Best Online Colleges in Colorado 2024

Badge for BEST ONLINE COLLEGES IN COLORADO

Find the best online colleges in Colorado ranked by the academic success of faculty and alumni associated with the colleges and universities and their online degree programs.

Best Online Colleges in Colorado

Sort by:
  1. University of Colorado Denver
  2. University of Colorado Boulder
  3. University of Denver
  4. Colorado State University
  5. Colorado Christian University
  6. Regis University
  7. University of Northern Colorado
  8. Johnson & Wales University
  9. Metropolitan State University of Denver
  10. University of Colorado Colorado Springs
  1. University of Colorado Boulder
  2. University of Denver
  3. Colorado State University
  4. University of Colorado Denver
  5. University of Northern Colorado
  6. Regis University
  7. Aspen University
  8. Metropolitan State University of Denver
  9. Johnson & Wales University
  10. University of Colorado Colorado Springs
  1. Metropolitan State University of Denver 98%
  2. Colorado State University 91%
  3. University of Colorado Colorado Springs 85%
  4. University of Colorado Boulder 81%
  5. University of Northern Colorado 79%
  6. University of Denver 78%
  7. Regis University 76%
  8. University of Colorado Denver 75%
  1. University of Colorado Boulder 18 to 1
  2. Colorado State University 17 to 1
  3. University of Colorado Denver 17 to 1
  4. Metropolitan State University of Denver 16 to 1
  5. Colorado Christian University 16 to 1
  6. University of Colorado Colorado Springs 15 to 1
  7. University of Northern Colorado 14 to 1
  8. Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design 14 to 1
  9. Regis University 9 to 1
  10. University of Denver 8 to 1
  1. University of Denver $56,439
  2. Regis University $42,220
  3. Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design $22,607
  4. Colorado Christian University $17,476
  5. University of Colorado Boulder $11,004
  6. University of Colorado Colorado Springs $10,990
  7. Colorado State University $9,903
  8. University of Colorado Denver $8,736
  9. Metropolitan State University of Denver $8,445
  10. University of Northern Colorado $8,180
  1. University of Denver $55,260
  2. University of Colorado Boulder $15,251
  3. Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design $15,144
  4. University of Colorado Colorado Springs $14,560
  5. Regis University $14,261
  6. Colorado Christian University $13,931
  7. University of Northern Colorado $11,628
  8. Colorado State University $10,834
  9. Metropolitan State University of Denver $9,169
  10. University of Colorado Denver $7,722
  1. Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design
  2. Aspen University
  3. University of Colorado Colorado Springs
  4. Metropolitan State University of Denver
  5. Johnson & Wales University
  6. University of Northern Colorado
  7. Regis University
  8. Colorado Christian University
  9. Colorado State University
  10. University of Denver
  1. Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design
  2. Colorado Christian University
  3. University of Colorado Colorado Springs
  4. Johnson & Wales University
  5. Metropolitan State University of Denver
  6. Aspen University
  7. Regis University
  8. University of Northern Colorado
  9. University of Colorado Denver
  10. Colorado State University
  1. University of Colorado Denver 75%
  2. Regis University 76%
  3. University of Denver 78%
  4. University of Northern Colorado 79%
  5. University of Colorado Boulder 81%
  6. University of Colorado Colorado Springs 85%
  7. Colorado State University 91%
  8. Metropolitan State University of Denver 98%
  1. Aspen University 5 to 1
  2. University of Denver 8 to 1
  3. Regis University 9 to 1
  4. University of Northern Colorado 14 to 1
  5. Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design 14 to 1
  6. University of Colorado Colorado Springs 15 to 1
  7. Metropolitan State University of Denver 16 to 1
  8. Colorado Christian University 16 to 1
  9. Colorado State University 17 to 1
  10. University of Colorado Denver 17 to 1
  1. Aspen University $5,355
  2. University of Northern Colorado $8,180
  3. Metropolitan State University of Denver $8,445
  4. University of Colorado Denver $8,736
  5. Colorado State University $9,903
  6. University of Colorado Colorado Springs $10,990
  7. University of Colorado Boulder $11,004
  8. Colorado Christian University $17,476
  9. Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design $22,607
  10. Regis University $42,220
  1. Aspen University $3,900
  2. University of Colorado Denver $7,722
  3. Metropolitan State University of Denver $9,169
  4. Colorado State University $10,834
  5. University of Northern Colorado $11,628
  6. Colorado Christian University $13,931
  7. Regis University $14,261
  8. University of Colorado Colorado Springs $14,560
  9. Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design $15,144
  10. University of Colorado Boulder $15,251

Key Takeaways

  • Colorado takes pride in its outstanding online colleges with exceptional undergraduate and graduate programs in healthcare, business, education, and religious studies.
  • Colorado has several colleges and universities offering online programs with special areas of study that aren’t found in most schools in the U.S.
  • The state offers above-average wages and a lower unemployment rate than other states.

