Online education seems to be a recent trend in the internet business, but has been an ongoing endeavor for several years, complete with many online college reviews of the many for-profit institutions that have popped up over the years.  These reviews seek to inspire students to pick the school of their choice while having some student or faculty insight into each school.  Reviews are meant to be biased, and colleges never post reviews that do anything less than boast of the school’s stellar curriculum, but some reviews are better suited than others to give you the best information.

The University of Phoenix is one of the king schools of online college reviews.  The school is one of the oldest for-profit online colleges so therefore has a deeper monetary fund to choose from, which explains the many commercials, billboards, and Facebook ads we see for the school.  Reviews of the school are almost as intermittent as the ads for the school are, indicating that prospective students need to be aware of the almost overindulgence in its programs.  However, the University of Phoenix, as a leading online college, has many good points to offer, and many student testimonials on its website are good to read before enrolling in specific programs.  What is even more helpful are students who have written reviews about the classes you wish to take or the degree program you want to enroll in.  While there are not reviews about some of theses smaller details, judging a more extensive review is almost half the battle and can lead you to contact a former student.

Other online college reviews work in similar ways, although the schools may not be as well known as University of Phoenix.  Kaplan University is working its way up in the ranks of online education and offers similar reviews from students who boast of their success after graduation.  Be wary of these types of reviews that seem to be more “ads” than actual reviews, and dig a little deeper until you find reviews with some meat on their outlines.  Kaplan offers a wide array of degree programs as well, and has reviews around the internet and throughout its website of the various programs that are offered. 

Many of the best reviews come from traditional colleges that have crossed over to offer many of their degree programs online, such as Liberty University.  These schools have reviews from students who have experienced the school both in its traditional setting and the online setting, offering an interesting look at both aspects of college life.  Regardless of the school you are researching into, the key is to find a review that is helpful to you individually and to your future as a student.  A review which simply acts as an advertisement to the school is not helpful and it is better to find one which can deliver a better message to prospective students of the underpinnings of the school.