Are the Best Online Universities Better than Traditional Colleges and Career Schools?

Getting a degree online brings multiple benefits to those who may not have had an opportunity to get a college degree from a traditional school. For those with families or full-time job commitments, attending classes on campus may have been difficult to impossible to achieve, but with online universities, non-traditional students can finally get the degrees they seek. Another hindrance to some students is the cost of traditional colleges. Many online universities offer more affordable opportunities to get a higher education.

The benefits of online universities are many. Online universities provide flexible scheduling and, frequently, accelerated programs that allow students to do more studying in a shorter time frame, thereby allowing students to complete their studies more quickly. While many like to cite the fact that online programs rob students of the opportunity to participate in face-to-face discussions, the reality is that online classes do not allow students to sit quietly without participating as actually happens quite often in traditional classrooms. Not having to drive to and from a campus, working in the comfort of your own home, and the reduced cost of book expenses that may be eliminated due to online access to these same materials are other important benefits to attending an online university. But how do these online universities measure up to traditional colleges and career schools? Is it worth spending the time and money on an online degree when compared to traditional schools?

While online schools originally had a shady reputation, the tide has begun to turn and many reputable online universities are offering high-quality education to students who may never step foot on a campus. Not only has public opinion shifted with respect to online education, but more importantly, so has the perception among the educators making decisions about providing online education. A 2006 study by the Sloan Consortium indicates that 62% of chief academic officers at schools already engaged in online education believe that "the quality of online instruction is no more difficult than for face-to-face, and an increasing majority view the quality of online education as the same or better than face-to-face instruction."

In addition, those in charge of hiring graduates from both traditional and online schools are also looking favorably upon online education. Not only do a large majority of employers now see online education as credible as a traditional education, they are also willing to hire qualified students with online degrees. One field that seems especially accepting of online degrees is the field of Business Administration. Estimates from 2005 indicated that 40% of MBA students were enrolled in online degree programs. With the high standards of many online MBA programs and a perspective from employers that those students working online are also managing to hold down full-time careers, many employers welcome online graduates.

Top Online Universities

	University of Phoenix - Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, & Doctoral Degrees. Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, & Doctoral Degrees – As one of the world’s largest universities, University of Phoenix has the educational resources to make every student successful in their degree plan. University of Phoenix offers classes at a campus and also available to take entirely online.
	Kaplan University - Associate’s, Bachelor’s, & Master’s Degrees. With a successful track record of placing students in high-quality jobs, Kaplan University stands out among online colleges. Kaplan offers students the opportunity to take classes from the comfort of home and on their own schedule.
	Everest University - Associate’s, Bachelor’s, & Master’s Degrees. Everest University uses a hands-on approach to teaching students that brings out the best in everyone attending classes. Everest University allows students who work full time to take classes at their convenience and on their own schedule.
	American InterContinental University Online - Associate’s, Bachelor’s, & Master’s Degrees. American InterContinental University has been educating students around the world for over 35 years. During this time, AIU has become recognized for offering progressive, interactive degrees in high-growth industries.
	Saint Leo University - Associate's, Bachelor's & Master's Degrees. With six semesters throughout the year, Saint Leo University gives students the opportunity to start college right away. They have faculty members and administrators who can help you throughout your whole online experience, from admission to financial aid.
	Ashford University - Associate’s, Bachelor’s, & Master’s Degrees. Ashford University offers both online programs and campus programs seeking to learn in a classroom. Ashford University is one of the most respected names in college education and students seeking a college degree will be hard pressed to find a better option.
	Grand Canyon University - Bachelor's & Master's Degrees. Highly accredited and well respected, Grand Canyon University has been educating students from all around the world through their online programs. They put emphasis on providing individual attention to every student in order to ensure they receive the quality education they deserve.
	Colorado Technical University - Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's & Doctoral Degrees. For those ready to take a step into the real-world, Colorado Technical University provides you with all the knowledge and tools necessary to acquire excellent career opportunities. Their staff is dedicated in helping you understand everything there is to know in the field of your interest.
	DeVry University - Associate’s & Bachelor’s Degrees. Focusing on providing students high-quality education, DeVry University has provided thousands of students a college degree online. DeVry University has numerous course offerings and offer flexible and interactive programs.
	Strayer University - Associate's, Bachelor's & Master's Degrees. Strayer University provides many advantages that many other online colleges do not offer. Each student is handled individually at Strayer University, where a great administrative staff makes sure every need is met.
	Liberty University - Associate’s, Bachelor’s, & Master’s Degrees. As one of the largest evangelical universities in the world, Liberty University provides a variety of campus and online programs. Liberty University is one of the top college online education providers in existence today.
	Penn Foster Career School - Certificates. Penn Foster Career School offers students the opportunity to receive the degree they need to pursue their desired career. With their programs available completely online, students could continue working or attend to other responsibilities while obtaining their degree.