Best Online Master’s in Public Health

Find top-ranked online master’s in public health degree programs for students wanting to work in the public health field, holding positions like healthcare administrator, epidemiologist, social and community service manager, hospital quality manager, and EIS/CDC officer.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Public Health Degrees

Why get a master’s in public health?

When students earn a master’s degree in public health, they’ll learn how to advocate for the health of others in their communities and beyond. Though some programs offer a comprehensive degree, many require students to choose an area of concentration, such as epidemiology, global health, family and child health, and public health policy and management.

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How long does it take to get a master’s in public health?

Whether online or on campus, most students complete the roughly 40-credit degree in two to three years. Many programs also require an internship or capstone project.

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What can you do with a master’s in public health?

Graduates will qualify to work in the public health field, holding positions like healthcare administrator, epidemiologist, social and community service manager, hospital quality manager, and EIS/CDC officer.

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Learn more about what you can do with a master’s degree in medical science?.

Best Online Master’s in Public Health Degree Programs

  1. #1

    University of Michigan

    Ann Arbor , MI
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $18K

    Acceptance

    18%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    52K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1440/32

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at University of Michigan

    Cost of Degree: $27,524
    Expenses: $17,554
    Starting Salary: $80,508
    Salary after 4 years: $95,245
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $65K

    Acceptance

    12%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    54K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1500/33

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at University of Southern California

    Cost of Degree: $68,128
    Expenses: $22,216
    Starting Salary: $85,672
    Salary after 4 years: $107,301
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    17%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    34K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1440/32

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

    Cost of Degree: $12,527
    Expenses: $17,120
    Starting Salary: $70,114
    Salary after 4 years: $82,947
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill known for?

    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  4. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    68%

    Student body

    54K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1255/25

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at University of Arizona

    Cost of Degree: $14,389
    Expenses: $19,500
    Starting Salary: $57,069
    Salary after 4 years: $67,515
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  5. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $17K

    Acceptance

    64%

    Graduation

    83%

    Student body

    37K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1370/31

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at University of Massachusetts Amherst

    Cost of Degree: $17,009
    Expenses: $17,309
    Starting Salary: $58,802
    Salary after 4 years: $69,565
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  6. #6

    University of Missouri

    Columbia , MO
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    79%

    Graduation

    75%

    Student body

    34K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1240/26

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at University of Missouri

    Cost of Degree: $13,029
    Expenses: $18,142
    Starting Salary: $57,681
    Salary after 4 years: $68,239
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  7. #7

    University of Alabama

    Tuscaloosa , AL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    42K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1270/27

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at University of Alabama

    Cost of Degree: $11,740
    Expenses: $21,482
    Starting Salary: $52,585
    Salary after 4 years: $62,210
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  8. #8

    University at Buffalo

    Buffalo , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    68%

    Graduation

    74%

    Student body

    36K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1285/28

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at University at Buffalo

    Cost of Degree: $14,388
    Expenses: $23,006
    Starting Salary: $63,286
    Salary after 4 years: $74,869
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  9. #9

    University of Kentucky

    Lexington , KY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    33K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1180/24

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at University of Kentucky

    Cost of Degree: $14,330
    Expenses: $21,886
    Starting Salary: $55,031
    Salary after 4 years: $65,104
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  10. #10

    Baylor University

    Waco , TX
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $52K

    Acceptance

    46%

    Graduation

    81%

    Student body

    23K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1320/30

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at Baylor University

    Cost of Degree: $41,130
    Expenses: $19,425
    Starting Salary: $56,343
    Salary after 4 years: $70,567
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  11. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    79%

    Graduation

    65%

    Student body

    27K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1225/25

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at University of Nebraska–Lincoln

    Cost of Degree: $8,168
    Expenses: $18,548
    Starting Salary: $53,706
    Salary after 4 years: $63,537
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  12. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $49K

    Acceptance

    79%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    20K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1275/29

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at Loyola University Chicago

    Cost of Degree: $22,305
    Expenses: $19,694
    Starting Salary: $61,263
    Salary after 4 years: $76,730
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  13. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    68%

    Graduation

    66%

    Student body

    20K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1220/26

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at University at Albany, SUNY

    Cost of Degree: $13,625
    Expenses: $19,382
    Starting Salary: $58,700
    Salary after 4 years: $69,444
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  14. #16

    Bryn Mawr College

    Bryn Mawr , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    31%

    Graduation

    83%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1387/31

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at Bryn Mawr College

    Cost of Degree: $52,506
    Expenses: $20,690
    Starting Salary: $58,851
    Salary after 4 years: $73,709
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  15. #17

    University of Montana

    Missoula , MT
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    12K

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at University of Montana

    Cost of Degree: $9,580
    Expenses: $17,076
    Starting Salary: $44,127
    Salary after 4 years: $52,204
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  16. #18

    Thomas Jefferson University

    Philadelphia , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $44K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    68%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1240/29

