Racer's Lounge - Online Colleges, good or bad?

What is the opinion on online colleges such as Phoenix and Maryland?
I personally think they are garbage and the schools are for-profit colleges.
Is there anyone here who works in a hiring department that could give insight on what employers think of people with a degree from an online college?

I have no experience with an actual online college, but I have taken online classes through a college before to save money on commuting. All I can say about them is that I didn't do quite as well because it made me lazy - not having to go to class and what not. Some of my professors have also said that their online sections always do worse than their in classroom groups. So I assume that the online learning experience just isn't as quality as a real in-class one.

I have no experience with an actual online college, but I have taken online classes through a college before to save money on commuting. All I can say about them is that I didn't do quite as well because it made me lazy - not having to go to class and what not. Some of my professors have also said that their online sections always do worse than their in classroom groups. So I assume that the online learning experience just isn't as quality as a real in-class one.

Times 2. I failed my online class, never gonna do that again.

I've talked to recruiters and HR personnel about online degrees vs. "offline" and there isn't really any comparison. If you're going up against someone who's been in the classroom you don't really stand a chance. The value of discussion in class, case studies, group work, is much higher than a one-way online course. I think you should only take courses online if they aren't offered at your institution or if you're trying to pick up an extra course. The univiersities i went to were very hesitant to allow students to take courses online.

i took 2 classes online, one was a sub101 math class and i finished everything within 3 weeks(1st semester at college and i didnt take math in a while so i did terrible on my placement test)
the other was a microsoft office class and i was very lazy, still pulled off an A but crammed everything in the last week haha.

i went to college and i just gave up

No real experience with any of it, though it came up in one of my classes. My professor said it would probably help get them in the door for an interview, but that is about it. It all will really depend on each individual, and each job you are applying for. Some places will not even look at your resume without having a b.s. attached to it, then it is up to your interviewing skills. So it might help you there. If you are serious about getting an education, try your hardest to attend some sort of campus, even if it is just a community college.

There's no way I could do it. I barely passed the few online classes I've had, it was also harder for me to learn the material.

I have a lot of friends who are either currently enrolled or formerly enrolled in the University of Phoenix. The classes they are taking are OUTRAGEOUSLY EXPENSIVE!!!! Except for my friends who are getting their college paid for through the G.I. Bill or grants, everyone else had to drop out due to the cost and gone to a local college for their basics.

As far as the value of the degree, it isn't any better or worse than going to a regular class. Certain employers might not like the fact that you got an online degree and might be biased, but most will realize you did the work the same as someone who sat through a regular class and realize that you have the same knowledge level.

My wife is taking online classes through a local community college for about 1/20 the price of University of Phoenix and they are just as educationally valuable and will transfer to any 4 year university. Where as some of the stuff University of Phoenix does do not transfer.

How well you do online will have a lot to do with maturity level. I'd suggest a regular class for an 18 year old freshman. But older slightly more mature people with a longer attention span and better time management skills, especially those with careers, will do just fine with online courses.

i hate online classes. i always forget to do the work. and like someone else said i just become lazy. hybrid classes are the way to go. i will nnever ever take an all online class. and all my professors have always said not to take their class online cause you have to do so much reading. and people always forget to do their work

Big difference between an "online class" taken through a regular college and a degree from an "online college"

You should check into their accreditation of the online school to make sure the piece of paper you get in the end is worth anything. I am sure there is bias from hiring managers in regards to the validity of an online degree and from the obvious lack of classroom interaction.

As for online classes, you just have to be diligent and very serious. It is very very easy to forget to log in

i hate online classes. id rather drive 50 miles per day to my college to sit through boring lectures than take an online course. they just tell you what to read in a book. most elective classes i am taking online like anthropology, i have zero interest in. i wont read something unless im interested.

then again its easy to cheat.

My wife is taking online classes through a local community college for about 1/20 the price of University of Phoenix and they are just as educationally valuable and will transfer to any 4 year university. Where as some of the stuff University of Phoenix does do not transfer.

Not all, but probably most.

i am currently taking online classes and its somewhat confusing if you have been away from school for a long time. i just completed an english class and now i am taking college algebra. but its really not bad. its pretty slow paced, and its good to know that you can jump ahead and knock out all the work/tests early if you wanted to.