Key Takeaways:
- Our top ranking schools for affordability and strong job placement rates are West Texas A&M University and University of Florida.
- Online degrees from these institutions offer significant flexibility and affordability, aiding students in securing employment.
- Schools highlighted demonstrate strong employment support, including career coaching and connections with top employers.
A college education is one of the most important investments that set students up for a successful future. Acquiring a college degree is often a ticket to better employment and compensation. According to the data from the National Center for Education Statistics, the employment rate was higher for 25- to 34-year-old employees with higher levels of educational attainment. In fact, NCES states that 87% of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher found employment.
Students who want to make it big in life may want to consider earning a college degree. Fortunately, numerous colleges and universities in the country offer online degrees that are low-cost but offer plenty of opportunities for success. Students will be able to earn a degree with high job placement from these colleges. Many of the degrees on offer lead to fast-growing occupations.
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On average, the annual cost of attendance for first-time, full-time undergraduate students can amount to $26,000 in public colleges and universities and can be as high as $55,800 for private nonprofit educational institutions. The low-cost online colleges offer a more affordable way to earn one’s degree online while giving them the opportunity to land a job in their chosen field.
West Texas A&M University
Committed to helping students make a difference through innovation and service, West Texas A&M University offers quality education in various competitive fields. Many of its degree programs are also available online. Some of the online undergraduate degrees on offer include programs such as the Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies, Bachelor of Arts in Computer Information Systems, Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics, and Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, among others.
For non-Texas residents, the cost of tuition and fees amounts to $9,664. The tuition and fees for out-of-state students are about $11,000, making West Texas A&M University one of the most ideal choices for a college degree. Students can also make use of financial aid options like scholarship funding to help them afford their post-secondary education.
Data from five years shows that 70.73% of the graduates were employed full-time. The majority of the graduates went on to work in mining, quarrying, oil and gas extraction, company and enterprise management, manufacturing, and healthcare and social assistance.
University of Florida
Since 1853, the University of Florida has been driving innovation. It currently offers fully online, four-year degree programs in 24 majors, all of which are designed for busy students and working professionals. Some of the online program options include Anthropology, Advertising, Biology, Business Administration, Digital Arts and Sciences, Education Sciences, Environmental Management, Geology, and many more.
As one of the most affordable online universities in the country, the University of Florida’s online tuition plus fees is around $129 per credit hour for Florida residents and $212 for non-residents. Students are also entitled to financial aid programs such as grants, scholarships, and loans to help them fund their online college education.
According to the university’s Institutional Planning and Research Center, 66% of the 2022-2023 graduates from the University of Florida found full-time employment. The university is home to the Careers Connections Center, which is instrumental in helping job seekers connect with employers while offering students individualized career education and guidance.
University of West Florida
The University of West Florida offers hundreds of undergraduate and graduate programs. Many of which are also offered online. It is also recognized for its affordable tuition rates. A four-year bachelor’s degree at UWF averages $6,860 annually.
Students who wish to earn an online degree at the University of West Florida may be able to choose among a number of undergraduate programs, including Accounting, General Studies, Finance, Global Hospitality and Tourism, Human Resource Management, Supply Chain Management, Public Health, and more.
Graduates of the University of West Florida are highly successful in finding jobs from their first year out of college. In fact, more than 72% of UWF graduates from the school year 2020 to 2021 were employed or were pursuing graduate education. This was from the data released by the Florida Board of Governors.
University of North Carolina-Greensboro
Known for its award-winning academic programs, the University of North Carolina–Greensboro makes education more accessible by offering many of its degrees online. It allows students the flexibility to earn their degree at their own pace. Some of the undergraduate programs available online include History, Liberal and Interdisciplinary Studies, Philosophy, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Public Health Education, and Nursing, among others.
For undergraduate students who live within the state of North Carolina, the average cost of tuition and fees annually for online students is around $5,436 while out-of-state tuition amounts to $20,595.
Many of the graduates from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro went on to work in their chosen fields. The university offers full support to its students’ quest for employment through the Department of Career and Professional Development. Online learners are provided with various resources to jumpstart their job search journey, including a guide to creating a career roadmap, personal career coaching, and resume development.
The University of Alabama
As the state’s flagship higher learning institution, the University of Alabama remained committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service. It offers various online programs across all education levels, from bachelor’s to doctoral degrees.
