Least Expensive Online Colleges with Robust Career Services

Least Expensive Online Colleges with Robust Career Services - featured image

The NACE Class of 2022 Student Survey shows that using at least one career service resulted in 1.24 job offers! With every additional career service used, their job offers increased by 0.05, on average. In contrast, college students who didn’t use a single career service received a 1.0 job offer, on average.

The bottom line? Use your online college’s career services to start your career in the right direction!

Here, we present ten regionally accredited online universities with world-class academic quality. They also offer excellent career services toward stellar graduate employment outcomes.

Featured Programs

Least Expensive Online Colleges with Robust Career Services - fact

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide

Daytona Beach, FL

Website

Tuition and Fees: $11,185

Types of Career Services Offered: Career exploration, development, preparation and resources. 

ERAU’s Worldwide Career Services provides its current online students and alumni with lifetime career support based on its four pillars, namely: 

  • The career exploration-related services include career tests and assessments. 
  • The career development services encourage students to engage in career readiness activities (e.g., COIN program). 
  • The career preparation-related services are intended to assist students with their resumes and cover letters, online profiles, and job interviews. 
  • The career resources include the Career Prep Toolbox where students become familiar with CareerShift, Big Interview, and Handshake. 

Indeed, ERAU’s 95% job placement rate is proof of its success!

Colorado State University – Global

Aurora, CO

Website

Tuition and Fees: $12,896 (in-state); $33,752 (out-of-state) 

Types of Career Services Offered: Career coaching, resume help, and interview preparation 

CSU Global provides its current students with excellent career services, too, but it also differentiates itself with its proven success in its micro-credentialing and third-party certifications initiatives! Here, students receive micro-credentials for workplace-ready skills learned in their classes and preparation for success in third-party certification exams. 

Students and alumni also enjoy the comprehensive career navigation services, all free of charge, including: 

  • Career assessments 
  • Career coaching services 
  • LinkedIn profile development 
  • Resume and cover letter writing 
  • Internship and job search and placement 
  • Interview preparation 
  • Offer negotiations 
  • Networking opportunities through Global Connect

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL

Website

Tuition and Fees: $6,381 (in-state); $28,658 (out-of-state)

Types of Career Services Offered: Resume writing, interview preparation, and professional attire services 

The UF Career Connections Center provides current students and alumni with: 

  • Career planning services that include self-guided guides, group workshops and labs, and individual sessions. 
  • The Molm Family Gator Career Closet is a unique service where students and alumni can get free professional attire.
  • The Express Drop-in services include career coaching and assistance in the preparation of professional documents, mock interviews, and LinkedIn profile development. 
  • The Gator Professional Series is an interactive video series that provides strategies on job search and other related matters. 

Ohio State University

Columbus, OH

Website

Tuition and Fees: $12,485 (in-state); $36,722 (out-of-state) 

Types of Career Services Offered: Career coaching, mentorship, and internship placement 

Ohio State offers decentralized career services through its colleges, meaning every college has its own career services office, such as the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Nursing, and the College of Education and Human Ecology. In general, students enjoy career coaching, mentoring services, and career development-related activities. 

Students also have access to Ohio State’s extensive resources including: 

  • Buckeye Careers 
  • Handshake 
  • What Can I Do With This Major?
  • Career Closet 
  • LinkedIn Learning
  • GoinGlobal
  • Summer Internship Housing

Students can also reserve a quiet room at the Keith B. Key Center for their online job interviews and career fairs.

University of Oklahoma

Norman, OK

Website

Tuition and Fees: $9,312 (in-state); $25,880 (out-of-state) 

Types of Career Services Offered:  Networking, mentorship, interview preparation, and professional document preparation   

The OU Online Career Development Center provides current students and alumni with an extensive array of services and resources for career development purposes. Students and alumni have easy access to LinkedIn Learning, OU Connection, and Career Resources, among others, which boost their job placement and career advancement opportunities. 

There are also specific pages for affinity groups, such as first-generation students, where community members can share career opportunities, advice, and resources. The specific career services include:

  • Development of resume and cover letter
  • Career assessments and planning
  • Networking opportunities
  • Interview preparation

Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR

Website

Tuition and Fees: $13,494 (in-state); $35,664 (out-of-state)

Types of Career Services Offered: Career fairs, networking events, and LinkedIn Learning in addition to the typical career services 

OSU’s Career Development Center is notable for its array of personalized career services for both its current students and alumni. The personal support includes peer-to-peer advising through career assistants and college-specific career advisors, both of which can be accessed online and in person. Alumni can access these services, too, a full year after their graduation.

