COMPARE ONLINE DEGREE OPTIONS

Wondering if a degree is worth it? It depends on where you get it.

Not all online degrees are created equal. Here's how Nexford compares to your other options, from community college to Coursera. See why thousands of working adults are choosing a faster, skills-first way to earn a degree that actually gets results.

Explore Your Options

You have more options than you think. Here's how they compare.

Doing Nothing

Sticking with your current job and putting off school is the default for many adults. It's free, but comes with a cost to your future earning power.

Community College or Local University

Offers in-person structure and a familiar format, but often requires a rigid schedule and slow progress. Costs can still add up quickly.

Online Certificates or MOOCs

Affordable and fast, but lack the credibility and structure of a full degree. Often not taken seriously by employers.

Traditional For-Profit Universities

100% online with name recognition, but often overpriced and not career-aligned. Many graduates struggle with debt.

NXU vs. traditional universities – See how we compare

Not bound by the past we designed a university based on what you actually need.

	Nexford University	Traditional Universities
Tuition Fees	Average Masters degree $5,000 - Average Bachelor’s degree $10,000	Average Masters degree $60,000 - Average Bachelor’s degree $54,000
Time to graduation	Graduate as fast as 9 months for Masters, and 24 months for Bachelor’s	Typically fixed length of min. 18 months for Masters and 4 years for Bachelor's.
Flexibility	Flexibly paced. Live sessions are optional. Courses can be completed in 1 or 2 months.	Required class hours at specific times and course length is typically fixed.
Curriculum	Competency-based, meaning focused on practical skills and real outcomes employers value.	Most are theory-based with outdated curricula largely influenced by faculty, not employers.
Monthly payment	Yes, and the faster you graduate the less you pay.	Not available.
Learning Experience	Case studies, videos, reading material, interactive components and project-based assessments.	Typically lecture-based with long outdated reading material and extra fees for textbooks.

Nexford is accredited.

Accredited by DEAC

Nexford University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).

The DEAC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Accredited by IACBE

The School of Business and Innovation at Nexford University has been awarded Accreditation by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education. For a listing of all IACBE accredited programs, please view our IACBE status.

Accredited by DEAC

Nexford University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).

The DEAC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Accredited by IACBE

THE NEXFORD EXPERIENCE

A degree built for working adults who want real skills, real speed, and real ROI.

Pay-as-you-go, with no hidden fees

Nexford’s simple per-course tuition keeps costs predictable and affordable. You only pay for the courses you take - no long-term contracts, hidden fees, or unnecessary extras.

100% online and fully self-paced

Whether you're working full time, parenting, or both, Nexford's programs let you study when it works for you. Move as fast as you want, from anywhere.

Built with input from companies like Google and Microsoft

Nexford's project-based curriculum was designed with global employers to ensure you're building the skills they're hiring for. From AI to business strategy, you'll graduate job-ready.

Pay-as-you-go, with no hidden fees

Nexford’s simple per-course tuition keeps costs predictable and affordable. You only pay for the courses you take - no long-term contracts, hidden fees, or unnecessary extras.

100% online and fully self-paced

Whether you're working full time, parenting, or both, Nexford's programs let you study when it works for you. Move as fast as you want, from anywhere.

Built with input from companies like Google and Microsoft

Nexford's project-based curriculum was designed with global employers to ensure you're building the skills they're hiring for. From AI to business strategy, you'll graduate job-ready.

6000+

Degree and certification alumni worldwide

98%

Alumni would recommend Nexford

100

Countries with Nexford learners

20+

Business & Technology programs

Programs built alongside the companies you want to work for.

We didn’t guess what to include in our programs. We built them with input from global employers. Because when your education speaks their language, your résumé doesn’t get ignored.

What our graduates say about their journey

I would definitely hire other Nexford graduates. I've been really impressed with Onyinye's progress so far and anyone with that experience level is really a good fit for us at Microsoft.

Rebecca Young

Principal Business Insights Manager, Microsoft

The Nexford BBA helped me go from a contractor to a full-time employee. Without a degree, I was only getting short-term contracts. But once I mentioned my Nexford BBA with a specialization in AI and automation – it became a huge foundation for landing a higher-paying, full-time job.

Brian Pecuch

Security Analyst, TD Bank

My MBA at Nexford has been instrumental in allowing me to better the way that I work. The skills I learned there will definitely stand me in good stead now that I have accepted the role of Deputy Director of Ops at three large UK hospitals.

Samantha Lear

Director of Operations, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Thank you so much for the opportunity to be part of Nexford University. My education there significantly helped me advance my career. Additionally, my MBA has been successfully recognized as equivalent in my home country, Indonesia.

Michael Ariel

Private Banking Specialist, Citibank

As a current MBA student at Nexford University, i like the flexile modality of study especially for full time employees, also the project-based learning approach with updated syllabuses, real case studies with top tech companies like Amazon, Tesla , Toyota, Apple...etc. and affordable at the same time for low middle income countries students.

Heba Saeed

Entrepreneurship and Career Development Mentor, Birmingham City University

Peer learning and collaboration - all of that is happening on a day-to-day basis on the online platform, as well as the networking opportunities. I got the chance to speak to a couple of my colleagues and professors, and I met with career coaches at Nexford, which helped me plan my career.

Mohammed Emara

Associate Director | Program Advisory (North America), Turner & Townsend

Highly recommended, affordable and flexible.

Hadi Baz Shamas

Network Automation and System Integration Engineer (Grade 7), Nokia

I understood the power of marketing, but not so much the principles. I am a business-oriented person and now thanks to my MBA I am beginning to see how different factors can affect strategies and business. So now that I have that knowledge and those skills that I can put into practice, I believe that the sky is no longer the limit.

Elizabeth Makanjuola

Information Technology Business Analyst, Bridgemarq Real Estate Services Inc.

Pay what you can afford

Pay as you go, and move at your own pace. No monthly fees, no hidden charges. Know your total cost from day one.

Pay as you go
Move at your own pace
Move faster and graduate faster
Earn a certificate for every course you complete

Calculate program tuition

Select the degree level

Is Nexford accredited?

Yes. Nexford is accredited in the U.S. by the DEAC and licensed in Washington, D.C. It's trusted by learners in 90+ countries.

How fast can I finish?

Most students finish in 24–36 months. The faster you move, the more you save on tuition.

Can I transfer prior credits?

Yes. Nexford may accept completed coursework from accredited colleges or universities, as well as eligible college-level learning earned through professional certifications, formal training, military education, or standardized exams.

Can I pause or cancel?

Yes. Nexford offers flexible monthly tuition. You can take a break any time.

Is this just another online diploma mill?

No. Nexford is a rigorous, project-based university that's nationally accredited. You will work on real world projects curated with employers.

Will employers take this seriously?

Nexford's curriculum is built with input from employers like Microsoft and Google. You'll graduate with a portfolio, not just a transcript.

Discover a better way to earn your degree.

What happens next:

Fill out a quick form: It takes less than a minute. No full application required at this stage.  

Talk to an advisor: A Nexford Enrollment Advisor will reach out to understand your goals and walk you through our programs and what the right option is for you.

Get help applying: You’ll receive info about tuition, requirements, and how to apply, and you’ll have support at every step if you choose to move forward.