We ranked the most affordable online schools with full Department of Education-recognized accreditation.
Online bachelor’s degrees are online degree programs for undergraduate students. Most students can complete their online degree programs in a minimum of four years. Both online and traditional students will typically be required to earn 120 credits toward the completion of their undergraduate bachelor’s degrees.
Most students who earn a high school diploma or complete a high school education equivalency test will qualify for undergraduate learning opportunities. In most cases, public colleges and universities that provide distance education will maintain the same eligibility requirements for both students in online programs and brick and mortar schools.
The primary difference between public and private non-profit schools is the way that they are funded. Public or state schools are funded in part by tax dollars, whereas private non-profit schools are funded entirely by tuition revenue and private endowments.
This often means that public college students will pay lower tuition rates than students in private universities. This is especially true for students earning their degree through a university in their home state. Public accredited online colleges generally offer a high quality education with generous in-state tuition rates.
In most cases, this means that the most affordable four-year college in your state will typically be a public college or university.
Accredited online schools are colleges and universities that award degrees primarily through online classes and are recognized by a Department of Education approved accreditor. Higher education accreditation is a process by which an accrediting association provides recognition to colleges and universities that meet a set of standards for quality, curriculum, faculty, and more.
Only students who attend colleges and universities with accreditation from Department of Education recognized accreditors will be eligible for financial aid.
There are two main types of institutional accreditation—regional accreditation and national accreditation. Regional accreditation is generally considered the more rigorous standard. This is particularly important for students who plan to transfer credits into a regionally accredited program or an advanced degree program. In either case, only credits from regionally accredited online colleges will be recognized.
If you plan to transfer or pursue an advanced degree, be sure that the undergraduate degree from your online school is accredited by a schools commission on colleges and schools in your region. For instance, if you’re searching for the best online degree programs in the state of Georgia or Florida, be sure that your online degree is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Programmatic accreditation is another type of accreditation, usually given to degrees rather than institutions. Programmatic accreditation is more important when it comes to specific degree program types, especially for online graduate students. For instance, if you’re considering a master’s degree in business administration, you may want to search for those with accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
Online degree programs offer a strong point of entry into a broad spectrum of potential careers in areas like business, education, criminal justice, and health sciences. Distance learning is likewise an excellent option for students with an interest in teacher education, legal education, and much more.
And because an ever-growing number of reputable and regionally accredited institutions are offering online courses and bachelor’s degree programs, a wide range of employers are coming to view online degrees with the same level of respect given traditional degrees. In fact, as long as you earn you online degree from an accredited institution, most employers will not distinguish between online and traditional students.
Online students enjoy several advantages over traditional on campus students including lower student expenses, greater scheduling flexibility, and access to the college education in your state regardless of your geographic location. Often, the most affordable online college in your state will be a public college or university. Online degree programs give distance learners access to these highly reputable accredited degree programs.
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
87%
Graduation
64%
Student body
40K
Median SAT/ACT
1220/25
University of Arizona is a public university based in Tucson, Arizona. The research university was formed in 1885, which makes it the very first university in the territory that would eventually become the state of Arizona.
University of Arizona serves more than 50,000 students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, making it one of the ten largest schools in the U.S.
Enjoy college athletics. The Arizona Wildcats have won numerous championships across various Pac-12 Conference sports.
Prefer an intimate college experience.
Tuition + fees
$10K
Graduation
29%
Student body
49K
Purdue University Global is a public online university that is part of the Purdue University system. Purdue Global began life as the for-profit structured Kaplan University before its 2018 acquisition.
Today, Purdue Global is a “public-benefit corporation” which means that in-state students can enjoy reduced tuition rates.
Military veterans. Servicemembers and veterans make up a significant portion of the student population.
Prefer a traditional grading system. Purdue Global uses competency-based learning to award credits to students.
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
74%
Student body
26K
Median SAT/ACT
1210/25
The University of Iowa is a public university that is noteworthy for the depth and excellence of its research activities. The oldest and largest school in the state rests on the banks of the Iowa River and serves more than 30,000 students.
The University of Iowa is home to a particularly large contingent of graduate students, with more than 6000 students pursuing their advanced degrees in the Fall of 2022.
Are interested in campus activities. The school is home to roughly 500 student-run groups, 22 athletic teams, and an enormous alumni network.
Prefer a small-campus experience.
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
59%
Graduation
71%
Student body
36K
Median SAT/ACT
1090/20
California State University, Fullerton is a massive public university campus. With more than 41,000 students enrolled, Fullerton is the largest of the expansive 23-school CSU system.
And with 5000 graduate students, California State University, Fullerton awards among the largest number of advanced degrees in the state of California.
Are seeking a diverse campus.
Prefer a small-campus atmosphere.
Tuition + fees
$6K
Acceptance
36%
Graduation
75%
Student body
63K
Median SAT/ACT
1250/27
University of Central Florida is a public university based in Orange County, Florida. UCF began life as Florida Technological University in 1968 with the direct mission of supporting the U.S. space program.
Today, University of Central Florida is home to more than 70,000 students both online and on-campus. This makes it the second largest public university in the United States.
Aspire to careers in technological innovation.
Prefer a small school experience.
