Whether you’re an undergraduate, graduate, or transfer student, you have multiple options when it comes to pursuing your degree. Not only are there hundreds of majors, minors, and concentrations to choose from, there are also different ways to pursue your degree, like going to class in person vs. taking courses online. So, what are the pros and cons of online learning, and how do traditional, on campus programs stack up?
We’ll compare the advantages and drawbacks of both options in this guide so that you can make a more confident decision about which type of program is right for you. We’ll also share some statistics about online learning that might surprise you, along with a list of the top seven degrees to earn online. If you’re applying to colleges (or thinking about it), keep reading to learn why you should consider choosing an online degree or certificate program.
Should I Go to College Online or On Campus?
Is it better to go to college online or on campus? It depends on what you’re looking for in a program and what criteria are most important to you. For example, online programs simultaneously make it more convenient to attend classes and earn your degree. This is especially true if you’re working full-time, raising a family, or do not live close to a college. Additionally, an online program may let you earn a degree faster than a traditional on campus program, so you can qualify for your dream career sooner.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to determine whether an online or in-person program is the right choice. Our enrollment counselors are here to answer all of your questions and provide you with detailed information about our online, on campus, and hybrid programs. Contact our admissions office to request program information or continue reading to learn more about the pros and cons of earning your degree online.
What Are the Benefits of Online Education?
Here are just a few of the reasons why so many students prefer online coursework.
1. Scheduling Flexibility
In a hectic, busy world, online courses offer unmatched convenience and flexibility. Whether you’re a night owl or a morning person, online classes allow you to log in and complete your work anywhere, anytime. Study on your schedule, without the need for a stressful, time-wasting commute.
2. Lower Tuition and Boarding Costs
Online students don’t have to pay for student housing, gas for commuting, or on campus meal programs. That can translate to substantial savings, which is a major perk for cost-conscious students. Just think of what you could do with the money you’ll save on transit, food, and dorm living.
3. Increased Networking Opportunities
Online courses let you interact with students in remote locations all over the world. That could lead to professional opportunities you might not be exposed to in a traditional classroom setting. Online courses make it easy to be a passive participant, but for the investment you’re making, it’s much more fulfilling to take advantage of your networking opportunities.
4. Perfect for Busy Parents and Workers
Going to work or raising a family? Online courses let you build an education around your routine so that you don’t have to give up family time, hire expensive babysitters, or cut your hours at work. Distance education is ideal for anyone with a hectic or unpredictable calendar, from stay-at-home parents to busy freelancers. For example, many students attend online college while working full-time.
5. More Equitable, Accessible Learning
Another advantage of online classes is that they can open up more learning opportunities for students with disabilities, making postsecondary education more accessible and inclusive. Online courses allow students to learn at their own pace on their own schedule, which is an approach to studying known as asynchronous learning. This format empowers students to take notes, review lectures, and go over other course materials in a way that works best for them.
What Are the Benefits of Taking Courses in Person?
We’ve just discussed how the benefits of online learning include lower tuition costs, more flexible scheduling, and enhanced accessibility for students with disabilities. So what are some of the advantages that traditional classrooms or other in-person learning environments might offer?
1. Distraction-Free Environment
A successful education demands focus and concentration. Classrooms, laboratories, and lecture halls create tightly focused, distraction-free learning environments with all the tools and space you need, so that you can dedicate yourself to the lesson.
2. Hands-On Learning
Not every student learns the same way. Some people are visual learners, some people like to take detailed notes, and some people learn best from first-hand experience. Additionally, there are some disciplines that require hands-on experience, such as learning how to repair a machine or perform a medical procedure. If direct, hands-on learning opportunities are important to you, an on campus degree program might make the better fit.
What Are Some Potential Considerations of Attending College Online?
If you’re thinking about attending college online, it’s important to be aware of some potential considerations to online learning, which will enable you to make a more informed decision about your educational path. Here are a few challenges and considerations to prepare for if you’re pursuing an online degree, credential, or certificate program.
1. Tougher Technical Requirements
If you consider yourself more tech-challenged than tech-savvy, online learning might pose a few obstacles due to its heavy reliance on computer programs, which can be expensive to purchase and tough to navigate. Fortunately, there are countless resources to help you master the software you’ll need to succeed. In fact, many schools have dedicated IT departments and help desk services for students who may have issues with online learning portals, as well as troubleshooting guides.
2. Greater Need for Self-Motivation
For self-paced programs, you’ll need to employ some serious self-discipline to ensure you complete your work in a timely fashion. Without a rigid class schedule to push you to attend a class at a designated time and place every week, it may be harder to reap the full benefits that distance education has to offer if you tend to procrastinate.
3. Possible Distractions at Home
Unfortunately, not everyone is lucky enough to have a serene home office or local park they can escape to. If your home environment is chaotic and full of distractions (children, rowdy roommates, or the allure Netflix and video games in your direct line of sight) it might be a challenge to stay focused on your coursework.
4. Cooperation and Interaction with Peers
In-person classes make it easy to collaborate in group projects, discussions, and small talk before and after class. Online classes are different, but you can still communicate and build relationships with other students. Just use chat.
