The Best Affordable Online Colleges of 2021

Westfield State University boasts an 88% student retention rate, affordable tuition, and award-winning programs. However, it's worth noting that WSU primarily offers bachelor's degree completion programs, so you'll need to have a fair number of undergraduate credits under your belt before transferring. The university's partnerships with several Massachusetts community colleges offers local students a seamless shift over to Westfield to finish their degrees. WSU has programs in history, liberal studies, criminal justice, and more. Nurses with some flexibility might also appreciate the RN to BSN degree, which Westfield offers in hybrid form.

• Graduation rate: 61%
• School status: Public
• Tuition cost: $11,139 - $ 17,219
• Estimated years of completion: 2-4 years
• Contact: [email protected] 
• Program Website

York College stands out as another strong option for Christian students. This Nebraska institution lets you earn an accredited college degree online while taking courses from professors who share your faith. You can focus all your attention on a single subject (e.g. criminal justice, psychology) or build your own program with a B.A. in General Studies. With the latter option, you'll work with an advisor to select two content area concentrations and a series of electives that create a well-rounded degree. But regardless of their path, all undergrads will benefit from the school's flexible scheduling and impressive 12:1 student-faculty ratio.

• Graduation rate: 47%
• School status: Private
• Tuition cost: $4,500 - $19,810
• Estimated years of completion: 2-4 years
• Contact: 1-888-219-9675
• Program Website  

Florida International University has created several thoughtful initiatives to ensure that distance learners have a college experience that mirrors that of their on-campus peers. First, an online orientation introduces you to the tools you'll use to connect to the web and explains how the school's curriculum connects to the broader global community. You'll also benefit from "high-impact opportunities" that nurture your leadership skills, and you might even consider joining the school's honors college. Apart from those extracurricular opportunities, FIU shines for its breadth of affordable online college degrees, including hard-to-find options such as a B.A. in Asian studies, a B.A. in religious studies, and a group of targeted B.S. programs in hospitality management.

• Graduation rate: 63%
• School status: Public
• Tuition cost: $6,565 - $18,963
• Estimated years of completion: 2-4 years
• Contact: 855-434-0921
• Program Website

The University of Cincinnati is dedicated to supporting its online students with resources like a student success advisor team and flexible degree programs. UC's degrees also earn top spots on various online rankings for academic excellence. The college has degree programs available in every area of study: athletics, behavior analysis, criminal justice, education, engineering, fire science, health care, human services, humanities, information science, instructional design, nursing, paralegal studies, and pharmacy.

• Graduation rate: 71%
• School status: Public
• Tuition cost: $12,138 - $27,472
• Estimated years of completion: 2-4 years
• Contact: https://online.uc.edu/contact-us/ 
• Program Website  

Washington State University might be the only institution on this list to facilitate a student government dedicated solely to online learners. As you attend this top college online, you can seek a position in the Global Senate, join a committee, or simply attend the Senate's events. It's a unique way to get involved outside of the classroom and help shape your experience as a distance learner. Beyond the Global Senate, WSU shines for its robust career support services. The office provides interview help, one-on-one advising sessions, and will even help arrange an internship if you want to incorporate hands-on learning into your degree.

• Graduation rate: 60%
• School status: Public
• Tuition cost: $12,170 - $27,113
• Estimated years of completion: 2-4 years
• Contact: [email protected] 
• Program Website

Although Colorado State University - Fort Collins offers only a handful of online college programs, it more than makes up for its sparse quantity with superb quality. For example, the B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies is a versatile option that incorporates multiple disciplines and will prepare you for success in a variety of occupations. It even includes in-person field experiences and professional skill development courses. Plus, you can customize your studies by adding a minor in gerontology or pursuing a credential as a family life educator or director. This thoughtfully designed program embodies the trait that helps CSU stand out: a true commitment to providing online learners with strong programs that lead to successful careers.

• Graduation rate: 70%
• School status: Public
• Tuition cost: $11,814 - $30,535
• Estimated years of completion: 2-4 years
• Contact: 877-491-4336
• Program Website

While Penn State developed its World Campus to help adult learners continue their education, students of all kinds will find plenty to love about this top online college. Not only does it offer bachelor's degrees in many fields, but the school also runs a free nine-week course to help working professionals transition back into the learning environment. If you qualify, you'll also get access to special resources for financial aid and general college planning. The school also has a chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda, a national honor society for adult undergrads, letting you network with your peers and join a community of like-minded learners.

