An estimated four million college students are achieving educational degrees and personal career goals by participating in online educational programs. The benefits of an online education are vast. An online education offers students self directed, flexible, and a cost efficient opportunity to attain an advanced education, further career goals, or learn a new career. One of the largest advantages to earning an online degree is accessibility. Online colleges allow students “24 hour a day, 7 days a week” availability of course information, lectures, and study materials. Students can learn from any location world wide as long as the internet is accessible. Distance learning programs allow students to earn a degree from the comfort of home, a library, a coffeeshop, workplace, or anywhere there is an internet connection. Online colleges lack the on campus college experiences of distracting dormitories, keg parties, and bad cafeteria food, but allow for self motivated, cost effective, goal oriented, and busy students the chance to pursue a degree while working and raising families.

Another benefit to online education is that students determine the pace of and means of learning. Many online degree programs were designed for working students with families and tailored to a variety of learning styles. Many online colleges allow students the freedom of student determined scheduling. Most online educational programs allow students to choose the format of learning either visually or with a “hands on” approach, with lectures, explanations, and student comments available in writing at any time. Traditional “brick and mortar” courses do not afford students the ability to review repeated the content of lectures and discussions with various distractions and conditions perhaps impeding learning. Online colleges allow allows participants a self directed, progressive programs to reach a degree from some of the world’s most elite colleges.

Cost is a huge factor to consider when choosing a college. Traditional brick and mortar colleges and online colleges are nearly equal in terms of tuition costs. Online colleges offer a slight advantage because students do not have to pay additional costs of room, board, textbook, and other academic expenses. Online students are offered the option to pay for courses individually, per term, or per semester with a payment schedule geared toward paying the cost of educational courses. Online courses also allow students to access reading material on the internet versus purchasing costly textbooks thereby sparing students additional expense. Online colleges allow students a time advantage as well. Distance learners do not have to travel to class, thereby saving time or travel expenses and eliminating geographic barriers.

Increased student interaction is a benefit to online education. Traditional college course discussions are often monopolized by the more talkative students in a classsroom setting. A virtual learning experience allows all students to interact with instructors and other students and many programs require every student to contribute. Online colleges offer students a degree of anonymity that traditional colleges and universities do not as well as alternatives to class room discussions. Online colleges eliminate issues like age, race, appearance, and gender bias associated with traditional college classrooms. Many online colleges render instructors unprecedented availability to students through online chat rooms, email, and newgroup discussions. Students are given advanced contact with their instructors to ask questions and request information. A distance learning program also allows students a technological boost over traditional brick and mortar students. Online colleges teach skills critical to learning as the global trend relies heavily on technology. Online college students learn to better utilize technology as 21st century businesses grow ever the more reliant upon computers and technology. Online colleges allow students a broader spectrum of resources, not limited to a traditional library. Online students can access the college’s library to research articles, ebooks, and other materials without the inconvenience of the material being “checked out” or lost.

The benefits of an online education are great. Online educational programs offer a distinct educational experience in a rapidly growing, ever changing technological environment affording students with flexible learning experiences most traditional colleges and universities do not.