Criteria to consider if you’re heading back to college to earn your degree online

Accreditation – it is important to know that you’re buying a quality degree, not one from a “diploma mill.” Local institutions are regionally accredited, which covers more than 85 percent of colleges in the US. Explore the differences between national and regional accreditation. Many students find out too late when they transfer from one institution to another that their credits are not transferrable.

Tuition cost – look for the credit hour cost and the total number of credits it will take for you to earn your degree. That will give you your cost for the degree program. But don’t forget to add up all the fees as well. Fees vary by university. Some may charge for course materials, or Internet fees and administrative fees. Fees add up quickly to hundreds of dollars extra per semester.

Financial aid – what options are available for you to select from? As mentioned in a previous post, Obama’s administration has set up avenues for “adults in need” to have access to pell grants and student loans in order to further their education – now. Find out what your options are help cover the cost of your education.

Calculate the return on your investment (ROI) for your degree – you probably have a good idea of what type of salary you can earn once you obtain your degree. The average annual salary if you have a bachelor’s degree is roughly $45,000 and $60,000 for a master’s degree. Calculate the increase in your salary versus the cost of your degree and you’ll figure out how long it will take you to recoup your investment. Hopefully its months versus years.

Reputation – be sure you do your homework to ensure that the college or university has a reputable image. There are certain schools that have more web sites dedicated to the defamation of the school than fan sites. Ask around – do you know anyone who had attended the school? What was their experience like? Has their degree helped them advance in their career?

Avoid the traps from the ‘get your degree fast’ or ‘cheap degrees here’ type of web sites. They typically represent unaccredited institutions which are diploma mills. You won’t want to buy a degree online. You want to earn it. You want to master the curriculum so you can apply it to your job or to help you land your next job. If you don’t have a burning desire to pursue your degree, or if life-long learning just isn’t for you, then heading back to school for a degree might not be for you. You can investigate professional certificates and other avenues to get the type of learning you want.

For more information about selecting schools, check out GetEducated.com. They rate, rank and compare online schools and degrees.