• Founded in 1947 and is one of 11 accredited, degree-granting schools in the University System of Maryland (USM).
• Accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
• Named one of the top ten colleges and universities serving military students for 2007
• Ten of the University of Maryland University College’s online degrees were ranked as “Best Buys” by GetEducated.com

Want to earn a degree from the University of Maryland UC? Take 2 minutes and get the details you need (term start dates, pre-reqs, etc.) from UMUC Online.

About UMUC Online

University of Maryland University College, or UMUC Online, has achieved a significant amount of praise not only due to the long list of programs, but also due to the quality of its programs. This has probably lead to the the growing popularity of UMUC over the years, with a 74% increase in enrollment in the last 10 years, including international students who also complete their education in the comfort of their own home.

After reviewing the list of courses offered online to students, there are a wide variety of topics available in almost every category, many of them also available as minors should you wish to pursue a minor course of study in addition to your major. It also seems that the courses run at a standard college course schedule, as there was no indication of an accelerated degree program. However, due to the convenience of online education through UMUC Online, you can still access the information at your own time when it is most convenient for you and your schedule.

UMUC Online Undergraduate Degrees:

• Accounting
• Business Administration
• Communication Studies
• Computer and Information Science
• Computer Information Technology
• Computer Science
• Computer Studies
• Criminal Justice
• English
• Environmental Management
• Finance
• Fire Science
• Gerontology
• Global Business and Public Policy
• History
• Humanities
• Human Resource Management
• Information Assurance
• Information Systems Management
• Legal Studies
• Management Studies
• Marketing
• Psychology
• Social Science

UMUC Online Graduate Degrees:

• Online MBA
• Online Master in Accounting and Financial Management
• Online Master in Accounting and Information Technology
• Online Master in Biotechnology Studies
• Online Master in Environmental Management
• Online Master in Financial Management and Information Systems
• Online Master in Health Administration Informatics
• Online Master in Health Care Administration
• Online Master in Information Technology
• Online Master in Management
• Online Master of Distance Education
• Online Master of Education
• Online Master of International Management

Interested? Take 2 minutes and get the details you need from UMUC Online.

UMUC Online Tuition

Tuition for UMUC varies depending on degree program and location.  Transfer credits are accepted and life experience is also accepted upon approval from the school itself. If life experience credits are to be applied to your transcript at UMUC Online, there will be a reduced rate per credit hour of $90.

UMUC Online offers a variety of programs for a very competitive rate. The time it takes to complete a degree may be longer than other online universities, but the number of options for students who wish to earn a degree online is vast compared to other online universities. Interested in learning more? Start here: University of Maryland University College.

**Keep in mind these rankings take in-state tuition into consideration, so it may be helpful to take a look schools in your own state first. If you can’t find a program that meets your needs below, take a look at my Online Colleges By State postings. I completed my first 57 hours at an in-state college in Texas and paid just $50 per credit hour before transferring to my degree-granting school (Columbia College… one of the best buys below). It’s definitely something to consider if tuition costs are a major concern.

Colorado State University – Pueblo

• Bachelor of Science Social Science
• Bachelor of Science Sociology
• Bachelor of Science Sociology/Criminology

Thomas Edison State College

• Bachelor of Arts Psychology
• Bachelor of Arts Social Sciences
• Bachelor of Arts Sociology

Adams State College

• Bachelor of Arts Sociology

Fort Hays State University

• Bachelor of Arts Sociology

Florida State University

• Bachelor of Science Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Kansas State University

• Bachelor of Science Interdisciplinary Social Science

Troy University

• Bachelor of Science Psychology
• Bachelor of Science Social Science

Empire State College

• Bachelor of Science Community and Human Services
• Bachelor of Arts Social Theory, Social Structure, Social Change
• Bachelor of Psychology

Charter Oak State College

• Bachelor of Arts Psychology
• Bachelor of Arts Sociology

Columbia College of Missouri

• Bachelor of Arts Sociology
• Bachelor of Arts Psychology

University of Maryland UC

• Bachelor of Science Psychology
• Bachelor of Science Social Science

Limestone College

• Bachelor of Arts Psychology and Criminal Justice

Honorable Mentions:

Northcentral University

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
• Bachelor of Behavioral Science Sociology

Liberty University

• Bachelor of Science Psychology

American Public University

• Bachelor of Arts/Sociology
• Bachelor of Arts/Psychology

Prescott College

• Bachelor Self-Designed Human Development and Human Services

Park University

• Bachelor of Science Social Psychology

Saint Cloud State University

• Bachelor of Elective Studies Community Psychology

Related posts:

• Career paths for a degree in Psychology
• More Best Buys in online education
• Request free info from nearly 100 online schools
• Online Colleges listed by State (pay in-state tuition)

Source: GetEducated.com

In most cases, tuition is significantly lower for in-state residents. If these programs do not meet your needs, perform an online degree search using your zip code, or browse through my Online Colleges by state posts.

