These days, due to the soaring costs of a college degree and busy schedules, affordable online colleges make a lot of sense. There's a strong demand for affordable colleges with proper accreditation and academic merit. And while some students are lucky enough to go to college for free, a lot of us are happy with a low cost, yet high quality option. Especially with the benefits that online schools provide.
The staff members at Affordable Schools thoroughly evaluated a large number of colleges offering online degrees to make it easier for you to select your online college.
The schools in our most affordable online colleges list offer, at a minimum, a sufficient number of high quality, online programs at affordable prices.
Cost Information
Our list of affordable online schools only shows undergraduate tuition and fee prices; other technical or online fees may apply, check with specific schools for details.
#1 Fort Hays State University
Approximate tuition and fees: $4,320
Fort Hays State University, a public school, located in Hays, Kansas, operates Fort Hays State University Virtual College, which has graduates in every state and in Asia, Europe, the South Pacific and other regions. This affordability attracts students from throughout the world. Fort Hays State University Virtual College provides online bachelor's degrees in fields such as business education, justice studies, general studies, nursing – RN to BSN, education, management, tourism and hospitality management, marketing and more.
The Virtual College provides online master's degree programs in fields such as education, business administration, instructional technology, nursing administration, special education and more. Fort Hays University Virtual College also provides an array of online certificate programs.
Fort Hays State University is included in the U.S. News & World Report Online Education Programs Honor Roll and ranked #16 in the Best Online Bachelor's Programs list and ranked #20 in the Best Online Graduate Education Programs list.
#2 Columbus State University
Approximate tuition and fees: $5,400
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Established in 1958, Columbus State University (CSU), located in Columbus, Georgia, is an accredited public institution educating over 8,000 students. CSU offers online undergraduate degrees in fields such as information technology, business, liberal arts, nursing and general sociology and online graduate degrees in education, business, nursing and more.
CSU has received numerous awards in excellence including the Regents Teaching Excellence Award for Departments and Programs for its music department. The graduate online programs in arts, business, nursing and education all ranked best in 2013 by US News & World Report. In addition, CSU ranked among the top Universities in the South and top choice for online colleges by the US News & World Report rankings.
#3 Stephen F. Austin State University
Approximate tuition and fees: $6,000
Established in 1923, Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA), located in Nacogdoches, Texas, is an accredited public university with more than eighty undergraduate majors, sixty graduate fields, and three PhD programs.
The affordable school offers online undergraduate degree completion programs, graduate degree programs and certificate programs. The graduate program includes degrees in education.
Stephen F. Austin State University ranked #75 in the U.S. News & World Report 2014 edition of Best Colleges in Regional Universities (West).
#4 Western Governors University
Approximate tuition and fees: $6,000
Western Governors University, a private, nonprofit, accredited online university, located in Salt Lake City, Utah, offers over 40 online bachelor's degree and master's degree programs.
Western Governors University uses a competency-based learning model, with students working online in coordination with faculty mentors. Student mentors guide students in their coursework. Course mentors, experts in their field, answer questions students have about their coursework. Course mentors also tutor students.
Western Governors University includes the Online College of Information Technology, WGU Online Teachers College, Online College of Health Professions and the Online College of Business.
Western Governors University has received attention in articles about the challenges and success of providing higher education to students via the Internet in prominent print media outlets such as The Huffington Post, USA Today, and the Los Angeles Times.
#5 California State University-Dominguez Hills
Approximate tuition and fees: $6,100
Established in 1960, California State University- Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) in St. Carson California, an accredited research school, offers unique internships, research opportunities and small class sizes.
CSUDH offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees and professional certificates. CSUDH offers online undergraduate degrees in fields such as applied studies, quality assurance and nursing. The school offers online master's degrees in areas such as humanities, business administration, public administration and nursing.
Forbes magazine ranked the university as one of the top online colleges.
#6 Utah State University
Approximate tuition and fees: $6,100
Founded in 1888, Utah State University (USU) located in Logan Utah is a public accredited research institution known for its science program and Space Dynamics Lab.
The online program, offers 18 college degrees available in condensed (4 or 7 week) and open entry (begin anytime) formats. Online bachelor's degrees are available in fields such as agribusiness, liberal arts, economics and communicative disorders and master's degrees in fields such as agricultural systems technology, natural resources and instruction technology and learning sciences.
In 2011, Forbes magazine ranked USU #1 in the West for lowest tuition and in the top five nationally in its list of America' Best College Buys.
