Are you searching for the cheapest online Bachelor’s degree programs? These days, it is difficult to establish a career without a bachelor’s degree—but a college education can certainly drain your finances.
There are highly reputable brick-and-mortar colleges and universities offering a wide range of degree options, but not all students feel that they are cut out for traditional learning either.
What’s the answer? The cheapest online bachelor’s degree programs are offered by numerous schools all over the country.
For those who cannot afford traditional academic institutions or who cannot fit a four-year college degree into their busy schedules, the cheapest online bachelor’s degree program is the perfect solution.
Apart from the convenience they offer, these online programs are often practical and cost-efficient. There are options for obtaining financial aid such as scholarships, grants, student loans, and work-study programs.
That said, online bachelor’s degree programs are as academically intensive as their on-campus counterparts. Students and online learners share the same teachers, too, ensuring quality instruction.
METHODOLOGY
In our list of the Cheapest Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs, we explore online schools that offer the most budget-friendly course options. All schools on this list have tuition rates that are under $400 per credit hour or $12,000 per year. These universities and colleges also have a wide range of online bachelor’s degree programs to choose from.
THE CHEAPEST ONLINE BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMS
Minot State University
Minot State University in Minot, North Dakota offers nine cheap online bachelor’s degree programs namely,
Bachelor of Applied Science in:
- Applied Business Information Technology
Bachelor of General Studies
Bachelors of Science in:
- Human Services
- International Business
- Management
- Management Information Systems,
- Marketing
- Nursing (RN to BSN)
Aside from academic advising, the university has a wide array of online resources and support services such as Blackboard Collaborate, tutorials, and a writing center. These online programs are delivered in an asynchronous format.
Undergraduate tuition is $355 per credit hour, and all online students pay the same tuition regardless of the duration of the residency. These are capped between 12-18 credits.
Financial aid options and payment plans are both available for online students. In other words, you pay for only the credits you need to get your degree. Course tuition and fees are included in the per-credit charge. However, textbooks or software are not included. Minot State University has received accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.
DID YOU KNOW?
Minot State University is a top school for international students. According to U.S. News & World Report, the university ranks 133rd out of 1,204 best-value colleges & universities for international students.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWG5XhD5SsQ
Fort Hays State University
Located in Hays, Kansas, Fort Hays State University (FHSU) has 36 diverse online bachelor’s degrees that are relatively affordable in the fields of:
- Agricultural Business
- Technology Leadership
- Medical Diagnostic Imaging
- Business Education
- Management
- Health Studies
- Nursing
- Education
- Computer Networking and Telecommunications
- Philosophy
- Sociology
- and in the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Among its notable online bachelor’s degrees are Bachelors of Business Administration with Majors in:
- Accounting
- Finance
- Finance with Banking Concentration
- International Business and Economics
Coursework is offered both in synchronous and asynchronous formats. The cost per credit hour is $243 for an undergraduate degree.
There are financial aid options and cost and military benefits for military-connected students. There are grants, loans, scholarships, and student employment for online students. With the lowest tuition rates in the country and the “Best Online Programs” award by US News & World Report for their undergraduate and graduate degree programs, FHSU Online is the right place to begin your life-long learning journey.
Fort Hays State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
DID YOU KNOW?
For the period in which he completed his final examination, the FHSU Accounting graduate obtained the top score on the Kansas CPA exam in 2015. FHSU Accounting graduates have commanded the state’s top scores in three of the last five years. Out of the more than 120,000 applicants, two recent graduates of the FHSU Accounting Program earned Elijah Watt Sells national awards.
Oregon State University
Oregon State University (OSU) in Corvallis, Oregon features affordable online bachelor’s degree programs in the fields of:
- rangeland science
- sustainability
- horticulture
- economics
Some of its bachelor’s degree programs are Bachelor of Arts in:
- Sociology
- Anthropology
as well as a Bachelor of Science in:
- Political Science
- Geography and Geospatial Science
- Environmental Sciences
A bachelor’s degree in Exploratory Studies program is also present for students who are uncertain about which degree program they want to pursue.
Coursework is asynchronous, making it ideal for working students. Courses are mostly taken online, but some general education and science courses need to be completed on campus. Online undergraduate tuition ranges from $350 per credit hour. During any term, if you have both online and on-campus classes at OSU, you will pay Ecampus tuition for courses completed online and campus-based tuition for classes completed on campus.
You’ll be able to qualify for various financial aid options like scholarships, grants, and military benefits and grant. Oregon State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
DID YOU KNOW:
A public university in Oregon, Oregon State is a major research university that specializes in marine science, forestry, sustainable food systems, and more.
