Online college isn’t a new trend in tertiary education. However, an increasing number of students prefer you find that to study in one of the best non-profit online colleges. This is because online colleges provide you quality degree certificates that are affordable while also offering the flexibility of study.
The fact that employers are accepting online bachelor’s and master’s degree certificates is a point that aids studying online. Also, studying online, or long-distance learning is one of the easiest ways to update your skills while working.
After critically weighing your study options, you will find that studying online is beneficial in almost every perspective. Thus, if you’ve finally decided to study online, what are the things to look out for?
This article will give all you need to know about Non-Profit Online Colleges and the cheapest ones.
Scroll through the table of contents below to get an overview of all the points in this article.
Table of contents
- What does it mean when a college is non-profit?
- What are the features of Non-Profit Online Colleges?
- Is Studying in Non-Profit Online Colleges Worth it?
- Why Should I Choose A Non-Profit Or For-Profit College?
- How do non-profit colleges make money?
- How Does a Non-profit University Benefit You?
- Explain how Non-Profit Colleges Differ From For-Profit Colleges?
- What is the Cost Of Education In Non-Profit vs For-Profit Colleges
- Non-Profit Online Universities in the USA
- Best Online Universities in Canada
- Distance Learning Universities in Europe
- Best Distance Education University Australia
- Conclusion
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What does it mean when a college is non-profit?
Private non-profits coleges are the traditional schools you likely picture when you think of colege–liberal arts coleges, community coleges, state universities with huge campuses, and an attractive environment. These coleges receive funding from a variety of sources such as the government, tuition fees, and donations.
That means, the money that the school receives from tuition fees goes back to the school programs. These funds are generally used to improve the curriculum and the student experience.
While for-profit schools are run like a business, where the main goal is to increase your bottom line, nonprofit schools can also offer better accreditation and a variety of classes.
What are the features of Non-Profit Online Colleges?
The features includes:
- None are predatory, but have different rates of success. Students must carefully apply to research institutions.
- Well- established laws and existing legislation tighten the responsibility of institutions to students.
- Broad selection of available financial assistance (loans, college scholarships, grants)
- Most of these institutions are licensed, courses are passed between institutions, and degrees are widely recognized.
- Controlled by state / federal laws and boards approved for education
- Well-constructed infrastructure with amplified facilities.
Is Studying in Non-Profit Online Colleges Worth it?
First, you have to check if the university is a non-profit one. Why must you take the stress to study at a non-profit university? Non-profit universities usually have accreditation, which translates to your certificate having weight.
By weight, we mean that you will gain high-quality education. Also, your degree certificate will gain general acceptance by employers around the world, increasing your chances of selection.
The next question to ask is how affordable is the online study? By its nature of being online, you would naturally imagine it to be cheap. You know, the university incurs fewer overhead costs for containing you. However, not all online colleges are affordable.
Thus, it is very necessary to search for online colleges that are pocket-friendly. Fortunately, there is a long list of universities that provides quality affordable online education.
Finally, you may want to be particular about the location of the university. You may find that certificates for some courses have greater worth depending on their location of study. Also, some employers may specifically require certificates from certain universities abroad.
The location of study may even be a personal preference, however.
Whichever the case is, we provide you with a list of the top cheapest non-profit colleges in the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia.
Why Should I Choose A Non-Profit Or For-Profit College?
Students seeking a total lower education cost should definitely consider nonprofit universities. Nonprofit college enrollment means that you can finish your higher education with a lower loan and your student debt will be kept to a minimum.
However, although this is a compelling reason, it should not be the only criteria for choosing a university. You should also take into account all other factors that allow you to obtain a rich educational experience, from the choice of programs to the proposed facilities and the campus environment.
How do non-profit colleges make money?
Non–profit Universities are exempt from federal corporate income taxes and may receive direct public funding or have charitable endowments. As a result, they may offer lower tuition and more types of financial aid.
How Does a Non-profit University Benefit You?
Each student must determine what type of academic experience is best for them. Traditional, online, for-profit, non-profit … all these educational experiences have their advantages. For example, as a nonprofit university, Western Governors University has a unique idea of how your nonprofit system can really benefit students.
- Nonprofit colleges charge tuition fees and use them to administer the school, helping students learn and use their income to benefit students.
- Also, Nonprofit universities are generally accredited universities, which means that their courses and diplomas have more weight. Regional accreditation is the gold standard and this is the type of recognition that traditional universities possess.
- Nonprofit universities are focused on improving the student’s experience and increasing student success, rather than generating revenue.
- Equally, Nonprofit institutions operate independently of an ownership structure and are free to focus on providing quality education to students.
- Nonprofit universities are generally the less expensive option, due to state funding and other cost-saving efforts.
Explain how Non-Profit Colleges Differ From For-Profit Colleges?
