With the popularity of online learning, there has been a rise of online institutions offering different degrees and courses. With the vast amount of information and knowledge available online, anyone can gainfully participate in the teaching process from the comfort of their homes. This has created an opportunity for online institutions to partner with traditional brick and mortar universities to create specialized marketing degrees that can be obtained entirely online.

While some companies embrace this new opportunity and see strong growth in student engagement, others struggle with the perception that online education is inferior and can’t provide the same immersive learning experience as a campus based program.

So, is it a wise acquisition for a university to partner with an online institution to create specialized degrees? Let’s examine the pros and the cons.

Pros

One of the biggest pluses of an online educational program is that you don’t need to be physically located at a university to obtain the degree. Your education is accessible anywhere with an internet connection.

With more and more people gaining access to higher education, online universities are expanding their reach and being considered more attractive destinations for students. The world is becoming a smaller place, and with the ability to connect with others from around the world, you can bet your degree that you’re not going to get bored.

This is probably the biggest draw for people pursing online degrees, as it effectively removes the possibility of being stuck in a campus with a bunch of people you don’t really know. The sense of community on a college campus is invaluable, and being able to participate in an educational program from the comfort of your home is already a significant step forward.

If you’re someone who has always wanted to learn more about marketing but never knew where to start, an online degree program is a great option. You can learn at your own pace, gain valuable skills, and even create your own schedule. There are no limits to what you can accomplish, as long as you put in the effort.

Cons

Now, the flip side of the coin. Just because an online university offers an incredible upside, that doesn’t mean it’s without its disadvantages. For instance, the cost of an online degree is significantly higher than a traditional campus based program. In fact, a whopping 89 percent of online bachelor’s degrees and 64 percent of master’s degrees cost more than $100,000. Now, you might think that’s a pretty good deal, but let’s put it into perspective. That’s a mortgage payment for a decent house in your area for just under three years. So, if you’re paying for your degree largely out of pocket, that $100,000 could be a lot of money.

Another downside to pursuing an online degree via a university is that the quality of education isn’t always great. While the opportunity to learn at your own pace and gain valuable skills is appealing, if you’re looking for a quality education, you’re better off going the traditional route. There is a reason why only 16 percent of Bachelor’s degrees and 3 percent of Master’s degrees are granted online by universities, and it’s not because universities want to limit their profit margin. The issue is that the quality of education is often lacking. If you’re looking for a quality learning experience, you’re better off finding a reputable in-house training program or even a correspondence course that can provide that.

Overall Analysis

All in all, the advantages of an online degree far outweigh the disadvantages. The convenience and flexibility of online learning are unparalleled, and with the world becoming a smaller place, people are looking for more ways to connect. While you should exercise caution whenever lending your credit card to a website you’ve never heard of or visiting a country you’re not familiar with, the overall benefits of an online university education more than make up for any risk you might take.