Key Differences Between Online Learning and Traditional Campus-Based Classes
Choosing a college is never easy, but before you pick the specific school you want to attend, you must first decide whether you want to pursue an education at an online university or a brick-and-mortar college. The end result is the same — a diploma that will help you find a job in your field — but the learning environment is very different depending on the platform you choose. Here are some of the key differences between online learning and traditional campus-based classes:
Scheduling
Every online class is run differently, but in most cases, it is much easier to schedule your classes around the rest of your day when you go to school virtually. Campus-based courses require that you attend class a certain number of times every week, at specific times. That might mean changing your work schedule or having to hire a babysitter. Online classes sometimes require that you attend scheduled meetings in chat rooms, but in many cases, you can work the virtual classes into your schedule whenever you want.
Interaction
You do get to interact with other students at both online and offline universities. It’s a common misconception that students who go to school online never talk with other students or their professors. While this is certainly the case with some programs, it’s not common in the world of online education. You’ll interact with other students through VoIP, chat rooms, and email; and your professors are available to help you through the material, just as you’d find at a typical campus college.
Resources
At an online college, the resources you get will be slightly different than the resources that will be available to you at a traditional campus college. Online schools are less expensive, in general, because you don’t have to pay for facilities like gyms, libraries, dining halls, and residence halls. If you want these to be part of your college experience, you need to attend a brick-and-mortar school. However, that doesn’t mean that you don’t have access to any resources at all. Most online colleges provide access to virtual libraries, and some even have partnerships with local facilities, so your education is not compromised.
Both an accredited online college and a traditional campus college will provide you with the education you need to excel in your field. Neither is better than the other; the key is to pick what works best for you.
Top Online Universities
According to our user selection data, the universities listed below are those in which prospective students are most interested. You can click on each college's logo to request more information from that particular school.
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Kaplan University – Kaplan University is one of the largest accredited online colleges, with degree programs available in a wide range of subject fields. Enjoy a vast library of resources, dedicated advisors, and innovative learning techniques through Kaplan’s online programs. |
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University of Phoenix – Now the largest private university in North America, the University of Phoenix maintains over 200 convenient campus locations as well as one of the leading online learning formats to serve students anywhere at any time. The University of Phoenix degree programs are designed in collaboration with academic and industry professionals to ensure quality, relevance and rigor. |
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Ivy Bridge College – Ivy Bridge College offers online associate’s degree programs in accounting, business, computer technology, healthcare administration, criminal justice and general studies. The programs provide the flexibility and convenience of online learning while offering unparalleled mentoring and student support. For students interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree, Ivy Bridge provides streamlined admission to some of the best four-year colleges in the U.S. |
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Post University – Now dubbed the largest provider of online higher education in the state of Connecticut, Post University has been offering accredited, accelerated online degree programs for nearly 15 years. Post’s online programs are thriving today thanks to an effort to providing the detail of in-person learning to students needing the convenience and flexibility of online education. |
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Walden University – Founded in 1971 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Walden University’s motto states their mission: "A higher degree. A higher purpose." The coursework offered at this university is designed with working adults in mind. Those who previously may not have had the time to attend class can now earn a degree online from Walden in convenient and affordable style. |
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