This article was originally published April 3, 2023, and was updated March 2, 2026, to reflect updated information about t .
Online learning has emerged, not just as a viable alternative to its traditional classroom counterpart, but as the preferred mode of higher education for millions of Americans. It is a mode that provides convenient, affordable access to top-notch courses and programs that are just right for the student, even when the institution is on the other side of the country—or the other side of an ocean.
In the past, when your best academic fit was an out-of-state college, you were faced with a difficult choice: You could either relocate to attend that college, which would mean leaving your support network of family and friends and dealing with the expense and disruption of moving, or you could settle for a less-than-ideal program at a local school that might not meet all your needs. Thanks to credible leaders in online higher education, those days are over.
Because online education doesn’t tie you to a specific location, considering an out-of-state online university gives you the most opportunities to find the flexibility, cost-savings, and global access you want along with the skills-based education and respected credentials you need for your career. Indeed, if you wish to attend an accredited university with significant experience in online learning, designed for working adults, with the program just right for you, you may need to look beyond the borders of your home state.
A More Student-Driven Education
The proliferation of online learning has occurred largely because it fills a growing need for a more student-driven, less institution-driven mode of education. Online learning provides opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds, particularly working adults, to gain the skills and credentials they need to pursue careers in the fields of their choice.
Studying online affords you the ability to learn at your own pace, on your own schedule, and from wherever you are (a.k.a. “asynchronous learning”). And because online education doesn’t tie you to a specific location, considering an out-of-state, online university gives you even more opportunities and flexibility to find a school with the programs and services that fit your situation and goals.
More Affordable & Accessible Education
Making college more accessible requires addressing two major concerns: time and expense. That means reducing costs, minimizing scheduling demands, and shortening the time to graduation as much as possible.
These areas are where online learning offers distinct advantages over traditional classroom learning. In either case, of course, you’ll need to consider tuition rates, cost of books, certification fees, etc., as well as the time spent attending classes and completing assignments. With online learning, however, you don’t need to worry about housing, meal plans, transportation or parking costs, fixed class schedules, or commuting time—all major commitments of time and money.
Crossing State Lines: What to Consider
Finding the program outside your state that best fits your needs will require some research on your part. The institution you choose should be accredited by one of the nation's reputable regional accreditation agencies and have a solid reputation for academic excellence. It should offer a broad range of programs, a curriculum that closely aligns with your goals, and a faculty with relevant, real-world experience in your field of study. If you are a working adult, you’ll want a school that is specifically geared to serve your needs for flexibility, convenience, and career-focused programs and resources.
You’ll also want to review the transfer credit policies of any universities you are considering. A generous transfer credit policy and alternatives paths to credit can save you a lot of time and money and allow you to finish your program faster. Here again, you may need to look outside your area to find the university with the best transfer credit policies for your situation.
Why Choose UMGC?
University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) was founded more than 75 years ago specifically to serve the higher education needs of working adults and servicemembers like you. UMGC is accredited by the and is a constituent institution of the . The university has repeatedly received awards and recognition for our innovative educational programs and commitment to excellence.
Most recently, and .
Cameron Brown, who lives in New York, earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from UMGC in 2022.
"During the pandemic, I decided that I wanted to complete my bachelor's so that I could pursue other opportunities at my current company. I did some research and decided that t would be the best fit for me."
UMGC offers online courses that you can access virtually anywhere in the world. We have more than 175 classroom and service locations worldwide, including locations across the United States, from Richmond to Colorado Springs to San Diego and Honolulu.
Career-Focused, Stackable Credentials
At t , you can choose from more than 135 career-focused undergraduate and graduate programs, many in high-demand fields—including AI, business, cybersecurity, data analytics, healthcare, IT and more—nearly all of which you can complete entirely online. Our online courses are built from the ground up specifically for the virtual environment and are taught by faculty with industry experience. As innovators in online education since 1997, UMGC delivers a seamless, collaborative, and satisfying online classroom experience that prepares you for today's digital business environment. Hybrid options are also available.
At t , we recognize that earning a degree is only one of the paths you can take toward gaining marketable skills and credentials. We offer a variety of ways to build your own unique combination of skills and stack your credentials to distinguish yourself in the job market.
