Earning a bachelor’s degree can be a significant investment, both in terms of time and money. However, online education has made higher education more accessible and affordable for many students.
College affordability is a major concern for many students and their families. With tuition and fees rising, finding ways to pay for a college education can be difficult. However, options are available to help make college more affordable, including financial aid for online college students.
Additionally, a college degree’s return on investment (ROI) is important when pursuing higher education, with the average 20-year ROI of a bachelor’s degree of 38.1% and a lifetime ROI of 287.7%.
With many industries requiring a college degree, the long-term financial benefits of a college education can outweigh the costs. In this article, we will explore the various options available to help make college more affordable, financial aid options for online college students, and the ROI of a college degree.
Using data from Peterson’s, Affordable Schools Online has determined the most affordable bachelor’s degrees online with the 12 Cheapest Online Bachelor’s Degrees that cost less than $25K. These programs allow students to earn a degree without incurring excessive debt.
These universities offer affordable online degree programs and provide students with a high-quality education in various fields, such as Sustainability, Applied Science, Applied Management, Communication in Organizations, and more.
12 Cheapest Online Bachelor’s Degrees (less than $25K)
1. Oregon State University (Ecampus)
- Corvallis, OR
- BS in Sustainability double degree
- Undergraduate Tuition: $11,448
Oregon State University’s BS in Sustainability double degree program is an online program designed for students interested in sustainability who want to positively impact the environment and society. The program is offered entirely online, allowing students to complete the program from anywhere in the world.
The Northwest Commission accredits the program. The program requires 36 credit hours for graduation, estimated at $11,448, with a cost per credit hour of $318. No standardized tests are required for admission, and transfer credits are accepted.
The program is entirely online and is a double degree program, allowing students to earn a Bachelor of Science in Sustainability and a second degree in another field. The curriculum covers sustainable business practices, environmental policy, and natural resource management.
2. Boise State University (Division of Extended Studies)
- Boise, ID
- BAS in Bachelor of Applied Science
- Undergraduate Tuition: $14,000
Boise State University’s Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) program is a fully online program that can be completed from the comfort of your home. This program is designed for students who have completed an associate degree in a technical or vocational field and want to further their education. With 40 credit hours required for graduation, this program is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen field.
The Northwest Commission accredits the program, and students can learn from experienced instructors who teach both online and on-campus. Admissions requirements include a minimum GPA of 2.3, and standardized tests may be required for admission. Transfer credits are accepted, making it easy for students to transfer their previous college credits to the program.
The program is offered online and allows students to choose from various areas of emphasis, such as business, health care, technology, and more. The curriculum covers leadership, problem-solving, and critical thinking topics and prepares students for management positions in their chosen fields.
3. Ohio University (eCampus)
- Athens, OH
- BS in Applied Management
- Undergraduate Tuition: $14,580
Ohio University’s Bachelor of Science in Applied Management is an online program that can be completed from anywhere. The program requires 60 credit hours for graduation and the cost per credit hour is between $240 and $243. This means the total estimated cost for the program ranges from $14,400 to $14,580.
The Higher Learning Commission accredits the program, and students will have the opportunity to learn from experienced instructors who teach both online and on campus. Admissions requirements include a minimum GPA of 2.0, and no standardized tests are required for admission. If
This program is designed for business management students who want to develop leadership, decision-making, and strategic planning skills. The program is offered entirely online and provides students with a strong foundation in business principles and the opportunity to specialize in an area of interest through elective courses.
4. Eastern Illinois University (Online/Distance Learning Programs)
- Charleston, IL
- BA in Communication in Organizations
- Undergraduate Tuition: $14,504
Eastern Illinois University offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Communication in Organizations program that can be completed from anywhere. The program requires 49 credit hours for graduation and the cost per credit hour is $296. This means the total estimated cost for the program is $14,504.
The Higher Learning Commission accredits the program, and students will have the opportunity to learn from experienced instructors who teach both online and on campus. Admissions requirements for the program are not specified, and no standardized tests are required for admission.
This program is for people who want to work in communication, public relations, or a similar field. The online program helps students improve their written and spoken communication, strategic planning, and critical thinking skills. The curriculum covers communication theory, media studies, and organizational communication.
