Best Online Bachelor’s in Information Technology Degree Programs for 2025
Find top-ranked Online bachelor’s in information technology degree programs for students wanting to qualify for jobs like information technology consultants, computer network architects, and data scientists.
Key Takeaways
- Top online IT programs offer a wide range of specializations such as cybersecurity, network management, and data analytics, allowing students to tailor their education to specific career goals in high-demand fields.
- The best IT programs emphasize practical experience through virtual labs, simulations, and real-world projects, giving students opportunities to apply IT concepts in areas like software development, cloud computing, and system administration, preparing them for immediate job readiness.
- The programs in our ranking are designed with flexibility in mind, offering asynchronous courses and customizable schedules, allowing students to balance their studies with full-time work or other responsibilities, making it ideal for those looking to advance or shift careers while earning their degree.
Top 10 Online Information Technology Bachelor's Degrees in 2025
2025 Ranking Update
Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.
In 2025, the top schools in our ranking of the best research universities for education programs saw a considerable amount of shuffling. Thomas Jefferson University gained the most ranking positions as the university expanded its Cybersecurity and Data Analytics Lab, offering hands-on experience with advanced tools in cybersecurity, data science, and cloud computing.
Additionally, new courses focusing on artificial intelligence and machine learning have been integrated into the IT curriculum, reflecting industry trends and preparing students for emerging fields in tech. The university has also strengthened its partnerships with tech companies, providing students with more internship opportunities and industry-led projects to apply their skills in real-world scenarios. These updates make the program more aligned with the evolving needs of the IT sector.
Featured Programs
Best Online Bachelor’s in Information Technology Degree Programs
- #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Missouri 2024 #1 Best Public Colleges in Missouri 2025 #2 Best Grad Schools in Missouri 2025 #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
79%
Graduation
75%
Student body
34K
Median SAT/ACT
1240/26
Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at University of Missouri
Cost of Degree: $14,130Expenses: $18,142Starting Salary: $74,503Salary after 4 years: $95,165Cost Recoup Time: 8 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BS in Information Technology
- Required Credits: 126
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #1 The Best Catholic Colleges and Universities Ranked for 2024 #5 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Doctoral Degrees 2025 #11 50 Best Christian Colleges and Universities 2024 #1 Best Christian Colleges in Illinois 2025
Tuition + fees
$49K
Acceptance
79%
Graduation
71%
Student body
20K
Median SAT/ACT
1275/29
Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Loyola University Chicago
Cost of Degree: $51,716Expenses: $19,694Starting Salary: $79,920Salary after 4 years: $102,783Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BA in Information Technology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
- #6 Top 15 Best Online Colleges for Transfer Students in 2025 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Florida 2025 #4 Best Public Colleges in Florida 2025 #5 Best Colleges in Florida 2024
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
64%
Graduation
69%
Student body
72K
Median SAT/ACT
1155/23
Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Florida International University
Cost of Degree: $6,565Expenses: $19,406Starting Salary: $68,448Salary after 4 years: $87,431Cost Recoup Time: 7 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BA in Information Technology
- Required Credits: 39
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Information Technology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee 2025 #2 Best Public Colleges in Tennessee 2025 #3 Best Grad Schools in Tennessee 2025 #3 Best Colleges in Tennessee 2025
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
95%
Graduation
48%
Student body
25K
Median SAT/ACT
1080/20
Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at University of Memphis
Cost of Degree: $10,344Expenses: $17,726Starting Salary: $56,864Salary after 4 years: $72,635Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BA in Professional Studies
Concentrations
- Organizational Leadership
- Information Technology
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #9 Best Research Universities in Pennsylvania 2025 #10 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania 2025 #10 Best Grad Schools in Pennsylvania 2025 #1 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Accounting Programs 2025
Tuition + fees
$44K
Acceptance
89%
Graduation
68%
Student body
10K
Median SAT/ACT
1240/29
Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Thomas Jefferson University
Cost of Degree: $45,533Expenses: $22,874Starting Salary: $124,977Salary after 4 years: $160,730Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BS in Information Technology