- Undergraduate and Graduate Certificates
Certificates are a quick way to gain concentrated, career-focused skills and a valuable credential. We offer more than 50 undergraduate and graduate certificates in a wide range of fields. You can complete an undergraduate certificate in as few as 18 credits and a graduate certificate in as few as 12 credits, many of which ladder up to a related degree program, putting you that much closer to completing a degree if you desired. - Accelerated Pathways
Some of UMGC’s bachelor's degrees include courses that map to a related graduate program, allowing you to fast-track your master's degree. When you complete an eligible undergraduate degree or specific coursework, you can apply those credits toward your master’s program, saving you time and money. - Dual Master’s Degrees
After completing select master’s degree programs, you may be able to earn a second master’s degree faster and for less with our dual master’s degree program.
To provide a truly online experience, we’ve replaced bulky, expensive textbooks with no-cost digital course materials in nearly every course. The materials are easy to download within your online classroom and continually updated with the latest industry information. .
Tiana Clark earned her bachelor's degree in political science in 2004. At the time she applied to UMGC, she was stationed in Lakenheath, UK, with the Royal Air Force.
"As an Air Force servicewoman based overseas, I knew I’d be moving around, and I wanted to ensure I had a consistent and quality experience,” said Clark. “In 2001, online degrees were relatively new. I knew UMGC was on the cutting edge, but I was initially concerned about attending college online. Specifically, I wanted to receive a high-quality, academically rigorous education from a highly respected institution. UMGC exceeded my expectations."
Designed with You in Mind
We make it easier to fit school into your busy life by offering multiple start dates throughout the year and a streamlined admissions process that doesn't require the SAT®* or GRE. You can , enroll, and access a comprehensive array of support services and resources—all from your electronic device.
Part of making your education accessible is making sure it’s affordable. That’s why we offer a variety of ways to help you meet, manage, and reduce your education costs, including tuition and fees that are competitive, reduced military tuition rates, and more than 140 merit- and need-based scholarships.
As the #1 public university for transfer students in the country, UMGC recognizes that not all college-level learning happens in the classroom. To help you reduce the time and expense of earning your degree, we offer multiple ways to get you the most credit for what you already know, including transfer credit for college coursework, as well as credit for prior learning, military experience and training, workplace learning, and volunteer experience.
"It had been 15 years since I initially started college, so I wasn't sure what credits I had that would transfer,” said Brown. “The process was very easy. I sent in my previous transcript, and UMGC gave me a list of the credits that I could transfer. It turns out I had a great portion of credits already established. From there, I worked with the university advisors to come up with a game plan to get the rest of the courses that I needed to graduate."
UMGC is consistently recognized as a military- and veteran-trusted university. Our dedication to educating servicemembers and veterans goes back to our founding when we became the first university to send faculty overseas to teach courses for active-duty military personnel in Europe. Today, we serve more than 60,000 active-duty servicemembers, reservists, National Guard members, veterans, and their family members and have locations on military installations in more than 20 countries and territories throughout the world.
We're Dedicated to Your Success
Your courses are taught by our faculty of experienced scholar-practitioners who are leaders in their fields. They can help you develop the skills that are valuable in today’s job market. Plus, they understand the challenges faced by working adults attending school, and they’ll work with you to help ensure your academic success.
UMGC takes its commitment to your success a step further by teaming you up with a dedicated success coach to support you throughout your entire student journey. Your success coach is there to help you develop learning strategies, map out education and career goals, and assist you with class selection.
“My success coach checked in periodically to make sure I was registering for the right classes, making sure that I wasn't taking classes that I didn't need,” said Brown. “That was a great help in steering me throughout the process of finishing my degree.”
And no matter where you are in your career or how long you may need them, you'll have access to UMGC’s lifetime career services and our network of more than around the globe, so you can always approach a job search with confidence.
“The faculty and staff diligently worked with me to ensure I could continue my education and still graduate from college within three years,” said Clark. “Choosing UMGC was the best decision I could have made.”
*SAT® is a trademark registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, UMGC.
Reference on this webpage to any third-party entity or product does not constitute or imply endorsement by UMGC nor does it constitute or imply endorsement of UMGC by the third party.
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