Searching for the best affordable online colleges where you can study for your online degree? It is possible to get a college that offers quality education and which charges low tuition fees.
Searching through different college websites and comparing tuition fees is one way of identifying colleges that you can afford.
Below is our ranking of the most the best most affordable colleges that offer the best online degree programs. This ranking is for colleges offering the best value for online degree programs.
Ranking of 18 Best Most Affordable Online Colleges
[su_highlight background=”#d53f0e” color=”#ffffff”]1[/su_highlight] Canton State University New York.
SCORE: 98.2
Canton State University high score and a position No. 1 among the best for top colleges offering affordable online degree programs makes it as one of the leaders in affordable online learning. Canton State University courses take a flexible and convenient format that allows students to get ahead and work at their own pace.
The U.S News and World Report has ranked some of the programs offered by this college highly in its list of Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for 2016. It has also been designated as a military-friendly school and an affordable college by Online U, Affordable Colleges Online.
Over four hundred courses are offered here which include 10 online majors.
Canton State offers programs that cover many fields such as Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, Health Care Management, Veterinary Service Administration, Homeland Security, Dental Hygiene (2 + 2), Management and many others.
Canton State is also widely known for its extracurricular activities that include campus-wide committees, student organizations such as the Habitat for Humanity program, entertainment opportunities such as trips, festivals and intramurals, and much more.
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[su_highlight background=”#d53f0e” color=”#ffffff”]2[/su_highlight] New England College
SCORE: 97.8
New England College high score made to our top rankings for colleges where you can pursue an affordable online education. The College started in the 1940’s, specifically to educate war veterans. Now, it is home to programs that are 100% online, from associate’s degrees to bachelor’s programs, in many desirable fields.
New England college has also received top ranking including from the prestigious U.S. News and World Report which has ranked it among the top regional universities in the North.
Online bachelor’s degree programs offered by the college cover fields such as Accounting, Finance, Journalism, Marketing, Human Services, Psychology, and Sociology.
These programs are offered by a supportive faculty and qualified enrollment reps who provide a supportive learning environment, and guide each student every step of the way.
The college is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
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[su_highlight background=”#d53f0e” color=”#ffffff”]3[/su_highlight] Wayland Baptist University.
SCORE: 97.6
Wayland Baptist University returned an affordability score that was among the best for private colleges offering online degree programs. With a small student to faculty ratio and small class sizes, students are likely to receive the much needed personalized attention. Over 95% of full-time students receive some form of Financial Aid.
Wayland Baptist University provides students with a challenging academic environment, based on Christian morals. It offers its master’s degree programs fully online to complement its on-campus programs.
The following degree programs are available at the university: The Bachelor of Christian Ministry Degree, a Bachelor of Applied Science, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Arts in History, a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice, and a Superintendent Certificate as well.
Online students are provided with a variety of resources designed to make their learning experience as smooth as possible. These include an online library and comprehensive tutorials. Students may also access academic advising.
Wayland Baptist University receives its accreditation from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
[su_highlight background=”#d53f0e” color=”#ffffff”]4[/su_highlight] Texas A&M University.
SCORE: 97.6
This university has on offer a variety of online master ‘s level degree programs in a wide range of subjects through its various colleges such as College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Dwight Look College of Engineering, College of Education and Human Sciences, and College of Science.
Many of the online programs are available fully online, while others require a combination of on-campus and online coursework.
Some of the topics explored include Agricultural Education, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Bilingual Education and Engineering.
Each program consists roughly of 36 semester credit hours.
Various financial aid options exist, and include a combination of scholarships, federal and state grants and loans, institutional grants and loans and on-campus student employment to the tune of over $500 million. Approximately 71% of all students receive some form of financial aid, and this number continues to grow.
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[su_highlight background=”#d53f0e” color=”#ffffff”]5.[/su_highlight] University of Central Florida.
SCORE: 97.3
With over 15 years of providing quality distance education programs, this university offers a wide range of academic programs, suited to traditional and non-traditional students, that do not require visiting the main campus.
It features a detailed list full of online degree programs that include topics in Anthropology, History, Political Science, Latin American Studies, Religion and Cultural Studies, English and Literature, Psychology and Criminal Justice, Sociology, Nursing, Communication, English Language and Creative Writing, just to name a few.
However, only upper-division courses are available online with the undergraduate programs being only for degree completion. Most degree programs consist of 51 credit hours on average.
Also, depending on the major, students may be required to complete clinical or in-person internships, over and above the online coursework.
Various financial aid options exist. They include scholarships and loans.
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[su_highlight background=”#d53f0e” color=”#ffffff”]6.[/su_highlight] LeTourneau University.
SCORE: 97.0
LeTourneau University online programs include the study of topics in various fields such as the Arts and Sciences, Aviation and Aeronautical Sciences, Business and Education, at both the undergraduate and graduate level.
