Best Online Bachelor’s of Healthcare Administration Degree Programs for 2024

Badge for BEST ONLINE BACHELOR'S IN HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATION

Find top-ranked online bachelor’s in healthcare administration, management degree programs for students wanting to qualify for managerial positions in health clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers.

Key Takeaways

  • The healthcare industry is among the fastest-growing industries in the United States. So there are plenty of job opportunities for aspiring healthcare administrators and managers. But it’s also a fairly competitive industry with high professional standards for patient safety, among others.
  • Aspiring health services managers can start their professional journey by being accepted into the best online bachelor’s in healthcare administration programs. The coursework and hands-on training via internships develop hard and soft skills necessary for the job.
  • Professional development is critical in career advancement among health services managers. This is possible through a combination of relevant work experience, professional certifications, and skills development.

Top 10 Online Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration Degrees

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  1. University of Akron
  2. Radford University
  3. Western Kentucky University
  4. Providence College
  5. Texas Southern University
  6. Abilene Christian University
  7. Southern New Hampshire University
  8. Oral Roberts University
  9. Idaho State University
  10. Jackson State University
  1. University of Akron
  2. Texas Southern University
  3. Liberty University
  4. Southeast Missouri State University
  5. Providence College
  6. Sam Houston State University
  7. Western Kentucky University
  8. Jackson State University
  9. Radford University
  10. Oral Roberts University
  1. New England College 100%
  2. Liberty University 99%
  3. Texas Southern University 97%
  4. Western Kentucky University 97%
  5. Southern New Hampshire University 96%
  6. Radford University 93%
  7. Franklin Pierce University 93%
  8. Jackson State University 89%
  9. Felician University 89%
  10. Charleston Southern University 87%
  1. Purdue Global 26 to 1
  2. Southern New Hampshire University 22 to 1
  3. University of West Florida 22 to 1
  4. Southeast Missouri State University 20 to 1
  5. Sam Houston State University 20 to 1
  6. Texas Southern University 18 to 1
  7. Western Kentucky University 18 to 1
  8. Liberty University 18 to 1
  9. California Baptist University 18 to 1
  10. Oral Roberts University 17 to 1
  1. Providence College $57,928
  2. Franklin Pierce University $43,155
  3. New England College $41,518
  4. Abilene Christian University $40,500
  5. California Baptist University $38,058
  6. Mount Mercy University $37,606
  7. Felician University $36,410
  8. King University $33,784
  9. Brenau University $32,685
  10. Oral Roberts University $32,640
  1. Franklin Pierce University $37,200
  2. Abilene Christian University $24,174
  3. Felician University $19,890
  4. Southern New Hampshire University $18,900
  5. Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences $16,470
  6. National University $15,912
  7. King University $14,181
  8. Brenau University $14,130
  9. California Baptist University $13,680
  10. New England College $13,678
  1. Mount Mercy University
  2. University of West Florida
  3. Franklin Pierce University
  4. Felician University
  5. Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences
  6. New England College
  7. Charleston Southern University
  8. Southeast Missouri State University
  9. Brenau University
  10. Purdue Global
  1. Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences
  2. Felician University
  3. Mount Mercy University
  4. Brenau University
  5. Charleston Southern University
  6. King University
  7. Franklin Pierce University
  8. California Baptist University
  9. Purdue Global
  10. New England College
  1. Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences 46%
  2. University of West Florida 48%
  3. Providence College 53%
  4. King University 61%
  5. Abilene Christian University 66%
  6. Mount Mercy University 75%
  7. Oral Roberts University 78%
  8. California Baptist University 80%
  9. University of Akron 83%
  10. Sam Houston State University 85%
  1. New England College 7 to 1
  2. King University 11 to 1
  3. Brenau University 11 to 1
  4. Providence College 11 to 1
  5. Charleston Southern University 12 to 1
  6. Franklin Pierce University 12 to 1
  7. Radford University 12 to 1
  8. Abilene Christian University 13 to 1
  9. Felician University 13 to 1
  10. Idaho State University 13 to 1
  1. University of West Florida $3,735
  2. Sam Houston State University $5,856
  3. Idaho State University $5,928
  4. Texas Southern University $6,941
  5. Southeast Missouri State University $7,761
  6. Radford University $8,156
  7. Jackson State University $8,270
  8. Purdue Global $10,080
  9. University of Akron $10,097
  10. Western Kentucky University $11,112
  1. Charleston Southern University $5,085
  2. Sam Houston State University $5,765
  3. Southeast Missouri State University $6,205
  4. Texas Southern University $6,858
  5. University of West Florida $7,088
  6. Liberty University $7,893
  7. University of Akron $7,958
  8. Jackson State University $8,270
  9. Idaho State University $8,601
  10. Radford University $9,182