#7 Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Approximate tuition and fees: $6,200
Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSU), is located in Natchitoches, Louisiana. NSU, founded in 1884, with a sole purpose to train teachers, became the first school in Louisiana to offer degree programs in nursing and business education.
Northwestern State University of Louisiana hosts the Louisiana Scholar's College, Louisiana's honors college in the liberal arts and sciences.
The online school of NSU offers over 50 degree programs with an enrollment of over 9,000 students. Its online education offers numerous accredited programs in undergraduate, graduate and specialist degrees as well as certificates.
Northwestern State University of Louisiana ranked #92 in the 2014 edition of the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges in Regional Universities South.
#8 New Mexico State University
Approximate tuition and fees: $6,200
New Mexico State University (NMSU), located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, is an accredited, comprehensive, land-grant university founded in 1888. NMSU boasts five campuses, a satellite center in Albuquerque and co-op extension offices in 33 counties. NMSU is a NASA Space Grant College.
Colleges such as Agricultural, Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Engineering provide undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
NMSU online offers Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate programs, and a number of Certificate and Licensure options.
U.S. News and World Report ranks NMSU in the top tier among Best National Universities.
#9 Florida State University
Approximate tuition and fees: $6,500
Florida State University (FSU) located in Tallahassee Florida is an accredited institution founded in 1823. FSU is highly recognized for its programs in the arts and sciences, its marine research work and for the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.
FSU offers 275 degrees spread out among 16 colleges at the undergraduate, masters, and doctoral level which includes a medical and law school.
The university offers more than 40 post-graduate degree and certification programs through its online college.
USA Today ranked FSU #4 best value public university in the nation. Florida State University ranked #91 in the U.S. News & World Report 2014 list of Best Colleges in National Universities. According to U.S. News & World Report FSU's online graduate programs in nursing and business ranked among the nation's best.
Florida State University included among the 151 to 200 group of the best colleges in the world by Academic Ranking of World Universities (provided by Center for World-class Universities at Shanghai Jiao Tong University). The university is also part of The Princeton Review the Best 378 Colleges 2014 list.
#10 University of West Georgia
Approximate tuition and fees: $6,800
Founded in 1906, the University of West Georgia (UWG), located in Carrollton, Georgia, is an accredited comprehensive university with over 12,000 students. UWG offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate programs.
The online university of the University of West Georgia offers online degrees in areas such as criminology, education, nursing, business, and computer science. Some of its graduate programs offer degrees in music, education/media and an MBA.
The Richards College of Business received accreditation from the prestigious AACSB.
The Princeton Review, for the past ten years, named UWG one of the Best Southeastern Colleges based on cost and financial aid. The Princeton Review also named UWG one of America's Best Value Colleges.
University of West Georgia ranked #89 in the U.S. News & World Report 2014 edition of Best Colleges in Regional Universities (South) and ranked #4 in the Best Online Graduate Business Programs list.
#11 Eastern Oregon University
Approximate tuition and fees: $7,200
Founded in 1929, Eastern Oregon University (EOU), located in La Grande, Oregon, is an accredited public university and belongs to the Oregon University System. With fewer than 30 students in each class, EOU offers bachelors, masters and multiple pre-professional programs. The university offers majors in areas such as agricultural sciences, business administration, chemistry, computer science, liberal studies, mathematics, natural resources, nursing and more.
With a year-round schedule, the online school of Eastern Oregon University offers an array of bachelor's degrees and a Master's in Science in Education degree.
Eastern Oregon University provides every online student an online advisor, accelerated credit option for life experience, individualized liberal studies programs which integrate previous college work and as year-round schedule.
Eastern Oregon University is a military friendly/Yellow Ribbon Program participant.
#12 Southern Arkansas University
Approximate tuition and fees: $7,500
Established in 1909, Southern Arkansas University (SAU) is an accredited liberal arts university built on its foundation tied to the region's agricultural past and offers 60 degrees in four distinct colleges.
SAU offers more than 358 courses each year which students can earn credits toward a degree or certificate program. Southern Arkansas University typically has about 1,200 students enrolled in online courses.
Southern Arkansas University offers an array of online graduate degree programs.
#13 Bellevue University
Approximate tuition and fees: $7,800
Bellevue University, located in Bellevue, Nebraska, offers more than 50 undergraduate, graduate and accelerated degrees, programs and options to over 16,000 students.
Bellevue University offers online graduate and undergraduate degrees in fields such as business, computer information systems, criminal justice, cybersecurity, graphic design, healthcare management, information technology and management information systems.
