Most Affordable Online Colleges 2026
To assist you in your search, we have compiled a list of the top 10 most affordable online colleges. Online college is a good choice for many students because it offers flexibility, lower costs, and easy access. It allows you to balance your studies with other responsibilities, such as work or family.
5 Cheapest Online Colleges
Arizona State University — Most Military-Friendly Online College
- Tempe, AZ
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Superlative: More Than 11,000 Military-Affiliated Students Supported Through Their Education Journey
ASU Online offers hundreds of undergraduate and graduate degrees designed for working adults and military-affiliated students. Military students benefit from self-paced learning, personalized support, tuition assistance, and credit for eligible military training. Popular undergraduate programs include electrical engineering and information technology, while top graduate options include social work and forensic psychology.
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $580-$605
Out-of-State | $580-$605
Why Students Choose ASU Online:
- Flexible Learning: Study anytime, anywhere with no set class times and multiple start dates year-round.
- Military Support: Benefit from dedicated enrollment advisors, success coaches, and tutoring tailored to the needs of active duty, veteran, and dependent students.
- Tuition Assistance: Use Military Tuition Assistance or the GI Bill®, and receive transfer credit for eligible military training.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Online courses are mostly asynchronous, so you'll need strong time management and organization skills to stay on track.
- Military training may count toward total degree credits, but doesn't fulfill general studies requirements.
58%
$11,822
87%
$34,014
- Acceptance Rate
- 90%
- Students Enrolled
- 79,818
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Florida — Best Overall Tuition Cost
- Gainesville, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Superlative: Cheapest Tuition Rates for All Students, Regardless of State Residency
UF Online stands out for its large selection of affordable degree programs. You can choose from more than 120 online bachelor’s and graduate degrees in fields like business, communications, and engineering. Tuition is significantly lower for Florida residents and still more affordable for out-of-state students compared to many other online colleges.
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $129
Out-of-State | $553
Why Students Choose UF Online:
- Affordable Tuition: Online students save 40% compared to on-campus tuition, and out-of-state rates are still competitive.
- Dedicated Advising: Benefit from low student-to-advisor ratios and personalized academic guidance.
- Flexible Course Load: Take 3-6 credits as a part-time student or 15-18 credits as a full-time student to fit your schedule.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Most UF Online courses are asynchronous with no live lectures.
- Admissions are moderately selective, with 64% of applicants admitted in the fall of 2023.
59%
$ 4,477
98%
$25,694
- Acceptance Rate
- 24%
- Students Enrolled
- 56,311
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — Most Accessible Start for Online Learners
- Champaign, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Superlative: Allows Students To Explore Free or Low-Cost Online Courses Before Applying to a Degree Program
Illinois Online offers over 60 online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, along with hundreds of free or low-cost courses. You can take noncredit courses featuring real Illinois Online content to explore subjects before formally enrolling. Subjects in these free courses include business, computer science, and engineering.
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $520-$1,237
Out-of-State | $520-$1,237
Why Students Choose Illinois Online:
- Preview Courses: Free noncredit courses are a good way to explore subjects or test out a program before committing to a full degree.
- STEM-Focused: Many of Illinois Online's master's degree programs are in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Noncredit courses don’t require admission to the university, but credit courses may require an application and tuition payment.
- While noncredit courses do not count toward a degree, they can count toward a certificate; however, earning some certificates may require a small fee.
59%
$12,712
95%
$31,832
- Acceptance Rate
- 42%
- Students Enrolled
- 59,238
- Institution Type
- Public
University of New Mexico — Best Online Programs for Community-Centered Learning
- Albuquerque, NM
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Superlative: Offers Online Programs That Emphasize Cultural Identity, Social Equity, and Local/Global Community Impact
The University of New Mexico (UNM Online) offers 34 online bachelor’s degree-completion and master’s programs, including 23 accelerated options. As New Mexico’s flagship research university, UNM Online supports first-generation and historically underrepresented students and features distinctive programs in Chicano/Chicana Studies, Native American Studies, and Intercultural Communication. A virtual exchange program also provides cross-cultural learning experiences.
