Virtual University

A New Kind of College - The Virtual University
By Gary Stuart

You may debate whether graduating from college actually makes you smarter, but there is no doubt that a college degree can make you richer. According to statistics from the Department of Labor, the lifelong earnings of a person with a bachelor's degree are $620,000 more than someone with an associate degree; $810,000 more than those of a high school graduate, and $1.1 million more than a high school dropout.

Simply put, a college degree makes you more competitive in the job market. In fact, many employers, including the U.S. government, require college degrees for certain positions. You may deserve a promotion based on job skills and experience, but will not be considered for advancement due to a lack of formal education.

As our technological society continues to create a demand for individuals with specific skill sets, the earning power of college graduates is expected to keep growing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for college graduates will increase by 25% between now and 2014. On the other hand, jobs for high school graduates will grow by only 11%.

However, many find the cost of tuitions, fees, and living on campus for four years is beyond their financial grasp. Others deal with the day-to-day responsibilities of children and full-time jobs that simply do not afford them the time to work towards earning their college degree.

Online universities and colleges are quickly coming to the rescue of people who strive to earn a college degree, but need a flexible schedule and reasonable costs. Over a million people are now enrolled in online colleges. Students are now able to take classes completely online at any hour of the day or night. You can even opt for a combination of online and on-campus. Students chat with other students, work together on projects and confer with professors -- completely online. Convenience is virtually at your fingertips!

Another positive is the flexible admissions policies. Don't be surprised if your work or military experience counts towards college credits. In addition, while most traditional colleges require that you enroll after a semester break, the typical online university allows you to start classes any time you want.