Featured Programs

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An Overview of the Healthcare Administration Online Degree Program

Professionals with online bachelor’s in healthcare administration degrees agree that their career opportunities are abundant! The massive U.S. healthcare industry contributes nearly 20% to the gross domestic product (GDP)—and it’s continuing to grow, too.

With an increasing population, aside from an aging cohort, health services and healthcare professionals will be in great demand. The increase in the use of electronic health records will also increase the demand for healthcare administrators.

With numerous healthcare organizations in the industry, there are plenty of workplaces for health services managers to choose from, too. Many graduates of bachelor’s in healthcare administration degree programs will even find gainful employment in health insurance, pharmaceutical, and healthcare technology companies!

And what gainful employment being a healthcare manager can be! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, health services managers earn a median annual wage of $101,340 (May 2021). Employment of healthcare services managers and administrators will grow 32% (2020-2030), meaning about 51,800 new jobs per year.

Bachelor’s Degree As a Stepping Stone

The best entry point into the massive U.S. healthcare industry is by earning an online bachelor’s in healthcare administration degree. Most employers prefer applicants with a bachelor’s degree for entry-level positions but will require more professional credentials for career advancement. Master’s degrees in healthcare administration or other related fields are common requirements.

Bachelor’s degrees in healthcare management or healthcare administration usually combine core courses in healthcare services and business administration.

Healthcare administration degree holders can then function effectively in the business environment of their choice. Indeed, many healthcare organizations operate as for-profit business organizations, thus, the need for business administration skills.

Graduates with bachelor’s degrees qualify for entry-level positions in the healthcare system. These include health information technicians, administrative clerks, and human resources assistants.

But an online bachelor’s in healthcare administration is only a stepping stone. Many employers prefer relevant work experience, oftentimes in years of service, before granting career advancement to healthcare management positions.

Furthermore, a bachelor’s in healthcare administration degree is a common requirement for the licenses, registrations, and certifications that healthcare administration professionals must secure. Nursing home administrators, for example, must secure a state-issued license.

Professional certification is usually voluntary but it’s strongly recommended because it demonstrates competence and commitment to professional development. Examples include certifications in medical management, health information management, and certified nursing home administration.

Professional Duties Healthcare Administration Students Prepare For

Healthcare administration professionals perform a wide range of duties that differ based on their specific job title, department, and organization. Typical duties include:

  • Develop goals, strategies, and objectives in their jurisdiction
  • Implement effective and efficient measures to improve the delivery and quality of healthcare services
  • Monitor compliance with relevant rules and regulations in the healthcare industry
  • Recruit, hire, and train, as well as manage staff
  • Prepare, pitch, and implement budgets
  • Maintain complete and accurate records for the facility, staff, and patients
  • Work with other professionals

Students prepare for these roles and responsibilities in many ways. Courses delivered through virtual classroom instruction and internships are a must in this regard.

Skills Learned and Desired Traits

Students also develop the soft skills that the best healthcare administrators possess including:

  • Analytical thinking skills
  • Communication skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Leadership and organizational skills

Technical skills are also a must. These include familiarity with computers including electronic health record systems, healthcare rules and regulations, and human resources management.

Admission Requirements

Selective admission into online bachelor’s in healthcare administration is typical. Prospective students may be required to pass placement exams and medical exams, as well as possess healthcare-related certificates.