Cost per Semester:
In-State | $286-$352
Out-of-State | $1,058-$1,147
Why Students Choose UNM Online:
- Completion Programs: Online bachelor’s programs are designed for adults returning to school to finish their degrees.
- Unique Programs: Study subjects that are rarely offered online, such as Chicano/Chicana Studies, Native American Studies, and Intercultural Communication.
- Global Learning Opportunities: Participate in the Collaborative Virtual Exchange (CoVE) to engage in online, cross-cultural projects with peers and instructors at partner universities around the world.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Accelerated online programs have a fixed tuition rate of $399 per credit for undergraduates and $432 per credit for graduates, regardless of residency.
- All other online programs follow standard UNM tuition rates, which are higher for out-of-state students.
56%
$ 8,589
75%
$31,738
- Acceptance Rate
- 79%
- Students Enrolled
- 23,596
- Institution Type
- Public
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley — Most Online Courses For Spanish-English Bilingual Learners
- Edinburg, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Superlative: Offers Nearly 5,000 Courses Designated as Bilingual or Taught in Spanish
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) offers 45 online degree programs and stands out for its extensive bilingual learning options. With nearly 5,000 courses taught in Spanish or a bilingual format, you can study in the language you prefer while advancing your bicultural and professional goals. A bilingual certification is also available upon completion of a designated set of courses.
Cost per Semester:
In-State | $416-$473
Out-of-State | $821-$866
Why Students Choose UTRGV:
- Bilingual Focus: Nearly 400 faculty members teach over 5,000 courses in Spanish or bilingual formats, making programs accessible to Spanish speakers and students pursuing a bicultural education.
- Flexible Program Formats: Choose from more than 30 accelerated eight-week graduate programs or 15 traditional 16-week online programs.
- Tuition Advantage Program: Texas residents with a family income of $125,000 or less may qualify for full tuition and mandatory fee coverage.
Know Before You Enroll:
- The bilingual certificate requires five courses and is only available to undergraduate students.
- Only offers one entirely online bachelor’s degree program in health services technology, in addition to three hybrid undergraduate programs.
67%
$ 7,857
81%
$20,007
- Acceptance Rate
- 94%
- Students Enrolled
- 33,881
- Institution Type
- Public
How to Evaluate an Online College’s True Cost
It’s important to consider other costs of college besides the advertised tuition price. Look for “hidden” expenses like technology fees, proctoring charges, and course materials.
Know the billing structure, too. Some schools have a flat-rate price per term, which lets students take more courses for one fee, potentially reducing the time to graduate. Others charge per credit, which means you’ll pay more per semester the more courses you take.
To compare programs, calculate the total cost of your degree, not just the price of tuition per semester. You can also check which student services (tutoring, career support, library access) they include to see if one has more benefits.
Resources
A Guide to FAFSA
Learn how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and read about what documents you need, deadlines to watch out for, and how to qualify for aid.College Cost Calculators
Explore tools that help estimate your total college expenses, including tuition, fees, and housing. Use them to build a realistic budget, plan to borrow wisely, and understand your full financial commitment before enrolling.How to Budget as a College Student
Discover practical tips on managing your money in college, including how to budget, compare costs, and use cost calculators. Explore these savings tips to avoid debt and plan smarter for tuition, living costs, and other essentials.Low-Income Student Guide
Find financial aid, fee waivers, and faster degree options for low-income students. Use budgeting tools, complete the FAFSA, and explore accelerated programs to lower costs and make college more affordable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online College
Online college is worth it for many students due to its flexibility, lower costs, and accessibility. It allows you to balance your studies with other obligations, like work or family, but requires strong self-motivation and time management.
Related articles that may interest you
Best Affordable Online Bachelor’s Degrees
Compare the best online bachelor’s degrees for cost-conscious students. Access a ranked list of top schools and explore high-growth career paths.
Updated January 13, 2026
Best Online Colleges and Universities 2026
The best online colleges offer a great education at an affordable price. Learn more about choosing a school and program that meets your needs.
Updated January 7, 2026
Best Online Colleges for Working Adults of 2026
Want to earn your degree online while working? Learn about the best online degree programs for working adults.
by Alison Plaut
Updated December 18, 2025