Online College Services
Frequently Asked Questions about Online College Services.

If you can't find the question you're looking for, you can ask it here. Due to volume, we aren't able to respond to every question, but we answer as many as we can on the NextAdvisor.com blog.

What is online education?

Online education, sometimes called distance learning or e-learning, is a method of completing college level or advanced degree courses over the Internet. There are hundreds of educational institutions that offer online education programs. Some of these schools only offer online learning while others offer a mixture of online and classroom learning.

Why should I consider an online degree?

The main appeal for most people who explore online learning as an option is flexibility. An online degree course is completed in the comfort of your own home (or anywhere you have an Internet connection) and at your own pace while still getting all the benefits of traditional classroom learning, such as interaction with teachers and peers. Online education is a particularly good option for working adults who are looking to earn an advanced degree while keeping a full or part time job.

I haven't heard of some of the schools on this website. Are they reputable?

Although you may not immediately recognize the names of some of the schools we have reviewed, you can rest assured that they offer high quality educational programs. All of the schools on NextAdvisor.com have been accredited by third party organizations that certify their curriculum and teaching methods.

How do employers view an online degree?

As online degrees continue to become more commonplace, employers are recognizing them as an extremely valuable addition to any resume. In fact, a recent survey by the Distance Education and Training Council found more than 70% of corporate supervisors rate online degrees as "just as valuable" or "more valuable" than traditional degrees in the same field.

How do I apply?

Like many other aspects of the online learning process, applying for a particular degree program is relatively simple. All of the schools that we have reviewed allow students to begin the application process online by completing a web based form. You can access this form by clicking the "Go to Site" link for any of the schools listed on our comparison chart. Once you have submitted the online form, you will be contacted by an admissions representative from the school you selected. Typically, the admissions representative will set up a time to speak with you over the phone to discuss your goals and interests as well as answer any questions you have about their college or university. It is a good idea to have a family member or trusted friend join you on this phone call to help you retain all the information that will be discussed.

How much does it cost? Is financing available?

The overall costs associated with online education vary greatly from school to school and depend on many factors, such as the type of degree you are working towards and whether or not you have any previous course credits from another educational institution. The vast majority of students working towards online degrees have some form of financial aid that helps them pay for all or part of their educational expenses. Each of the schools we have reviewed has financial advisors to help students determine their best options for financing and assist in each step of the process. Additionally, many companies offer educational credits and scholarships to employees. Check with the human resources department at your company to determine if your employer offers these types of benefits. If you are active duty military or a veteran, there are many financing options available to you, such as the Montgomery GI Bill, which will help you pay for some or all of your educational expenses. Check with a financial advisor at one of our recommended schools for more information on financial options.

I have some previous college experience. Can I transfer the credits I earned from that coursework to an online program?

Typically, yes. Each school has different policies regarding transfer credit but, as a general rule, credits earned for course work at a qualifying, accredited college or university (including community colleges) are eligible for transfer. This means that your new school will give you credit towards your new degree for college classes you have previously completed. Check our comparison chart for information about each school's credit transfer policy.

How long will my online degree take to complete?

The time it will take to complete your degree depends on many factors, including the school, degree level and specific program you select, as well as the number of eligible transfer credits you have available, if any. The pace at which you complete the required course work is also a key factor. For example, those that take a full class load will complete their degree more quickly than those that only take a few classes per term.

How will I know what classes to take?

Each of the schools we reviewed provides academic counseling services to help you determine the best classes for you to take, based on your interest and goals.

What type of computer will I need to complete my online degree?

Because your primary interaction with teachers and other students will occur online, it is important that your computer meets some minimum standards. To begin, you should have a high speed Internet connection through cable or DSL. A dial up connection is adequate but will be much slower.

Next, you will need an email account that can receive HTML formatted messages, with a minimum of 5MB of storage. If you don't have an email account that meets these requirements there are several free alternatives. We suggest Gmail. You can sign up for a free account at https://www.google.com/accounts/NewAccount.

You will also need to have a current version of Microsoft Office (98 or newer for Macs and 2000 or newer for PC) and a monitor that is capable of displaying resolution of 1024x768 or greater.

If you have any questions about the specific technology requirements for a particular school, an admissions advisor will be able to answer them for you during the application process.

What time are classes held?

Because classes are held online, you can participate in courses at any time, day or night, wherever you have an Internet connection. Typically, there is no set class schedule so you can "attend class" at any time of day.

How much time will I spend on my degree each week?

Students typically spend anywhere from 5 to 20 hours per course depending on such factors as number of course credit hours, degree program, pace of reading and typing, and prior knowledge of the subject.

How does NextAdvisor.com come up with its reviews?

We thoroughly test and research all the services in the category. We order each and every service ourselves and test out every feature available. We contact customer service and cancel and reorder each service to make sure that process works as well. After our initial tests, we continue to use all the services and update our reviews as situations change. We also monitor the providers' sites for any service changes or specials. In addition, we research each provider by reading all news and ordering and reading third-party research reports. We only include providers on our site that we believe offer a good value proposition. If there is a provider you know of that is not on our site, you can be fairly certain we did not rate that provider highly enough to include in our comparison. If you think we are missing a quality provider or have any other suggestions or comments, please visit our contact us page.