Pull up the Princeton Review website, Top Online Colleges, or Peterson's (see References).
Create a list of anywhere from five to 10 selections obtained from all websites combined. Do your best not to allow yourself to get caught up in one website's rankings and recommendations.
Visit the official website for each school on the list to check the availability and types of online programs offered.
Check the distance learning, extension or distance education department for traditional schools. In some cases, you will have to go directly to the program department to find out if the program is offered online. If it is, it will say so on the department's home page.
Check to make sure online programs are accredited. A list of recognized accrediting agencies can be found on the U.S. Department of Education (see References).
Check admission requirements. Admission requirements for online college degree programs should be the same as the requirements for traditional programs. Accredited programs require a completed admissions application, an application essay, official transcripts, test scores and recommendation letters. For art and design programs, a creative sample will be required.
Review the curriculum for your online program, then compare it to the same curriculum for a traditional program. Accredited online degree programs should have similar curriculums (if not the same) as traditional programs. Remember, the traditional curriculum remains the standard in academia and in the career world.