Earning an associate degree is an affordable way to get started on your college education. The typical associate degree will take about two years to complete.
Many community colleges and two-year schools in Indiana offer both traditional and online degree programs for students pursuing their associate degree in a wide variety of disciplines.
Students who earn their online associate degree in their state of residence are typically eligible for in-state discount rates. If you are a resident of Indiana, finding an online associate degree here at home will typically be the most affordable way to begin your higher education.

Table of Contents

What is an Associate Degree?

An associate degree is a two-year degree that can be earned at state community colleges, vocational schools, and most accredited colleges and universities.

What will I study with an associate degree?

The associate degree provides an introductory level college education. You will usually take an array of liberal arts or humanities courses along with introductory level courses in a specific subject area. Most associate degree programs are available to both on campus students and online students.

Why get an associate degree?

There are several good reasons to get an associate degree. An associate degree is an affordable and accessible way to get a college education while improving your earning potential. The associate degree is popular both among students looking for entry-level work in their field, and for those who are already working.

The online degree is particularly popular at the associate level because so many students must balance work responsibilities and studies. Online courses and complete online programs make it possible for students to earn associate credits and degrees without disrupting daily work responsibilities.

The associate is also a far more affordable and accessible alternative to earning a bachelor’s degree. The associate degree takes about half as long to earn as a bachelor’s degree. Associate students need 60 credits to graduate, versus the 120 credits needed for a bachelor’s degree. And many state community colleges offer low tuition rates.

Can I get a job with an associate degree?

You can get an entry-level job in your field with an associate degree. Many students will use the associate degree as a way to get relevant job training before entering the job market. In fact, many associates will pursue entry level work in their field while earning a bachelor’s degree through online education.

Should I get an associate degree before pursuing a bachelor’s degree?

You may want to get an associate degree first to save money, or improve your admission chances, before getting a bachelor’s degree. The associate degree is a popular stepping stone for students who will seek a bachelor’s degree. When you earn an associate degree from an accredited state community college, you can usually transfer your credits toward your bachelor’s degree program.

Can I get an online degree at the associate level?

You can definitely get an online degree at the associate level. A growing number of online colleges offer high-quality associate-level online courses and complete online programs. Online students will typically take the same courses and curricula as on campus students.

Are associate degrees from online colleges respected?

Online degrees at the associate level are respected as long as these online degrees come from accredited community colleges or two-year schools. Regional accreditation is important when it comes to online colleges. If you plan to go into a bachelor’s degree program at a regionally accredited school, you must earn your online degree from a regionally accredited associate degree program.

If you need more answers to frequently asked questions about online degrees, we can help.

How do we determine Indiana's best online colleges for associate degrees?

Methodology

Pursuing your degree online doesn’t mean you need to settle for an inferior school. Today, most universities and colleges offer online degrees, and many respected schools are seeing significant growth in their numbers of online students.

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why influence — i.e., the academic impact of faculty and alumni associated with a school — gets at the heart of what is truly best in education. The combined influence score of a college or university’s top academic influencers is the best indicator of academic excellence. For our online degree rankings, we focus on the academic influence of faculty and alumni in the specific disciplines we’re ranking.

If you are serious about finding the best online colleges, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching, and whether their graduates themselves are advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Influence, as measured by our InfluenceRanking engine, provides a ranking that is free from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

Featured Programs

Best Online Associate Degrees in Indiana

#1
Purdue University
West Lafayette , IN
#1 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2025 #11 America's 15 Most Technologically Advanced Colleges #15 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2025 #16 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
53%
Graduation
83%
Student body
55K
Median SAT/ACT
1335/30
Career Outlook for degree at Purdue University
Cost of Degree: $9,992
Expenses: $14,890
Starting Salary: $62,200
Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Purdue University is a West Lafayette-based public institution classified as a Doctoral university with very high research activity. The main campus offers an online or distance learning Associate degree program for Veterinary Nursing/Technology. The Purdue Global platform also offers 13 online associate degree programs, some of which have concentrations.
What we love about Purdue University:
Purdue is ranked as the most recognized public university in the country.
Purdue University is ideal for students who:
Are looking for flexible programs that let them learn at their own pace.
Purdue University might not be the best fit for students who:
Do not believe class sizes of more than 22 online students are conducive to learning, as professors may not be able to provide individualized attention.
Online Associate Degrees
Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Nursing

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
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#2
Ball State University
Muncie , IN
#3 Most Affordable Colleges in Indiana 2024 #4 Best Public Colleges in Indiana 2025 #4 Best Colleges in Indiana 2024 #5 Best Grad Schools in Indiana 2025
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
69%
Graduation
64%
Student body
23K
Median SAT/ACT
1175/25
Career Outlook for degree at Ball State University
Cost of Degree: $10,758
Expenses: $15,976
Starting Salary: $44,600
Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Ball State University is a Muncie-based public university with high research activity or R2 Carnegie classification. It offers fully online Associate degree programs in Criminal Justice and General Arts. Moreover, an A.S. in Radiography is also available in a blended learning format.
What we love about BSU:
It is the nation’s first higher education institution to obtain Learner Support Program Certification from Quality Matters (QM) for its online programs.
BSU is ideal for students who:
Want the same quality education offered by prestigious universities but delivered at their own pace.
BSU might not be the best fit for students who:
Want their online education with minimal networking opportunities with classmates, as BSU’s online classes are typically interactive and collaborative.
Online Associate Degrees
Associate of Criminal Justice and Criminology

