Low residency requirements

[jansroots]

Important things first -

Specialized Bachelor's in 2 years for under $30,000 (books, CLEPs and everything) while I'm working full-time? Sorry, but total cost is cheaper than doing it through any of the "cheaper" local universities around here. Most of them wanted me to re-take classes, would only accept basic CLEPs/DSSTs for academic credit, rest only for electives. If figured it out .. I would need school loans totalling $60K for George Mason and 3 yrs to get my Bachelors and spend 75% of my time on campus... To me it's a no-brainer.

And, it's fully accredited, and the classes are academically stimulating. I have to work to get my 4.0s.

They are a *real* university that offers all their classes (except for Masters) online, and some of the more "common" Masters programs could conceivably be online.) You can also take the classes in a classroom setting, so you can study differently depending on the subject matter, if better for you.
They work hard to accepts credits from other institutions (including comparing course catalogs from that time.) This is *very* different from the other online schools I've looked into or my family has gone to).
Classes are widely varied, with multiple liberal arts and sciences courses.
Electives (and curriculum) aren't "preset" by the university (something most online schools seem to do, also)
They encourage you to CLEP ($100/class), Challenge Test ($250/class), or do the Portfolio thing for life experience. The other onlines I've looked at -- just want the money.
They offer Challenge Tests (exams) for their classes that aren't covered by CLEP/DSST. Many already have exams developed by the department, but they will try and come up with exams for courses if it meets your needs, though it might take a semester or two (goes thru a rigorous internal review.)

I'm sorry, but I investigated a number, my sister and daughters have or are attending Phoenix, Colorado Tech, DeVry, and Keller. They've had issues with synchronous classes (team projects in classes) pulling their overall GPA down. They aren't willing to over-extend themselves, because I think they see themselves as the school for people who can't get into regular colleges, or aren't smart enough to shop around for classes. They do the hard-sell thing, and I just didn't find that w/ Strayer.
They've gone all out (over and beyond) to make sure that I can succeed. The professors work well with "more experienced" students (I'm 54), and everyone I've either met or talked to by phone has been incredibly helpful.

Usually you get what you pay for.... It's true, here too... The difference is that you're paying for the quality, but you don't have to "buy" as many.