Obtaining a degree is no small feat. Each and every year, freshmen drop out of college before earning their degree. There are a number of reasons why this occurs -  financial hardship, job competition and family demands are just a few of the multitude of outside influences that effect college students.

As a growing statistic, more and more students are taking longer to complete their degree. On average, the amount of students who enroll at a four-year institution but take six or more years to complete their program is on the rise.

To fight dropout rates, some experts are now turning to online education. Many students have sung the praises of online degree programs and their many convenient features. Online courses often are more flexible with schedules and cause less conflicts with outside situations. Online courses commonly cost less than conventional campus classes as well.

This trend is reflected in the government as well. Many state education leaders agree with this sentiment and are making strides to grow virtual schools. Lawmakers in Virginia recently approved legislation to further the growth of online learning and online-degrees. These lawmakers are also actively pursuing new methods and policies for approving online education providers.

Financial hardship ranks as one of the most common and frequently recorded reasons for students dropping out of college. On average, students must pay four times as much for a college education as they did 25 years ago. This is a disturbing statistic when compared to the average income’s growth of only one and a half times that of 25 years prior.

The financial crunch that college causes has forced many students to take jobs to help pay for their classes, further constricting their time and schedules. Many students cite that job commitments are a primary reason for failing to complete a degree program. The number of students working part or full-time jobs backs up that data as one half of full-time college students held jobs in 2000. This is compared to only one-third holding jobs in 1972.

Drawing from these statistics, the study has concluded that the best solution to these problems is flexible online classes. Many colleges are now offering programs that allow students to choose when and where they take a class while they earn an accredited degree online. The dynamic flexible schedules and options that online universities offer allows students to work jobs while still pursuing their degree.

While online school may seem convenient and easy, any student can tell you that they still require a great deal of work. Whether sitting in the classroom or working from home, turning in homework and studying are still paramount to college success. However for students with tight, demanding schedules, online college can be a blessing!