The College Consensus ranking of the Best Online Colleges in Idaho combines the results of the most respected college ranking systems with the averaged ratings of thousands of real student reviews from around the web to create a unique college meta-ranking. This approach offers a comprehensive and holistic perspective missing from other college rankings. Visit our about page for information on which rankings and review sites were included in this year’s consensus rankings.
The Best Online Colleges & Universities in Idaho category is limited to schools in Idaho offering at least three fully-online degree programs at any level. Schools that did not qualify for a Consensus Score were ranked by their Student Review score.
Online Learning in Idaho
Online schools in Idaho give busy working adults the chance to set their own schedules and take classes at the pace that best fits their lives. Students can work full-time and complete their coursework during the evenings and weekends. Online colleges in Idaho offer the flexibility for single parents and other nontraditional students to fit lectures around work and child care and still find time for homework assignments. Idaho online schools are a good choice for executives and career-changing professionals as well. Even students who work long hours at their day jobs can usually find some time before or after work to log in and complete their lessons at Idaho online colleges.
For students in rural Idaho, online schools provide a great alternative to moving or commuting to the city to earn a college degree. If you prefer the more relaxed pace of country life to the hustle and bustle of the city, Idaho online colleges often allow you to take the same classes and earn the same degree as students who attend the school’s in-person, on-campus classes. The only difference is the method of delivery. As long as students have access to a computer and a reliable Internet connection, there are several quality online schools in Idaho they can choose from.
What Kinds of Degrees Can I Earn Online in Idaho?
In Idaho, online degrees are available for common subject areas such as nursing and business administration, as well as more obscure topics such as family history research. Whether you want to study psychology or learn about the latest technologies in agriculture, Idaho online degrees provide exactly what you’re looking for.
Online schools in Idaho offer programs at every level, from associate to doctorate. While a 4-year bachelor’s degree is the baseline for most employers who require a college degree, students can benefit from earning an associate degree online as well. Most employers pay more to employees who have a degree, even if it is just an associate degree.
There are online colleges in Idaho that offer graduate degrees as well. If you are working full-time and want to open up new career opportunities by earning your master’s or doctoral degree online, an online degree will make it easier to fit your classes into your schedule. This is especially true since 10-20% of Idahoans live more than an hour away from the nearest college campus.
No matter where you live in Idaho, online degrees make higher education affordable and accessible.
How Can I Save Money on an Online Degree in Idaho?
Although many schools charge less for online courses, some actually charge more. For example, at the University of Idaho, online tuition is subject to an additional $35 per credit. This makes sense if you think about it. Most schools were brick and mortar first. In order to offer online courses, these schools have to add support for online services in addition to continuing the traditional courses they were already offering.
No matter which school you decide to attend, the first step to saving money on the cost of tuition is always to apply for financial aid. In addition to filling out a financial aid form to apply for government grants, check with each school to see if there are any scholarships you might qualify for.
Pay attention to tuition rates when deciding which college to attend. In most cases, you’ll be better off financially if you go to a cheaper school. However, don’t rule out a more expensive college or university without first checking for scholarship opportunities. If you are able to land a scholarship, you may find that the more expensive school is actually cheaper for you.
At the University of Idaho, online tuition can be offset by scholarships such as the “Go Idaho!” scholarship, which rewards high school students with high GPAs with guaranteed scholarships of up to $4000 per year. Scholarships like this make school much more affordable—whether you’re attending online or on-campus.
Another way to make college more affordable is through employee benefits such as tuition reimbursement or employer partnerships with specific schools. Check with your company’s human resources department to find out if your employer offers any benefits to help with educational expenses.
Are There Online Public Universities in Idaho?
If you want to attend a public university, both the University of Idaho and Boise State University offer online programs.
At the University of Idaho, online degrees are available through the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and the College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences. There are six bachelor’s degrees available: agricultural science, communication, and leadership; history; organizational sciences; psychology; general studies; and sociology with a criminology emphasis. The University of Idaho online degrees allow you to obtain a quality, accredited education at your convenience from the comfort of your own home.
At Boise State University, online degrees help make your dreams a reality. The school has more than 40 online programs, including bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs. Boise State University online degrees include nine bachelor’s programs: applied science, business administration—management, multidisciplinary studies, imaging sciences, public health, public relations, respiratory care, nursing (RN to BS), and an online degree pathway.
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Best Colleges & Universities in Idaho