Coming to the decision between an online degree and an on-campus degree has become more and more common these days. Often, when making big life-changing decisions, it's helpful to create a pros and cons list of each of your options. Visualizing your options can make your decision path more clear.
Here, we've broken down the pros and cons of an online degree:
Pros
Flexibility
The best part about going back to school online is the amount of flexibility it allows in your day to day life. Unlike traditional in-class degree programs, you won't have to drive to campus every day and sit in class for three hours. You can access all of your class resources from the comfort of your own home or anywhere with an internet connection.
Because of the flexibility an online education allows, it is a great option for people looking to advance their career while continuing to work. An online educational program allows current workers to take online classes after or before work. Online degrees are also very popular among stay-at-home mothers with young children, allowing them to stay with the kids and go to class on their computer.
Value
Online degrees are a great value. They give you the same background as an on-campus degree for less overall costs. By choosing to go to school online rather than on campus, you will save on text books costs (most of your class resources are available online), parking fees and overall tuition costs. Because you aren't on campus using the physical resources provided to on-campus students, you will avoid paying for these resources.
Time savings
Think about all the time you will save each day by going to school online rather than on campus. When you wake up at your home each day, you are already in the class room. All you need is your computer and you're ready for class. If you add up the time you save by not having to commute to campus, find a parking spot, walk to class and then trek back to your home, you are literally saving several hours each week.
The extra time you save can be used to get in shape, work on your start-up business, complete projects around the house and a million other things.
Lots of options
Some people think that there are limited degree options when going back to school online. In fact, with thousands of degree options from thousands of schools across the country, this could not be further from the truth. There are tons of degree options available online from the Arts and Sciences, to Engineering and Physical Therapy.
Cons
Less personal interaction
These type of online programs do not provide nearly as much personal interaction as an on-campus degree program would. With an online degree program, you are generally on your own at your home, working at your own pace. On campus programs allow you to meet new people and interact with your peers on a daily basis. This might not be a con for everyone out there, but for some people it makes a big difference.
Disconnected from campus
Since you are not required to be on campus to complete an online degree program, often online students can feel disconnected from campus. This would include missing any on-campus activities and campus associations like student clubs and organizations.
If you think an online education is the right path for you, you can find other educational information and resources online.
Jay Aylwin is an educational professional who provides free information and resources at EduSelection.com
Here, we've broken down the pros and cons of an online degree:
Pros
Flexibility
The best part about going back to school online is the amount of flexibility it allows in your day to day life. Unlike traditional in-class degree programs, you won't have to drive to campus every day and sit in class for three hours. You can access all of your class resources from the comfort of your own home or anywhere with an internet connection.
Because of the flexibility an online education allows, it is a great option for people looking to advance their career while continuing to work. An online educational program allows current workers to take online classes after or before work. Online degrees are also very popular among stay-at-home mothers with young children, allowing them to stay with the kids and go to class on their computer.
Value
Online degrees are a great value. They give you the same background as an on-campus degree for less overall costs. By choosing to go to school online rather than on campus, you will save on text books costs (most of your class resources are available online), parking fees and overall tuition costs. Because you aren't on campus using the physical resources provided to on-campus students, you will avoid paying for these resources.
Time savings
Think about all the time you will save each day by going to school online rather than on campus. When you wake up at your home each day, you are already in the class room. All you need is your computer and you're ready for class. If you add up the time you save by not having to commute to campus, find a parking spot, walk to class and then trek back to your home, you are literally saving several hours each week.
The extra time you save can be used to get in shape, work on your start-up business, complete projects around the house and a million other things.
Lots of options
Some people think that there are limited degree options when going back to school online. In fact, with thousands of degree options from thousands of schools across the country, this could not be further from the truth. There are tons of degree options available online from the Arts and Sciences, to Engineering and Physical Therapy.
Cons
Less personal interaction
These type of online programs do not provide nearly as much personal interaction as an on-campus degree program would. With an online degree program, you are generally on your own at your home, working at your own pace. On campus programs allow you to meet new people and interact with your peers on a daily basis. This might not be a con for everyone out there, but for some people it makes a big difference.
Disconnected from campus
Since you are not required to be on campus to complete an online degree program, often online students can feel disconnected from campus. This would include missing any on-campus activities and campus associations like student clubs and organizations.
If you think an online education is the right path for you, you can find other educational information and resources online.
Jay Aylwin is an educational professional who provides free information and resources at EduSelection.com