Cost and Financial Aid

Earning a bachelor’s in healthcare administration in online programs involves per-credit costs ranging from $165 to $900 depending on residency status and school type. Federal financial aid and other options are available.

Frequently Asked Questions About Healthcare Administration and Management Degrees

Why get a bachelor’s in healthcare administration management?

A bachelor’s degree in health administration with a focus on management will prepare students to work in managerial positions in many healthcare settings. Students will gain a comprehensive education and then focus their learning through health-related classes, such as Introduction to Healthcare Systems, Healthcare Finance, Healthcare Law and Biomedical Ethics, Strategic Management, and Public Policy.

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How long does it take to get a bachelor’s in healthcare administration?

Both online and on-campus programs are available, and in most cases, this 120-credit degree can be earned in four to five years.

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What can you do with a bachelor’s in healthcare administration?

Upon completion, students will qualify for managerial positions in health clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers. Potential careers include health services manager, nursing home administrator, and health policy analyst.

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Learn more about how to major in healthcare administration.

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Best Online Healthcare Administration Program List: Our Selection Process

The best online healthcare administration programs in our list are offered by regionally accredited colleges and universities. While there’s no programmatic accreditation for bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration programs, many of these schools have CAHME-accredited master’s degree programs.

These programs may or may not have received Full Certified Undergraduate Membership with the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA).

These undergraduate healthcare administration degree online programs were also chosen for their reputation for academic rigor and excellence.

Faculty members in these programs possessed excellent professional credentials including graduate degrees in their specializations, work experience in the healthcare industry and academe, and effective teaching strategies.

Closely related to the healthcare management degree and embracing the principles of human resource management, this program enables students to learn the right hard and soft skills from the best teachers! This is in addition to the extensive internship opportunities in diverse healthcare organizations.

The student support services in these bachelor’s in healthcare administration programs contribute to student success and, thus, impressive graduate outcomes.

Students benefit from these support services even before being accepted into their programs, thanks to admissions and financial aid services. These support services continue until their admission and graduation, thanks to 24/7 library and IT help desk access, virtual tutoring, and career services.

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25 Best Online Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration Degree Programs

  1. #3

    Western Kentucky University

    Bowling Green , KY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    97%

    Graduation

    51%

    Student body

    20K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1075/21

    Career Outlook for Healthcare Administration degree at Western Kentucky University

    Cost of Degree: $11,112
    Expenses: $14,336
    Starting Salary: $33,489
    Salary after 4 years: $44,182
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BS in Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
  2. #4

    Providence College

    Providence , RI
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $58K

    Acceptance

    53%

    Graduation

    86%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1340/30

    Career Outlook for Healthcare Administration degree at Providence College

    Cost of Degree: $57,928
    Expenses: $18,982
    Starting Salary: $68,714
    Salary after 4 years: $79,827
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    97%

    Graduation

    26%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    910/17

    Career Outlook for Healthcare Administration degree at Texas Southern University

    Cost of Degree: $8,637
    Expenses: $16,286
    Starting Salary: $32,622
    Salary after 4 years: $43,037
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BS in Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Online
  4. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $41K

    Acceptance

    66%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1175/24

    Career Outlook for Healthcare Administration degree at Abilene Christian University

    Cost of Degree: $40,400
    Expenses: $16,022
    Starting Salary: $45,778
    Salary after 4 years: $53,181
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BS in Healthcare Administration

    Concentrations

    • General Track
    • Change Management
    • Public and Community Health
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Online
  5. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    41%

    Student body

    224K

    Career Outlook for Healthcare Administration degree at Southern New Hampshire University

    Cost of Degree: $15,380
    Expenses: $21,900
    Starting Salary: $46,995
    Salary after 4 years: $54,595
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BS in Business Administration

    Concentrations

    • Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Healthcare Administration

    Concentrations

    • Health Information Management
    • Patient Safety And Quality
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
  6. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $33K

