Traditional education has this image of being physically present inside a classroom while listening to a lecture. However, learning in recent years has changed a lot. For example, homeschooling has become a norm for many parents who want to have more hands-on experience in the education of their children. Another example is the increase in online courses, and people taking an online degree.
Students and professionals alike can now get a diploma or certificate through notable online learning platforms such as Coursera, edX, Udemy, Skillshare, and Oxford. In addition, individuals can choose from a wide range of courses such as Business, Computer Science, Programming, Arts, Psychology, Literature, History, Science, and so on.
Distance, or online learning, was already a thing even before the COVID-19 pandemic happened. The pandemic has just helped normalize it. For example, according to a Babson report, distance student enrollment in the US has been increasing since early 2000. One reason for this is the continuous innovation and commitment to quality in creating such programs.
If you are still thinking about whether an online degree in the US is good for you or not, below are some of the reasons why you should consider it.
Expensive Tuition Fees
The US has one of the highest tuition fees in the world. According to Statista, in 2017, OECD found out that the US, followed by Chile and Japan, has the highest tuition fees in the world for a public institutions. In fact, tuition fees in the US have more than doubled since the ‘80s. In addition, state funding is not enough to keep up with the increasing enrollments. These are some of the reasons why a US education seems inaccessible to many individuals.
Online learning, however, makes education more accessible because it is cheaper. Tuition fees are lower because of the lower overhead needed to run an online program. There is no need to maintain classrooms, buildings, and facilities.
Aside from tuition fees, international students also have to pay for their student visa application, entrance exam application, and airplane tickets to travel to the US.
Cost of Living in the US
When going to study in the US, aside from tuition fees and other application-related fees, international students must also think about their daily expenses. The US accommodation has a high cost of living, and unless students are able to get financial assistance, staying there would probably be financially difficult.
An online education, however, is more cost-effective. International students can experience quality education at an affordable price and in their own country, where everything may be more affordable, including the rent, food, and transportation.
Convenience
Online education is also more convenient. Gone are the days when one must leave everything behind just to get international education and degree. For example, there’s no need to take a year or some months off to get an international education abroad. Instead, students can take their US classes in the comfort of their own homes. This kind of setting is also useful for those who are already working but have plans of increasing their marketability or chances of getting promoted.
Learn more about getting an online degree by checking out MSM Unify’s articles on the topic. If you want to enroll in an online course now, you can also browse through the list of online courses you can take in the US. In case you want to learn how you can get financial assistance to study in the US, check out our article on How to get Financial Assistance as an International Student in the US.
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