pursue online degrees tend to do so with a career path in mind. Humanities programs appear to be less popular than more focused types of learning.

Popular online degree programs are:

  • Business Administration
  • Criminal Justice
  • Psychology
  • Nursing
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Healthcare Administration
  • Computer Science
  • Accounting
  • Human Services

Many major online universities offer these degree programs, and some offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees in these areas where applicable.

How Many Online Universities Are There?

There are numerous opportunities for online and distance learning. Not all of these programs are accredited, however, and some programs that claim to offer online education may fail to deliver on that promise.

As of 2017, there are 973 schools that have accreditation for their online degree programs. This amounts to 67,284 available programs, with nearly 9 million students enrolled across all schools.

According to U.S. News & World Report, the 10 largest online schools are:

Some of these universities are for-profit schools, meaning that they are not funded by state or charitable dollars. However, this doesn't apply to all of these schools, and there are many online degree programs that are nonprofit.

Because many people choose to pursue online degrees rather than attending traditional college classes, many universities are providing long-distance education. You may discover that you can achieve a degree from your local college or university entirely through the internet without having to step foot in the classroom.

Online vs Brick-and-Mortar Education

When considering your future education, you may wish to research the available degree programs that will put you on the right track toward the career that you want. Whether you are a first-time student or returning for a second degree after graduation, college can open doorways to additional opportunities for personal development.

With so many traditional universities offering online programs, it can be especially challenging to choose between your options.

Here are a few factors to take into account when considering schools:

  • Scheduling

    One of the greatest strengths of an online education is flexibility. People can take online classes while working, raising children or otherwise handling family commitments. Most online coursework can be completed at the time most convenient for you rather than needing to attend classes in person. For those who struggle with arranging childcare or who work full-time, this can be a primary attraction.
  • Social Interaction

    For some students, the information provided by the coursework and the degree at the end are the only important take-aways from the college experience. Others prefer the social interaction and support of peers, which can make online classes feel a bit lonely. Internet-based classes are rarely built around discussion and classroom interaction, which can make some students struggle to engage with the material.
  • Convenience

    For some people, online universities are a more reasonable option as there may be no local college options nearby. If you live in a rural area or are otherwise unable to pursue a particular area of study without relocating, long-distance education courses can be a good alternative.
  • Cost

    Education is expensive, and cost may be a factor in deciding on a school. Tuition costs at both online and brick-and-mortar schools are frequently very similar, although online college may tend to be slightly more expensive. However, the secondary expenses associated with college can stack up quickly at a brick-and-mortar school: housing, gas, childcare, missed work, meal plans etc. If cost is a main issue for you, be sure to review all of the expenses associated with your top choices so that you can compare them accurately.

Pros and Cons of Online Degree Programs

If you're still on the fence over whether an online university is for you, it can be helpful to consider the advantages and disadvantages afforded by this type of education.

Pros

  • Greater flexibility and an open-ended schedule
  • More opportunities for those unwilling or unable to pursue education in person
  • Options for self-paced learning
  • A variety of programs to choose from
  • No additional costs, such as dorm fees or commuting expenses
  • Your writing and communication skills may improve due to required class participation in chat rooms or forums

Cons

  • Requires greater self-discipline
  • Fewer resources for help when you're struggling with the material
  • Limited opportunities to speak with a professor or communicate with peers
  • Few to no networking opportunities and reduced social interaction overall
  • You'll miss out on the campus experience, including clubs, extracurriculars and other social interactions
  • Your degree may not be as respected as you'd like, although this is changing as online education becomes more mainstream
  • You'll need to watch out for scams and predatory "schools" that offer more than they can deliver

Researching and learning about the experiences of others who have attended the school of your choice can also help you to make the best decision.

Are Online Degrees Respected?

Online education is becoming much more mainstream, and many people are pursuing these degrees before successfully entering the workforce. However, internet-based degrees are not as respected by all potential employers.

The reception of online degrees varies between employers and also between fields. Some fields, such as computer programming and other tech-related jobs, may have a more favorable view of internet-based learning. These tech-savvy jobs tend to care more about the specific job skills a person has learned than how or where those skills were acquired.

Other employers may be skeptical of the quality of an online degree, especially due to the reputation of some colleges as "diploma mills." Fortunately, as people become more savvy about potential scams, students and employers alike can learn to separate the wheat from the chaff when judging a particular degree program.

