Best Online Colleges for Working Adults

You don’t have to put your career on hold to earn a degree. For working adults thinking about going back to school, online colleges can offer a flexible way to continue their education while balancing work and personal responsibilities. Many programs also allow students to learn at their own pace and may be more affordable than traditional on-campus options.

Read on to learn what to look for in an online program and explore some of the best online colleges for working adults.

Purdue offers a wide variety of online programs, and students will benefit from its prestigious reputation. Purdue also offers personalized student support services, including career support, no-cost tutoring, an online library, and networking opportunities.

At Purdue, you can earn your online degree in business, criminal justice, education, or nursing. Programs at Purdue have frequent start dates throughout the year and do not require SAT or ACT scores for admission.

The University of Florida (UF) has exceptionally low tuition rates for its online programs and offers the Yellow Ribbon program for veterans and their dependents. Online programs on UF Online cost 40% less than in-person programs at the University of Florida. Students are also eligible for federal, state, or institutional financial aid.

The University of Florida offers online bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as non-degree programs. Some online bachelor’s programs include advertising, computer science, elementary education, and journalism.

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) offers 300 online program options. The private university is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education and has programmatic accreditation for its business, education, health, and hospitality programs.

You can transfer up to 90 credits to SNHU. SNHU has no undergraduate or graduate fees and charges $342 a credit for undergraduate degrees and $659 a credit for graduate degrees.

Charter Oak offers a flexible transfer program by which students can transfer up to 87 credits and earn credit for standardized tests, military experience, and prior learning.

Charter Oak enrolls over 2,000 students and has an alumni network of over 19,000 professionals. Undergraduate tuition is $329 per credit, and graduate tuition is $529 per credit. It is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

Thomas Edison State University (TESU) is well-regarded for its online, flexible format that caters to adult, working students.

It is a public university based in Trenton, New Jersey. TESU is open to evaluating your prior life and work experience and giving you credit so that you can spend less time and money on school.

At TESU, you can pick from a variety of bachelor’s degree options, including anthropology, computer science, criminal justice, or English. TESU also offers online master’s degrees in nursing, accounting, and business administration.

Regis University is a Jesuit university in Denver, Colorado. It offers nationally recognized programs, hands-on career training, and expert faculty. Regis also makes a special effort to provide academic support to working students, which has earned it a place on our list.

At Regis, you can study psychology, criminology, cybersecurity, and communication. Regis also offers accelerated programs so you can earn your degree faster.

Maryville University is a private university located in Town and Country, Missouri, with 150 years of experience providing education. It has an acceptance rate of 88% and a graduate rate of 71%.

Maryville is a fast-growing university that has strong industry ties to businesses like Boeing and Edward Jones. Admissions to Maryville University doesn’t require an admissions fee or entrance exam. Once you’re admitted, you can take advantage of their generous transfer policies and 100% online options.

Northeastern Online is designed for working professionals. It offers industry- and career-centered programs like degrees in business, engineering, healthcare, and technology. The 100% online courses are flexible to your schedule and include high-quality video lectures and interactive content.

There will be no “online” designation on your diploma, as a degree from Northeastern Online carries the same weight as one earned on campus. Northeastern offers you an international network of alumni and top-rated faculty.

Endicott College is a private college in Beverly, Massachusetts. Its acceptance and graduation rates are 73% and 74%, respectively. The college is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

Endicott’s online students at the Van Loan Division of Professional Studies have the same access to support services as on-campus students. You can earn an online bachelor’s degree in business management, criminal justice, nursing, or psychology.

Bethel University is a private Christian university that offers online associate and bachelor’s degrees, as well as non-degree certificates. At Bethel, you can get your bachelor’s degree in business management, psychology, social work, and special education.

The university has an acceptance rate of 72% and a graduation rate of 74%. Associate programs and certificate programs cost $450 per credit, and bachelor’s programs, depending on the program, cost between $480 and $857 per credit.

When deciding which online school to choose, think about your main sticking points. Is your main concern balancing work and school? Is it finding the lowest price? Do you want easy-to-access support services? Here are some factors to consider when choosing the best school for you:

Flexibility is often the most important factor for working adults when choosing an online school. Many programs offer an asynchronous learning format, which lets you complete coursework at your own pace instead of attending virtual classes at set times. This format can make it easier to balance your work, personal, and school responsibilities.

Other online programs are synchronous, which requires real-time attendance through a video conferencing platform like Zoom or Microsoft Teams. This structure may better suit students who prefer more structured classes and live interactions with instructors and classmates.

When comparing online colleges and degree programs, make sure they are accredited. Accredited schools meet established academic quality standards set by independent accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Additionally, if a school is not accredited, students may not qualify for federal financial aid. Many employers also prefer degrees from accredited institutions when evaluating job candidates.

Schools with flexible transfer credit policies or prior learning programs may be especially helpful if you have previous college or professional experience.

Many online programs allow you to transfer credits earned at other institutions. Some also offer credit for work and life experience — typically called credit for prior learning (CPL) or prior learning assessments (PLAs).

For working adults, these options can significantly reduce the number of credits needed to complete your degree, which may lower both the time and overall cost required to graduate.

Online students might need different support services than on-campus ones. For instance, virtual library access, 24/7 technical support, remote academic advising, financial aid counseling, and teletherapy can help online students feel supported throughout their studies.

Comparing these programs can help you decide between similar ones. Because online students usually have competing responsibilities — and may be more likely to feel disconnected from campus life — flexible and remotely accessible services can play an important role in academic success.

When evaluating an online program’s affordability, look beyond the cost per credit and focus on the total cost of attendance (COA), which usually includes fees, books, technology expenses, and other education-related costs.

You can use each school’s net price calculator to get a personalized estimate of what you’ll pay and the amount of financial aid you qualify for.

As a working adult, you should also evaluate a program’s return on investment (ROI) — that is, whether the program is likely to help you achieve your career and salary goals over time.

You can start by checking a program’s graduation rate. This percentage represents the number of students who successfully completed their degree. You can also review a school’s career services and job placement outcomes, which may provide insight into how effectively the program prepares graduates for employment.

Many schools publish this information on their admissions or career services webpages. You can also verify through the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.