What Are Some Potential Considerations of Attending College On Campus?
Now that we’ve examined the pros and cons of online classes and some of the advantages of in-person learning, let’s complete our comparison by reviewing three potential drawbacks to learning in a traditional, campus-based setting. You’ll need to factor higher costs into your academic budget, a daily or weekly commute, and parking fees.
1. Less Control Over Scheduling
In a traditional, on campus degree program, you have much less control over when and where you attend classes than you would in an online program. If you have a crammed calendar, or if your availability tends to fluctuate. For instance, if you’re an independent contractor who goes through slow and busy periods, you might want to opt for an online program. This can grant you a greater degree of control over your class schedule.
2. Commuting to Classes
If you attend your classes in person, you’ll need to commute to and from campus. Depending on your living arrangements, that can guzzle up gas, time, and money, not to mention stressful traffic jams. If you plan to enroll in an on-campus program, be sure to think about the logistics around your daily commute.
3. Higher Tuition Expenses
Traditional students tend to have higher expenses due to factors such as student housing, on campus meal programs, public transit, or gas and parking fees for commuting.
What Degrees Can You Get Online?
If there’s one trait that online and in-person programs both share in common, it’s the sheer number of degrees that are available to students in either setting. For example, National University offers more than 150 accredited degree programs that are available 100% online, including graduate and undergraduate programs in marketing, nursing, engineering, law, computer science, psychology, and more.
Use our program finder to explore the possibilities.
Top 7 Degrees to Earn Online
1. Data Science
Data science is one of the fastest-growing fields in the U.S. economy. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of data scientists is projected to grow 35% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations, and the median annual wage was $120,230 in May 2025. Build advanced skills in machine learning, statistics, and analytics with NU’s Master of Science in Data Science.
2. Business Administration
Business degrees offer unmatched job volume and variety. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects about 304,100 openings for top executives each year, on average, over the decade, and overall employment of top executives is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, business management graduates with a bachelor’s degree earn a median of $56,000 early in their careers and $82,000 by mid-career. The median annual wage for general and operations managers was $105,770 in May 2025. Build your foundation with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) or earn your MBA online with NU’s Master of Business Administration.
3. Computer Science
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), computer and information research scientists earned a median salary of more than $131,000 in 2021. Additionally, these fields are expected to grow by 21% from 2020 through 2030 — a rate that is considered “much faster than average” by the BLS — suggesting that there will be plentiful job opportunities for CS graduates in the coming years. Our programs allow students to earn a Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) or Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS) 100% online.
4. Accounting and Finance
An accounting degree opens doors to stable, well-paid careers with a clear path into financial leadership. Employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 5% from 2025 to 2035. For those who move into leadership, financial managers earn a median salary of $166,570, with 10% projected growth through 2035.
NU offers the Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Master of Accounting.
5. Engineering
Engineering is one of the highest-paying fields you can study. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, computer engineering graduates (ages 22-27) earn a median of $90,000, and chemical and aerospace engineering graduates earn $85,000.
Pay keeps climbing with experience: among graduates ages 35 to 45, every engineering major reports median pay of at least $100,000, led by chemical engineering at $135,000, computer engineering at $131,000, and aerospace engineering at $130,000.
Graduates in engineering technologies, the applied, production-focused side of the field, earn a median of $65,000 early in their careers and $104,000 by mid-career. Begin your career with NU’s Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Design Engineering Technology or Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering or move into leadership with a Master of Science in Engineering Management.
Explore the types of engineering to find your fit.
6. Cybersecurity
As cyberattacks grow more frequent and costly, organizations need trained defenders. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment of information security analysts will grow 21 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual wage for information security analysts was $129,180 in May 2025, more than double the $50,980 median for all workers. Start with a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity, advance with a Master of Science in Cybersecurity, or pursue research and leadership roles with a Doctor of Philosophy in Cybersecurity.
7. Computer Science
Computer science graduates qualify for some of the highest-paying roles in tech. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment of computer and information research scientists will grow 22 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average, and their median annual wage was $140,300 in May 2025. Employment of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers is projected to grow 10% through 2035, and the median annual wage for software developers was $135,980 in May 2025. Earn your Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) or Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS) 100% online.
Explore our accredited programs in areas like healthcare administration, public health, nursing, and more.
Earn Your Degree Online or On Campus at National University
If you’re curious about other online and hybrid programs that could be a good fit for you, explore the Best College Degrees for Employment in 2026. If you’re ready to apply to graduate programs, discover NU’s online master’s degree programs.
Whether you pursue your degree online or on campus, you’ll find dozens of fast-paced, accredited program options at National University. An early pioneer in distance education, we’ve been offering online programs for over 25 years. And with our commitment to making higher education affordable, a commitment we honor through scholarships, grants, and tuition discounts for military students, it’s never been easier to jumpstart your future.
Find out what an education from National University can do for your career. Contact our admissions office to speak with an enrollment counselor or start your application today.
Additional Sources
Cost of Online Education vs. Traditional Education [2025]: Comparison
Is Accounting a Good Career in 2026? Salary, Job Security & Future Outlook
Top Executives: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
