THE MOST AFFORDABLE ONLINE COLLEGES

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Online colleges offer what was once nearly impossible: the opportunity to earn a college degree while maintaining a full-time job. As universities across the country rush to bring their programs online, students have more distance education options than ever before. With so many choices, it’s important to find the right school for your educational goals and your budget. An online degree is more than a temporary expense: it’s an investment in your future.

Unsurprisingly, many students prioritize affordability when they begin their college search. And as online education gains even greater prominence, many cost-conscious students begin by looking for the cheapest online colleges in terms of tuition costs. It’s a fair place to start the search, considering how much students save by foregoing room and board, commuting costs, and textbook fees.

Critically, there is a big difference between affordable online colleges and cheap online colleges. Our list below is an attempt to separate the former from the latter. Using our new “College Affordability Score,” we have carefully calculated a list of online universities that offer robust educational opportunities and comprehensive financial aid. These colleges have a proven track record of helping online students graduate, without saddling them with punishing, long-term debt. This data can help you determine which colleges give you the best chance to earn a degree at an affordable price.

Who Should Consider an Online Bachelor’s Degree?

Online colleges provide the rigor and respectability of a brick-and-mortar campus while offering maximum flexibility and affordability for students who lead busy lives or live in rural areas. The ideal distance learner is passionate about furthering their education, willing to work hard, has self-discipline, understands basic technology, and is intrinsically motivated.

Earning a bachelor’s degree through an online college presents the same benefits as any other four-year program, but often at a lower price. In addition to higher starting salaries, those holding a four-year degree will earn more wage increases throughout their careers and advance in their careers more quickly than those without a college degree.

Brigham Young University-Idaho

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An undergraduate education from Brigham Young University-Idaho has numerous benefits. It's one of the most affordable online colleges, and the university offers a variety of fully online undergraduate programs. Online bachelor’s degrees include applied management and web design and development. Students interested in pursuing a career in the healthcare industry have several options, including programs in public health, healthcare administration, and an RN to BSN program. The university’s online interdisciplinary studies degree enables students to develop an individualized degree plan that incorporates multiple disciplines.

BYU’s bachelor programs usually require around 120 credits, and the online format allows students to take one class at a time. Online students have access to federal financial aid, pell grants, and scholarships, including financial awards for nontraditional students and parents in school. BYU admits students in the spring, summer, fall, and winter.

University of Florida

University of Florida, located in Gainesville, provides Florida residents and students across the globe with academic opportunities, including access to 19 fully online undergraduate programs. UF’s online programs cater to a broad range of career interests, and students choose from degrees in computer science, environmental management, psychology, sociology, and more. The BA in business administration allows students to concentrate in one of eight areas, and the completely online public relations degree prepares students for careers as technical writers, media coordinators, and fundraising managers.

This affordable online college offers distance learners a standard tuition rate regardless of residency. An online admissions team assists students throughout the entire application process. Students with less than 12 college credits are considered freshmen. Lower division transfers have 12-59 credits, and upper division transfers have more than 60 credits. Transfer students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Thomas Edison State University

Thomas Edison State University offers quality education. Its comprehensive tuition plan allows students to take up to 36 credits per year for an annual price instead of paying per semester. Online students have the option of paying per credit, which allows them to pursue their degree at their own pace. Online degrees include communications, sociology, liberal studies, and electronic systems engineering technology. The BS in business administration equips students with a variety of professional business skills. TESU offers several bachelor's degrees in applied science and technology, including electrical technology, energy systems technology, and nuclear engineering. Online courses take 12 weeks to complete and are delivered through the university’s online learning platform, myEdison. TESU, one of the best affordable online colleges, offers university-funded and private scholarships. Other financial aid opportunities include federal and state financial aid and military discounts for veterans and their families.

University of Central Florida

The University of Central Florida, known for its affordable online college programs, offers more than 80 online degree and certificate programs, including undergraduate degrees in criminal justice, history, political science, and technical education and industry training. The university’s unique religion and cultural studies degree provides students with the opportunity to explore world religions, from ancient to contemporary traditions. UCF offers three English concentrations: creative writing, literature, and technical communication. Students with an associate degree can seamlessly transfer into the bachelor of applied science. Available tracks include health services administration and software development.

Students begin the application process by choosing a major and submitting an online application. Other admissions requirements include official transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, and proficiency in a foreign language. U.S. News and World Report ranked UCF Online for providing one of the best undergraduate degree experiences.

Utah State University

Utah State University promotes quality education through its diverse online degree offerings. Students seeking affordable online colleges have the opportunity to choose between several degrees at USU. The liberal arts degree allows transfer students to complete their degree and pursue graduate programs in areas such as law, medicine, and the social sciences. To be eligible for the liberal arts program, students must have 45 credits and a minimum GPA of 2.5. All bachelor’s programs consist of 120 credits. Courses are offered in a semester-long, 14-week term or two 7-week terms. Online students have access to numerous resources, including E-tutoring, student software discounts, and remote IT help. Utah State is among the nation’s most affordable accredited online colleges, providing students with a straightforward tuition calculator and offering several departmental and private scholarships.

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