Overall, according to a report published by CNN, 83 percent of surveyed executives agree that an online degree is just as credible as one gained through any other university.

How to Identify a Scam

Unfortunately, not all online degree programs are legitimate. Some predatory companies exist to take advantage of a student's desire for affordable long-distance education. These programs may offer low-quality degrees that are not accredited and may not amount to much when searching for a career.

Awareness of these scams has improved, and this has helped them become somewhat less prolific, but it's still wise to know the signs of an illegitimate degree program.

Here are a few warning bells to look out for:

  • The program refers to itself as "career training" rather than a degree program
  • The program does not have a proper accreditation reference
  • The school claims to be old and well-known, but you can't find historical records to confirm this
  • The school offers no academic counseling or career placement services
  • The school guarantees a degree or seems "too good to be true"
  • The school is especially pushy about accepting financial aid and seem to offer programs with a "hard sell" approach

You can check whether a university is accredited by referring to the U.S. Department of Education's website or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. These resources will provide a listing of all reputable programs. You can also contact a state-run university to see whether that school will accept transfer credits from the online program you're considering; if not, you can consider that to be a major red flag.

Non-Profit vs For-Profit Universities

Many online colleges are for-profit universities. There are quite a few for-profit universities operating across the country that provide classroom learning as well. Operating on a for-profit basis does not necessarily make them irreputable. However, understanding the differences between non-profit and for-profit schools can help you to make the best choice for your needs.

For-profit or "proprietary" schools are run like businesses. Like any corporation, they make money for their owners and shareholders, and the company's bottom line is a primary concern. Additionally, these schools tend to be more expensive than non-profit universities, in part because they receive no state or charitable funding. For-profit universities also tend to have a much lower graduation rate, 28 percent, when compared to private non-profit colleges (65 percent). Part of the reason for this is student support: Because the bottom line is more important than the student's well-being, these universities may not spend as much time or money on ensuring the success of their students.

However, for-profit universities are not all bad. They sometimes offer job training opportunities and degree programs that may otherwise be inaccessible. Furthermore, they tend to have lower entrance requirements, making it possible to pursue a degree when no other college options are available.

Because for-profit schools are not beholden to tradition and state funding requirements, they are free to modify their curriculum quickly to adapt to changing needs within an industry. For this reason, some of the more cutting-edge STEM fields are frequently filled with for-profit graduates: According to Harvard University, over half of the associates degrees in IT subjects were awarded by for-profit schools. Additionally, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, only 12 percent of students currently enrolled in certificate programs through for-profit schools would have had access to the same type of program through a non-profit option.

There is nothing inherently wrong with a for-profit college, but you may wish to be extra careful about assessing your potential university to ensure that it is in good standing and does not show signs of being a potential scam or "diploma mill."

Choosing the Right Degree Program

Once you've decided that online college is right for you, you're only halfway there. The next step is to choose the right college for your needs. Here are some things to consider that will help you to narrow down your options:

  • Is the program accredited?

    You will want to research the potential universities to weed out any possible scams or low-quality offerings. Be sure to check that the school is accredited and will offer a usable degree before you make any steps forward or exchange money.
  • Does the school offer the degree you're looking for?

    Not every online college will offer all programs. If you know that you're planning to pursue a degree in nursing, for example, you will need to narrow your search down specifically to online colleges with nursing programs.
  • Is the college well-reviewed?

    With so many options to choose from, there is no need to settle on an online university that is poorly rated. Research how that college stacks up against its competitors, and take time to read legitimate reviews from former students as well. This will help you to determine if the college is really as good as it seems to be on the surface.
  • How much will it cost?

    Before committing to schooling, be sure that you know exactly what it will cost and how you will afford it. Financial aid options are available for distance education students, but be careful with any financial aid that seems too good to be true or is offered with a "hard sell" type method as this could be a sign of a scam.
  • What are the program's graduation rates?

    See what information you can find about the graduation rates for your chosen university, especially the number of students who graduate on time. If you're estimating the costs of your education for four years but end up needing five to complete the program, you'll graduate with more debt than you expected. Having realistic expectations for how quickly you can actually complete your degree can help you to budget accordingly; it can also point out possible red flags if many students have struggled to graduate on time.

Once you've found an online college that fits your criteria, you can move forward with the application process and prepare to start studying. When you know that you've done your research and chosen the best possible option, you can feel secure about your future education.