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Associate of General Arts

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
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#3
Indiana University
#5 Best Online Colleges in Indiana 2024 #12 20 Fastest Accelerated Online English Doctorates (PhDs) 2024 #14 Top 20 Most Affordable Online PhD of Nursing (DNP) Programs #3 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Finance Degree Programs 2024
Indiana University is a public university system with its flagship campus in Bloomington, where it offers an Associate of Science in Labor Studies online degree program. It also offers three other fully online associate degree programs on its other campuses across the state.
What we love about Indiana University:
The University has numerous international partnerships that provide faculty and students with opportunities to pursue their goals on a global scale.
Indiana University is ideal for students who:
Prefer being a part of a university with multiple campuses across Indiana to have convenient access to learning and career resources when required.
Indiana University might not be the best fit for students who:
Get easily distracted from their studies when the school supports thousands of clubs/organizations, and actively engages in numerous Division and national sports events.
Online Associate Degrees
AS in Histotechnology

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
AS in Labor Studies

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
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#4
Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis , IN
#6 Best Grad Schools in Indiana 2025 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Indiana 2024 #7 Best Research Universities in Indiana 2025 #7 Best Public Colleges in Indiana 2025
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
83%
Graduation
56%
Student body
31K
Median SAT/ACT
1150/24
Career Outlook for degree at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis
Cost of Degree: $10,449
Expenses: $16,236
Starting Salary: $50,700
Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, officially named IU Indianapolis as of July 1, 2024, is a public doctoral university with high research activity (R2 Carnegie classification). It offers fully online degree programs for Associate of Science in Histotechnology and Labor Studies.
What we love about IU Indianapolis:
It’s one of the leading universities in the country that provides groundbreaking research for the betterment of Indiana and the world.
IU Indianapolis is ideal for students who:
Are looking for online Associate programs complemented with a wide variety of student services like Peer Tutoring, Success Coaches, and Academic Advising.
IU Indianapolis might not be the best fit for students who:
Are looking for more options on Associate degree programs in online or hybrid learning formats.
Online Associate Degrees
AS in Histotechnology

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
AS in Labor Studies

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#5
Marian University
Indianapolis , IN
#7 Best Online Associate Degree Programs That Can Be Completed in 1 Year #10 Best Online Colleges in Indiana 2024 #14 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Nursing Degree Programs 2024
Tuition + fees
$38K
Acceptance
94%
Graduation
64%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Marian University
Cost of Degree: $39,100
Expenses: $18,868
Starting Salary: $46,600
Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Based in Indianapolis, Marian University is a private Roman Catholic institution of higher education affiliated with the Sisters of St. Francis. It offers an online degree program for Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies with 66 credit hours, which students can finish in as little as 14 months.
What we love about Marian University:
This educational institution with a Doctoral Carnegie classification is Indiana’s only Catholic university.
Marian University is ideal for students who:
Thrive in schools with low student-faculty ratios and 1:1 student-mentor programs.
Marian University might not be the best fit for students who:
Find close-knit academic communities to be intimidating or challenging.
Online Associate Degrees
Associate in Business Administration

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Associate in Paralegal Studies

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
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#6
Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion , IN
#17 Best CCCU Colleges and Universities 2024 #9 Best Christian Colleges in Indiana 2025 #3 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Indiana #5 Best Online MBA Programs in Indiana
Tuition + fees
$30K
Acceptance
87%
Graduation
67%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1095/24
Career Outlook for degree at Indiana Wesleyan University
Cost of Degree: $31,168
Expenses: $14,022
Starting Salary: $56,200
Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Indiana Wesleyan University is a private evangelical Christian institution of higher education with affiliation to the Wesleyan Church. Aside from its on-campus academic programs, it also offers around 185 online or hybrid programs, including 16 Associate degrees.
What we love about IWU:
It has a generous transfer credit policy that allows students to obtain their degree in less time and low cost.
IWU is ideal for students who:
Are looking for Associate degrees in Business, Criminal Justice, and Nursing, which are some of IWU’s most popular areas of study.
IWU might not be the best fit for students who:
Want to establish their educational background with a secular outlook.
Online Associate Degrees
Associate in Christian Ministries

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Associate in Christian Ministry Leadership

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Associate in Accounting

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Associate in Business

Concentrations

Advanced Manufacturing Processes
Logistics Management

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Associate in Computer Information Technology

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Associate in Operations Management

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Associate in Professional Pilot

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Associate in Computer Information Technology

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Associate in Criminal Justice

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Associate in Early Childhood Teaching

