Title: Are Online Degrees Worth It? - Cost, Perception & Downsides
Headings: Are Online Degrees Worth It? – Cost, Perception & Downsides
Are Online Degrees Worth It? – Cost, Perception & Downsides
Pros of Pursuing an Online Degree
1. It Could Be Less Expensive Than a Residential Alternative
2. It Could Be Easier to Accomplish While Working Full-Time or Raising Kids (or Both)
3. Many Online Degree Programs Are Reputable (Even Prestigious)
4. You Don’t Have to Leave Your House
5. Larger Online Degree Programs & Institutions Have Vast Alumni Networks
6. Your Employer Might Not Realize You Got Your Degree Online
7. It Could Earn You Respect for Your Time Management Skills & Focus
Cons of Pursuing an Online Degree
1. Some Employers Remain Resistant to Online Degrees
2. Some Employers Are Justifiably Skeptical of For-Profit Degree Programs
3. Unaccredited Programs Offer Little Value
4. Online Degree-Seekers Drop Out at Higher Rates Than Campus-Bound Counterparts
5. It Could Call Your Teamwork Skills Into Question
Final Word

Content: On the other hand, while most employers acknowledge the growing prevalence of online-only degrees and won’t reflexively shut the door on applicants with digital credentials, employer acceptance of online-only degrees is far from total. Students hoping for the greatest possible choice of employment opportunities might prefer traditional education if it’s at all workable. Deciding whether to pursue an online-only degree or stick with the traditional higher education model is a big choice with significant implications for your career, finances, and lifestyle. What follows is an unbiased look at the benefits and drawbacks of choosing the online-only route. Pros of Pursuing an Online Degree
Pursuing an online degree has loads of potential advantages: the likelihood (if not the guarantee) of lower cost, more flexibility, less travel time, and the possibility of access to vast alumni networks. 1. It Could Be Less Expensive Than a Residential Alternative
At degree-granting institutions that offer distinct online and on-campus degree tracks, the average online degree program is actually marginally more expensive than its on-campus equivalent, according to data compiled by U.S. News & World Report. Despite the theoretical scalability of online degree programs — they’re not limited by classroom space, for example — they carry unique costs that on-campus programs avoid. However, the typical online degree program at a major mostly- or only-online institution like Southern New Hampshire or the University of Phoenix is significantly less expensive than the typical on-campus degree program at selective residential institutions.