    Acceptance

    78%

    Graduation

    63%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1115/22

    Career Outlook for Healthcare Administration degree at Oral Roberts University

    Cost of Degree: $32,640
    Expenses: $14,676
    Starting Salary: $40,348
    Salary after 4 years: $46,874
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BS in Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 3.5 years
    • Format: Online
  7. #9

    Idaho State University

    Pocatello , ID
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Graduation

    37%

    Student body

    15K

    Career Outlook for Healthcare Administration degree at Idaho State University

    Cost of Degree: $7,958
    Expenses: $14,556
    Starting Salary: $38,088
    Salary after 4 years: $50,248
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BS in Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
  8. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $38K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    63%

    Student body

    14K

    Career Outlook for Healthcare Administration degree at California Baptist University

    Cost of Degree: $38,058
    Expenses: $15,414
    Starting Salary: $44,467
    Salary after 4 years: $51,659
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BS in Healthcare Administration and Management
    • Required Credits: 48
    • Completion time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Online
  9. #13

    King University

    Bristol , TN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $34K

    Acceptance

    61%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for Healthcare Administration degree at King University

    Cost of Degree: $33,784
    Expenses: $15,026
    Starting Salary: $47,089
    Salary after 4 years: $54,704
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BS in Medical

    Concentrations

    • Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: 48
    • Completion time: 16 months
    • Format: Online
  10. #14

    Liberty University

    Lynchburg , VA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $23K

    Acceptance

    99%

    Graduation

    66%

    Student body

    131K

    Career Outlook for Healthcare Administration degree at Liberty University

    Cost of Degree: $16,203
    Expenses: $19,987
    Starting Salary: $38,757
    Salary after 4 years: $45,025
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BS in Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 3.5 years
    • Format: Online
  11. #15

    National University

    San Diego , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Graduation

    22%

    Student body

    29K

    Career Outlook for Healthcare Administration degree at National University

    Cost of Degree: $13,320
    Starting Salary: $55,233
    Salary after 4 years: $64,166

    Online Degrees

    BS in Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: 180
    • Completion time: 4.5-5.5 years
    • Format: Online
  12. #16

    Purdue Global

    West Lafayette , IN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Graduation

    20%

    Student body

    66K

    Online Degrees

    BS in Exceltrack™ Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: 180
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: 180
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  13. #17

    Brenau University

    Gainesville , GA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $33K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for Healthcare Administration degree at Brenau University

    Cost of Degree: $32,685
    Expenses: $16,730
    Starting Salary: $42,502
    Salary after 4 years: $49,375
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BS in Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  14. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    11K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1075/20

    Career Outlook for Healthcare Administration degree at Southeast Missouri State University

    Cost of Degree: $9,015
    Expenses: $15,973
    Starting Salary: $35,919
    Salary after 4 years: $47,387
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BS in Business Administration

    Concentrations

    • Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  15. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $30K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    44%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1055/20

    Career Outlook for Healthcare Administration degree at Charleston Southern University

    Cost of Degree: $29,790
    Starting Salary: $38,008
    Salary after 4 years: $44,155

    Online Degrees

    BS in Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  16. #20

    New England College

    Henniker , NH
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $42K

    Acceptance

    100%

    Graduation

    31%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for Healthcare Administration degree at New England College

    Cost of Degree: $27,054
    Expenses: $19,802
    Starting Salary: $41,846
    Salary after 4 years: $48,614
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BS in Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  17. Tuition + fees

    $31K

    Acceptance

    46%

    Graduation

    58%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for Healthcare Administration degree at Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences

    Cost of Degree: $30,821
    Starting Salary: $48,399
    Salary after 4 years: $56,227

    Online Degrees

    BS in Health Sciences

    Concentrations

    • Clinical Management Concentration
    • Advanced Practice/Science Concentration
    • Professional Certificate: Foundation for Health Informatics
    • Professional Certificate: Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: 165
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  18. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1000/21

    Career Outlook for Healthcare Administration degree at Felician University

    Cost of Degree: $36,410
    Expenses: $18,070
    Starting Salary: $49,429
    Salary after 4 years: $57,423
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BS in Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
  19. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    48%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    17K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1140/24

