Online Courses Vs. Traditional College
Online universities are increasingly competing for students with traditional institutions. Although individual preferences matter most, both educational models offer benefits and drawbacks.
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Advantages of Online
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Online universities' classes are flexible and accommodate students' schedules, including rolling assignment deadlines and online lectures viewable round the clock. Studying from any location while accessing hundreds of online libraries is a perk no traditional school can match.
Disadvantages of Online
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As an online student, you lose out on having the normal college experience, filled with Greek life, roommates, and a campus environment. Additionally, online universities do not offer the prestige and notoriety that some institutions hundreds of years old have.
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Advantages of Traditional
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Physical campuses let faculty members teach and research on site, while providing consistent interaction between students. Traditional classes allow intensive group work, collaboration, and community among peers.
Disadvantages of Traditional
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According to College Board, average yearly tuition for four-year institutions is $26,273, or $875 per credit. At the online University of Phoenix, students are charged significantly less, at $360 per credit. Traditional colleges are also limited to offering four-month blocks of weekday-only classes.
Summary
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Cost-conscious, independent students may be better suited to online classes, whereas students looking to experience campus life may be better suited to traditional classes.
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