Concentrations
- Cybersecurity
- Data Analytics
- Data Management
- IT Project Management
- Networking
- Software Development
- Required Credits: 180
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #5 Best Private Colleges in Georgia 2025 #6 Best Research Universities in Georgia 2025 #6 Best Grad Schools in Georgia 2024 #8 Best Colleges in Georgia 2025
Tuition + fees
$40K
Acceptance
75%
Graduation
74%
Student body
10K
Median SAT/ACT
1275/28
Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Mercer University
Cost of Degree: $33,380Expenses: $18,592Starting Salary: $73,249Salary after 4 years: $94,204Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BS in Business
Concentrations
- Information Technology & Informatics
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 48 months
- Format: Online
- #1 Best Grad School in Alaska 2024 #1 Best Colleges in Alaska 2024 #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Alaska 2025
Tuition + fees
$10K
Graduation
39%
Student body
11K
Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at University of Alaska Fairbanks
Cost of Degree: $10,016Expenses: $16,700Starting Salary: $59,365Salary after 4 years: $75,830Cost Recoup Time: 8 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BSEM in Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Concentrations
- Cybersecurity and Information Technology Management
- Emergency Management
- Emergency Medical and Public Health Management
- Fire Administration
- Homeland Security
- Law Enforcement Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #3 Best Colleges in Arizona 2025 #3 Best Research Universities in Arizona 2025 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Arizona 2025 #3 Best Public Colleges in Arizona 2024
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
80%
Graduation
59%
Student body
32K
Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Northern Arizona University
Cost of Degree: $12,238Expenses: $17,028Starting Salary: $58,707Salary after 4 years: $74,989Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BS in Computer Information Technology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #5 Best Online HBCU Doctoral Programs 2025 #5 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2024 #8 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee 2025
Tuition + fees
$8K
Graduation
32%
Student body
9K
Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Tennessee State University
Cost of Degree: $8,568Expenses: $17,300Starting Salary: $52,389Salary after 4 years: $66,918Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BS in Professional Studies
Concentrations
- Health Administration
- Information Technology
- International Organizational Leadership
- Organizational Leadership
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #7 Best CCCU Colleges and Universities 2024 #2 Best Small Colleges in North Carolina 2024 #4 Best Christian Colleges in North Carolina 2024 #4 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina 2025
Tuition + fees
$39K
Acceptance
89%
Graduation
56%
Student body
6K
Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Campbell University
Cost of Degree: $40,410Expenses: $23,301Starting Salary: $72,997Salary after 4 years: $93,880Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BS in Information Technology and Security
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BAS in Information Technology and Security
Concentrations
- Management
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #13 Best CCCU Colleges and Universities 2024 #2 Best Christian Colleges in Virginia 2025 #5 Best Private Colleges in Virginia 2025 #9 Best Grad Schools in Virginia 2025
Tuition + fees
$20K
Acceptance
32%
Graduation
55%
Student body
14K
Median SAT/ACT
1140/22
Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Regent University
Cost of Degree: $20,686Expenses: $12,146Starting Salary: $57,391Salary after 4 years: $73,809Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BA in Leadership Studies – Information Technology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
- #3 Best Public Colleges in Massachusetts 2024 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Massachusetts Ranked for Students in 2024 #2 Best Online Associate Degrees in Massachusetts 2025 #2 Best Online Associate Degree Programs That Can Be Completed in 1 Year
Tuition + fees
$16K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
71%
Student body
22K
Median SAT/ACT
1259/28
Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at University of Massachusetts Lowell
Cost of Degree: $16,570Expenses: $17,994Starting Salary: $75,293Salary after 4 years: $96,174Cost Recoup Time: 8 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BS in Information Technology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BS in Information Technology Second Degree
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BS in Information Technology: Business Minor
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
- #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Kentucky 2025 #3 Best Public Colleges in Kentucky 2025 #3 Best Research Universities in Kentucky 2025 #3 Best Colleges in Kentucky 2024
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
