Enrollment in online learning doubled from 2007 to 2011, leading to a massive expansion in the number of top online colleges offering distance learning programs. There is much speculation as to the cause of the drastic increase in students choosing online classes for college versus traditional classes, but the most-likely culprit is the stagnant economy.
Competition for jobs has motivated professionals to augment their skill set with additional education. Other reasons for the surging enrollment in online colleges and universities include the fact that distance learning is far more convenient, cheaper and faster than traditional classroom-based education.
What are the Top Online Colleges?
If you are one of the millions of potential students who may be considering online education, here is a list of some of the top online colleges to choose from.
Kaplan University
Kaplan University is one of the most popular and largest accredited online colleges. It offers online bachelor’s, master’s, associates degrees, and certificate programs in many most in-demand professions. It also offers several financial options. By going to their website you will find information on financial aid, military aid and even employer reimbursement. The program emphasizes real world knowledge, making this university a great gateway to the future potential job market.
Ivy Bridge College
This online university is designed to have student attain their associates degree online with them and then they provide a smooth transferring process to continue education (such as attaining a bachelor’s degree) to their 100+ partner colleges and universities throughout the United States. They boast about their outstanding student support team that will help each student every step of the way.
University of Phoenix
The University of Phoenix is the largest private college in North America with over 200 campuses. The curriculum is designed as a gateway to the workplace and offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Some of the areas of study include: Business, Criminal Justice, Education, Human Services, Nursing and Health Care, Psychology, and Technology.
Walden University
This University was founded in 1971 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Walden University is accredited that offers bachelors, master’s MBA, and PhD degrees. The program is geared toward working professionals so they will not have to take time out of their busy schedule to continue their education. The university offers more than 60 accredited online degree programs with more than 300 specializations and concentrations.
Ashford University
This university is popular because it has lower tuition rates. Ashford allows you to share the college experience with other students and faculty from around the world. Its innovative and high-quality learning experience is perfect for students who want to complete their degree quickly and inexpensively.
Choosing Among the Online Universities
Each University or College has its own specialty or advantage. When choosing an online school be sure to have a clear idea what your needs are. Some ideas to think about are: accreditation, credit transfer, degree programs, cost, and financial aid. Hopefully, with this list of the top online colleges, you will be closer to finding the one online college that is right for you.