Online College Courses, Classes And Programs

Almost every college course is now available online no matter what you major in, you can find the classes you’re interested in. Below you can find the answers to all of your questions and even find online classes that are right for you!

Online College Courses In 2020

Online college courses have been available for many years now but people are still becoming accustomed to taking their classes online. Even in this day and age online college is looked at as a less credible option for students but that is rapidly changing. More and more young adults are enrolling in credible online institutions and more high school students are considering online classes as a cheaper and more convenient alternative. 

Almost every college course is now available online no matter what you major in, you can find the classes you’re interested in. Even trade schools that require hands-on training and many medical professional training institutions that have traditionally been in-person only now have online classes available. 

With every type of learning or high education, there is a text and knowledge-based component to it, and now all of that is available through the internet. 

What schools offer online college courses?

Just about every college these days now has online classes available. In fact, even Harvard and Stanford have lectures and classes online and during the COVID19 pandemic many of these classes have become available to the public. But here are some of the top colleges with online classes.  These schools have had online programs for a while now and they have been able to work out all of the shortcomings and glitches that many colleges are now just facing. 

Top colleges for online courses

• #1 – Oregon State University
• #2 – Arizona State University
• #3 – Oregon Institute of Technology
• #4 – Penn State World Campus
• #5 – Washington State University
• #6 – CSU Global
• #7 – Cardinal Stritch University
• #8 – George Mason University
• #9 – University of Arizona
• #10 – Florida International University

Do I have to apply to online college?

The short answer is yes, you must apply for online college classes but the application process is different for each school. Some colleges allow for a very easy application process because they are able to accept a wider range of students while other colleges have a much more rigorous application process. 

If you are interested in attending a top university the application process remains largely the same. You’ll have to fill out an extensive application form with basic information, essays, transcripts, extracurricular activities and more. If you’d like an easier way to apply to multiple schools please consider using the common application. We’ve written a full article on how to apply to schools with the common application here. 

With many other online schools that solely provide online learning and do not have an actual physical campus, the application process might be a little easier. Many times you’ll speak with an admissions officer and they will help you apply and get your submission approved. 

In either case, you may also be eligible for grants, scholarships, and or financial aid of some sort. Always make sure to fill out a FAFSA form and ask your admissions advisor about financial aid.

Can I get financial aid for online college courses?

Financial aid is available to students who are in need of serious financial help and the amount you are eligible to receive depends on the school you’re applying to and many other income-based factors. The short answer is yes, many online colleges will qualify you for grants, scholarships, and or financial aid of some sort. You may even be eligible for college aid from independent companies or organizations offering scholarships. 

In some cases, employers will offer financial aid to help their employers reach new levels of education that will advance their status within the company. To increase your chances of receiving financial aid make sure that you are applying to an accredited institution.

How do I sign up for online college courses?

If you are currently enrolled at a college or university that offers online classes the process of signing up for them is simple. Contact your admissions counselor, college advisor, or simply call the main office and inquire about online options. Your school will be happy to help you find the right online solutions to fit your needs. 

If you are not currently enrolled in a college or university and you would like to attend online classes through an accredited school, you must contact the schools that you’re interested in and request application information. Some schools have application fees so make sure to check in on that because applications can get pretty pricey, anywhere from $25 – $100 just to apply. 

On the other hand, many schools do not have application fees and if you can’t pay the application fee you can apply for a waiver so you don’t have to pay. Make sure to ask your admissions office about your application fees and your options to qualify for no fees. 

What are the cheapest online college courses?

Online college courses are significantly cheaper than on-campus options and that’s because you’re cutting out so much of the expenses involved in traditional college. According to many students and surveys, online college can be as much as ⅓ cheaper than normal college and in some cases much cheaper than that. Especially when you factor in grants and scholarships with a financial aid package. 

What are the most popular online college courses?

According to Google search data, the most sought after online courses are programs in psychology, business, healthcare, teaching, and law or criminal justice. The most popular degree types for online programs are associate’s and master’s degrees. Make note that the popularity of certain programs does not mean that they are any better than other degrees of interest. The best thing you can do for yourself is to discover what career path will mean the most to you and then make plans to acquire a degree that will help you achieve your goals. In other words don’t just go with a popular degree, major in something you care about.

Can I transfer credits from my online college courses?

In some cases, people who are enrolled in online classes will want to change schools and or go back to an on-campus school. For those individuals, it’s a perfectly reasonable question to ask if your current and finished class credits are transferable to another college. In most cases the answer will be yes, especially if you currently attend an accredited college, however, there are some exceptions. Not all schools accept all credits and this works for both online and on-campus colleges. Colleges have the right to be selective about which credits to accept and which ones not to accept and you may need to bargain with the dean to get all of your credits approved for transfer. 

What are the advantages of taking classes online?

There are many reasons why taking online classes is beneficial but the main reasons are flexibility and cost. Online courses allow you to work on your own time and get your degree at a fraction of the cost of regular college. You can work at any time from anywhere in the world so this means you can maintain a job, run a family, travel, and do whatever you want or can with your time while accomplishing your goals. 

What do most students say about online college classes?

Most students who are in or have graduate online universities say pretty much the same things. In fact, if you click the online college tab above, you’ll find student reviews and real-life experiences from people who have been there and done it. 

• Most students say that classes online are just as hard if not harder than regular college because there is no one to hold you accountable. You have to be very organized and self-disciplined or your schoolwork will catch up with you and you’ll struggle.

• Students say that they enjoy the freedom of creating their own schedule but it will take some time to figure out a schedule that works well for you. 

• Some students say it can be a bit lonely while other students like that there is no social aspect to their schooling.  

• Almost every student agrees that people who give online college bad reviews are people who did not try hard and are looking for someone besides themselves to blame. 

• Almost all online college students who successfully completed their degrees have nothing but positive things to say. They also are very happy that they enrolled in online college and claim they would NOT have chosen a different path if they could. 

Why most students choose online school.

• They chose online college because they had a life that required more flexibility when it came to education. Some are working full-time, some have families, some have jobs that require a lot of travel, some are on-call for auditions. No matter what the reason is, most students found online college because they needed to have a flexible schedule. 

• They chose online classes because they wanted to save money as online school is significantly cheaper than a traditional college. 

• Some students who tend to be more introverted never really liked the idea of going to school to make friends so they see the lack of social activities as a positive. 

What are online college courses like?

Online courses can vary in their schedule and delivery however many follow the same patterns. Most students are only enrolled in two classes at a time because of the intense workload. And those classes are scheduled out at the beginning of the week, every single week. 

Typically at the beginning of each week, you’ll receive assignments and course material that can be taken at any time you want within the week. Every week assignments are typically due on Sunday at midnight so you as a student have all week to take your classes and complete your assignments on your own time. 

Many students recommend that you constantly check your student emails and make sure you are always aware of assignment deadlines as these things change quite frequently. 

Are online college classes tax deductible?

The deduction for college tuition and fees is no longer available. But, you can receive deductions through things like the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit. College graduates can also deduct the interest that they pay on student loans

Are online college classes easier?

Most online college students who have done both online and on-campus options will say that online classes are actually harder than on-campus classes. The reason online can be harder is because you don’t have a live teacher to ask questions immediately, you don’t get much support, and you really have to learn the material for yourself. Additionally, if you don’t take time to study, prepare, or do your assignments, things will pile up and you’ll be completely overwhelmed.

On the other hand, online college can feel easier / better because you have more freedom and time to live the life that you want. So although it may be stressful at times, you still can live your life how you want to on your own terms, which makes people happy. And when you’re happy things tend to feel easier.