In today’s fast-paced society, having a college degree is more important than ever. Having a four-year degree can put you at an advantage in a hyper competitive job market. If that’s enough, people with four year degrees on average make 84% more than people with high school diplomas alone. Luckily, it’s now easier to earn a degree than ever before, by earning your degree online. The following are four of the top online colleges where you can earn your degree on your own schedule.
1. University of Phoenix
One of the most famous online colleges is The University of Phoenix. This school offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees in over 100 different programs, both online and at brick and mortar campuses. The University of Phoenix is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Tuition varies by program, but the school offers several options for financing, including federal student aid.
2. Kaplan University
Kaplan University offers associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees from nine different schools within the university. With over 42,000 students, both on campus and online, Kaplan is consistently ranked among the best distance learning schools in the country. Kaplan, like the University of Phoenix, is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Financial aid is available for students, with military members receiving discounted tuition.
3. Strayer University
Another popular school offering online courses is Strayer University, a private college offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in several different disciplines. Strayer was founded in 1892 and currently has nearly 40,000 enrolled in both on-campus and online programs. Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, this university is geared toward working adults looking to gain or advance their degrees. Tuition rates are reasonable and both government and university-funded aid is available.
4. Capella University
Capella University offers over 1,600 online courses for their 141 undergraduate and graduate programs. Also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Capella has over 35,000 students from across the country and around the world. Interested students will find tuition rates to be affordable, with the university committed to transparency in their costs.
With the explosion in the number of programs offered online, achieving a degree has never been easier. Students of all ages can now achieve their academic dreams on their own time, when it is convenient for their schedule. Earning a degree can lead to greater advancement in the workplace, higher salary rates, and the peace of mind of meeting your goals. Many of the above listed schools offer trial periods allowing interested people can get a feel of what online learning is really like. There is nothing to lose, but a lot to gain.
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