Regionally Accredited Online Colleges

The difference between a "regionally accredited" and "nationally accredited" school is a very important one when choosing the institution you will attend. Regional accreditation is highly regarded around the world because it is a comprehensive, peer-reviewed process that ensures a consistent standard of quality for higher education institutions. It is rooted in the history of traditional brick-and-mortar colleges and universities, and CSU-Global is proud to be one of the few regionally accredited online universities.

Regional accreditation standards require that up to one-third of a degree program’s curriculum includes general education courses in social, natural and physical sciences, English, math, humanities, and art. Colleges and universities that are regionally accredited usually only accept transfer credits or degrees from other regionally accredited institutions.

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. The HLC accredits and thereby grants membership to educational institutions in the North Central region: Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, New Mexico, South Dakota, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming. The HLC is recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

The HLC has designed the accreditation process to achieve its mission: Serving the common good by assuring and advancing the quality of higher education.

HLC accreditation is based on the thorough evaluation and fulfillment of five specific criteria:

• Mission
• Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct
• Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources, and Support
• Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement
• Resources, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness

American Intercontinental University

American Intercontinental University - Regionally Accredited Online Colleges

Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission

Obtainable degrees: Associates, Bachelors, Masters

Areas of study: Business, Information Technology, Criminal Justice, Design, Education and Accounting with specializations in each field of study

Tuition: (2013) Depending on whether you are looking to obtain your associates, bachelors or masters degree, tuition can cost $302 per credit hour for your associates and bachelors degrees and $442 per credit hour for the Masters of Education degree and the remaining masters programs are $582 per credit hour.

Fees: (2012) Undergraduate Application Fee – $50.00

Retention percentage of First Time Bachelor Degree Seeking Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2011 and Returned in Fall 2012: 37% Full Time….32% Part Time

Percentage of Full-time, First-time Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2006 and Graduated Within 150% of “Normal Time” to Completion for Their Program: 32%

Admission requirements: Online application, high school diploma or equivalent, and complete informational admissions interview

Course flexibility: At AIU, online courses are set up in a manner in which they adhere to YOUR lifestyle and your best learning path to success. You may choose reading, listening, watching and interacting as your proven choice of learning.

Aspen University

Regionally Accredited Online Colleges - Aspen University

Accreditation: Distance Education and Training Council (NA), Accrediting Commission

Obtainable degrees: Associates, Bachelors, Masters, Doctoral, and Certificates

Areas of study: Professional Studies such as Criminal Justice, Medical Management, Psychology and Addiction Counseling and Project Management, Nursing, Education, Management, Information Technologies, and Liberal Arts and Sciences in literature, languages, history, mathematics, psychology, and basic sciences.

Tuition: (2014) Associates and Bachelors degrees – $125.00 per credit hour…Masters and Doctoral degrees – $325.00 per credit hour…Fine Arts programs – $125.00 per credit hour…Certificate programs – $325.00 per credit hour

Retention percentage of First Time Bachelor Degree Seeking Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall of 2011 and Returned in Fall of 2012: 80%

Course flexibility:  Aspen’s course schedule is asynchronous meaning that you can take the classes any time of the day or night to fit your busy schedule.  You may participate in online class discussions and everything is completed online except for papers and such where you will then upload them to the school. Most students take one or two courses at a time but you may take up to three courses at a time, if you wish. Proctored exams are required but you may take them at a facility closest to you and they only occur a couple of times a year.

Capella University

Capella University - Regionally Accredited Online Collges

Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission

Obtainable degrees: Bachelor’s degree, Post-baccalaureate certificate, Master’s degree, Post-master’s certificate, Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship, Doctor’s degree – professional practice

Areas of study: Business and Technology, Counseling and Psychology, Education, Health Care and Nursing, Public Service

Tuition: (2014) Certificate – $305 – $360 per credit hour… Bachelor’s Degree – $305 – $360 per credit hour… Master’s Degree – $385 – $720 per credit hour… Doctorate – $505 – $768 per credit hour

Retention percentage of First Time Bachelor Degree Seeking Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2011 and Returned in Fall 2012: 24% Part Time

Percentage of Full-time, First-time Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2006 and Graduated Within 150% of “Normal Time” to Completion for Their Program: Just below 50%

Fees: Application – $50… Graduation – $350

Course flexibility:   Asynchronous online classes allows you to take them at anytime, day or night, although you are required to fulfill your weekly assignments on time. There new program called FlexPath allows you to complete your assignments on your own schedule at your own pace….no weekly deadlines!

