Key Takeaways
- Online courses offer more scheduling flexibility and lower tuition costs, making them ideal for working adults, parents, and career changers.
- In-person classes provide built-in accountability and face-to-face opportunities harder to replicate virtually.
You can pursue a degree in any major — and setting.
But how do your main options compare?
In this blog, we’ll evaluate online vs. in-person classes, weighing the pros and cons of each so you can make the best decision for your future.
Are Online Courses More Flexible Than In-Person Classes?
Yes. In general, online courses offer more flexibility because they allow you to study from any place with an Internet connection.
That could include:
- Your home
- A local coffee shop
- Your child’s soccer game
- While on vacation
You may also be able to learn on your schedule. Some accredited institutions offer asynchronous classes, which let you work through the course material on your own.
In-person college courses require you to commute to campus and attend at a set time and day, which may be inconvenient for those balancing busy schedules such as:
- Working professionals fitting studies around their job
- Career switchers who need to complete prerequisite courses quickly
- Motivated high schoolers looking to dually enroll on their own
Lindsey Aikin-Nunez worried whether she could complete the classes needed for nursing school.
But that changed once the mother of three elementary-aged children enrolled in Portage Learning.
“The first course took me a while but once I learned how to be a student again, I found a rhythm and finished my second and final class in three months so I could start my program on time,” she explains.
Why Do Some Students Prefer In-Person Courses?
A traditional classroom setting naturally keeps you accountable, which some students like.
Professors mandate attendance and set deadlines for assignments and exams. You finish the class within four months.
In-person courses can also help learners:
- Eliminate distractions
- Create routine
- Foster participation and interaction
However, if you manage your time well and consider yourself motivated, you will succeed in an online learning environment.
How Do Online Classes Affect Classroom Participation?
You can be just as engaged taking a course on your laptop as an in-person setting. Some of the ways instructors involve students virtually include:
- Discussion boards: Forums that ask you to answer a question and offer thoughtful critiques to your classmates’ responses.
- Group projects: Collaborative assignments that you complete with other students.
- Video conferencing: Live sessions that utilize tools such as Q&As, guest speaker presentations, and digital quizzes.
The way you study also makes a difference.
Research ties active learning techniques such as practice tests and flashcards to higher academic performance — which can be done in any environment.
At Portage Learning, students enjoy a one-to-one relationship with their professors. You can message them via your student dashboard, and they regularly provide feedback and grade exams within 72 hours.
According to a recent survey, 94 percent of colleges and universities that admit people who took a Portage Learning class perceived them to perform as well or better than their peers. The results highlight that the online course experience may be different – but not lesser.
Is Networking Easier With In-Person Classes?
Being on campus can give you more opportunities to connect with your peers.
The face-to-face interactions with other students and professors help you build valuable relationships, which can be leveraged to secure an internship or land your dream job.
You can also:
- Get involved in clubs and organizations
- Attend alumni networking events
- Participate in career fairs and recruiting events
Establishing those connections as an online learner requires intentional effort. Some effective ways to expand your network virtually include:
- Engaging with your institution on social media
- Establishing and maintaining a strong LinkedIn presence
- Registering for online conferences
- Posting in discussion boards
If done thoughtfully, these strategies allow students to interact with people from all across the country — or even around the world.
Which Is More Affordable: Online vs. In-Person Courses?
Online learning tends to be the more affordable option for students when compared to in-person courses.
According to the Education Data Initiative, the average four-year public university charges in-state residents $406 per credit hour, or more than $1,200 for a three-credit class.
Including room and board expenses, that cost climbs to $933 per credit hour.
Additional expenses include:
- Books
- Classroom supplies
- Transportation and parking
At Portage Learning, tuition for a three-credit course – even those with labs – remains under $1,000 and includes all text and video materials needed.
Do Employers View Online Courses Differently?
No. Hiring managers care about accredited vs. unaccredited, not in-person vs. online classes.
The COVID-19 pandemic normalized learning from your laptop — and courses you take virtually appear the same on your transcript as the ones completed in a traditional setting.
Accreditation ensures the quality of your education. When you enroll in a class from an institution recognized by a U.S. Department of Education accrediting body, it signals to employers you:
- Possess the necessary skills for a career in that field, and
- Received an education that met rigorous academic standards
Can You Combine Online vs. In-Person Courses?
Of course! To reduce the cost of a degree or earn it sooner, many students complete their general education requirements through Portage Learning. Some of the most popular classes include:
- Human Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab
- Introduction to Statistics
- Microbiology with Lab
- General Chemistry I with Lab
- Human Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab
- General Psychology
- General Chemistry II with Lab
Credits earned transfer to more than 2,800 colleges and universities such as:
- Baylor University
- University of Arizona
- University of Kentucky
Shalom Korn took six courses with Portage Learning. The curriculum served as the bridge for him to receive an associate degree in nursing from the Sister Claire Tynan School of Nursing and begin working toward a bachelor’s degree with William Paterson University.
“Here’s what I tell people about Portage: You’re quick, you’re cheap, and you get the job done,” he says, chuckling. “You’re one of the best options around.”
Online vs. In-Person Courses: Which One Is for You?
More delivery formats to earn a college degree exist than ever before – each with its own tradeoffs.
Pros of online classes include:
- Scheduling flexibility
- Lower tuition rates
- Personalized learning environment
- Self-directed options
However, you must be disciplined to stay on track.
Your educational journey may feel isolating at some points with limited face-to-face interactions and hands-on opportunities – key advantages of in-person courses.
Yet there will be cons with a traditional classroom, too, such as:
- High costs
- Course availability
When deliberating the best decision, ask what fits your budget, availability, and learning style. In some cases, it could be both online and in-person classes — and that’s OK.
As long as it aligns with your future.
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