Are olnline college degrees a good way to go?

Answer 1

"if two people are up for a job and one has a degree from Online U. and the other has a degree from Traditional University, the latter will surely get it."

There's an academic study that partly supports this but also partly refutes this:

If one candidate has his degree from Harvard University (completed substantially online) and the other has one from East Outback State U (completed in the classroom) -- the Harvard grad has the job. [The Harvard grad always gets the job over everyone but other Ivies.]

If both candidates have a degree from Florida State but one was online and the other in-the-seat; the in-the-seat gets the job by a margin of only 52:48

If one has a degree from East Podunk State U. (completed online) and the other has no degree, then the East Podunk gets the job by a very high margin.

If one has a bachelor's from anywhere (online) and the other has an associates from a community college - the bachelor's gets the job.

It's really all about the reputation of the college compared to the reputation of the competitor's education whether online, in-the-seat, or blended.

If one has a degree from UNC-Chapel Hill (traditional) and the other has a degree from UNC-Asheville (traditional); the UNC-CH gets the job.

You then should pick the very best college that you can get in to. Online or traditional is not the major consideration, the reputation of the college is MUCH more important.

Who would you hire - a Duke University MBA (online) or East Yourstate College MBA (traditional) -- I'm goin' with the Duke grad.

Answer 2

It depends on what you want out of your degree and what your life is like right now.

If you are experienced in the workforce and want a degree just to pad your resume (e.g. you were able to get a job 20 years ago without a degree, but now everyone you work with in your field has one) an online degree would be ideal. It's more convenient and it provides the piece of paper that says that you know your line of work (which you probably did already anyway).

However, if you're a new high school graduate, I'd definitely recommend attending a brick-and-mortar university for a degree. You get much more communications / business experience in a classroom working with actual people. Plus, (and this may be unfair, but it is true) if two people are up for a job and one has a degree from Online U. and the other has a degree from Traditional University, the latter will surely get it.

Answer 3

Most employers seem to have a preference for people who attended a campus-based program. But if doing so is impossible for you, then yes, an online degree is a reasonable choice. But make sure the university is both regionally accredited, and also has a good reputation in the region in which you hope to work. That means that, in reality, you want to find a good, brick and mortar university which also offers programs online. I'll give you a few examples of those to get you started:
- University of Maryland
- UMass Amherst
- Ball State
- University of Denver
- Penn State
- Rensselaer Polytechnic

Also check with your own state university. They could well offer degrees online.

Answer 4

As long as the school is properly accredited, then yes!

Answer 5

My goodness - no way!!

Are you serious?