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at Thomas Jefferson University

    Cost of Degree: $23,814
    Expenses: $22,874
    Starting Salary: $95,802
    Salary after 4 years: $119,988
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  17. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    64%

    Student body

    26K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1305/26

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at University of Alabama at Birmingham

    Cost of Degree: $8,424
    Expenses: $20,547
    Starting Salary: $49,324
    Salary after 4 years: $58,352
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  18. #20

    University of Memphis

    Memphis , TN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    48%

    Student body

    25K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1080/20

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at University of Memphis

    Cost of Degree: $11,214
    Expenses: $17,726
    Starting Salary: $44,025
    Salary after 4 years: $52,083
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  19. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $46K

    Acceptance

    76%

    Graduation

    78%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1313/29

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at Creighton University

    Cost of Degree: $19,676
    Expenses: $16,790
    Starting Salary: $67,631
    Salary after 4 years: $84,705
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  20. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    64%

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    72K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1155/23

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at Florida International University

    Cost of Degree: $11,334
    Expenses: $19,406
    Starting Salary: $52,993
    Salary after 4 years: $62,693
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  21. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    28K

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at Portland State University

    Cost of Degree: $17,202
    Expenses: $16,785
    Starting Salary: $51,770
    Salary after 4 years: $61,246
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  22. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    23K

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at University of Nevada, Reno

    Cost of Degree: $6,584
    Expenses: $20,270
    Starting Salary: $57,375
    Salary after 4 years: $67,877
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  23. #25

    Samford University

    Birmingham , AL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $37K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    78%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1175/26

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at Samford University

    Cost of Degree: $22,604
    Expenses: $19,312
    Starting Salary: $57,693
    Salary after 4 years: $72,259
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  24. #26

    Liberty University

    Lynchburg , VA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $23K

    Acceptance

    99%

    Graduation

    66%

    Student body

    131K

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at Liberty University

    Cost of Degree: $8,340
    Expenses: $21,458
    Starting Salary: $39,942
    Salary after 4 years: $50,025
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  25. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    99%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    16K

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at University of Southern Mississippi

    Cost of Degree: $9,618
    Expenses: $17,484
    Starting Salary: $43,515
    Salary after 4 years: $51,480
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  26. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    18K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1106/22

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at Wichita State University

    Cost of Degree: $7,678
    Expenses: $18,490
    Starting Salary: $46,267
    Salary after 4 years: $54,736
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  27. #30

    Nova Southeastern University

    Fort Lauderdale , FL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    76%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    24K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1175/23

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at Nova Southeastern University

    Cost of Degree: $24,140
    Expenses: $22,596
    Starting Salary: $53,641
    Salary after 4 years: $67,184
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Nova Southeastern University known for?

    Nova Southeastern University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  28. #31

    Cornell College

    Mount Vernon , IA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $49K

    Acceptance

    79%

    Graduation

    63%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1275/26

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at Cornell College

    Cost of Degree: $2,800
    Expenses: $15,718
    Starting Salary: $43,801
    Salary after 4 years: $54,859
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  29. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Graduation

    32%

    Student body

    9K

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at Tennessee State University

    Cost of Degree: $11,092
    Expenses: $17,300
    Starting Salary: $40,560
    Salary after 4 years: $47,984
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  30. #33

    Andrews University

    Berrien Springs , MI
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $33K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1225/24

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at Andrews University

    Cost of Degree: $28,440
    Expenses: $12,250
    Starting Salary: $46,116
    Salary after 4 years: $57,759
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  31. #34

    Austin Peay State University

    Clarksville , TN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    43%

    Student body

    11K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1076/21

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at Austin Peay State University

    Cost of Degree: $10,127
    Expenses: $17,840
    Starting Salary: $39,541
    Salary after 4 years: $46,778
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Austin Peay State University known for?

    Austin Peay State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  32. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    55%

    Student body

    15K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1085/22

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at East Tennessee State University

    Cost of Degree: $10,784
    Expenses: $18,550
    Starting Salary: $41,375
    Salary after 4 years: $48,948
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  33. #37

    Idaho State University

    Pocatello , ID
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Graduation

    37%

    Student body

    15K

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at Idaho State University

    Cost of Degree: $11,268
    Expenses: $14,854
    Starting Salary: $44,738
    Salary after 4 years: $52,927
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  34. #38

    National University

    San Diego , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Graduation

    22%

    Student body

    29K

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at National University

    Cost of Degree: $15,912
    Starting Salary: $56,922
    Salary after 4 years: $71,292
    What is National University known for?

