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.
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"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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By GetEducated.com Consumer Reporting Team | February 02, 2009
Colby Nolan, a black cat, brought new meaning to the term "educational pedigree" when, in 2004, he “earned” an MBA online from Trinity Southern University of Plano, Texas.
The feline was graduated with honors with a 3.5 GPA (that's a B-plus average) after Trinity Southern officials “evaluated” his resume—which apparently showed college-level business experience in the fast food industry, child care, and, er, retail management.
Colby’s diploma was purchased for $399, plus shipping and handling, in a sting operation undertaken by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.
By Vicky Phillips, Chief Education Analyst | February 02, 2009
Question:
Help! Choosing an online college is an overwhelming task. I have a list of more than twenty possible colleges. I’m favoring one online college that is accredited by the Distance Education & Training Council (DETC). Is the DETC a valid accreditor? Will my degree be widely recognized? My career counselor told me national accreditation (like the DETC) is not as good as regional accreditation. Which is better when it comes to online colleges: regional accreditation or national accreditation? And does it really make any difference?
—Michael Atlanta, Georgia
Answer:
The truth? One type of online college accreditation is not necessarily “better” than another if you take “better” to mean “better academically.” However, there are real benefits to attending a regionally accredited college versus a nationally accredited college.
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 Vicky Phillips, Chief Education Analyst | January 19, 2009
Question:
I’m ready to go back to college online. I need an MBA. Fast. But I already carry $25,000 in student loans from my bachelor’s degree. Can you guys recommend a good—but cheap—online MBA?
—Brad Manchester, NH
Answer:
Brace yourself. The cost range of an online MBA is truly staggering. According to GetEducated.com’s National Survey of Online MBAs, you can pay as little as $7,000 or as much as $107,000 for an accredited distance MBA.
By Vicky Phillips, Chief Education Analyst | January 19, 2009
Question:
I’m looking for an online MBA (Master of Business Administration). I’ve found several that fit my budget but none of these 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 Answer:
The AACSB is the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. It is a voluntary, non-governmental accrediting agency that oversees the standardization of collegiate schools of business and accounting nationwide.
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
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...
Ohio University’s online Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree program prepares professionals for leadership positions in contemporary health organizations in the U.S. Graduates are highly valued for their ability to solve complex problems and meet organizational goals by combining their knowledge of the evolving health environment with their experience. The program is designed for mid-career professionals, is offered entirely online and can be completed in two years.
Boston University, one of the most respected schools in the US, has developed a Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ) program, delivered fully online. This program has established itself as the largest course of its kind in North America. By completing this program you will earn a highly respected master’s degree from one of the most prestigious universities in the US. Having this MCJ degree can lead to many career opportunities within the criminal justice field.
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.
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 
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... 
