Cheapest Online College

By: Staff Writer

One of the obvious advantages of getting an online education is how cost effective it is, especially when compared to large, traditional universities. One common thing that potential students look for is the cheapest online college.

Cheapest Online College

When looking for the cheapest online college, though, you need to take into consideration more than just the cost of tuition. Some of the other things you need to consider are availability of financial aid, accreditation of the institution, the quality of education, and accessibility to professors and classmates.

For example, Ashworth University is an online school that is quite well known due to their advertising across the internet. It is actually one of the cheapest online colleges, if not the very cheapest. Most universities and colleges (including online universities and colleges) charge by the credit hour. The average cost of one credit hour for online universities and colleges ranges from $300 – $600. The cost per credit hour at Ashworth University is only $80. You would save thousands of dollars by getting a degree from Ashworth than from most other online schools. There is a caveat, though. There is little to no interaction with instructors or other students. You are truly on your own with their programs, so their programs would only suit students who are very self-motivated.

Another example is California Coast University. Although it is not as cheap as Ashworth, its tuition rates are far below the average at $157 per credit hour. The good thing is that this school has been around for over 30 years. The bad news is that it only very recently received accreditation. Some of its degrees, like psychology, may not even meet licensing requirements in some states.

With those things in mind, here is a list of some of the most affordable online universities and colleges currently. It is in ascending order according to the cost of out-of-state tuition. Most online institutions offer the same tuition for in-state and out-of-state students, but not all of them do. Each listing gives the name of the institution, the physical location of the institution, the cost of in-state tuition, and the cost of out-of-state tuition. The information was taken from collegestats.org.

Rank Location In-state Out-of-State
1 National American University-Ellsworth AFB Extension • Ellsworth AFB, SD $5,090.00 $5,090.00
2 Bellevue University • Bellevue, NE $5,445.00 $5,445.00
3 Western Governors University • Salt Lake City, UT $5,580.00 $5,580.00
4 Amridge University • Montgomery, AL $6,240.00 $6,240.00
5 Mountain State University • Beckley, WV $6,480.00 $6,480.00
6 Baker College of Allen Park • Allen Park, MI $6,600.00 $6,600.00
7 Baker College of Auburn Hills • Auburn Hills, MI $6,660.00 $6,660.00
8 Baker College of Cadillac • Cadillac, MI $6,660.00 $6,660.00
9 Baker College of Clinton Township • Clinton Township, MI $6,660.00 $6,660.00
10 Baker College of Flint • Flint, MI $6,660.00 $6,660.00
11 Baker College of Muskegon • Muskegon, MI $6,660.00 $6,660.00
12 Baker College of Owosso • Owosso, MI $6,660.00 $6,660.00
13 Baker College of Port Huron • Port Huron, MI $6,660.00 $6,660.00
14 Baker College of Jackson • Jackson, MI $6,730.00 $6,730.00
15 Tidewater Community College • Norfolk, VA $2,555.00 $7,719.00
16 Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences • Orlando, FL $8,170.00 $8,170.00
17 Western International University • Phoenix, AZ $8,400.00 $8,400.00
18 Fort Hays State University • Hays, KS $2,685.00 $8,435.00
19 RETS College • Centerville, OH $8,641.00 $8,641.00
20 University of Minnesota-Crookston • Crookston, MN $8,821.00 $8,821.00
21 Northcentral University • Prescott Valley, AZ $9,000.00 $9,000.00
22 National American University-Sioux Falls • Sioux Falls, SD $9,050.00 $9,050.00
23 Herzing College • Birmingham, AL $9,240.00 $9,240.00
24 University of Nebraska at Kearney • Kearney, NE $5,098.00 $9,454.00
25 Southwestern Christian University • Bethany, OK $9,668.00 $9,668.00
26 Antonelli College • Jackson, MS $9,720.00 $9,720.00
27 National American University-Albuquerque • Albuequerque, NM $9,770.00 $9,770.00
28 National American University-Rio Rancho • Rio Rancho, NM $9,770.00 $9,770.00
29 National American University-Colorado Springs • Colorado Springs, CO $9,950.00 $9,950.00
30 National American University-Denver • Denver, CO $9,950.00 $9,950.00
31 ECPI College of Technology • Virginia Beach, VA $10,140.00 $10,140.00
32 Antonelli College • Hattiesburg, MS $10,170.00 $10,170.00
33 Hodges University • Naples, FL $10,238.00 $10,238.00
34 National American University-Independence • Independence, MO $10,310.00 $10,310.00
35 National American University-Overland Park • Overland Park, KS $10,310.00 $10,310.00
36 National American University-Zona Rosa • Kansas City, MO $10,310.00 $10,310.00
37 Regent University • Virginia Beach, VA $10,488.00 $10,488.00
38 Thomas University • Thomasville, GA $10,570.00 $10,570.00
39 Everest University-Largo • Clearwater, FL $10,764.00 $10,764.00
40 Capella University • Minneapolis, MN $10,800.00 $10,800.00