Cheapest and Most Affordable Online Colleges 2023
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A college degree, in this economy? You can totally do it — you just have to be strategic.
These cheap online degree programs can save you money while also providing the flexibility you need to attend school while holding down a job, raising a family, or dealing with whatever else you might have going on.
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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How Can I Afford College?
If you're reading this, you probably know how tough it can be to get ahead in this country without a bachelor's degree.
According to a 2016 report published by Georgetown University, 95% of new jobs following the Great Recession went to people with college degrees. Which means that being a college grad is basically a prerequisite for success in today's labor market.
You're probably thinking: Duh, of course I want the benefits of a degree — but how can I afford college in 2023?
It's no secret that college can be super expensive. So expensive, in fact, that 62% of Americans believe financial challenges make going to college inaccessible. But there are a few things you can do to make college cost less.
How to Afford College
- Transfer credits from a community college or previous college enrollment.
- Choose a school that will apply work or volunteer experience towards your degree requirements.
- Apply for as many types of financial aid as you can.
- Accept tuition reimbursement from your employer.
But the number one thing you can do to make college cheaper? Pick an affordable school.
And we can help with that.
Options on our new list of online bachelor's degree programs offer the best cost/benefit ratio on the market. Build the future you want, on your own schedule, without breaking the bank.
Featured Online Colleges
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
How We Rank Schools
This ranking is grounded in a few guiding principles and uses data provided by trusted sources, including the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and College Scorecard — both of which are hosted by the U.S. Department of Education. Our goal with this ranking is to objectively assess relative quality based on affordability. All schools in this ranking are public or private not-for-profit institutions that hold regional accreditation and offer online bachelor's programs. We hope our approach helps you find the school that is best for you.
45% Tuition
Tuition covers the cost of classes. This does not include school supplies, meal plans, housing, and other expenses.
45% Financial Aid
Our ROI score includes the average amount awarded in federal grants. We don't include scholarships and loans.
10% Debt Accrued
We consider the debt you may accrue over your payback period. The higher your debt, the lower our score.
The Most Affordable Online Bachelor's Degree Programs
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Florida Atlantic University is a public four-year institution with six campuses throughout Florida, including a main campus in Boca Raton. It boasts the lowest online tuition rates in the state and currently offers eight fully online undergraduate degrees.
FAU has earned national recognition for diversity and student outcomes: first-gen, Black, and Hispanic students at FAU outpace the university's overall retention and graduation rates for all students.
Total undergraduate enrollment in 2022 was nearly 25,000 students.
Online Tuition/Fees Cost Per Credit Hour, 2022-2023
- Florida Resident: $203.29
- Non-Florida Resident: $721.84
Support for online students at FAU includes:
- Online tutoring
- Writing center
- 24/7 technical support
- Math center
- Counseling and psychological services
- Career center
- Financial aid counselors
- Library access
ROI Value Score: High
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Eastern New Mexico University
Portales, NM - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Become a "greyhound" at Eastern New Mexico University — a public four-year institution in Portales, New Mexico. The university currently offers 29 online bachelor's degree programs.
ENMU costs less than 90% of universities in the Southwest and has low out-of-state tuition costs. The school also reports a 97% student satisfaction rate.
Total undergraduate enrollment in 2022 was nearly 4,000 students.
Online Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour, 2022-2023
- New Mexico Resident: $297.75
- Non-New Mexico Resident: $380.27*
*Note: Texans living within 135 miles of ENMU qualify for in-state tuition
Support for online students at ENMU includes:
- Financial aid and enrollment services
- Online library services
- Campus bookstore
- Free online tutoring
- Online writing center
- Online counseling programs
- Technical information and support
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Commerce, TX - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Texas A&M University-Commerce is a public university near Dallas-Fort Worth in Texas. A&M-Commerce currently offers 20 fully online bachelor's degrees.
According to the Brookings Institution, A&M-Commerce is among the top 20 national universities for creating social mobility for students. It is also recognized as one of the more affordable universities in Texas. In 2022, the administration decided against raising tuition, despite inflation.
Total undergraduate enrollment at A&M-Commerce was over 7,000 students in 2021.
Online Tuition/Fees Cost Per Credit Hour, Fall 2022
- Texas Resident: $718*
- Non-Texas Resident: $1,126*
*Note: Online courses at A&M-Commerce are subject to additional fees
Support for online students at A&M-Commerce includes:
- Online tutoring
- Technical support
- Library and bookstore
- Writing center
- Career development
- Online counseling
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Western New Mexico University
Silver City, NM - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Western New Mexico University is a public applied liberal arts and sciences institution in Silver City, New Mexico. It currently offers 19 fully online bachelor's degree programs and awards more than 500 degrees every year.
WNMU stands out for its identity as a Hispanic-serving institution — roughly 50% of WNMU undergrads are Hispanic. WNMU aims to keep tuition low and provides many opportunities for students to receive financial assistance.
Total student enrollment for 2022 was just over 3,500 individuals, including graduate students.
