Traditional universities offer more face-to-face interaction with teachers and students, and you might have better opportunities for learning the material as a result. You also have more chances of a vibrant social campus life because of the many campus organizations that exist.
If you work full-time or have a family to raise, there may be schedule conflicts, and it can take longer to finish school if you can only take a certain number of credits in a semester. Traditional universities can also be intimidating if you've been out of school for awhile and need a refresher on certain subjects.
Online universities are especially beneficial for working students who need an education that's flexible for their busy lives. If you have Internet access, you can work on all your assignments and exams online, and you have access to millions of websites if you need to do research. Finally, you can work at your own pace.
Because so many online universities are being established, some employers may not see your online degree as being as credible as one received from a traditional university. In addition, you may not have access to school-based research materials from a campus library, so you'll have to find other outlets for research.
In recent years, traditional universities have been offering a hybrid of online and classroom instruction. This gives you the best of both worlds, and it enhances your college experience. When considering an online university, check to see if it is accredited by the U.S. Department of Education.