Pursuing graduate and undergraduate degrees can be very challenging due to high tuition fees and lower acceptance rates. Many students prefer to look for a cheap online university to minimize their education expenses.
However, the major issue with pursuing a degree from cheap online colleges is the credibility of the degree. Many online universities are not recognized and accredited, which limits future growth.
To assist you in such a scenario, we have filtered some of the best and cheapest online universities that hold high value so you don’t end up wasting your money.
25 Most Affordable Colleges Online
Before we begin with the list of the best and cheapest online colleges, it is important to know that the colleges mentioned below are not only based on economical tuition fees but their credibility as well.
They are highly recognized and renowned universities that offer online degree programs, facilitating distance learning. So without further ado, let’s begin:
1. Florida State University
Florida State University (FSU) is a highly recognized public university that is ranked at 23 in the US. It also offers an online program for students from different demographic regions to obtain their highly prestigious BA and BS degrees.
With flexible online programs, students can conveniently and at their own pace complete their higher education. Additionally, with over 282+ affordable courses, there is no shortage of options.
Average Tuition Fees:
- $4,500 for undergraduates
- $9,700 for graduates (fees may vary for other state students)
2. Southern New Hampshire University
The leading career-focused affordable online college, SNHU, has over 200 courses to choose from. It has top-class faculty members who provide a collaborative learning experience.
If you wished to get into Southern New Hampshire University but couldn’t make it due to high cut-offs, then availing of their online degree program won’t be a bad option either.
Average Tuition Fees:
- $15,000 for undergraduates
- $18,000 for graduates
3. University of Florida
The University of Florida has an affordable and flexible online college program with over 200+ graduate and undergraduate courses. As an online program, you’ll be introduced to various challenges with complete support from faculty. Moreover, their degree is among the top renowned degrees in the world that can help students land their preferred jobs.
Average Tuition Fees:
- $4,500 for undergraduates; $10,800 (out of state)
- $25,000 for graduates; $27,500 (out of state)
4. San Diego State University
One of the unique affordable online colleges, San Diego State University (SDSU) not only offers courses in fields of art, science, and medicine but various career enhancement courses as well.
You also get the option to take accelerated courses such as bookkeeping, freight brokering, and others. You can opt for the hybrid option or the fully online option, and the course will be tailored according to your requirements.
Average Tuition Fees:
- $5,800 for undergraduates; $17,700 (out of state)
- $7,000 for graduates; $17,000 (out of state)
5. Weber State University
Weber State University has boasted itself in providing the most innovative method to give interactive class sessions. Moreover, most of the alumni of WSU have gotten into a high-paying job, and its degree is highly preferred among employers. If you wish to pursue a job just after completing your bachelor’s, then this affordable online college would be the best for you.
Average Tuition Fees:
- $5,400 for undergraduates; $15,800 (out of state)
- $7,800 for graduates; $17,800 (out of state)
6. University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida is known for its prestigious faculty and for providing cheap online college programs that are taught by the same faculty as the regular. UCF is highly accredited and offers a variety of career enhancement courses designed according to the needs of students.
Average Tuition Fees:
- $5,800 for undergraduate
- $7,900 for graduate
7. Northern Arizona University
If you are looking for a personalized touch while pursuing online college, then you should enroll yourself at Northern Arizona University. Their personalized classes would surely help you learn and get over the steep learning curve, and the best part is there are no extra fees for out-of-state students.
You can also ask to join a hybrid class model. Furthermore, it is said that online students get paid as much as offline students who graduate from NAU.
Average Tuition Fees:
- $10,300 for undergraduate
- $10,800 for graduate
8. University of Utah
The online program of the University of Utah attracts students globally due to its enchanting educational experience. You can get the essence of their unique teaching style through their online degree offering a wide range of courses such as psychology, medicine, arts, and a lot more.
If you have any requirement for financial aid, that can also be provided by the university, as the courses could be expensive for out-of-state students.
Average Tuition Fees:
- $7,750 for undergraduates; $27,201 (out of state)
- $7,000 for graduates; $24,700 (out of state)
9. University of North Florida
Another affordable online college for Florida students is the University of North Florida. What makes it on this list is their competitive tuition fees and financial aid to students. To get online admission, you might be required to have lower credit, and most of the courses are suitable for those students who have completed lower-level courses.
