Last Updated on August 7, 2023 by Sidharth PS
Hi readers! In this post, I’ve compiled a list of best distance learning colleges, universities, and institutes in Washington. Here, readers will find the following details – rankings, list of distance education colleges, their address, type of institute, fees/cost, degrees and awards, distance learning majors/degrees and more.
Best Online/Distance Learning Colleges in Washington for 2022
Rank |
College |
Fees/Cost |
Type of Institute |
Degrees & Awards |
Address |
1 | Bates Technical College | $5,522 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate | 1101 S Yakima Ave, Tacoma, Washington 98405 |
2 | Spokane Community College | $5,714 | 4-year, primarily associate’s, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree | 1810 North Greene Street, Spokane, Washington 99217-5399 |
3 | Spokane Falls Community College | $6,135 | 4-year, primarily associate’s, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate|Bachelor’s degree | 3410 W Fort George Wright Dr, Spokane, Washington 99224-5288 |
4 | Peninsula College | $6,262 | 4-year, primarily associate’s, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree | 1502 E Lauridsen Blvd, Port Angeles, Washington 98362 |
5 | Clover Park Technical College | $6,531 | 4-year, primarily associate’s, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate|Bachelor’s degree | 4500 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, Washington 98499-4004 |
6 | Bellingham Technical College | $6,787 | 4-year, primarily associate’s, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree | 3028 Lindbergh Ave, Bellingham, Washington 98225-1599 |
7 | Walla Walla Community College | $6,795 | 4-year, primarily associate’s, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate|Bachelor’s degree | 500 Tausick Way, Walla Walla, Washington 99362-9267 |
8 | Tacoma Community College | $7,127 | 4-year, primarily associate’s, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree | 6501 S 19th St, Tacoma, Washington 98466-6100 |
9 | Lake Washington Institute of Technology | $7,153 | 4-year, primarily associate’s, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree | 11605 132nd Ave NE, Kirkland, Washington 98034-8506 |
10 | Grays Harbor College | $7,221 | 4-year, primarily associate’s, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree | 1620 Edward P Smith Drive, Aberdeen, Washington 98520-7599 |
11 | Renton Technical College | $7,431 | 4-year, primarily associate’s, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate|Bachelor’s degree | 3000 NE Fourth St, Renton, Washington 98056-4123 |
12 | Shoreline Community College | $7,725 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree | 16101 Greenwood Ave N, Shoreline, Washington 98133-5696 |
13 | Pierce College District | $7,984 | 4-year, primarily associate’s, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree | 9401 Farwest Dr SW, Lakewood, Washington 98498-1999 |
14 | Clark College | $8,033 | 4-year, primarily associate’s, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate|Bachelor’s degree | 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, Washington 98663-3598 |
15 | Edmonds College | $8,426 | 4-year, primarily associate’s, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree | 20000 68th Ave W, Lynnwood, Washington 98036-5912 |
16 | Skagit Valley College | $8,564 | 4-year, primarily associate’s, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree | 2405 E. College Way, Mount Vernon, Washington 98273 |
17 | Pierce College-Puyallup | $8,813 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree | 9401 Farwest Dr SW, Lakewood, Washington 98498-1999 |
18 | Everett Community College | $9,237 | 2-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate | 2000 Tower Street, Everett, Washington 98201 |
19 | Heritage University | $9,255 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate | 3240 Fort Rd, Toppenish, Washington 98948 |
20 | University of Washington-Tacoma Campus | $10,620 | 4-year, Public | Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship | 1900 Commerce St, Tacoma, Washington 98402-3100 |
21 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus | $10,692 | 4-year, Public | Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship|Doctor’s degree – professional practice|Doctor’s degree – other | 1400 NE Campus Parkway, Seattle, Washington 98195-4550 |
22 | Eastern Washington University | $12,764 | 4-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Doctor’s degree – professional practice | 526 5th Street, Cheney, Washington 99004-2496 |
23 | Central Washington University | $16,014 | 4-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate | 400 East University Way, Ellensburg, Washington 98926-7501 |
24 | Faith International University | $16,217 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship | 3504 N Pearl St, Tacoma, Washington 98407-0186 |
25 | Western Washington University | $17,728 | 4-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate | 516 High Street, Bellingham, Washington 98225-9008 |
26 | Washington State University | $18,002 | 4-year, Public | Less than one year certificate|Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship|Doctor’s degree – professional practice | French Administration Building, Pullman, Washington 99164-5910 |
27 | Carrington College-Spokane | $24,579 | 2-year, Private for-profit | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree | 10102 E. Knox Ave., Ste. 200, Spokane, Washington 99206-4187 |
28 | Northwest University-College of Adult and Professional Studies | $26,033 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree | 5520 108th Ave NE, Kirkland, Washington 98033 |
29 | Whitworth University | $26,249 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate | 300 W Hawthorne Rd, Spokane, Washington 99251 |
30 | Charter College | $29,502 | 4-year, primarily associate’s, Private for-profit | One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree | 17200 S.E. Mill Plain Boulevard, Suite 100, Vancouver, Washington 98683-7575 |
31 | Seattle University | $35,569 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship|Doctor’s degree – professional practice | 900 Broadway, Seattle, Washington 98122-4340 |
32 | Gonzaga University | $36,578 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship|Doctor’s degree – professional practice | E 502 Boone Ave, Spokane, Washington 99258-0001 |
33 | Seattle Film Institute | $45,731 | 4-year, Private for-profit | Two but less than 4 years certificate|Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree | 3210 16th Avenue W, Seattle, Washington 98119-1707 |
34 | City University of Seattle | NA | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship | 521 Wall Street, Suite 100, Seattle, Washington 98121 |
For ranking colleges, we have used the ‘affordability’ factor. With each passing year, cost of higher-education is rising. Keeping this fact in mind, we have decided to rank institutes on the basis of cost/expenses and affordability.
