Online schools are considered a good alternative to conventional education and have become increasingly popular in the United States in recent years.
They offer programs designed primarily for busy adults who want to obtain a degree while keeping a full-time job.
Distance learning is often more cost-efficient than traditional on-campus learning because students don’t have to pay traveling and housing expenses and other miscellaneous fees that are included in traditional programs.
Students have complete control over their schedules and can complete the coursework at their own pace as long as they meet the deadlines.
Online programs combine different methods of teaching thus enhancing students’ overall learning experience.
If you’re a busy person who’d like to take the next step in their career by earning a bachelor’s degree, online programs can be the best option for you.
To help you choose the one that best fits your needs we have selected a list of Top 10 Most Affordable Accredited Online Schools.
The fact that these schools are accredited proves that they are credible institutions that uphold a high standard of education.
A college or program obtains accreditation after being thoroughly examined by an independent agency that pays special attention to factors such as academic excellence, student support, and faculty credentials.
Tuition at an accredited online school is not cheap but it is considerably less than the cost of attending an on-campus program.
The average tuition in online schools ranges between $100-$400 per credit hour.
Moreover, online schools also afford grants, loans, scholarships, and other forms of financial aid.
So, if financial worries have stopped you from pursuing your dream career, you should know that there are several affordable options that allow you to complete the education.
We invite you to read our list and choose the one that best meets your educational needs and professional aspirations.
Western Governors University
Western Governors University offers bachelor’s and graduate-level programs through its four existing colleges, namely the College of Health Professions including Nursing, Teacher’s College, the College of Business, and the College of Information Technology.
It is the first university to offer competency-based degree programs.
Degree programs typically begin at the first of every month and students can enroll year-round.
You don’t need to submit your SAT or ACT scores for admission.
Tuition is charged on a six-month term and ranges from $3,225 to $4,180 per semester, depending on the program.
Qualifying students may also apply for financial aid that can be used for covering tuition and fees, textbooks, technology, and other educational expenses.
Western Governors University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
Official WebsiteLiberty University
The largest private Christian university in Virginia, Liberty University offers about 250 online accredited degree programs at associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and postgraduate levels.
Students can obtain a bachelor’s degree in education, visual arts, business, nursing, engineering, criminal justice, information systems, business management, and aeronautics.
Tuition and fees vary by program but tuition for undergraduate online programs ranges between $330 to $390 per credit hour.
Tuition for graduate programs varies between $455 and $565 per credit.
Undergraduate and graduate military students pay reduced tuition that is between $250 and $275 per credit hour.
Prospective students have to pay a $50 admission fee; the graduation fee is $100.
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, the American Osteopathic Association, the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Official WebsiteMurray State University
Founded in 1923, Murray State University is a liberal arts college that features 126 online educational programs in fields such as agronomy, engineering graphics, design, environmental geology, learning and behavior disorders, nursing, philosophy and applied ethics, and more at undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as teaching endorsements, certificate, associate, and doctoral degrees.
Online classes are organized through a Canvas learning management system.
Students may also participate in a seven-week online GRE test preparation program and also have access to advisors and academic professionals who provide academic support.
Tuition varies depending on the student’s state of residence and the number of credit hours.
The university offers work-study programs and internships and financial aid guide to help reduce tuition costs.
Online undergraduate tuition at Murray State University is $382 per credit hour and $544 per credit hour for graduate programs.
The University is accredited by organizations such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, and more.
Official WebsiteBellevue University
Bellevue University is a private, non-profit university that offers a variety of fully online undergraduate programs designed to prepare students for career advancement.
Online degree programs cover areas such as business, web development, mathematics, criminal justice, and more.
Classes and programs start on an on-going basis and most programs have several staring dates throughout the year.
These programs include, on average, 127 credits consisting of general education classes, electives, and major requirements.
Undergraduate tuition for online programs at Bellevue University is $425 per credit hour.
Students also pay a $50 application fee and a $100 graduation fee.
Bellevue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Official WebsiteCapella University
Another affordable accredited institution that offers a variety of online degree programs is Capella University.
