1.  Distance learning isn’t so new. Online learning has just taken off in the past decade, but distance learning is centuries old. When the one-room schoolhouse was America’s small-town norm, people living in more remote areas learned through the mail. Distance learning reached a larger scale in the mid-1800s when the venerable University of London established its External System. Online learning is simply education’s next natural step.

2.  Top universities offer online degree programs. When online learning was first advertised, many of the “universities” depicted were actually diploma mills. However, more than half of America’s accredited universities now offer courses online. Chances are good that your trusted state school has some options, and the Ivy League has entered the game as well. Columbia University offers dozens of engineering programs online, and Stanford University offers a wide variety of online and blended master’s programs. The University of Massachusetts, Pennsylvania State, and Dartmouth are among other top-rated schools with online degree programs.

Top schools also offer free online courses. These classes are not for credit and do not lead to degrees, but they are free Ivy League classes nonetheless! Harvard University features dozens of online courses in subjects ranging from accounting to linguistics. Yale University offers free online classes in astronomy, biomedical engineering, economics, literature, and other topics. Click here for current Yale listings.

At the same time, scam artists have created phony universities with prestigious-sounding names. You can check the accreditation status of an institution in databases offered by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the Distance Education and Training Council.

3.  Online learning can be speedy. Diploma mills offer degrees in ridiculously short periods of time – days or weeks – but legitimate schools an speed up the process of an honest education. By attending school online, you can obtain an associate’s degree in a year or 18 months instead of the typical two years. A four-year degree can also be completed in less time.

On the other hand, you could choose a slower pace. Many online programs are especially designed for working professionals. They offer part-time programs and sometimes let coursework be extended over five years.

4.  Online learning can cost less. All things being equal, an online degree can cost less than an on-campus degree. Students attending accredited schools are eligible for the same federal aid regardless of their online or on-campus status. At some schools, online credit hours cost a bit less than traditional credit hours.

If you’re employed, find out about employer tuition assistance. If you perform well at an online school, it’s a win-win situation for you and your workplace. Your employer receives a tax credit and a more knowledgeable employee, and you receive a discounted or free education and possibly career advancement.

You’ll also notice hidden savings associated with learning online. You might not need to purchase books because all of your reading will be accessible online. You’ll save on fuel costs and perhaps child care, school clothing, parking, and meals.

5.   It isn’t all online. Yes, some online programs are truly 100% online. However, many distance learning programs require attendance on campus or at a more convenient location for orientation, group work, interactive television lessons, or testing. Fortunately, most schools offer a special on-campus opportunity when it’s all over: graduation!