Online colleges offer many different types of undergraduate and graduate degrees, and have benefits and drawbacks for prospective students to consider.

Experts say the quality of an education from an online college is, in many cases, just as high as one pursued in person, and that online learning offers the ability to communicate with a professor and other students through technology. Enrollment in online courses has grown each year for more than a decade.

People interested in getting an online college degree, especially working adults looking to go back to school, should consider the flexibility of online learning given their responsibilities outside the classroom. Those with full-time jobs and families might find a part-time online degree program ideal, enabling them to juggle their various daily responsibilities without having to commute to a physical classroom. In many online degree programs, students can access course material on their own time and in a location of their choice, regardless of their distance from a physical campus.

Prospective online college students should be aware that an online program isnt always less expensive than one earned in person and federal financial aid may be available for those who take enough credits.

Online learning also has its downsides, and not every subject is suited for online education. Prospective students should be on the lookout for scams, which includes making sure a program is accredited. Pursuing an online college degree requires more personal responsibility from students as they complete assignments and group work based on their own schedule. Online students also need to be prepared to effectively manage their time. And though communication with instructors and students is possible through electronic means, prospective students should weigh whether they want to sacrifice face-to-face interaction for the flexibility online education provides.

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Online Education - US News & World Report