Online Colleges are Becoming More and More Popular – Here’s Why!

We all want to get ahead in life, and furthering your education is among the most reliable ways to do so. However, it’s hard to choose the right path or degree because an education can be a committment than many of us cannot afford. Thankfully, online degrees are making a post-secondary degree more accessible than ever. Here are some tips to help you find the right online degree!

Why Get an Online College Degree?

Due to the high cost of college tuition, students are required to sacrifice so much just so they can come to classes on campus. College tuition has risen steadily over the years by about 3% annually or by anywhere from 20% to over 30% in the last decade alone, according to CNBC¹. It’s no wonder then that the average college student leaves school with a staggering debt of $37,172.

Fortunately, many of the best higher learning institutions now offer high quality online degree programs². It is now possible to get an online college degree that will look just as impressive to employers without forcing you to go through so much trouble.

By applying for an online college you will:

– Attend the same classes as traditional students from the comfort of your own home.
– Benefit from a flexible schedule and do the work at your own pace without having to rush.
– Have more choice in courses and be able to finish programs and classes much faster.
– Most importantly, you will save a lot of money by studying online.

After all, who wants to start a new career swimming in debt? And if you think you’ll pay off traditional college loans in a couple of years, you are most likely mistaken. According to CNBC and the Department of Education, a loan of $20,000 to $40,000 takes as much as 20 years to pay off. When you take that into consideration, paying so much just to be able to sit in a classroom doesn’t sound as appealing³.

In contrast, online college degrees cost less than your common undergrad program and there’s always the possibility of getting a free college degree through special programs. Why should you throw away up to two years of salaries for a chance to share a room with other students?

It’s Never Too Late to Get an Online Degree

Distance learning through an online college course is the perfect solution for seniors who want to get a degree. You can learn from the comfort of your home, even if you have issues with hearing, mobility, or if you cannot drive and don’t want to commute or worry about parking. Your schedule can be flexible and course material is often available when you need it, which lets you work at a pace that’s ideal for you.

Senior students can also count on getting help from advisors that explain how online degrees function through introductory classes. Those who are shy can expect a certain level of anonymity, and those who want to interact more will be able to talk to people with shared interests. Meeting new friends and colleagues is an excellent way to relieve loneliness, a significant risk factor for all-cause mortality among both women and men⁴.

The Best Online College Degrees

1) Associate’s Programs

A two-year associate’s degree that requires about 60 credit hours is probably the best way to start a new career or get promoted. This can also be an excellent stepping stone to a Bachelor’s degree. Here are some of the best fields to consider for people who want to get their associate degree online:

– Psychology and Counseling
– Tax preparation
– Real Estate
– Child Development

2) Bachelor’s Programs

A four-year bachelor’s degree requires some 120 credit hours, or less if it’s preceded by an associate’s degree. The flexible learning environment of online college courses let bachelor students work part or full-time while still making progress. When it comes to an online bachelor’s degree, people most often choose the following fields of study:

– Medical Billing
– Business & Entrepreneurship
– Computer Science and Engineering
– Veterinary Technician

Online Education Is The Future!

Researching and finding more about all the different online college programs might seem daunting at first, but doing so online is usually the simplest and most effective way. Really, all you need to do is type in a keyword or two and you’ll get a list featuring more than a few great options.

This is your chance to get back on track…

You can lead a more fulfilling life and steer your career into a more lucrative direction. Start searching for online schools today and you will be amazed at how many high-quality and affordable online college degrees you will find.

References

[1] “New Study: Over Six Million Students Now Enrolled In Distance Education – OLC”. 2020. OLC. https://onlinelearningconsortium.org/news_item/new-study-six-million-students-now-enrolled-distance-education/.

[2] “25 Highest Paying Online Masters Degrees 2020”. 2020. Collegeconsensus.Com. https://www.collegeconsensus.com/online/highest-paying-online-masters-degrees/.

[3] “Online Bachelor’s Degrees And Programs | University Of Florida Online”. 2020. University Of Florida Online. https://ufonline.ufl.edu/.

[4] Northeastern University, http://www.northeastern.edu. 2020. “Online Learning – Northeastern University”. Northeastern University. https://www.northeastern.edu/academics/online-learning/