Online Education Reviews

AIU ONLINE REVIEW:Go to Site | Back to Chart

AIU Online is the online arm of American InterContinental University, an international university with campuses in the United States, England and the United Arab Emirates. AIU has one of the highest quality educational programs and a 63% graduation rate, the best of any of all the colleges and universities that we reviewed.

AIU also has an excellent post graduate employment rate, with 83% of alumni finding employment in their chosen field. Graduates are given both traditional job placement assistance as well as real world coaching in every aspect of the interview process that is tailored to their chose profession. Employers of AIU alumni give them very high marks in areas such reasoning and problem solving, communication skills and technical knowledge.

AIU offers excellent benefits to active duty or veterans of the armed forces. Over 3,000 of AIU's current students are active duty military in the US or abroad.

Overall, AIU's high graduation rate and impressive employment and employer satisfaction rates make it a great option for most students across most specializations. They are our top pick for members of the armed forces that are continuing their education either during or following their active duty service.

Transfer Credit Policy: Transfer credit may be awarded by AIU for course work completed by a student at a postsecondary, degree-granting institution that is accredited by an institutional accrediting organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. In accordance with AIU's residency requirement, students transferring to AIU under established articulation agreements may transfer in a maximum of 50% of the required program credits.

Degrees: Associate, Bachelors, Masters

Programs: Business, Criminal Justice, Education, Health, Information Technology, Marketing, Visual Communication

Accreditation: American InterContinental University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award Associate, Bachelor's and Master's degrees.

CAPELLA UNIVERSITY REVIEW:Go to Site | Back to Chart

Capella University is an online only educational institution that offers the best overall cost to education quality ratio of any of the schools we reviewed.

In addition to offering one of the highest quality overall educational programs based on alumni feedback, Capella University also offers one of the most technologically advanced online learning programs. They offer online libraries of research materials to existing students as well as an advanced but easy to use online classroom system that makes it easy to interact with classmates and instructors.

Alumni are supported by Capella University's job placement program, which ranked the highest of any of the online education providers we reviewed. In addition, Capella offers an online networking community for its alumni. Over 94% of Capella alumni reported that their degree has increased their overall career options leading to upward mobility and salary increases.

Capella offers a range of financial options. In particular, they offer discounts and other benefits to former members of the armed forces and employees of over 120 corporations including Walmart, Wells Fargo, Johnson & Johnson, US Bank and Xerox.

Overall, Capella University's high rankings in both job placement assistance and quality of education make it a great option for potential students that are looking to leverage a degree to get a new job in a new industry or make a significant advancement in their current field of employment.

Transfer Credit Policy: Many Capella students save substantial time and money by transferring previous academic course work into their Capella degree program. Credits from regionally accredited or internationally recognized institutions may transfer into Capella's degree programs. Up to 75% of the required credits for a particular degree may be transferred from previous academic work.

Degrees: Certificates, Bachelor's, Master's, MBA, PhD, EdS

Programs: Business, Information Technology, Education, Human Services, Psychology

Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association

WALDEN REVIEW:Go to Site | Back to Chart

In addition to its 35 year operating history, Walden University is part of the Laureate International Universities network which encompasses 58 campuses and a large online learning program that collectively serve over 270,000 students.

Walden University is focused on fostering "scholar-practitioners," or graduates that not only have the academic knowledge to succeed in their chose field, but also the hands on experience to do so. Their goal is to give graduates the background that allows them to effectively apply their scholarly learning skills they develop during their education against real world problems and situations.

The breadth of advanced degree programs, such as PhD's and master's degrees, offered by Walden is unmatched among the schools we reviewed. This is largely because these types of advanced programs are Walden's primary focus. The only bachelor's degree offered is in Business Administration.

Walden also offers a wide variety of student support tools including faculty mentors, librarians and a unique student concierge service. The primary role of the concierge service is to provide support to the online learner throughout their degree program

Overall, Walden University is our top pick for advanced degrees such as master's or PhD programs. In particular, Walden University offers strong programs in Education and Technology.

Transfer Credit Policy: Transfer of credit from other institutions is encouraged. Applicants may request an unofficial evaluation of transfer of credit prior to admission. This can be completed with unofficial or official transcripts. Official notification of credits that have been accepted for transfer to a program normally occurs at the time an offer of admission is made or during the student's first term of enrollment.

Degrees: Certificates, Bachelor's, Master's, PhD

Programs: Business, Public Administration, Education, Psychology, Health, Human Services, Engineering & IT, Counseling and Social Service, Nursing

Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association

KAPLAN UNIVERSITY REVIEW:Go to Site | Back to Chart

Kaplan University is one of the oldest institutions we reviewed, with over 27,000 predominantly online students and roots going back to 1837 when it was originally founded as The American Institute of Commerce.

With over 150 degree programs, Kaplan has the most areas of specialization of any of the schools we reviewed. Additionally, Kaplan has one of the highest alumni satisfaction ratings with 90% of their graduates reporting that they would recommend Kaplan to a friend or colleague.