Colorado Technical University

Colorado Technical University

Accreditation:  Colorado Technical University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Obtainable degrees: Associate’s degree, Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree

Areas of study: Business and Management, Healthcare, Security Studies, Information Systems and Technology, Engineering and Computer Science,

Tuition: Bachelor’s Degree – $385 per credit hour, Master’s Degree – $585 per credit hour, Doctorate – $598 per credit hour.

Retention percentage of First Time Bachelor Degree Seeking Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2011 and Returned in Fall 2012: 43% Full Time….25% Part Time

Percentage of Full-time, First-time Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2006 and Graduated Within 150% of “Normal Time” to Completion for Their Program: 13%

Course flexibility:  Flexibility translates into 24/7 access to lectures, the ability to check grades at any time, access previous lectures in the archives, and complete assignments. Interacting with other classmates and professors is easy to do in the Virtual Commons.

Colorado State University

Colorado State University

Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission

Obtainable degrees: Graduate certificates and training, Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree

Areas of study: CSU offers a HUGE variety of courses to take from FREE online courses to veterinary medicine to tourism management and of course, the standards, including business management, education and, computer science. A link to the university’s website is here for you to view all of their offerings.

Tuition: Undergraduates – $379.00 per credit…Graduates – $549.00 per credit but many factors are involved depending on the course and degree being sought

Retention percentage of First Time Bachelor Degree Seeking Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2011 and Returned in Fall 2012: Not Reported

Percentage of Full-time, First-time Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2006 and Graduated Within 150% of “Normal Time” to Completion for Their Program: Not Reported

Course flexibility: Operating on a weekly schedule, there are weekly deadlines versus daily ones allowing you the time and flexibility needed to complete assignments and exams and also participate in case studies and discussions.  You are highly encouraged to contribute your input with your instructor and fellow students and to interact frequently.

Online Colleges

7.1 million Americans took for-credit classes online in 2013, with a large portion of these students completing their entire degree from online colleges. Online education is relatively new, but now it’s mainstream. There are more online colleges than ever, increasing competition, offerings, and overall value for students. Skill-based learning is particularly on the rise online, and most employers now report that they don’t see any difference between degrees obtained fully online and those obtained through more traditional methods.

At Best College Reviews we’ve learned over the years what students value the most in online education: affordability, flexibility, and quality support and instruction. We then ranked those 80+ surveyed institutions according to the following metrics:

Best Online Colleges Methodology

Affordability: the average cost of attendance for one semester taking 15 credit hours
Flexibility: the number of bachelor’s degree-granting programs that may be obtained fully online, coupled with the flexibility with which students may obtain a degree
Academic Rigor and Support: the strength and reputation of the online program’s parent institution as well as the range of support services for online college students.
We are discussing only top 5 online colleges for your review.

5. State University of New York / OPEN SUNY

State University of New York / OPEN SUNY

OPEN SUNY is a collaboration between 19 State University of New York system institutions to provide high quality online degree-granting programs in a variety of disciplines. A full 50 bachelor’s level degrees may be completed entirely online, the second most of programs surveyed. OPEN SUNY also excels through the number of support services offered with programs, including day and night tutoring hours, experiential learning opportunities, and prior learning assessments that can accelerate your learning. Per-semester estimated tuition is currently $8,000, the 33rd most affordable of programs surveyed.

4. University of Central Florida

University of Central Florida

The University of Central Florida is a national research university that offers 20 bachelor’s level programs fully online. Online program offerings are comprehensive at the University of Central Florida, with a greater availability of humanities and social science majors than many other online colleges. Per-semester tuition is affordable as well, coming in at $3,270, the fourth ranked rate of programs surveyed.

3. Granite State College

Granite State College

Granite State College offers 29 fully online bachelor’s level degrees that may be completed at full-time, part-time, or accelerated rates. Program offerings are comprehensive, ranging from digital and social media, to nursing, to education. Granite State College is a liberal arts school that is part of the University of New Hampshire system, and offers the 10th most affordable per-semester tuition rate of programs surveyed ($4,575).

2. Arizona State University

Arizona State University

Arizona State University offers 47 bachelor’s degree programs fully online, and a full 80+ programs when specializations and non-bachelor’s level programs are included. Degree offerings are comprehensive, ranging from art, business, communications, culture, education, engineering, health, language, to STEM. 6 start dates are available per year, allowing students to start on their degree when it works best for them. Arizona State University is a national research university that offers affordable tuition online, with an estimated per-semester tuition cost of $7672.

1. Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University offers a full 45 bachelor’s level degreesthat can be completed entirely online. Ranging from hotel & restaurant management, to liberal arts, to computer information technology, mostdegrees offered are skill-centered and geared towards your future career. Northern Arizona University is also one of the most affordable schools of those surveyed, with highly competitive costs for online degrees and NAU’s competency-based programs that are available for an estimated cost of only $2500 per semester. The competency-based is a flat rate subscription, allowing students to take an unlimited number of courses online for a six month period. There are no lab or course fees, and all materials required by the courses are available online.

Colleges Online

Initially on the fringes of formal education, colleges online, courses and degree programs have quickly become mainstream. Even traditional campus-based institutions have incorporated online learning into their curricula. In 2013, seven million college students — nearly 50 percent of all those enrolled — took at least one online class, with an estimated 20 percent earning an entire degree program remotely. The Sloan Consortium reports that 74 percent of today’s academic leaders rate the educational outcomes of online learning as equal to or superior to those of face-to-face systems. More recruiters than ever before are embracing online credentials.

Find Colleges Online by State

Many of America's top colleges have launched online degree programs. Investments in technology have allowed colleges to create affordable and flexible programs for students. Online classes have significantly improved over the past 10 years and are more respected and accepted by top academics. Universities such as MIT and UC Berkeley now offer a wide variety of classes online.

Colleges Online by State

Search Colleges Online by Subject

Although many colleges online provide learning options in a variety of disciplines, some excel in a certain area or have special resources to facilitate the educational process. For example, institutions with strong art programs often have custom tools designed to organize, send and receive multiple types of digital media. Furthermore, colleges online that concentrate on healthcare and nursing establish strong relationships with hospitals and other medical facilities to ensure that students get the on-site, hands-on training they need to successfully transition from college to career.
When searching for online learning options, doing so by subject helps students more easily find opportunities in line with their career goals and within the fields that interest them.

Colleges Online by Subject

The Benefits of Colleges Online

Distance learning has a wide appeal to a diverse population of Americans. It offers students a number of advantages, many of which dovetail with other social or lifestyle needs. Online courses and degree programs suit working professionals who are looking to move up to management roles, often with their employers paying part or all of their tuition. It’s a powerful option for stay-at-home parents who are preparing for a new or re-entry career when they head back to work. Pearson Learning Solutions Senior VP Todd Hitchcock reports:
“Learning is no longer limited to four walls – learning can happen anywhere – and it already is happening everywhere, everyday. The growth of online learning underscores this need for quality, flexible education programs that meet the demands of our 21st-century workforce.”
Flexibility frequently leads the list of online education benefits cited by students and educators. A list of top-five online degree benefits includes:

Flexibility

Time and location are factors that can limit education for students with family/work commitments. Colleges online and their programs break down time and distance barriers, providing classes, course materials and discussions with 24/7 accessibility.

Access

No matter where they live, students can participate in an online degree program tailored to meet their professional goals. Students have access to subject-matter experts and many top-notch professors. The development of massive open online courses, known as MOOCs, has introduced students to world-renowned scholars from top-tier universities.

Affordability

According to Wired Magazine, The Federal Reserve Bank of New York tallies the nationwide student loan debt at $902 billion. After factoring in lack of commute time, parking and related fees, the cost of online classes stack up to those taken in-person. Furthermore, many traditional campus-based colleges that have established online degree components are able to provide digital course materials, cutting textbook sticker-shock to students.

Who is Best Suited for Colleges Online Learning?

Any learning experience should be enjoyable and enriching. The question to ask is not, "Can I learn online," but "Should I learn online?" Prospective online students need to consider how they like to learn, because a thoughtful assessment of priorities, strengths, and goals will lead to the best decision.
Online learning benefits each student differently. Some students may need the time flexibility, where they can hop online and submit materials after hours or early in the morning before work. Others gravitate toward the location flexibility, being able to work from home, a coffee shop or anywhere else that fits into their lifestyle. And for those who need a hands-on element to their education, many online programs have the best of both worlds, allowing for remote coursework but including campus-based or other on-site laboratory experiences.
Like classroom learners, online students need to be motivated. Beyond the desire to learn you need to be self-disciplined, have good time management skills, and be comfortable in an environment where it's just you and your computer. You need to be proactive and access the course frequently so you stay on top of the work. You’ll also need to be at ease communicating and interacting with other people without face-to-face contact.