Students shopping for affordable online colleges seek the most bang for their buck. Finding an affordable online bachelor’s degree will determine the status of your finances after graduation, and in too many cases determines if you will make it to graduation at all. When it comes to getting your degree online or on-campus, affordability should be a concern for all potential students.
Determining which online colleges present the most affordable educational options can be difficult. Therefore we list the 50 most affordable online colleges for bachelor’s degrees on a budget.
In your search, keep in mind two HUGE points:
- Accreditation matters!
- “Most affordable” doesn’t equal “cheapest” (and you don’t necessarily want the cheapest)!
Are online schools accredited?
The best colleges online and on-campus boast regional accreditation – the gold standard. If an institution is regionally accredited, the online courses and degrees offered by that school are accredited by the same organization. You don’t want just any affordable online college; you want an affordable accredited online college. All of the colleges included on this list have regional accreditation.
Are online degrees cheaper?
In some cases, online degrees can be cheaper than traditional degrees. In many cases, online degrees cost the same as a traditional degrees, but allow students to complete the programs at an accelerated, or extended pace, which can in turn make more sense financially than following a traditional degree path. Regardless, students considering online programs should utilize the same money-saving tactics as traditional students, the most important being to consider staying in-state.
Even though there are affordable online colleges accessible from anywhere in the world, in-state and out-of-state tuition fees still apply. Students should seriously consider advantages of the in-state tuition discounts. Not only might this make your online degree more affordable, finding an online college in your state might present local employers with a name they know and trust.
What are the cheapest online colleges?
What are the best online degrees?
Ranking Methodology: This list ranks schools in order of their “average net price” in the 2015-16 school year. This information, sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics, reflects the average price paid by all students to go to the school for the year, after factoring in tuition cost, required fees, books and supplies, and other costs, as well as financial aid. Moreover, to be included on this list, schools must offer a minimum of five distinct online bachelor’s degree programs. The numbers shown below reflect the average net price for one full academic year.
The 50 Most Affordable Online Colleges for Bachelor’s Degrees
1. Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, Florida
Indian River State College enrolls over 18,000 students in undergraduate degree and non-degree programs, both on campus and online. A public, state college based in Fort Pierce, Florida, Indian River State College serves students locally and abroad who seek affordable undergraduate education options.
Online bachelor’s degrees offered:
- Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Management
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Science in Exceptional Student Education/ESOL Endorsement
- Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Management/Cybersecurity
- Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Mathematics Education
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
- Bachelor of Science in Public Administration
Undergraduate in-state tuition: $2,764
Undergraduate out-of-state tuition: $10,201
Average net price: $1,235
Indian River State College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
2. Texas A&M University – Central
Killeen, Texas
Texas A&M University-Central Texas, a public university, enrolls nearly 2,000 undergraduate students in variety of programs. Founded in 1999, the university became part of the Texas A&M University system in 2009.
Online bachelor’s degrees offered:
- Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Business Management
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Management
- Bachelor of Science in Aviation Science: Aviation Management
- Bachelor of Science in Aviation Science: Professional Pilot
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
Undergraduate in-state tuition: $4,174
Undergraduate out-of-state tuition: $14,786
Average net price: $4,174
Texas A&M University-Central Texas is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
3. Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Fayetteville State University, a public university established in 1867, enrolls over 5,500 undergraduate students in a variety of degree and non-degree programs, with a wide selection of online program options. A historically black university, Fayetteville State University operates as part of the University of North Carolina System and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
Online bachelor’s degrees offered:
- Bachelor of Arts in Intelligence Studies
- Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
- Bachelor of Business Administration: General Concentration
- Bachelor of Science in Accounting
- Bachelor of Science in Birth through Kindergarten (Non-Teaching)
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Services Administration
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN)
- Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Undergraduate in-state tuition: $5,085
Undergraduate out-of-state tuition: $16,693
Average net price: $5,787
Fayetteville State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
4. Bellevue University
Bellevue, Nebraska
Bellevue University, a private non-sectarian university with over 5,500 undergraduates enrolled, maintains a dedication to serving the educational needs of busy, working adults who seek professional advancement. With 49 online bachelor’s degree programs, Bellevue University offers a comprehensive selection of online options for study.
(Some) Online bachelor’s degrees offered:
- Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design
- Bachelor of Business Administration
- Bachelor of Science in Communication
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
- Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
- Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies
- Bachelor of Science in Marketing
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Undergraduate in-state tuition: NA
Undergraduate out-of-state tuition: NA
Average net price: $6,349
Bellevue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
5. University of Houston Downtown
Houston, Texas
The University of Houston-Downtown, a public four-year university, enrolls nearly 13,000 undergraduate students in a variety of degree and non-degree programs, with a healthy selection of online options. Founded in 1974, the University of Houston-Downtown holds the title of being the second-largest university in the Houston area.
Online bachelor’s degrees offered:
- Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Applied Administration
- Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Arts in Humanities
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance
- Bachelor of Business Administration in General Business
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Insurance and Risk Management
- Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Management
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Information Systems
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Supply Chain Management
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Science in in Psychology
- Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Bachelor of Science in Professional Writing
Undergraduate in-state tuition: $5,978
Undergraduate out-of-state tuition: $15,770
Average net price: $6,450
The University of Houston-Downtown is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).