Inquire with the university to determine how long it takes to complete a degree. Bachelor's degrees can take two to five years to complete, with shorter terms indicating that the program is not legitimate.
Avoid applying to universities granting credits based solely on your real world experience. Legitimate degrees are not awarded based on what you have accomplished outside of the classroom only, but upon what your academic performance. Some institutions may offer credit based on a combination of real world experience and in-class performance, but no legitimate school should grant you a degree based on life experience only.
Navigate to the Better Business Bureau's website at BBB.org to determine if a negative report has been filed against the institution. A negative report does not mean the school is trying to scam you, but it should prompt you to investigate further before finalizing your college plans.
Verify how payments are made to the university. Avoid attending universities requiring you to pay on a per-degree basis or if they provide discounting for enrolling in multiple degree programs. Legitimate universities ask you to pay by credit hours, for each course or by the semester.
Locate the university's contact information. If you cannot find the school's address and phone number, do not attend that school. The names and backgrounds of the university's leaders and professors should be prominently displayed, but be careful: some fraudulent universities have been known to steal names and photos from other schools.
Navigate to the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs website. On this website you will find a list of accredited universities. Accreditation is not always essential to providing a sound education, however an unaccredited institution may not be accepted by other schools or your employer.