The Best Online Colleges for Working Adults
What are the best online colleges for working adults? Discover which schools rank the highest based on graduation rates, academic quality, and career support.
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At BestColleges.com, we believe in providing accurate and actionable information for students. Our writers, editors, and reporters are constantly asking themselves the question, ”What information is vital to students right now?” Answering this question is what drives us. Our mission is to inform students through straightforward, factual content informed by the latest data and trends.
The freelance Integrity Network at BestColleges is comprised of seasoned professionals who bring their expertise to almost every subject relevant to college students, including admissions, college majors, financial aid, and student mental health. Network members review and author content, pulling from their first-hand industry experience and ensuring content is as accurate and up-to-date as possible.
If you're interested in joining our Integrity Network, contact us at media@bestcolleges.com. Integrity Network members typically have a graduate or terminal degree and several years of relevant professional experience.
Explore our full list of Integrity Network members.
No matter who you are — a career changer, a working parent, or a college dropout ready for another go — the stats don’t lie: A four-year college degree can really pay off.
A bachelor’s degree is worth $2.8 million on average over a lifetime. That’s 84% more lifetime earnings than high school graduates and 31% more than those with an associate degree.
But if you’re raising children, working full time, or both, enrolling in on-campus classes isn’t always doable.
Online colleges are a go-to choice for many nontraditional students because they’re relatively convenient and increasingly customizable.
Best Online Colleges for Working Adults
Union Institute & University
Cincinnati, OH4 yearCampus + Online
$15,510
$15,510
N/A
100%
$16,692
$16,692
N/A
809
Private
Yes
$15,510
$15,510
Cincinnati, OH4 yearCampus + Online
$15,510
$15,510
N/A
100%
$16,692
$16,692
N/A
809
Private
Yes
Charter Oak State College
New Britain, CT4 yearOnline
$7,656
$10,056
N/A
N/A
$9,288
$9,720
50%
1,634
Public
Yes
$7,656
$10,056
New Britain, CT4 yearOnline
$7,656
$10,056
N/A
N/A
$9,288
$9,720
50%
1,634
Public
Yes
Excelsior College
Albany, NY4 yearOnline
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
21,974
Private
Yes
N/A
N/A
Albany, NY4 yearOnline
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
21,974
Private
Yes
Bethel University
Saint Paul, MN4 yearCampus + Online
$38,870
$38,870
87%
71%
$11,700
$11,700
85%
3,814
Private
Yes
$38,870
$38,870
Saint Paul, MN4 yearCampus + Online
$38,870
$38,870
87%
71%
$11,700
$11,700
85%
3,814
Private
Yes
Thomas Edison State University
Trenton, NJ4 yearOnline
$7,182
$9,342
N/A
100%
$12,024
$12,024
N/A
10,495
Public
Yes
$7,182
$9,342
Trenton, NJ4 yearOnline
$7,182
$9,342
N/A
100%
$12,024
$12,024
N/A
10,495
Public
Yes
Regis University
Denver, CO4 yearCampus + Online
$38,208
$38,208
78%
66%
$14,322
$14,322
73%
6,310
Private
Yes
$38,208
$38,208
Denver, CO4 yearCampus + Online
$38,208
$38,208
78%
66%
$14,322
$14,322
73%
6,310
Private
Yes
National University
San Diego, CA4 yearOnline
$11,064
$11,064
N/A
N/A
$16,983
$16,983
N/A
12,471
Private
Yes
$11,064
$11,064
San Diego, CA4 yearOnline
$11,064
$11,064
N/A
N/A
$16,983
$16,983
N/A
12,471
Private
Yes
Maryville University of Saint Louis
Saint Louis, MO4 yearCampus + Online
$24,766
$24,766
95%
83%
$14,346
$14,346
83%
10,979
Private
Yes
$24,766
$24,766
Saint Louis, MO4 yearCampus + Online
$24,766
$24,766
95%
83%
$14,346
$14,346
83%
10,979
Private
Yes
Northeastern University Lifelong Learning Network
Boston, MA4 yearCampus + Online
$12,984
$12,984
N/A
71%
$24,294
$24,294
N/A
11,310
Private
Yes
$12,984
$12,984
Boston, MA4 yearCampus + Online
$12,984
$12,984
N/A
71%
$24,294
$24,294
N/A
11,310
Private
Yes
Endicott College
Beverly, MA4 yearCampus + Online
$34,470
$34,470
70%
44%
$12,666
$12,666
83%
4,287
Private
Yes
$34,470
$34,470
Beverly, MA4 yearCampus + Online
$34,470
$34,470
70%
44%
$12,666
$12,666
83%
4,287
Private
Yes
Work-Life-School Balance
28% of all undergrads take classes exclusively online
66% of online students are employed full time
61% of online students are parents
But working full time or parenting and keeping up with school can be challenging.