Southeast Missouri State University
Situated in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Southeast Missouri State University has 13 affordable bachelor’s degree programs offered online, particularly in the fields of:
- healthcare administration
- technology management
- criminal justice
Some of the university’s online bachelor’s degrees include:
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
- Bachelor of Arts in Social Science
- Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration
- Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies
Online coursework is ideally intensive, flexible, and rigorous since it is delivered in an asynchronous format in 8- to 16-week terms. The tuition fee per credit hour is $317. There are scholarships, grants, loans, and summer financial aid to help you afford a college degree.
Military and veterans also can pay an in-state college fee. The university has earned accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission and the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Students who are active in a student organization make up more than 40% of all undergraduates. Among these students, more than 1,000 are in leadership positions or participating in leadership development programs.
- Eight dining locations and 18 residence halls are available to students.
- A total of 238 student organizations are on campus
Valley City State University
Situated in Valley City, North Dakota, Valley City State University (VCSU) has several online bachelor’s degree programs which include,
Bachelors of Science in:
- Biology
- Business Education
- Computer Information Systems
Bachelor of Arts in:
- History
Most of these programs are designed for students working full-time.
Some degree programs require occasional visits to the campus, while some have asynchronous courses that are purely delivered online. This university does impose credit transfer limits. Tuition is $221 per credit hour.
There are many kinds of financial aid options available such as State Aid, Institutional Aid, Federal Aid, Private or External Aid, and scholarships. Valley City State University has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), and the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
DID YOU KNOW?
As a Historic District, the central campus of VCSU is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and BuzzFeed named VCSU’s campus in North Dakota’s best college campuses in May 2017.
American Public University
The American Public University (APU) in Charles Town, West Virginia has 50 affordable online bachelor’s degree programs including:
- Bachelor of Science in Space Studies and Fire Science Management
- Bachelor of Arts in Middle Eastern Studies and Reverse Logistics Management
Except for the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, all online programs require 120 credit hours for completion with a maximum of 90 credit transfers allowed.
There are also various alternatives to maximize transfer credits like community college agreements and credits for prior learning and work experiences. Undergraduate tuition is $350 per credit hour. For those with military grants, they’ll be paying a flat rate of $250 per credit hour.
The school offers generous financial aid support such as federal student aid, military tuition assistance, veterans benefits, employer benefits, scholarships, and private loans. The university has also received accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.
DID YOU KNOW?
- You can start your program quickly because classes start monthly.
- Over 60 students and alumni were named finalists in the Presidential Management Fellows program, one of the nation’s premier programs for public service and leadership.
- The school has been awarded five times for the prestigious Online Learning Consortium Effective Practice Award.
University of Central Florida
Located in Orlando, Florida, the University of Central Florida has 20 cheap online bachelor’s degree programs offered to students of various educational backgrounds, whether they are young students or adult students pursuing a college degree.
Some of its known online programs include:
- Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology
- Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics and Information Management
- Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences
There are also numerous minor programs to choose from.
Coursework is offered in synchronous and asynchronous formats. Tuition is $180 per credit hour for residents and $716 for out-of-state students. They offer online financial assistance like scholarships, grants, loans, waivers, and federal work-study. The University of Central Florida is recognized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
DID YOU KNOW?
The University of Central Florida is a world leader in academics, partnerships, and research across many disciplines, including optics and lasers, modeling and simulation, engineering and computer science, business, public administration, education, hospitality management, healthcare, and video game design.
West Texas A&M University
West Texas A & M University at Canyon, Texas has a wide range of online undergraduate degree programs for students seeking career advancement through degree completion.
Some of these affordable online bachelor’s degrees are:
- Bachelor of Business Administration – General Business
- Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences
- Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies
- Bachelor of Business Administration – Computer Information Systems
The university runs a generous credit transfer policy. Tuition is affordable at $50 per credit hour (in-state), but the university grants numerous scholarships and financial aid based on academic distinctions and areas of study.
The financial aid offerings of the school include scholarships, student loans, emergency loans, work-study programs, and grants. This university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
DID YOU KNOW?
Approximately 1,150 veterans are enrolled at Texas A&M Texas A&M is one of three Tier 1 research universities in the state along with the University of Texas and Rice. It is a land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant university.
Florida International University
Situated in Miami, Florida, Florida International University has 42 affordable bachelor’s degree programs offered online. Some of these degree programs include,
Bachelors of Arts:
- Religious Studies
- Sociology
Bachelors of Science:
- Supply Chain Management
- Information Technology
- Sustainability and the Environment
- Public Policy and Service
This university accommodates and prioritizes adults with full-time careers through coursework delivered in an asynchronous format. The interaction between students and faculty members happens typically through email and message boards. Undergraduate tuition is $206 per credit hour.
