Online Degrees vs. Traditional Education

The development of the internet has considerably changed the way world we live in. Nowadays you can work online, buy food online and even get online degrees through different colleges. With all that being said, these new ways of conducting our day to day business are not always classed as mainstream and in some cases can be considered inferior compared to traditional ways we do them. At one time, online degrees were overlooked by employers and received a lower priority compared to traditional degrees.

2015 was really a game changer for online schools as colleges, online schools and traditional schools allowed students to enrol in online degree programs. Traditional schools have been adding online classes to the point where it’s now possible to get a major in a variety of fields without stepping a foot in class.

According to some colleges including the Drexel University, one of the major factors employers look at when determining the value of an online degree is Accreditation. Furthermore, whether or not the accreditation is regional or not.

While it is now become a consensus that online degrees bare the same value as a traditional degree, there are still some factors that are important to take into consideration when comparing the two.

4 Things to Consider About Online Degrees

1. How Flexible is the Online College

One of the key components to consider when weighing the options between traditional and online colleges is the amount of time you have everyday to work on your degree. Are you willing and able to attend college full-time or do you need more flexibility for your busy schedule? While most online colleges give you flexibility it is important to remember that there might be mandatory courses that you will have to commit to, or attend online, depending on your major. Traditional colleges are for those who have slightly more time on their hands and can juggle between a job, family and getting their education.

2. Accreditation

Any student considering an online degree, or any degree in fact, should first check the accreditation of the school. When attending a traditional college, this normally isn’t a problem as in most cases you will be able to go and view the school, get a good impression and receive all the information you need. But when applying for an Online College that might not be the case. One thing to be aware of in researching accreditation of an online school is that some for-profit schools have created phony agencies with names that sound impressive, but are worthless. We advise to check for accreditation through the Department of Education.

3. Campus Life vs. Online

For some people, the chance to move away from home and experience the college life is one of the major drawbacks of getting an online degree. While some students are extremely focused on their career prior to entering college and therefore want to combine the two, others just want to set off and get a change of scenery. Traditional colleges have the extras of campus life, like activities, clubs and socialising that are hard to replace in an online environment. In addition, some students may require one-on-one communication in order to succeed. Those who are not fussy and prefer a quite environment allowing them to speed through their degree will fall in love with online education. Learning through online videos can help you to focus more on independently learning and your classes may even go quicker without some of the distractions of a traditional classroom education.

4. The Difference in Cost

There’s a myth among students that online degrees are cheaper. They can be, but according to U.S. News, online education cost the same as traditional education in 55 percent of the institutions it surveyed. Furthermore, there are fewer scholarships and financial aid programs available for online degrees. When comparing online degrees and traditional degrees, all fees should be considered. Some online classes charge extra fees for classes and resources, whether the student uses the resource or not. Students should always ask for a full “cost of attending” summary.

At the end of the day, it’s your decision on how to earn your college degree. Hopefully these side-by-side comparisons will give you a better understanding and help you choose between an online degree and a traditional degree.

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