97%
Graduation
51%
Student body
20K
Median SAT/ACT
1075/21
Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Western Kentucky University
Cost of Degree: $11,436Expenses: $15,452Starting Salary: $50,809Salary after 4 years: $64,901Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BS in Computer Information Technology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
- #9 Best CCCU Colleges and Universities 2024 #15 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Doctoral Degrees 2025 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Oklahoma 2024 #3 Best Private Colleges in Oklahoma 2024
Tuition + fees
$33K
Acceptance
78%
Graduation
63%
Student body
6K
Median SAT/ACT
1115/22
Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Oral Roberts University
Cost of Degree: $34,100Expenses: $15,820Starting Salary: $54,245Salary after 4 years: $69,763Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BS in Information Technology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 3.5 years
- Format: Online
- #4 Best Public Colleges in Georgia 2025 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Georgia Ranked for Students in 2024 #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #7 Best Research Universities in Georgia 2025
Tuition + fees
$6K
Acceptance
89%
Graduation
53%
Student body
31K
Median SAT/ACT
1065/20
Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Georgia Southern University
Cost of Degree: $5,905Expenses: $19,667Starting Salary: $60,682Salary after 4 years: $77,511Cost Recoup Time: 8 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BS in Technology
Concentrations
- Information Technology
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion time: 48 months
- Format: Online
- #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Missouri 2024 #6 Best Research Universities in Missouri 2025 #6 Best Public Colleges in Missouri 2025 #9 Best Colleges in Missouri 2024
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
58%
Student body
27K
Median SAT/ACT
1101/23
Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Missouri State University
Cost of Degree: $9,024Expenses: $16,024Starting Salary: $58,576Salary after 4 years: $74,821Cost Recoup Time: 8 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BS in Information Technology
Concentrations
- Application Development
- IT Infrastructure or Cybersecurity
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
- #11 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2025 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New Hampshire 2025 #2 Best Private Colleges in New Hampshire 2025 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in New Hampshire 2024
Tuition + fees
$15K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
41%
Student body
224K
Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Southern New Hampshire University
Cost of Degree: $16,450Expenses: $24,000Starting Salary: $63,181Salary after 4 years: $81,255Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BS in Information Technologies
Concentrations
- Business Management For It
- Cybersecurity
- Data Analytics
- Project Management For It
- Software Development
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BA in Information Technologies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
- #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Nebraska 2025 #2 Best Public Colleges in Nebraska 2024 #3 Best Grad Schools in Nebraska 2025 #3 Best Colleges in Nebraska 2024
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
49%
Student body
18K
Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at University of Nebraska Omaha
Cost of Degree: $8,370Expenses: $16,604Starting Salary: $64,894Salary after 4 years: $82,891Cost Recoup Time: 7 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BMS in Information Technology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #5 Best Online Bachelor's in Human Development Degree Programs for 2024 #6 Best Online Bachelor’s of Gender Studies Degree Programs for 2025 #6 Best Online Bachelor's of Finance Degree Programs for 2024 #10 Best Online Bachelor's in Hospitality and Tourism Degree Programs for 2024
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
46%
Student body
17K
Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at California State University, East Bay
Cost of Degree: $7,055Expenses: $21,461Starting Salary: $76,609Salary after 4 years: $97,856Cost Recoup Time: 7 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BS in Business Administration
Concentrations
- Information Technology Management
- Required Credits: 75
- Completion time: 4-5 years
- Format: Online
- #1 Best Online Doctorate in Business Administration Degree Programs #2 Best Online Associate in Fire Science Degree Programs #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Florida 2025 #3 Best Online Associate Degrees in Florida 2025
Tuition + fees
$23K
Acceptance
97%
Graduation
58%
Student body
32K
Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Keiser University
Cost of Degree: $24,136Expenses: $26,450Starting Salary: $44,176Salary after 4 years: $56,814Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BS in Information Technology Management
