HOW WE CHOSE OUR RATINGS

Fort Hays State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. This school combines a quality education with affordable tuition to make it to the top of our list. Whether you want to pursue an associate degree or are ready for a doctoral program, Fort Hays State has you covered. With a variety of majors and a policy of accepting most transfer credits, the program is ideal for adult learners. Even better, with in-state tuition averaging about $5,000, you don’t have to spend a fortune to boost your career. Finally, with online support and an active career center, Fort Hays State is committed to helping its online learners succeed. While you may not get a traditional college experience, you certainly meet your educational goals when you pursue a degree at Fort Hays State.

If you want to earn your degree fast without breaking the bank, the University of North Florida is likely a good option. This school receives its accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. While the school offers a variety of degrees in many different subjects, it stands out for its online nursing program. In fact, it is possible to complete the RN to BSN program in just a year. If you are ready to pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice, you can do so in under two years at North Florida. Meanwhile, with in-state tuition averaging around $6,400, you make a smart, affordable investment in your future when you enroll in this online school.

Our third-ranked online school hails from the Lone Star State. West Texas A&M University is a reputable place for you to pursue your degree. Like the University of North Florida, WTAMU receives accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. A major draw for this program is its hybrid offerings. That is, you may be able to combine baccalaureate and master’s degree programs to earn both degrees in less time. With a variety of subjects in the online curriculum, WTAMU also appeals to students with many different academic goals. Still, at more than $7,500 for in-state tuition, WTAMU is the most expensive of our top-three online programs.

American Public University may be the first entry on our list that you haven’t heard of before. Even though it doesn’t have the name recognition of West Texas A&M or the University of North Florida, APU offers many advantages to motivated online learners. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, APU offers more than 200 online degrees and educational certificates. That number is significantly higher than most other programs on our list. However, the real benefit of attending APU is its flexibility. Courses start in every month of the calendar year, meaning you don’t have to wait to begin your college career. For budgeting purposes, plan to pay around $7,000 for in-state tuition at APU.

With accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the College of Coastal Georgia offers a variety of educational programs for its online students. Still, you can only pursue a bachelor’s degree at CCG, as the school does not yet have associate or doctoral programs. Nonetheless, the robust curriculum includes both hard and soft sciences in addition to business and language programs. Even better, like West Texas A&M University, the school entices learners with hybrid programs that combine disciplines. And, at only approximately $3,800 for in-state tuition, CCG is the most affordable school on our list.

If you want to earn a degree from an online school that has a deep alumni base and significant tradition, Oregon State University is a good bet. Accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, OSU boasts more than 40 degree programs. Not only can you pursue a bachelor’s degree, you can work on post-graduate learning as well. If you are looking to obtain a professional certificate, OSU has those, too. The true advantage of taking classes at OSU is its support of distance learners. The technical, career and educational assistance you receive is virtually unbeatable. Nonetheless, with an in-state tuition price tag starting at about $10,400, OSU is the most expensive online program in our survey.

With accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission, the University of Arkansas offers a well-respected place to pursue both undergraduate and graduate-level degrees. Meanwhile, faculty at the University of Arkansas work hard to blur the difference between conventional and distance learning. If you enroll in the school’s online program, you choose courses in a variety of subjects. While the Ph.D. offerings are somewhat limited, the school does work with students who plan to transfer. If you want to earn an online degree at the University of Arkansas, plan to pay an in-state tuition rate of about $8,800.

If you need a financial scholarship to pursue your college degree, check out Sam Houston State University. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, SHSU offers a variety of financial assistance programs to help distance learners. Even though SHSU is financially feasible for many students, it offers a robust program, consisting of more than 40 degree programs. Whether you want to pursue a bachelor’s or a doctoral degree, plan to pay around $7,700 in in-state tuition.

Eastern Oregon University receives accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and University. With a variety of programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, the school has something for virtually everyone. Its most popular master’s degree options are an MBA, an ME in Education and an MA in Teaching. Meanwhile, at about $8,000 in in-state tuition, EOU is moderately priced.

While Southeast Missouri State University is the final online school in our survey, we could have included many other quality programs. We placed SEMSU on the list because of its affordability. At only $7,000 in in-state tuition charges, the online program is reasonably priced. It is also comprehensive, allowing students to pursue bachelor’s or master’s degrees in many different fields.