While thousands of students enroll in colleges across the country every year, more and more students are turning to online education as a viable alternative to the traditional brick-and-mortar experience. Why? Well, you could list any number of reasons, and they would all vary based on personal preference; but, you can definitely argue at least five reasons why people might be choosing online education instead.

Not to mention, we’re in the throes of a pandemic that requires us to maintain social distance from one another. Unfortunately, our efforts haven’t been enough, and we’re currently experiencing a resurgence of the virus in several states. 

But enough about the virus. You came to learn why online education is such a good option. Here are five reasons to give it a try.

 

1. It’s Affordable

To begin with, online schooling can often be far more affordable than its counterpart. Traditional education requires a commute to a campus, or for a student to live on campus. Both incur their own expenses, and you have to remember that the college has to pay extra expenses for maintaining a brick-and-mortar location. For instance, there are utility bills, upkeep costs, grounds maintenance costs, support staff are required, and maybe even a stadium exists on campus that needs maintenance. All of these costs add up and get tacked onto your tuition bill.

The beauty of online education is that many online programs exist solely online. There are no brick-and-mortar locations, no support staff to hire. The entirety of the program is run and managed online by education professionals from a remote location. That means they don’t have to tack on all of those extra fees just to meet overhead costs. With the average cost of a year of college sitting at about $10,000-$20,000 per year (for public institutions), it’s nice to get a break from some of that cost.

So, with college costs at an all-time high, what’s a student to do to save a few thousand dollars? When it comes time to repay those student loans, those thousands of dollars might just make all the difference. Luckily, there are online programs for thousands of jobs. Online school for healthcare, trades, and other certifications that can get you into the field quickly and affordably. 

 

2. It’s Flexible

Another reason to choose online schooling is its flexibility. Classes are much easier to schedule, and some programs allow you to work at your own pace, so you’re not confined by deadlines and class times. We all know how difficult it is to schedule a personal and work life around classes, so it’s nice to have an option where things are a bit less stringent.

Flexibility can make a huge difference if you’re a working parent or someone without a lot of free time. To add the extra stress of scheduling classes into the mix might just create a lot more stress, and you’re more likely to quit before you’re finished if you find your education is draining you.

 

3. It’s Safer

The sad truth of our world is that anything can happen at any time—including tragedies and crimes. Being on campus does carry with it certain risk factors. There’s the chance of a natural disaster, violent crimes, or even campus shootings. The latter has become a disturbing trend in the last 20 years, with over 40 school shootings last year on college campuses and others. Now, to add to the list of risk factors, COVID-19 has joined the fray. The deadly virus has infected millions of people, claimed the lives of over a quarter-million, and shows no signs of slowing.

The bottom line? It might just be safer to study from home. With so many threats looming over the average student, it’s no wonder so many of them are choosing to study online instead of going to campus. Who wants to risk gun violence while they’re trying to get their degree?

 

4. It’s The Same Quality Of Education

Some people would argue that you’re getting “less” of an education by choosing online classes, and while there might be some truth to certain programs, it’s generally false. Many universities offer online classes for specific majors, and the programs that are entirely online are usually accredited. This is something you should always check for when you’re choosing an online class. Is the organization accredited? What do the previous students have to say about it?

 

5. It’s Convenient

Let’s be honest—you hate having to get up and get ready to go to campus. Then, there’s the commute to consider. You’re always 15 minutes late, even if you leave 15 minutes later. The bottom line is that online education is so much more convenient. You can literally do your coursework anywhere there’s an internet connection. Don’t feel like leaving the house? Attend classes in your living room. Want some social interaction? Do your coursework at your favourite book store or coffee shop.

This is the main reason so many people choose online education. After all, what’s better than a college experience that’s both convenient and more affordable?