Other notable career services are:

  • Career fairs
  • Career events like workshops and alumni panels
  • LinkedIn Learning
  • Micro-internships via Parker Dewey
  • OSU Career Guide for career planning tips, graduate school preparation, and other related matters

Arizona State University

Tempe, AZ

Website

Tuition and Fees: $12,051 (in-state); $32,193 (out-of-state) 

Types of Career Services Offered: Resume and application materials and interview preparation, career planning guide and resources 

ASU offers numerous career services through its Educational Outreach and Student Services, and these career services cover every step of the way, too, from career planning to job placement. Current students and recent graduates use Handshake to find and land their internships and first professional jobs, while career fairs and events expand their opportunities further. 

Students can also use career exploration tools, such as PathwayU and Me3, as well as resume-building tools (e.g., VMOck) and college-specific resources (e.g., SkillsFirst and Creative Career Services). There are also career resources for international and graduate students.

Indiana University

Bloomington, IN

Website

Tuition and Fees: $11,790 (in-state);  $40,482 (out-of-state)

Types of Career Services Offered: Career coaching services, professional documents guides, and interview preparation 

IU’s Career Development Center takes great pride in its professional career coaches whose support and guidance for students have contributed to their career readiness. Here, students learn more about themselves, build their networks, and know their career options, as well as prepare their job application materials. 

Best of all, the Career Development Center is also the student employment office. You can find part-time jobs that will boost your work experience here. You will also find guides on creating your resume, cover letter, and thank-you notes, as well as acing your interview and planning your career. There are also specific student communities, such as Latinx, LGBTQ+, and DACA students.

Utah State University

Logan, UT

Website

Tuition and Fees: $9,228 (in-state); $24,802 (out-of-state) 

Types of Career Services Offered: Career assessments, professional document development, and professional skills development 

USU’s Career Design Center offers career services in three phases – explore, experience and launch. Every phase has its specific career services, too, meaning current students and alumni will find the best career services at every point of their career planning. 

Start with the career exploration services to get a better sense of your career goals. Then, follow up by gaining real-world experiences through internships and jobs, as well as creating your application documents, practicing for interviews, and networking. Afterward, you’re ready for a career launch.

University of Georgia

Athens, GA

Website

Tuition and Fees: $11,180 (in-state); $30,220 (out-of-state)

Types of Career Services Offered:  Resume development, internships, and graduate school preparation   

UGA’s Career Center ensures that current students and alumni have fast, easy and convenient access to its extensive range of career services that take them through the admission-to-graduation cycle and even beyond. Students have access to the following career services:

  • Explore their majors and their potential career opportunities
  • Create their resumes and cover letters that highlight their skills and strengths
  • Search for internships and jobs
  • Expand and optimize their network
  • Prepare for graduate school

Making the Most of Your Online College’s Career Services

Don’t just use your online college’s career services because that can only deliver average results, at best. Instead, you should maximize them so that you can get excellent results!

Start during your freshman year.

You shouldn’t wait until you’re in your senior year to connect with your college’s career services center – start as early as your freshman year. You will then have ample time to explore your career options, build your resume and skills, and establish your network, all of which means you’re more than ready by your senior year.

Have regular meetings with your career advisor.

You will find that your career goals and the strategies for their achievement will change as your knowledge and skills in your academic discipline change. These changes, which may be small or significant, will also be influenced by your personal growth, too.

Attend the career services-related events.

You should make time for participation in career services-related workshops, seminars and other events since these are designed to increase your career planning skills.

Use the online resources.

Your college’s career services center can offer online resources, such as resume builders, job boards, and career assessment tools, that you can use on your own. You should use them and discuss their results with your career advisor for more insights.

Grab the experiential learning opportunities.

Internships, fieldwork, community immersions, and coop programs are among the experiential learning opportunities that many online colleges offer. If you can’t do in-person internships yet, you can ask about virtual internships.

Most importantly, be open to criticism and feedback because it’s the best way to grow! You should express your gratitude about the career services offered and their impact on your career growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a career service in college?

The term “career service” refers to the office within a college or university that provides students with career development-related resources, support, and guidance. The main goal is to assist students with their career exploration, to guide professional skills development, and to enable them to have a successful post-graduation transition. 

Should a student visit their college career center?

Yes, of course, because it’s among the best ways to establish your career on the right foot.

What are the common career services offered in colleges?

  • Writing services 
  • Job search assistance and job placement services 
  • Interview preparation 
  • Career counseling 
  • Career assessments 
  • Internships and coop programs 
  • Professional development workshops 
  • Graduate school preparation

Do all colleges have career services?

No, but it’s a must if you’re choosing from among online colleges and universities. The availability, types and scope of career services offered also differ from one college to the next based on their size, among other factors.

What does career exploration mean?

Career exploration is the holistic process where an individual explores, investigates and chooses a career based on their values, skills, interests and preferences.