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
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.
Regional Accreditation
When people ask if you have attended an "accredited university" in the United States, they commonly mean a regionally accredited university. According to the U. S. Department of Education, more than 85 percent of all colleges in the United States are regionally accredited.
Not all online colleges are regionally accredited—though the vast majority are.
National Accreditation
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation, CHEA, also recognizes a number of “national accreditation agencies.” These agencies are called “national agencies” because they aren’t organized by and limited to regional geographic areas. These national agencies have historically focused on approving career, vocational and trade schools.
The three most popular “national” college accreditation agencies recognized by CHEA are:
Distance Education & Training Council (DETC)
Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges & Schools (ACICS)
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT)
Often less expensive than regionally accredited counterparts
May require less liberal arts coursework
May offer more practical, career-oriented majors
May employ more relaxed admission standards
Cons:
Credits not widely accepted in transfer if you later attend a regionally accredited college
Coursework and degrees may not be widely accepted for professions that require licensing after degree attainment, which might affect those in licensed careers such as teaching, accounting, engineering and healthcare
Sometimes excluded from corporate tuition plans
Sometimes provide self-study courses without instructor-led course sessions
Affordability: One Major Factor
Cost can be an important deciding factor. If “better” means more affordable, then nationally accredited online colleges are often the winners.
According to GetEducated.com’s National Survey of Online MBAs the average cost of a regionally accredited online MBA is $20,500. On the other hand, the average cost for a nationally accredited online MBA is only $12,700.
That’s a savings of about $8,000.
In addition, GetEducated’s surveys of online colleges indicate that regionally accredited colleges often employ stricter admissions requirements, including higher entrance GPAs. They also are more likely to require standardized admission exams, such as the GRE or GMAT.
Consumer Alert:The most common complaint GetEducated.com receives from people who attend nationally accredited online college programs is that their degrees do not meet with wide acceptance later when they return to advanced education or graduate school. Case in Point
In 2006, a 23-year-old woman, Latesha Gonzalez, enrolled with Crown College in Tacoma, Washington. At the time, Crown College was accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT).
Latesha was assured when she enrolled with Crown that a local, regionally accredited college, Gonzaga University, would accept Crown courses as the equivalent of its own.
But when Latesha later attempted to transfer her coursework from Crown to Gonzaga she was told by Gonzaga that it would not recognize credits earned from ACCSCT-accredited colleges.
Latesha sued Crown, as did a number of other disgruntled students. She eventually won the suit.
Which Type of Online College Accreditation Is Better?
Nationally accredited online colleges score “better” on some criteria—affordability and ease of admission, most notably.
Regionally accredited online colleges score “better” on other dimensions, such as academic reputation, transfer of credit, and the widest possible acceptance by other universities.
Decide which factor(s) matter the most to you and choose your online college degree program accordingly.
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...
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....
Champlain College’s 42-credit, unique MSL program educates non-lawyer working professionals about the law. This regionally accredited program delivered by our experienced faculty of attorneys was designed to help you build a greater understanding of the law. This distinct degree will help you become an objective thinker and equip you with the tools you need to appraise and evaluate real-life legal situations. Navigate the law with confidence! Contact us at 1.866.441.0427 Ext. 3517.
Top-ranked by US News & World Report for transfer students, Excelsior College helps you complete your degree, start to finish. We accept most of your prior college credits, military and workplace training. Many affordable, flexible ways to complete your degree, including online courses and credit-bearing examinations. Choose from a variety of undergraduate and graduate business programs. Important accreditations and comprehensive student support help ensure your success. Finish your degree. Advance your career. Enrich your life.
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 
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... 