When you read reviews and articles from different universities, you will find that all universities are either in the “for-profit” or “non-profit” category. So what exactly does this mean and how does it affect you? Examine the differences between nonprofit and for-profit universities.
Firstly, Non-profit universities are owned by the state and, like most other nonprofit organizations, are run by a board of directors. There are no owners or shareholders in a nonprofit university. This leaves management free to focus on providing quality education to their students.
While owners and shareholders launch and manage these universities to make a profit from their businesses. In fact, a university for profit is essentially a business.
Secondly, the goal of a nonprofit university is to create a learning environment that serves the interests of students. The main objective of a nonprofit university is to help students graduate from the university as a starting point for professional success.
While the goal of for-profit universities offers a service that, in this case, is teaching for students.
In addition, because they belong to the state, these institutions receive significant financial support in the form of federal and state funds. They also receive funds from individual donors. All this helps them to operate efficiently while keeping tuition fees low.
While For-profit universities also commit to providing quality education. They cannot afford to compromise the quality of the teaching they provide; otherwise, your ranking will decrease, which will affect your enrollment.
However, for these institutions, a profitable outcome remains a priority. For the university to function, they must strike a balance between quality education and satisfactory returns for their investors and shareholders. This often means periodic increases in tuition fees.
What is the Cost Of Education In Non-Profit vs For-Profit Colleges
Nonprofit universities are the most accessible of the two. Not only are their tuition fees lower, but all other expenses, from boarding to books, are lower than for-profit universities. The federal, state, and private funds they receive allow them to keep their rates more accessible.
This helps them run efficiently while keeping the tuition low. For-profit universities, on the other hand, must strive to obtain sufficient income to pay their shareholders. To keep trade afloat and profitable, tuition fees increase regularly.
Non-Profit Online Universities in the USA
As you may have guessed right, the US is one of the most preferred locations to get an online degree. Not only do they have a large number of universities but also accredited and affordable colleges.
Here are the best online colleges in the US to acquire an affordable quality degree certificate.
#1. Western Governor’s University
This university is located in Salt Lake City, Utah. It offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees for career-oriented education in teaching in Nursing, IT, and Business.
WGU, as it is popularly called, is the first online university to be accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
WGU gives you the opportunity to work online with mentors and its courses are based on licensed modules from commercial providers.
Also, while the tuition is relatively low, WGU still provides a variety of scholarship options to aid students.
This non-profit online college accreditation is by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
The tuition for both undergraduates and graduates of this non-profit online college ranges from $3,225 to $4,800 across all disciplines.
This non-profit college also has an employability rate of 81% against the national average of 74%.
#2. Fort Hays State University
This university is located in Hays, Kansas, and is the third-largest public university in Kansas state. FHSU offers over 50 online associates, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees specifically for Adult Learners.
In addition, this not for profit university offers courses in a variety of subject disciplines including business and health.
Also, as a Tiger of FHSU, you will learn to wear your stripes proudly. You will do this not only through the college’s rich extracurricular programs but through its immersive environment and wide network.
This non-profit online college accreditation is by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
The tuition for both undergraduates and graduates of FHSU ranges from $218.67 to $400 per credit hour across all disciplines.
This affordable non-profit college also has an employability rate of 96%.
#3. Amberton University
This university is located in Garland, Texas. It is a private, non-profit university with an Evangelical Christian tradition.
Even though the university is exclusively for working adults, it offers a wide range of courses to acquire bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Also, the university doesn’t only offer general courses but also specialization programs like Change Management.
This non-profit online college accreditation is by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
The tuition for both undergraduates and graduates of Amberton is $795.00 per course or $265 per credit hour.
This non-profit college also has an employability rate of 90%.
#4. Valdosta State University
This university is located in Valdosta, Georgia, and has over 11,000 students. It offers associate, bachelor’s, and master’s, as well as doctoral degrees in a broad spectrum of disciplines.
VSU is one of the best online universities in the US with its cutting-edge technological learning opportunity.
The courses you can study in VSU include – and are not limited to – business, communications, education, health, and engineering.
This non-profit online college accreditation is by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
This affordable non-profit college also has an employability rate of 100%.
#5. Columbus State University
This university is located in Columbus, Georgia, and has an enrolment of more than 8,200 students.
CSU offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees and is one of the best online universities for its variety of academic disciplines.
Furthermore, the college’s online section offers wholly affordable online programs and partial and hybrid online programs.
This non-profit online college accreditation is by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
The tuition for both undergraduates and graduates of Amberton is $210 per semester hour.
This affordable non-profit college employability rate is unspecified. However, the median salary for CSU alumni is $39,800.
