are online degrees as good as a degree from a campus college?

Make sure the school is accredited by a regional accrediting body (if you’re talking about a US school). If they don’t list who verifies them, check them out, but be very suspicious.

It would probably be worthwhile getting one of John Bear’s books on non-traditional schools.

Oh, and most online programs are harder and take more work than live classes if they are any good.

Be careful with the online colleges. Many of them are not accredited and without an accreditation the degrees from that school are all but worthless for any practical purpose.

If what you want to do is return to college research the programs you are interested in at traditional colleges. Many traditional institutions have recognized the need for online courses or even online programs, especially for adults that are returning to college or expanding their education. People in that situation need a flexible program that will allow them to either take classes at odd hours or take classes online. So with a little work you will find quite a few traditional, trustworthy institutions that offer online programs.

Some of the schools are garnering more respectability and so more acceptance. I would check to see if good graduate school will admit students with a degree from an online school or if the credits are easily transferred to a traditional school. This will give you an indication of how they are viewed in the academic world.

But, if you are a young person going to college for the first time, there is a great deal that you will miss from attending classes on campus that can’t be gained from an online school. It all depends on your paritcular situation. So, do what is best for you. Check to see about the credits transferring and how many of the graduates were accepted into respected graduate school. Also, call some the graduate schools admissions offices and see if they have accepted graduates of these schools.

Not even close. An online degree is not as good as one from a four year college. If time is a factor, I would recommend a State College. They usually will offer night classes and it will be far more valuable and inexpensive than an online university. Plus online/trade schools are not properly accreditated. They say they are, but its from some bogus commitee.

Bottom line, save yourself the trouble and check into a “traditional university.”

OK- yes, accreditation, and some online schools are more respected than your local community college. It’s just as hard, but if you work full-time, this is a good choice.

One example is that the State u. of NY offers online AND campus degrees- it’s still SUNY, respectable, however you did your exams.

Watch out for diploma mills- check accreditation through the department of ed (Middle states, southern states, etc.- see about.com for accreditation info).

Job prospects- consider getting a master’s- that will up your salary if it’s a professional degree (ie. counseling, social work, psychology, teacher ed, management, etc.)

Bucky, you just reminded me that I wanted to buy one of John B.’s books- they are fantastic and provide all the info. Thanks.

Rafael V is quite correct. Most “online colleges” are not reputable.

However, many quite reputable private and state colleges offer courses online. They call it “distance education.”

At the link below, you will find distance education programs offered through absolutely respectable and fully accredited universities like the University of Maryland, Penn State University, Indiana University, Iowa State University, New York University, University of California at Davis, and even Columbia University, Stanford University, and Cornell University.

No! and don’t ever try travelling to Europe with these degrees. They not worth the paper they written on. Most these so called on-line degrees courses are not even accredited.

I must respectfully disagree with some of the previous posters. I attend the University of Phoenix. It is a very respected school, it IS accredited, and I know has a lot of partnerships with major corporations. I work for a division of PepsiCo and work with many people who have attended or are attending the UoP.