Featured Programs

Cost of Online Academic Programs in Colorado

Aspiring students pursuing online programs in Colorado can expect to pay higher than the national average tuition rates. According to College Board’s Trends in Higher Education Series, the average in-state tuition for two-year public institutions in the U.S. is $3,860.

At the same time, colleges in Colorado have $5,000 tuition rates at the minimum level. Similarly, public 4-year colleges cost online students in the U.S. an average of $10,940, while Colorado’s in-state tuition rates have $12,000+ on average.

Despite the higher tuition rates, Colorado has above-average salaries and low unemployment rates compared to other states, with a 3.6% unemployment rate for October 2022.

Colorado’s healthy economic growth means more funding for higher education, resulting in high-quality standards for its distance learning programs. Many articulation agreements between Colorado community colleges and higher learning institutions help online students reduce the time and expenses of getting undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Financial Aid in Colorado

Distance learners in Colorado have several options to finance their college degree by qualifying for financial aid. They must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as a standard requirement.

Depending on the information students provide in their FAFSA, online schools in Colorado calculate and deduct the expected family income from the cost of tuition to determine students’ financial aid needs. Online students who require the most financial help may be qualified to receive subsidized loans or Federal Pell Grant funding.

Alternatively, Colorado students can apply for private loans and scholarships to finance their online studies. The best online colleges in Colorado, including Colorado State University, Colorado Mesa University, Metropolitan State University, University of Northern Colorado, and CSU Global, have a variety of scholarship and work-study programs for their distance learners.

Other Colorado schools also have program-specific financial aid options in which online learners apply for tuition reimbursement or assistance programs.

Employment Dynamics in Colorado

Colorado has 15 thriving industries, providing numerous career opportunities across different academic fields. Almost all industries in Colorado include STEM studies, while its tourism and recreational sectors are also booming, given the state’s outdoor reputation.

Fit Small Business has recognized Colorado as the Top 2 states for starting a business, while the Census Bureau has granted the state #4 for the Concentration of STEM Workers.

Although Colorado’s cost of living index is higher than the average in the U.S., utilities, groceries, and health are desirable compared to other states with higher ranges.

Colorado also has had declining unemployment rates since 2020 and remains consistent as one of the states in the U.S. with low unemployment levels.

College Accreditation in Colorado

Accreditation status is crucial for enrolling in an online academic program at any college and university around Colorado. This ensures students’ eligibility to receive federal financial aid and guarantees that their academic degrees have met quality education standards.

Like most states in the U.S., the highest accreditation standards of online programs in Colorado are given by regional accrediting agencies. Colorado’s regional accreditation is The Higher Learning Commission.

The same accrediting agency grants regional accreditation status to colleges and universities in Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

Colleges and Universities in Colorado

Fans of the outdoors will feel right at home in Colorado. With the Rocky Mountains, Colorado River, and even part of the Great Plains, you’re sure to find adventure in The Centennial State. Students looking to balance outdoor adventure with higher education can choose from over 40 colleges and universities offering associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees for an average in-state tuition of $10,800.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

Colorado’s 28 public institutes include junior colleges, universities, the United States Air Force Academy, and the Colorado School of Mines, a research university that specializes in science, technology, engineering, and math.

Tuition for Colorado’s public schools ranges from $3,000 to $19,000, with many of the colleges and junior colleges starting at $4,000 and the universities at $8,000. Several of public colleges in Colorado enroll a large number of online students, including Colorado State University

.

Colorado’s private institutions boast smaller class sizes and student populations. This category includes five religiously affiliated campuses. Private colleges in Colorado tend to be more expensive, ranging from $4,000 to $55,000 in tuition. There are several online colleges in Colorado that are categorized as private schools.

The University of Colorado, Boulder, a notable research institute, is ranked as the number one school in the state and has a student population of just over 32,000. Students can earn degrees in computer science and physics both through in-person courses and online learning. Influential Boulder alumni include Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and Academy Award-winning actor and director Robert Redford.