Among the financial aid options they provide are grants, loans, and work-study arrangements. Florida International University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
DID YOU KNOW?
- The majority of FIU faculty members hold a doctorate or an equivalent degree.
- The world’s only underwater ocean laboratory is located at FIU.
- Miami averages 76 degrees Fahrenheit a year (24 degrees Celsius).
Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, offers various distance learning bachelor’s degree programs such as Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Science in:
- Business Administration – Management
- Career and Technical Education
- Child Development – Birth through Kindergarten
- Communication Studies
- Communication
- Business Administration-Advertising
- Elementary Education
- Middle Grades Education
- Nursing (RN-BSN)
- Special Education
This university adopts a case-to-case basis evaluation for transfer students. Tuition is $331 per credit hour. Students can acquire financial assistance through the different types of aid available such as grants, scholarships, federal work-study, and loans.
There are also veterans benefits and military tuition available for military-related people and their families. Appalachian State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
DID YOU KNOW?
In 1966, a fire destroyed the administration building, symbolizing the end of the old Appalachian and the beginning of a new era. Within 10 years, enrollment doubled to exceed 2,400. There were more than 300 full-time faculty members.
State University of New York (SUNY) College of Technology
Based in Canton, New York, SUNY College of Technology offers high-quality but affordable online bachelor’s degree programs including but not limited to Bachelor of Science in:
- Agribusiness Management,
- Law Enforcement Leadership
- Health Care Management
- Homeland Security
- Legal Studies
- Business and Technology Management
- Nursing
- Veterinary Service Administration
Students establish their personal and career networks through the academic institution’s online video conferencing, chat services, discussion boards, 24/7 library services, e-book resources, and e-databases. Study abroad programs are also available. Tuition is $7,070 for in-state students.
Although their tuition rates are among the most modest in the nation, they also offer various types of financial aid like scholarships, grants, loans, tax credits, student employment, and work-study. The academic institution is also accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
DID YOU KNOW?
- In addition to developing the MRI and supermarket barcode scanner, SUNY was also the first to implant a pacemaker in the human body. It all happened thanks to their 60 years of expertise.
- SUNY campuses are within 30 miles of 99.8% of all New Yorkers. SUNY generates $5 of spending in New York State for every state dollar received (over $16 billion in total spending each year).
University of North Carolina – Pembroke
The University of North Carolina in Pembroke, North Carolina offers 21 cheap, undergraduate degree programs online. These online bachelor’s degrees are,
Bachelors of Arts in:
- Criminal Justice
- Sociology
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in:
- Applied Management Information Systems- Operations Management
Some of the degree programs require students to obtain an associate degree first. In-state tuition is $1000, and out-of-state tuition is $5000.
Their financial aid includes scholarships, federal financial aid, grants, loans, federal work-study, state financial aid, and school of education scholarships. The University of North Carolina is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
DID YOU KNOW?
- As one-half of one of the fiercest rivalries in history, the University of North Carolina is known for its dominance in men’s basketball.
- In the 18th century, Chapel Hill was the only state university to award degrees in the United States. During the first two weeks of classes, there was only one student. The school also has the oldest collegiate athletic program in the Carolinas; it’s more commonly known as “Carolina.”
Western Carolina University
A non-profit public institution, Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina offers 11 fully online bachelor’s degree programs.
These include a Bachelor of Science in:
- Birth to Kindergarten
- Birth to Kindergarten-Alternative Licensure
- Birth to Kindergarten- Early Childhood Education
- Birth to Kindergarten-Professional Education
- Criminal Justice- Administration of Justice
- Emergency and Disaster Management
- Emergency Medical Care
- Nursing (RN to BSN),
- Business Administration and Law
Degree programs are culminating in state licensure exams; students are prepared for in-state exams. Online tutorial services such as the Brainfuse HelpNow program are available. Undergraduate tuition is $ 3,708 for North Carolina residents and $5,708 for out-of-state students.
They offer different financial aid for students like grants, scholarships, work-study, graduate student aid, and military assistance. The university has received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Cullowhee is home to over 4,500 students from WCU. There are 13 buildings on campus, including a graduate student residence and a married student residence.
- Under NC Promise, all undergraduate students at WCU are eligible for reduced tuition costs as of Fall 2018.