Bellevue's online college programs ranked among the Top 10 in the 2013 Best Online Bachelor's Programs and ranked 18th in the 2014 Top Online Education Program Rankings in a U.S. News & World Report.
#14 University of Memphis
Approximate tuition and fees: $7,900
University of Memphis (UM), located in Memphis Tennessee, founded in 1912, is an accredited institution with a student body of over 21,000 students and 930 full-time faculty.
University of Memphis offers bachelor's degrees in more than 50 majors and 70 concentrations, Master's degrees in 54 subjects, Doctoral degrees in 25 disciplines and a law degree. Graduate certificate programs are also available in 30 areas of study.
University of Memphis has the largest honors program in Tennessee.
The university offers online bachelor's degrees in arts and sciences, communications and fine arts, business and engineering and in other areas. The University of Memphis also provides online master's degrees and professional certificates.
#15 North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Approximate tuition and fees: $8,200
Established in 1887, North Carolina State University at Raleigh (NC State), located in Raleigh, North Carolina is an accredited research university with a population of over 34,000 students. NC State has a strong reputation for its mathematics, technology engineering, education and sponsored research programs.
The online school of NC State at Raleigh offers more than 50 online programs in undergraduate, graduate and professional degree studies as well as teacher licensure and certifications.
North Carolina State University, Raleigh ranked#101 in the U.S. News & World Report 2014 edition of Best Colleges National Universities list, ranked #41 in the Best Value Schools list and ranked #81 in the Best Online Bachelor's Program list.
#16 Sam Houston State University
Approximate tuition and fees: $8,600
Sam Houston State University (SHSU), Founded in 1879 in Huntsville, Texas, is an accredited university and classified as a "Doctoral Research University" by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.
SHSU offers over 80 degree programs and 56 post-graduate degrees. Its online program offers undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs.
The SHSU online program has received a plethora of high rankings in 2013 from the U.S. News & World Report for its online graduate education, business and computer IT programs as well its bachelor's degree programs.
#17 Old Dominion University
Approximate tuition and fees: $8,800
Old Dominion University (ODU), located in Norfolk, Virginia, established in 1930 (as a division of The College of William and Mary) is as a public, accredited research institution.
With a student-teacher ratio of 21:1, the school enrolls over 24,000 students with over 60 bachelor degree programs as well as more than 90 graduate and post-graduate degrees.
Its online division offers over 70 degree programs in bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate programs as well as certificates, minors and licensures. Some programs include business, education, engineering and nursing.
The Princeton Review named ODU a Best Southeastern College.
#18 University of Alabama at Huntsville
Approximate tuition and fees: $9,200
Established in 1950, University of Alabama at Huntsville (UAH) located in Huntsville, Alabama, is an accredited public university and one of three members of the University of Alabama System.
UAH has six different colleges: Graduate Studies, Business, Liberal Arts, Engineering, Nursing, and Science.
The online university of UAH offers more than 70 online college degree programs to over 7,700 students.
The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching named UAH a Very High Research Activity university.
University of Alabama at Huntsville ranked #181 in the U.S. News & World Report 2014 edition of Best Colleges in National Universities list. The College of Nursing online graduate program included among the top 20 in U.S. News' 2013 America's Best Online Education Programs.
#19 Brandman University
Approximate tuition and fees: $9,900
Established in 1958, Brandman University, located in Irvine, California, is an accredited, non-profit military friendly university.
Brandman University offers more than 50 accredited undergraduate and graduate degrees, teaching credentials and extended education programs both online and on campus.
The online university of Brandman University provides degrees and certificates in areas such as Arts and Sciences, Business and Professional studies and Education.
In 2013, U.S. News and World Report ranked the school's online programs among the top ten in the nation.
#20 Southeast Missouri State University
Approximate tuition and fees: $9,900
Founded in 1873, Southeast Missouri State University, a public accredited university in Cape Girardeau, Missouri has over 11,000 students. The school offers over 200 undergraduate and graduate programs of study as well as a co-op Ed.D. program with the University of Missouri.
The online school of Southeast Missouri State University offers bachelor's degrees in business administration (AACSB accreditation), technology management, nursing, general studies, computer information systems and more. The university also has an array of online Master's degrees.
Most online courses are 16 weeks in length and available in four, six or eight week formats.
U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review recognize Southeast Missouri State University's dedication to affordable education.
Our list of the most affordable online colleges provides plenty of good schools.
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