Prospective art students can check out Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, and those desiring a career in the medical field can look into the Institute of Business and Medical Careers.

To learn more, check out the best brick-and-mortar and online colleges in Colorado.


What are Colorado’s Colleges & Universities?

Colorado’s Best Overall

Best Online Colleges in Colorado
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10 Best Online Colleges in Colorado 2023

  1. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    44%

    Student body

    30K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1145/24

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Colorado Denver

    Cost of Degree: $9,634
    Expenses: $22,026
    Starting Salary: $71,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Bachelor's Degrees

    Nursing, RN to BSN (Anschutz)
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BA Communication
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BA Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BA English Writing, Rhetoric, and Technology
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BA Ethnic Studies
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Human Development and Family Relations
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BA Individually Structured Major Integrated Studies
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BA Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BA Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BA Sociology
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online

    Online Master's Degrees

    MS Nursing

    Concentrations

    • Clinical Pharmacy
    • Family Nurse Practitioner (MS FNP) Nursing
    • Health Care Informatics Nursing
    • Health Care Informatics Nursing
    • Leadership (iLEAD) Nursing
    • Veteran and Military Healthcare Palliative Care
    • Required Credits: 30-60
    • Completion time: 1-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MS Pharmaceutical Sciences
    • Required Credits: 30-60
    • Completion time: 1-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MPH Public Health
    • Required Credits: 30-60
    • Completion time: 1-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MEng Civil Engineering
    • Required Credits: 30-60
    • Completion time: 1-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MS Civil Engineering
    • Required Credits: 30-60
    • Completion time: 1-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MA STEM Education
    • Required Credits: 30-60
    • Completion time: 1-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MS Business Administration Accounting
    • Required Credits: 30-60
    • Completion time: 1-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MBA
    • Required Credits: 30-60
    • Completion time: 1-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MCJ Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 30-60
    • Completion time: 1-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MA Early Childhood Education
    • Required Credits: 30-60
    • Completion time: 1-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MS Finance and Risk Management
    • Required Credits: 30-60
    • Completion time: 1-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MS Information Systems
    • Required Credits: 30-60
    • Completion time: 1-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MA Learning Design and Technology
    • Required Credits: 30-60
    • Completion time: 1-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MA Literacy Education
    • Required Credits: 30-60
    • Completion time: 1-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MS Management and Organization
    • Required Credits: 30-60
    • Completion time: 1-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MS Marketing
    • Required Credits: 30-60
    • Completion time: 1-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MPA Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 30-60
    • Completion time: 1-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MA Research and Evaluation Methods
    • Required Credits: 30-60
    • Completion time: 1-3 years
    • Format: Online

    Online Doctoral Degrees

    DNP Nursing
    • Required Credits: 60-120
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    PhD Nursing
    • Required Credits: 60-120
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    PharmD Pharmacy
    • Required Credits: 60-120
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    EdD Leadership for Educational Equity - Higher Education
    • Required Credits: 60-120
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
  2. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    81%

    Graduation

    75%

    Student body

    44K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1275/29

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Colorado Boulder

    Cost of Degree: $12,590
    Expenses: $20,360
    Starting Salary: $59,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Bachelor's Degrees

    BS Computer Science Post-Baccalaureate
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online

    Online Master's Degrees

    MS Aerospace Engineering
    • Required Credits: 30-60
    • Completion time: 1-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MS Business Analytics
    • Required Credits: 30-60
    • Completion time: 1-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MS Supply Chain Management
    • Required Credits: 30-60
    • Completion time: 1-3 years
    • Format: Online
  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    78%

    Graduation

    77%

    Student body

    17K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1310/30

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Denver

    Cost of Degree: $56,439
    Expenses: $19,620
    Starting Salary: $65,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Bachelor's Degrees

    BA Bachelor's Completion Program
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online

    Online Master's Degrees

    MA Communication Management

    Concentrations

    • Learning and Development
    • Marketing Communication
    • Organizational Communication
    • Organizational Development
    • Public Relations
    • User Experience Strategy
    • Required Credits: 30-60
    • Completion time: 1-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MSLA Legal Administration
    • Required Credits: 30-60
    • Completion time: 1-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MBA
    • Required Credits: 30-60
    • Completion time: 1-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MS Organizational Leadership

    Concentrations

    • Human Capital in Organizations
    • Organizational Development
    • Project Management
    • Strategic Innovation and Change
    • Supply Chain Management
    • Required Credits: 30-60
    • Completion time: 1-3 years
    • Format: Online
  4. #4

