Menu
Compare the 10 most affordable accredited online colleges ranked by total cost. See exactly what you’ll pay — from $1,500 to $69,600 for a full bachelor’s degree.
By Josh Stanley | Updated March 2026
The average college graduate in the United States carries more than $37,000 in student loan debt. For many adults considering going back to school, that kind of price tag makes earning a degree feel impossible. But online education has fundamentally changed what college costs — and some accredited programs are far more affordable than you might expect.
Without campus facilities, dormitories, or commuting costs, online colleges can deliver accredited degrees at a fraction of the traditional price. But “affordable” means very different things depending on the school. Some online programs still cost $40,000 or more for a bachelor’s degree, while others offer the same credential for under $10,000 — and one accredited university offers a complete degree for just $1,500 total.
Whether you’re looking for a competency-based model or a traditional semester-based schedule, this guide identifies the universities that prioritize affordability without sacrificing the accreditation that ensures your degree is respected by global employers.
Don’t fall for a low per-credit price. Always calculate the total cost for the entire 120-credit bachelor’s degree. Some schools charge $330/credit — that’s $39,600 total.
Technology fees, library fees, and online convenience fees can add thousands to your final bill. Truly affordable colleges use all-inclusive pricing models with zero hidden costs.
Competency-based models allow you to graduate faster by testing out of subjects you already know. The faster you finish, the less you pay in tuition subscriptions or semester fees.
A cheap degree is worthless if it isn’t accredited. Employers and grad schools look for regional accreditation (e.g., SACSCOC) or recognized national accreditation (e.g., DEAC).
| Rank | School | Est. Total Cost | Pricing Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newlane University | $1,500 | Subscription / Fixed |
| 2 | University of the People | ~$6,460 | Assessment Fees |
| 3 | University of Florida Online* | ~$15,480 | Per Credit ($129) |
| 4 | Western Governors University | ~$16,000–$20,000 | Competency-Based |
| 5 | Fort Hays State University | ~$27,600 | Per Credit ($230) |
| 6 | American Public University | ~$32,400 | Per Credit ($270) |
| 7 | Southern New Hampshire University | ~$39,600 | Per Credit ($330) |
| 8 | Purdue University Global | ~$44,500 | Per Credit ($371) |
| 9 | Liberty University Online | ~$46,800 | Per Credit ($390) |
| 10 | Arizona State University Online | ~$69,600 | Per Credit ($580) |
*University of Florida in-state rate shown. Out-of-state ~$553/credit (~$66,360 total). All prices approximate, based on 2025–2026 published rates.
Average student debt: $37,000+.
Newlane total: $1,500. No loans. No debt.
Best for: Working adults who want the most affordable accredited bachelor’s degree available anywhere.
Newlane University is, by a significant margin, the cheapest accredited university in the United States for a full bachelor’s degree. The total cost for either an Associate of Arts or a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy is $1,500 — that includes everything. No hidden fees, no textbook charges, no technology surcharges. Students pay a one-time enrollment fee of $249 followed by a flat monthly rate of $39.
Newlane uses a competency-based model where students progress by demonstrating mastery through oral examinations with live faculty. The self-paced structure means motivated students can complete their degree faster. Accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accepts up to 90 transfer credits.
Best for: International students or those who prefer a traditional course structure without tuition charges.
University of the People markets itself as ‘tuition-free,’ but students pay a $160 assessment fee at the end of each course and a $60 application fee. For a full bachelor’s degree (~40 courses), the total comes to roughly $6,460. That’s still remarkably cheap, but ‘tuition-free‘ doesn’t mean ‘free.’
DEAC-accredited. Offers business administration, computer science, and health science. Traditional semester format with set start dates and group discussions. Programs typically take four years.
Best for: Florida residents who want a prestigious state university degree at in-state prices.
UF Online offers one of the best values in higher education — if you’re a Florida resident. At ~$129/credit, the total is around $15,480. Out-of-state students pay ~$553/credit ($66,360 total).
Over 25 fully online bachelor’s programs with the same diploma as on-campus students. Accredited by SACSCOC.
Best for: Self-motivated learners who can accelerate through competency-based coursework.
WGU charges ~$4,000 per six-month term. Students can complete as many courses as they want within each term, so fast learners dramatically reduce total cost.
