Our Mission: Honest Online Education Guidance
We believe every prospective student deserves straightforward, expert guidance on online education - without the misleading enrollment tactics that plague the industry.
The average online degree costs $30,000-$60,000 for a bachelor's and $20,000-$50,000 for a master's. Yet the quality difference between programs is enormous - some deliver excellent career outcomes while others leave graduates with debt and a degree that employers don't respect.
We started Smart Online Degree to fix that. Our editorial team includes former university admissions counselors, career coaches, and education policy researchers who know what separates a worthwhile program from a diploma mill.
Every program on our site is evaluated based on accreditation, graduation rates, student satisfaction, career placement data, tuition value, and employer recognition.
We earn commissions through affiliate partnerships - that's how we keep the site free. But our editorial decisions are made independently, and no university can pay for a higher ranking. If a program doesn't deliver real value, it doesn't make our list.
What We Stand For
Outcomes-Based Rankings
We evaluate programs based on graduation rates, career placement, salary outcomes, and student satisfaction - not marketing budgets.
Editorial Independence
No university can buy a spot on our list. Rankings are based on accreditation, outcomes, and student value.
Transparent Cost Analysis
We break down true costs including tuition, fees, books, and technology so you can budget accurately.
Annual Updates
We refresh program data and rankings annually to reflect current tuition rates, outcomes, and accreditation status.
Meet the Team
Sarah M.
Editor-in-Chief
Former university admissions director with 14 years in higher education. Expert in accreditation standards and program evaluation.
James T.
Lead Analyst
Education policy researcher specializing in online learning outcomes. Evaluates every program's graduation and career placement data.
Nicole R.
Financial Aid Specialist
Former financial aid officer who helps students navigate scholarships, grants, loans, and employer tuition assistance programs.
Our Editorial Standards
Every piece of content on Smart Online Degree goes through a rigorous editorial process. Our reviews are written by subject matter experts, fact-checked by editors, and updated regularly to ensure accuracy.
We participate in affiliate programs which means we may earn a commission when you click through our links and make a purchase. However, this never influences our rankings or recommendations. Our editorial team operates independently from our business partnerships.
If you ever spot an error or believe one of our reviews needs updating, please don't hesitate to contact us. We take accuracy seriously and will investigate promptly.