An online degree can provide many benefits — from reduced costs and better work-life-school balance to flexible class schedules and personalized learning. Getting your degree online can even help you enhance your digital skills, making it easier to learn work-related platforms that you may need.

With an online degree, you can attend classes over the internet rather than attending classes in person. In 2024, more than 1 in 4 college students were earning their degree entirely through an online program, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. If you’re debating whether an online degree is worth it, continue reading to learn more about the benefits.

Flexible Scheduling

Getting an online degree lets you fit your studies around your life. With traditional in-person classes, you have to show up at a certain time each week. That means you must block out that time on your calendar and factor in your commute time, regardless of what other priorities you have.

Many online degree programs offer an asynchronous structure, in which instructional materials are available on demand, allowing you to view recorded lectures and coursework anytime during the week. You’ll still have due dates, but you'll have the opportunity to review the materials at a time that is convenient for you. Embry-Riddle Worldwide offers online degree programs that allow you to complete your coursework fully asynchronously, on your own time.

Lower Total Costs

The average annual tuition for a 4-year private college is $39,408, according to the Education Data Initiative. Annual tuition for an online degree tends to be much lower.

For instance, tuition for degrees earned through Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University — Worldwide & Online is estimated to cost a little over $13,000 a year. In addition, the need to pay for on-campus housing, commuting costs and parking can be eliminated with an online program, helping lower the total cost of getting your degree.

The actual cost you’ll pay varies depending on factors such as your program of study and the number of courses you take. Embry-Riddle offers a Net Price Calculator to help you estimate your total cost of attendance.

Various Learning Styles Accommodated

Whether you’re a visual, an auditory or a hands-on learner, an online program can accommodate your learning style. Recorded lectures, charts, interactive modules and e-books allow you to process information in a way that best suits you.

If you're a social learner, online degree programs can offer virtual discussion boards and group projects for collaboration with your peers. Students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide & Online Campus can connect and communicate with other students using the official campus community platform eUnion.

Greater Work-Life-School Balance

Online degree programs are typically designed for working professionals to continue their education without leaving their jobs. The flexible scheduling of this type of degree program can also allow you to spend more time with your family and handle other priorities. As a bonus, without the need to commute, you’ll have more free time for studying. Additionally, Embry-Riddle Worldwide offers 10 terms throughout the year, making it easy to start pursuing your education on your timeline.

Learn From Anywhere

You don’t have to be stuck in a classroom to dive into coursework. You can do it from home, the library, a local coffee shop or a park. You also don’t have to be limited to a school within commuting distance, as an online degree program lets you earn an education while living anywhere you can connect to the internet.

If you do want to take an in-person class, Embry-Riddle Worldwide offers more than 110 locations around the globe, giving you the flexibility to learn where it’s most convenient for you.

Technological Skills Development

A study conducted by the National Skills Coalition in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta found that 92% of jobs require digital skills. Getting an online degree will allow you to familiarize yourself with various digital tools to access lectures, complete assignments and take part in group projects. You can do that all in a low-pressure environment, so you are less likely to be intimidated by digital platforms you must use for work.

Embry-Riddle gives students access to Canvas, a web-based learning management system that allows students to access the syllabi, lecture notes, readings and videos, posted by their professors. Students can also submit papers and communicate with their professors and peers through the platform.

Review Coursework on Your Schedule

With online learning, you can pause and rewatch recorded lectures as many times as you want to make sure you have a good grasp of the information. Going at your own pace allows you to personalize your learning experience. You can also enhance your time management skills by planning out when you can conveniently review coursework and complete assignments before the due date set by the professor.

Is an Online Degree Right for You?

An online degree is great for people who can manage their own study schedules and assignments, wish to attend a specific college without moving or commuting and need flexibility so they can juggle other responsibilities such as a full-time job or caring for family members.

However, if you prefer face-to-face interactions or have time management issues, an in-person program could be a better fit! Embry-Riddle has residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona, where students can interact with professors and peers, follow regular class schedules and access state-of-the-art labs.

If you are considering getting an online degree, it’s important to make sure the institution is regionally or nationally accredited. Accreditation is an independent formal review process that verifies that the school meets established standards for quality and effectiveness. A degree from an accredited school allows employers to confirm that your training meets industry standards. You can check an institution’s accreditation through the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation databases.

Embry-Riddle – Worldwide & Online is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. In addition, many degree programs have industry-specific accreditations. For example, the Bachelor of Science in Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Degrees from Embry-Riddle – Worldwide & Online

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide & Online is ranked among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs by “U.S. News & World Report,” 2027. The school offers more than 50 degrees in high-demand fields, and students can learn from anywhere in the world. Additionally, with 110+ global locations, there are options to take in-person courses if desired.to take in-person courses if desired.

Are you ready to log in to your future?  Learn more about Embry-Riddle Worldwide.