Best Online Universities in Canada
Another wonderful location for online programs is in Canada. The quality of education in Canada is one of the best you can get anywhere in the world. A degree certificate from Canada is equivalent to that from the USA or the UK.
Here are the best affordable non-profit online colleges in Canada.
#6. Laurentian University
This university is in Greater Sudbury, Ontario. It is a bilingual university of English and French and one of the best undergraduate universities, ranking 48 in Canada.
Although this university primarily operates as a campus university, it still offers online degree programs.
Its online degree options are in Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Business Administration.
Even though the school is popular for its undergraduate courses, it has a school of graduates.
This non-profit online college accreditation is by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC).
The tuition for full-time students of Laurentian is $6,000.30 for 30 credit hours or $200 per credit hour.
This affordable online college also has an employability rate of 97.1%
#7. Mc Gill University
This is one of the best universities in Canada. It is in Montreal and ranks high amongst the best universities in the world.
Although the university offers most of its courses on campus, they also offer online courses in certain academic areas.
Mc Gill’s School of Continuing Studies offers 100% online courses. You can also acquire an undergraduate certificate in Public Administration and Governance.
Aside from this, online courses are offered for Written French for Workplace Communication amongst others like it.
This non-profit online college accreditation is by the Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur, Québec.
The tuition for online students of McGill is $1,159.36 per credit hour for international students.
This non-profit college has a global employability ranking of 18. It also has an employability ranking of 2nd in Canada.
#8. Thompson Rivers University
Like the other universities mentioned for Canada, Thompson Rivers University is also a campus university offering online courses. However, in the case of Thompson Rivers, the online and campus student population is almost even.
While the school’s campus is at Kamloops, British Columbia, the university aims at making education more accessible to non-traditional students.
Hence, it offers a long-distance education program in Business in Real Estate, Design, and Tourism Management. It also offers a certificate in Welfare and a diploma in Anesthesia Assistant.
This non-profit online college accreditation is by the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training, British Columbia.
The tuition for online Canadian students is $116.85 per credit. However, for international students, it is $377.78 per credit hour.
This affordable online college also has an employability rate of 92%
#9. University of Manitoba
This university is located in Winnipeg and has students from over 100 different countries. An interesting fact to note is that the university ranks 23 in Canada.
Even though most of its students attend classes on campus, the school offers over 140 courses online.
Also, this school is known for its bachelor’s programs in Arts, Integrated Studies, Social Work, and a Diploma in Education.
This non-profit online college accreditation is by the Department of Education and Training, Manitoba
The tuition for online Canadian students is $4,700 yearly. However, for an international student, it is $16,000.
The rate for this non-profit college is unspecified.
#10. Royal Roads University
This University is in Victoria, British Columbia, and has an enrollment of 4,000 to 4,999.
The university, which was formerly a military college, offers a few undergraduate courses and more graduate courses.
In addition to this, the university’s learning involves classroom-based and online programs that are quite affordable. However, it emphasizes blended programs that infuse on-campus elements into the online study.
This non-profit online college accreditation is by the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training, British Columbia.
The tuition for both undergraduates and graduates ranges from $299.83 per credit hour to $85,990 for the whole duration of the study.
The rate for this non-profit college is unspecified, however, two years after graduation, students report an average annual salary of $60,000.
Distance Learning Universities in Europe
Studying online is a wonderful experience when you select a school in Europe. The beauty of studying in Europe is not only in the affordability but in the wide range of choices. Also, Europe has some of the best online colleges in the world.
Here are the best online colleges in the US to gain an affordable quality degree certificate.
#11. Utrecht University
This University is located in Utrecht, the Netherlands and it ranks 2nd in the country.
This is a notable university in Europe and one of the best study locations for international students.
Although the university offers a Bachelor’s degree in several disciplines, it offers mainly Master’s and Ph.D. online programs in Clinical, Veterinary, and General Epidemiology.
This non-profit online college accreditation is by the Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap, Nederland.
The tuition for online EU/EEA students is approximately € 11,143 or $12,471 per program. However, for an international student, it is € 19.900 or $22,275.
This non-profit college also has an employability rate of 37.7%
#12. Nottingham Trent University Online
This University is located in Nottingham, UK and has over 5,000 students worldwide.
Although the university has a physical campus where most of the learning is done, it also provides long-distance learning for International students.
However, this online learning is mainly for postgraduate courses. Realistically, NTU is one of the best universities to get an online MBA or a Fashion Management program.
This non-profit online college accreditation is by Privy Council.
The tuition for online students ranges from £9,500 (or $12,045) to £15,900 (or $20,160).
This non-profit college also has an employability rate of 30.6%
#13. University of Birmingham Online
This is one of the best universities with online study options in the UK. It is in Birmingham, the UK, and has a student population of 30,000 to 34,999.
Although like NTU, the university is mainly a campus one, it also offers flexible online courses to students.