According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, about 5 in 10 student-parents leave college without a degree or certificate within six years of enrolling, compared with around 3 in 10 of all students. These student-parents often drop out because they have fewer hours to fit in school, work, childcare, and housework.
One key to success is finding an online college ready to support you along your journey.
So, what should full-time workers or student-parents look for in a school? Based on BestColleges’ data and metrics, the best online colleges for working adults have:
- High rates of enrollment, retention, and graduation
- Strong federal financial aid support
- The opportunity to earn credit for life experiences
- Ample academic and career counseling services
- A high percentage of online programs
Explore Featured Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
How to Choose the Right Online School as a Working Adult
So, how do you decide on an online school? You can start by looking for schools that are prepared to help working adults reach their academic and career goals.
BestColleges’ ranking methodology considers various factors, including graduation rates and the availability of academic and career counseling services.
Ask Melissa
Melissa Venable, Ph.D., online education advisor and former principal writer for BestColleges, explains why you should consider certain benchmarks when choosing an online school.
- Enrollment, retention, and graduation rates:
An institution’s enrollment, retention, and graduation rates provide one perspective on quality and student satisfaction. While these numbers certainly don’t tell the whole story, they do provide evidence of how many students are enrolling, how many continue in their programs after their first semester or academic term, and how many complete their degree.
- Federal financial aid support:
Federal student aid is the largest source of financial assistance for college students in the U.S. But before you accept federal aid, it’s important to understand the ins and outs of grants and loans, such as how much you should borrow and what you might owe. Schools that accept federal aid should have a strong support system for students who are eligible for this aid.
- Credit for life experiences:
Some schools have programs in place to evaluate work and life experiences for academic credit. Getting credit for work and life experience that applies toward degree requirements can mean taking, and paying for, fewer courses.
- Academic and career counseling services:
Many students enter college with some idea of their career and employment goals, but that’s not the case for everyone. Working with academic advisors and career development professionals can help you reach your goal of graduation.
- Percentage of online programs:
Schools that offer multiple programs online typically have committed the resources necessary to ensure their success and the success of online students. This could include using the latest technology to deliver courses and providing faculty training for online teaching, as well as offering access to various student support services.
Summary
“Overall, working students have a lot to think about before adding online education to their schedules. Finding a school and program that is committed to your success means researching and comparing the variables that are most important to you, such as finances, career development, and support services.”
Pros and Cons of Online Learning
Taking classes online is a much different experience than attending school in person, with various benefits and challenges.
According to BestColleges’ 2023 Online Education Trends Report, more than 1 in 4 online students struggle with work-life-school balance. However, more than 1 in 3 online students (42%) prefer the convenience of online programs when managing existing commitments.
So, let’s review what you can expect from online learning — both the good parts and the challenges you might face:
Pros
Flexibility to learn on your own schedule- Learn from anywhere
- Save time and money on commuting
Cons
Requires more self-discipline- More technical requirements
- Potential social isolation and loneliness
What It’s Like to Earn a Degree Online as a Working Student
“My overall experience [with earning a degree online] was really good. I loved my program, but I’m not going to lie — it was extremely challenging to work full time, and go to school, and try to balance everything else in life, with taking care of the house and maintaining relationships and friendships, just because you just don’t have as much time, so things can fall to the wayside. But I powered through, and it ended up being a really good experience — just challenging.”
— Amy Jay, Master’s in communication and leadership, Gonzaga University
Explore More Featured Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges for Working Adults
Yes, you can work full time while earning a bachelor’s degree. Many working adults prefer online programs, which tend to be more flexible, allowing them to better balance work and school.
Many online programs also offer asynchronous class options, which let working students learn at their own pace and more easily manage their workload.
Page last reviewed on December 20, 2023.
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