Getting a college degree can drastically improve career prospects, cause one to make significantly more money, and generally improve one’s quality of life. Yet, there are still people who refuse to consider continuing education. Sometimes even taking just one class can help significantly in both career and mental areas. Since it seems as though the excuses for not getting an online education are never-ending, I’ve come up with a list of 6 reasons why you should consider getting an online degree.

1. Career Prospects

As mentioned in the introduction, continuing education can drastically improve your career prospects. Even if you are already established in a good job, sometimes taking a class can lead to that nice promotion. For those who don’t have a college education, getting a degree can often have a startlingly positive affect on one’s career opportunities. What’s more, with online education, you can still hold a regular job, as many online universities allow for extreme flexibility in class scheduling.

2. Wider Range of Degrees

While many traditional universities have a wide range of degrees that can be earned, oftentimes online universities offer a wider range of degrees. This is especially beneficial for those who are in a very specialized line of work, and wish to further their education in that specific area. Also, for those who would rather not have a traditional degree, online education can sometimes be the solution. Remember, when searching for degrees and a potential university, always check for accreditation.

3. Easier on Family Life

If you have a family, then you know how busy family life can be. Many people make the excuse that they don’t have time for continuing education because of family constraints and responsibilities. With online education, this excuse becomes very shaky. The flexibility of scheduling allows many people to take classes in such a way that they can still drive kids to school, run errands, make meals, and so on. Education shouldn’t interfere with family life. If anything, it should improve it. An online education can help ensure that your education helps more than it hurts.

4. Save Money

Now this doesn’t always hold true, but generally, online educations tend to be significantly cheaper than their on-campus counterparts. Some people make the excuse that they can’t afford an education. Online pricing makes it very hard for this excuse to hold up. Many online universities allow students to finance their education using a variety of methods. It’s not unheard of for financial aid to be given out to those in need, or special loans and payment plans. The bottom line is that education is an investment. The old adage, “you have to spend money to make money” often rings true when it comes to education. Don’t limit yourself because of financial worries. Many schools will be more than happy to help work out financial details with perspective students.

5. Self Confidence

I know many people who have gone a significant portion of their adult life without buckling down and getting that college degree. They make excuses and delay as much as possible. However, once people finally get over their doubts, and just force themselves to get that education, their whole lives seem to improve. Education builds confidence. People who have been delaying their whole lives feel a great sense of accomplishment when they finally get their degree. In my opinion, education is forward progress. If you wish to have more self-confidence, and simply feel like you’ve accomplished something, then you should consider getting an online education. While you may have other reasons for doing it (helping out family finances, your boss wants you to, etc), at the end of the day your education is yours. No one can take it from you. Now that’s a pretty strong source of confidence.

6. You Can Start Almost Immediately

Another excuse I’ve heard is that people are always “too late” to sign up for classes. Sometimes I wonder if it’s on purpose or not, however, with online education, this excuse loses even more validity. Many online universities have rolling admissions. Some schools have classes that start every 4 weeks, sometimes less. Online universities know that their students have hectic lives (that’s one reason many choose online education), and so providing as much flexibility is paramount in their eyes. Take the time to look at when classes start, and you might be surprised by what you see. You can always make the excuse that you’re “too late” to sign up, but just think of how good it will feel to finally take the initiative.

I’ve done all I can to convince you of the benefits to an online education, the rest is up to you. Remember that no matter how you say it, education is an investment. The benefits probably won’t be felt immediately, but in terms of career prospects, self-confidence, and overall quality of life, getting a degree, or taking a class can help significantly. If you are stalling, take the time to think about all the options that are available, and what you may be missing out on. It’s not tremendously challenging to do some research. When it comes to your future, you shouldn’t cheat yourself out of a chance to learn something new, and maybe accomplish something you’ve never accomplished before. Those alone are reason enough to consider an online education.