College and University Blog

Thanks to advances in technology over the last few years, the majority of colleges and universities now offer online classes. Thousands of people make the decision to go back to school and enroll in online college courses every single day.

The increased earning potential that a college degree can provide might be enough to help you realize that an online college program is right for you, but just in case you need a bit more evidence I’ve compiled a list of seven advantages of online college courses.

Advantages of Earning a Degree Online

1. Wide Variety of Degree Programs

The wide variety of degree programs available online is almost unbelievable. Classes are available in areas such as management, marketing, accounting, graphic design, computer programming, criminal justice and so much more. Online college classes can give you the opportunity to earn an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or a graduate degree right from your home computer.

2. Financial Aid is Available

Although you may have heard otherwise, federal financial aid is available for online college classes. While I was pregnant with my daughter, I took three online classes through Saint Leo University and I used student loans to help pay for my tuition.

3. Schedule Flexibility

Whether you’re a working professional or a stay-at-home parent, you have unique schedule needs. Taking your college courses online will give you the flexibility to complete assignments and take exams whenever you can—even if it means in between business meetings or after 3 AM feedings.

4. Work at Your Own Pace

Some students easily get confused if their professor rapidly rushes from one topic to another during a lecture, but online college courses give you the ability to work at your own pace. If you need to re-read a particular passage or watch an instructional video more than once, you can.

5. No Need to Commute to Campus

Non-traditional college students with full-time jobs typically find themselves rushing to campus after work, eating dinner on the go or skipping it altogether. If you take online classes instead of classes on the campus, there’s no need to commute to school straight from the office. This will save time and gas money.

6. Stigma Once Associated to Online Degrees is Gone

There’s no denying that online degree programs once had a certain stigma, but due to the rising popularity of online classes at major colleges and universities, online degrees are no longer looked down upon. In fact, there’s no need to tell anyone that you earned your degree online.

I live in the Tampa Bay area and I know several people that “attended Saint Leo University,” a school that has its main campus just north of Tampa. In reality, most of those people took their classes online but nobody was the wiser.

7. No Need to Feel Intimidated

Adults returning to college after being away for several years often have anxiety over being the oldest student in the classroom. When taking classes online, there’s no need to feel intimidated. Even though they may not meet face-to-face, students get to know each other through online message boards and chat rooms. There’s no need to feel nervous.

These are just a few of the many advantages to earning a degree online, and you can find more advice on the topic right here at StateUniversity.com!

Posted on 11 Aug

Melissa Rhone+

Melissa Rhone earned her Bachelor of Music in Education from the University of Tampa. She resides in the Tampa Bay area and enjoys writing about college, pop culture, and epilepsy awareness.