While this online study gives you the feeling of studying on campus, the school still maintains its Gold Standard teaching.
This non-profit online college accreditation is by Privy Council.
The tuition for online students is £12,510 or $15,857.
This affordable online college also has an employability rate of 84.9%
#14. University of Essex
This university is in Colchester, the UK with an international community of over 147 nationalities.
This non-profit college also provides world-leading academics to its students in a research-intensive environment.
Furthermore, the university’s online sector provides quality online undergraduate and a postgraduate degree in Business, Law, and Health. It also provides students a quality education in Psychology and Criminology through leaders in the industry.
This non-profit online college accreditation is by Privy Council.
The tuition for online students ranges from £6,167 (or $7,810.75) to £19,500 (or $24,691.29) for both undergraduate and postgraduate. This fee is for the whole duration of the study.
This non-profit college also has an employability rate of 13.8%
#15. Wageningen University & Research
This university is located in Wageningen, the Netherlands, with a population of over 9,000 students.
If you wish to study an Agriculture and Forestry course, this not-for-profit college is one of the best for you, ranking second worldwide in that field.
Also, although WUR has an on-campus site, it offers online Master’s, and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). In addition to these, it also offers Professional online courses.
This non-profit online college accreditation is by Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap, Nederland.
The tuition for online EU/EFTA students is €2,100 (or $2,349.58) for the duration of the study. However, for international students, it is €9,680 (or $10,828)
This affordable online college also has an employability rate of 18.1%
Best Distance Education University Australia
Studying online in Australia is another interesting experience. This is so because universities in Australia that offers distance education are more teaching-focused than the average university.
Here are the best online colleges in Australia to acquire an affordable quality degree certificate.
#16. University of New England
This university is located in Armidale, Australia, and has a large student population of over 20,000 students.
Asides from being Australia’s number two largest online university, UNE is one of the best schools in Arts, Business, and Science.
In addition to this, UNE’s course satisfaction rates and graduate salaries are commendable.
This non-profit online college accreditation is by the Department of Education and Training, Australia.
The tuition for online students ranges from $10,380 to $59,952 for both undergraduate and postgraduate. However, this fee is for the whole duration of the study.
This non-profit college also has an employability rate of 77.3%
#17. Deakin University
This university is located in Geelong, Victoria and has a large student population of over 40,000 students.
Even though the university has a large on-campus site, it has a cloud (online) study option for students who can’t be physically present in class.
Also, the university is reliable in Education, Engineering, Health, and Information Technology.
This non-profit online college accreditation is by the Department of Education and Training, Australia.
The tuition for online students is from $656 upwards for Commonwealth Supported places per credit hour. However, it is from $2660 upwards for students from Fee- Paying places.
This non-profit college also has an employability rate of 43.6%
#18. Charles Sturt University Online
This is one of the best online universities in Australia. CSU is one of Australia’s largest regional universities and it is located in Bathurst, New South Wales.
Although CSU is Australia’s largest online university, it has an on-campus site for a larger part of its student body.
Also, this not-for-profit college is one of the best for Information Technology, Arts, and Science programs.
This non-profit online college accreditation is by the Department of Education and Training, Australia.
The tuition for online International students is up to $16,000 for undergraduates and graduates. However, this fee is for the whole duration of the study. Also, for Commonwealth Supported Places, the fee is up to $10,944.
This non-profit college also has an employability rate of 83.9%
#19. University of Southern Queensland
This not-for-profit university is located in Toowoomba, Queensland and has a student population of 13,412.
In addition to its on-campus learning environment and programs, USQ also runs almost every popular course online.
Furthermore, the not-for-profit college offers one of the best engineering and health programs in the country.
This non-profit online college accreditation is by the Department of Education and Training, Australia.
The USQ tuition is course-specific. However, the cost of studying a Master of Engineering Practice (Civil Engineering) is AUD 9352 for Commonwealth Supported places and AUD 9352 for Domestic full-time.
This non-profit college also has an employability rate of 82.5%
#20. Edith Cowan University Online
This university is located in Joondalup, West Australia, and has a student population of 15,385.
ECU gives you an education that meets national and international industry standards.
Although it is not the biggest online university in Australia, ECU is one of the best online destinations for Business and Law.
This non-profit online college accreditation is by the Department of Education and Training, Australia.
The ECU tuition is course-specific. However, the cost of studying a Master of Laws (Research) is $35,300 for off-shore International Students.
This non-profit college also has an employability rate of 62.4%
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Conclusion
Not only is studying online fun but also flexible and qualitative. However, confirm that the online college you’re selecting is accredited and meets your budget.
Also, if you are particular about the location of your online study, you still have to consider the program’s quality and cost. For this reason, we share the top affordable not-for-profit online colleges by location.
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