20 Best Affordable Online Colleges

Best Affordable Online Colleges: Online education has become increasingly popular over the past decade, with enrollments in distance education courses growing faster than overall higher education enrollments. In 2018, over 6 million students—representing over a third of all college students in the US—took at least one online course. The growth in online education is primarily driven by adult learners and working professionals seeking flexibility and affordability.Information Guide Nigeria

In addition, online programs allow students to study on their schedule without having to attend classes physically. This flexibility makes it easier for working adults and parents to balance school with other responsibilities. Online education also opens access to college for many nontraditional students who may be unable to attend traditional on-campus programs due to location, cost, or other constraints.

However, the significant advantage of online education is affordability. On average, online courses cost less than their on-campus counterparts. Beyond just lower tuition rates, online students save significantly on room and board, transportation, and other costs associated with attending college on campus. For many students, earning an accredited college degree affordably is essential.

This article profiles 20 of the most affordable accredited colleges and universities offering online bachelor’s degree programs in 2023. The schools on this list have annual tuition and fees under $9,000—often much lower—for online bachelor’s programs. When comparing costs, we looked at the total estimated tuition and fees for completing a four-year online degree.

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1. Western Governors University

Annual Tuition: $3,370

Western Governors University (WGU) is a private, nonprofit online university founded in 1997 by a consortium of 19 U.S. governors. The university uses an innovative competency-based learning model where students advance by demonstrating mastery of subject matter, allowing them to complete degrees at an accelerated pace. WGU charges a flat-rate tuition each term, regardless of the number of courses taken. Terms are six months long. Popular bachelor’s programs include business, accounting, elementary education, and information technology.Best Affordable Online Colleges

2. Southern New Hampshire University

Annual Tuition: $9,600

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a private, nonprofit university based in Manchester, New Hampshire. The university has offered distance learning programs since 1932 and online bachelor’s programs since 1996. SNHU provides one of the lowest-cost online programs through its College for America associates and bachelor’s degrees, which cost just $3,000 per year. SNHU’s traditional online bachelor’s degrees cost $320 per credit. Full-time students take two courses per 10-week term, enabling accelerated degree completion.

3. University of Florida

Annual Tuition: $4,944 (in-state)

The University of Florida is home to one of the most extensive online programs among public universities, with over 10,000 students. Florida residents pay just $129 per credit hour at a public university. UF Online bachelor’s degrees span business, criminology, health education, information science, and telecommunication. Acceptance into UF Online is competitive, with most admitted students bringing college credit. UF also offers dozens of undergraduate certificates online.

4. Brigham Young University-Idaho

Annual Tuition: $2,820

Brigham Young University-Idaho (BYU-Idaho) is a private university affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The university offers online degrees with tuition under $3,000 per year for LDS church members. Students pay $122 per credit, regardless of church membership status. BYU-Idaho’s PathwayConnect program also allows students to work towards an online degree by starting at a local community college. Bachelor’s degrees span business management, nursing, and software engineering.FIFA WORLD CUP: Dutch enter seventh heaven to top Group E

5. University of Illinois Springfield

Annual Tuition: $7,020 (in-state)

The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) offers one of the most affordable online degree programs for in-state students from a public four-year university. UIS charges $234.25 per credit hour for online undergraduate courses. Degree options include computer science, English, communication, criminology and criminal justice, political science, and more. Certificate programs in areas like IT and business are also available. Academic scholarships help lower the cost even further.

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6. Bellevue University

Annual Tuition: $3,000 – $5,400

Bellevue University in Nebraska offers online bachelor’s programs for one of the lowest tuitions nationwide. Through the Bellevue University Advantage program, students pay just $250 per credit hour or $3,000 per year for full-time enrollment. Students who choose the pay-as-you-go pricing option pay $300 per credit. Bellevue University offers over 50 online bachelor’s programs in high-demand fields such as business administration, computer science, healthcare management, and criminal justice.

7. Dakota State University

Annual Tuition: $6,552 (in-state)

In Madison, South Dakota, Dakota State University (DSU) offers inexpensive online degree options, including bachelor’s degrees in cyber operations, computer science, software engineering, health information management, and nursing. As a public university, DSU’s online tuition rate for South Dakota residents is $219 per credit. DSU also offers online associate degrees and certificates. Academic scholarships can help lower the cost even more for South Dakota residents.Top 15 Natural Bed Bug Remedies

8. Fort Hays State University

Annual Tuition: $2,100

Fort Hays State University in Kansas offers highly affordable bachelor’s degree completion programs online. Degree options include elementary education, organizational leadership, early childhood unified nursing, radiologic technology, and more. These programs are designed specifically for transfer students with an associate degree or students earning at least 45 college credits. The flat tuition rate is $350 per credit hour, regardless of residency.

9. Lakes Region Community College

Annual Tuition: $3,024 (in-state)

Lakes Region Community College (LRCC) provides low-cost associate and bachelor’s degree options online in the New Hampshire Lakes region. LRCC offers single-course options for NH residents as low as $275 per course. However, Bachelor’s degrees can be completed for less than $4,000 annually in innovative fields like culinary arts, nursing, automotive technology, and more. LRCC also has transfer partnerships with four-year colleges across New Hampshire.

