In today’s world, a college degree is often the key to success. It’s the ticket you need for countless jobs in all kinds of different industries – and it can help you earn far more money throughout your career. But today, as increasingly more people choose to earn their degrees, something is changing. More people are enrolling in online degree programs instead of attending traditional colleges and universities, and you can find these programs with an online search.
Online degrees are on the rise, and they’re only expected to continue increasing in popularity. More than 6 million students took at least one online college course in 2016. Since then, public colleges and universities have seen online degree program enrollment skyrocket, growing by over 7 percent. If you’re looking for an affordable online degree program, you can start a search today.
Why are so many people choosing online degrees over traditional degrees? An online degree can save you a ton of time and money. Even more importantly, employers don’t care where your degree came from – simply having that degree will help you succeed.
Understanding Online Courses
Thanks to today’s technology, online courses have become incredibly common. You can take an online course at a wide range of colleges, universities, and even vocational schools. Students can enroll in online courses in combination with traditional on-campus classes or as part of an online-only program.
To join these courses, you’ll just need a computer and internet access. Online courses are incredibly flexible. As long as you can get online, you can study and learn – even attend class – from anywhere. You can learn in your local library, favorite coffee shop, or right at home.
And when you take online college courses, you’ll essentially join a virtual classroom. You’ll have access to online discussion boards where you can communicate with your classmates, see posted assignments, and can join in on lectures and group sessions via video chat.
How Long Do Online Degrees Take?
Online degree programs vary in length. Each college or university determines how many credits or courses students need to complete in order to earn their degrees. Some schools will offer traditional and accelerated degree programs, which lets students choose how quickly they’d like to earn their degrees.
The length of an online degree program also depends on which type of degree you’re earning. You can earn an associate’s, bachelor’s, or graduate degree online, and each will take anywhere from a few months to a number of years, depending on your education history, the program you choose, and the school.
For example, an associate’s degree at one school may take just one year. But a bachelor’s degree in the same field may take four years. Accelerated programs can take 15 months at some schools, and they can take two years at others.
On average, an associate’s degree program will take between 15 months to 24 months to complete. A bachelor’s degree program will take between 36 and 48 months. Graduate degrees can take one to two years, plus the time it takes to earn your previous degrees.
Accelerated Online Degree Programs Are the Fastest
If you’re looking to earn your degree as quickly as possible to save both time and money, you’ll want to consider an accelerated online degree program. Accelerated programs are faster-paced than typical degree programs, meaning you’ll take more classes each semester and potentially even take classes that last just a few weeks at a time.
And plenty of online colleges and universities offer accelerated programs that allow you to earn a degree in just 12 to 18 months. These schools include:
- Azusa Pacific University, where you can complete some associate’s degree programs in 12 months.
- Herzing University, where you can complete some associate’s degree programs in 16 months.
- Florida State College at Jacksonville, where you can complete some associate’s degree programs in 18 months.
- Mercy College, where you can complete some bachelor’s degree programs in 12 months.
- California Baptist University, where you can complete about 20 accelerated bachelor’s degree programs in 16 months.
- Northeastern University, which offers multiple 18-month accelerated bachelor’s degree programs.
Top Universities Are Now Offering Online Degrees
One worry many people have about online degrees is how legitimate and respected they are. If you don’t earn a traditional degree from a big-name university, will it still help you succeed in your career?
With millions of students choosing online courses over traditional ones, long-distance students studying at home is no longer unusual – and colleges are embracing this change. Online degree programs are becoming so popular that even top universities are now offering them.
And some of the best-known colleges and universities in America are now competing for students, offering the very same level of quality education in online degree programs. These universities include:
- Arizona State University
- Ohio State University
- Oregon State University
- University at Buffalo – SUNY
- University of Alabama
These schools are already prestigious for their on-campus education. But now, students anywhere can access that same quality education by earning degrees online. You’ll get access to professors that can prepare you for any field, from the sciences to the arts. And you can complete your degree at a pace that works for you.
How Much Cheaper is an Online Degree?
One of the biggest benefits of choosing an online degree program is the cost. Typically, online degrees cost less – and offer lower-priced tuition – than their brick-and-mortar counterparts.
As the cost of tuition at traditional colleges and universities rises every year, it’s becoming increasingly expensive to attend a school and earn a degree. But online degree programs aren’t seeing this same problem. Because students don’t need to live on campus, use campus resources, or face expenses like commuting costs or even on-campus fees, the overall cost of an online degree can be cheaper.
Online degree programs allow you to save money. Even if the tuition itself isn’t significantly cheaper, an online degree will help you save hundreds to thousands of dollars on your commute, room and board, textbooks, and other common college expenses.
Start Earning Your Degree Online Today
If you’re interested in earning your degree, studying online could be extremely rewarding. Taking college or university courses online, right from home, will help you prepare for a career that opens up countless new opportunities.
But surprisingly, many prospective students don’t know about this new option. Luckily for you, you can easily get started on your education.
If you’re ready to begin earning your degree, you can start the process now. You just need to search for online college programs, public and private. Then, you can check out different programs, compare tuition costs, and even look for accelerated options.
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