Online Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour, 2022-2023
- New Mexico Resident: $349.06
- Non-New Mexico Resident: $625.29
Support for online students at WNMU includes:
- Online tutoring
- Online student advisors
- Technical support
- Career development
- Writing center
- Accessibility services
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
The University of West Florida
Pensacola, FL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
The University of West Florida is a public university based in Pensacola, Florida. It currently offers 17 undergraduate degree programs.
UWF is a great school for nontraditional students: nearly half of the student population is enrolled part time. Faculty are committed to the success of online students, and the university is known for having a strong positive impact on the social and economic mobility of its learners.
Total undergraduate enrollment in 2021 was roughly 9,300 students — about 38% of whom were enrolled fully online.
Online Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour, 2022-2023
- Florida Resident: $218.98
- Non-Florida Resident: $648.37*
*Note: Residents of Alabama are eligible for a reduced out-of-state tuition rate
Support for online students at UWF includes:
- Library services
- Tutoring services
- Career center
- Writing lab
- Technical support
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro, NC - 4 years
- Online + Campus
UNC Greensboro is a public university in Greensboro, North Carolina. It currently offers 14 online degree programs for undergraduate students.
UNC Greensboro has been recognized for its affordability, student diversity, impact on student mobility, low student debt, and excellent online bachelor's programs.
Total undergraduate enrollment at UNC Greensboro in the fall of 2022 was about 14,000 students.
Online Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour, 2021-2022
- North Carolina Resident: $222
- Non-North Carolina Resident: $854*
*Note: Online students living outside of North Carolina may be eligible for a reduced tuition rate
UNC Greensboro offers all of its students — both online and on-campus learners — the same student support services, including:
- Math, speaking, and writing centers
- Counseling
- Tech support
- Accessibility services
- Career and professional development
- Veterans' services
- Academic advising
- Library and bookstore
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Florida International University
Miami, FL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Florida International University is a public research university with campuses in North Miami and West Miami-Dade County. It currently offers 54 fully online undergraduate degree programs.
FIU has received recognition for its online bachelor's degree programs — especially its business programs — and the excellent quality of its undergraduate teaching. FIU is also the top institution in the country for enrolling and graduating Hispanic students.
In 2022, total undergraduate enrollment at FIU was over 46,000 students.
Online Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour, Fall 2022
- Florida Resident: $146.50*
- Non-Florida Resident: $263.58*
*Note: Online courses at FIU are subject to a distance learning fee
Online student support at FIU includes access to:
- Admissions and enrollment experts
- Academic advisors
- Success coaches
- Online tutoring
- Tech support
- FIU library services
- Career guidance
- Counseling and psychological support services
- Internship services
ROI Value Score: High
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
The University of Texas of the Permian Basin
Odessa, TX - 4 years
- Online + Campus
UTPB is a public university in West Texas. It currently offers 16 fully online bachelor's degree and certificate programs.
UTPB is one of the most affordable colleges in Texas, awarding roughly 42 million dollars of financial aid to its students every year.
Additionally, as of fall 2022, UTPB will cover 100% of tuition and fees for students from families making $100,000 or less a year. Expect UTPB to rise dramatically in our affordability rankings in the future!
Also: If you're a first-generation student, you'll find you fit right in. About 42% of UTPB Falcons are, too.
Online Tuition/Fees Cost Per Credit Hour, 2022-2023
- Texas Resident: $326.63
- Non-Texas Resident: $326.63
Online student support at UT Permian Basin includes:
- Academic advising
- Academic support services
- Accessibility accommodations
- Career services
- Financial advising
- Wellness support services
- Library services
- Veterans' services
- Technical support
- Remote exam proctoring support
ROI Value Score: High
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies
Fayette, MO - 4 years
- Online + Campus
CMU is a private, not-for-profit institution based in Fayette, Missouri. The school's College of Graduate and Extended Studies (CGES) currently offers 28 fully online bachelor's degrees and certificates. Tuition costs for CGES offerings are much lower than those available to the general CMU student population.
CMU is affiliated with the Methodist church, a denomination of Protestant Christianity, and "welcomes students of all faiths" to apply. CMU awards approximately $11.5 million in scholarships every year.
Currently, more than 4,000 students attend CMU's College of Graduate and Extended Studies.
Online Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour (CGES), 2022-2023
- $270*
*Note: Online courses at CMU are subject to a CGES student fee
Online student resources available at CMU include:
- Technical support
- Library services
- Bookstore access
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
University of Houston-Downtown
Houston, TX - 4 years
- Online + Campus
The University of Houston Downtown is a public university located in the heart of Houston, Texas — one of the nation's most culturally diverse cities. UHD currently offers 15 online bachelor's degree completion programs for students who have already completed core curriculum.
UHD works to provide students with an affordable education: 82% of students receive some kind of financial assistance. And with over 60,000 successful alumni, UHD graduates join a massive professional network of fellow Ed-U-Gators all over the country.
In the fall of 2021, the total student body at UHD included more than 15,000 learners.
