Education Online, Undergraduate Edition: America's 100 Most Affordable Online Degree Programs

By Paul Casasus

Frustrated with the lack of information available regarding affordable online undergraduate degree programs, the author set out to make the job of finding those programs much easier. Education Online, Undergraduate Edition: America's 100 Most Affordable Online Degree Programs offers future online students a comprehensive, all inclusive list of affordable online degree programs set in an easy to use but highly informative format. Education Online contains universities, programs, and information never before seen on similar literary texts or websites. The author has researched, filtered through, and deciphered the tedious nuances of academic program information and placed them in an easy to use guide. Anyone considering attending an online undergraduate degree program would be wise to review this book first, it may save you thousands of dollars.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Paul Casasus
• Release date: Dec 18, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301793044

Book preview

Introduction

Not unlike many adults, my desire to earn a college degree would come later in life. Unfortunately, like so many of those adults, work and family were a priority that made that desire seem a bit out of reach. I didn’t learn about online education until the late nineties, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t heard about this new format before. Excited about the possibilities this presented, I immediately began researching programs and ultimately attending classes online.

I would eventually earn an associate degree and began contemplating furthering my education beyond the associate level. Unfortunately, finding affordable online degrees proved more difficult than I anticipated. Although I found some very helpful websites, they often left out the smaller, lesser known but often more affordable schools. Frustrated by the lack of information I was finding, I began taking a closer look at each and every college/university in the United States that had a website. Many of the schools I found offered affordable, interesting programs that were regionally accredited, but they weren’t being listed on websites or discussed on blogs or in chat rooms and few knew they existed. I felt this was a travesty and decided that this information was far too important to let set idle and allow others like myself to pass them by.

This book is a product of my frustration and desire to make the next student’s research into online education that much easier. Online education offered me flexibility and convenience that the traditional classroom could never afford, and allowed me the opportunity to earn a college education where I may not have had the opportunity otherwise. I have since earned a bachelors degree and hope to earn a masters in the near future. I’m hopeful that this book will help others find an opportunity to do the same.

According to a recent study conducted by the Babson Research Group and the College Board, in 2011 nearly 6 million students participated in at least one online course, an increase of 560,000 students over the previous year (http://www.babson.edu/News-Events/babson-news/Pages/111109OnLineLearningStudy.aspx) and that number continues to grow. More importantly, a study by Ithaka S+R, a nonprofit think tank focused on technology and education, found that students who utilize interactive online learning - or hybrid learning - produce equivalent, or better results than students participating in face-to-face education (http://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/articles/2012/07/25/study-online-learning-outcomes-similar-to-classroom-results_print.html). Researchers also found that although both student groups (online and face-to-face) fared equally well, the online group did appear to learn faster.

I impart this information not to suggest that online learning is any better than the traditional face-to-face format, but only to provide positive evidence debunking the notion that it’s any less. As a student familiar with both formats, I can honestly say that both have their pros and cons.

Although I have no doubt that you will find the information in this book accurate, it should be utilized as a guide only. I wouldn’t be surprised to find that a few schools have either changed their tuition rates or made changes to their degree requirements by the time this book is distributed. So, please do your due diligence and research the school you hope to attend and its programs to gain a more accurate account. Although we posted only a minimal number of colleges’ military tuition rates, military service members should be relieved to know that many schools offer special rates for military personnel, so please be sure to inquire.

The information regarding school programs and tuition rates were last confirmed during the month of November 2012. All schools listed in this book are regionally accredited by one of six regional accrediting agencies recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) http://www.chea.org/Directories/regional.asp. Regional accreditation is considered the premier standard of accreditation. It is the most recognized type of accreditation and the most widely accepted in terms of transferring credits and degrees.

I am currently in the process of writing other books regarding online education (coming soon), so please keep an eye out for those. I hope this book proves beneficial and helps in whatever educational endeavors you may partake. Good luck to you all.

Acknowledgments

From Fayetteville State University to Taylor University the journey has been an eye opening and tremendously rewarding experience. I’m hopeful that the time and effort put forth on this project will ultimately help others achieve whatever educational endeavors they aspire to.

This book is dedicated to Rosemarie and my Emma Rose. You are all the inspiration I need. Thank you for your unwavering support and for accepting the role, among others, of sounding board for my ideas.

I would love to hear from you. If you have any positive stories, anecdotes, suggestions, feel your alma mater should have made the list, or would like to point out any discrepancies, please contact me at www.paulcasasus.jigsy.com or on Facebook at [e-mail] I look forward to your comments.

Fayetteville State University (1)

The Office of Extended Education

Fayetteville State University

1200 Murchison Road

Fayetteville, NC 28301-4298

Continuing Education Bldg. Suite 124

Phone: [phone]/1932

Website - www.uncfsu.edu

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. www.sacs.org

Type of program offered online: Bachelor / Master

Programs accessible to