The road to career success isn’t always smooth sailing. This is especially true for students in underserved areas. Their path to success is often strewn with a variety of barriers. Some of those include financial barriers, educational inequality, and social and environmental challenges.
Online degrees are emerging as a powerful force for change. They are actively leveling the playing field and opening doors to bright career futures for underserved students across the nation.
That said, let’s explore how online education is helping underserved students achieve their goals and change their lives for the better.
#1 Flexible Schedules Real-Life Responsibilities
Traditional college schedules don’t work for everyone, especially underserved students.
When you’re juggling a full-time job, caring for elderly parents, or raising kids, showing up to campus for a 10 AM lecture just isn’t possible. Online degrees flip this script entirely. They are built with flexibility in mind, so they address the systemic issues that create educational inequity.
A key aspect of this flexibility is asynchronous learning, which means students are not required to log in at a specific hour. They engage with recorded lectures and materials whenever it suits their schedule, without set class times.
Many programs are self-paced, allowing learners to move through material at their own speed, which is a game-changer for busy professionals and parents.
This adaptability allows students to balance work, family, and studies. This significantly reduces the likelihood of dropping out or experiencing summer melt, which are common issues in traditional part-time models.
There are also programs that offer modular course design. This design breaks the curriculum into shorter segments, allowing students to focus on one or two classes at a time without feeling overwhelmed.
#2 A Clearer Path to Career Advancement
Online degree programs often focus heavily on practical, career-relevant skills.
While traditional programs might emphasize theory, online programs typically design their curriculum with working professionals in mind. This makes it easy to study while maintaining current employment.
Take, for example, the nursing shortage in America. Nurses are resigning due to burnout and challenging working conditions. In 2022, 41% of nurses ended healthcare employment due to burnout. Those in the workforce are asking hospitals for a better work environment, and nurse leaders are in a prime position to make that happen.
Master of Science in Nursing, or MSN programs offered online, can help registered nurses step into leadership roles without leaving their jobs. Even those who hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field can become nurse leaders through direct MSN programs.
Elmhurst University notes that these programs offer an intensive, hands-on nursing education that builds exceptional clinical skills with a focus on quality and safety. In just 20 months, students earn an MSN, after which they can sit for the Registered Nurse licensure exam and clinical nurse leader certification exam.
So, online programs help professionals gain the knowledge and tools to step into advanced roles, without stepping away from their current responsibilities.
#3 Lower Costs, Less Debt
The cost of college can be a huge hurdle for many underserved students. Many come from low-income backgrounds. They often face a significant unmet need even after receiving financial aid.
Online degrees are generally more affordable than traditional ones. This is because online schools have lower operating costs. They do not need large campuses, dorms, or dining halls.
Students also save money on many indirect costs, such as commuting, parking, and childcare. One study found that online students save at least $1,290 annually by not incurring the average transportation costs faced by in-person commuters.
Many online programs use digital textbooks, which further cut down on material expenses.
Beyond these direct savings, financial aid remains a critical component of online education’s equitable impact. Just like traditional programs, many accredited online colleges accept federal financial aid, including grants, such as the Federal Pell Grant. It can award up to $7,395 for eligible students, which students do not need to repay.
Scholarships from various sources can also help cover costs. There are even tuition-free online universities, which further make education more accessible.
The Future is Bright, and It’s Online!
Online degrees are much more than just an alternative to traditional education. They represent a powerful, flexible, and often more affordable pathway that directly tackles the systemic barriers historically faced by underserved students.
The success of online learning models has also pushed traditional institutions to adapt and innovate. This suggests that online education is not just an alternative. It is a driving force for positive, student-centric change across the entire higher education system.
In short, embracing online education can be a transformative step toward achieving personal and professional goals.
