Online colleges have made getting a degree much more attainable for many people. Whether working and living in a rural area without access to a college, working full-time, taking care of family commitments, or even just prohibited by the cost of a traditional college education, the reasons that held people back from earning a degree are now history. Online colleges offer students the opportunity to work on their degree in their home and on their own time. These reasons have brought online colleges widespread popularity and are now very easy to find when searching online. It is important, however, to ensure that the online college you choose is both reputable and of good quality.

The first thing you can do to determine what caliber online college you are considering is whether or not the school is a diploma mill. Diploma mills are sham institutions that offer a degree with little or no work. Often, the degrees are conferred just by paying a fee. Degrees from these types of schools are worthless. Employers will not accept them as a substitute for a real degree as they want their employees to have the experience and knowledge that comes with a quality education. One helpful resource for learning which schools are diploma mills is through Oregon Student Assistance Commission Office of Degree Authorization. Their website offers descriptions of diploma mills, links to accredited and unaccredited schools nationwide, and important information on accreditation laws across the country.

Accreditation is the next important piece of determining which online colleges are the best in the USA. The process of accreditation is a method of ensuring that the education offered at that school meets standards set by non-governmental agencies overseeing the quality of education. The U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) are both excellent resources for ensuring online colleges are accredited. While not every good-quality school will be accredited, most are; and it is an excellent measure by which to judge schools.

Defining what is the best online college can be a very subjective task. What may make one school the best for one student may not be the same for another student. Examine what you want to achieve from your online education. Some colleges offer specialized degree programs for students with a specific types of career in mind such as nursing, computer science, or criminal justice while others are tailored to a more vocational training experience. Another important factor to consider when selecting the best online college is the level of education you wish to obtain. Online colleges offer a range of degree options from associate degrees that can be earned in two years or less to graduate degrees that require a bit more of a commitment. Find out how much and what type of education you need to obtain to be successful in your career and choose an online college accordingly.

Top Online Colleges

	University of Phoenix - Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's & Doctorate Degrees. University of Phoenix is one of the world's most respected online universities with a large number of upper level degree plans to choose from. University of Phoenix has classroom classes available as well as being able to take classes from the comfort of your home.
	Kaplan University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Kaplan University offers college degrees in many of the fastest growing industries in the United States today. With accredited degrees at affordable prices, Kaplan makes it easy to get a college degree in just over two years.
	Ashford University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Ashford University prepares students for high profile careers with a well diversified curriculum in a number of fields. Ashford University is available for students seeking to obtain a college degree at an affordable price and completely from home.
	American InterContinental University Online - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Students seeking to complete a secondary or uncompleted degree can easily get that degree at American InterContinental University. AIU has a variety of course offerings that can be taken from your home computer or in a classroom after you get off from work.
	Saint Leo University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. As a well-known, online university, Saint Leo University has educated students with their various degree programs for over 25 years. The university is mostly ideal for students who have other time constraints because they give students the opportunity to learn from home, without ever having to commute to a traditional campus.
	Everest University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Each student attending Everest University receives personalized attention from faculty, and administrative staff. Everest University is an accredited university with a plethora of degree plans available to most students.
	Colorado Technical University - Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's & Doctoral Degrees. Colorado Technical University provides working individuals with the opportunity to earn a reputable degree that fits within their own schedule. Their online portals are available to students at any time of day, allowing students to access their course materials, lectures, and discussions at a time convenient for them.
	Grand Canyon University - Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Offering over 45 degree programs, Grand Canyon University not only provides career-focused curriculum, but has a wide range of subjects that students can choose from. Their online courses allow students with time contraints the opportunity to receive a higher education.
	DeVry University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. DeVry University educational programs are flexible, affordable, and convenient for students interested in learning at their own pace. DeVry University provides students a stable educational foundation that is a perfect starting place for students looking to launch a new career.
	Liberty University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Liberty University is regarded as one the most well known online colleges in the world. Students receive personal attention from an acclaimed faculty, and have the ability to take classes from home.
	Strayer University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. At Strayer University, students could receive quality education anytime, anyplace with the university's easy-to-use online portal. This gives busy individuals the opportunity to work or take care of their families while still being able to obtain that degree they've been yearning for.
	Penn Foster Career School - Certificates. From business management to criminal justice degrees, Penn Foster Career School offers exceptional, quality education at an affordable rate. Their courses are flexible, allowing students with time constraints the opportunity to advance in their career.