10 Online Colleges That Offer Monthly Payment Plans in 2027

Paying a full term's tuition upfront can strain any budget, especially if you're working while you study. A monthly payment plan lets you break that bill into smaller, predictable payments over the course of the term, usually without interest. For many online students, that flexibility is the difference between starting a program now and putting it off.

The colleges below all offer monthly or month-by-month installment plans for tuition, along with accredited online programs. You'll find how each school's plan works, what it costs to enroll, and how to pair a payment plan with financial aid so you borrow as little as possible.

How Monthly Payment Plans Work

A tuition payment plan spreads your balance for a term across several scheduled payments instead of one lump sum. Most schools charge a small enrollment fee, often between $15 and $50 per term, and many don't charge any interest at all. Some plans require a down payment, while others let you start with nothing down if you enroll early. If you're comparing options, online colleges with tuition payment plans can give you an even broader view of how schools structure these programs.

The number of payments usually depends on when you sign up. Enroll early, and you may get five or more payments in a semester. Wait until the term starts, and you'll have fewer, larger payments left. Many colleges run their plans through a third-party processor like Nelnet, which automatically drafts payments from your bank account or card on a set day each month.

Online Colleges That Offer Monthly Payment Plans

Each school below offers accredited online programs and a tuition plan with monthly or month-by-month payments. Plan details can change from term to term, so confirm current fees and deadlines with your school's billing office.

1. Western Governors University

Western Governors University (WGU) charges a flat rate per six-month term instead of per credit, which already makes its costs easy to predict. On top of that, WGU lets you split each term's tuition into four or six monthly payments. You'll pay a $25 enrollment fee to join the plan, and there's no interest on any of your payments.

WGU's financial aid team helps you set your first payment date and the schedule that follows, so your payments line up with your budget. The plan pairs well with WGU's competency-based model, which lets you complete as many courses as you can each term at no extra cost. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), and several large employers also cover WGU tuition in full.

2. University of Maryland Global Campus

University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) offers a monthly payment plan that spreads each semester's tuition over several months with absolutely no interest. Enrollment costs a nonrefundable $35 per semester, and you manage your plan through UMGC's online Student Account Center. The plan must be paid in full before the last day of classes for the term.

UMGC also offers a separate plan for balances left over from a previous term, which can help if you fall behind. As a public university accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), UMGC focuses on working adults and offers frequent start dates throughout the year.

3. Penn State World Campus

If you want a Penn State degree without paying each semester's bill all at once, World Campus students can use Penn State's installment plan. In fall and spring, the plan spreads your balance across four monthly payments, while summer plans have three. A nonrefundable $45 administrative fee applies each semester you enroll.

World Campus programs are taught by Penn State faculty, and you'll earn the same diploma as a student on campus. Penn State is accredited by MSCHE, and its online catalog includes business, engineering, education, and health programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

4. Colorado State University Online

Colorado State University Online students can pay their balance in monthly installments through the university's Nelnet payment plan. Depending on when you sign up, you can spread fall or spring tuition over three to five payments, or enroll in an annual plan with up to 10 payments. The plan charges no interest, and enrollment fees range from $30 for summer to $70 for an annual plan.

Payments are drafted automatically on the fifth of each month. Bank payments have no processing fee, while card payments carry a 2.85% service charge, so paying from a checking or savings account saves you money. Colorado State holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and its online degrees come from the same academic departments as its Fort Collins programs.

5. Oregon State University Ecampus

Oregon State University Ecampus students can pay tuition in installments through the university's payment plan options. Each plan starts with a down payment of 25% to 75%, followed by one to three monthly payments, depending on the option you choose. The $15 plan enrollment fee is one of the lowest on this list.

That range of options lets you decide how much to pay upfront and how much to spread out. Oregon State is accredited by NWCCU, and Ecampus offers more than 125 online degrees and certificates taught by the same faculty who teach in Corvallis.

6. Western Kentucky University

At Western Kentucky University (WKU), you can split each semester's balance into two to five interest-free monthly payments. Fall plans run from June through October, and spring plans run from November through March. The plan carries a $50 nonrefundable enrollment fee each semester and is administered through Nelnet Campus Commerce.

Keep your payment method current, since a returned payment carries a $30 fee and can cancel your plan. WKU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and offers online bachelor's degrees, graduate programs, and certificates through WKU Online.

7. Excelsior University

Excelsior University, a nonprofit school focused on adult learners, offers interest-free payment plans for undergraduate and graduate tuition. Depending on when you register, you can make one to six payments, and no plan runs longer than 12 months. You'll pay a 15% deposit when you set up the plan, plus a setup fee of $30 or $50 depending on its length.

Nelnet Business Solutions administers the plan, so payments are handled automatically once you're enrolled. Excelsior is accredited by MSCHE and is known for generous transfer credit policies, which can reduce the number of courses you pay for in the first place.

8. Charter Oak State College

Connecticut's public online college, Charter Oak State College, offers a semester-based payment plan that you set up through the MyCharterOak portal. The earlier you enroll, the more monthly payments you get, since the number of available payments decreases as the semester goes on. You'll pay a $45 setup fee along with your first payment.

Late installments carry a $20 fee, so it helps to set reminders or use automatic payments. Charter Oak is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and offers online bachelor's and master's degrees in accelerated five-week and eight-week terms.

9. Ivy Tech Community College

Ivy Tech Community College offers some of the most flexible plans on this list, with three, six, or nine monthly payments depending on the term and when you sign up. Most plans require no down payment, and setup costs just $30. You enroll through IvyPay in the MyIvy student portal.

Ivy Tech also offers biweekly plans if you'd rather match payments to your paychecks. Later sign-ups may require a down payment of 25% to 50%, so enrolling early gives you the most flexibility. Indiana's statewide community college system is accredited by HLC and offers online associate degrees and certificates in fields like accounting, cybersecurity, and health information technology.

10. Rio Salado College

Rio Salado College, part of Arizona's Maricopa County Community College District, lets online students set up a monthly payment plan through Nelnet in their student portal. Payments are automatically withdrawn on the fifth day of each month. Because plans can only be set up online, you can manage everything without calling the college or going to campus.

Rio Salado specializes in online learning, with more than 40 start dates a year and more than 100 certificate programs. The college is accredited by HLC, and its affordable per-credit tuition combined with monthly payments can make it one of the easiest places on this list to start your education.

How We Rank Schools

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university. For this list, we also reviewed each school's published payment plan terms, using the criteria below:

• Accreditation: Every school holds institutional accreditation from an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Monthly payment options: Each college offers a tuition plan with monthly or month-by-month installments.
• Plan costs: Schools with low enrollment fees and interest-free plans earned priority.
• Online availability: Each college offers degrees or certificates that can be completed online.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

Payment Plans vs. Student Loans

A payment plan and a student loan both help you avoid paying everything upfront, but they work very differently. A payment plan only spreads out the current term's bill, usually for a small flat fee and no interest. A loan gives you money you'll repay later, often years after you graduate, with interest building along the way.

For many students, a payment plan is the cheaper choice whenever you can afford the monthly amount. It also keeps you from adding to your long-term debt. If you do need to borrow, federal student loans typically offer better terms than private loans, and choosing online colleges with low tuition rates can shrink the amount you need in the first place.

How Much Does an Online Degree Cost?

Online tuition varies widely by school type and residency. Community colleges often charge less than $150 per credit for in-district students, while public universities commonly range from about $250 to $700 per credit for online courses. Some schools charge a flat rate per term, like WGU, which can lower your total cost if you take a heavy course load.

Residency can make a big difference, too. Some online programs charge the same rate no matter where you live, and colleges without out-of-state tuition can save you thousands if you're studying outside your home state. Comparing the cheapest online colleges in the U.S. can also help you find a program where monthly payments stay manageable.

Financial Aid To Pair With a Payment Plan

A payment plan works best when it covers only what's left after other aid. These options can shrink the balance you need to spread out:

• Federal grants: Filing the FAFSA can qualify you for Pell Grants, which don't need to be repaid, at affordable online colleges that accept FAFSA.
• Scholarships: Many schools and organizations offer scholarships for online students, including awards for adult learners and part-time students.
• Employer tuition assistance: Many companies that offer tuition reimbursement pay part or all of your tuition each year.
• Military benefits: Tuition Assistance and the GI Bill can cover tuition at approved schools, leaving little or nothing for a payment plan.
• Federal Direct Loans: If you still have a gap, federal loans can cover what a payment plan and other aid don't.

Tips for Choosing a Monthly Payment Plan

Payment plans look similar at first glance, but the details can affect what you pay. Keep these points in mind as you compare schools:

• Enroll early: Signing up before the term starts usually gives you more payments, smaller amounts, and a lower down payment.
• Check the fees: Compare enrollment fees, late fees, and returned payment fees, since these are the main costs of most plans.
• Pay by bank account: Many processors add a service fee for card payments, while bank payments are often free.
• Know what's covered: Some plans cover only tuition and required fees, so books and other costs may need to be paid separately.
• Plan for every term: Most plans must be renewed each semester or term, so put enrollment deadlines on your calendar.
• Watch the deadline: Missing a payment can lead to late fees, a canceled plan, or a hold on your account.

FAQs About Online Colleges With Monthly Payment Plans

Payment plans come with their own rules, and it helps to understand them before you sign up. These answers cover some of the most common questions.

What Happens if You Miss a Payment?

Most schools charge a late fee for a missed or delinquent payment, such as Charter Oak's $20 fee. A returned payment can also lead to an additional fee or cancel your plan entirely. If your balance stays unpaid, you may not be able to register for future terms, receive transcripts, or graduate until it's resolved.

Do Payment Plans Affect Your Credit Score?

Most school payment plans aren't loans, so they typically don't involve a credit check or show up on your credit report while you're paying on time. However, an unpaid balance that's sent to collections could hurt your credit. Paying on schedule keeps your account in good standing and avoids that risk.

Can You Use a Payment Plan if Your Employer Reimburses Tuition?

Yes, and the two can work well together. Many employers only reimburse you after you finish a course, so a payment plan lets you cover the bill gradually while you wait. Learning how tuition reimbursement works can help you time your payments around your employer's schedule.

Do You Have To Sign Up for a New Plan Each Term?

At most schools, yes. Plans like those at Penn State, WKU, and UMGC apply to one semester at a time, so you'll need to enroll again each term. A few schools, like Colorado State, offer an annual option that covers the full academic year with a single enrollment.

Can International Students Use Monthly Payment Plans?

It depends on the school and the processor. Some plans require a domestic bank account for automatic payments, while others accept international cards. Check with your school's billing office to see which payment methods it accepts before you enroll.

Find an Online College With a Payment Plan That Fits

A monthly payment plan can make an online degree far more manageable, especially when you pair it with grants, scholarships, or employer support. Browse programs through Learn.org and connect directly with schools to get personalized information about tuition, payment plans, and financial aid.