Key Takeaways
Self-paced asynchronous programs let you complete courses as fast or as slow as you'd like, so you can skip what you already know and focus on what's new.
Save money by accelerating your studies to take advantage of completing as many classes as you can during your learning period.
You have the flexibility to enroll in programs that bill you on a subscription model, per class, or by semester.
The best self-paced colleges allow you to take classes, finish homework, and complete exams all on your own schedule. That means you can accelerate your studies if you've mastered a subject, or take as much time as you need to learn.
Many self-paced programs operate on a subscription fee, allowing you to complete as many classes as possible during your subscription, which could save you money. According to Western Governors University (WGU), a fully self-paced university, its students finished their bachelor's degrees in an average 2.4 years, compared to the typical four years it takes to earn a bachelor's.
Whether you want to take it slow or speed through your degree, BestColleges found five of the best self-paced online colleges to meet your needs based on affordability, student resources, and accreditation.
Top Self-Paced Online Colleges
While asynchronous programs are widespread, truly self-paced programs are harder to find and are typically offered through competency-based models. When choosing these top schools, we considered features that matter most to students who are interested in self-paced programs, such as flexibility, affordability, and program options.
The online colleges on this list are all accredited schools that lead to valid degrees that employers and licensing agencies value.
Purdue University Global — Best for Experienced Professionals
Purdue Global's self-paced ExcelTrack programs are competency-based, meaning they assess what you already know through previous work and college experience and tailor your education to one-credit courses that teach you new content.
Purdue recommends these programs for students who are three or more years into their career with skills relevant to their program, or those who've completed at least three college courses. While other online colleges on our list offer competency-based programs, Purdue is the only one targeting experienced professionals specifically. The six bachelor's degree programs are $2,500 per term, with each program containing 33-34 courses, while the four master's degree programs are $2,833 to $3,200 and range from 12-15 courses.
More to Know About Purdue GlobalVeterans and active-duty military members cannot use financial benefits for ExcelTrack.
You can try an undergraduate degree program for free for three weeks with no financial obligation.
Purdue is the only college on our list where you must apply by specific start dates to enroll in these self-paced programs, rather than starting whenever you would like.
University of Massachusetts Global — Most Affordable Self-Paced Programs
UMass Global has the most affordable self-paced programs on this list because you'll pay about $583 per month to complete as many credits as you can toward your degree. The next-most affordable school is Western Governors University, which costs over $100 more per month and doesn't allow you to go as slowly as you'd like.
In UMass Global's My Path programs, you pay $3,500 to $4,030 for six months of access to your degree program. Undergraduate program costs are based on if you were to pay for 12 credits per billing cycle, and master's programs for nine credits; so if you can complete more than that, you'll save money.
The University of North Dakota is an outlier because it charges per credit rather than by time period, so we could not accurately compare its cost to the other schools on our list.
More to Know About UMass GlobalUMass Global offers only one associate degree, two bachelor's degrees, and two master's degrees in business, information technology, and organizational leadership.
You will receive "mastered" designations for completing courses instead of traditional letter grades or GPA. A mastery is the equivalent of a "B" letter grade.
If you have a military schooling rank of at least E7, you can transfer six of those credits towards the 12 total transfer credits allowed. As an active-duty military member, you can pay $250 per credit up to 12 credits per 24-week period for an undergraduate degree.
University of North Dakota — Best for Working Adults
The University of North Dakota's Self-Paced Enroll Anytime Online Courses give you the longest time to finish a single course out of any other school on our list: nine months. UND's program is best for those with limited time and busy schedules since you can only submit a maximum of three assignments per week.
If you're only looking to upskill in a certain area and aren't looking for an entire degree, you can enroll as a nondegree student and take up to 24 for-credit undergraduate or nine graduate credits without having to apply to the school.
After you've hit that limit, you'll need to apply to the university to finish the rest of your program.
More to Know About UNDUND has the smallest selection of self-paced degree programs at just three bachelor's degrees: a BA in Communication, a BA in Social Sciences, and a BA in general studies.
Tuition is $432 per credit for undergraduate courses and $560.06 per credit for graduate courses, regardless of residency.
Walden University — Best Academic Support
Walden's Tempo Learning is a three-month subscription-based program where you'll receive an academic coach who will advocate for you and guide you through self-learning, helping you create goals and craft strategies to thrive. You will also work with your coach to pause and restart any competencies if needed.
Even though you won't be meeting with faculty in live classes, you can still work closely with your professors to ask questions and receive feedback through Walden's custom platform.
While other schools use platforms like Canvas, Brightspace, and Blackboard to host classes, Walden designed the Tempo portal to provide students with a single hub where all coursework, materials, professor messaging, and competency modules are available.
More to Know About Walden UniversityWalden's Believe & Achieve Scholarship gives you one free Tempo Learning subscription period for every four you complete.
Tuition per period is $1,600 to $4,000, depending on the program you choose, with a BS in early childhood studies being the most affordable and master's programs being the most expensive.
Walden hosts the second-most programs on this list at 17 bachelor's and master's degrees.
