Penn Foster College is known as "America's Online Community College" and has the most affordable rate of any accredited online school. Penn Foster is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council in Washington, D.C. and is licensed by the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education. Penn Foster offers a high school program, vocational programs, and associate's and bachelor's degrees. Exams are taken online. Classes start whenever you sign up and you have 12 months to complete each semester of a degree program. As of March 2010 the first semester is $65 per credit hour, and continuing semesters after that are $90 per credit hour.
Indiana University offers more than 120 courses online. You can register for classes year-round, and will have a year to complete your selected courses as well as the option for a two-month extension if it becomes necessary. According to the university's website, students who are able to commit more time to their studies are able to complete many courses in four months or less. Assignments are submitted online and exams are face-to-face and proctored.
If you're looking for something that more resembles the college learning environment, Indiana University also offers interactive courses that must be completed in the semester they are registered for. These interactive courses allow for online testing, and interaction with other students on online forums and discussion groups. With this option, no extensions are possible and students must conform to strict due dates. As of March 2010 online study is $163 per credit hour for those living in the state of Indiana, and $197.06 per credit hour for those outside the state.
According to its website, "Baker College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the North Central Association." Baker College is one of the least expensive schools in the United States. Financial aid is also available for online degree programs. Online courses have specific schedules and deadlines and are not self-paced. You must meet the same types of deadlines you would in a physical classroom setting. Baker College has a feature called "blackboard" where you are able to participate in classes in an online forum. You can receive and send information with your instructor as well as other students this way. You are allowed to attend virtual classes on "your" schedule as opposed to Baker's.
Online classes have 12 to 15 students and students are required to participate in online class discussion to get the most out of their learning experience. As of March 2010 online degree programs are $195 per credit hour.