Online Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour, 2022-2023
- Texas Resident: $245.75
- Non-Texas Resident: $653.75
Online student resources at UHD include:
- Writing and reading center
- Academic support center
- Advising services
- Library and bookstore services
- Counseling services
- Disability services
- Career development
- Veterans' services
- Tech support
ROI Value Score: High
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Is Online College Worth It?
In a word: Yes.
-
Yes, because a college degree can help you earn more money.
- In 2020, the median earnings of workers (ages 25-34) with a bachelor's degree were 63% higher than the median earnings of those with only a high school diploma.
(Source: 2022 Annual Earnings by Educational Attainment, National Center for Education Statistics)
-
Yes, because a college degree also impacts your lifetime earnings:
- According to another Georgetown University study, the median lifetime earnings for college grads ($2.3 million) with a bachelor's are roughly 75% more than the expected earnings of workers with only a high school diploma ($1.3 million).
-
Yes, because the right degree can make you more employable:
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, college grads are half as likely to be unemployed as workers with only a high school diploma.
- Cengage Group's 2022 Employability Report found that 62% of employers require a college degree for all entry-level positions.
-
Yes, because research shows that many college graduates enjoy a higher quality of life:
- Bachelor's degree-holders are 47% more likely to have health insurance through their jobs, according to the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities.
- These workers also receive 74% more in health coverage contributions from employers than non-college grads.
- People with four-year degrees even live longer: A recent study published in the proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that, since 2010, the life expectancy of people without a degree has steadily decreased, while the life expectancy of college graduates has increased.
-
Yes, because online degrees are more mainstream than ever:
- A 2021 national survey found that online learners reported a higher rate of satisfaction with their educational experience (73%) than in-person students at four-year colleges and community colleges.
- According to a report by Northeastern University, a majority of employers (61%) see online credentials as "equivalent to or in some cases better than on-campus study."
How to Make Online College Worth It For You
That's not to say the road will be easy.
Our research shows that 65% of online students have full- or part-time jobs, and 91% have kids at home under the age of 18. Throw college into the mix, and things can get really overwhelming, really quickly.
As a result, working students, part-time students, and independent students have much lower graduation rates than traditional, full-time students.
But you can do this. Preparation is half the battle. Here's how to make it to the finish line and get the best return on your investment:
1. Know Exactly What You Want From Your Degree
Ask yourself: Why are you going to college now? What is your desired outcome?
If you want access to higher-paying jobs, be strategic about your choice of major. Some degrees lead to better-paying jobs than others. In 2022, the 10 highest-earning bachelor's degrees included petroleum engineering, computer science, and business.
If you're looking to advance in your current field, focus on a degree path that will give you the specific credentials you need to get ahead.
2. Plan for Obstacles
Online students say that work/life balance is one of their biggest obstacles to success. Earning an online degree while also managing responsibilities outside of school requires a lot of planning, discipline, and grit. You'll have to:
- Be realistic about what you can accomplish. Don't burn yourself out by signing up for too many courses at a time.
- Be mindful of your time management. Each term, carve out blocks of dedicated study time and protect that schedule with your life.
- Put a support system in place. Reach out to employers, friends, family members, neighbors, and peers who you can count on for emotional or practical help along the way.
3. Choose a Program That Fits Your Needs
Even the best students need help sometimes. Make sure you consider what student services each school offers in terms of support and flexibility:
- Will you have access to tutoring, mental health support, and career guidance?
- Will your classes be synchronous or asynchronous?
- Will instructors be flexible and understanding?
- Will you have opportunities to network and build professional relationships?
All of this might sound like a lot, but remember that 95% of online college graduates recommend online learning as a path to success. Soon enough — with the right planning and a good program — you can be one of them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cheap Online Colleges
Is online college more affordable?
Online college may be more affordable than a traditional four-year degree if you take into account the following:
- No lost wages: One of the biggest benefits of online schooling is the flexibility it gives you to work and study at the same time. You can pursue a degree without any gaps in your earnings.
- No commute: Far from campus? No problem. Gas prices won't get you down when your commute is from your bedroom to your dining room table.
- Fewer on-campus fees: Online students may be exempted from fees pertaining to on-campus amenities and services.
If you're only considering out-of-pocket costs, online programs aren't necessarily more affordable. According to a 2020 report from Quality Matters and Eduventures Research, most schools charge about the same tuition for online and campus-based programs.
What is the cheapest online college?
The cheapest online college on our list is Florida Atlantic University. Undergraduates who are state residents pay an average of $105 per credit in tuition.
What is the average cost for online college?
Based on numbers collected by BestColleges, the average net price for online programs at distance-learning-only public schools was $10,089 during the 2020-21 school year.
The cost was higher at both private nonprofit schools and private for-profit schools: $15,118 and $17,047, respectively.
How can online students avoid out-of-state tuition costs?
The easiest way to avoid out-of-state tuition costs as an online student is to attend a college in your state. Students who attend an out-of-state public college often pay more than in-state students.
That said, there are some colleges that charge all online students the same tuition, regardless of residency. Additionally, some colleges reduce tuition costs with waivers for children of alumni or military members. And some students may qualify for in-state tuition if they have strong academic credentials.
