10 Affordable Online Colleges With Tuition Payment Plans 2025

Earning an online degree can cost thousands of dollars per year. While financial aid for college can help defray these costs, often, there are still expenses that must be paid.

To help make the cost of tuition more manageable, some schools offer tuition payment plans. Let's find a tuition assistance program that can make an online degree more affordable.

Affordable Online Colleges With Payment Plans

Online students can earn their degrees with budget-friendly payment plans. Discover schools that offer tuition payment plans below.

1. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University offers affordable tuition for over 200 degree programs. The tuition rate for an undergraduate degree is $330 per credit hour, while a graduate degree program is priced at $637.

The university accepts various ways to lower the total cost of a degree, such as accepting transfer credits, military discounts, and employer tuition assistance. The financial aid team works with students to create an individualized funding payment plan.

2. Arizona State University Online

For those looking for online colleges with grants available, Arizona State University Online offers various financial aid options to help pay for college. These options include federal student loans and grants or institutional scholarships.

If financial aid packages do not fully cover the cost of tuition, students can opt for the ASU payment plan. Students pay in three installments over the semester via credit/debit card or eChecks. While there is an additional fee to utilize the payment plan, it's a helpful option for those who cannot afford to pay the tuition upfront.

3. Franklin University

Franklin University, located in Columbus, OH, offers extensive online learning options at an affordable price. The university's bachelor's degrees are $398 per credit hour and master's degrees are $670.

While financial aid options are available, the school also offers tuition payment plans. With this installment plan, students do not have to pay the full tuition sum at the beginning of the semester, instead, they make monthly payments.

4. Liberty University

Liberty University is committed to making education accessible and affordable. Online students may enroll in a monthly payment plan. Students must sign up through an online portal, where payments will be automatically taken from the bank account or debit/credit card on file.

If automated payments fail, there is a $35 processing fee. When three payments fail, students could lose the ability to participate in the plan.

5. National University

National University offers higher education opportunities for adult learners through many online degree programs. The university accepts several payment options, including:

• payment in full
• payment by course
• monthly payment plans

With the payment plans, students' credit cards will be automatically charged each month. If the payment is not received, students will be charged an additional fee of $25.

6. Thomas Edison State University

Thomas Edison State University delivers a quality education specifically designed with adult learners in mind. The school aims to provide an attainable degree path by offering low tuition rates and payment plan options for those in a graduate program.

Students are able to break their total tuition cost into two payments spread over the semester. With this payment schedule, students pay half the cost by the first day of the term and the second half within 25 days.

7. Utah State University

Utah State University offers several online degree programs. Once enrolled, students can use installment plans that spread tuition costs over monthly installments. To enter the plan, students must first pay a nonrefundable $50 fee.

Several payment options are available: cash, online or in-person checking, credit, or debit. These monthly payments have firm due dates and any late payments will incur a $25 fee.

8. Walden University

As an accredited school, online learners at Walden University can access expert faculty, student support, and self-paced learning formats. Students receive a quality online education that works with their schedules.

A monthly payment plan is available with no interest or enrollment fee. Whether it's a bachelor's or master's degree, the monthly payment plan can help make tuition costs more feasible.

9. Webster University

Webster University offers several online undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Students can enjoy flexibility in their academic journeys with the school's asynchronous learning formats.

The university provides multiple payment options to make this degree path accessible. Students may opt for a monthly tuition payment schedule to help make costs more manageable.

10. Cornerstone University

At Cornerstone University, students may earn online degrees in various disciplines. The university is committed to academic excellence, affordability, and student success.

Students may enroll in a monthly payment plan to help manage the cost of tuition. With this option, students make automatic bank payments or credit/debit card transactions.

Our Selection Criteria

We evaluated the schools on this list based on several considerations, including:

• Learning Format: We chose schools that offer online degree programs.
• Accreditation: The schools listed above are accredited and committed to academic excellence.
• Tuition Payment Plans: While some online colleges that accept transfer credits or provide other cost-saving measures made the list, all schools also offer some sort of tuition payment plan to help make the final tuition bill more manageable.

How Installment Plans Work for Online Programs

Installment plans make the total cost of tuition easier to manage by allowing students to make smaller payments spread throughout the term. Scholarships for online colleges will first be applied to tuition. Any other financial aid will also be applied before a payment plan is created.

The details vary from school to school. Some may offer monthly payments with fixed due dates, while others may break the lump payment into two smaller bills.

For example, Cornerstone University offers a monthly payment. Students first pay an enrollment fee, after which, automatic payments will be taken out on the 20th of every month.

Benefits of Tuition Payment Plans

Many students utilize a payment plan through their school to break down the tuition into smaller amounts. This type of plan does not incur debt or interest; it's simply a way for students to budget tuition costs effectively.

Students will not have to worry about making a large lump sum payment at the start of the term. Instead, they'll pay smaller sums throughout the term that work within their budget, making their degree path possible.

Using Financial Aid for Payment Plans

To apply for payment plans, schools typically require students to apply for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which assesses their eligibility for federal grants, loans, and work-study programs. Online colleges that accept FAFSA will use financial aid funds to cover tuition costs, which can be integrated into a payment plan to manage remaining expenses over the semester.

FAQs About Tuition Installment Payment Options

Many students have questions about payment plans. We discuss the answers to some of the most common questions below.

Can I Pay Tuition Fees in Installments at an Online College?

Some online colleges offer installation payment plans. Check with your school's financial aid office to see if you may enroll in a payment plan.

What Expenses Do Tuition Payment Plans Cover?

While it varies by institution, payment plans typically cover the major tuition costs. Room and board and other expenses are not usually included in the payment plan.

Are There Any Additional Fees for Tuition Installment Plans?

Students may encounter additional fees in installment plans, such as enrollment or late fees. Credit card and debit card transactions may also incur a small processing fee.

Explore Online Bachelor's Degree Programs Today

Finding affordable higher education is possible. Check out the degree programs on Learn.org and contact individual schools for more information on tuition, financial aid, and payment plans.