Cheapest and Most Affordable Online Colleges of 2025

The cost of college is a challenge for many students, but you can still earn a degree without accumulating a ton of student debt.

You just have to find the most affordable schools. That’s where we come in.

The cheap online colleges we mention below can save you money and provide the flexibility you need to earn a degree while working, raising a family, or balancing other obligations.

Source: BestColleges 2024 Online Education Trends Report

It’s no secret that college can be expensive.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average cost of tuition and fees at public universities in 2023-2024 was just under $9,000 for in-state students and around $19,000 for out-of-state students.

Tuition costs are even higher for undergrads at private colleges. That same year, private four-year universities charged an average of $32,575 in tuition and fees — nearly four times as much as what in-state public students paid.

“Going to college, at any level, is expensive,” says Melissa A. Venable, Ph.D., an online education expert and instructional designer.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to make online college more affordable for you.

“Start with research about the actual costs of the programs you are interested in and ask questions about scholarships, financial aid, and grants,” recommends Melissa.

Here are our top five tips for reducing the financial burden for online students.

All college students, whether attending school online or in person, should apply for as much financial aid as they can.

In our survey, just over 1 in 5 online bachelor’s students and graduates say paying for higher education while minimizing student debt was the biggest challenge they faced in completing their online programs. A slightly higher percentage (25%) of master’s students and graduates say the same.

To get aid, start by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You should submit this each year you plan to attend college. Both schools and government agencies use the FAFSA to award financial aid, such as federal student loans, scholarships, and grants.

“Many students graduate with student debt,” says Melissa. “Estimating your financial return on investment in higher education includes finding out how much you can expect to earn as a new graduate.”

And don’t forget about external funding sources. Look for organizations that offer scholarships, grants, or remote fellowships for online students.

Did you attend college before, even if you didn’t graduate? No problem — you might be able to transfer the credits you earned toward your degree.

Transfer credits are credits earned from one or more courses you took at a different accredited four-year school or community college. Many colleges let you transfer credits so you won’t have to retake general education courses, saving you time and money.

You can also transfer credits from advanced placement (AP) and international baccalaureate (IB) coursework and exams if you took these in high school.

By taking certain exams, you can test out of college classes and earn your online degree faster.

For example, the College Level Examination Program lets you earn credit by passing exams in various subjects. You can also take DANTES Subject Standardized Tests, which are now available to both civilians and members of the military.

Many online colleges allow you to apply work or volunteer experience toward your degree through prior learning assessments.

Some schools offer credit for years served in the military or law enforcement, for example. Or, you might get credit if you have a certain professional certification.

You can even present a portfolio of experience to earn college credit at some schools.

Many companies offer employees money to earn a degree, usually in a field relevant to their work.

There are two common types of employer tuition programs:

Before you choose an online college, check whether your employer runs any tuition reimbursement or tuition assistance programs for employees.

Affordable online colleges can offer a wealth of benefits. Here’s why we believe online college is worth it for so many students.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median earnings of workers age 25 and over with a bachelor’s degree were about 66% higher than the median earnings of those with only a high school diploma in 2023.

Those with a master’s degree earned 16% ($244) more per week than those with just a bachelor’s degree and 93% ($838) more per week than those with only a high school diploma.

Our survey found that 56% of online students and graduates say their online classes included assignments they could use to explore future career options.

The data is also promising for graduate students: 56% of online master’s students and graduates say their online classes included assignments they could relate to their future jobs. And 52% say their online classes included opportunities to build their professional networks.

According to online master’s students and graduates …

Source: BestColleges 2024 Online Education Trends Report

BLS data also shows college graduates are around half as likely to be unemployed as workers with only a high school diploma. Simply put, you’re less likely to face employment barriers with a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Did you know that 97% of online college students and graduates would recommend online education to others? That’s what our research shows.

And other research supports this finding. A 2023 national survey found that online learners reported a higher rate of satisfaction with their educational experience (73%) than in-person students at both two-year (68%) and four-year (53-54%) colleges.

According to our research, online students and graduates say their top concern is balancing school with work, family, and household obligations (27%), followed by the quality of instruction and academic support (17%) and adapting to a remote learning environment (13%).

But you can do this — preparation is key. Here are our biggest pieces of advice on making it to the finish line and getting the best return on your investment.

Ask yourself: Why are you going to college now? What is your desired outcome?

“Begin by identifying your goals for pursuing higher education,” says Melissa. “You may need a degree to be more competitive for a promotion in your current workplace or industry. Or maybe you are exploring a career change into a completely new field.”

If you want access to higher-paying jobs, be strategic about your choice of major. Some degrees may lead to better-paying jobs than others.

In 2024, the 10 highest-earning bachelor’s degrees included chemical engineering, computer engineering, and aerospace engineering. Some of the lowest-paying bachelor’s degrees are anthropology, theology, and performing arts.

Want to advance in your current field? Get a degree that will give you the credentials you need to get ahead. For example, if you’re a licensed practical nurse who wants to become a registered nurse, consider applying to bachelor of science in nursing programs.

Finally, research instructors’ qualifications to ensure they have the expertise to help you meet your goals. Our research shows that 17% of online students and graduates say they wish they’d researched faculty experience and credentials.

Online students say work/life balance is one of their biggest obstacles to success, according to our research.

Earning an online degree while managing responsibilities outside of school requires a lot of planning, discipline, and grit. You’ll have to:

You can learn more about potential challenges by reaching out to current online students and recent graduates.

“Look for opportunities to connect with current or past students through online information sessions or program open houses,” says Melissa. “Alumni associations offer opportunities to network with graduates.”

Even the best students need help. Consider what student services each school offers in terms of support and flexibility:

“Make sure the school and program is a good fit for you and your goals,” says Melissa. “Ask about faculty qualifications and if any college credits you’ve already earned will be accepted as transfer credit.”

All of this might sound like a lot. But remember: 96% of online college graduates recommend online learning as a path to success. Soon enough — with the right planning and a good program — you can join them.