The Open University (OU) has built an impressive reputation over five decades as a pioneer in distance learning. With triple accreditation from AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS—placing it among fewer than 1% of business schools worldwide—and the distinction of being the UK's largest university by student enrollment, the OU has legitimate credentials.
Their module-by-module payment system and flexible self-paced structure have made higher education accessible to working professionals across more than 100 countries.
But here's the reality: The Open University's structure has specific characteristics that prospective students should understand before enrolling. A full honours degree requires 360 credits, and with the OU's recommendation to study no more than 60 credits per year for part-time students, typical completion timelines can extend several years for an undergraduate degree.
For international students, the fee structure varies significantly depending on your program and location. And while the triple-accredited MBA program is highly respected, international students should carefully review total program costs for their specific situation.
If you're exploring The Open University alternatives, you're making a smart decision to compare options. The landscape of online education has evolved dramatically, and several institutions now offer different value propositions for working professionals with varying timelines, budgets, and learning preferences.
This guide breaks down the top five alternatives to The Open University, comparing each on the metrics that actually matter: affordability, time-to-completion flexibility, career support, and global accessibility. We're providing you with actionable information for your education decision.
Let's explore your options.
Before diving into specific schools, here's what separates exceptional online programs from mediocre ones:
True Affordability — Look beyond headline tuition figures. What's the total cost including materials, fees, and potential cost increases over multi-year programs? The OU's module-by-module pricing sounds flexible until you calculate six years of annual fee increases.
Real Flexibility — Self-paced should mean self-paced. Some institutions advertise flexibility but then lock you into rigid term schedules or cap how quickly you can progress. If you have the time and motivation to accelerate, your program shouldn't hold you back.
Transparent Pricing — No hidden fees, no surprise charges for materials, and clear communication about what your total investment will be. International students especially need to verify that advertised prices apply to their region.
Quality Accreditation — Accreditation matters, but understanding what type matters more. Regional accreditation in the US differs from national accreditation, and international accreditations like AMBA, EQUIS, and AACSB signal specific quality standards for business programs.
Career Support — A degree without career guidance is only half the value. Look for institutions that provide personalized coaching, networking opportunities, and job placement assistance—not just a diploma at the end.
Modern Learning Experience — The best online programs leverage current technology for interactive, engaging coursework. Static PDFs and discussion boards from 2005 won't cut it.
Global Accessibility — If you're not based in the UK, ensure the program actually serves international students well—with appropriate pricing, relevant curriculum, and support across time zones.
Nexford University represents a fundamentally different approach to online education—one built specifically for working professionals who want results, not a decade-long commitment.
Founded with global learners in mind, Nexford delivers American-style business education at a fraction of traditional costs, with genuine flexibility that puts you in control of your timeline.
More Flexible Structure
Competitive Pricing
Enhanced Career Support
Business and Technology Focus
Transparent Pricing
Accelerated Options
International professionals seeking a fast-track, affordable American business degree should strongly consider Nexford. If you're motivated to complete your education quickly, want hands-on career coaching throughout your journey, and value a curriculum focused on real-world business challenges rather than academic theory alone, Nexford delivers exceptional value.
The combination of flexible pacing, project-based learning, and genuine global accessibility makes it the top choice for ambitious learners who can't afford to put their careers on hold for six years.
Western Governors University pioneered competency-based education, allowing students to progress as soon as they demonstrate mastery of material. For students with significant prior knowledge or experience, this can translate to faster completion times.
WGU operates on a unique flat-rate tuition model—pay one price per six-month term and complete as many courses as you can within that period. Students with relevant work experience or prior learning can potentially compress multiple years of study into a shorter timeframe. The competency-based approach means you don't sit through lectures on topics you've already mastered; you demonstrate knowledge and move forward.
However, the term structure creates its own pressure. If you don't complete courses within your term, you pay for another full term. This can become expensive for students who need to slow down due to work or life demands.
Advantages Over The Open University:
Where WGU Differs from Nexford:
Self-motivated learners based in the United States who have significant relevant work experience and want to leverage competency-based education to accelerate their degree completion. WGU works best for disciplined students who can maintain consistent study schedules within the six-month term structure.