5. American Business & Technology University
- Saint Joseph, MO
- BAS in Business Management in the Global Economy BAS – BMGE
- Undergraduate Tuition: $14,940
American Business & Technology University’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Management in the Global Economy (BAS-BMGE) is a fully online program that can be completed anywhere.
The program requires 60 credit hours for graduation and the cost per credit hour is $249. This means the total estimated cost for the program is $14,940. The program is taught online only by experienced instructors, and students from all over the world are welcome to apply. Admissions requirements for the program are not specified, and no standardized tests are required for admission. Transfer credits are accepted, making it easy for students to transfer their previous college credits to the program.
This program is designed for students interested in a business management career and want to develop their skills in leadership, decision-making, and strategic planning. The program is offered online and provides students with a strong foundation in business principles and the opportunity to specialize in an area of interest through elective courses.
6. American Business & Technology University
- Saint Joseph, MO
- BAS in Business Management in the Global Economy with Emphasis in Marketing (BAS-BMGEM)
- Undergraduate Tuition: $14,940
American Business & Technology University BAS in Business Management in the Global Economy with Emphasis in Marketing (BAS-BMGEM): This program is designed for students who are interested in a career in business management, with a focus on marketing. The program is available online and gives students a strong foundation in business principles and specialized knowledge in marketing strategies, consumer behavior, and market research. The curriculum covers brand management, digital marketing, and advertising.
7. American Business & Technology University
- Saint Joseph, MO
- BAS in Information Systems Engineering–Networking and Security (BAS-ISENS)
- Undergraduate Tuition: $14,940
American Business & Technology University BAS in Information Systems Engineering–Networking and Security (BAS-ISENS): This program is designed for students interested in a career in information systems engineering, focusing on networking and security. The program is offered online and provides students with a strong foundation in information technology and specialized knowledge in network architecture, security protocols, and data management. The curriculum covers network design, cryptography, and computer forensics.
8. Eastern Illinois University (Online/Distance Learning Programs)
- Charleston, IL
- BSB in Business Administration
- Undergraduate Tuition: $17,760
Eastern Illinois University (Online/Distance Learning Programs) BSB in Business Administration: This program is designed for students interested in a career in business and want to develop their skills in leadership, decision-making, and strategic planning. The program is offered entirely online and provides students with a strong foundation in business principles and the opportunity to specialize in an area of interest through elective courses.
9. Eastern Oregon University (Division of Distance Education)
- La Grande, OR
- BAS in Business Administration
- Undergraduate Tuition: $22,680
Eastern Oregon University (Division of Distance Education) BAS in Business Administration: This program is designed for students interested in a business administration career who want to develop their skills in management, finance, and marketing. The program is offered online and provides students with a comprehensive education in business principles and the opportunity to specialize in a specific business area through elective courses. The curriculum covers topics such as accounting, economics, and business law.
10. Eastern Oregon University (Division of Distance Education)
- La Grande, OR
- BAS in Emergency Medical Services Administration
- Undergraduate Tuition: $22,680
Eastern Oregon University (Division of Distance Education) BAS in Emergency Medical Services Administration: This program is designed for students interested in a career in emergency medical services administration and want to develop their skills in areas such as management, leadership, and emergency response planning. The program is offered online and provides students with a comprehensive education in emergency medical services principles and the opportunity to specialize in a specific area of emergency medical services through elective courses. The curriculum covers emergency medical services operations, emergency management, and healthcare administration.
11. EC-Council University (Online Cybersecurity Degree Programs)
- Albuquerque, NM
- BS in Information Security
- Undergraduate Tuition: $23,880
The BS in Information Security program at EC-Council University is an online course for people who want to work in information security. The program is offered online and can be completed from anywhere in the world, making it accessible to students worldwide. Instructors for the program only teach online, and applicants must have a GPA of at least 2.0. No standardized tests are required for admission, and transfer credits are accepted. The program requires 60 credit hours for graduation, and the total estimated cost is between $15,780 and $23,880, with a cost per credit hour of $263 to $398.
This program is designed for students interested in a career in information security who want to develop their skills in network security, cryptography, and incident response. The program is offered entirely online and provides students with a comprehensive education in information security principles and the opportunity to specialize in a specific area of information security through elective courses. The curriculum covers security management, penetration testing, and ethical hacking.