• Graduation rate: 71%
• School status: Public
• Tuition cost: $13,988
• Estimated years of completion: 2-4 years
• Contact: [email protected] 
• Program Website  

For more than 30 years, Old Dominion University has offered quality education to distance learners, and this commitment manifests in the school's numerous top online college programs. Not only will you find ample resources that cater to nontraditional students (such as tips to help you mesh your studies with a full-time career) but you'll also appreciate the school's efforts to engage online learners with the larger undergraduate community. For example, you can read a fun primer on the school's traditions or join a live course to interact with your peers in real-time.

• Graduation rate: 53%
• School status: Public
• Tuition cost: $10,800 - $30,960
• Estimated years of completion: 2-4 years
• Contact: 1-800-968-2638 
• Program Website 

Davenport University offers primarily career-focused online degree programs. This includes a sizable distance education component within the college of business, where you could earn anything from a BBA in accounting to a BS in leadership and organizational performance. But the school really shines for its healthcare programs. In addition to a BS in nursing (completion option), you can earn degrees in health information management, medical case management, and similar programs that will leave you well-placed for a role in the burgeoning field of electronic health records.

• Graduation rate: 49%
• School status: Private
• Tuition cost: $20,260
• Estimated years of completion: 2-4 years
• Contact: [email protected] 
• Program Website   

Despite Carolina University’s roots as a private Christian college, it offers a wide variety of online degrees. You can major in everything from biology or computer engineering to criminal justice or nursing. Christian students can also choose from faith-based options on offer — like pairing a B.A. in biblical studies with one of more than ten minors, including North American church planting, children's ministry, and church education. Plus, many of CU’s programs are a great value — the school boasts an average annual tuition under $15k.

• Graduation rate: 41%
• School status: Private
• Tuition cost: $14,580
• Estimated years of completion: 2-4 years
• Contact: [email protected] 
• Program Website  

Central Washington University is so committed to online learning that it developed a Multimodal Education Center specifically to provide "instructional and multimedia technologies, support, and training" for distance ed students and staff. This facility underscores the level of dedication it takes to earn a spot on this college program online ranking. At this center, prospective students will find a detailed list of resources, including a quiz that helps you evaluate whether you're ready for online classes. If you are, be sure to check out some of CWU's more unusual degree options, such as the B.S. in aviation management and B.S. in paramedicine (note: the latter program requires some in-person training).

• Graduation rate: 58%
• School status: Public
• Tuition cost: $8,444 - $24,520
• Estimated years of completion: 2-4 years
• Contact: [email protected] 
• Program Website  

Believe it or not, the University of Memphis has an entire webpage devoted to awards for its distance education services. The school boasts dozens of accredited online college programs that earn accolades for both their price and their quality. That's because the school has thoughtfully designed its web-based degrees to meet non-traditional students' needs, including a strong reliance on flexible, asynchronous classes. The university also maintains a wide variety of online programs for undergrads, from career-focused business degrees to an impressive selection of less common social science and humanities options. For example, you can earn a B.A. in political science, english, or even philosophy entirely online.

• Graduation rate: 44%
• School status: Public
• Tuition cost: $9,912 - $13,752
• Estimated years of completion: 2-4 years
• Contact: [email protected] 
• Program Website  

If cost is important to you, you'll want to consider Minot State University. However, the trade-off for attending this affordable school is that it offers a relatively small selection of college degrees, most of which focus on business. MSU also provides quite a few minors and concentration options to sharpen your expertise in select areas. Plus, the highly customizable Bachelor of General Studies degree lets you design a course of study that meets the needs of nearly any career goal, from practicing law to entering the real estate market. As a BGS student, you'll work with a dedicated advisor to plan a laser-focused curriculum that both meets your needs and satisfies the school's graduation requirements.