    National University ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  35. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    48%

    Student body

    27K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1170/24

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at Old Dominion University

    Cost of Degree: $14,848
    Expenses: $19,392
    Starting Salary: $49,630
    Salary after 4 years: $58,714
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  36. #41

    Oklahoma City University

    Oklahoma City , OK
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $33K

    Acceptance

    70%

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at Oklahoma City University

    Cost of Degree: $13,410
    Expenses: $13,852
    Starting Salary: $49,300
    Salary after 4 years: $61,746
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  37. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    41%

    Student body

    224K

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at Southern New Hampshire University

    Cost of Degree: $20,469
    Expenses: $24,000
    Starting Salary: $48,432
    Salary after 4 years: $60,659
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Southern New Hampshire University known for?

    Southern New Hampshire University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  38. #44

    University of Bridgeport

    Bridgeport , CT
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    47%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at University of Bridgeport

    Cost of Degree: $21,786
    Expenses: $23,722
    Starting Salary: $45,441
    Salary after 4 years: $56,913
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  39. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $16K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    22K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1259/28

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at University of Massachusetts Lowell

    Cost of Degree: $16,050
    Expenses: $17,994
    Starting Salary: $58,292
    Salary after 4 years: $68,962
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  40. Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at University of Nebraska Medical Center

    Cost of Degree: $9,789
    Starting Salary: $110,572
    Salary after 4 years: $130,811
    What is University of Nebraska Medical Center known for?

    University of Nebraska Medical Center’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  41. #47

    Western Kentucky University

    Bowling Green , KY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    97%

    Graduation

    51%

    Student body

    20K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1075/21

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at Western Kentucky University

    Cost of Degree: $12,140
    Expenses: $15,452
    Starting Salary: $39,337
    Salary after 4 years: $46,537
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  42. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $18K

    Acceptance

    78%

    Graduation

    45%

    Student body

    155K

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at Grand Canyon University

    Cost of Degree: $11,124
    Expenses: $16,212
    Starting Salary: $56,439
    Salary after 4 years: $70,688
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  43. #49

    A.T. Still University

    Kirksville , MO
    Other Rankings

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at A.T. Still University

    Cost of Degree: $39,675
    Starting Salary: $205,979
    Salary after 4 years: $257,981
    What is A.T. Still University known for?

    A.T. Still University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  44. Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1050/21

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

    Cost of Degree: $11,910
    Expenses: $18,012
    Starting Salary: $48,101
    Salary after 4 years: $56,906
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania known for?

    East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  45. #52

    St. Ambrose University

    Davenport , IA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $35K

    Acceptance

    74%

    Graduation

    64%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1130/23

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at St. Ambrose University

    Cost of Degree: $19,405
    Expenses: $17,206
    Starting Salary: $48,721
    Salary after 4 years: $61,021
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  46. #53

    Saginaw Valley State University

    University Center , MI

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    76%

    Graduation

    50%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1075/22

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at Saginaw Valley State University

    Cost of Degree: $17,328
    Expenses: $14,040
    Starting Salary: $43,515
    Salary after 4 years: $51,480
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Saginaw Valley State University known for?

    Saginaw Valley State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  47. #54

    Des Moines University

    Des Moines , IA

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for Public Health degree at Des Moines University

    Cost of Degree: $19,428
    Starting Salary: $170,475
    Salary after 4 years: $213,514
    What is Des Moines University known for?

    Des Moines University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for Students with Public Health Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Public Health

Degree Level: Master's

  • Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
  • Avg. Cost of Degree*: $12,693
  • Avg. Expenses*: $18,751
  • Avg. Starting Salary*: $59,622
  • Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $70,536
  • Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 6 years
  • Job Growth: 23.29%
  • Number of Jobs: 972,400
  • * denotes ‘annually’
  • ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
Physicists7.11%$155,680
Medical and Health Services Managers28.54%$110,680
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary18.75%$105,650
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists11.46%$100,890
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary3.95%$98,020

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
Physicists$155,680
Medical and Health Services Managers$110,680
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$105,650

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Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require some adjustment. While you’ll generally learn the same content and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, the medium will likely require you to manage much of this experience independently. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, your ability to harness the technology at your fingertips, and your ability to focus on the lectures, lessons, and assignments at hand. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take it upon yourself to build 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 is actually getting there. Taking the commute out of the equation means getting to class should be a lot more manageable. But that’s where it ends. In general, your online courses will incorporate the very same materials, concepts, and testing methods as would a traditional classroom.

And 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 or working with remote learning technology for the first time, online college may even be a little more challenging for you. For a few insights on how to manage this new 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 institutions and less-than-reputable for-profit schools. Accreditation gives you the power to differentiate between the two. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency which indicates that a college or university is meeting standards of quality, credibility, and currency. 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 which is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. When seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that students 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.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited, 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. In many cases, you will be required to navigate a bureaucracy in which some of your credits will be transferred and others will be jettisoned. However, provided that you have attended an online school with the proper regional accreditation, you should have plenty of options for transfer.

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 resume 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.

While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will 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 require some adjustment.

While there is much that can be supplanted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing which can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual classroom setting. As you make the adjustment to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face is overcoming this difference in order to the get the most out of your classes. Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, 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 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 Prospective Grad 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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