Best Online/Distance Learning Programs & Majors
Here are some popular distance learning programs/majors –
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Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences
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- Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services
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- Agricultural and Food Products Processing
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- Agricultural Business and Management
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- Agricultural Mechanization
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- Agricultural Production Operations
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- Agricultural Public Services
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- Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences, Other
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- Agriculture, General
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- Animal Sciences
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- Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services
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- Food Science and Technology
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- International Agriculture
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- Plant Sciences
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- Soil Sciences
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Architecture and Related Services
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Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies
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- Area Studies
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- Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
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Biological and Biomedical Sciences
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Business, Marketing, Management, and Related Support Services
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- Accounting and Related Services
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- Business Administration, Management and Operations
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- Business Operations Support and Assistant Services
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- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
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- Business/Commerce, General
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- Business/Corporate Communications
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- Business/Managerial Economics
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- Construction Management
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- Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
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- Finance and Financial Management Services
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- General Sales, Merchandising, and Related Marketing Operations
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- Hospitality Administration/Management
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- Human Resources Management and Services
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- Insurance
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- International Business
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- Management Information Systems and Services
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- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methocs
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- Marketing
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- Real Estate
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- Specialized Sales, Merchandising, and Marketing Operations
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- Taxation
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- Telecommunications Management
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Communication Technologies/Technicians and Support Services
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- Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians
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- Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services, Other
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- Communications Technology/Technician
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- Graphic Communications
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Communication, Journalism, and Related programs
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- Communication and Media Studies
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- Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other
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- Journalism
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- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
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- Publishing
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- Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
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Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
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- Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other
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- Computer and Information Sciences, General
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- Computer Programming
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- Computer Science
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- Computer Software and Media Applications
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- Computer Systems Analysis
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- Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications
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- Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
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- Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications
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- Data Processing
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- Information Science/Studies
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Construction Trades
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- Construction Trades, General
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- Construction Trades, Other
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Education
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- Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education
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- Curriculum and Instruction
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- Education, General
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- Education, Other
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- Educational Administration and Supervision
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- Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research
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- Educational/Instructional Media Design
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- International and Comparative Education
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- Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education
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- Special Education and Teaching
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- Student Counseling and Personnel Services
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- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
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- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
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- Teaching Assistants/Aides
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- Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language
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Engineering
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- Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical Engineering
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- Agricultural Engineering
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- Architectural Engineering
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- Biochemical Engineering
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- Biological/Biosystems Engineering
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- Biomedical/Medical Engineering
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- Cermic Sciences and Engineering
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- Chemical Engineering
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- Civil Engineering
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- Computer Engineering
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- Construction Engineering
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- Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
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- Electromechanical Engineering
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- Engineering Chemistry
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- Engineering Mechanics
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- Engineering Physics
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- Engineering Science
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- Engineering, General
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- Engineering, Other
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- Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
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- Forest Engineering
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- Geological Engineering
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- Industrial Engineering
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- Manufacturing Engineering
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- Materials Engineering
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- Mechanical Engineering
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- Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering
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- Metallurgical Engineering
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- Mining and Mineral Engineering
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- Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
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- Nuclear Engineering
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- Ocean Engineering
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- Operations Research
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- Paper Science and Engineering
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- Petroleum Engineering
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- Plastics Engineering
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- Surveying Engineering
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- Systems Engineering
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- Textile Sciences and Engineering
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Engineering Technology and Engineering-Related Fields
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- Architecture Engineering Technicians
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- Civil Engineering Technicians
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- Computer Engineering Technicians
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- Construction Engineering Technologies
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- Drafting Engineering Technicians
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- Electrical Engineering Technicians
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- Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technicians
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- Engineering Technicians, Other
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- Engineering Technology, General
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- Engineering-Related Fields
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- Engineering-Related Technologies
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- Environmental Control Technicians
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- Industrial Production Technicians
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- Mechanical Engineering Related Technicians
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- Mining and Petroleum Technicians
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- Nanotechnology
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- Nuclear Engineering Technicians
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- Quality Control and Safety Technicians
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English Language and Literature/Letters
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- English Language and Literature, General
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- English Language and Literature/Letters, Other
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- Literature
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- Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
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Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
