Accredited online colleges achieve either regional or national accreditation. Agencies granting regional accreditation have more stringent requirements than those granting national accreditation. Some unaccredited schools are not endorsed by any of these accrediting bodies. Generally, employers prefer candidates who have degrees from regionally accredited schools. While credits will usually transfer from regionally accredited to nationally accredited schools, the opposite is not always true. If you plan to transfer to another school in the future, contact that school's registrar to make sure you will be able to transfer the credits you earn online.
When evaluating the cost of earning a degree online, a prospective student needs to find out the price of the entire degree program. Colleges that provide pricing information on a "per credit hour" basis may increase the number of credit hours in each course to create the illusion of value. Most online universities increase tuition by at least 5 percent each year. The online programs of community colleges and public universities may cost five to 10 times less than those of their privately owned counterparts. The Department of Education provides loans and grants to students of approved universities who qualify.
Ask each school for a thorough explanation of what will be required of you in the online format. Find out how long it will take you to get your degree, and make sure that this long-term commitment aligns with your career goals. Some schools offer accelerated programs that require a greater time commitment and an increased workload. These programs allow students to obtain their degrees more quickly, but inexperienced students often struggle in the accelerated format.
A degree is only as valuable as its ability to help you meet your career goals. If you have a future employer in mind, or if you are seeking a promotion, ask the company's HR department if your online degree will prepare you for the position you wish to obtain. Some employers require that a degree program have recognition from a trade organization in addition to regional or national accreditation. In some cases, an online degree may not lead to required certification or licensure for certain jobs. Scan news headlines for the names of the schools you consider. Evidence of fraud or unethical practices may affect the future value of your degree.