According to CareerBuilder.com, some individuals may worry that an online degree is less highly regarded than a conventional on-campus degree. Fortunately, online degree programs are receiving more credibility, and as technology progresses, so does the quality and content of online degrees.
The most obvious difference in traditional and online degrees is the location. Unlike a traditional degree received on campus, online degrees provide flexibility in location. For this reason, an individual is able to attend schools they do not have access to because of geographic limitations.
One difference between online and conventional degrees is the interaction between fellow students and professors. To have full, in-person interaction an individual must attend a brick-and-mortar school.
The cost of online education vs. traditional varies depending on the educational institution and the course of study. Individuals should consider that many schools charge significantly more for students who are nonresidents. However, at schools like University of Iowa or University of Missouri there are no additional fees for nonresidents who obtain online degrees. Students must also consider the additional costs of housing and transportation when pursuing a conventional degree.
According to College Confidential, potential students should remember that there is still a percentage of human resources professionals who do not find online degrees acceptable. In addition to this, some hiring managers who find the online degree acceptable may deem it less credible. College Confidential also states that people who pursue an online degree will be more readily accepted if the degree is in technology or a knowledge-based field. When pursuing degrees in the medical field, a conventional degree is more acceptable.