Average Tuition Fees:
- $6000 for undergraduate
- $7,500 for graduates (tuition fees might vary for other state students)
10. Southwestern College
Southwestern College has the facilities for students who want accelerated programs. They offer rapid class options through which you can take multiple courses each session. This college would be the most preferred choice if you want to kickstart your career as soon as possible.
Average Tuition Fees: $2,700 for undergraduates
11. Arizona State University
The ASU (Arizona State University) offers more than 300 online degrees and certificate courses in highly demanding job fields such as AI, engineering, management, and a lot more. Online classes are flexible without any deadline, and you can contact tech support staff 24/7. Additionally, according to U.S. News & World Report, ASU is among the top 4 online bachelor’s programs.
Average Tuition Fees: $563 per credit hour
12. Indian River State College
IRSC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on College. It is one of the best and cheapest online colleges. The best part is that the students can access the same facilities provided to regular students, such as the library, tutoring, tech support, and community network.
Average Tuition Fees:
- $8,000 for undergraduates
- $9,500 for graduates
13. Purdue Global
Purdue Global has 175+ accredited courses to choose from. The best part is they allow you to take a 3-week free trial without any cost so you can decide whether the course aligns with your interest. Also, compared to other online colleges, it takes less time to complete your associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
Average Tuition Fees:
- $10,000 for undergraduates; $13,500 (out of state)
- $8,700 for graduates; $9,700 (out of state)
14. Western Governors University
WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, which is the highest form of accreditation. There are numerous positive reviews online related to their programs and teachings. However, the fee structure varies depending upon the courses, where the art courses are cheaper compared to courses in BS.
Average Tuition Fees:
- $12,000 for undergraduates
- $13,500 for graduates
15. Florida Atlantic University
Florida Atlantic University is a highly accredited college known for its business-related degrees. Its MBA online program is ranked at 94 out of 344, and its bachelor’s program is ranked at 81 out of 338. The fee structure for out-of-station students might be higher, but they can get up to $10,000 in financial aid.
Average Tuition Fees:
- $2,600 for undergraduates; $15,000 (out of state)
- $5,500 for graduates; $17,000 (out of state)
16. CUNY Lehman College
The most affordable option to pursue your bachelor’s degree, Cuny Lehman College is one of the finest online colleges situated in New York. However, the institute only offers 9 undergraduate majors and 6 graduate programs. Students can also opt for the hybrid class program for certain courses.
New York students can avail of the facility of the tuition assistance program that provides financial aid to qualified students. Moreover, students enrolled in online programs can access the library and get help from professors as well.
Average Tuition Fees:
- $4,000 for undergraduates
- $7,500 for graduates
17. Metropolitan State University
MSU offers 14 bachelor’s programs and is ranked 97 out of 167 in the Midwest. Although the timings may not be flexible as compared to other colleges, the learning experience is unique to other best cheapest online colleges. You will have online quiz sessions like Quizlet Live and a fun experience as you progress through the semesters.
Average Tuition Fees:
- $10,260 for undergraduates
- $12,470 for graduates
18. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
As of 2024, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is ranked 185 by a US News Report. Their online program allows students to fully control what they want to learn and how they want to learn.
The highlight of pursuing your post-secondary degree from the cheapest online university in the USA is that they offer a program that allows students to focus on more than one major.
Average Tuition Fees:
- $8,100 for undergraduates
- $9,200 for graduates
19. University of Nebraska at Omaha
Ranked at No. 4 for the best and cheapest online college for criminal justice, it gives financial aid to 87% of incoming students. The University of Nebraska Omaha is a well-accredited college by the state government that offers various financial relaxations with a top-notch online learning environment.
Average Tuition Fees:
- $6,400 for undergraduates; $19,800 (out of state)
- $6,100 for graduates; $14,800 (out of state)
20. National University
National University, situated in San Diego, California, is a renowned institute for offering a high amount of financial aid to students compared to any other university. This private university has over 120 demanding career enhancement courses such as cybersecurity, ML/AI, coding, and so on.
Average Tuition Fees:
- $13,320 for undergraduates
- $15,500 for graduates
21. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University has over 13 online programs, out of which 6 are bachelor’s. Students may not get a variety of courses, but their courses have been ranked top by US News reports.
They have been ranked 252 out of 344 in the best online MBA programs. Their institute has partnered with several major corporations, such as J.P. Morgan, Disney, Ford, and Accenture, giving students access to direct placement in these companies.
