An authorized online bachelor’s degree can help you advance in your profession without leaving your house. You’ll take online classes, study from home, manage your hectic schedule, and engage digitally with instructors and students as part of your program.
Those who desire greater flexibility in completing their education or who wish to take the courses while working full-time or raising children may be interested in an online college degree. Choosing where to apply online might be difficult, but we’ve provided tools, tips, and other resources to help you out.
Best Online Bachelor’s Programs
To determine the finest online bachelor’s degree programs, US News considered numerous aspects, including graduation rates, faculty degrees, and remotely available support services.
| Rank | School Name | Tuition Per Credit (Out of State) | Application Deadline | Financial Aid Available | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 (tie) | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University–Worldwide | $447 | Rolling | Yes | ||||
| #1 (tie) | University of Florida | $500 | Rolling | Yes | ||||
| #3 (tie) | Medical University of South Carolina | $658 | Rolling | Yes | ||||
| #3 (tie) | University of Illinois–Chicago | $414 | Rolling | Yes | ||||
| #5 | Oregon State University | $331 | Rolling | Yes | ||||
| #6 | Arizona State University | $541 | Rolling | Yes | ||||
| #7 (tie) | Ohio State University–Columbus | $382 | Rolling | Yes | ||||
| #7 (tie) | University of Arizona | $525 | Rolling | Yes | ||||
| #7 (tie) | University of Central Florida | $716 | Rolling | Yes | ||||
| #10 (tie) | CUNY School of Professional Studies | $305 | Rolling | Yes | ||||
| #10 (tie) | North Carolina State University | $1,138 | Feb. 15 | Yes | ||||
| #10 (tie) | University of North Carolina–Charlotte | $719 | Rolling | Yes | ||||
| #13 | Colorado State University–Global | $350 | Rolling | Yes | ||||
| #14 (tie) | George Washington University | $615 | Rolling | Yes | ||||
| #14 (tie) | Utah State University | $369 | Rolling | Yes |
How to Choose the Best Online Bachelor’s Program for You
Choosing an online college program is a big step. The greatest online program for you is one that meets your requirements, price, and timetable. Use internet resources and conduct research to locate the program that works best for you. According to Wiley Education Services’ 2021 poll, “Voices of Online Learners,” 30% of online students asked claimed a desire for personal improvement was a crucial factor influencing their decision to study, followed by a promotion or advancement in their present study job. professional (26%). Consider your intended topic of study and how it can assist you into other businesses. Other considerations that impact program selection include the cost, flexibility, and structure of an online program. Check if the programs you’re interested in are completely online or in the format you choose. Then, evaluate financial assistance availability, qualifying requirements, and application fees. View specific information about the school, such as enrollment figures. For example, what prices you must pay in addition to tuition, such as books, course materials, and online delivery fees, as well as information regarding student and faculty services. The provision of online learning support services might demonstrate how much a school values the student experience. Students who are transferring from classroom to online study, for example, may require technological assistance.
How Much Does an Online Bachelor’s Degree Cost?
When compared to certain on-campus programs, online programs can save students money on transportation, accommodation, and study supplies. Despite the fact that some universities charge for distant learning or technology. Many private colleges offer lower tuition for online undergraduate degrees than for on-campus degrees. For the 2021-2022 academic year, the average price per credit for online programs at 198 private universities reported to News is $513. This is less than the $1,287 average tuition for on-campus programs at ranking private institutions provided by the 628 universities that supplied this information. Tuition prices for online students, both local and foreign, might differ amongst public schools.
For the 2021-2022 academic year, the average tuition for state and county students for an online bachelor’s degree is $333 per credit. From the 283 rated colleges that provide this information, the average state tuition is $385 per credit. Attending a public school in your state can help you save tens of thousands of dollars. Tuition costs may differ depending on the program or format. Students may cut the cost of online education in a variety of ways. You can, for example, transfer college credits or enroll in an accelerated program. Despite this, according to a 2021 Wiley Education Services poll, transferring past credits was the most challenging component of their application process for 8% of students.
