Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why ‘getting your degree online’ might be the best choice for you.
Statistically, online education is on the rise. As of 2017, more than 64 million adults in the United States are currently enrolled in some form of distance education or online courses.
In fact, a recent Statista survey found that by 2021, this number is expected to grow to 74 million. In response to these statistics and other research, more students than ever before are investing in an education that’s available entirely online.
According to the latest statistics from the Council for Adult Education and Webster University’s Center for Digital Education, ‘getting your degree online’ has never been more popular — so why is it becoming such a common option?
Now, let’s take a look at some of the reasons why ‘getting your degree online’ might be the best choice for you.
You can earn your degree entirely online.
One of the most obvious advantages of earning your degree online is that you can do so entirely online. While some online degrees require you to visit campus for one-on-one instruction, many others can be earned entirely online — meaning that you don’t have to travel to attend classes, take time off of work, or commute to and from school.
This can come in handy if you have a job, care for a family member, or have other obligations that make attending a traditional campus-based program difficult to manage.
Online degree programs also come with the added benefit of being able to work around your schedule, since you can log in and complete assignments and other tasks when it’s most convenient for you.
Online education is more affordable than a traditional degree.
Another reason why getting your degree online is a smart choice is because it’s often much more affordable than a traditional degree program.
In fact, the Council for Adult Education found that you can save an average of $14,000 by earning an online degree — and some degrees are even more affordable than others. For example, if you decide to earn a degree in business administration online, you can save an average of $29,000.
If you’re interested in a career in education, you can even save $44,000 by earning a degree online. In addition to being more affordable, online degree programs are also more accessible to students who might not otherwise be able to afford a degree program.
This is because online degree programs often provide financial aid and scholarship opportunities, just as they would if you attended a campus-based program.
It’s convenient and flexible.
Another advantage of earning your degree online is that it’s convenient and flexible. All online degree programs come with built-in flexibility to make sure that you can complete your degree while also managing your other life obligations.
For example, most online programs offer asynchronous courses that allow you to work on assignments and coursework on your own time.
This means that you can work around your work schedule, family responsibilities, and other obligations in order to complete your courses.
Some online degree programs even allow you to log into your classes and complete coursework at any time of the day or night — you don’t have to limit your coursework to only when the campus is open.
Many online degree programs have an advantage over campus-based programs in the sense that they come with built-in flexibility. For example, if you can’t attend a certain class due to an obligation that you can’t get out of, you don’t have to worry about being penalized.
Many online programs allow you to audit the course, meaning that you can still complete it and get credit for it without attending the class.
Many online courses are accredited.
Another reason why getting your degree online is a smart choice is because many online courses are accredited — which means that you can earn your degree from a respected university and have it be recognized by potential employers.
Earning a degree from an accredited university can make all the difference when it comes to getting a job, moving up in your career, and having your degree validated by industry experts.
Many online degree programs are accredited by one of the six largest regional accreditation bodies in the United States:
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education,
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges,
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools,
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges,
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, or
- the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
While accreditation is an important consideration when choosing an online degree program, there’s also another aspect to consider. You should make sure that the school you choose is certified by a government agency such as the Department of Education.
This is the agency that provides accreditation for educational institutions across the country. The Department of Education also provides financial aid to students who qualify for it.
Online degrees from accredited universities are growing in value.
Finally, one of the best reasons to pursue an online degree is that online degrees from accredited universities are growing in value. While many people might assume that online degrees are worth less than degrees from brick-and-mortar institutions, that’s simply not the case.
In fact, a study conducted by the Brookings Institution found that online degrees are growing in value. This makes sense, considering that more employers are willing to hire candidates with online degrees than ever before.
As the study found, about two-thirds of employers are now willing to hire candidates with degrees earned entirely online — which is an increase of 10% since 2013.
Another report found that of more than 2,000 hiring managers, 71% said they would prefer to hire candidates with online degrees over those with traditional degrees — and this pattern is also growing.
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Conclusion
Getting your degree online is a smart choice because it offers many benefits that can’t be found in a traditional degree program. With an online degree, you can earn your degree entirely online, work around your schedule, and have your degree accredited.
Online degrees are also growing in value, meaning that they’re becoming increasingly more valuable in the eyes of employers. In addition to all of these benefits, online degrees are also more affordable than a traditional degree.