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- Apparel and Textiles
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- Family and Consumer Electronics Related Studies
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- Family and Consumer Sciences Business Services
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- Family and Consumer Sciences, General
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- Family and Consumer Sciences, Other
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- Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services
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- Housing and Human Environments
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- Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
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- Work and Family Studies
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Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
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- African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
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- Native American Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
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- American Sign Language
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- Celtic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
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- Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
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- East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
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- Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other
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- Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
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- Persian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
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- Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
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- Middle Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
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- Modern Greek Language and Literature
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- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
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- Slavic, Baltic, and Albanian Languages, Literature, and Linguistics
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- South Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
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- Southeast Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
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- Turkic, Uralic-Altaic, Caucasian, and Central Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
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History
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Legal Professions and Studies
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- Law
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- Legal Professions and Studies, Other
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- Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies
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- Legal Support Services
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- Non-Professional General Legal Studies (UG)
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Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies, and Humanities
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Library Science
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Mathematics and Statistics
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- Applied Mathematics
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- Mathematics
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- Mathematics and Statistics, Other
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- Statistics
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Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians
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Military Technologies and Applied Sciences
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Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
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Natural Resources and Conservation
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- Fishing and Fisheries Sciences Management
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- Forestry
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- Natural Resources and Conservation
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- Natural Resources and Conservation and Research
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- Natural Resources Management and Policy
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- Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management
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Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies
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- Health and Physical Education/Fitness
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- Outdoor Education
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- Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management
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- Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies
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- Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies, Other
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Personal and Culinary Services
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- Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services
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- Culinary Arts and Related Services
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- Funeral Service and Mortuary Science
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- Personal and Culinary Services, Other
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Philosophy and Religious Studies
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- Philosophy
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- Philosophy and Religious Studies, General
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- Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other
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- Religion/Religious Studies
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Physical Sciences
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- Astronomy and Astrophysics
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- Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology
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- Chemistry
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- Geosciences
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- Materials Sciences
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- Physical Sciences
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- Physical Sciences, Other
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- Physics
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Precision Production
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Psychology
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- Psychology, General
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- Psychology, Other
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Public Administration and Social Service Professions
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- Community Organization and Advocacy
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- Human Services, General
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- Public Administration
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- Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other
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- Public Policy Analysis
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- Social Work
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Science Technologies/Technicians
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Social Sciences
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- Demography and Population Studies
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- Economics
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- Geography and Cartography
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- International Relations and National Security Studies
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- Political Science and Government
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- Rural Sociology
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- Social Sciences, General
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- Social Sciences, Other
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- Sociology
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- Sociology and Anthropology
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- Urban Studies/Affairs
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Theology and Religious Vocations
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- Bible/Biblical Studies
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- Missionary Studies
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- Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries
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- Religious Education
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- Religious Music
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- Theological and Ministerial Studies
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- Theology and Religious Vocations, Other
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Transportation and Materials Moving
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- Transportation and Materials Moving, Other
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Visual and Performing Arts
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- Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management
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- Design and Applied Arts
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- Fine and Studio Arts
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- Visual and Performing Arts, General
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- Visual and Performing Arts, Other
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Come, let us take a close look at the admission process and requirements –
Admission Requirements
While evaluating candidates who’ve applied for admission, colleges take the following factors into consideration –
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- Secondary school GPA
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- Secondary school rank
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- Secondary school record
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- Completion of college-preparatory program
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- Formal demonstration of competencies
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- ACT/SAT test scores
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- TOEFL
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- Other relevant tests
The factors mentioned above are divided into the following groups – Admission considerations that are ‘Required/Mandatory’, admission considerations that are ‘Recommended’ and admission requirements that are ‘Considered but not required’.
Admission requirements may vary from one college to another. Most of the colleges rely on secondary school GPA, secondary school record, ACT/SAT scores and TOEFL (as mandatory considerations). Community colleges usually have an open admission policy.
Online/Distance Education Degrees
Depending upon the level of the program, Degrees or Awards can be classified into the following types –
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- Certificates
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- Associate’s Degree
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- Bachelor’s Degree
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- Advanced Degrees
Certificates
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- Less than one year certificate: The duration of the program is less than one year.
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- One but less than two years certificate: The duration of the course is 1 year (or more, but less than 2 years).
Associate’s Degree
Associate’s Degree program is two years long. After completing this program, you’ll obtain an Associate’s Degree from the college/university/accrediting body.
Bachelor’s Degree
Bachelor’s Degree program is four years long. After completing this program, you’ll obtain an Associate’s Degree from the college/university/accrediting body.
Advanced Degrees
Here are some of the popular advanced degrees –
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- Master’s Degree
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- Doctor’s Degree
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- Post-master’s certificate
I am Vishnu Nambiar a career and educational blogger from India. I am also a full time educational consultant having more than 12 years of experience in the educational sector.
I share articles related to courses, colleges, careers, exam tips and more here.