10 Important Tips For Choosing An Online College

There are hundreds of colleges and universities in the United States that offer online degree programs, and it can seem impossible to narrow them down.

There are a few different things you can do to help you decide which college is best for you. Keep reading to learn how to choose an online college.

How to Choose an Online College

Choosing the right online college can be tricky. There are so many options available, and you want to pick the one that's best for you.

Below, we've listed ten tips to help you choose an online college.

1. Do a Search for the Best Schools With Your Online Program

Know you want to go back to school, but don't know where to start? Try an internet search.

There are dozens of websites that put together 'best college' lists. A simple search for 'best online college for your major' will likely get you plenty of results.

You can even look through several lists and cross-reference them to see which schools appear most often. That can give you a great starting point for investigating online colleges.

A word of warning, though: some sites will include sponsored entries on their lists. These are usually marked as such but know that they don't always deserve a spot on that list.

2. Consider Schools in Your State

The beauty of online college is that you can live in one state and attend a school across the country. However, there are sometimes benefits to looking at a college in your state.

First, if it's a public university, you may receive a lower tuition rate than you would if you were an out-of-state student. The in-state can sometimes be half the out-of-state rate, sometimes more!

Second, it can be nice to attend an online school that also has a nearby campus. That way, if there are any issues or even big school events, you can pop over to campus if you like.

Most states have multiple online colleges and universities, so odds are, you can find something close by.

3. Make Sure Its Accredited

Whatever college or university you choose, it needs to be accredited. There are two types of accreditation: regional and national.

Regional accreditation is what most colleges and universities have, and it's the preferred type of accreditation. Credits from these programs will transfer pretty much anywhere.

There are six regional accreditation agencies, each accrediting the schools within their region of the United States. These agencies are:

• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
• Western Association of Colleges and Schools (WASC)

National accreditation is typically used for things like career colleges or for-profit schools. These credits do not transfer into regionally accredited schools.

There are many national accreditation agencies. They usually accredit the same types of colleges, like cosmetology schools, health science colleges, or Bible colleges.

If your school isn't accredited, you won't be able to get federal financial aid. You also won't be able to receive industry certification and may have trouble getting a job.

4. Check the Stats

Looking at the statistics for different schools can help you get a better idea of the school's success as well as well as what the school itself may be like.

The National Center for Education Statistics provides the College Navigator tool to help students sort through colleges and universities. You can search for specific schools or set filters to look for colleges.

Once you click on a college or university's profile, you can learn things like:

• the degrees and programs offered
• the number of students and faculty
• the average tuition costs
• the demographics of the student body
• the acceptance rate
• the graduation rate
• accreditation information

5. Investigate Student Activities

It may sound counterintuitive since you're studying online, but student groups and activities can be a big part of your school experience.

Many online colleges and universities offer these clubs and activities in a virtual format, allowing students to connect without needing to go to campus.

The programs available can vary, but they often revolve around a particular field of study, hobby, or common cause.

6. Learn More About the Program Format

While many online colleges offer the same majors, the programs themselves can vary significantly. Some may be better suited for you than others.

Some online colleges follow a standard semester schedule, while others offer courses in six or eight-week blocks. Some offer traditional learning formats, while others offer self-paced programs.

The way the online courses are offered can differ as well. Many colleges offer asynchronous online courses, meaning that while you have due dates, you don't have set log in times.

However, you may find some courses are live or synchronous, where you have a set course time where you need to log on to participate in class or watch a live lecture.

You'll also want to check to see if there are any on-campus obligations you'll need to fulfill. Some programs require testing or labs to be done on campus.

7. Read Reviews

Reviews can be a great way to understand how real students feel about their university. You can find out how the administration handles issues, how effective the teachers are, and the benefits of the school's programs.

Often, all you need to do to find reviews is a quick web search. Look for Google reviews, websites that offer information on colleges, and even Reddit threads.

While reviews are great, it's important to remember to take them with a grain of salt. Disgruntled students are more likely to leave a review than happy ones.

8. Price Out the Cost

College is expensive, but some are more expensive than others. Figuring out how much each college on your list costs can be a quick way to narrow down your options.

Most colleges and universities list tuition prices on their website. Keep in mind that this may not give you a full picture, as they don't always include fees and supply costs in this number.

If you're struggling to find tuition information on the school website, you can find average tuition costs on College Navigator or do a web search.

9. Look Into Financial Aid Options

There is a wide range of financial aid options available to students, and often, things like scholarships and work-study programs are available directly through the college or university.

Typically, you'll find information about these options through the financial aid page on the college's website. You'll likely need to have completed your FAFSA before you can apply.

Securing financial aid for your education can help make college more affordable and help you avoid high student loan debt.

10. Talk to an Admissions Counselor

If you've done your research and are still having a hard time choosing the right online college, try reaching out to each college's admissions counselor.

While the admissions counselor will likely try to encourage you to apply, this gives you an opportunity to ask questions you might still have and learn more about the institution and program.

You can usually find contact information for the admissions office on the college or university's website.

Choose an Online College Today

Finding the right online college can be tricky. Check out the above guide on how to choose an online college to help you narrow down your choice and decide on the perfect college.