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #10 15 Best Self-Paced Online Colleges Ranked for 2025 #6 Best Private Colleges in Iowa 2024 #9 Best Colleges in Iowa 2024 #9 Best Small Colleges in Iowa 2025
Tuition + fees
$34K
Acceptance
54%
Graduation
42%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
970/21
Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Upper Iowa University
Cost of Degree: $19,000Expenses: $15,022Starting Salary: $57,265Salary after 4 years: $73,647Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BS in Information Technology
Concentrations
- Cyber Security and Computer Forensics (SEC)
- Network Management (NET)
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #5 Best Schools for Becoming an Air Traffic Controller in 2024 #5 Best Online Associate in Political Science 2025 #5 Best Online Associate in Finance #5 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Georgia
Tuition + fees
$4K
Acceptance
100%
Graduation
24%
Student body
10K
Median SAT/ACT
1025/19
Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Middle Georgia State University
Cost of Degree: $4,432Expenses: $17,243Starting Salary: $46,071Salary after 4 years: $58,848Cost Recoup Time: 8 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BS in Technology
Concentrations
- Information Technology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 48 months
- Format: Online
- #17 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2025 #10 Best Grad Schools in Georgia 2024 #3 Best Online MBA Programs in Georgia #8 Best Online Colleges in Georgia 2024
Tuition + fees
$6K
Acceptance
88%
Graduation
43%
Student body
9K
Median SAT/ACT
1015/19
Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Columbus State University
Cost of Degree: $5,751Expenses: $19,046Starting Salary: $51,073Salary after 4 years: $65,237Cost Recoup Time: 8 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BS in Information Technology (Bsit)
- Required Credits: 123
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #8 Best Online Associate Degrees in Florida 2025 #10 Best Online Bachelor’s of Electrical and Computer Engineering Degree Programs for 2024 #16 Best Online Associate in Accounting 2025 #21 Best Online Colleges in Florida 2025
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
49%
Student body
17K
Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Daytona State College
Cost of Degree: $3,106Expenses: $15,179Starting Salary: $43,043Salary after 4 years: $54,981Cost Recoup Time: 8 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BS in Information Technology
- Required Credits: 128
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Oklahoma #2 Best Online Associate Degrees in Oklahoma 2025 #9 Best Online MBA Programs in Oklahoma #11 Best Online Master's Programs in Oklahoma 2025
Tuition + fees
$7K
Graduation
25%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for Information Technology degree at Rogers State University
Cost of Degree: $7,392Expenses: $16,948Starting Salary: $51,731Salary after 4 years: $66,078Cost Recoup Time: 8 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BS in Business Information Technology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
Career Outlook for Students with Information Technology Degree
Go to Degree Finder toolInformation Technology
Degree Level: Bachelor's
- Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
- Avg. Cost of Degree*: $9,953
- Avg. Expenses*: $17,409
- Avg. Starting Salary*: $61,324
- Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $78,332
- Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 8 years
- Job Growth: 17.94%
- Number of Jobs: 3,697,200
- * denotes ‘annually’
- ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’
Career Salaries
Career | Job Growth | Avg. Salary |
---|---|---|
Computer and Information Systems Managers | 17.42% | $169,510 |
Computer and Information Research Scientists | 25.68% | $145,080 |
Database Architects | 10.75% | $134,700 |
Software Developers | 17.94% | $132,270 |
Computer Network Architects | 13.44% | $129,840 |
Top Industries
Industry | Avg. Salary |
---|---|
Computer and Information Systems Managers | $169,510 |
Computer and Information Research Scientists | $145,080 |
Database Architects | $134,700 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Information Technology Degrees
Earning a bachelor’s degree in information technology can set you on a path toward a lucrative career in a high demand field. With programs available both online and in person, students can enjoy flexibility while completing the roughly 120 credits needed for graduation.
Back to TopOver the course of four to five years, students will learn about topics like network administration, programming languages, project management, and information technology for businesses. Students may also have the option to choose a concentration, like telecommunications, cybersecurity, or software development. Students will learn how to troubleshoot and solve problems relating to technical issues as well as manage computer systems and software.
Back to TopGraduates will qualify for jobs like information technology consultants, computer network architects, and data scientists.
Back to TopLearn more about how to major in computer science.
Online IT Programs Looking for You
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.