Concentrations

Biblical Studies
Business
Communications
Computer Information Technology
Criminal Justice
Fine Arts
History
Human Services
Liberal Arts
Mathematics
Natural Sciences
Social Services
Individualized Concentration

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Associate in Creative Digital Media

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Associate in Integrative Studies

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Associate in Human Services

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
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#7
Purdue Global
West Lafayette , IN
#4 Online Colleges with the Most Generous Financial Aid in 2025 #12 Most Affordable Online Colleges Ranked for Students 2024 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Indiana 2024 #8 Best Public Colleges in Indiana 2025
Tuition + fees
$10K
Graduation
20%
Student body
66K
Purdue Global, or Purdue University Global, is a public post-secondary institution that offers online education generally to working adults. It offers 13 Associate online degree programs, some of which have Concentration options, in 10 different fields of study, including Information Technology, Legal Studies, and Fire and Emergency Management.
What we love about Purdue Global:
It offers a three-week free trial for its programs.
Purdue Global is ideal for students who:
Want to ensure a successful career by pursuing their education with the one-on-one support of Purdue’s Center for Career Advancement team.
Purdue Global might not be the best fit for students who:
Are looking for online Associate in Health Science programs, but are not affiliated with the military.
Online Associate Degrees
Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Associate of Applied Science in Health Science

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Associate of Applied Science in Human Services

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Associate of Science in Health Science

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Associate of Applied Science in Legal Support and Services

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Associate of Science in Professional Studies

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Associate of Applied Science in Accounting

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Associate of Applied Science in Small Group Management

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Associate of Science in Nursing

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#8
Indiana Institute of Technology
Fort Wayne , IN
#10 Best Grad Schools in Indiana 2025 #5 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Indiana #8 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Accounting Programs 2025
Tuition + fees
$30K
Acceptance
65%
Graduation
37%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Indiana Institute of Technology
Cost of Degree: $30,446
Starting Salary: $49,400
Indiana Institute of Technology is a private school with its main campus in Fort Wayne. It offers 13 associate degree programs in an online learning format, including Accounting, Business Administration, Electrical Engineering Technology, and Health Science.
What we love about Indiana Tech:
It is recognized as a leader in both on-campus and online education, offering some of the most affordable programs in the Midwest.
Indiana Tech is ideal for students who:
Are seeking Associate degree programs related to engineering technology, considering that Indiana Tech has more than nine decades of teaching experience in this field.
Indiana Tech might not be the best fit for students who:
Prefer a relaxed approach to their studies, with minimal participation and no pressure to lead in a global society.
Online Associate Degrees
AS in Accounting

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
AS in Business Administration

Concentrations

Management
Production Management

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
AS in Business Administration

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
AS in Criminal Justice

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
AS in Electrical Engineering Technology

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
AS in General Studies

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
AS in Health Information Technology

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
AS in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
AS in Information Technology

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
AS in Mechanical Engineering Technology

Required Credits: 60-66
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Compare school

Indiana is just one of many states offering excellent online associate’s degrees. To check out our rankings, look into the best online associate’s degrees in South Dakota, New Jersey, New Mexico, and more!

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.

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.

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here

Best Online Associate Degrees in Indiana 2024

Top Online Associate Degree Programs in Indiana

Key Takeaways

What is an Associate Degree?

What will I study with an associate degree?

Why get an associate degree?

Can I get a job with an associate degree?

Should I get an associate degree before pursuing a bachelor’s degree?

Can I get an online degree at the associate level?

Are associate degrees from online colleges respected?

Featured Programs

Best Online Associate Degrees in Indiana

Career Outlook for degree at Purdue University

What we love about Purdue University:

Purdue University is ideal for students who:

Purdue University might not be the best fit for students who:

Online Associate Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Ball State University

What we love about BSU:

BSU is ideal for students who:

BSU might not be the best fit for students who:

Online Associate Degrees

What we love about Indiana University:

Indiana University is ideal for students who:

Indiana University might not be the best fit for students who:

Online Associate Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis

What we love about IU Indianapolis:

IU Indianapolis is ideal for students who:

IU Indianapolis might not be the best fit for students who:

Online Associate Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Marian University

What we love about Marian University:

Marian University is ideal for students who:

Marian University might not be the best fit for students who:

Online Associate Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Indiana Wesleyan University

What we love about IWU:

IWU is ideal for students who:

IWU might not be the best fit for students who:

Online Associate Degrees

Concentrations

Concentrations

What we love about Purdue Global:

Purdue Global is ideal for students who:

Purdue Global might not be the best fit for students who:

Online Associate Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Indiana Institute of Technology

What we love about Indiana Tech:

Indiana Tech is ideal for students who:

Indiana Tech might not be the best fit for students who:

Online Associate Degrees

Concentrations

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect from an online college course?+

Is online college easier than campus-based college?+

Why does accreditation matter in online college?+

Will I be able to transfer my online college degree?+

Will employers respect my online degree?+

What are the disadvantages of online classes?+

What are the advantages of online classes?+

Resources for Online College-Bound Students