Top 10 Benefits of Studying Online

By Aimee Hosler | Nov 15, 2010

According to the Sloan Consortium, online education enrollments are at an all-time high. Wondering why so many people are jumping on the online college bandwagon? Here are 10 ways online schools edge out their brick-and-mortar competition:

1. Many students learn better online. A 12-year study from the U.S. Department of Education published in 2009 found that student success with online education isn't just comparable with classroom instruction, but can actually exceed it. Interactive learning technology like streaming video or student social media enhance learning in a way that just can't be replicated in today's classrooms.
2. Balance school and life. Many online degree programs are asynchronous, meaning you can access lectures and other materials at any time, not just during a scheduled class period. Study when the kids are in bed or work around the big game. Pass the 7-layer dip!
3. Keep your day job. With no rigid class schedule to adhere to, you can swing school without cutting into your job responsibilities. Continuing to work, especially full-time, helps you manage better manage education expenses while garnering invaluable career experience.
4. Kill your commute. Online colleges can't get you to or from work or do your grocery shopping for you, but they can still cut the time you spend in your car considerably. No commute means more time to focus on your studies while minimizing gas and maintenance costs.
5. Shop around and save. Since geography is no longer a concern, online degree programs let you price-shop colleges like never before. Find a few online degree programs that suit your goals and request more information from them; you can also talk cost with admissions counselors.
6. Study anything, anywhere. Do you want to study something you can't find in your local school's course catalog? Don't fret. Today's online degree programs are more diverse than ever before, so when it comes to finding the right major, the world is your oyster.
7. Attend class from your couch -- truly. It may be cliche, but let's face it: the freedom to go to class in your PJs is a luxury anyone could appreciate.
8. Learn at your own pace. Online degree programs allow you to access lectures and course materials at any time. That means you can easily review anything you don't understand or may have missed without worrying about holding up a class full of people.
9. Never miss another lesson. With online education, the classroom is never further away than the nearest Internet connection. That means you can access your lessons when you're sick, snowed in, or have other obligations to attend to.
10. Increase your salary potential. A 2009 Bureau of Labor Statistics study shows that salaries increase and unemployment rates decline with continuing education. This is true with traditional campuses, too, but the convenience and cost savings online education can provide make school a possibility for those who otherwise couldn't attend.

Find the Right Degree Program

Online colleges offer a number of benefits over traditional education, but they aren't necessarily easier. Online education requires students to be disciplined, motivated, and organized. Request more information from all your top college choices of all types to find the program that suits your learning style.