2026-07-06 19:34:35 Look at Student Reviews of Online Courses Before Enrolling – NEW WTOP Skip to main content

Look at Student Reviews of Online Courses Before Enrolling

By U.S. News & World Report

Testimonials are ubiquitous: on marketplaces like Amazon, on product pages and on social media. Writing testimonials is also big business, and fake testimonials abound on the internet.

Yet, they can be a valuable source of information, especially when choosing an online degree program to meet your professional needs. Student reviews can answer questions about interaction with classmates, time management and required technology.

When accessing student testimonials online, first make sure they refer to actual accredited online degree programs. To read examples, conduct an internet search for phrases such as “student testimonials online learning.”

A prospective university’s home page or a school’s Facebook page may also feature testimonials. If not, try the school website’s search function, or ask for a link.

[Discover 10 red flags that an online degree program is fake.]

When examining student testimonials of online programs and courses, here are four aspects to look for.

1. Trust and legitimacy: Amazon’s “verified purchase” tag indicates that a product review comes from someone who actually bought it. Look for the same signs of veracity in online student testimonials, with details such as college course titles and numbers, student or faculty names and photographs or videos. Make sure the testimonial refers to a school’s online rather than in-person courses or program.

Generic comments like “the course was great” say nothing about an online student’s experience. Pay closer attention to the details, such as in this comment about a program at the University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign: “… the instructor always answered questions posted in the forum, all of the lecture material was online (so it was very easy to go back and review it), and it was very easy to chat with the other students.”

2. Variety: Reading a range of online student experiences can help you learn about the benefits and challenges of online learning and help debunk myths and preconceptions.

Multiple University of Illinois students address in their online testimonials why they took a course online, their experiences with the instructor, the academic rigor and their initial skepticism about online learning. Testimonials on the Louisiana State University LSU Online website focus on both overall degree programs and specific courses. Look for both or either, depending on your needs.

3. Responses to your specific concerns: If you’re new to online learning, testimonials can address common worries, such as what the in-person component of an online class entails, how accessible instructors are and what networking opportunities are offered.

[Explore ways to build relationships with faculty as an online student.]

One University of Florida online student commented on the school’s site, “The biggest worry I had about the online program was not having face-to-face interaction. Having an actual lecture component within the program really helps, as does the network of peer support.” Those who are concerned about balancing multiple responsibilities may look for details about technology tools that helped other students with time management, for example.

4. Relevance to your career path: Testimonials from those earning advanced online degrees carry the credibility of subject-matter experts.

For instance, one post on the LSU Online website reads: “I have 10 years of facilities engineering…and the information that I’m learning in the Construction Management Program is definitely preparing me for the next level of management in the Navy.” Students may also address the demand for their online degree in today’s professional workplace.

The takeaway: Seek testimonials that come from sources you can verify. The range of experiences they convey will broaden your awareness of the challenges and benefits of online learning, answer questions and debunk common myths.

More from U.S. News

Consult Past, Current Online Students When Choosing a Program

4 Ways Social Media Can Help You Choose an Online Degree Program

Ask 5 Financial Questions When Picking an Online Degree Program

Look at Student Reviews of Online Courses Before Enrolling originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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