Top 25 Best Buys – Bachelor degrees

• East Carolina University (NC)
• Fort Hays State University (KS)
• University of Wyoming (WY)
• Rogers State University (OK)
• Thomas Edison State College (NJ) 
• Governors State University (IL) 
• Charter Oak State College (CT) 
• Empire State College (NY)
• Columbia College (MO) 
• Granite State College (NH)  
• Ohio University (OH) 
• Amberton University (TX) 
• Eastern Oregon University (OR)
• Northwest Missouri State University (MO)  
• Stephens College (MO) 
• Limestone College (SC)
• Tennessee Board of Regents (TN) 
• Fisher College (MA)
• University of Maryland UC (MD)
• University of Alabama (AL)
• Western Governors University (UT)
• Murray State University (KY)
• Park University (MO)
• Franklin University (OH) 
• Southern New Hampshire University (NH)
• Touro University International

Source: GetEducated.

GetEducated recently released the Top 10 Best Buy rankings for regionally accredited online criminal justice programs. So, if cost of tuition is a concern, you may want to take a look at one of these programs:

In most cases, tuition is significantly lower for in-state residents. If these programs do not meet your needs, perform an online degree search using your zip code, or browse through my Online Colleges by state posts.

Top 10 Best Buys – Bachelor degrees

• Western Carolina University (NC)
• Fort Hays State University (KS)
• Troy University (AL)
• Austin Peay State University (TN)
• Columbia College (MO)
• New Mexico State University (NM)
• Ohio University (OH)
• University of Maryland UC (MD)
• Limestone College (SC)
• Northern Arizona University (AZ)

Honorable Mentions

• American Public University (VA)
• Park University (MO)

Source: GetEducated.

Tuition for a year of undergraduate education varies wildly. At the top reaches, people are spending $30,000 for the privilege of getting educated alongside the privileged. Are the classes worth the expense? Are the professors really so brilliant? Perhaps not. At many of the most competitive and expensive universities, students barely encounter their famous professors, instead finding themselves taught by teaching assistants—graduate students not much older or more experienced than themselves.

For a fraction of the cost, it is possible to acquire an education that is just as good, if not sometimes better, than that offered at the most pricey institutions of higher learning. The cliché about school is that “you get out what you put into it.” This does not refer to dollars “put in.” The CEO’s silver spoon son may fritter away a $30,000 year in a drunken stupor, skipping classes, and buying term papers off the Internet. Dedicated students, paying far less, will find themselves, in the end, with a diploma that means much more. Elbow grease and hours hitting the books are the stuff of a real education.

Here, then, is a list of some of the most affordable schools in the nation.

The prices mentioned require residency. For those who do not live in Texas, for example (the state with the top three most affordable schools), extra time may be required living in state to establish residency. In the long run, this extra time may be well worth the effort.

1. Texas A&M University

Still under $10,000 a year, Texas A&M is one of the best schools in the Southwest. Texas A&M is a great school for a great price.

2. University of Texas at Arlington

Also under $10,000, the Arlington branch of the University of Texas is another great offering from the Lone Star State.

3. University Of Texas at Dallas

Tuition is the same as the other public Texas universities.

4. University of Utah

The University of Utah pulls students in from out of state with extremely low tuition and a reputation for high quality learning.

5. State University of New York at Buffalo

SUNY-Buffalo charges around $9,500 for two semesters and offers good financial aid packages and fellowships to PhD candidates.

6. University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Finally, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte provides an enthusiastic student body a great education at an equally great price, hovering near the $10,000 mark.

7. New Jersey Institute of Technology

The seventh entry on this list breaks the $10,000 mark—coming in at about $12,000 per year.

8. Arizona State University

Sun-drenched ASU students have a reputation for studying hard and playing hard. They pay around $12,000 in annual tuition.

9. University of Arizona

Paying approximately same as their ASU siblings, University of Arizona students can take advantage of financial aid after completing a semester.

10. Illinois Institute of Technology

Also around $12,000 per year, the Illinois Institute of Technology has limited financial aid packages, but offers a top quality education. In a state with many great universities, the Illinois Institute of Technology holds its own.

About the Author: Take a look at more industry related articles by Chris Stout at CareersandEducation.com. Chris Stout is a frequent contributor with articles pertaining to using Distance Learning and Career Advice.

Considering Duke University’s online MBA program exceeds $115K, Chardon State is a real steal. Obviously, CSU isn’t Duke, but not everyone can afford to pay $115,000 to get a Masters in Business Administration. If you aren’t interested in CSU, there are still 24 other best buys from which to choose… or an additional 105 online MBA programs if money is no object . Although the colleges and universities identified below are listed as best buys, keep in mind that tuition may vary depending on your State of residency. If cost is your primary concern, you may want to start with the institutions located in your state.

Online MBA Top 25 Best Buys

Chadron State College
Tarleton State University
West Texas A & M University
Amberton University
University of North Alabama
Stephens College
California State University
Park University
Bellevue University
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine
University of Alaska Southeast
Touro University
Brenau University
Salve Regina University
Upper Iowa University
Western Governors University
Baker College
Southern Adventist University
Troy University
National American University
Empire State College – SUNY
Fort Hays State University
Florida Institute of Technology
Northcentral University
Philadelphia University

Related posts:

• 59 AACSB schools offering online master’s programs
• Considering an online MBA? Pricing and accreditation for 10 programs
• Tech-savvy programs – Online MBA
• MBA admissions for low GMAT or GPA
• How IT applicants can get admitted into Top MBA programs

Source: GetEducated