The Most Affordable Online Colleges & Universities of 2020

The University of Houston-Victoria’s online programs provide students with numerous benefits, including lower costs, less pressure, networking opportunities, and marketable skills. The online learning platform equips students with field-specific skills and teaches them how to efficiently manage time and self-motivate. Completely online degrees include communication, English, history, and psychology. The university offers several bachelor of applied arts and sciences programs, including degrees in digital gaming and simulation, networking and security, and petroleum technology. To be eligible for one of the BAAS programs students must have 24 credits of vocational or technical training or an applied arts and sciences associate degree.

UHV, one of Texas’s most affordable accredited online colleges, offers several types of financial assistance, including grants, loans, and numerous agency scholarships. For admittance, freshmen students must be ranked in the top 50% of their graduating class. Transfer students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Florida International, located in Miami, is an affordable online college. FIU offers 12 fully-online bachelor's degrees that cover numerous career interests, including criminal justice, international relations, early childhood education, and women’s and gender studies. The university’s bachelor's in Latin American and Caribbean studies allows students to examine language and culture, governance, and migration issues. Students interested in hospitality management choose between six concentrations, which include culinary management, event management, and tourism management, this allows them to specialize in their area of interest. The online undergraduate programs are 120 credits, with 60 lower-division courses and 60 upper-division courses. Students interested in pursuing their degree from FIU submit an online application along with transcripts and ACT or SAT scores. Online students are eligible to receive financial aid, this includes private merit-based scholarships.

Arizona State offers more than 140 online degrees and six start dates throughout the year. The university’s fully online undergraduate programs include art history, film, electrical engineering, and health innovation. ASU’s online bachelor’s degrees are 120 credits, and students take an average of 39 classes. Each class takes 7.5 weeks to complete, and start dates are available after each course schedule. Applicants must have a minimum SAT score of 1040-1120, depending on the date the test was taken, or an ACT score of 22 for in-state residents and a score of 24 for non-residents. Incoming freshmen must be in the top 25% of their high school class with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Transfer students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0. ASU, one of the nation’s most affordable online colleges, offers a variety of financial aid and scholarship opportunities.

Western Governors University, located in Salt Lake City, Utah, is an affordable online college that specializes in distance learning. The university offers fully online degrees through its four colleges: teachers college, college of business, college of information technology, and college of health professions. The teachers college prepares students for teacher licensure in areas such as elementary education, special education, and mathematics. Undergraduate business programs include accounting and human resource management. Students with an interest in the field of information technology choose from several majors, including data analytics, network administration, and software development. WGU offers an RN to BSN program and a BS in nursing for students residing in California, Texas, Florida, Indiana, and Utah.

General admissions requirements include an online application, submission of a high school diploma or GED, official transcripts, and an interview with a WGU enrollment counselor. Several of WGU’s programs have specific admissions requirements.

TU, located in Towson, Maryland, offers a fully online undergraduate degree in allied health for students with an accredited AAS associate degree. Students choose between two concentrations in administration/management or advanced respiratory therapy. The curriculum consists of 120 credits, and students can transfer up to 64 credits. Learners complete 18 credits in their chosen concentration and 18 healthcare foundation courses, with topics including evidence-based practice, research methods, and technical and professional issues in allied health. The online program emphasizes cultural competency and prepares students to work with diverse populations. Online courses are delivered through Blackboard.

Towson University’s competitively priced tuition and numerous financial aid programs make it one of the most affordable online colleges in the U.S., and students have access to scholarships, need-based and TEACH grants, and loans. Financial awards include undergraduate, departmental, and private scholarships. The office of technology services provides students with educational discounts.

Bellevue University’s selection of fully online undergraduate programs equips students with practical skills needed for professional advancement. Degrees include accounting, web development, business, criminal justice, mathematics, and psychology. The average online degree consists of 127 credits, including credits in general education, electives, major requirements, and the Kirkpatrick Signature Series. This approach to higher education explores the political and philosophical movements that shaped and continue to influence Western civilization. Every student takes nine credits in the series.

Courses at this affordable online college involve actively engaging peers and instructors through online discussions. Students can begin their program throughout the year. Many programs have specific admissions requirements. Programs that use a cohort model require students to have 60 credits prior to beginning. Distance learners receive online tutoring and access to the writing center.

