The pros and cons of going to an online college

In the busy lives we live today, one may find it difficult to have time to attend college at a physical college campus. This may be due to a number of reasons, including being tied to a current career or job, as well as family obligations and transportation issues.

Thankfully, there are other methods of attending college available, such as online education, to cater to these busy lifestyles.

An online education is very convenient for those already working or living busy lives, and is something you can work toward over the internet connection you already have. This allows the student to work at his or her own pace, as schedules can be made more flexible and worked around on a time-available basis.

Now with stricter online college accreditation in place, online colleges have received a better reputation in the field of education and provide a great service to those who are currently in the workforce trying to improve their skills and advance their careers. All that is typically needed for an online college course is a computer with an Internet connection.

Advantages and Benefits of Going to an Online College


  1. Going to college online give you flexibility. You can easily work around any schedule you have, creating your own class schedule and taking classes at your own pace. Attendance in a college classroom is not required. One of the greatest benefits of going to an online college is you can set the pace of study yourself and do it at your own convenience.

  2. Going to school online saves you time. You can finish the course program in a shorter amount of time. An online degree program can be completed within a period of 1 to 2 years, whereas the same program at a traditional college usually takes 3 to 4 years for completion.

  3. Some online degree programs are cheaper. Tuition at an online college is typically cheaper than brick and mortar campuses, which will help you save money if you are looking for cheap colleges.

  4. You can still get a quality education learning online. Most accredited online universities offer courses and degree programs that are equal to those offered by four-year universities and colleges.

  5. No commute or travel to campus and back. This saves you time and the hassle of parking at college (and the parking tickets that come with it).

  6. Freedom to roam as you learn. You can work toward your online degree from anywhere: at home, while on vacation, anywhere you want. The joys of the internet allow you to be able to work wherever there is internet access.

Disadvantages of Going to an Online College


  1. Going to an online college means less in-person interactions with students and professors. The main disadvantage of going to college online is there is no in-person face-to-face interaction between the teacher and the student, which is essential when it comes to connecting with professors. This is hard for some students and may create problems when it comes to learning the material and keeping a satisfactory grade.

  2. Some online programs are not accredited. Degrees from non-accredited online colleges have almost zero value in the market, so beware.

  3. One may not get the true college experience.

While attending an online university may not give you the true college experience, it’s perfect for anyone living a busy lifestyle who is also looking to pursue a college degree.

After weighing the pros and cons of going to college online, if you feel you would benefit from an online education you should search and compare accredited online colleges.