Choosing to go back to school can be the most difficult part of the college decision-making process. Once you’ve committed to pursuing a degree, tackling the next steps often feels less intimidating. You might even find yourself gaining momentum and planning out your to-do list as you continue preparing for your return to college.
The next item on your agenda is determining which school would be the best fit for you. You already know you’re interested in online programs that will allow you to maintain your current job, but that doesn’t do much to narrow your options. The truth is that not all schools provide the same level of quality and support in a virtual learning environment.
So how do you go about finding the best online colleges for working adults? Because there are so many schools to choose from, you might find it helpful to consider a few essential criteria as you weigh your options. With these elements in mind, you can soon find a college that allows you to successfully balance working full-time and going to school.
6 Features you’ll find at the best online colleges for working adults
You’ll eventually want to consider your personal preferences for things like class size and overall culture, but it’s a good idea to focus on these factors first.
1. Affordable tuition and reasonable fees
The cost of attending college is on the mind of every student these days, particularly adult learners who are balancing working full time and going to school. One recent survey reveals that while 60 percent of adults have considered returning to school, worries about being able to afford a degree and pay off loans often prevent them from enrolling in a program.
It turns out that obtaining a degree is one of the best ways to expand your career options. Using Labor Insight, a real-time job market data tool from Burning Glass Technologies, reveals just how much a degree can impact the positions you’re able to pursue.* The Labor Insight analysis shows that while high school graduates were eligible for 8.5 million jobs, bachelor’s degree holders and master’s degree holders were eligible for 18 million jobs and 18.8 million jobs respectively. And those with a doctoral degree were qualified for all 19.2 million positions.
When evaluating the cost of different institutions, remember to look beyond just the cost of tuition also. Additional fees are often involved to cover expenses related to application submission, student support services, purchasing course materials and more.
2. A generous credit transfer policy
If you’re anything like other adult learners, you may have completed some college courses here and there. There’s no reason those hard-earned credits should go to waste, so it’s in your best interest to investigate transfer policies at every institution you’re considering. While some schools may only recognize a course or two, others will be happy to count an entire associate degree toward your bachelor’s degree.
Graduate students aren’t typically able to transfer much coursework, but you should still see what your options are if you’ve completed any 500-level or higher classes. Even transferring six credits – the standard maximum – can speed up your time to completion.
What if you don’t have any equivalent college coursework that will carry over? The best online colleges for working adults still have options that can help you complete a program sooner. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible to receive credit through military service or training, securing solid scores on exams that demonstrate your knowledge or leveraging what you’ve learned on the job.
3. An inclusive admissions approach
While many institutions pride themselves on being incredibly selective about the students they accept, this can be a big barrier for busy adults. Most simply don’t have the time to attend interviews and write additional essays to prove they stand out from other students.
Fortunately, some schools take a much more inclusive approach to admissions. There are even institutions that offer open enrollment for undergraduate students. This means that as long as you have a high school diploma or GED and complete all application materials, you’re guaranteed acceptance. Bellevue University is one of these institutions, and it’s nearly as generous when it comes to admitting graduate students (these learners just need to meet some basic GPA requirements).
4. Career-focused programs
There’s no question that furthering your education can open up career possibilities. A recent survey reveals that 100 percent of polled recruiters think college graduates have more skills than candidates without a degree. But it’s also important to keep in mind that the specific area of study you choose matters when it comes to advancing your career. A report from Strada Education Network and Gallup shows that bachelor’s degree holders are far more likely to value their education if it involved job-relevant coursework, and it’s reasonable to assume the same is true of those with a graduate-level education.
What this means for you is it’s wise to focus on institutions with programs that are strongly aligned with in-demand careers. While this might sound limiting, there are so many good options. Rapidly growing occupations exist in healthcare, information technology, business administration, psychology and many other fields. It’s worth noting that Bellevue University offers more than 70 different career-focused degrees.
5. Multiple program formats to choose from
Online programs aren’t one-size-fits-all when you’re working full time and going to school. Every student is different, which is why it’s important to consider your needs and preferences when looking into different institutions. You want to make sure you select a school that offers the format that works best for you. For instance, maybe you need the flexibility of being able to complete your coursework as you’re able rather than logging in at specific times that may not work for your schedule. Or perhaps you would learn better in a hybrid format, which includes both online and in-person classes.
In some cases, you may even be able to find some more unique offerings that help you better manage your time. One popular option is a cohort program, which allows students to work through their courses alongside a highly collaborative group of peers. The structure and pacing of a cohort program will vary by institution, so be sure to do your research. For instance, some schools offer accelerated formats that allow students to complete their degrees sooner.
6. Above-and-beyond student support
As you compare schools, pay close attention to what types of support services are made available to students. You’d be surprised at how much variation there can be from one institution to another. You’ll find things like guidance related to financial aid and planning, academic tutoring and assistance with course selection at just about every school. But some go well beyond the basics to help juggle the balance between working full time and going to school.
Curious about what other resources you may be able to take advantage of? Some institutions have a full array of options like military and veteran services, easily accessible technical support, and writing assistance. Bellevue University students have access to this array of resources for no additional cost.
For many adult learners, it’s particularly useful to have some extra guidance navigating the higher education experience. It can be incredibly beneficial to have a single point person available to answer questions on financial aid, registering for classes, how to improve time management and just about anything else. Bellevue University fulfills this need by pairing every learner with a student coach who will assist them throughout their entire journey, providing support and encouragement from enrollment to graduation.
Find success working full time and going to school
Hopefully, you now feel more confident about selecting an institution. While there might not be one obvious sign indicating a school is among the best online colleges for working adults, identifying good options will likely be easier if you remember the above features. Soon enough, you’ll be able to narrow your list to just a handful of schools.
As you continue to weigh your final few options, you’ll want to begin thinking about which area of study you want to pursue. You obviously want to choose a program that can help you achieve your professional goals. Bellevue University makes this easy by offering more than 80 career-focused programs that can be completed fully online. You can even request assistance in selecting the best option for you.
Start exploring the education possibilities by visiting our Degrees & Programs page.
*Burning-Glass.com (analysis of 19,150,246 job postings that specified the minimum required level of education, November 01, 2019 – October 31, 2020)
