Top 10 Cheapest Online Colleges
Top 10 Cheapest Online Colleges

Looking for an affordable yet reputable online college? Whether you're a prospective student seeking to pursue higher education remotely, a working professional aiming to advance your career or someone looking for a flexible learning environment, these 10 accredited colleges offer competitive tuition rates and excellent online programs that can help you reach your goals without breaking the bank.



Black male student using iPad for online classSouthern New Hampshire University

Manchester, New Hampshire

Tuition cost: $330 per credit hour for online undergraduate degrees; $637 per credit hour for online graduate degrees.

Accreditation: SNHU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

Acceptance rate: Around 90%.

Southern New Hampshire University is a private nonprofit university offering more than 200 online degree programs covering 70 majors. Business, technology, healthcare, and social sciences are among this university's most popular areas of study. You can get an associate, bachelor's, master's degree, or a certificate. There is no application fee, and you can transfer up to 90 credits for a bachelor's degree or 12 credits for a master's degree. Moreover, online undergraduate programs have six terms yearly, while online graduate programs have five terms yearly.

Visit the official site to learn more.


Student viewing online class on laptopUniversity of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

Tuition cost: $129 per credit hour (in-state), $552 per credit hour (out-of-state).

Accreditation: UF is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Acceptance rate: Around 30%.

The University of Florida is a public university that offers online undergraduate and graduate programs covering various fields of study. It has over 200 online programs, including business, education, engineering, and health sciences. You can earn a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree, as well as a certificate. This school is renowned for having one of the best online bachelor's programs. The University of Florida allows students to pursue a four-year degree online in 24 majors, the same accredited degrees you'd earn on campus.

Visit the official site to learn more.



Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida

Tuition cost: $203 per credit hour for undergraduate programs and $371 per credit hour for graduate programs (in-state); $721 per credit hour for undergraduate programs and $1.026 per credit hour for graduate programs (out-of-state).

Accreditation: FAU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Acceptance rate: Around 80%.

Florida Atlantic University is a public research university and a member of the State University System of Florida. The school offers graduate and undergraduate programs covering bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Its online programs are considered some of the best in the country. The online student support services portal replicates what is available to campus students, meaning you can access tutorial support, online academic advisors, financial aid counselors, career support, and more.

Visit the official site to learn more.



Asian female student using laptop for online collegeThomas Edison State University

Trenton, New Jersey

Tuition cost: $419 per credit hour (in-state); $545 per credit hour (out-of-state).

Accreditation: Thomas Edison State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Acceptance rate: Open admissions policy.

Thomas Edison State University is a public university offering various degree and certificate programs that can be completed online, including associate degree programs, bachelor degree programs, graduate degree programs, undergraduate certificate programs, and graduate certificate programs. The school’s online programs provide a flexible, high-quality, and accessible pathway to higher education for future students and adult learners seeking to achieve their academic and professional goals.

Visit the official site to learn more.


Black female student at desk using laptop for Online College ClassesEastern New Mexico University

Portales, New Mexico

Tuition cost: $280 per credit hour (in-state); $363 per credit hour (out-of-state).

Accreditation: ENMU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Acceptance rate: Around 60%.

Eastern New Mexico University is a public university that offers over 30 online degree programs in various fields, from business to education to nursing. Undergraduate programs include bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, minors, and endorsement areas. Graduate programs include master's degrees and other programs that require a completed bachelor's degree to apply. ENMU offers many online resources to students taking online courses, and all programs are taught by top-notch educators.

Visit the official site to learn more.



Florida International University

Miami, Florida

Tuition cost: $205 per credit hour (in-state), $618 per credit hour (out-of-state) for undergraduate programs.

Accreditation: FIU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Acceptance rate: Around 64%.

Florida International University is a public research university with more than 20 years of experience in online education. It offers online undergraduate and graduate degrees in various fields, from journalism to healthcare to engineering. The online courses are convenient, flexible, and practical, and most importantly, they are taught by the same award-winning instructors who teach on campus. The school also offers combined degrees, meaning you can complete two degrees in five years.

Visit the official site to learn more.



College student taking online classes on couchWestern Governors University

Millcreek, Utah

Tuition cost: $8,010 average yearly bachelor's degree tuition; $8,444 average yearly master's tuition (flat-rate).

Accreditation: WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

Acceptance rate: 100%.

Western Governors University is a private, non-profit online university dedicated to making higher education accessible to as many people as possible. It offers bachelor's and master's degrees and certificates in business, technology, health and nursing, and education. WGU is known for its competency-based approach to education and its focus on providing flexible online programs. WGU's competency-based learning model allows students to progress through their coursework at their own pace.

Visit the official site to learn more.


College online class video chatUniversity of Texas Permian Basin

Odessa, Texas

Tuition cost: $9,799 annually for online undergraduate programs; $6,840 annually for online graduate programs.

Accreditation: UTPB is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Acceptance rate: Around 94%.

The University of Texas Permian Basin is a public university that provides online graduate and undergraduate programs across various academic disciplines, allowing students to pursue degrees in many fields. Business, marketing, management, and psychology are some of the most popular majors at this university. You can get a bachelor’s or master’s degree entirely online, while the flexible courses allow students to choose from six different start times each year.

Visit the official site to learn more.



San Diego State University

San Diego, California

Tuition cost: $299-$347 per credit hour (in-state); $695-$743 per credit hour (out-of-state).

Accreditation: SDSU is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Acceptance rate: Around 39%.

The San Diego State University Global Campus offers online graduate and undergraduate degree programs designed to provide students with flexible access to higher education. These programs cover diverse fields such as business administration, communication, economics, engineering, education, and more. You can earn a bachelor's degree or advance your career with a master's degree. All online programs are designed, developed, and delivered by the same expert faculty and instructors who teach on campus.

Visit the official site to learn more.



Female student doing online college class on laptopPurdue University Global

West Lafayette, Indiana

Tuition cost: $280.00 per credit hour for undergraduate online programs (in-state); $371 per credit hour for undergraduate online programs (out-of-state); $420.00 to $700.00 per credit hour for online graduate programs and certificates (in-state and out-of-state).

Accreditation: Purdue Global is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Acceptance rate: 100%

Purdue University Global is a public online university that offers a wide range of programs designed to meet the needs of adult learners, working professionals, and non-traditional students. You can choose from over 175 online programs, including associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees and certificates. These programs cover various fields, including business, criminal justice, education, health sciences, information technology, and legal studies. You can even experience one of its undergraduate programs for three weeks without financial obligation to see if it is right for you.

Visit the official site to learn more.



Keep in mind that most of these schools also offer financial aid for students, so be sure to check this option while exploring their online programs.



Glitched screen on Laptop, Cracked Screen PhoneNo matter what college you choose, don’t forget to protect your learning essentials like your laptop, tablet, phone, and other valuable belongings while pursuing your education. A cracked phone screen, a water-damaged laptop, or a stolen tablet can derail your studies and be extremely expensive to repair or replace. A policy from NSSI can help you safeguard your things from unexpected and costly accidental damage, theft, and so much more! See all the benefits of NSSI Student Personal Property Insurance and get a free quote!