This affordable online college offers numerous financial aid and scholarship programs. The school puts out more than $30 million in scholarships and grants each year. Students have access to local, state, and national scholarship opportunities and departmental awards. The university’s online undergraduate programs allow students to pursue their academic and career goals from a distance. The university offers online bachelor’s degrees from four colleges: liberal arts, nursing, arts media, and the school of public affairs. CU Online’s psychology degree has a student-to-faculty ratio of 17:1. Students receive individualized support from their professors and gain knowledge in areas such as experimental psychology and animal behavior. The RN to BSN degree is open to RNs nationwide. Other online degrees include English writing, sociology, criminal justice, and communication.

Colorado State University-Fort Collins offers fully online undergraduate degrees, including a unique program in agricultural business. This bachelor's degree integrates key business topics, such as marketing, finance, and accounting with agricultural knowledge. The curriculum familiarizes students with agricultural and resource economics and agricultural business management. Other online degrees include fire and emergency service administration, horticulture, and human development and family studies. Online coursework is delivered through Canvas, and professors rely on video, audio, and text to teach course material. Students complete 120 credits to earn their online bachelor’s degree.

CSU provides its students an affordable online college experience. Distance learners receive the same tuition rates, regardless of residency. Students have access to federal financial aid, scholarships, and military discounts. Students interested in attending CSU online complete an online application and follow program-specific application guidelines.

Colorado State University-Global Campus, created in 2007, is an online state university. It's one of the top affordable online colleges. Earning a bachelor’s degree from CSU-Global increases employment opportunities and earning potential. Undergraduate programs include accounting, project management, healthcare administration and management, and human resource management. The applied social sciences degree completion program allows students to gain a variety of skills that are necessary for careers and advanced education in the field.

Students must have at least 12 transferable credits with a GPA of 2.3. Students without prior college credit must complete general education courses through the university’s First-Time Freshman Cohort program before pursuing their degree. The school also offers Graduate studies and certificates and specializations.

Appalachian State University, located in Boone, North Carolina, helps self-motivated students pursue their career aspirations by offering several degree completion programs. Online offerings include child development, social work, middle grades education, and elementary education. This affordable online college offers a unique career and technical education degree that allows students to choose from several concentrations that align with their interests. Students must have at least 30 transferable credits and meet the university’s general education requirement. Students transferring from a North Carolina community college fulfill the requirement with their core diploma, AA degree, or AS degree. Students from an out-of-state community college use their AA degree or AS degree to fulfill the requirement. Learners from a state four-year university transfer their general education courses.

National Louis University, one of the best affordable colleges online, provides Chicago residents and students around the world access to several completely online bachelor’s degrees. Programs include applied communications, criminal justice, human services, and management information systems. The health care leadership program's long term care concentration prepares students for national licensure. The human service degree equips students with skills in crisis intervention, program evaluation, and interviewing techniques. The business management degree provides students with a foundation in business principles and offers several concentrations, such as aging studies, entrepreneurship, and urban and policy studies. Application requirements vary depending on student status, and the university offers unique admission paths for first-time freshmen, veterans, and transfer students. The university offers six master's program and a doctorate program in higher education leadership.

Washington State University’s online bachelor’s programs emphasize student involvement and academic support. Online students engage in online discussions with peers and instructors. Virtual mentors assist students throughout their program, and students enrolled in lab courses automatically receive materials in the mail. WSU Global Campus delivers coursework through Blackboard, and online students have access to the university’s bookstore and library.

Undergraduate degrees offered through WSU’s affordable online college prepare students for entry-level positions and graduate studies. Programs include data analytics, human development, and management information systems. All twelve of WSU’s online programs include university common requirements, such as quantitative reasoning and communication. Transfer students with an associate degree usually satisfy common requirements and receive junior standing upon admission. Online student services include access to an academic adviser, 24/7 tech support, and free online tutoring.

Nebraska Methodist College is one of the leaders in nursing education among affordable accredited online colleges. Its fully online RN to BSN degree emphasizes community-oriented practical skills training, and students can complete the degree in seven semesters or less. Full-time and part-time enrollment is available. The 126-credit curriculum includes topics in community health nursing, pathophysiology, and lifespan psychology. The degree incorporates the university’s educated citizen core curriculum, and students develop skills in self-reflection, communication, and professional competency. NMC accepts students on a rolling basis. Students begin the program in August, January, or May. Admissions criteria include unencumbered RN licensure, an associate degree or equivalent diploma from an accredited nursing program with a minimum GPA of 2.5, and the applicant’s ability to meet program technical standards. Non-Nebraska residents must ensure that their state participates in the online learning reciprocity agreements.