Regionally accredited by NWCCU. Degrees in business, IT, education, and healthcare. The competency-based model is similar to Newlane’s approach, though WGU’s per-term cost is significantly higher.
Best for: Students who want a regionally accredited state university degree with a wide range of programs.
Fort Hays State offers a ‘Virtual College’ at ~$230/credit — same rate for in-state and out-of-state. At 120 credits, that’s ~$27,600.
More than 60 online degree programs. Accredited by HLC. Known for small class sizes and strong student support.
Best for: Military-affiliated students and working professionals seeking a broad range of programs.
APUS charges ~$270/credit, bringing the total for a bachelor’s to about $32,400. Over 200 degree and certificate programs available.
Accredited by HLC. Particularly popular with military service members and veterans.
Best for: Students who want extensive program selection and strong student support from a well-known brand.
SNHU is one of the most recognizable names in online education, with 200+ online programs. At $330/credit, a 120-credit bachelor’s costs ~$39,600.
Generous transfer credit policies (up to 90 credits), 24/7 support. Regionally accredited by NECHE.
Best for: Students who value the Purdue brand and want a traditional online learning experience.
Purdue Global charges ~$371/credit, totaling ~$44,500 for a bachelor’s. Offers ‘ExcelTrack’ accelerated programs that can reduce total costs.
Accredited by HLC. Flexible start dates and personalized learning paths.
Best for: Students seeking a faith-based education with a huge selection of online programs.
Liberty charges $390/credit, totaling ~$46,800 for 120 credits. Over 450 online programs — one of the largest selections available.
Accredited by SACSCOC. Strong evangelical Christian identity.
Best for: Students who want a well-known research university degree with strong employer recognition.
ASU Online at ~$580/credit totals ~$69,600 — more than 46 times the cost of the cheapest option. Included as a reality check.
Consistently ranked among top online programs. 300+ online degree programs. Accredited by HLC.
You have 30 existing credits and need 90 more to finish. This is how the cost compares across schools with Newlane’s flat-rate pricing.
| School Type | Time to Finish | Total/Remaining Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Standard State Online | ~3 years | $15,000u2013$30,000 |
| WGU or Trident | ~1.5u20132 years | $8,000u2013$16,000 |
| Newlane University | ~1 year | $1,500 (flat price) |
Join thousands of students earning their degrees without the burden of loans.
Yes. Newlane University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. You can verify this at the DoE’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions.
Newlane has no campus, no dormitories, no athletics, and no bureaucratic overhead. The competency-based model eliminates expensive course materials and proctoring software. Students demonstrate mastery through live oral examinations with faculty, which is both more rigorous and more cost-effective than traditional assessment methods.
Yes. Newlane University offers accredited bachelor’s degrees for $1,500 total.
Accredited online degrees are widely accepted by employers. Studies consistently show that employers care more about whether you have a degree than where it came from, especially for bachelor’s-level positions. The value of an inexpensive online degree is even greater when you consider graduates enter the workforce without student loan debt.
If you are self-motivated and can dedicate consistent time to your studies, a subscription model like Newlane $39/month is ideal. The faster you complete coursework, the less you pay overall. Many students finish in 12-18 months, making the total cost remarkably low.
Many accredited online colleges participate in federal financial aid programs. Complete the FAFSA to determine eligibility. For very low-cost schools like Newlane ($39/month), many students pay out of pocket or use employer tuition assistance, avoiding student loans entirely.
Online education has made college degrees accessible at price points that would have been unimaginable a decade ago. Whether you choose the most affordable option at $1,500 or a mid-range school at $30,000, you are still paying a fraction of what traditional on-campus programs charge.
The key takeaway: the gap between the cheapest and most expensive online programs is enormous. A bachelor degree that costs $1,500 at Newlane costs $39,600 at SNHU and $69,600 at ASU Online. All three are accredited. All three lead to a legitimate bachelor degree. The difference is tens of thousands of dollars and potentially years of student loan payments.
If affordability is your top priority, start with the schools at the top of our list. If you are a working adult looking to finish your degree without going into debt, explore Newlane University degree programs at $39 per month with no student loans required, the most affordable path to an accredited college degree available today.
Your path to a recognized, accredited degree is just one application away. Join a community of thousands disrupting the traditional education system.