An online degree can cost as little as $3,000 – or over $100,000. More than 12,000 online degrees and certificates – and no two charge the same tuition. Our affordability rankings reveal who offers the best – and worst – buys in online degrees.
Enrolled in an online degree program? Alumni of an online college? Visit your college or degree program in our directory and "grade" – rate and rank – its performance. Your opinion will help others "get educated" about the real-life ratings of thousands of online college programs.
Not all online colleges rate the same in the eyes of the public or potential employers. How does the public rate your online degree? Do they rank it high – or rate it low? Help rate and rank all the choices. Your opinion will help others "get educated" about the real-life reputation of thousands of online colleges.
"Anybody who's thinking of enrolling in an online degree ... take a good look at GetEducated.com . Go ... get a free download of a detailed guide ."
Searching for an Online MBA?: "Several websites can help .. first, GetEducated.com offers free rankings of distance-learning MBA programs."
"Beware diploma mills... Go to GetEducated.com and ask the Diploma Mill Police."
"For a distance MBA you can pay from $6,000 to $120,000. To get the most bang for your buck ... check out GetEducated.com"
GetEducated.com – "a great source for weeding out phonies" (among online colleges).
"Thanks much for your wonderful site! I've recommended it to my students and entered a program I found at GetEducated.com." --Charles Balch, MBA, Ph.D. --Professor, Arizona Western College
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Financial Aid Information | Consumer's College Cost Cutting Guide
By Vicky Phillips, Chief Education Analyst | June 16, 2009
Question:
I attended college twelve years ago and dropped out. I finished three years of college toward my four-year bachelor’s degree in business. Can I transfer all these old credits toward a new online degree? —Tom, Maryland
Answer:
Your old course credits will have to "fit" into any new college's degree structure. Because no two colleges have identical degree requirements, the transfer process rarely results in a perfect fit.
But you’re smart to ask about transfer credits. Losing credits in transfer is like losing your wallet. If you paid $150 per credit for your old courses—a modest price—and you lose fifteen credits when you transfer to a new college, you’ve lost $2,250.
Five issues can affect your transfer credit standing. Before you enroll in any online college scrutinize each school’s policies on these issues.
By GetEducated.com Consumer Reporting Team | May 19, 2009
Don Holcomb needed help. The 55-year-old Phoenix engineer couldn’t figure out how to finish testing his invention—a solar-powered cooling system—despite a PhD in industrial engineering.
So, Holcomb went online—to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. MIT is the pioneer of the Open Courseware movement, which places professors’ lectures (via video, audio, slides or text) into the public sphere for anyone to view, all for free.
Holcomb took a course in chemical engineering processes, which helped him figure out how to proceed with testing his invention.
“Hearing it from the teacher and hearing his emphasis adds a lot to the learning experience,” says Holcomb. “You don’t get that out of just reading textbooks.”
By Vicky Phillips, Chief Education Analyst | January 29, 2009
Today, the majority of "college kids" are 24 years old or older. In online bachelor's degree programs, the average “college kid” is 36 years old. The average online master’s degree student is 40 years old.
If you’re an older “college kid,” chances are you’ve acquired specialized knowledge on the job—or even through independent reading or hobbies.
"Credit for life experience" programs are available at most colleges today. Using them can help you earn your online college degree more quickly—and at considerable cost savings. Here are five ways to turn what you've learned in life into college credit.
By GetEducated.com Consumer Reporting Team | January 12, 2009
“Help! I called an online college to ask about their degree program in healthcare and now they won’t stop calling me. They’ve called like five times this week. Now they have my cell number and want me to sign loan papers. I feel like I’m being harassed by a bill collector.”
Incoming Email Potential Online Student
Online students often complain to us that they’re getting a hard sell from admissions reps at for-profit colleges. We’re not surprised. Over the last few years, several class-action suits have found for-profit schools guilty of employing aggressive and misleading tactics to rush online students toward enrollment.
