In today’s digital age, online education has revolutionized the way we learn and acquire knowledge. The accessibility and flexibility offered by online universities have made them increasingly popular among students worldwide.
This article explores the world of online universities, their benefits, accreditation, factors to consider when choosing one, and a list of the top online universities in your desired country or region.
What are Online Universities?
Online universities are educational institutions that offer degree programs and courses entirely online. Unlike traditional brick-and-mortar universities, online universities utilize digital platforms and technologies to deliver education remotely.
These institutions provide a wide range of programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, professional certifications, and continuing education courses.
Below are the best to online universities in the world:
- UMass Online University
UMass has about 113 online programmes in their portfolio and about 12 more that can be accessed both online and on-campus. The university is specifically for masters studies and their programmes centre around business administration, nursing and public health programmes. The online programmes are taught by the same professors who handle the on-campus programmes. Upon graduation, students are given the opportunity to come to the campus. They also have access to library resources and academic counseling.
The tuition for UMass Online University is between $125 and $1980/credit hour.
- University of Missouri
There are over 90 online degree and certificate programmes offered by the University of Missouri. Out of the 90, 9 are bachelor’s degree programme. Students are required to participate on-campus tests and hands-on learning. The same faculties that teach on-campus learning also handle online programmes. The semesters last between 8 and 16 months, though it is solely dependent on your choice of course. Also, the studies are open schedule and you can learn at your own pace. Additionally, students are taught using Blackboard, Moodle and Sakai to allow them easy access to the classes.
Tuition is $276/credit hour.
- University of Oklahoma
There are numerous bachelor’s degree programmes offered by the University of Oklahoma and they include Liberal Studies, World Cultural Studies, Administrative Leadership, and more. The online programmes are taught by over 100 experts in diverse fields. Students are assigned an advisor that would help to create a graduation plan for the students in order to speed up their learning process. University of Oklahoma is an accredited university and also favours those who wish to study while working or those with a family to take care of.
The tuition for the online programme is $306/credit hour.
- Mississippi State University Online Education
The university is designed to suit graduate students. There are various bachelors, masters and doctoral programmes offered at the Mississippi State University Online Education. Students who transfer from another accredited university must have up to 61 credits for the university to recognize such students. Lectures, here, are organised through Blackboard which is an organized systematized programme for learning.
Furthermore, online students who qualify for financial aids are also offered the privilege. This is, in addition, to various scholarship programmes offered to students. The university also imposes in-state tuition rate to all students, irrespective of their state of residency.
Tuition is $333/credit hour.
- Liberty University
Liberty University is owned by Christians and so, classes are taught from the perspective of Christianity. The university offers more than 250 online courses at all higher levels that include certificates, associates, bachelors, masters and doctoral programmes. There are more than 95 000 students who offer these online programmes at Liberty University and also enjoy the same quality of education as those who study on-campus.
Tuition is 390/credit hour
- Northern Arizona University (NAU)
Northern Arizona University offers both bachelors and masters programme which include hospitality, engineering, administration, communication, and so on. It is an asynchronous online university and flexibility of schedule is offered to online students. The online portal is open for students who wish to study at any time of the day. It is accredited by Northern Central Association of Colleges and Schools, while being recognized for their high research activity by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
Tuition is $425/credit hour.
- University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota offers bachelors, masters, doctoral and post-baccalaureate programmes on different online courses such as accounting, management, communications, and so on. There are also several hybrid programmes offered by the school where students can study partially online and on-campus.
Just like on-campus students, online students have access to academic advisor and numerous resources offered by the University of Minnesota Online Education. Assignments and tests are organized through Moodle, with some lectures being accessed on the school’s iTunes account.
Tuition is $92.31/credit hour.
- New Mexico State University (NMSU)
New Mexico State University offers its programme and helps you to derive the satisfaction that on-campus students enjoy. Their programmes include certification, bachelors and masters programmes. There are over 15 000 students enrolled in this online programme. The school has also received recognition from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
Tuition is $221.80/course work.
- Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University offers bachelors, masters and doctoral programmes for students who choose to study online. There are also various post-graduate certificate programmes which include software engineering, soil management and wind energy. The university uses Blackboard to facilitate their programmes and make learning fun for students.
Tuition is $822.17/credit hour.
- University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati offers above 70 degree and certificate programmes in various academic fields like early childhood education, radiation science technology, criminal justice, and so on. It also offers online masters programme in different fields like education, taxation, pharmaceutical sciences, and so on. You will also have access to online orientation, library resources, tutoring and academic advising.
Tuition is $459/credit hour.
Conclusion
Online universities have emerged as a transformative force in the education landscape. With their flexibility, accessibility, and diverse program offerings, they provide students with opportunities to pursue their educational goals without geographical constraints. However, it is essential to choose an accredited and reputable online university that aligns with your aspirations. By considering factors such as accreditation, program offerings, student support services, and success stories, you can make an informed decision and embark on a rewarding online learning journey.