The convenience of online learning allows students to pursue a college education while, at the same time, working a full-time job.
Some degree programs are available fully online, while others may require some on-campus coursework in any of the university’s several campuses located in Texas.
For the 20th time in a row, the LeTorneau University ranked in the top tier of America’s Best Colleges in 2014, according to the U.S News and World Report.
To make the cost of tuition more affordable, several financial aid opportunities are available. They include scholarships, grants and loans from federal, state, institutional and private sources.
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[su_highlight background=”#d53f0e” color=”#ffffff”]7.[/su_highlight] University of Florida.
SCORE: 96.9
Physically located in Gainesville, Florida, the University of Florida offers a rich selection of online programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctor’s level through the UF Distance Learning Portal.
It offers many major programs through its various colleges. The major programs include subjects such as Environmental Studies, Geology, Criminal Justice, Anthropology, Computer Science, Biology and Geography.
Various financial aid options are available to students based on merit and need. Thet include scholarships, grants and student loans. The school website maintains a scholarship search engine to assist students in identifying and applying for available scholarships.
The university is ranked 3rd according to Kiplinger’s “Best Values in Public Colleges.”
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[su_highlight background=”#d53f0e” color=”#ffffff”]8.[/su_highlight] University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
SCORE: 96.8
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro offers a vast array of undergraduate and graduate degrees via an online format. Some of the unique higher education programs available include an online Doctor of Education in Kinesiology and an option of an Education Specialist in Educational Leadership.
Some of the other programs available through distance learning at this university include Dance Education and Consumer, Apparel and Retail Studies.
The U.S News and World Report has ranked three of the programs available at this university among the best in the nation in its 2015 list of the Best Online Programs.
In addition, the university was also ranked among the “top 150 Best Colleges for your money” in 2013 by College Factual.
Various financial aid options exist.
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[su_highlight background=”#d53f0e” color=”#ffffff”]9.[/su_highlight] East Carolina University.
SCORE: 96.7
East Carolina University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
It offers both undergraduate degree-completion programs and graduate degree programs fully online. In total, over 80 online degree and certificate programs are available for students to pick from.
At the bachelor’s level, students may enroll in online degree completion programs in areas such as Education, Business, and Industrial Technology, just to name a few.
For the learners looking to complete an online master’s degree at the East Carolina University, a diverse selection of majors are available to choose from, including Music Education, Communication Sciences and Disorders, among many others.
However, some on-campus sessions may be required, for a few of the available hybrid courses of study.
Various financial aid options are available to make the cost of earning a degree at this university even more affordable. They include scholarships, grants and student loans available from federal, state and other sources.
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[su_highlight background=”#d53f0e” color=”#ffffff”]10.[/su_highlight] Brigham Young University – Idaho.
SCORE: 96.4
A cheap tuition rate, together with numerous financial aid options that include scholarships, affords this university a comfortable spot on the list of affordable online universities.
The online degree programs available at the university include degrees at both the associate and bachelor’s level , with majors ranging from Business Management to Software Engineering to Health Science, and everything in between.
All in all, over 15 online degrees and more than 300 online courses are available. The university provides optional all-year-round courses for those looking to complete their degree within the shortest time possible.
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[su_highlight background=”#d53f0e” color=”#ffffff”]11.[/su_highlight] Florida International University.
SCORE: 96.1
The convenient and flexible online programs at the Florida International University ensure that students can receive a quality college education without necessarily attending the Miami campus.
The Florida International University offers more than thirty bachelor’s and master’s degree programs through FIU online, its distance learning system.
Some of the undergraduate programs offered online include Sports Management, and Sustainability and the Environment.
Among the online graduate programs available at the university are Special Education and Computer Engineering.
A committed and dedicated faculty ensure that the same quality programs following the same curriculum to both online and on-campus students.
The affordable tuition rate and the numerous financial aid options available have contributed to the university being rated among the top “100 Best Values in Public Colleges” in 2011 by Kiplinger. In addition to that, the U.S. News and World Report recently named the university among the “Best Value” in higher education. It has also ranked the students of the university among the students in the nation with the least amount of debt.
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[su_highlight background=”#d53f0e” color=”#ffffff”]12.[/su_highlight] California Baptist University.
SCORE: 95.9
California Baptist University is known for providing programs, through its Division of Online and Professional Studies, with great flexibility using interactive technology.
Other than its traditional majors for degree-seekers at the undergraduate and graduate level, California Baptist University also offers programs such as Interdisciplinary Studies and Disability Studies.
At this university, online students can utilize a unique mobile application to complete their coursework from anywhere.
Quick Facts.Tuition is the same for on-campus, online and hybrid courses.*.CBU’s online and professional studies department offers over 46 available majors and concentrations.*.Some majors are available via a 16-month completion option.