There is also a competency-based education style that allows students to pay a set fee every billing cycle. Students exhibit mastery of certain abilities in order to progress through the content more quickly and spend more time acquiring new information. Tuition prices might also be reduced through scholarships for online students. Working students may also be eligible for tuition reimbursement from their employer if their company covers all or part of their tuition. According to the Wiley Education Services 2021 poll, 68% of students worked full-time and 15% worked part-time.
How to Apply to an Online Bachelor’s Degree Program
Prospective students should be aware of deadlines for school admissions applications, financial assistance, and test score submission, since online program schedules and deadlines may differ from those available on campus. For Federal Loans, Scholarships, and Dual Degree Work, you must complete the Free Federal Student Aid Application. Almost every student who applies for financial aid is eligible for some type of assistance. Because FAFSA and financial assistance are so complicated, many colleges hire counselors to help prospective students through the process. Online students may be required to submit the combined application, which is approved by over 900 institutions, including some non-US colleges.
Prospective students with professional expertise should highlight their experience in their application. Admissions officers seek for essays that demonstrate an applicant’s individuality, and a powerful tale is a wonderful method to do so. Online college students frequently require letters of recommendation. This can include not just instructors and school counselors, but also present or past employers who can attest to the student’s work ethic. Students may be asked to submit their SAT or ACT scores, high school transcripts, and, depending on the program requirements, past job experience and course hours achieved. Students who attend college with college credits are not eligible to take the SAT or ACT unless they transfer enough credits.
How to Fund Your Online Bachelor’s Degree
To be eligible for financial assistance, you must complete the FAFSA, which is available online on October 1 of each year. For the best chance of receiving financial help, prospective students should check school and state award deadlines and apply as soon as feasible. Many online programs require students to complete a minimum number of credit hours in order to get certain quantities or types of help. As a result, whether a student enrolls part-time or full-time might influence his or her capacity to qualify for financial help. The FAFSA demands students’ contact information and Social Security number, as well as their most recent federal income tax returns and bank records.
Undergraduate students under the age of 24 who are not married, veterans, or active-duty military members must file as dependents and furnish their parents’ financial information. A dependent student is considered to have parental assistance, thus information from both parents and students is analyzed to determine the family’s financial status. In rare cases, students who are estranged from their parents can still file the FAFSA as dependents, but they must follow up with the college’s financial aid office once they do so. Students who are at least 24 years old, or younger than 24 years old and satisfy specific legal conditions, are deemed autonomous and utilize their own financial information.
Fill out further financial assistance paperwork and apply for scholarships next. Many institutions provide their own financial help in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, and federal work-study opportunities. However, because many online students work full-time, certain online degree programs may not provide work-study alternatives. Organizations associated with a discipline are good places to look for scholarships online. You may also browse the U.S. News Scholarship Finder for thousands of alternatives. Online students may be eligible for the same scholarships as on-campus students, and there may be extra scholarships available for online or adult students. After filing the FAFSA online, applicants will get a Student Aid Report from the Federal Student Aid office.
It provides applicants with the chance to examine or modify any information on the FAFSA, including adding or eliminating colleges. Each institution assesses financial assistance eligibility by calculating an applicant’s financial need. Students are then given an award letter outlining the financial help available from the institution. They may compare their award packages depending on the amount of help they are qualified for, as well as the tuition and other expenditures of the institution. To continue receiving financial assistance, candidates must complete the FAFSA for the duration of their enrollment.
Online Bachelor’s Degree Overview
Many colleges offer online degrees in a variety of subjects. Click on a degree to learn more about the courses you’ll be taking, how long it will take to finish the program, job options, and typical incomes. To acquire an online bachelor’s degree in health sciences, for example, you’ll study public health, health communication, and epidemiology.