10. Thomas Edison State University

Annual Tuition: $7,548

Thomas Edison State University (TESU) in New Jersey is a leading online state university focused on adult and nontraditional students. Undergraduate students pay $399 per credit regardless of residency. TESU maintains transfer partnerships with community colleges across the U.S. for seamless degree completion. Online undergraduate options include nursing, business, psychology, information technology, homeland security, and liberal studies. TESU also offers affordable graduate programs online.

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11. University of South Dakota

Annual Tuition: $8,100 (in-state)

The University of South Dakota (USD) offers accredited and affordable online bachelor’s degree completion programs for transfer students with an associate degree. Degree options include accounting, business administration, criminal justice, and general studies. As a public university, South Dakota residents pay $135 per credit hour, amounting to $8,100 per year for full-time enrollment. Out-of-state tuition is around $350 per credit.

12. SUNY Empire State College

Annual Tuition: $7,070 (in-state)

SUNY Empire State College provides flexible and affordable online degree options as part of the State University of New York system. Undergraduate learners pay $282 per credit, with the flexibility to take one course per term. Bachelor’s degrees can be completed in specialized fields like labour and policy studies, community and human services, business, economics, and interdisciplinary studies. Transfer credits are accepted toward degree requirements.Dollar to Naira

13. University of Wyoming

Annual Tuition: $4,776 (in-state)

The University of Wyoming offers online bachelor’s degree completion programs in nursing, criminal justice, and interdisciplinary studies. As a public university, Wyoming residents pay just $132 per credit hour, less than $5,000 per year for full-time enrollment. Students benefit from small class sizes and highly qualified faculty. UW maintains numerous transfer agreements for seamless credit transfer.

14. Granite State College

Annual Tuition: $7,150 (in-state)

Part of the University System of New Hampshire, Granite State College offers affordable online bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, and post-baccalaureate programs for just $275 per credit hour for state residents. Also, Granite State College’s federal tuition assistance matching grant can cover up to 75% of tuition for undergraduate students receiving military benefits. Degree options include accounting, healthcare management, computer science, and more.

15. Lamar University

Annual Tuition: $7,260 (in-state)

Lamar University offers Texas residents accredited online bachelor’s degrees for just $180 per credit hour. Degree options include industrial engineering, nursing, criminal justice, and general studies. Lamar also offers affordable master’s degrees and certificate programs online. Transfer students are welcome. Members of the military and their families receive discounted tuition rates.JAMB Result 

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16. Athens State University

Annual Tuition: $6,000

Alabama’s Athens State University offers affordable accelerated online bachelor’s degree programs in business, criminal justice, logistics and supply chain, and interdisciplinary studies. Upper-level courses cost just $250 per credit hour. Athens State also maintains transfer partnerships with community colleges in Alabama and surrounding states for seamless credit transfer.

17. University of Maine at Augusta

Annual Tuition: $7,590 (in-state)

The University of Maine at Augusta provides affordable online degree completion programs tailored for adult learners and transfer students. In-state tuition is just $253 per credit hour. However, degree options include cybersecurity, addiction counselling, dental hygiene, and veterinary technology. UMA also offers undergraduate certificates 100% online in fields like bookkeeping, cybercrime, and mental health rehabilitation.

18. Central Texas College

Annual Tuition: $3,330

Central Texas College (CTC) offers accredited and affordable online associate and bachelor’s degree options with upper-level courses costing just $165 per credit hour. Bachelor’s can be completed in criminal justice, business administration, general studies, and more. CTC also offers dozens of online certificates for under $3,000. As a military-friendly college, CTC provides tuition discounts for active duty service members.NYSC Portal

19. Charter Oak State College

Annual Tuition: $9,900

Connecticut’s online public college, Charter Oak State College, offers bachelor’s degree completion programs tailored for adult learners with transfer credits. Annual tuition comes in under $10,000. Degree options include health information management, cybersecurity, nursing, business administration, and general studies. In addition, CON, military, and transfer scholarships help reduce costs. Courses start monthly and run in accelerated 5- or 10-week formats.

20. University of Minnesota Crookston

Annual Tuition: $5,591 (in-state)

The University of Minnesota Crookston lists one of a public university’s most affordable tuition rates. Undergraduate online courses cost Minnesota residents just $188 per credit. Bachelor’s degrees can be completed 100% online in accounting, business management, marketing, healthcare management, and more. Also, transfer students and military/veterans receive scholarships to help make an already affordable degree even more accessible.Good Morning my love Messages

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Reasons for the Growth of Online Colleges

• Flexibility – Online programs allow students to learn on their schedule and around other responsibilities like work and family. This is especially appealing to adult learners.
• Accessibility – Online programs open up access to higher education for students limited by geography, income, or physical disabilities. Removes barriers to attending college on campus.
• Affordability – On average, online programs charge lower tuition than traditional on-campus programs. Saves money on housing, commuting, and other costs.
• Improved technology – Advances in software, video learning platforms, and mobile technology make the online experience much more robust.
• Increased legitimacy – As online education becomes more commonplace, any stigma attached to it has decreased substantially. Seen as equivalent.Romantic Love Messages for her 

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Conclusion

Online education opens doors for nontraditional learners seeking an affordable, flexible path to earning a college degree. The schools profiled here offer accredited online bachelor’s degrees for annual tuition under $10,000—often much lower for state residents. In addition, prospective students can earn a respected degree in business, education, IT, and healthcare for a fraction of the cost of most on-campus programs. For working adults, affordable online programs represent the most accessible way to invest in their education and career advancement.JAMB Portal

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