Kaplan University is part of the Kaplan family of companies which includes the well known test preparation service. As such, Kaplan offers many unique and innovative learning techniques leveraging their refined methodology, such as online quizzes following most class sessions, which give you immediate feedback on how well you have retained the information you just learned. Kaplan also offers one of the largest web based research centers of any of the schools we reviewed, with over 325,000 volumes, 20,000 periodicals and other research materials available to their students.

Overall, Kaplan is an excellent web based option for students that are looking for a wide variety of specialized programs, particularly in criminal justice or paralegal studies. In addition, Kaplan's tuition fees are competitive, particularly when you consider that all text books and course materials are included in the cost.

Transfer Credit Policy: Transfer credits are evaluated and accepted on a case-by-case basis.

Degrees: Certificates, Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, MBA, JD

Programs: Business, Criminal Justice, Information Technology, Communications, Psychology, Health, Nursing, Legal Studies, Education

Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association

DEVRY UNIVERSITY REVIEW:Go to Site | Back to Chart

DeVry University offers a wide range of degree programs, but is particularly well known for their excellence in information technology related fields. In fact, 5 out of 10 of the top producers of information technology degree graduates are DeVry campuses in the United States.

DeVry's educational focus is largely on experiential learning through real world simulations and hands on projects versus focusing on theory. This method is particularly well suited for many of their unique new technology degree programs in areas game and simulation programming, education technology, systems administration and general technology management. DeVry also offers unique specialized degrees in technology that focus on specific areas such as education and healthcare.

While DeVry's job placement assistance programs didn't rate as high as some of the other schools we reviewed, they do have one of the best post graduation employment rates with 83% of graduates finding work in their chosen field.

Overall, DeVry has a great employment rate and wide breadth of cutting edge technology degrees. They are our top choice for students looking a degree in a specialized technology related field.

Transfer Credit Policy: If you have your associate degree or course credits from a community college and want to increase your earning potential and advance your career, now is the time to pursue a degree at DeVry. Avoid duplicating college credits you already have and start taking courses that apply directly toward your degree.

Degrees: Associate, Bachelor's, Master's

Programs: Business, Information Technology, Educational Technology, Marketing, Technical Management

Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association

WESTWOOD COLLEGE REVIEW:Go to Site | Back to Chart

Westwood College Online is the online arm of Alta Colleges, which operates 34 campuses nationwide and is affiliated with the Princeton Review test preparation service.

Westwood is differentiated by its very strong commitment to its alumni. They offer several support services post graduation such as a tuition free retraining program that allows qualified graduates to stay up to date on the latest advancements in their field. Westwood also has business relationships with companies nationwide to provide internships and jobs to graduates. These alumni services are likely a main reason why Westwood has the highest overall alumni recommendation rate of any of the schools we reviewed at 93%.

Westwood's students benefit from a hands-on curriculum that is taught by teachers who are typically current or former professionals in the given field of study. Over 93% of Westwood students say they would recommend their teacher to a fellow student.

Overall, Westwood College is a great option for students that want strong post graduate support and the ongoing resources that come with it, such as alumni retraining programs. Westwood is also our top pick for degrees in design such as animation and graphic design.

Transfer Credit Policy: If you have any previous college experience and credits, you may be able to achieve Advanced Standing at Westwood College Online. Transfer credit limitations vary by program and specific information is only available after the prospective student completes an admissions application.

Degrees: Certificates, Bachelor's, Master's, MBA, PhD

Programs: Business, Design, Education, Criminal Justice, Information Technology, Health

Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology

SOUTH UNIVERSITY REVIEW:Go to Site | Back to Chart

South University has over 100 years of history and five offline campuses in addition to their online programs.

South University offers a very career focused curriculum. Over 60% of the classes that students take in their degree program are specifically focused on skills and knowledge that can be directly to their chosen post graduate career. Additionally, most classes are under 15 students, which allows for significantly more student to teacher and student to student interaction than other schools.

South University also offers an extremely flexible course structure with options to complete a Bachelor's degree in less than three years or to take the process more slowly as a part time student if it is more realistic for the student's schedule. The accelerated degree program consists of 5 and a half week classes that are shorter but more intensive and don't sacrifice any of the benefits or quality of standard class schedules. South University also offers an online and campus learning program that allows students to take advantage of the ease of online degree programs while still having access to traditional classroom learning options.

At just 60%, the alumni recommendation rate was lower than many of the schools we reviewed. However, South University has a long established academic history and positive reputation as both an offline and, more recently, online educational institution

Overall, South University is an excellent option for potential students that have the need or desire to earn a bachelor's degree very quickly as possible without giving up academic quality. It is also recommended for those students that find a smaller class size to be an important requirement in selecting a college or university.

Transfer Credit Policy: Transfer of credit will be given if the courses were taken at an accredited collegiate institution, the course was equivalent to one offered at South University or compatible with South University's distribution requirements, and the course carries a grade of C or better. Acceptance of credits earned at other institutions and/or through examination is limited to 60% of the total hours required for an undergraduate degree. No more than half the major area course requirements can be earned through transfer and/or exemption credit.

Degrees: Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, MBA

Programs: Business, Criminal Justice, Health, Information Technology, Legal Studies, Nursing

Accreditation: The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools