Although there are a number of online schools offering master's and doctoral level degrees, it is best to find an established on-campus graduate program in your field of study, one that also has an online graduate degree option. George Washington University, for example, offers a master's in project management degree. GWU is an established university with a long and storied tradition that gives weight and validity to its online degrees. Penn State University also is near the top as far as graduate degrees are concerned. Offering more than 60 online graduate degrees, Penn State's World Campus students earn degrees on the same level as their on-campus degrees. Penn State even offers highly specialized degrees such as a master's in homeland security.
When picking an undergraduate program, make sure to use a number of different criteria when selecting an online college. Cost should be one factor, but you should also investigate a school's accreditation. Avoid schools accredited by an agency with questionable authority. Online Education Database (oedb.org) ranks classes according to several criteria, including acceptance rate, financial aid, graduation and retention rates. You can use some of these criteria in your own online school search. Of the 44 schools it has ranked, OED rated, as of December 2009, Nova Southeastern University, Regent University and Champlain College as the best online values. Other more recognizable schools like the University of Phoenix and Devry University ranked in the middle.
Online colleges like Nova Southeastern University might be a good fit for some students, but the best approach to finding a school is to follow the same procedure you would in choosing an on-campus graduate program. Look for colleges in your area that will allow you to pursue a degree online as well as on campus. Schools like Oklahoma State University offer online classes through the main campus and through satellite campuses all over the state. Other schools also offer these types of options. Geteducated.com helps you research online colleges and more traditional colleges with an online option. In the end, base your decision on reputation, flexibility and personal criteria.