    Colorado State University

    Fort Collins , CO
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    67%

    Student body

    37K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1185/26

    Career Outlook for degree at Colorado State University

    Cost of Degree: $12,559
    Expenses: $17,575
    Starting Salary: $53,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Bachelor's Degrees

    BS Agricultural Business
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Computer Science
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Fire and Emergency Services Administration
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Horticulture
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Natural Resource Tourism
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BA Anthropology
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Business Administration – Accounting
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BA Communication Studies
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BA Economics
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Human Development and Family Studies
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BA Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts Journalism and Media Communication
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
  5. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $18K

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    16K

    Career Outlook for degree at Colorado Christian University

    Cost of Degree: $26,846
    Expenses: $12,774
    Starting Salary: $44,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BS in Accountancy
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BA in Applied Apologetics

    Concentrations

    • Cultural Engagement
    • Global Apologetics
    • Innovative Evangelism
    • Practical Apologetics
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Applied Psychology

    Concentrations

    • Biblical Studies
    • Clinical Counseling
    • Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BA in Biblical Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Business

    Concentrations

    • Entrepreneurship
    • International Business
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BA in Christian Ministry
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BA in Communication Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Computer Information Technology

    Concentrations

    • Data Engineering
    • Database Management
    • Networking
    • System Analyst
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BA in Early Childhood Education

    Concentrations

    • Licensure
    • Non Licensure
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BA in Elementary Education

    Concentrations

    • Licensure
    • Non Licensure
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Economics
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Human Resource Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Information Systems Management

    Concentrations

    • Cybersecurity
    • System Analyst
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Marketing and Sales
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Nonprofit Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Organizational Management in Christian Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Organizational Management in Enterprise Agility
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Organizational Management in Project Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing (RN-to-BSN)
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BA in Special Education

    Concentrations

    • Licensure
    • Non-Licensure
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
  6. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    79%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    12K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1095/23

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Northern Colorado

    Cost of Degree: $10,769
    Expenses: $17,462
    Starting Salary: $47,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Bachelor's Degrees

    BA Sociology
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online Degree Completion
    BA Communication Studies Dietetic
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BA American Sign Language English Interpretation (ASLEI)
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Nursing (RN-to-BSN)
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BA Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
  7. Online Bachelor's Degrees

    BS Political Science
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Business Administration

    Concentrations

    • Enterprise Risk Management
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Human Resource Management
    • International Business
    • Leadership Studies
    • Management
    • Operations and Supply Chain Management
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Accounting
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Finance
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Business Studies
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Liberal Studies
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Computer Science
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BA Sociology
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Public Health
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Marketing
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Advertising & Marketing Communications
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Digital Marketing & Social Media
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
  8. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    98%

    Graduation

    29%

    Student body

    22K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1020/19

    Career Outlook for degree at Metropolitan State University of Denver

    Cost of Degree: $10,260
    Starting Salary: $44,200

    Online Bachelor's Degrees

    BA Anthropology
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Nursing (RN-to-BSN)
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Social Work
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Management
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Health Care Management
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Banking
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Marketing
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BA English
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Business Intelligence
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Aviation and Aerospace Management (AAM)
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Health Care Professional Services
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BA Human Development and Family Studies
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
  9. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    43%

    Student body

    15K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1115/24

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Colorado Colorado Springs

    Cost of Degree: $12,380
    Expenses: $17,860
    Starting Salary: $49,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BS in Business
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BA in Communication
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BA in Philosophy
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BA in Sociology
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
  10. #11

    Aspen University

    Phoenix , AZ
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Student body

    14K

    Online Bachelor's Degrees

    BA Psychology and Addiction Studies
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Early Childhood Studies
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Health Care Administration
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BS Nursing (Pre-Licensure)
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    RN-to-BSN (BSN Completion Program)
    • Required Credits: 120-128
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
  11. Tuition + fees

    $23K

    Graduation

    41%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design

    Cost of Degree: $22,607
    Starting Salary: $36,700

    Online Degrees

    BFA in Animation
    • Required Credits: 123
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BFA in Art Education
    • Required Credits: 123
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BFA in Fashion Design
    • Required Credits: 123
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BFA in Game Art
    • Required Credits: 123
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BFA in Illustration
    • Required Credits: 123
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BFA in Illustrative Design
    • Required Credits: 123
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BFA in Interior Design
    • Required Credits: 123
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online
    BFA in Photography
    • Required Credits: 123
    • Completion time: 4-6 years
    • Format: Online

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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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