• Graduation rate: 45%
• School status: Public
• Tuition cost: $7,896
• Estimated years of completion: 2-4 years
• Contact: 1-800-777-0750
• Program Website

Dickinson State University offers a whole suite of tools to enhance your online learning experience. In addition to common platforms like Moodle and Blackboard, you'll also have access to NetTutor (a live online tutoring system that supplements the school's own Tutoring center), Tegrity (which records live classes for you to view later), and more. You'll also benefit from a fantastic 10:1 student-faculty ratio, a broad array of programs, and affordable tuition. DSU even encourages distance ed grads to walk in their graduation ceremony - if you can make it to the school's North Dakota campus, of course.

• Graduation rate: 41%
• School status: Public
• Tuition cost: $9,942
• Estimated years of completion: 2-4 years
• Contact: 701-483-2175
• Program Website

The students attending Fort Hays State University's virtual campus come from more than 20 countries, and they all benefit from the school's strong support network. As you pursue an affordable online college degree from this Kansas institution, you can take advantage of advising, tutoring, a career center, and more. Before enrolling, you can even attend a demo course that introduces you to online learning and the Fort Hays experience more broadly. And once you've enrolled, you'll have access to a wider social network of online learners who can provide support and encouragement as you earn your degree.

• Graduation rate: 43%
• School status: Public
• Tuition cost: $5,430 - $15,870
• Estimated years of completion: 2-4 years
• Contact: 785-628-3478
• Program Website

If you think that attending an accredited college online will limit your options, Arizona State University stands ready to prove you wrong. With over 30 undergraduate distance education programs, ASU has something to offer every potential student. Whether you want to pursue a traditional liberal arts-focused degree (such as a BA in global studies) or a more career-focused option (like a BS in information technology) you can do so completely online at ASU. And your studies will pay off: According to the school's surveys, 87% of its graduates receive a job offer within three months of graduation.

• Graduation rate: 63%
• School status: Public
• Tuition cost: $11,338 - $29,428
• Estimated years of completion: 2-4 years
• Contact:  [email protected] 
• Program Website   

Christian students in particular will want to consider Mid-America Christian University for their online learning needs. MACU also offers some of the best college degrees online for veterans. Plus, it provides dedicated veteran specialists, flexible scheduling, and generous tuition discounts exclusively for service members.

• Graduation rate: 33%
• School status: Private 
• Tuition cost: $18,838
• Estimated years of completion: 2-4 years
• Contact: [email protected] 
• Program Website

Given that Ohio University maintains an extensive eCampus website just for distance learners, it's no surprise that many of its online degrees rank among the best in the country. When you enroll in one of OU's accredited college programs online, you'll find support not only through the eCampus, but also through a dedicated Office of Instructional Innovation. Some of those innovative initiatives include a strong experiential learning program, which awards college credit based on life experiences, and a Success Center that lets you consult with staff online or by phone.

• Graduation rate: 65%
• School status: Public
• Tuition cost: $12,612 - $22,406
• Estimated years of completion: 2-4 years
• Contact: [email protected] 
• Program Website

SUNY College of Technology at Canton earns a spot on this online college program ranking thanks in part to its 85% retention rate. And it's easy to see why students choose to stick around. For starters, the global campus offers 13 degrees, from the common (e.g., management, legal studies) to the unusual (like homeland security and agribusiness management). Plus, online learners can access all the same resources as their on-campus peers, including career services, tutoring, and a robust first-year advising program. You can even take advantage of the broader SUNY system's many study abroad programs, whether you want to explore public administration in Peru or business in Belgium.

• Graduation rate: 47%
• School status: Public
• Tuition cost: $8,480
• Estimated years of completion: 2-4 years
• Contact: 315-386-7011
• Program Website

For more than 150 years, Wilberforce University has provided high-quality educational opportunities to students of color. Today, this Episcopalian-associated HBCU is also one of the top online colleges in the country. With more than 20 online programs, a noteworthy student-faculty ratio of 9:1, and eminently affordable tuition, Wilberforce has plenty to offer distance learners. It's also a great choice if you want to escape the primarily white and Western canon in your field. That is, the school is deeply committed to addressing non-Western "intellectual, cultural, and artistic traditions" in its coursework.

• Graduation rate: 20%
• School status: Private
• Tuition cost: $13,250 $8,480
• Estimated years of completion: 2-4 years
• Contact: 937-376-2911
• Program Website