The cheapest online colleges aren't always the most affordable. A school may have low tuition, but if students struggle to graduate or repay loans, the true cost can be much higher over time.
To find the best affordable online colleges — like Appalachian State University and Ball State University — BestColleges evaluated schools based on net price, student loan payments, and graduation rate to ensure each college combines low costs with great value.
Featured Online Colleges
Best Affordable Online Colleges of 2026
How We Measured Student Satisfaction: We partnered with College Pulse to bring you data from students themselves on the schools on our list. The data and reviews aren't part of our ranking methodology.
How We Measured Student Satisfaction: We partnered with College Pulse to bring you data from students themselves on the schools on our list. The data and reviews aren't part of our ranking methodology.
How We Highlight What Schools Do Best
We analyzed each school's program to identify qualities that set it apart from others on this list, prioritizing factors like student outcomes, flexibility, and military friendliness. Based on these strengths, we assigned each school a superlative category.
Since many programs share similar offerings and outcomes, our goal is to simplify your college decision-making by highlighting the features most relevant to your needs.
We verified these schools' facts in December 2025.
Why the Cheapest Online College Isn't Always the Most Affordable
The cheapest online college isn't always the best financial choice. A low sticker price might save you money up-front, but to ensure a school pays off long-term, consider:
Net price: Average cost students pay after financial aid
Financial aid availability: How many students the school awards aid to
Graduation rate: Percentage of students that successfully complete their degrees
Student borrowing outcomes: Average loan default rate, average loan payment as a proportion of salary, and percentage of enrolled students taking out loans
These considerations are how BestColleges ranked the top five best affordable colleges on this list.
Sometimes, a school with cheap tuition might not offer the right experiences students need to land well-paying jobs after graduation. That's why we didn't just look at sticker price.
How Much Does Online College Cost?
It's no secret that college can be expensive, but online degrees tend to be more affordable than in-person programs.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average cost of tuition and fees at public universities in 2019-2020 was under $8,000 at entirely online programs compared to nearly $12,000 for in-person programs.
The University of Florida, for example, charges $129 per credit hour for online tuition for in-state students and $213 for on-campus students.
The cost of college can be further cut down by filling out the FAFSA to get federal financial aid.
5 Tips for Making Online College More Affordable
There are steps you can take to make online college more affordable for you.
"Start with research about the actual costs of the programs you are interested in and ask questions about scholarships, financial aid, and grants," says Melissa Venable, Ph.D., an online education expert and instructional designer.
Here are our top five tips for reducing the financial burden for online students.
1. Apply for Financial Aid
All college students, whether attending school online or in person, should apply for as much financial aid as they can.
In our BestColleges 2025 Online Education Trends Report, just over 1 in 5 online bachelor's students and graduates say paying for higher education while minimizing student debt was the biggest challenge they faced in completing their online programs. A slightly higher percentage (25%) of master's students and graduates say the same.
Start by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You should submit this each year you plan to attend college. Both schools and government agencies use the FAFSA to award financial aid, such as federal student loans, scholarships, and grants.
And don't forget about external funding sources. Look for organizations that offer scholarships, grants, or remote fellowships for online students.
Remember, as an online learner, you have access to nearly all of the same scholarship and grant opportunities as students enrolled in on-campus programs. Scholarships are usually awarded based on merit and given out by various entities like nonprofits, employers, foundations, schools, religious institutions, and professional organizations. To apply for scholarships for online students, a separate application is typically required.
2. Transfer Credits
Did you attend college before, even if you didn't graduate? No problem — you might be able to transfer the credits you earned toward your degree.
Transfer credits are credits earned from one or more courses you took at a different accredited four-year school or community college. Many colleges let you transfer credits so you won't have to retake general education courses, saving you time and money.
3. Test Out of College Classes
By taking certain exams, you can test out of college classes and earn your online degree faster.
For example, the College Level Examination Program lets you earn credit by passing exams in various subjects. You can also take DANTES Subject Standardized Tests, which are now available to both civilians and members of the military.
4. Get Credit for Life Experience
Many online colleges allow you to apply work or volunteer experience toward your degree through prior learning assessments.
Some schools offer credit for years served in the military or law enforcement, for example. Or, you might get credit if you have a certain professional certification.
You can even present a portfolio of experience to earn college credit at some schools.
5. Consider Employer Tuition Assistance
Many companies offer employees money to earn a degree, usually in a field relevant to their work.
There are two common types of employer tuition programs:
Tuition Reimbursement: This option requires you to pay the costs of your college program upfront. Your employer later reimburses you, up to a specified amount, per company policy.
Tuition Assistance: In these programs, an employer gives you a predetermined amount of money upfront to put toward your degree.
Before you choose an online college, check whether your employer runs any tuition reimbursement or tuition assistance programs for employees.
Is Online College Worth the Cost? Yes — Here's Why
Affordable online colleges can offer a wealth of benefits.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median earnings of workers age 25 and over with a bachelor's degree were about 66% higher than the median earnings of those with only a high school diploma in 2024.
Those with a master's degree earned $297 more per week than those with just a bachelor's degree and $910 more per week than those with only a high school diploma.
How to Make Online College Worth It for You
According to BestColleges 2025 Online Education Trends Report, online students and graduates say their top concern is balancing school with work, family, and household obligations (27%), followed by the quality of instruction and academic support (17%) and adapting to a remote learning environment (13%).
But you can do this — preparation is key. Here are our biggest pieces of advice on making it to the finish line and getting the best return on your investment.
1. Know Exactly What You Want From Your Degree
Ask yourself: Why are you going to college now? What is your desired outcome?
"Begin by identifying your goals for pursuing higher education," says Venable. "You may need a degree to be more competitive for a promotion in your current workplace or industry. Or maybe you are exploring a career change into a completely new field."
If you want access to higher-paying jobs, be strategic about your choice of major. Some degrees may lead to better-paying jobs than others.
"Remove the word 'online' and ask yourself if pursuing a degree will be worth it — and if it will be worth it to you."
2. Plan for Obstacles
Online students say work/life balance is one of their biggest obstacles to success, according to our research.
Earning an online degree while managing responsibilities outside of school requires a lot of planning, discipline, and grit. You'll have to:
Be realistic about what you can accomplish. Don't burn yourself out by signing up for too many courses at once. Remember that a full-time courseload is typically 12-15 credits per semester.
Be mindful of your time management. Each term, carve out blocks of dedicated study time and adhere to that schedule. If you have a day off, use part of it to study. And be sure to visit your professors during office hours if you need help outside of class.
Get a support system in place. Reach out to friends, family members, your employer, and classmates for emotional or practical help. If necessary, seek out tutors and mental health services offered by your college.
3. Choose a Program That Fits Your Needs
Even the best students need help. Consider what student services each school offers in terms of support and flexibility:
Will you have access to tutoring, mental health support, and career guidance?
Will your classes be synchronous or asynchronous?
Will instructors be flexible and understanding?
Will you have opportunities to network and build professional relationships?
"Make sure the school and program is a good fit for you and your goals," says Venable. "Ask about faculty qualifications and if any college credits you've already earned will be accepted as transfer credit."
All of this might sound like a lot. But remember: 96% of online college graduates recommend online learning as a path to success. Soon enough — with the right planning and a good program — you can join them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cheap Online Colleges
Yes. Online students are generally eligible for the same types of financial aid as traditional in-person students. You can submit the FAFSA to see if you qualify for any federal grants and subsidized loans.
You can (and should!) also apply for scholarships and fellowships for online students.
