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Affordable online degree options, compared

Low-cost online degrees charge in very different ways: per credit, per course assessment, or a flat rate per term. Understanding the model tells you more about your real cost than any headline price.

Last reviewed September 26, 2026. Prices and policies change, so confirm on each school's official site.

Three pricing models

BYU-Pathway Worldwide: per credit, priced by country

Tuition is charged per credit in US dollars, at a rate set by the country you live in. Church members pay the published rate and other students pay 25% more. Every student is eligible for a guaranteed 10%, 25%, or 50% tuition discount. Degrees are awarded by BYU-Idaho and Ensign College.

Best for: students who want a structured program with weekly gatherings and certificates built into the degree. Full cost breakdown →

University of the People: no tuition, fees per assessment

University of the People describes itself as tuition-free. Instead of tuition, it charges application and assessment fees, and it offers scholarships toward those fees on a first-come, first-served basis.

Best for: students who need the lowest possible cost and can study independently. Check the current fee amounts on its tuition page, because they aren't included in the headline "tuition-free" claim.

Western Governors University (WGU): flat rate per six-month term

WGU charges a flat rate per six-month term rather than per credit, and you can complete as many courses as you're able to in that term. Its programs are competency-based: you move on when you've mastered the material. WGU reports average yearly tuition of about $8,300 for bachelor's degrees and $8,856 for master's degrees.

Best for: fast, self-motivated learners, since finishing more courses per term lowers your total cost. Check whether WGU admits students where you live before planning around it.

A checklist for comparing any online degree

1. Who awards the degree, and who accredits them? Look up the awarding institution's accreditor yourself. Don't rely on the word "accredited" in an ad.
2. What's the total cost? Add tuition, fees, course materials, and any exam or assessment charges across the whole degree, not just one term.
3. How fast can you realistically go? Flat-rate programs reward speed. Per-credit programs cost the same however fast you move.
4. Will the degree be recognised for your goal? A job at home, a visa, and a master's abroad can each have different requirements. See how universities abroad evaluate online degrees.
5. What support do you get? Mentoring, study groups, and career services make a real difference to finishing.