Is an on campus degree better than an on-line degree?

Question

Quality of education, work place, and experience do you think one is better than the other, and why?

Answer 1

Online programs have very poor reputations due to some very deceitful practices going on. Many online-only degrees have very little proof of accreditation (or simply making up their own accreditation boards to "certify" themselves), very low standards for admission and degree granting, and cutting corners to make profits (which University of Phoenix has been/is being accused of).

These are serious problems, and until the industry shapes up, online-only degrees will not be seriously considered by reputable companies seeking qualified employees. It will be near impossible to get your foot in the door at the industry leading companies with an online degree.

Answer 2

I thought you were all-knowing? Just kidding. Go for the campus degree. The in-person interaction will make all the difference unless you are a hermit who hates the sight, smell, sound and touch of other human beings. Most quality educational institutions, most, offer better quality and most are not online. However, this is changing as bastions of higher learning such as Penn State and Arizona State now offer online degree programs.

Answer 3

Well experience wise, you are going to learn more on campus, considering you will gain knowledge from a professor who may not stick straight to the curriculum as an online class will. Also, online degrees are not offered by as many 'good' colleges, and your degree will not be respected as a 'good' degree until much longer from now when online college grows into a larger area of expansion for colleges. Although, Online classes are cheaper and of course quicker, and you can complete the courses in the comfort of your own home. Most who go to college would never trade what they gained in the social experience (myself included) for having done it all in my house, alone.

Answer 4

My mom is actually attending one of those for profit schools that started out as online but also has main campuses around the country. University of Phoenix.

Would I go there if I wanted to be a doctor? Hell no.

But, if I were a parent of 2 with 30 years experience working full time in a lawfirm and participating in a seperate board of director position in a seperate business and had little time - which is the exact situation my mom is in - and the lawfirm I work for knows i'm fully qualified for a big promotion and the only thing I need is the paper Master degree to validate my expertise, then yes attending University of Phoenix is the perfect school for my needs.

So for my mom, who is already well experienced in the workforce, it's a good enough degree to be promoted at her lawfirm with a 40,000 per year raise.

For me, who has no experience under my belt in the field I want to pursue, who will be pursuing a field that requires high level of expertise upon entry, then no i don't think University of Phoenix caters to me. But, if I were already established in the field and had a lot of experience and years learning and needed to obtain certain certification or degree in order to be qualified for a promotion or I needed to brush up on some skills, then University of Phoenix would be fine.

Basically it depends on your situation. Many of these online degrees and for profit universties such as UOF, were created for the working adult since regular universities don't really cater to full time working adults as well as 18-22 year old kids.

Answer 5

The main problem is experience. I believe some would degrade the value of someones experience who took online courses for their degree, contrast to someone who went to a prestigous school and was involved with the campus.

Answer 6

Would you want a doctor who was educated on line or on campus to operate on you?

Answer 7

YES! you will not be taken seriously with an online degree.