Under scrutiny, many for-profit online colleges have cleaned up their acts. But a select few still use hard-sell tactics to lure students.
By GetEducated.com Consumer Reporting Team | January 12, 2009
Average cost of a college textbook: $150.
Ouch!
Enroll for two online courses, each requiring one textbook, and you’re instantly out $300. Take thirty online courses to earn your associate degree and watch your bank account dwindle by $4,500. And if you're taking courses in specialty areas, such as accounting, count on spending even more.
Taking steps to slash your textbook budget can literally save you thousands. Unlike a decade ago, students today have multiple options for getting college textbooks online.
I’m looking for an online MBA. I’ve found several that fit my budget but none are accredited by the AACSB. What is the AACSB? Do I really need a distance MBA degree that is accredited by them?
—Roberta, Gary, IN —Roberta, Gary, IN e online by “testing out" of courses and by getting credit for his work and military training. Is this possible or has my friend been scammed big time?
— Todd in Modesto, California
The AACSB is the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. It is considered the gold standard of business school accreditation. But not every student needs an AACSB-accredited MBA...
I was laid off from my job as a real estate agent and want to be a high school math teacher, but my bachelor’s degree is in psychology. Do I need a new degree in education? Will an online bachelor’s in education qualify me to become a licensed teacher?
—Willis, Houston, Texas
If you didn’t earn a bachelor’s degree in education years ago and you now want to teach in the public schools, don’t fret. Every state maintains what are termed “alternative teacher certification” programs...
I’m considering earning my MBA online because there are no colleges nearby. But I’m skeptical about online education. Can you cite any objective research that “proves” that online MBAs are as good as the old-fashioned classroom?
—Tammy, Wyoming
The answer: YES. Online education has been scientifically shown to be as effective—if not more so—than the old-time classroom lecture....
Grand Canyon University - If you are driven to pursue a higher standard of success and require flexibility in your schedule to get there, GCU is the right choice for you! We are a private Christian university established in 1949. With an online and campus-based enrollment of more than 13,000, we emphasize individual attention for both traditional students and the working professional. With our cutting-edge curriculum, you will gain the experience you need to succeed in a global marketplace.
Baker College Online is one of the largest and most affordable accredited online colleges in the nation. Our tuition is often less than half that of other online colleges while the quality of your education and training remains high. Baker Graduates increased their earning potential by 35% upon completion of their degrees. As a career college our goal is to prepare you for a great career and help you find a good job or advance your current career in the shortest possible time.
For active-duty military, reservists, veterans, and military families.
More than half of military students use online education. What do you need to know to find schools that best fit your needs? How can you find the best financial aid and scholarship package at your online school? Answers are here.
Job and Career Opportunities in Online and Distance Education
Online and distance schools need teachers.
The field of online education is growing and so is the need for teachers who can teach online. Check out our regularly updated list of online job opportunities, post your job availability, and visit our Online Resource Center, with tips, advice and free downloads for online educators.
Facts from GetEducated's National Survey of Online MBAs. Who offers the cheapest online MBA? Do you need an AACSB-accredited distance MBA? Online MBA rankings and ratings. Everything you need to know to compare 390 accredited online MBAs from 168 online business schools.
I’m looking for an online MBA. I’ve found several that fit my budget but none are accredited by the AACSB. What is the AACSB? Do I really need a distance MBA degree that is accredited by them?
—Roberta, Gary, IN
—Roberta, Gary, IN e online by “testing out" of courses and by getting credit for his work and military training. Is this possible or has my friend been scammed big time?
— Todd in Modesto, California 
The AACSB is the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. It is considered the gold standard of business school accreditation. But not every student needs an AACSB-accredited MBA... 
Don Holcomb needed help. The 55-year-old Phoenix engineer couldn’t figure out how to finish testing his invention—a solar-powered cooling system—despite a PhD in industrial engineering.