Western Governors University — Most Self-Paced Program Options
Western Governors University is a self-paced university, meaning you can complete all of their 80+ programs as quickly as you'd like. Choose from over 40 bachelor's degrees, 50 master's degrees, and 25 certificates within health, education, business, and IT.
While you can go as fast as you like, WGU is the only school on our list that doesn't let you go as slow as you want. Every program requires you to finish the courses you enroll in by the end of your six month term.
More to Know About Western Governors UniversitySelect up to three degrees to compare time to completion, tuition, average salary outcomes, and career options.
WGU's Single Course program offers $25 to $49 courses you can enroll in without applying to the university.
WGU's programs are an average of $4,150 per six-month term, $1,650 more than Purdue University Global, the other per-term model school on our list.
Self-Paced vs. Traditional Courses
The biggest difference between self-paced and traditional courses are deadlines. In a self-paced course, you decide when to turn in your work, whether that be earlier or later than the typical deadline. You can also take exams early to prove your mastery and move onto the next module.
In a traditional course, the rate you progress through your program is determined by the professor and the college's schedule. You won't be able to advance as quickly as you may want to and you'll be required to submit every assignment instead of skipping ahead to exams.
How Much Does Self-Paced Online College Cost?
Schools on our list use different subscription and per-credit models to get you your education. Directly comparing costs can be challenging, so we broke down four of five schools that use term and subscription models by how much you pay per month:
UMass Global: About $583 per month
WGU: About $692 per month ($4,150 per six-month term)
Walden: About $947 per month
Purdue Global: About $1,000 per month ($2,500 per 10-week term)
We can't directly compare the University of North Dakota (UND) and WGU's Single Course program to the rest of our schools since these charge per individual self-paced course instead of paying per time period. WGU charges $25 to $49 per undergraduate course within the program, while UND charges around $433 per credit.
Do Self-Paced Online Colleges Qualify for Financial Aid?
That depends on the school. If you're looking at a program from an accredited college participating in Title IV of the Higher Education Act, then you can apply for financial aid. However, because some self-paced programs are offered at a discounted rate or have unique billing models, they may not be supported by federal financial aid.
WGU's self-paced programs qualify for financial aid, but the heavily discounted Single Course program doesn't allow financial aid.
At Purdue you can use financial aid toward the ExcelTrack programs, but veterans and active-duty military members cannot use their benefits and students can't qualify for university-specific scholarships.
If you're unsure about your program qualifying for financial aid, reach out to the school's admissions office to see your options.
How Long Do Self-Paced Programs Typically Take?
A traditional bachelor's degree will take four years (about 120 credits) to complete, while a master's degree will take two years (roughly 60 credits). Self-paced students can cut that time nearly in half.
According to WGU's 25th Anniversary Impact Report, the average WGU student graduated with a bachelor's degree in just 2.4 years, and 38% graduated within two years. In comparison, 61% of students entering four-year institutions in 2018 graduated within six years nationwide.
By taking classes at your own pace, your time could be about half of a regular degree, depending on your content mastery, goals, and the number of credits you bring in. It could also look much longer than usual if you are only completing a few classes over a longer period.
Most self-paced models have billing periods ranging from one month to six months, allowing you to complete any number of credits during that period. Some programs, like UMass Global, will allow you to transfer in credits to accelerate your degree even more.
How to Succeed in Self-Paced Programs
Most self-paced courses rely on learning management systems such as Canvas, Brightspace, and Blackboard to host prerecorded videos, learning modules, and course materials to access at your convenience.
Succeeding in self-paced college courses requires solid time management skills and a strong commitment to finish. Students used to a more structured format may struggle with a self-paced schedule at first, but with discipline, organization, and good study habits, you can shape it to fit your needs.
1. Choose the Right Program
You should first research each self-paced program's cost, length, courses, and accreditation status. Accredited online colleges meet high academic excellence standards and qualify for federal student aid programs. However, not all self-paced programs, like those at Western Governors University, qualify for financial aid due to special discounting.
2. Manage Your Time Well
Time management matters if you don't want to quickly fall behind. Set your own goals and deadlines, take advantage of any suggested timelines the program offers, and pay attention to the maximum time allowed for self-paced online courses. Falling behind may not hurt your grades, but it will lead you to pay more for your degree.
3. Establish a Good Workspace
Creating a good workspace should help you focus. Choose a space with limited distractions, good lighting, and a solid ergonomic setup.
4. Use School Resources
Online colleges often offer resources to help students succeed, including online tutoring, library access, and academic advising. Your academic advisor can even work with you to set self-goals in your self-paced program.
You can also look at the school's career planning services to help you transition from college into the workforce.
5. Seek Help
If you're struggling with coursework or pacing yourself, reach out for help. Instructors, classmates, and academic advisors can help you identify school resources to assist you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Self-Paced Online Colleges
The self-paced online programs on our list are all easier to get into than the national average. Four of five schools on our list have an "Open admission policy" so if a student meets the requirements they are accepted into the school. Only the University of North Dakota has an acceptance rate higher than the national average (77% versus the national average of 59%).