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
48%
Graduation
78%
Student body
26K
Median SAT/ACT
1335/29
Stony Brook University is a public university based in Stony Brook, New York. Stony Brook began its history as the State University College of Long Island in 1957. This makes it the flagship university of the SUNY system, alongside the University of Buffalo.
Stony Brook University is home to more than 26,000 students and, with more than 15,000 employees, is the largest single-site employer in Long Island.
Are pursuing graduate degrees. More than a third of students at Stony Brook are enrolled in post-graduate degree programs .
Prefer an intimate campus environment.
Tuition + fees
$15K
Acceptance
63%
Graduation
56%
Student body
20K
Median SAT/ACT
1100/23
Wayne State University was founded in 1868 by five returning Civil War veterans. Initially chartered as the Detroit Medical College, today the public university is the third largest in the state of Michigan.
Wayne State University serves roughly 25,000 students at both the graduate and undergraduate levels at its flagship Detroit campus, across four satellite campuses, and through online classes.
Are still choosing their major. Wayne State has more than 350 degree programs to choose from.
Prefer a traditional campus experience. Some students describe Wayne State as a commuter school.
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
38%
Graduation
76%
Student body
34K
Median SAT/ACT
1195/25
San Diego State University is a public university that was founded in 1897. Originally begun as a teachers college, SDSU is the third oldest university in the California State University public school system.
San Diego State University is home to roughly 37,000 students and continues to grow at a rapid pace.
Plan to seek professional opportunities in the San Diego region after school. SDSU is actually the primary educator of the local workforce.
Prefer a small campus atmosphere.
Tuition + fees
$16K
Acceptance
66%
Graduation
84%
Student body
30K
Median SAT/ACT
1295/29
University of Massachusetts, Amherst was founded as an agricultural college in 1863. Today, it is the only public land-grant university located in the state of Massachusetts
University of Massachusetts, Amherst is home to more than 32,000 students, which makes it the second largest school in the state by enrollment.
Enjoy a sprawling campus. At 1,463 acres, Amherst owns the largest campus in the state.
Are focused on liberal arts. Many of the state’s top programs are focused on the sciences.
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
70%
Graduation
74%
Student body
28K
Median SAT/ACT
1225/26
University at Buffalo is one of two flagship campuses—alongside Stony Brook University—in the public SUNY system. Though Buffalo merged with the SUNY system in 1962, it actually began life as a private medical college in 1846.
University at Buffalo serves more than 32,000 students today at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Are earning master’s degrees. More than 10,000 Buffalo students are currently enrolled in advanced degree programs.
Prefer a small campus experience. University at Buffalo is the state’s largest public university, encompassing three campuses.
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
85%
Graduation
73%
Student body
34K
Median SAT/ACT
1225/26
University of Cincinnati was founded in 1819, which makes it the largest institution of higher learning in this major Ohio city. Today, this public research university is part of the University System of Ohio.
University of Cincinnati serves more than 44,000 students at both the graduate and postgraduate level.
Are pursuing their master’s degree. More than 11,000 students are currently enrolled in the university’s array of post-graduate programs.
Are seeking a smaller campus experience. The University of Cincinnati is the second largest school in the state of Ohio.
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
88%
Graduation
54%
Student body
34K
Median SAT/ACT
1005/19
California State University, Northridge is a public university based in Los Angeles. With more than 38,000 students, Northridge is the third largest university in the 23-school state university system.
In fact, California State University, Northridge is so large that its operation is said to generate nearly $2 billion in economic output every year.
Desire a diverse campus and an enormous alumni network.
Prefer a small campus experience.
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
40%
Graduation
88%
Student body
39K
Median SAT/ACT
1355/31
University of Georgia’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
University of Georgia is a public university that was founded in 1785 in the cultural hub of Athens, Georgia. As the flagship university in the state school system, the Athens campus is the oldest public university in Georgia.
The University of Georgia is notable for the excellence of its research tradition and facilities, earning classification as an R1 Doctoral University.
Enjoy a lively culture scene. In fact, Rolling Stone magazine once ranked Georgia in the top ten among “Schools that Rock” for producing prominent musicians including members of R.E.M., the B-52s, and producer Danger Mouse.
Non-traditional students. The University of Georgia caters more directly to recent high school graduates and may not always offer the most flexible course options for working adults.
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
64%
Graduation
67%
Student body
49K
Median SAT/ACT
1185/26
Florida International University was founded in 1965 and has rapidly grown into the fifth largest public university in the United States. FIU serves more than 56,000 students at both the graduate and undergraduate level across 11 colleges.
Florida International University is based in Miami-Dade and reflects the region’s emphasis on college athletics. FIU’s intercollegiate teams have secured five athletic championships across various sports.
Like to get the best bang for their buck. FIU ranks tops in the state for “performance funding.”
Prefer a small campus and an intimate learning experience.
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
36%
Student body
17K
St. Petersburg College was founded in 1927 as a small regional junior college. Today, the Pinellas County, Florida public college serves nearly 30,000 students.
St. Petersburg College is specifically geared toward undergraduates.
Are studying in specialized fields like healthcare and health education.
Wish to live on campus. SPC is a non-residential college with a large number of commuter campuses.