The university offers one of the most affordable tuition rates in the country. The distance learning tuition rate for undergraduate students is $385 per credit hour. Each course is often made up of three credit hours. Online students will also be able to take advantage of scholarships and grants to help them fund their college degree.
Students who graduated from the University of Alabama reported positive career outcomes. Out of 73% of graduates who reported the outcome post-graduation, a total of 90% reported a positive outcome. This means they have found full-time or full-time employment, continued their education to a higher degree, or went on to render military or volunteer service.
Oregon State University
Oregon State University has welcomed thousands of students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. This public university extends the quality education it offers to distance learners through numerous online degree programs. Some of these programs encompass the fields of education, agriculture, economics, anthropology, and environmental sciences, among others.
The online degree programs have the same per-credit tuition as their traditional, on-campus counterparts. The total cost per credit for online students amounts to $350 and can sometimes go up to $561 for some choice programs. There are a number of financial aid options available for online students, including Federal financial aid, scholarships, and need-based grants.
Oregon State University has produced high-achieving professionals throughout its history. In particular, the professional network of the College of Business offers students a distinct advantage when it comes to employment success. Graduates of its business programs went on to work for prestigious companies such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Boeing, Intel, Samaritan Health Services, Target, and many more.
Fort Hays State University
Founded in 1902, Fort Hays State University seeks to develop global citizen leaders. It is known to meet the changing educational needs of modern students through its flexible and challenging academic programs. Compared to the national average tuition fee of $10,423, the university’s tuition and fees only amount to $5,634. The online undergraduate tuition per unit is just $243, which is generally lower than other universities and colleges.
The university offers more than 80 fully accredited online degree programs. Some of the options include Communication Studies, Criminal Justice, Sociology, Accounting, Business Education, Finance, Education, Nursing, and Computer Science.
Looking at Fort Hays State University’s undergraduate employment data for 2022, a total of 990 graduates were employed in their major field, while 58 were employed outside of their major. Only 79 are still seeking employment. This translates to a success rate of 94%.
Georgia Southern University
Spread out across ten colleges, schools, and departments, Georgia Southern University offers more than 130 degree programs. Many of these are also available online. The university’s online programs are a blend of theory and real-world experience. These include the Bachelor of Information Technology, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology, Bachelor of Science in Public Health, and Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science.
Online students can enjoy the flexibility and convenience of earning their degrees from anywhere in the world. For the cost of online undergraduate programs, students will be able to take advantage of tuition fees per credit hour of $182.
Georgia Southern’s First Destination Survey for graduating students shows that 52.1% of the respondents are working. Meanwhile, 13% opt for further or advanced education. The remaining 32.6% are still figuring out their career paths.
University of Houston
The University of Houston is the state’s largest public university. Established in 1927, it is home to students pursuing any of its 270 degree programs, many of which are offered online.
A recognized leader in distance education, UH offers 1,250 courses online, such as Retailing & Consumer Sciences, Nursing, Business Administration, and Psychology. Tuition and fees range from $421 to $1,409 per semester credit hour, varying between residents and non-residents.
In 2022, the placement rate of students from the university is 33% with a 39% success rate. Some of the top employers for graduates include Amazon, Houston IS, JP Morgan Chase, and many more.
Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University is a private nonprofit institution that offers numerous online degrees designed for busy and working students and professionals. Students can choose among 200 plus flexible online programs, with popular areas of study such as art and design, accounting and finance, business, criminal justice, and education.
The university makes it a point to keep the costs of college education low, offering some of the lowest tuition rates in the country. Undergraduate degrees cost $330 per credit. Students are not required to pay undergraduate or graduate application fees either. Compared to its nearest competitor, a bachelor’s degree in business education at SNHU, for example, costs 15% less at $39,600.
The career-focused programs at Southern New Hampshire University help students land successful jobs in their chosen fields. The university’s Career Services department has connected with more than 8,000 employers to help students find full-time jobs, part-time jobs, and internship opportunities.
Despite the rising cost of living and more expensive tuition rates across the country, students are still fortunate to be provided with low-cost online degree programs that can help them land high-paying jobs. Online programs also offer the added benefits of flexibility, allowing students to earn their degrees at their own pace.
Sources
- National Center for Education Statistics
- West Texas A&M University Employment and Salary Data
- University of Florida Career Connections Center
- Pensacola News Journal