3 Accredited Self-Paced Online Colleges in North Carolina 2025

Students looking for flexible distance education options in North Carolina can find great programs at self-paced online colleges. When pursuing degrees at these schools, students can progress through coursework at their preferred pace and earn a degree on their desired timeline.

Below, we'll highlight self-paced schools in North Carolina offering flexible degree programs online. We'll discuss program enrollment, financial aid, and where to find the cheapest self-paced online college.

Self-Paced Online Degree Programs in North Carolina

Self-paced online degree programs offer a highly flexible learning experience for students seeking first-time or continuing education opportunities. Some of these programs are available at accredited online colleges in North Carolina. Review the schools below to learn about their fully online programs with self-paced options.

1. University of North Carolina at Charlotte

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, which is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), offers online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees students can complete at their preferred pace. Flexible programs are available in business administration, nursing (RN-BSN), teaching, educational leadership, and beyond.

Academic advisors, assigned following enrollment, help students navigate their plan of study and select the right courses. Tuition at UNC Charlotte is very affordable. In-state learners pay just $158.83 per credit hour for undergraduate degrees and $256.11 for graduate programs.

2. University of North Carolina Greensboro

At the University of North Carolina Greensboro, over 60 online degree and certificate programs are available in a range of academic areas. Learners seeking flexible scheduling can choose from reputable undergraduate and graduate degrees in:

• history
• cybersecurity
• applied economics
• nursing
• teaching

Instead of taking traditional classes with set deadlines, students at this SACSCOC-accredited institution complete assignments at their convenience and finish programs at their own pace. In addition to tutoring, advising, and other great online services, enrollees enjoy affordable in-state annual tuition costing $5,468 for undergraduates and $6,422 for graduates.

3. Lees-McRae College

Lees-McRae College offers over half a dozen online degrees for working professionals who want to choose their academic schedules. Programs include Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) degrees in criminal justice and business administration and Master of Arts (MA) options in teaching and healthcare administration.

Courses starting every eight weeks and personalized online academic support make earning a degree from this SACSCOC-accredited school worth it � affordability is another benefit. Lees-McRae offers tuition starting at just $390 per credit hour and provides scholarships and discounts to lower school costs.

Online Colleges in Other States Offering Self-Paced Programs

Are you interested in exploring additional accredited self-paced online colleges? Review the list below to discover schools in other parts of the country.

1. University of Massachusetts Global

MyPath at the University of Massachusetts Global is a competency-based learning format featuring self-paced programs with no predetermined schedules or due dates. Students don't take semester-based courses. Instead, they access on-demand courses and move through learning materials at their own pace using assessments to show competency.

UMass Global, which is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), offers MyPath associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees in general business, marketing, IT, organizational leadership, and beyond. Tuition for these programs starts at $3,300 per 24-week billing period. Learners can take as many courses as possible each period to graduate faster and save money.

2. Walden University

Walden University's Tempo Learning competency-based programs measure students' understanding of subject matter through assessments rather than semester-based coursework. Enrollees study competencies at their own pace, moving quickly through information they know and spending more time on newer concepts.

As Tempo Learning enrollees, students can earn online master's and bachelor's degrees in healthcare management, psychology, early childhood studies, and beyond. The school's subscription-based billing model helps learners pay as little as $6,200 in total tuition. Walden, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), offers other perks like one free subscription period for every four subscription periods completed.

3. Capella University

FlexPath at Capella University accommodates students with busy schedules by offering over 40 online degrees with no preset deadlines. This competency-based education option lets learners set their schedules and progress through learning materials at their own pace.

Undergraduate and graduate business, computer science, nursing, psychology, and education programs are a few available FlexPath options. At this HLC-accredited school, tuition is billed once every 12 weeks. During these periods, learners can take as many courses as they like and pay one flat rate. Total tuition for FlexPath programs is as low as $20,000 for bachelor's degrees and less than $18,000 for master's degrees.

4. Universities of Wisconsin

The University of Wisconsin, accredited by the HLC, offers Flexible Option for students attending the Madison, Milwaukee, and Parkside campuses. Through this distance learning opportunity, learners enroll in competency-based online programs that use assessments on a self-paced basis, instead of traditional coursework to determine subject matter mastery.

Flexible Option students choose from associate and bachelor's degrees and certificate programs in the following fields:

• biomedical sciences diagnostic imaging
• arts and sciences
• business analytics
• agile project management

Once registered, learners pay a flat rate to take courses over a 12-week subscription period. Students who want to accelerate degree completion can pay $2,250 each period and take as many classes as they'd like.