Average Tuition Fees: $151 per credit hour
22. The University of West Florida
If you have a deep interest in the field of psychology and want to know what you can do with a psychology degree, then this would be the right institute. The University of West Florida is the most prestigious college for the medical-related field with a flexible learning style in online programs.
Average Tuition Fees:
- $4,000 for undergraduates; $16,000 (out of state)
- $7,100 for graduates; $22,000 (out of state)
23. Hallmark University
Hallmark University is a privately owned institute that is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Unlike any other traditional university, the semester in the college is 12–14 weeks long, but they have 8-week programs suitable for students looking for accelerated programs.
Average Tuition Fees: $595 per credit hour (may vary as per courses)
24. Franklin University
Franklin University offers courses for both students and adults to help them advance in their careers. Additionally, as a student, you’ll get to connect with a large network of Franklin University alumni. Moreover, the university also offers direct placement options as it partners with various top companies.
Average Tuition Fees:
- $398 per hour credit for undergraduates
- $670 per hour credit for graduates
25. Capella University
Last on this list we have Capella University, which is a credible choice. It is the most expensive compared to other colleges mentioned above but still under a considerable budget. As per Noel-Levitz’s study, it was found that 65% of Capella University students found the courses relevant and helpful.
Average Tuition Fees:
- $670 credit per hour for undergraduates
- $710 credit per hour for graduates
So, we have provided a complete list of the 25 best and cheapest colleges to consider, all of which are certified and accredited. However, the most common query most students have is whether pursuing an online degree from a cheap online university is worthwhile for career growth or not. Let’s find out in the following sections.
Also Read: What is a Learning Management System? Is It the Future of Learning?
Why Join a Cheap Online University?
If carefully selected, the advantages of studying at an affordable online university have various merits in terms of growth. Distance learning is a prominent tool that provides a blended learning model to help students learn at their own pace.
This encourages them to have better control over their memory retention and pace to understand concepts. Moreover, online universities have several personalized advantages as well.
- If a student belongs to tier 3 or tier 4 regions and his/her financial condition doesn’t allow him to migrate to metropolitan cities for better education facilities, then in such scenarios, cheap online universities are feasible options.
- Online universities allow students to explore various skill enhancement courses, and they can pursue them part-time while doing their side hustle or main education.
- As an adult or employed person, managing time for acquiring new skills to boost the career could be difficult. However, by leveraging the flexible timing option in an online university, you can efficiently manage your timetable.
- Many of the time, economically weaker students may not be able to afford books and educational materials. Various cheap online universities readily provide you with reading materials and digital books.
- Furthermore, many online universities provide direct placement and the option to connect with alumni to get more guidance on courses.
Additionally, while exploring various courses, you might get a free course or a discount coupon. But investing your or your parent’s hard-earned money in such affordable online colleges might be risky. Hence, it is important to proceed with caution while making a decision.
Also Read: Boston College vs. Boston University: Academics, Lifestyle, Alumni, Fees, and More
Is a Degree From a Cheap Online College Worth It? — Final Verdict
Employers may always prefer candidates who have pursued education from a regular college instead of online. Students who graduate from on-site college tend to have more cognitive skills and better creativity because of the exposure.
Students get to participate in various competitions and extracurricular activities that boost their confidence and develop their personality and character traits. Such facilities couldn’t be provided in distance learning, and for obvious reasons, there is a lack of personal touch.
If education expenses are your major concern, then you can opt for an associate degree that takes less time to complete compared to a bachelor’s degree and generally has low tuition fees.
If given the option to choose between offline college or online college, studying on-site would hold much more value. But the decision ultimately lies in your hands. If the only possible option for you remains to go after an affordable online college, then the above-mentioned universities are the best options for you.
Read Next: USC vs. UCLA: Comparing Two Best Colleges in California
FAQs
Ans:
Degrees from cheap online colleges might be an economical option to pursue your postsecondary education, but they may not hold any true value and limit your growth.
Ans: You can consider the option of community college if you are looking to pursue your undergraduate degree.
Ans: MA in English, MA in Journalism, and Bachelor in Language are some of the cheapest courses around the globe.
Ans: The placement depends on your course and the university from which you have graduated.
Sources:
Best Affordable Online College of 2024 –
Forbes
