Choose the Best Online College for You | University of Phoenix (2024)

In this article

  • What should you consider when choosing an online college?
  • What do you need to be accepted into a well-respected online university?
  • Is financial aid available for online college?

As digital transformation continues to change education (among other fields), more colleges and universities are offering complete degree programs online. Many prospective students find it difficult to choose the best online college for them. After all, choosing an institution of higher learning to earn a degree may be one of the most important decisions you make for your career.

Follow along as we discuss factors to consider when choosing an online college, including how to apply to online programs, what you can do to be accepted to the online university of your choice, financial aid options and more.

Which factors should I consider when choosing an online college?

When asked which factors prospective students should consider when choosing an online college, University of Phoenix Vice Provost Marc Booker, PhD, says, “Outside of ensuring that the institution has the academic program you want … some of the most important factors to consider when choosing an online college involve understanding the delivery method of courses, course calendar (number of weeks/credits), cost, faculty model and which student resources are available to you.”

There are, in other words, quite a few factors to consider. Which are more important than others when choosing an online college? Beyond the obvious things like reputation and program offerings, you may also want to consider your interests, career aspirations and learning style.

Here are some of the most important factors to consider when choosing the best online college for you:

Accreditation and reputation

One way to determine the quality of an online college is to check whether it is accredited. Accreditation is the process by which an institution of higher education is regularly monitored for rigor and quality. The U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognize certain accrediting bodies to monitor institutions’ accreditation status and ensure they continue to meet specific standards and criteria during the renewal process, which occurs every few years.

Given the intensity of this process, accreditation goes a long way toward maintaining a positive reputation for a university. Maintaining accreditation status also signals to employers that an institution’s graduates have the knowledge and skills their diplomas suggest.

Accreditation can also affect the transferability of credit hours. And it can be an important factor with it comes to financial aid. Students who attend an unaccredited school are often not eligible for many types of financial assistance.

“When looking at any postsecondary institution, accreditation is a vital component for identifying whether or not an institution has gone through a rigorous, peer-reviewed quality assessment process,” Booker says. “[That is] a very important baseline factor that a school should meet.”

Program offerings and specializations

A crucial yet simple factor is the program offerings and specializations. What field of study do you plan to pursue? Not all colleges offer all degree programs and specializations, so do your research before choosing a school to apply to. It can save you both time and money.

Faculty qualifications

Accrediting bodies require faculty to meet specific qualifications, which may include academic credentials, licensures or certifications, professional experience, scholarly work, ongoing professional development, teaching skills and performance evaluations. Some key requirements may include, but are not limited to:

  • Faculty are generally expected to hold a degree higher than the level they teach. For instance, undergraduate faculty typically hold at least a master’s degree, while graduate faculty are expected to have a terminal degree, such as a PhD or professional doctorate, to ensure subject matter expertise.
  • In licensure-based programs, faculty must hold relevant, current certifications. For example, nursing faculty in CCNE-accredited programs must have an active RN license, and counseling faculty in CACREP-accredited programs must be licensed professional counselors to meet current standards in their fields.
  • Faculty are also required to have relevant professional experience. For example, business faculty in ACBSP-accredited programs should have industry experience, and counseling faculty should have clinical practice experience. This blend of academic and professional expertise enhances the student learning experience.

This list of qualifications is by no means exhaustive. Each accrediting body has its own faculty qualification requirements. While there are commonalities across the accrediting bodies, the requirements are also nuanced in terms of content, how they are applied, where they may be flexible, and more.

Flexibility and convenience

When choosing an online college or university, prospective students will want to factor in flexibility and convenience. Consider your circumstances. Do you have children or other dependents to care for? What is your work schedule like?

Given the other things happening in their lives, some students may want to find an online program that offers asynchronous learning. As opposed to synchronous learning, asynchronous learning allows students to interact with the material on their own time. Examples might include watching prerecorded lectures or participating in online class discussion boards.

No matter your exact situation, you’ll want to think about how you’ll balance full-time work and school.

Self-motivation and management

Another consideration is your learning style and time-management skills. If you’re self-motivated and good at managing your time, online college may be perfect for you. If not, you might want to consider a more traditional route or a program with synchronous classes. Staying connected in real time can help with motivation and time management.

Will I be accepted to an online college?

As you gather information about the various factors for choosing the best online college for you, you’ll want to start thinking about requirements for admission. Application deadlines, transfer credits and competition are a few other factors to consider as you narrow down your options.

Admission requirements and criteria

Like many colleges and universities, prospective students at online colleges need to have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Check to see if the colleges you are considering require SAT or ACT scores. Other possible admission requirements to check include:

  • Personal essays or statements
  • Portfolios (especially for students seeking degrees in art, design or creative writing)
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Previous college transcripts
  • Financial documents that prove you can pay tuition and other expenses

No matter where you wish to attend, be sure to submit your application and relevant documents before the deadlines. These will be on the institution’s website, so put those dates in your calendar so you don’t miss out.

How do I apply online colleges?

The admissions process for online colleges is fairly simple and similar to that of on-campus colleges. After gathering the necessary documents for your selected school or schools, fill out a general application for each you’re applying to. Double-check the deadlines and application fees as you go to make sure everything is in order.

Is financial aid available for online colleges?

There are quite a few options for financial aid for working adults when it comes to online colleges. Your options may depend on your needs and circumstances as much as the institution you choose.

Completing the FAFSA

To fill out the FAFSA, follow these steps:

1. Create a StudentAid.gov account.

2. Gather the financial documents you need for any contributor, including tax returns and current balances of savings and checking accounts. A contributor is anyone who may be required to provide information on a student’s FAFSA, such as a spouse or parent/stepparent.

3. Keep the deadlines in mind as you work on your application.

4. Fill out the FAFSA online, listing the colleges or career schools you’d like to apply to.

5. File your FAFSA form online at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

Are you ready to find the best online college for your needs?

After learning about factors that go into choosing the best online college for you — from flexibility to financial aid — take a peek at what University of Phoenix has to offer:

  • Continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org) since 1978
  • New student scholarships opportunities and other financial aid options
  • No essays required
  • No SAT or ACT required
  • Career Services for Life® commitment
  • Convenient asynchronous learning especially suited for working adults looking to enhance their careers
  • A range of degree programs that may fit your interests and career goals

Read University of Phoenix’s admissions requirements and request more information to find out whether University of Phoenix is the best online college for you!

Read more articles like this:

Choose the Best Online College for You | University of Phoenix (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Foster Heidenreich CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 5257

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (56 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Foster Heidenreich CPA

Birthday: 1995-01-14

Address: 55021 Usha Garden, North Larisa, DE 19209

Phone: +6812240846623

Job: Corporate Healthcare Strategist

Hobby: Singing, Listening to music, Rafting, LARPing, Gardening, Quilting, Rappelling

Introduction: My name is Foster Heidenreich CPA, I am a delightful, quaint, glorious, quaint, faithful, enchanting, fine person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.