Best Online Colleges for Nontraditional Students

For nontraditional students, returning to school may seem daunting or overwhelming. Fortunately, many institutions, including high-ranking colleges and universities, offer resources to support nontraditional students in a successful transition to the classroom.

Earning a degree online can help you level up your career prospects, boost your salary, or facilitate your transition into a new career path.

Whether you are juggling a full-time job, family responsibilities, or other outside commitments, you can find a degree program that best aligns with your needs.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

There are many ways to define a nontraditional student. In general, nontraditional students are students who did not attend college one or more years after graduating high school.

While some colleges define all students above a specific age as nontraditional, other institutions take into account variables like income level, marital status, and high school graduation status.

Students who commute a specific distance to campus, individuals who don’t live on campus, or those who have previously been enrolled in college but did not complete their degree may also be considered nontraditional.

Going to college as a nontraditional student comes with a distinct set of advantages and disadvantages.

As a nontraditional student, you can enhance your career prospects or transition into new career fields. However, you should weigh the financial and time commitments before you enroll.

There are several things you should keep in mind as you decide which college program is right for you, including the learning format, cost, and time commitment.

Several learning formats are available to nontraditional students, including on-campus and online programs with asynchronous and synchronous classes.

Online programs can provide a variety of flexible learning formats. Some offer virtual classes on platforms such as Zoom while operating completely asynchronously, allowing you to complete coursework on your own schedule.

You should weigh the financial cost of a college program before enrolling.

According to the College Board’s 2023 Trends in College Pricing report, the average tuition cost at public four-year institutions for the 2023-24 academic year is $11,260 for in-state students and $29,150 for out-of-state students. Private universities are even more expensive, costing an average of $41,540 in 2023-24.

If you support a family or have other financial obligations, you may find it more difficult to pay for your education. If you are able to qualify for financial aid, the cost of college may not be an issue for you.

Nontraditional students may have to balance academics, work, and family commitments while pursuing their degree. You should look for programs that offer flexibility, such as rolling start dates, night and weekend classes, and online options, which can eliminate time spent commuting to campus.

Accelerated programs are beneficial for students aiming to graduate in less than four years. However, they typically require that you manage a heavier course load at a quicker pace.

Some programs may use a pass/fail grading system instead of the conventional letter grades system. With pass/fail grading, you can earn credit for a course without a low grade negatively impacting your overall GPA.

This option may alleviate stress related to specific assignments, allowing you to concentrate on your overall course experience and success.

Some schools offer tailored services and resources for nontraditional students, such as career services, family housing, tutoring services, and student organizations specifically designed for nontraditional learners. Before you apply to a program, make sure to check what resources may be available to you.

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed May 14, 2024.