Founded in 1993, the university provides 1,600 online bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate programs in fields such as education, business, public health, psychology, information technology, and public safety.
Tuition at Capella University is between $357 to $411 per credit hour for undergraduate programs and between $435-$805 per credit hour for graduate students.
The application fee is $50.
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
Official WebsiteAmerican Public University
Located in Charles Town, West Virginia, American Public University is providing a curriculum ideal for working professionals who are seeking career advancement.
The university provides 190 online degree programs in fields like military history, human development, and family studies, reverse logistics management, electric engineering, and more.
Undergraduate students pay, on average, $270 per credit hour for tuition while the average tuition for graduate programs is $350 per credit hour.
The American Public University is accredited by a variety of credentialing institutions, including the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council, the Society for Human Resource Management, the American Sport Education Program, and more.
Official WebsiteFort Hays State University
A public academic institution founded in 1902, Fort Hays State University offers numerous associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs that are available online through its four colleges including Business and Entrepreneurship, Arts and Science, Health and Life Sciences, and Education and Technology.
The four colleges include 30 departments and feature over 60 undergraduate majors and 19 majors for graduate students.
Undergraduate students can choose between several courses of study, including tourism and hospitality management, education, finance, information networking and telecommunications, human health and performance, and agricultural business, among others.
Some of the graduate programs offered online are liberal studies, public history, nursing education, school psychology, special education, and more.
Online students also have access to technical support, career services, and academic advising.
Tuition for undergraduate programs at the virtual college is $218.67 per credit hour; tuition for graduate students is $287.75 per credit hour.
Fort Hays University is accredited by several accrediting institutions including the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the Higher Learning Commission, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, and more.
Official WebsiteMinot State University
The third-largest co-educational, public academic institution, Minot State University offers state-of-the-art online programs at the certificate, undergraduate, and graduate levels in fields such as business, education, and nursing.
The online programs offer students a 12:1 student-faculty ratio and enroll more than 3,300 students.
Online courses are offered in either synchronous format (fixed class schedule) or asynchronous format (flexible format where students can choose their own schedule).
Minot State University offers affordable online programs such as Internation Business, Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Human Services, and Information Systems.
The program duration varies but the tuition at MSU Online is $328.98 per credit hour for undergraduate programs and $413.97 per credit for graduate programs.
Minot State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation, North Dakota Education Standards, and Practices Board, and other accrediting bodies.
Official WebsiteWest Texas A and M University
A public, co-educational academic institution, West Texas A and M University offers 19 top-notch online and hybrid undergraduate programs through the SREB Electronic Campus.
Students can choose programs in Economics, Criminal Justice, Business, Nursing, Emergency Management Administration, Finance, and more- available from associate’s to bachelor’s degrees levels.
The average annual tuition for undergraduate students is approximately $9,800.
West Texas A&M University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Official WebsiteUniversity of Wyoming
Founded in 1886, the University of Wyoming is composed of seven colleges that provide educational programs in health sciences, engineering and applied sciences, business, law, education, agriculture and natural resources, arts and sciences.
The university provides 30 online undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs.
Tuition for undergraduate programs is $145 per credit hour for in-state students and $603 per credit hour for out-of-state students; in-state graduate students pay $282 per credit hour and out-of-state graduate students pay $843 per credit hour.
The application fee for undergraduate programs is $40.
The University of Wyoming is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission, the Accrediting Council for Pharmacy Education, the American Psychological Association, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and other accrediting institutions.
Official WebsiteFinal Thoughts
You don’t have to put your professional dreams on hold just because you’re worried about tuition costs.
Many accredited institutions of higher learning offer high-quality online programs at an affordable price designed for busy adults who want to earn a degree at their own pace, from the comfort of their homes.
Choosing an online program will also help you cut down on traveling costs and housing expenses.
Moreover, many schools offer financial aid to qualifying students in the form of loans, grants, or scholarships.
Now that you have read our list of Top 10 Most Affordable Accredited Online Schools it’s your turn to continue the research and apply to the program that best suits your professional aspirations.