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, North Carolina has over 50 bachelor’s degree programs. The affordable online bachelor’s programs include,
Bachelor of Arts in:
- Intelligence Studies
- Psychology
Bachelors of Science in:
- Nursing (RN to BSN)
- Criminal Justice
- Accounting
- Birth through Kindergarten (Non-Teaching)
- Fire and Emergency Services Administration
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Business Administration – General Concentration
Coursework is delivered through Canvas and is readily accessible to local Fort Bragg military students. Tuition for North Carolina residents is $166 per credit hour.
Their financial aid assistance includes grants like the federal Pell Grant, federal SEOG, and UNC Need-Based grants. They also have scholarships and work-study programs. Fayetteville University has received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
DID YOU KNOW?
FSU’s school motto describes the university’s commitment to civic and social responsibility. Each year, their students serve in their communities for more than 50,000 hours.
College of Coastal Georgia
The College of Coastal Georgia at Brunswick, Georgia offers five affordable online bachelor’s degree programs namely:
- Bachelor of Science in Workforce Management and Leadership
- Bachelor of Arts in French Language and Literature
- Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Language and Literature
- Bachelor of Science in Public Management
Coursework can be delivered in both asynchronous and synchronous formats for students to be able to participate in online collaboration and discussions actively. Most of its online bachelor’s programs enable students to customize the requirements and content of the program through numerous concentration tracks or a set of electives. In-state tuition is $3,204.
Their quality education is within reach for students who receive financial aid. The majority of their students receive financial assistance. The College is one of the best value options in Georgia’s University System, as well as offering numerous scholarships. The College now offers more than 40 scholarships to incoming students with just one application.
Qualified students can also participate in federal work-study on campus. The College of Coastal Georgia has received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
DID YOU KNOW?
In Kingsland, just north of the Florida border, in Coastal Georgia, there is also the Camden Center, an off-campus instructional facility. Students from Camden, Charlton, Brantley, and Nassau counties can take day, evening, and online classes at this site.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbXzXScG5AE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What qualifies a Bachelor’s degree program to be considered “cheap” or “inexpensive?“
A bachelor’s degree program can be considered “cheap” or “inexpensive” if it meets one or more of the following criteria:
- The tuition and fees are below the average of similar programs,
- The program offers significant financial aid or scholarships,
- The program has a low cost of living (on-campus options),
- The program can be completed in a short amount of time or,
- The program offers flexible payment plans.
What are the requirements for admission into an online Bachelor’s degree?
Aside from the fact that online students need to own proper equipment and reliable connectivity options, the requirements of an online bachelor’s degree vary depending on the level or type of degree program. In general, applicants are required to finish high school and submit an official transcript along with their non-refundable application fees.
Most universities and colleges need a minimum GPA and passing scores on standardized tests such as SAT and ACT. Other academic institutions need students to ace an interview or submit recommendation letters or personal essays. Some online degree programs, though, require students to have completed an associate degree before being admitted into a bachelor’s degree program.
What is the normal salary range of graduates who have earned an online Bachelor’s degree?
Growing demand for online programs, employer partnerships, and the need for online learning options in growing industries are all signs that online education will be more widely accepted. Typically, online bachelor’s degree holders earn an average of $75,900. This rate is 50% higher than those who have only received an associate’s degree. The disparity in wage rates is one of the reasons why earning a bachelor’s degree online is considered a cost-efficient way to invest in the future.
How long will it take for me to earn an online Bachelor’s degree?
Most online bachelor’s degree programs with 120 credit hours can be completed in four years for full-time students. They can opt to earn 12 to 15 credits per semester and finish their online bachelor’s degree in four years or less.
Part-time students, on the other hand, may complete their degrees in five or six years. For accelerated bachelor’s degree programs, students attend classes for the full 15-week semesters—or about five to eight-week sessions—and complete their degree programs in two to three years.
Why study for a Bachelor’s degree online?
If you want to further your career but don’t have the time to go to a traditional, on-campus Bachelor’s program, an online Bachelor’s degree is a great alternative. If you want to retrain in a new field without quitting your job or want to study abroad at a university far away, you can do it without quitting your job. Regardless of your choice, you will have the flexibility and independence you need with long-distance learning.
Online work is becoming the norm for today’s workforce. SHRM recently surveyed 46 percent of organizations about their use of virtual teams. Over the last decade, the number of professionals working at least half of the time remotely has grown by 159 percent. Using online learning to prepare professionals for online work is evident, then.
You can schedule online classes and assignments according to your schedule if enrolled in a distance learning program. Bachelor’s courses usually consist of videos or texts and cover one module a week, like traditional classes. It enables you to complete your Bachelor’s degree at a prestigious international university without physically being there.
Need more information? Take a look at these: