In times of economic uncertainty many individuals consider returning to college to improve their skill set and position themselves for brighter careers once the hard times have faded. The growth and ease of access to the many online colleges and universities now in existence makes this noble task even easier and more convenient than ever before. Finding the best online college or university for a specific student can be a complicated task. Here are a few tips to broaden the scope of your research beyond what a potential student might consider.
Check The Dropout Rate For The Online Degree Programs
Finding this data is difficult, but doing at least a Google search for the school's name plus the words "Dropout Rate" may provide a clue into just what percentage of students that enroll in an online degree program actually follow through and complete it. Most schools will be able to provide this information if you contact them directly, but don't get too concerned if they do not provide it easily. If you are able to get the information make sure that it reflects the online degree programs and not just the on-campus traditional programs. Nationally the collegiate drop out rate is around 50% according to a recent report by MSNBC. This seems incredibly high to some people, but it is sadly true. A college with a much higher drop out rate might signal that the college's online or distance learning classes are either very difficult or not taught very well. Of course, any data on drop out rates is subject to interpretation so never use this as the only means of deciding which online college to enroll in.
Check The Refund Proceedures For Online Degree Programs
Some colleges and universities that do business online provide partial refunds to students that withdraw from classes by a certain date. There are many reasons why a person might have to pull out of an online class ranging from medical, family, financial, or even simple distaste for the instructor. Checking the fine print in the enrollment forms and asking the proper questions to the college's registrar will help give a student more insight into just how flexible and helpful a college's program and support staff might be.
Use Special Research Tools To Broaden or Limit Your Search
There are several online education clearing houses that provide access to surveys and questionnaires that help a potential student discover what online degree program might best fit their personal needs and desires. One such service helps the student select from a broad variety of degrees and majors and then displays all of the colleges in its database that meet those criteria. Once the list of potential colleges is finished a student can request more information from the college's recruiting office if they are interested in learning more.