UHD offers several fully online bachelor's degree completion programs from four colleges: business, humanities, public service, and university college. Eligible students have earned general education credits from a previous university and begin their program as upper-level students. Transfer students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 and be in good academic standing with their previous institution. UHD’s online degrees allow students to pursue a variety of careers, including healthcare administration, negotiation, and mediation. The BAAS in applied administration prepares students for leadership roles in organizations and offers a concentration in safety management. Other programs include criminal justice, professional writing, and insurance and risk management. Online courses are powered by Blackboard. Students access assignments and engage with professors and peers through the learning platform. While online non-Texas students pay out-of-state tuition, the university’s numerous financial aid and scholarship opportunities make it one of the most affordable online colleges.

An undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota, an affordable online college, provides a flexible alternative to traditional face-to-face education. Online students choose from several bachelor’s programs, including applied health and sport and recreation management. The university’s unique bachelor’s degree in tribal administration and governance integrates business with federal Indian law and policy courses. This program teaches strategic management skills, and coursework prepares students to work for tribes and related entities. The versatile bachelor of multidisciplinary studies is ideal for working adults who wish to finish their undergraduate degree. Eligible students must have 50 prior credits with a at least a 2.5 GPA. Graduates pursue careers in areas such as project management, network administration, and systems engineering. All of the university’s online bachelor’s degrees consist of 120 credits. Some programs admit a limited number of students.

Park University, located in Parkville, Missouri, is one of the region’s most affordable accredited online colleges with many scholarship opportunities. Park University offers more than 24 fully online bachelor’s degrees, including degrees in business administration, graphic design, journalism, and social psychology. Many of the online programs are available as minors. The management program allows students to choose from eight concentrations, such as health care or marketing, and students gain skills in leadership and strategic management. Each bachelor’s program includes liberal education requirements that emphasize social well-being, creativity, and scientific inquiry. Bachelor of science degrees consist of 120 credits, and students complete a minimum of 45 upper division credits and 37 liberal education credits. Bachelor of arts degrees are 122 credits and have similar upper division and liberal education credit requirements.

Northeastern University Global Network offers a variety of online undergraduate programs that cater to the needs of the busy professional. Degrees include finance, accounting management, and professional communication. The bachelor's in liberal studies allows students to customize their degree to fit their unique professional interests. This versatile degree is 120 credits, and students complete coursework in general education and liberal studies foundations. Students develop a major that consists of 33 credits and finish the degree with a capstone research project. Online coursework is delivered through Blackboard, and students complete asynchronous weekly assignments. Northeastern offers an online class demo to familiarize students with online learning.

Students interested in applying to one of Northeastern’s affordable online college programs submit an online application and official transcripts. Students are not charged an application fee; no test scores are required. Start dates are offered throughout the year.

Mizzou offers several fully online bachelor’s degree completion programs that allow students to finish earning their undergraduate degree. Mizzou Online, one of the top affordable online colleges, enrolls students from 50 states and 49 countries. Graduates of community colleges, veterans, and military service members and their dependents receive a 10% reduction on tuition.

Online degrees include hospitality management, radiography, and early childhood education in a mobile society. Each program is 120 credits, and each have different transfer-credit requirements. A business administration student needs 66 transfer credits, while an educational studies student needs 59 transfer credits. The university’s general studies degree provides students with an academic foundation and does not require foreign language coursework. Students are admitted to the program year-round, and self-paced courses allow students up to six months to finish.

Located in Fort Pierce, Florida, Indian River State College’s tuition rates, per credit, are roughly 40% less than Florida public universities. IRSC, one of the state’s most affordable online colleges, offers seven fully online bachelor’s degree completion programs. From business administration to IT management and cybersecurity, these online programs prepare students for career success in some of the fastest growing fields. Eligible applicants have an associate degree or equivalent academic experience, and most of the degrees are 60 credits. Other general admissions requirements include two years of high school foreign language or second level foreign language in college. Program-specific requirements include core coursework in relevant areas such as database management and web programming for computer IT students. Each program includes a capstone project that students complete near the end of their degree. Online courses are taught through Blackboard, and students have access to online tutoring, virtual campus information sessions, and an online student success guide.

Central Washington University offers 10 fully online bachelor’s degree completion programs in areas such as aviation management, professional and creative writing, and sociology. CWU’s interdisciplinary studies program allows students to develop a unique program of study, and students complete 62 credits, including courses in social science research methods and a senior portfolio project. The university’s law and justice degree prepares students for criminal justice careers and graduate studies. Law and justice students complete 32 core courses with topics in criminal procedure and social justice and 28 law and justice electives. This allows students to gain skills in a specific area, such as correctional counseling or family law. Students must possess an associate degree or equivalent credit to be eligible for admission. This affordable online college does not charge online students out-of-state tuition.