The Four Benefits of Non-Profit, Online Universities
Online universities are now more popular than ever. But what are they and how can you benefit as an online-university student rather than an in-person student experience?
Here are four reasons you should consider attending an online university:
Enhanced Flexibility
An online education opens many more possibilities for your schedule.
Some students work during the day and cannot fit in attending classes in person. Others choose to take more classes at once since they don't have to factor in drive time.
One of the biggest benefits to online universities is you can adapt your study schedule around your life, and even the mood you're in. Most online classes do not require a specific login time. Yet you can still interact and network with your professor and other online students on your own time.
You're also not locked into a specific classroom experience. As a remote student you can choose to study from your favorite coffee shop one week and city park the next. Your classroom is flexible and open to new and unique settings.
Safe Learning Environment
Spend less time commuting via public transportation or driving yourself to campus. You get to choose the place you'll learn as a college student. Meaning you can leave your face mask at home should you be learning from your own office.
Opposed from the regular brick-and-mortar university setting, you won't have to worry about keeeping a safe distance or the sanitization procedures of a busy, student-filled classroom or student commons.
Less Student Debt
As an online student you'll have zero transportation and university housing fees. Also, something to consider, most traditional colleges ask for a student fee payment along with your tuition costs. This includes some services you may not use such as:
- Student Gym/Facilities Maintenance
- Athletics
- Campus security
- Student originations
- Student legal services
- And more
You will only pay for an application fee (some universities waive this fee), textbook costs and the actual tuition fee from the online course(s) you are taking.
More Course Choices
You may feel limited studying at a typical university, as course times and days are developed based upon faculty availability. This could be a huge deciding factor when you require specific courses, yet they don't fit your schedule.
With online courses you have more course options because time or place limitations are not excluding your choice of subjects or courses. Most online universities design their course catalog specific to the idea that prospective students are looking for miore course opportunities and variety.
What's the difference between online for-profit and non-profit colleges?
Non-profit colleges, private or public, gain their money from enrollment and must reinvest profits for the greater educational good. According to
The Best Schools
and the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), "The broad consensus is that non-profit college or universities are generally a safer bet and a smarter investment of your money."
Lower public trust due to recent high-profile investigations of for-profit universities is the most glaring difference in for-profit and non-profit colleges today.
For-profit Colleges work to gather profit and often consist of investors driven by economic motives rather than educational mission.
Students should always ensure the online schools, courses and degree programs they choose hold a reputable accreditation - whether national, regional accreditations or career/program based.
non-profit
- Higher Public Trust
- Variety of Programs Offered
- Public and Private Insitutions
- Educational Motive-Based
for-profit
- Lower Public Trust
- Niche Programs Offered
- Public and Private Insitutions
- Economic Motive-Based
