Primary Advantages of Distance Learning

Save Money and Save Time While Getting a Respected Degree

Nov 6, 2009

It is possible to save money ($20,000 to $40,000 per school year) and time (no commutes) and earn an accredited college degree with distance learning.

Enrolling in a college or university program that does not require on-campus, in-person attendance at classes is a distance learning education. It matters little whether the institution is three miles or three thousand miles away. Whenever a student is allowed to "attend" classes online or via mail from the comfort of their home, the student is enrolled in a distance learning program.

Types of Distance Learning Schools

There are two types of distance learning schools to consider. Many predominantly on-campus universities now offer distance learning programs for those students who prefer a "virtual" experience versus a traditional on-campus college experience. There are also accredited online universities that may or may not offer an on-campus experience.

Primary Advantages of Distance Learning

Students enjoy two primary advantages when using distance learning versus on-campus enrollment:

These two advantages, when combined with the ever increasing cost of on-campus study and the complex work-life schedules of people, have resulted in distance learning programs becoming wildly popular with students of all ages. The growing number of accredited schools and the constantly increasing diversity of degree and study options should contribute to continued popularity growth.

Flexibility and Convenience

While wonderful for all students, the "flexibility factor" of distance learning is particularly important to those people who have busy work and/or life schedules. Instead of structuring daily and weekly commitments based on class times set by in-person schools, distance learning campuses are open 24/7. Without breaking up a workday or interrupting family requirements, distance learning students can "attend" their classes at times convenient for them.

After the workday is done and the children are in bed, the distance learning student can retreat to his/her home office and attend classes at any time. Night owls could even pursue their degree at two or three in the morning. Similarly, early risers may choose to attend class or complete assignments at five or six in the morning, before the workday.

Distance learning students can decide to earn a degree in faster or slower time frames as their wishes, budget, and time commitments allow. Instead of a typical four year period to earn a Bachelor's Degree, students might choose to complete all course requirements in two to three years. Conversely, students might prefer to go slowly and earn the required credit hours over five or six years, without penalty.

Cost Savings

Saving money with distance learning typically comes in at least three "flavors". These students often save a lot of money, particularly from up to three sources. First, distance learning tuition per credit hour or per course is typically less than at on-campus schools. Combined with wonderful flexibility, tuition savings can be large.

The cost of dorm rooms and food for students living on-campus can easily cost between $10,000 and $20,000 per school year (9 months). Enrolling in a distance learning degree program reduces this major cost to $0.00.

Should living on-campus already be an impossibility, students then have commuting costs. Along with the obvious cost (gas and oil), distance learning saves the time to and from campus, the increased possibility of traffic accidents, and wear, tear, and depreciation of an auto. Depending on the length of a student's commute, the money and time (which also equals dollars) savings can be substantial.

Primary Distance Learning Advantages

The combination of the flexibility of choosing the number of courses and the ability to "attend" class at any convenient time followed by significant savings in the total cost of higher education identify the two primary advantages of distance learning programs. Students' ability to locate an accredited college or university offering the respected degree programs desired allow people to achieve Bachelor's and/or Master's Degrees in the time frame they desire and at a cost that fits all budgets.

The copyright of the article Primary Advantages of Distance Learning in Distance Education is owned by William Pirraglia. Permission to republish Primary Advantages of Distance Learning in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.