    Career Outlook for Healthcare Administration degree at University of West Florida

    Cost of Degree: $5,776
    Expenses: $15,168
    Starting Salary: $37,654
    Salary after 4 years: $49,676
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BS in Health Sciences

    Concentrations

    • Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  20. #25

    Mount Mercy University

    Cedar Rapids , IA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $38K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    57%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for Healthcare Administration degree at Mount Mercy University

    Cost of Degree: $37,606
    Expenses: $16,060
    Starting Salary: $45,310
    Salary after 4 years: $52,638
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: 58-61.5
    • Completion time: 12-24 months
    • Format: Online

Career Outlook for Students with Healthcare Administration Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Health/Health Care Administration/Management

Degree Level: Bachelor's

  • Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
  • Avg. Cost of Degree*: $9,232
  • Avg. Expenses*: $16,432
  • Avg. Starting Salary*: $41,571
  • Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $54,843
  • Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 10 years
  • Job Growth: 28.40%
  • Number of Jobs: 509,500
  • * denotes ‘annually’
  • ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
Medical and Health Services Managers28.40%$103,928
Facilities Managers4.57%$95,139
Computer Programmers-11.26%$88,133
Business Teachers, Postsecondary7.01%$86,765
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers-5.16%$58,638

Average Career Salaries

Bottom 10%MedianTop 10%
$46,860$73,125$119,846

Promising Job Markets

StateCost of LivingAvg. Salary
#2 New York5% higher than average$87,805
#3 Michigan15% higher than average$70,575
#4 Texas10% higher than average$73,728
#5 Wisconsin7% higher than average$76,455
#6 Ohio14% higher than average$69,562

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
Medical and Health Services Managers$103,928
Facilities Managers$95,139
Computer Programmers$88,133
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Online Finance Programs Looking for You

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Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require a time of adjustment. Although you’ll typically learn the same material and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, going online will require greater independence and responsibility than going in person. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, for harnessing the online educational technology that you’ll need to use, and for completing the course requirements, such as listening to lectures, learning lessons, reading texts, and handing in assignments. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take the initiative in building relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier than campus-based education is ease of access: all you need is a computer and an internet connection for online education. But even this seeming advantage of online education can be misleading: what’s easier, studying online with your computer and internet connection from your home where you need to cook, clean, pay rent, and maintain a job? Or studying on campus in a dorm where all your living needs are handled by the school, and college staff are there to help you every step of the way?

If you take the commute to campus out of the equation, campus-based education is easier. All the support structures available on campus for students, especially with real people to help you in person, are not there online. The demands on you as an online student will largely be the same as for your campus-based counterpart, but without the same helps.

In general, your online courses will present the same material and test you in the same way as traditional in-person courses. In many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning with remote educational technology for the first time, online college may be considerably more challenging than campus-based college. For a few insights on how to manage this new online experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable non-profit institutions on the one end and less-than-reputable for-profit institutions on the other end. Accreditation gives you the power to identify the more reputable actors in online education. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency indicating that a college or university is meeting standards of quality and credibility. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university that is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. For students seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that they opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree. For more on this important topic, check out our What is Accreditation and Why Does It Matter? College & University Accreditation Guide.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited (see the previous point), you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer of credits. In many cases, you will encounter some bureaucratic haggling in which some of your credits will be transferred and others may be refused. However, provided that you have attended an online school with recognized regional accreditation, you should be in good shape in transferring your credits earned online.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript, or resumé differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

Some employers may express the concern that because you did your degree online, you may need to transition from an online education experience to in-person workplace experience. But in an age of Covid, that concern seems much diminished. The fact is that much employment these days is remote. And collaboration increasingly happens online over Zoom. Many employers will therefore view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will be less than ideal for you (though depending on your circumstances, it may also be the only viable option).

While there is much in traditional campus-based education that can be substituted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing that can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual in-person classroom setting. As you transition to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face in getting the most out of your online classes is overcoming this difference between “real reality” and “virtual reality.” Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. Above all, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete at your own pace and on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Resources for Online College-Bound Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

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