Which school is best for people with only a high school diploma to start at?

I need to make a decision soon and need some help.
I graduated from high school a few years ago and never went to school after, so I only have my high school diploma. I'm looking to get my bachelor's in Accounting for right now. I've looked at so many colleges these past few days (TESC, COSC, WGU, NAU, CSU, etc.) and it's all overwhelming because I dont know which to choose. I'm so scared to make the wrong decision and ending up at a scam school. Has anyone started out at any of these schools with no credit at all? I'd like some feedback. I'd love an online school that is very affordable (well of course everyone would), regionally accredited, lets me enroll/start at anytime, and doesnt require me to have a certain amount of credits to enroll. Does this type of school exist? (im new to all of this, sorry). Thanks

 

Most online schools don't require you to have existing credits. You'll mainly find this requirement in "degree completion" type plans. Why are you choosing to attend school online vs. on campus? If you are still young, single, and not wrapped up in a career, I'd recommend going on-site to your state college or university, and taking as many supplemental CLEPS as the school will allow. This could allow you to skip 1-2 years of in-class time, while still obtaining a great education. Which also allows you to network.

If you're set on learning online, and have budget/career/time restraints, I'd say the answer depends on your ultimate goal. If you plan to obtain a BA/BS as a terminal degree, I say go for the best ranked RA non-profit or public school you can afford. For example, Penn State World Campus offers quite a few great programs. Arizona State also offers a decent amount of programs. Oregon State has a good distance system. The options are virtually endless, and it all depends on your goals. If you intend to continue on to grad school, I recommend finishing your undergrad with a "big three" option such as TESC, then proceeding to a decently ranked grad program.

So, I guess the key thing is, first define your goals and why you need a degree, then find the best school to suit those goals. Simply looking for a distance program which doesn't require previous college will leave you far too confused and indecisive. Good luck.

 

All colleges assume you only have a high school diploma to start, not sure why you would have to have college credit to apply to college, but you're good to go- starting from zero is where everyone starts.

 

It doesn't really apply in this situation, but many B&M universities would require SAT scores for freshman applicants who only possess a high school diploma. If someone didn't take (or bombed) the SAT, the only option is to go to CC and transfer in. Admission for freshman applicants is much more rigorous than junior transfers from local CCs, so high SAT scores are a requirement for most good schools.

 

You could consider starting out by taking courses at your local community college (on-site or online) if it is affordable. If not, others will chime in with low cost courses. You also might look at possible CLEP and DANTES exams, and current work related ACE certifications and courses.

At some point in time transfer all courses and exam credits to the bachelors completion program of your choice. You have at least about a year or so to get some basics out of the way before making a decision on where to get your bachelors degree.

 

Choose an RA school that you can best afford.

 

My advice is to go the JUCO route and knock out an associates degree first.

 

If you are determined to do this by distance study, you might want to consider starting with Straighterline courses. You can complete 30 credit hours (one-fourth of a bachelor's degree) through Straighterline for only $999. You can then use CLEP or DSST exams to wrap up the remaining 30 credit hours of your lower-division courses.

Liberty University is a university with an online accounting program that accepts Straighterline courses as direct transfer. You also might want to consider Peru State College. Peru State accepts a lot of ACE evaluated credits and you can complete the first half of a bachelor's degree with challenge exams or ACE credits (like Straighterline).

 

I seriously don't understand the suggestions on this thread? Straighterline isn't a good idea unless you're attending a partner school, earning an associate's degree first isn't a good idea if you're set on a bachelor's degree, an SAT test isn't a good idea because its a total waste of time, and taking CLEPs in highschool is just a confusing suggestion since the OP has already completed high school.

Maybe I'm missing something. This poster is a high school graduate ready to begin his journey, just start at the beginning like all of us do, there is nothing unique or special about this situation warranting anything other than traditional advice.

Pick a college. Enroll at college. Graduate college.

 

That looks really good!

Earn College Credit - Transfer Credits to Online Colleges & Universities - StraighterLine

Transfer College Credits To Thomas Edison State College (TESC) - StraighterLine

Transfer College Credits To Charter Oak State College - StraighterLine

SUNY Empire State College - Transfer Credits to SUNY Empire State College - StraighterLine

Liberty University Online - Transfer Credits to Liberty University Online - StraighterLine

 

I was thinking that most of these schoosl are for military people are people that have college credit already.

cavtrooper.... I am set on going to school online and no I don't have kids. I've considered going to school on campus but I'd rather go online. I do realize what Im missing out on by not going on campus. I've put a lot of thinking into this decision. and Thanks for the advice


lawrenceq... what's the JUCO route?

bobbyjim... That's a good idea but my nearest community college has already started. It's too late for me to enroll now. I could wait for the spring, but I feel like i've already put going to school off enough and am ready to start now.

cookderosa... yes the problem is idk which college to choose. I look at a site, read reviews on it and then get discouraged. I realize all schools will have mixed reviews but I'm just really paranoid about choosing the wrong school.

 

Starting at a junior college/community college. My reason is to save money while you bang out the first two years of college. It will also give you time to decide on a college. Just my .02.

 

Not at all. These schools are for anyone. Why would you think they are only for military personnel?

 

My $0.02 worth of advice.

If you want the most direct route, choose a four-year college that has limited enrollment requirements (such as SAT scores) and enroll. Good, inexpensive schools with online programs that are Regionally Accredited ("RA") that are mentioned frequently are Fort Hays State, American Public University, Bellevue University, for starters. Once you pick out a school, you can search here or ask her to make sure the school is not a scam school.

If you want cheaper, I'd advise a community college for a AA in Accounting - Transfer. (You don't want to enroll in a bookkeeping program at a CC but one that is intended as beginning accounting for a Bachelor's degree.) Depending on where you live, you should be able to find a community/junior college that has a tranfer agreement with a local state school. This sounds more complex, but many colleges will accept transfer students with the first two years done. Bellevue College (not to be confused with Belleve University) is a two-year school that offers an all online AA in Accounting and has transfer agreements with University of Washington, Washington State University and Eastern Washington University. What state do you live in?

 

Just many have recommend you; I would recommend you on the same thing. Just start out with credit banks (CLEP, DANTES, FEMA, Straighterline, and etc). That how I started out with, but also Military Training. I completed my Bachelor degree in 24 months. If you smart, you can tryout for BA4weeks.com. Good luck!

 

Cookderosa can be relied on to offer great advice. However I disagree with her a little on obtaining an associates degree. It depends on what your career plans are. An AA degree separates you out from others when applying for a job ("I've earned an AA degree and on my way to a bachelors degree").