The 20 Most Affordable Online Colleges and Universities

Located in Kansas, this university has an acceptance rate of 91 percent. If you have decent grades, getting admitted is almost guaranteed. Fort Hays State University offers more than 200 degrees, and they are all affordable. This public school is about 119 years old and is well established in the state.

Fort Hays State University is one of the few schools that offer a Bachelor’s Degree in Web Development. Many other schools only offer computer science degrees. The annual cost of an online master’s degree at Fort Hays is $4,478, which makes it the most affordable option on this list.

Clayton State University is located in Morrow, Georgia. It is also a public school, and it has been around since 1969. It is one of the most recognized schools in Georgia, and every in-person program is available online. This means you can get the same quality of education either way.

Clayton State University has excellent accounting, dental, and supply chain programs on undergraduate and graduate levels. The average tuition for bachelor’s degrees is $5,079.

This is another old-timer in Statesboro, Georgia, and it has been around for over 114 years. It has a few in-person campuses and an online learning portal. It is one of the few schools in the United States that offers online doctoral programs. You should try Georgia Southern University if you’re interested in getting a PhD online.

This university is best known for its Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. It offers programs in topics like public administration, economics, and sociology, all of which are top online options. The online tuition is about $5,646, but it might change depending on the program.

Eastern New Mexico University has a campus in Portales, New Mexico, but its accredited online programs will give you the degree you want. You can find both undergraduate and graduate programs. There are also certificate programs if you want to study for less than four years.

This university is perfect for STEM majors who want to specialize in aviation, mathematics, or computer science. It also has an MBA for business majors and many other great programs in the art department. The online tuition is $6,114, and it varies depending on the program.

This is another HLC-accredited regional university with a solid online platform. The online version of the school is known for its rich curriculum of applied studies across disciplines. You can choose from either instructor-led or self-directed classes, depending on your learning style.

The online bachelor’s degrees at this school cost approximately $6,298. There are also associate and master’s degrees available. UW Green Bay says on its website that 84 percent of new students receive financial aid, so you should be able to check out your options and save extra money.

Western Governors University is a strictly online university, and it doesn’t have any physical campus for classes. It has four major faculties: IT, business, teaching, and health. You can apply for a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree. The cost of these online programs is approximately $6,450, but this can vary.

This school offers a strong financial aid program. Some students are eligible for the $5,000 leadership scholarship fund for impacting local communities. If you are active in your community and enjoy helping others, Western Governors University is a good option for you.

Arkansas State University is known across the United States for its high acceptance rate. It is a public, non-profit school that offers accessible online classes. If you want to get an online bachelor’s or master’s degree, Arkansas State University may be a good way to go.

The school is one of the best options for a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The online tuition at Arkansas State University is about $6,540 per year, and you can apply for financial aid programs.

Minot State University is a regional public school located in North Dakota. It is currently the largest school in the region, and it was founded in 1913. You can choose an online degree that takes place in real time or courses that you can take on your own. This makes it a great way to learn if you already have a job or family.

The most popular online programs at Minot University are in the education department. The tuition for online bachelor’s degrees is $6,690. If you want to get a master’s degree, you can study special education, disability human services, sports management, and more.

Florida State College is a community college in Jacksonville that awards online associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. The online school is accredited by the SACSCOC, and it is known for its incredible applied studies programs.

The associate degrees run for about two years, while the bachelor’s degrees run for four years. The online tuition at Florida State College is $6,812, and there are dozens of degree options. You can also opt for the Associate in Arts program that can help you transfer to a four-year university when you’re ready.

Columbia Southern University, also known as CSU, is a fully online university. It is accredited by both the Distance Education Accrediting Commission and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. This means that you can be confident in the quality of your online degree.

This school is unique because it is completely self-paced. You can enroll at any time of the year and graduate whenever you have the time to complete the curriculum. Columbia Southern University may have only been around for 25 years, but it has extensive degree options. The online tuition cost at this school is $7,050.

This school is located in Cedar City, Utah, and it has over 140 programs at different levels. These include bachelor’s and master’s degrees. You can also work with the school to build your own program, which is useful if you want to double major.

The school’s online version has several communication programs for people who want to dive into the media industry. Communication degrees can be helpful across different disciplines as well because the skills are applicable everywhere. The approximate cost of an online program at Southern Utah University is $7,200.

Ohio University is your one-stop destination for every program related to human services, criminal justice, and psychology. The school also has a host of accelerated programs for people who prefer fast-paced learning.

This accredited university offers six associate degrees, 12 bachelor’s degrees, 53 master’s degrees, and three doctoral degrees online. The tuition cost for online bachelor’s degrees at Ohio University is $7,290.

This is a public university in Columbus. Despite the name, it accepts students of all genders, and one in five students is male. This school has an impressive 97 percent acceptance rate, so you are likely to get in. The school was founded in 1884 and has gained global recognition since then.

Mississippi University for Women is known for its programs in business administration, nursing, and public health education. It also has a great culinary institute for aspiring chefs. You can qualify for financial aid at all levels. Online tuition is about $7,425.

Louisiana State University is a public school that was founded in 1967. While it started out as a two-year school, LSU Shreveport has added several four-year programs to help you get a well-rounded education.

This school offers a range of online degree programs at different levels. One of the best is the Accelerated Degree in Nursing. This program allows nurses with associate degrees or diplomas to get a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. LSU Shreveport also has an excellent accounting program. Online degrees at this school cost approximately $7,482.

Fayetteville State University is a public regional university in North Carolina. It is one of the most diverse schools in the United States for people of color, especially Black people. The online school is accredited by the SACSCOC.

If you want to become a fire service official, you can get started with an online Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Services Administration. Fayetteville State University also offers strong psychology programs at bachelor’s and master’s degree levels.

Athens State University is an Alabama-based public university that offers online degrees. It is known for three major departments: Education, Sciences and Arts, and Business. You can get either your undergraduate or graduate degree online.

This school should be your first choice if you want a degree in religion or supply chain management. Both of these programs are some of the best online options in the country. Degree tuition ranges from $4,335 to $7,626 per year. This varies depending on which program you choose.

Valley City State University is a public university that was founded in 1890. The online version offers a range of specialized disciplines that allow you to get a degree in the topic that interests you most.

The school’s best online programs are in communications. The Bachelor of Science in Communication – Digital Media Management Cognate is currently one of the most in-demand programs. These online programs cost about $7,649, but they can vary.

It might be a private school, but Central Methodist University is one of the most affordable in Missouri. Keep in mind that this school is affiliated with the United Methodist Church, so it is a good option if religion is important to you. This school is known for offering great degrees from its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

If your goal is to start a career in education, Central Methodist University might be the most affordable option for you. One of the best degrees is the Bachelor of Science in Education – Early Childhood Education. You can become a kindergarten or elementary school teacher. The bachelor’s degrees cost $7,800, but the master’s degrees cost less.

This public school in Pocatello, Idaho boasts over 280 programs at different levels of education. Most of these programs are offered online. Some of the best options include health science, fire science, and psychology. There are online programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

The online school is fully accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Tuition for most online programs at Idaho State University is $7,872, and you may be eligible to receive financial aid.

The University of Missouri at Saint Louis is a public school with extensive programs in business, art, education, social sciences, nursing, and optometry. The school was established 61 years ago, and it has an AACSB-accredited School of Business and Accounting.

Almost every in-person program at this school is available online. One of the best online degrees is the Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership. It is a great option if you already have an associate degree and want to upgrade. The cost of online programs at the University of Missouri at Saint Louis is approximately $7,891.