SNHU has become one of America's largest online universities by offering a vast array of programs with strong support services. Their scale enables competitive pricing and extensive resources.
SNHU operates on 8-week terms with six start dates per year, offering structured flexibility with more frequent entry points than traditional universities. Their extensive student support services include 24/7 technical support, dedicated academic advisors, and career services. The sheer breadth of program offerings means students can find specialized degrees across virtually every field.
Cost becomes a consideration—at $342 per credit [20], the undergraduate investment is substantial compared to more affordable alternatives.
Advantages Over The Open University:
Where SNHU Differs from Nexford:
US-based students who want access to a wide variety of degree programs and prefer the structure of defined academic terms with strong institutional support. If you're exploring programs outside business and technology, SNHU's extensive catalog may offer options not available elsewhere.
UoPeople has carved out a distinctive position as a tuition-free, accredited online university focused on expanding access to higher education globally. For students in developing countries or those facing severe financial constraints, it represents a genuine pathway to credentials.
UoPeople operates on a peer-to-peer learning model with minimal faculty intervention, keeping costs extremely low.
Students pay only assessment fees rather than tuition, making formal credentials accessible to populations traditionally excluded from higher education. The institution serves students in over 200 countries and maintains open admission policies.
The trade-off comes in support services and learning experience—with minimal faculty contact and heavy reliance on peer assessment, UoPeople doesn't provide the same level of guidance as institutions with dedicated instructors and career coaches.
Advantages Over The Open University:
Where UoPeople Differs from Nexford:
Students facing significant financial barriers who need the most affordable path to accredited credentials. UoPeople serves an important mission in expanding educational access, particularly for learners in developing countries who might otherwise have no options for formal higher education.
Fort Hays State University offers one of the lowest per-credit costs among regionally accredited US universities, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious American students seeking traditional credentials.
FHSU operates as a traditional state university with an extensive online division, offering the same degrees available to on-campus students through distance delivery.
The Kansas state university maintains remarkably competitive pricing for online students regardless of residency, providing access to regionally accredited education at costs well below most competitors. Programs follow traditional semester schedules with established academic calendars.
Advantages Over The Open University:
Where FHSU Differs from Nexford:
American students seeking the most affordable path to a regionally accredited degree from a traditional state university. FHSU excels in delivering value for US-based learners who prefer conventional academic structures and don't require the global flexibility or accelerated timelines available elsewhere.
✅ You want to complete your degree quickly—MBA in as little as 9 months
✅ You value personalized Career Success Coaching from day one
✅ You're an international student seeking affordable American business education
✅ You prefer project-based learning with real company case studies
✅ You want to start immediately with monthly enrollment dates
✅ You need flexible, truly self-paced learning without term constraints
✅ You're interested in cutting-edge specializations like AI & Automation
✅ You prefer paying per course rather than locked-in term fees
✅ You want mobile-optimized learning that fits your lifestyle
✅ You need globally recognized business credentials at competitive costs
Perfect For: Ambitious international professionals ready to fast-track their business education with industry-relevant curriculum and genuine career support.
For the majority of international professionals seeking quality business education without the six-year timeline and high costs of The Open University, Nexford University emerges as the clear top recommendation. Here's why:
Superior Flexibility — Nexford's monthly starts and truly self-paced structure mean you control your timeline, not an academic calendar. Unlike the OU's six-year typical completion or WGU's term pressure, you progress at your own sustainable pace—or accelerate when you're ready.
Excellent Value — With BBA programs from $4,800 and MBAs from $3,300, Nexford delivers American business education at a fraction of both OU and traditional US university costs [1]. International pricing adjustments mean students worldwide can access quality credentials affordably.
Enhanced Career Support — The dedicated Career Success Coach model sets Nexford apart. Rather than general career services available somewhere on campus, you get personalized guidance from enrollment through graduation and beyond.
Global Accessibility — With students in 100+ countries, Nexford was built for international learners from the ground up. No retrofitting UK-centric systems for global audiences—the entire experience is designed for today's borderless professional world.
