Question by Darxy: How to choose the right university for an online degree program?
I really really want to get a better education, but coming from a family with low income, there is no way i can ever afford it. Currently im 22 years old and I work two jobs to keep myself going and living on my own. I want a better future for myself and my family, so only one option that i see right now is doing online degree , i can not afford quit jobs (well no more then 1) otherwise i wouldn`t be able to support myself and pay for education. I did a little research and realize that the only way to get an online degree is to go to accredited university (and many many great universities have online programs right now even Harvard, Stanford and Yale have their own) So my first and the most important question is HOW VALUABLE AN ONLINE DEGREE? If it`s from accredited respectable university will it be valuable? Or it doesn`t matter and if it is says “online” employers prefer not to deal with this? And the other two questions are more specific: 1) I would like to get a degree in computer science as it was always something i really enjoying to do, if anybody knows which online program offers well-known (or should i says reputable) online degrees in computer science – i would greatly appreciate any help! and 2) which online programs (in accredited universities only) are more affordable? Im doing my research right now and while i know that Harvard has online programs , something tells me it`s out of my league – money wise. And last , but not least – for those who went or going through it – how hard are those programs how much time does it take? Thanks everyone!
P.S. This is very important for me, as i cant afford to quit my job to pursue education, so if it will appear that online degree programs are not worth going for my only option is joining the military i guess, so i can save some money while im there and then enroll in G.I. Bill (i guess that`s how it calls) and while its from another topic, still any thoughts on that would be appreciated!
Best answer:
Answer by Kurt
Try www.apus.edu
This is one of the least expensive accredited programs out there.
I’d advise you to stop looking at Harvard and Stanford unless you are certain you can get in there — for degree admission purposes, their standards aren’t lower for distance ed., and if you have the scores to get into the Ivy Leagues, they’ll help you come up with the money.
Apart from the University of Phoenix, which seems to be having image problems, most accredited online schools are respectable. And, none of them include the word “online” in transcripts and diplomas. On the other hand, a place like an Ivy League is more likely to indicate that you weren’t a regular on-campus student.
Add your own answer in the comments!
I think it is great that you are looking to improve your position in life by going back to school, and I definitely think that a degree in Computer Science will give you the most opportunities of any subject area.
To answer your first question: how valuable is a degree earned online? Well, unless the school you are going to does not offer classes in-person, there isn’t really any way a future employer would even know you earned the degree online. I think that big name for-profit and online schools (like University of Phoenix and DeVry and Kaplan) do have a negative stigma associated with them. It isn’t that employers will completely discount your degree from there, but a lot of employers will think a little worse of them. Also, the programs from those schools are often even more expensive than programs from other schools.
Now what I can really help you with is finding an affordable degree program. I am assuming you would want a Bachelor degree in Computer Programming or Computer Science. We have information on over 3,000 different accredited online degree programs and schools at GetEducated.com, and I can use the degree search to recommend you the three cheapest that are fully accredited and that I think will not have a negative stigma associated with them.
1. Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from Southern New Hampshire University, $27,000 http://www.geteducated.com/profiles/show/online-degrees/southern-new-hampshire-university/undergraduate-college-of-business/94/5238/bachelor-of-science-information-technology
2. Franklin University Bachelor of Science in Computer Science is $30,256 http://www.geteducated.com/profiles/show/online-degrees/franklin-university/undergraduate-school-of-business/50/2145/bachelor-of-science-computer-science
3. Bachelor in Computer Information Technology from Western Kentucky University $41,880 http://www.geteducated.com/profiles/show/online-degrees/western-kentucky-university/department-of-computer-information-technology-undergraduate/182/6474/bachelors-in-computer-information-technology
BUT really your best bet is looking at what your own state schools offer you. They can have really good deals on tuition for in-state residents, and this often applies to programs done entirely online as well. Good luck!
To differentiate between scam college and a legit one following points should always be cross checked:-
1)The college should be accredited from a reputed institute.
2) Should be known for the education it provides online.
3) Should be legit.
If you college misses any of the above points then you should not consider that very college.