Earning a degree online from
Excelsior College can improve your life and the life of your family in the same way that earning a degree from a traditional four-year college can. Excelsior College is accredited by the same organization that accredits dozens of other four-year colleges and universities.
A large majority of today’s employers consider an online degree to be as valuable as a degree from an on-campus school. A recent Excelsior College/Zogby International Distance Learning Survey of more than 1,500 CEOs and business owners confirmed that 83% of them strongly believe a degree from an online college is as credible and valid as one from a traditional campus-based school.
In fact, many employers value online degrees more because many online learners work full-time and have family obligations. These added responsibilities demonstrate that online college graduates can be more disciplined, motivated, and hard working than graduates of traditional colleges. Employers also know that an online education gives employees valuable Internet and technology skills. These are all strengths you can emphasize during job interviews.
The truth is, Latinos are the fastest-growing college enrollment group in the U.S.
1 Enrollment in online colleges is growing at around 30% a year
2, and 75% of traditional colleges and universities in the U.S. now also offer online courses or degree programs
3 because of the convenience and credibility of an online education.
Because it is more accepted than ever, an online degree can make a huge difference in your earning power. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2007, the average annual income of someone with a high school education was $27,915. The average salary for someone with a college degree was $51,206. That’s almost $25,000 more per year, or about $1 million more over the course of a normal 40-year working life.
Higher income is only part of the online education advantage, though. Getting your degree online at Excelsior College, for example, can happen sooner than you might think. Excelsior College was founded on the principle of giving working adults a more flexible way to finish their college degree. Excelsior’s flexible transfer credit policies allow you maximum credits for approved coursework you have completed at other colleges. Plus, at Excelsior, it’s possible to earn credits toward your degree based on your corporate or military training. You can even take Excelsior College
® Examinations to earn credits for what you already know from career or life experience.
Earning your degree online is also something you can do without moving or leaving your job. You can earn your degree online from Excelsior College no matter where you live in the U.S. or the world, for that matter. You can study when it is convenient for you, on your schedule, because all course material is always available online 24/7. The world is your “campus” and online learners everywhere are your classmates when you’re earning your degree online with Excelsior College.
Getting your degree online doesn’t mean you don’t communicate with your professors and fellow students. Excelsior College offers virtual classrooms where you interact with your professor and your classmates. You can share thoughts, ideas, and experiences about your courses and other topics with other Excelsior students. And since Excelsior is on a variety of social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter, you can stay in touch not only during college, but also long after you graduate.
An
online college education can help you feel better about yourself and your future. It sets a great example for your children and family, and earns the respect of everyone who knows you. The truth is, your online college degree can change your life dramatically.
Sources:
- Santiago, Deborah and Brown, Sarita. Federal Policy and Latinos in Higher Education. Pew Hispanic Study Center. June, 2004.
- Lewis, Regina. Earning a Degree Online. 2003. Retrieved from http://www.worldwidelearn.com/education-articles/benefits-of-online-learning.htm. June 16, 2009.
- Coleman, Stephanie. Why Do Students Like Online Learning. Excerpted 6/5/09 from WorldWideLearn.com. http://www.worldwidelearn.com/education-articles/benefits-of-online-learning.htm.
