With the rising costs of higher education, finding affordable online schools has become crucial for many students.
Online programs offer flexibility and access to those who need to study remotely, but the tuition rates must still fit within limited budgets.
Luckily, respected and accredited online schools exist that provide top academic programs and student support services, all at very reasonable tuition rates.
Read on as we outline the top 10 most reputable yet affordable online schools.
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Top 10 Most Affordable Online Schools
Here are the top 10 most affordable accredited online colleges and universities to consider.
1. University of the People
University of the People is one of the most affordable online schools you can attend. This non-profit university offers associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees entirely online and tuition-free.
As a student, you only pay a low $60 application fee and an exam processing fee for each course.
University of the People is regionally accredited and offers programs in business administration, computer science, health science, and education.
With its open admission policy, lack of tuition, and respected accreditation, University of the People is an excellent affordable online school option to consider.
2. Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is another very affordable online school choice.
Located in Manchester, SNHU offers over 200 online programs including bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
As an online student at SNHU, you’ll pay an affordable tuition rate of about $320 per credit hour. This makes an online bachelor’s degree about $38,000 total. SNHU also provides discounts for military students and offers generous transfer credit policies.
With career-focused online degrees available in fields like business, IT, education, and healthcare, SNHU is a great affordable option for online students.
3. Western Governors University
Western Governors University (WGU) is a non-profit online school known for its affordable tuition and competency-based learning model.
As a WGU student, your tuition is charged per six-month term, not per credit hour. This allows you to complete courses and degrees at your own pace.
Bachelor’s degrees cost about $6,500 per term while master’s degrees are around $7,500 per term. Books and learning materials are covered in tuition.
WGU offers over 60 bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, IT, education, healthcare and more. The flat-rate tuition, generous transfer policies, and flexibility make WGU a top affordable online school.
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4. Eastern New Mexico University
Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) offers one of the most cost-effective online programs available today.
Located in Portales, New Mexico, ENMU offers over 40 online associate’s and bachelor’s degrees through its ENMU-Roswell and ENMU-Ruidoso branches.
As an online student, you’ll pay just $257 per credit hour for undergraduate courses – significantly lower than the national average.
ENMU also offers discounted tuition rates for military students and New Mexico residents.
Degree options include criminal justice, cybersecurity, business administration, nursing, and more. ENMU makes earning an online degree achievable with its low online tuition rates.
5. Fort Hays State University
Based in Hays, Kansas, Fort Hays State University is an affordable option for online undergraduate and graduate programs.
FHSU online tuition is just $218.75 per credit hour for undergraduate courses and $302 per credit hour for graduate courses.
These low rates make earning a bachelor’s degree online around $26,000 total. Military students receive discounted tuition rates.
FHSU offers over 90 online degrees including business administration, education, nursing, and technology programs.
As a student, you’ll receive personalized support from academic advisors. Fort Hays State delivers affordable online degrees with its low tuition rates and exceptional student services.
6. Oregon State University
Oregon State University (OSU) offers online bachelor’s and master’s degrees to students at affordable tuition rates through its Ecampus program.
Undergraduate online courses cost just $299 per credit for in-state students and $830 per credit for out-of-state students – very reasonable rates compared to other major public universities.
As an Ecampus student, you can choose from over 40 online degree and certificate programs in fields like engineering, business, education, public health and more.
OSU also has an “Ecampus first” policy which gives online students the same registration priority as on-campus students. With competitive tuition and excellent degree options, OSU Ecampus is a top pick for affordable online education.
7. University of Wisconsin Colleges
Through its UW Flexible Option, the University of Wisconsin Colleges offers self-paced competency-based degree programs at affordable tuition rates.
Online bachelor’s degrees cost about $6,500 per year while associate degrees are approximately $2,250 per year.
These programs allow you to apply past education and work experience to advance more quickly. UW Flex Option offers online degrees in business administration, biology, communication arts, IT, psychology and more.
As a student, you’ll also receive one-on-one faculty support. The University of Wisconsin Colleges makes earning a degree online affordable and convenient.
8. Texas A&M University-Commerce
Texas A&M University-Commerce provides students affordable access to online bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Undergraduate online courses cost just $399 per credit hour while graduate courses are $502 per credit.
This results in total tuition of around $30k for a bachelor’s degree. TAMUC offers over 50 online degrees including programs in business, criminal justice, nursing, education and more.
As a student, you’ll receive personalized support and career guidance. With competitively priced programs and excellent student resources, TAMUC is a smart choice for affordable online education.
9. Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville State University (FSU) in North Carolina offers online students affordable tuition rates and strong student support services.
Undergraduate online courses cost just $198.38 per credit for in-state students. Graduate courses are around $472 per credit.
This results in total tuition under $25k for a bachelor’s degree. FSU offers 20 online bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fields like business administration, criminal justice, IT, political science, and education.
As an online student, you’ll be paired with an Online Success Coach who provides personalized support. FSU makes earning an online degree achievable through affordable tuition and stellar student services.
10. Florida International University
Florida International University is a major public research university that offers online students affordable tuition.
FIU online undergraduate courses cost just $202.61 per credit for in-state students. Graduate courses range from $420 to $770 per credit.
FIU provides online bachelor’s and master’s degrees across diverse fields like hospitality management, electrical engineering, nursing, communication arts, and more.
As an FIU online student, you’ll have access to extensive student support services. With affordable tuition rates and highly-ranked degree programs, FIU is an excellent option for budget-conscious online students.
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Final Thoughts
Earning an affordable online degree is achievable with the right school. Excellent options exist like University of the People, SNHU, WGU, ENMU, FHSU, OSU Ecampus, University of Wisconsin, TAMUC, Fayetteville State, and FIU.
Each provides affordable tuition rates, respected accreditation, strong academic programs, and quality student support services.
When you choose an affordable online school that aligns with your career goals, you can earn your degree and prepare for success while saving money.
With many reputable and budget-friendly schools available, finding the right affordable online program for your needs is totally possible.
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