5. University of Phoenix

At The University of Phoenix, students can find reputable competency-based (CB) bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration, information systems, health administration, and nursing. These self-paced programs use assessments to measure progress and charge about $7,200 to take up to four courses per 16-week term.

Direct assessment programs are also competency-based; however, they accelerate learning by letting students take up to four self-paced courses every 12 weeks for about $10,000 annually. Learners enrolled in these programs can earn bachelor's degrees in health management or IT or pursue a master's degree in psychology.

6. Western Governors University

Western Governors University, accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), offers competency-based education (CBE) online degrees students can complete in their preferred timeframe. CBE programs include bachelor's and master's degrees in: *business

• education
• technology
• health

With flexible pacing, students complete assignments, write papers, and take tests at a rate that matches their knowledge level. Enrollees are charged a flat tuition rate over six-month periods, enabling them to take numerous courses at a lower cost. The amount students pay to earn a WGU online degree starts at about $8,300 annually.

7. University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota is home to Self-Paced Enroll Anytime, an educational opportunity for students interested in earning a highly flexible online degree. Learners can choose from three bachelor's programs leading to communication, social science, and general studies degrees.

The HLC-accredited university lets students enroll any day of the year, submit up to three items for grading per week, and take up to nine months to complete each course. Courses explore the same materials and maintain the same workload as traditional courses. Regardless of residency, enrollees pay an in-state tuition rate of $384.88 per credit hour.

Our Selection Criteria

Our team selected the institutions in the rank list above by undergoing a thorough vetting process. Every school meets the following criteria for delivering a quality experience in higher education:

• Accredited: Schools in this list have received accreditation from nationally recognized organizations such as the SACSCOC and HLC.
• Accessible: Several institutions make college accessible to more students by offering affordable tuition and programs with flexible schedules.
• Reputable: We confirmed that these colleges and universities offer quality online programs at numerous degree levels.

How Self-Paced Online Degree Programs Make College More Affordable

An amazing benefit of attending accredited self-paced online colleges is the reduced cost of earning a degree. Some schools charge a low tuition rate or offer financial aid, scholarships, or other discounts to make online learning more affordable.

Colleges offering self-paced or competency-based programs sometimes use a subscription-based model. Instead of paying for each course by the credit hour, students take as many courses as possible within a specific billing period. This model helps students pay less for their degrees and complete their studies faster.

How To Find Online Degrees With Self-Paced Options

A growing number of accredited self-paced online colleges are available for students seeking alternatives to traditional in-person and online education. But how can you locate flexible self-paced programs? Try the following when researching online degrees:

• Look for schools with degrees described as ''self-paced.''
• Find institutions with ''flexible'' programs that have no set deadlines or schedules.
• Consider competency-based degrees that use assessments instead of traditional coursework to measure student progress.

If you have budget limitations, you can expand your search to include schools with affordable online degree programs that offer lower tuition or financial aid. You can also look for schools that support learners with free online services like tutoring and academic advising.

Self-Paced Courses vs. Other Online Courses

Self-paced courses are generally more flexible than semester-based online classes. Students can choose from multiple start dates instead of waiting until the fall or spring semesters to enroll.

After gaining admission, enrollees decide when to access learning materials, submit assignments (or take exams for competency-based programs), and complete courses. Students typically navigate coursework at their chosen pace and graduate as soon as they finish their studies.

FAQs About Enrollment and Financial Aid for Self-Paced Online Learning

Self-paced online degree programs help busy students earn degrees without disrupting their personal and work schedules. Review the FAQs below to learn more about this distance learning experience.

What Is the Easiest Self-Paced Online College To Get Into in North Carolina?

Gaining admission is easiest at schools with higher acceptance rates. Among North Carolina self-paced online colleges, UNC Greensboro's acceptance rate is the highest at 92%. Schools with open enrollment are also good options since they are known for accepting nearly all students with a high school diploma or equivalent.

What Types of Financial Aid Can I Receive for Self-Paced Online Programs?

Students interested in saving on self-paced degrees can benefit from online colleges that accept financial aid. Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens doors to federal grants (i.e., Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, TEACH, etc.) and student loans.

Other financial aid opportunities include state grants, institutional scholarships, and tuition discounts.

How Much Do Online Colleges With Flexible Schedules Cost in North Carolina?

Attending the cheapest self-paced online college in North Carolina while enjoying a quality academic experience is ideal for budget-conscious students. Fortunately, public schools in North Carolina are very affordable with tuition for an online bachelor's degree averaging just over $175 per credit hour.

Explore Bachelor's Degrees With Accreditation for Online Students

Take steps toward a rewarding experience in online higher education by exploring the degree programs offered by schools on Learn.org. Contact a school of interest today and find out how their programs can help you reach your educational and career goals.