Modern Curriculum — AI integration across programs, specializations in emerging fields like automation and e-commerce, and project-based learning with real company case studies prepare you for the jobs of tomorrow, not yesterday.
Transparent and Honest — Clear pricing, no hidden fees, and straightforward communication about what you'll invest and receive.
That said, The Open University remains a solid choice for UK residents who can access student loans, students seeking non-business programs, or those specifically requiring triple-accredited MBA credentials.
WGU serves competency-based learners well; SNHU offers breadth; UoPeople serves those facing extreme financial constraints; and FHSU delivers traditional credentials at competitive costs for Americans.
Your education decision ultimately depends on your specific circumstances, goals, and constraints. But if you're an international professional who wants to earn a respected business degree quickly, affordably, and with genuine career support along the way—your future doesn't have to wait six years.
Start Your Nexford Application — No application fee, no commitment until you're ready.
Explore Nexford's BBA Programs | Learn About the MBA | View Complete Tuition Information
Your career transformation starts with a single decision. Make it today.
Nexford University:
[1] https://www.nexford.edu/tuition
[3] https://www.nexford.edu/about/accreditation
[4] https://www.nexford.edu/
[5] https://www.nexford.edu/mba
[6] https://www.nexford.edu/career-success
[7] https://www.nexford.edu/bba
[8] https://www.nexford.edu/learning-experience
[9] https://www.nexford.edu/degrees/bba-with-specialization-in-artificial-intelligence
[10] https://www.nexford.edu/degrees/mba-with-specialization-in-artificial-intelligence
The Open University:
[11] https://business-school.open.ac.uk/
[12] https://business-school.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate-qualifications
[13] https://www.open.ac.uk/courses
[14] https://business-school.open.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-qualifications/mba
[15] https://www.open.ac.uk/courses/careers/international-recognition/
[33] https://www.open.ac.uk/courses/fees-and-funding/
Western Governors University:
[16] https://www.wgu.edu/financial-aid-tuition/tuition-business-degrees.html
[17] https://www.wgu.edu/financial-aid-tuition.html
[18] https://www.wgu.edu/student-experience/how-you-learn/accreditation.html
[19] https://www.wgu.edu/online-business-degrees.html
Southern New Hampshire University:
[20] https://www.snhu.edu/tuition-and-financial-aid/online
[21] https://www.snhu.edu/online-degrees/bachelors/bs-in-business-administration
[22] https://www.snhu.edu/online-degrees/masters/mba-online
[23] https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/accreditations
[24] https://www.snhu.edu/online-degrees
University of the People:
[25] UNDERGRADUATE Online Catalog
[26] GRADUATE Online Catalog
[27] https://www.uopeople.edu/student-experience/quality/accreditation/
[28] https://www.uopeople.edu/programs/
Fort Hays State University:
[29] https://www.fhsu.edu/online/admissions/tuition/
[30] https://www.fhsu.edu/sfs/students_parents/fy26-tuition-and-fees.pdf
[31] https://www.fhsu.edu/academic/provost/accreditation/
[32] https://www.fhsu.edu/online/
Last updated: January 2026
This comparison article is published by Nexford University and represents our perspective on how our programs compare to alternatives in the online higher education landscape.
Accuracy and Verification:
While we've made every effort to ensure factual accuracy regarding competitor information—including tuition rates, accreditation status, program structures, and completion timelines—these details can change. We strongly encourage prospective students to:
Comparative Nature:
This content provides comparative information for educational purposes. Statements about Nexford's programs reflect our institutional approach and should not be interpreted as disparagement of alternative educational models.
Different programs serve different student needs, and the best choice varies based on individual goals, learning preferences, career objectives, geographic location, and personal circumstances.
For Current Information:
Tuition rates, program offerings, accreditation status, and institutional policies change frequently. For the most current information about any institution mentioned, always consult official university sources and speak directly with admissions advisors.
This comparison is intended to help prospective students make informed decisions by understanding the different approaches available in online higher education. We encourage thorough research and consultation with multiple institutions before making your enrollment decision.