Best Online Colleges for Nontraditional Students
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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.
Best Colleges for Nontraditional Students
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$15,000
- Out-of-state$15,000
- In-State$18,900
- Out-of-state$18,900
- Retention Rate62%
- Acceptance Rate92%
- Students Enrolled145,533
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment96%
- AccreditationYes
Liberty University
- Lynchburg, VA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$15,409
- Out-of-state$15,409
- In-State$7,847
- Out-of-state$7,847
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate99%
- Students Enrolled15,822
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment92%
- AccreditationYes
Purdue University
- West Lafayette, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,208
- Out-of-state$28,010
- In-State$9,718
- Out-of-state$28,520
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate53%
- Students Enrolled50,884
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment47%
- AccreditationYes
Averett University
- Danville, VA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$36,900
- Out-of-state$36,900
- In-State$11,790
- Out-of-state$11,790
- Retention Rate62%
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students Enrolled1,317
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment85%
- AccreditationYes
University of Maryland Global Campus
- Adelphi, MD
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$7,344
- Out-of-state$11,976
- In-State$9,072
- Out-of-state$11,862
- Retention Rate52%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled55,323
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment93%
- AccreditationYes
Charter Oak State College
- New Britain, CT
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$7,656
- Out-of-state$10,056
- In-State$9,288
- Out-of-state$9,720
- Retention Rate67%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled1,618
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
University of Massachusetts Global
- Irvine, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$12,000
- Out-of-state$12,000
- In-State$12,240
- Out-of-state$12,240
- Retention Rate19%
- Acceptance Rate93%
- Students Enrolled9,798
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment99%
- AccreditationYes
Thomas University
- Thomasville, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,800
- Out-of-state$10,800
- In-State$13,050
- Out-of-state$13,050
- Retention Rate64%
- Acceptance Rate29%
- Students Enrolled1,388
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment100%
- AccreditationYes
Pacific Oaks College
- Pasadena, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$11,482
- Out-of-state$11,482
- In-State$21,074
- Out-of-state$21,074
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance Rate13%
- Students Enrolled1,175
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment75%
- AccreditationYes
Herzing University
- Brookfield, WI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$13,320
- Out-of-state$13,320
- In-State$10,800
- Out-of-state$10,800
- Retention Rate69%
- Acceptance Rate91%
- Students Enrolled351
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment76%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
At BestColleges, we believe a college education is one of the most important investments you can make. We help you navigate the college selection process by offering transparent, inclusive, and relevant school rankings.
We use datasets from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools and our methodologies. This ranking is from 2022. To learn more, check out our full ranking methodologies.
What Is a Nontraditional Student?
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.
Pros and Cons of Going to College as a Nontraditional Student
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.
Pros
Accessing new job opportunities- Building a professional network
- Switching career fields
- Upgrading skills and increasing expertise
Cons
Balancing life and work commitments- Feeling disconnected from peers
- Adjusting to return to an academic environment
- Facing the financial burden of tuition costs
5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Nontraditional College Program
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.
1. Format
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.
2. Cost
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.
3. Schedule
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.
4. Grading
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.
5. Services
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.
Frequently Asked Questions About College for Nontraditional Students
Yes, nontraditional students may qualify for financial aid by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Nontraditional students must follow the same processes and deadlines as other students.
The FAFSA is required for students, regardless of age, to receive federal financial aid, including federal student loans, work-study opportunities, and grants.
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.
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