With many colleges now allowing students to enroll in online classes, it’s possible to earn a college degree without ever setting foot on campus.
However, because an online college degree is inexpensive and easier to get than a regular degree, it’s likely you’ll question whether an online degree is worth it and if it’s possible to use it as a springboard to land your ideal career or earn a much-desired promotion.
For non-traditional students seeking to advance their jobs or educational attainments, an online college degree is well worth the investment. It's also an excellent option for people who lack access to their favorite academic programs and those who lack the finances to pay for traditional degrees.
One of the most obvious things about an online college is that it’s more accessible than a regular university.
That’s because online and on-campus degrees attract vastly different applicant pools.
However, it’s possible to wonder whether a degree you earn online can be just as good as the one you get after years of being on campus.
In this guide, we dive deeper into the topic to help you understand whether earning an online degree would amount to anything substantial.
Is An Online College Degree Worth It These Days?
There a few misconceptions about online college degrees that you need to know to determine whether taking online classes would be worth it.
- An online degree is inferior to a regular degree.
- Anybody can earn an online degree because anyone can enroll in an online institution.
We can understand why such misconceptions are quite prevalent.
An article published by US News shows that the acceptance rate for online programs is around 2.4 percent higher than the acceptance rate for on-campus programs at institutions that offer online and traditional degree programs.
The article goes further to state that some online programs have lower acceptance rates than their equivalents in the traditional world. So it would be inaccurate to conclude that anyone can enroll in an online learning institution simply because of the existence of different application pools.
Even then, we can agree that non-traditional students applying online are more likely to receive an acceptance letter than conventional students would. That’s likely because:
- They have some college credits and experience
- They are financially independent
- They have improved time management skills
- They have clear sense of what they want in life
How Fast Can You Apply to an Online Class?
There is no doubt that the college application is one of the most stressful processes for post high school students. The process takes time and there’s a waiting period for the admissions committee’s decision.
Fortunately, non-traditional students no longer have to endure the same hardship. The application process is usually straightforward, to say the least. You will have to:
- Complete the online application form by filling out the necessary information, including your name, residence, birthday, and citizenship.
- Create an account on the admissions portal, authenticate your identity, select an online degree program you’re interested in, and select a payment option.
- Submit your application.
Bear in mind, however, that entrance standards vary between schools and institutions. Additionally, prerequisites for various online degrees offered by the same university may vary.
Is Earning an Online Degree Easier?
When you enroll in an online course, you’ll study remotely and at your own pace. As such, an online degree should be easy to pursue since you have more flexibility than a student who opts for in-person learning.
Some argue that online degrees are less useful than traditional degrees due to their ease of attainment. To some level, they are true. Nothing could be simpler than receiving a degree from the convenience of your own home simply by logging online to study materials, view videos, or, in certain cases, attend virtual classes.
In that regard, everyone can agree that online degrees are more convenient to acquire than on-campus degrees. However, on all other levels, online and on-campus college degrees are identical, which means they need diligence, discipline, and commitment.
To graduate, online students must exhibit the same characteristics as traditional students. Otherwise,
How Long Does an Online Program Take to Complete?
You can complete a bachelor's degree program online in as little as a year to as much as six years. The time required to graduate is dependent on a variety of factors, including:
- The amount of credits obtained from prior universities
- The student's enrollment status, which may be part or full-time
In any case, you can complete an online program much faster than traditional programs.
Given that you can complete an online class in a short time, you can earn an online degree faster and use it for a variety of purposes, including job application, career advancement, and economic stability.
Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Degrees
Referred to as two-year or three-year degrees in some countries, despite the fact that they take four to six years to finish, accelerated online bachelor's degrees are the quickest undergraduate degrees offered online.
Don’t buy the misconception that an accelerated bachelor's degree has easier courses. As stated previously, online and traditional degrees are identical in terms of course content. The only difference is that an accelerated program requires you to work through the same amount of content in a short time.
You'll need to spend more time reading materials, watching videos, and working on tasks, and less time on naps and vacations. In exchange, you will earn a degree much faster than an in-person leaner in the same program.
How Can I Earn An Online Degree Fast?
The following are some strategies for completing your online degree more program faster:
- Choose an online college or university that awards credit for life and job experience.
- If your institution allows, enroll full-time, which entails taking 12 to 18 credits every semester or more.
- Enroll in asynchronous classes that allow for online access whenever available.
- Pursue an online degree that will accept all previously earned college credits.
- Reduce distractions and unneeded breaks to a minimum.
Final Thoughts
A non-traditional student's investment in an online college degree is worth it. It combines the ease and cost of a traditional degree with the flexibility and affordability of an online degree.
Because the resultant credential does not mention that you earned an online degree, a prospective employer is unlikely to notice the difference.