Online College Education - Better or Worse Than Onsite Colleges

Technology has brought education to the masses. Whether you’re a recent high school grad, stay at home mom, or even a Wall Street professional looking for a career change, getting the academic you desire – and can fit into your current lifestyle – has never been easier. Online college schools have been around for years, however, have become more accessible and specialized in their course offerings. Is online college right for you?

According to numerous organizations that monitor and study educational statistics and trends in higher learning, enrollment rates for distance learning, i.e. online education, at both traditional institutions and online-only schools have increased exponentially over the last several years.

Moreover, the popularity of online degree programs continues to gain momentum—and validity—as more and more nationally recognized universities offer them via the Internet.

The benefits of seeking an online degree program include more flexibility in terms of choosing courses that fit one’s particular needs and day-to-day schedule, allowing students to study from home (or on the road), outside of the confines of the traditional classroom setting. Taking classes online is also a very attractive feature for full-time employees who would otherwise need to commute to evening classes after a long workday.

The ability to avoid childcare expenses is a financial as well as logistical benefit, particularly for single parents who may already have limited time to spend with their children.

Brick and Mortar or Point and Click?
The question is, are traditional “brick and mortar” earned degrees considered and/or valued on the same level as degrees earned online?

There are reportedly over 1,000 online and campus-based associate, bachelor, graduate and other degree programs offered in the U.S. alone, and there are varying opinions about how the value placed on these degrees.

For example, an article published on http://encarta.msn.com reported that Brian Mueller, president of the Apollo Group, which owns the University of Phoenix, the Institute for Professional Development, the College for Financial Planning and Western International University, said, “[Employers] gain a certain amount of admiration for these students…They consider them savvy and creative enough to succeed online.”

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