I've been seriously considering going to an HBCU, but I need to balance work and school, so I'm leaning towards an online program. Does anyone know which HBCUs offer the cheapest online degrees, or where I can find rankings or comparisons of online HBCU programs?
Hey there! Many HBCUs are currently expanding their online offerings, with the accessibility of education you're referencing at the forefront of their minds. A good place to start seeing what's out there is checking out each HBCU's official website to see if they offer the program you're interested in online.
For cost comparison, I recommend using the online net price calculators available on the school's website or looking for a college affordability calculator online, which can help you estimate the total cost of different online programs. These resources can give you a more precise sense of what the cost would be, as the sticker price tuition you find on the website won't factor in financial aid or scholarships. Do remember that when you're considering cost you should take into account not just tuition fees but also books, potential admin fees, and any technology costs that online studies might incur.
Some sites do offer rankings or comparisons based on various criteria such as affordability, the range of programs, and student resources. These can help you build a foundation for your research, but keep in mind that rankings are typically more big-picture—if you want to know which school is best in the particular field you're interested in, you should try to find a ranking specifically for that, as it may differ from those that try to evaluate which schools are strongest overall.
Lastly, don't hesitate to reach out directly to the admissions office of the HBCUs you're considering—they can provide pertinent information about course offerings and resources specifically for online students, and possibly even connect you with current online students to share their experiences.
Good luck on your online learning journey!
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