Pro Tip
Factoring in your post-college goals, your budget and your financial aid opportunities can help you find the right online college.
Connecticut’s online colleges offer multiple majors and support services for distance learners. But what’s the right online college for you? Here’s how to choose.
Consider Your Future Goals
College graduates have more career options than non-graduates. By considering your future goals, you can identify the online colleges that best match your needs.
For example, if you plan to work in a competitive field, does the online college offer internships or networking opportunities for distance learners? If you want to apply to graduate programs, does the college have a strong track record with graduate admissions? And if you need to earn a license or certification to work in your field, does the college’s program meet the requirements?
Considering your goals can help you not only choose a college, it can also help you select a major.
Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options
The cost of a college degree can intimidate many students. In Connecticut, online colleges can help you save money. That’s because the average cost of public undergraduate college tuition and fees exceeded $15,700 per year in 2022–2023, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, while Connecticut private colleges cost an average of more than $44,000 in undergraduate tuition and fees. In contrast, the most affordable public and private colleges in our ranking cost less than $9,500 per year.
Online students at accredited institutions also qualify for several forms of financial aid. You can use federal aid programs such as the Pell Grant or student loans to cover expenses by submitting the FAFSA® every year. Many institutions also use the FAFSA to award scholarships and grants.