Deciding to commit your time, energy, and money to getting an education is huge and a decision you don’t want to take lightly. Selecting a college that has an excellent online degree program is a crucial part of the process and one you should take seriously. Thankfully, you don’t have to leave it up to chance. Between your own research and the many resources available to help you determine which colleges in the US have the best online degree programs, you can feel confident in your choice for an online education. The first thing you can do is take advantage of the resources available on the Internet.

A great resource for online college information is located at the consumer advocacy site, GetEducated.com. Online colleges are rated according to "cost, quality, and credibility." You can rest assured the information here is fair as this organization does not accept any fees or advertising from any online colleges or universities. You can also find plenty of specific information about many online colleges at the Regionally Accredited Online College Profiles located at About.com where you can learn about many reputable schools. This site offers short descriptions of the colleges as well as links that provide more detailed information, including accreditation information, program details, admissions requirements, costs, and more. And finally, Online Education Database has compiled a ranking of undergraduate online colleges that is based on such criteria as graduation rate, student-faculty ratio, and years accredited.

When investigating the quality of online degree programs yourself, here are some simple ways you can ensure that the school you are pursuing is among the best of the online colleges. Make sure the school has a solid reputation and has been in business for a while. You want to make sure your investment of time and money goes into a well-established school. Check that the curriculum offered is a good quality one that suits your educational needs. Find out what type of classes you will be taking and identify whether they will be appropriate for your goals. And finally, find out what kind of student services and technical support are available. You want to make sure that you will have help with any accessibility problems that may come up, as well as assistance with career preparation and job placement after your studies are complete. Another effective measure of the quality of an online college is to find out what graduates of the online program think about their experiences. Determine if the students were able to find employment after graduation, what type of jobs they secured, and their overall feel for their online education experience.

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.