It is possible to point to research indicating that students earn equally well in online and in classroom-based instruction, there is research indicating that traditional programs result in better learning outcomes, and there is data which suggests that online learners take more away from their experience than students in traditional campus-based programs.

Therefore, it is difficult to make sweeping generalities about whether an online or traditional college education will be of higher quality or will be received with greater acceptance. A better idea for folks considering their options would be to consider their individual situations and goals. But, the one constant is that students should consider only fully accredited colleges and universities.

In choosing a degree program...any degree program...it is important to be clear about your goals. Are you primarily interested in personal development or do you hope to pursue a new career or move forward in a current one? Is it important to accelerate the rate at which you earn a degree or can you move forward at a more leisurely pace? Do you seek licensure or certification, and if so, what is required and by what agencies or organizations? In addition to institutional accreditation, is professional accreditation an issue? Only after these and related questions are answered can you begin to determine which institutions and degree programs make sense for you.

Of course, for most working adults interested in continuing their educations, convenience is a critical factor. For folks who don't have time to commute to and from a campus and/or folks with responsibilities which make it tough to attend fixed time classes, an online degree program may be the only viable option. And, in some instances, colleges offering online education may be more willing to grant credit for prior experience, shortening the time it might take to earn a degree.

For most people, finances are a major factor in choosing a college or university, online or otherwise. Initially, few online degree programs were able to offer significant need based financial aid or loans, and even fewer offered scholarships. Today, however, many students in distance education program receive financial aid, including loans and scholarships.

Online degree programs are attractive for many reasons; convenience, affordability, and flexibility among them. And, it's not hard to find educators, business people, engineers, and others who will tell you they would not be where they are without the degree they earned in an online program. How are online degrees seen by employers? That can be a tough question to answer with a generalization.

My advice is that you contact people in your field...by phone, letter, or email...especially folks in the organization in which you work or the organizations where you might wish to work in the future, and ask how they regard online degrees. If you have an online degree and are up against another candidate for a job, would you be at a disadvantage? How about when you are competing for promotions? Ask the questions. And, ask some questions when speaking with admissions representatives of the colleges you are considering to find out how their graduates have fared after earning degrees. Does your profession or future job require licensure? If so, find out if the program in which you are interested qualifies you for licensure and how well graduates have done on licensure examinations.

It's important to factor in your level of motivation, your learning style, and your academic strengths and weaknesses when making your final decision about pursuing a degree online or on-campus. It might be smart to take a single course online to see how well suited you are to distance education before making a final decision.