Whether you are transitioning from high school to college, getting your master's degree, or you’re an adult looking to change careers, you might have the option to choose between online or on-campus education. I noticed many factors that need to be considered before making such a decision, such as cost, flexibility, and more, and I am here to hopefully shed some light on those questions.

When I graduated from high school in 2020, it was the year of COVID-19. The world got shut down, which meant I had only one option if I wanted to keep it traditional and go to college right out of high school. I had to decide later whether to continue my online education or move on campus. I realized that while education will remain the same, this decision can help or hurt your personal life and educational journey, depending on the situation and the person. Furthermore, I have laid out these considerations with personal experience and compared both versions of education to help you and others make this decision!

 Flexibility

Both online and on-campus education offer flexibility in different ways. If you are on campus, you will most likely attend classes during the week for most of your days, with the option to be close to friends during your free time. There are also opportunities that most students take to work a part-time job, sports, or extracurriculars.

Online education offers a lot more flexibility in terms of working, location, and freedom. Depending on your schedule, you can work full-time while completing coursework in your free time to make more money and get your education at the same pace. There is also flexibility in the location of your learning because you can do it from anywhere. On break at work, in a coffee shop, on the road, or on vacation. There is freedom for students with both online and on-campus education, but to truly make the decision, you need to consider whether you are willing to sacrifice your time or the time for education.

I have had both experiences of working part-time, attending on-campus, and working full-time during online education. Both times, I was a full-time student. I preferred working full-time because I could apply my education to my life, in real time, and of course, make more money. I also enjoyed being able to dictate my schedule based on my workload at school to ensure productivity at both work and school.

Learning environment

Do you learn better in a classroom? If you have only ever learned in classrooms, ask yourself if you can run your classroom. You would be the teacher and the student. Of course, you would have a lesson plan, assignments, and a schedule from a professor. But online learning is truly your responsibility. If there is a test coming up, you are responsible for reading the textbook, looking at notes, studying, and anticipating questions from the first day and on.

If you ask many questions or require extra help frequently, on-campus learning is perfect. There is more accessibility for immediate responses from teachers, advisors, and faculty when you can find them in the building. Online education relies on emails, discussions, or meetings that typically need to be scheduled. There will not be a professor guiding you to take notes or remember information for an exam. That does not mean you need to be an expert in teaching, but there needs to be a desire to maintain your learning environment on your own.

Personally, most of my professors give students a layout for the entire semester, that way, you can plan your week, or even the month ahead of time. This allows me time to figure out my schedule or when I might need more time to study for a test or complete a project. I have fully enjoyed being able to figure out what note-taking style or general teaching style fits me by constantly being able to change it on my own.

Cost

A clear positive comparison to make between online and on-campus education is the elimination of costs. You eliminate costs with online education when you no longer need a parking pass, housing fees, textbooks, and, in most cases, the tuition should be cheaper. There are a ton of ways you can find free textbooks online without using your school's library, and if you are doing online education, you are only truly paying for the education without the benefits of the "college experience".

What I mean is that you are not going to get the excitement of moving into the dorms, walking into your first class, or the general memories you get from going to college. Yes, you are getting a more affordable option, but you are paying what it is worth. There are no “benefits” besides the degree you will receive, but the memories and “core college moments” would need to be sacrificed. I maintained friendships and visited my friends who did go to college on campus.

Personal Preference/Situation

You need to take a long, deep look inside your life and see what is possible. For many, college is not an option, and deciding between online and on-campus education is a privilege like no other. Be thoughtful about your decision, your life, and the career you want. If you are going to a doctor, I advise attending college. It would be tough to do it online. If it is easier for you to stay home and get your degree in the downtime from being a mother and a full-time job, then online education would be perfect. Truly do some self-evaluation of what will ultimately help you now and in the future. 

Learning Style

Do you learn better when a teacher is writing clear points on a board while you take notes and collect them? Or do you learn better when you are given clear instructions and left to do your work independently? Or maybe you are a visual learner and need to see examples. Possibly even a hands-on learner who can effectively learn while applying the knowledge at the same time. You should have an idea by now of how you learn and what works best for you.

I realized I learn better when I get to decide how I learn the information. Yes, I will take the notes given and the textbook readings. But every subject should be taught differently. For example, English is better understood for me typically through writing and reading from books, textbooks, and more. Math is better understood through visual breakdowns of the problem, or sometimes shortcuts. If you have always needed aid in a classroom or traditional learning environment, I would recommend sticking to on-campus education.

Socialization and Social Opportunities

On-campus education comes with social opportunities to make different friends, join different clubs, and more. You can also do that in the classroom when you are around other peers and students. When you are in online education, there is a small amount of socialization unless you are attending synchronous classes or an online classroom typically held over Zoom or platforms for video meetings. You will get opportunities for online education with group projects or online discussions. In all honesty, these will typically be impersonal and feel like an assignment at times. If you are a social butterfly or thrive on social interactions, I would stick to on-campus education!

Sports and Extracurricular Activities

One of the last factors to be considered are sports and extracurricular activities. If you are attending college for a sport, obviously it would suit you better to attend the classes and do your sport itself on campus. If you enjoy joining extra clubs or think you would be interested in doing so, attending the campus again would make this easily accessible.

I prefer to do my online courses and use my free time for my friends, hobbies, and extracurriculars available to me. Online campus opens the opportunity for you to do exactly what you want with the time you have. You can pick up more shifts, visit other friends in college, or start your own small business! The world is your oyster!

Being able to decide on your education is extremely important, and understanding the different comparisons to make is important for that decision-making. These are just some of the things I have noticed while attending college online that I wish I understood before deciding. At the end of the day, it is what will work out best for your life and what your life allows.

But remember, you can do both! You can attend college and opt for online classes if you have a busy schedule or if you simply want to take some classes online. Many colleges will offer this option, and you can talk to advisors on campus to help you further with your decision. I have been lucky enough to experience both and share my knowledge, which hopefully will help you!

Rees Malone