The 20 Best Cheap Online Colleges of 2021

A bachelor's degree can help jumpstart a new career. Find out more on our choice for the Best Cheap Online Degrees.

Updated on November 22, 2022

Getting a college degree can be a significant investment, but time and time again, the statistics show us that higher education is worth the costs. Take, for example, the average salary difference between those with a high school diploma and those with a college degree.

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median weekly salary for workers with just high school diplomas is about $730 per week. On the other hand, the average salary for workers with bachelor's degrees is about $1,198 per week. As a result, you can expect to make significantly more over your lifetime with a college degree.

Luckily, while college is an investment, there are ways to get an affordable college degree. By attending an online school, you can save money and be on the way to earning your degree in no time.

Featured Online Programs

Figuring out where to apply? These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online degrees. Consider one of these accredited programs, and discover their value today.

Top 20 Best Cheap Online Colleges of 2021

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Degree Requirements

Enrollment requirements will vary from one school to the next, but there are a few standard requirements you can expect no matter which school you apply to:

  • High school transcripts with a minimum GPA

  • ACT or SAT scores

  • Letters of recommendation

  • An essay or personal statement

These are simply the typical admission requirements, though. The standards for admission will vary from one school to the next. Highly competitive schools may require a GPA above 3.0 and will often give preference to applicants with GPAs above 3.5.

On the other hand, less competitive schools or programs may accept students with GPAs of 2.0 or higher. Before applying to any college or university, be sure to visit the website to learn about the specific admission requirements.

Online Bachelor's Degree Options

If you choose to get your bachelor's degree online, you have a wide range of options to choose from. Most degree programs that are available at universities will also be available through online colleges. And, in most cases, once you've chosen a school, the major you choose won't affect your tuition.

Some of the most popular online degree programs include:

Business

Business and business administration have become increasingly popular degree programs for both in-person and online students. These degrees prepare students for a wide range of jobs, making it easy to begin a career after graduation.

Psychology

Psychology is the study of human behavior. It's a broad field that gives students a wide range of career options after graduation. It's also one of the most popular degree programs for both in-person and online colleges.

Nursing

Healthcare is a popular field of study across the board, but nursing is especially popular. There are many levels of nursing degrees available, from associate's to doctoral degrees, making it a great option for online learning.

Education

Education is a popular degree program for both online and in-person students. Most people study education with the intention of becoming teachers, but there are many careers available to someone with an education degree.

Related Degrees

When it comes to attending college online, just about any type of degree is available to you. Whether you're starting from scratch and looking to get an associate's degree, or you already have a bachelor's degree and want to pursue higher education, there's a program available.

Degree programs available through online education include:

  • Associate's degree: A two-year degree with a median weekly salary of $862

  • Bachelor's degree: A four-year degree with a median weekly salary of $1,198

  • Master's degree: An advanced degree with a median weekly salary of $1,434

  • Doctoral degree: The highest degree level available, with a median annual salary of $1,825

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