Online College Degrees
College Spot has been an online education resource since 1998, and is here to help you achieve your goal of earning your college degree. You are embarking on a journey that can lead to great success, both personally and professionally.
An online education offers flexibility for busy professionals that are looking to expand their knowledge base to get that promotion or to get their careers back on track, as well as for students seeking to accelerate their entrance into rewarding careers. It offers the convenience of learning without the limitations of time and location.
The Value of a College Degree
To begin with, a college degree will automatically aid you in making more money. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, college graduates earn an average of $1 million more during their careers than people with just a high school diploma. A degree allows for more career opportunities and opens doors that would otherwise remain closed.
Average annual earnings for full-time, full-year workers were:
- $23,400 for high school drop outs,
- $30,400 for high school graduates,
- $38,200 for Associate’s degree recipients,
- $52,200 for Bachelor’s degree recipients,
- $62,300 for Master’s degree recipients,
- $89,400 for Ph.D. recipients,
- $109,600 for professional degree recipients.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Surveys, March 1998, 1999, 2000
Increased Opportunity
Along with more money, a college degree offers career advancement and career options. Nearly every Fortune 1000 company now requires a degree for upper management and executive positions.
According to information from the U.S. Department of Labor, 48 or the 50 highest paying occupations require college degrees. In today’s economy, and into the future, post-secondary degrees are becoming necessary to secure high-paying jobs.
Job Security
For many individuals, achieving higher education equates to greater job security. Large corporations, such as AT&T and IBM, are now promoting the importance of education by offering tuition assistance programs, where the company will pay for employees to earn their college degrees.
Sense of Accomplishment
In a report published by the Institute for Higher Education Policy, the individual benefits enjoyed by college graduates include:
- Higher levels of saving
- Increased personal/professional mobility
- Improved quality of life for their children
- Better consumer decision making
- More hobbies and leisure activities
In addition, according to the Carnegie Foundation, the non-monetary individual benefits of higher education include the tendency for college students to become:
- More rational
- More open-minded
- More consistent
- More cultured
- Less authoritarian
These benefits are then passed on to future generations.
Top 3 Reasons People Do Not Get Their College Degrees
- Money
- Time
- Fear
Fortunately, there are solutions for each concern. The cost of higher education can be alleviated with scholarships , federal student financial aid , and private student loans . Online college degree programs offer convenience for professionals and families by working around your already busy schedule. Online college degree courses are offered year round and at all times of the day. The final concern, fear, can be overcome by familiarizing yourself with the ease, flexibility, and benefits of online education.
How to Find the Best Online Colleges and Universities
Here are some tips for finding an online college that meets your needs as a student and will give you the best chance to succeed at obtaining your degree:
- Look for an accredited school, whether online or campus-based.
- Certain schools offer 24-hour technical support for online classes. This may be beneficial to less technical students.
- Some schools offer both campus-based classes as well as online classes. Some students may prefer the convenience of doing all courses online, while others may be more comfortable with a physical campus.
- Students with previous college experience or extensive life experience should look into the option of transferring credit. This can be an easy way to speed up your graduation date and avoid wasting your time and money.
- Check for the availability of financial aid. Many schools accept scholarships, grants, student loans, and other methods of reducing the cost of paying for school. College Spot offers information on a variety of student financial aid options.
Make sure to visit College Spot’s Online College Search page to find the right school for you.
What is an Online College or University?
Online colleges and universities are institutions of higher education which grant academic online college degree programs at all levels (associate, bachelor, master, and doctorate) in a variety of subjects. Many of the best online colleges are more cost effective, because students do not have to pay for building facilities in their tuition and fees. An online university allows student to study at their own pace. Top online colleges are becoming increasingly popular for busy adults working full time. Online education, also known as e-learning, allows students to pursue their career without having to move to where the school of their choice is located.
Accredited Online College Degrees
Accredited online degrees are fast, flexible and done all online. It usually takes about three years to complete an online degree. In order to offer a degree online, a college must offer its coursework and lesson requirements to the board of education for approval. The board then goes through that course work to make sure that it adheres to the industry standard for completion.
Distance Learning Degree
Distance learning degrees have developed into the preferred alternative form of education for millions of people seeking online education, online training, or online skill enhancement without leaving home, interfering with busy work schedules, or jeopardizing other interests. Most online programs allow students to study at their own pace, when and where they prefer.
Distance learning is also known as: open learning, flexible learning, correspondence courses, supported self-study, and resource-based learning. The key is that there is a geographical distance between the student and the teacher. E-learning differs from traditional education because students are not required to visit an actual classroom. Depending on the program and institution, online education may consist of synchronous (live) sessions or asynchronous (non-live) sessions.