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[su_highlight background=”#d53f0e” color=”#ffffff”]13.[/su_highlight] Fort Hays State University.
SCORE: 95.8
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the Fort Hays State University, through its virtual College, offers a variety of associates, undergraduate and graduate degrees online, spanning areas such as Business, Education, Healthcare and Technology, among many other subjects.
The customizable online bachelor’s in General Studies, that is available at the university is specifically designed for students who wish to tailor their major program and coursework to accommodate their personal plans of study.
According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, The Fort Hays State University has one of the lowest rates of tuition among national four-year institutions according to the Chronicle of Higher Education and its online tuition is among the lowest 2% nationally.
This, together with a vast array of financial aid opportunities make this university very affordable.
Financial aid opportunities include federal grants and loans, state scholarships and private scholarships.
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[su_highlight background=”#d53f0e” color=”#ffffff”]14.[/su_highlight] University of Nebraska at Omaha.
SCORE: 95.6
The University of Nebraska at Omaha gives its online students the special opportunity to design their own unique program with the online Bachelor of General Studies. Over 50 areas of study are available through this program.
Undergraduates can choose from a variety of courses, including Geography, Aviation Studies, and Sociology to complete this flexible program, with both fully online and blended courses.
For students seeking a master’s degree, several fully online graduate degrees are available in Criminology, Writing and Public Administration , among many other majors.
The U.S News and World Report has ranked this university’s Bachelor of General Studies among the top 20 bachelor’s programs in the nation in 2014.
Several financial aid options are available. They include scholarships, grants and loans.
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[su_highlight background=”#d53f0e” color=”#ffffff”]15.[/su_highlight] Eastern Oregon University.
SCORE: 95.4
Eastern Oregon University is an affordable university that offers an abundance of online bachelor’s and master’s degrees, in majors and minors such as Business Administration, History, Education, Health Studies and Public Policy, among many others.
Many of the degrees offered are available through hybrid coursework option, some of which may require minimum or low residency requirements.
If applicable, the university also recognizes previous, relevant coursework for online degrees, that can be transferred in order to allow online students to complete their degrees as soon as possible.
Online students in Oregon are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the regional academic advising that is available for all students within the state.
Financial aid is available. It includes various scholarships, grants, loans and work-study opportunities. Some awards are need-based while others are merit-based.
Most of the financial aid programs are from federal, state, institutional and private sources.
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[su_highlight background=”#d53f0e” color=”#ffffff”]16.[/su_highlight] Oregon Institute of Technology.
SCORE: 95.3
The Oregon Institute of Technology offers a broad array of online bachelor’s degrees with numerous majors such as healthcare, information technology, psychology, and management.
It is one of the only universities in the Pacific Northwest, to offer online degree programs in healthcare and healthcare technology.
The university also offers an associate-level degree in Sleep Health, as well as a vast selection of online certificate and degree completion programs in areas related to wellness and health.
The online programs available allow students to conveniently and flexibly learn with the same high-quality education as in-classroom delivery.
Although some degrees require on-campus learning or practicums in order to earn the degree, online coursework is completed via Blackboard, and through a combination of various multimedia tools that also include real-time video.
Tuition is the same for both in-state and out-of-state students. Also, various financial aid options exist in the form of federal scholarships and loans, state scholarships and various other grants and loans.
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[su_highlight background=”#d53f0e” color=”#ffffff”]17.[/su_highlight] University of Nebraska – Kearney.
SCORE: 94.9
The University of Nebraska at Kearney offers a broad array of quality online graduate and undergraduate degrees in various majors, including Business Administration, Art Education and Sociology
Online students at the university are offered the same coursework, taught by the same credentialed and reputable faculty, the majority of whom have years of experience as professionals in their respective fields.
Online courses are specifically geared towards encouraging maximum interactivity and cooperation, via chat groups and online discussion forums.
The University of Nebraska at Kearney is ranked among the top public regional universities according to the 2013 U.S News and World Report.
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[su_highlight background=”#d53f0e” color=”#ffffff”]18.[/su_highlight] Appalachian State University.
SCORE: 94.7
Appalachian State University is a public university that offers a variety of bachelor’s and part-time graduate degree programs fully online through AppONLINE.
Majors available for students to choose from include Nursing, Business Education, and Library Science, among others.
For some areas of study, online undergraduate programs may have limited enrolment in one semester only.
Appalachian State University maintains a good social media presence across many platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to encourage academic interaction among peers.
The cheap tuition fees, together with the quality of the academic programs available, have earned Appalachian a ranking among the Best Values in Public Colleges according to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance in the year 2014. Furthermore, in 2013Forbes named Appalachian State University a Best Value College.
The US News and World Report has Appalachian ranked No.3 in the south among regional colleges in its 2014 America’s Best Colleges Guide.
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