With high acceptance rates, multiple financial aid opportunities, and two learning styles to choose from, Capella University is making it easier than ever to earn your degree online. An accredited and highly-recognized university, Capella has a reputation for properly preparing its alumni for taking the next step in their careers and applying the knowledge taught in real life.
| Best for | Fast-track, cost-effective learning |
| Financial aid available | FAFSA, work-study, student loans, scholarships |
| Available degrees | Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral, Certificates |
| Number of majors/programs available | 53 programs |
| Outstanding features | 2 online learning formats |
Capella is a big name in education, and its online program is no different. Employers and continued learning institutions all recognize degrees that come from Capella because of its strong reputation and commitment to quality education.
Capella has two learning tracks available to online learners, each one catering to a specific learning style:
If you need some guidelines to get work done, this is the program. Capella’s GuidedPath lets you do assignments on your own schedule. It also has weekly deadlines, so the work doesn’t get ahead of you. GuidedPath has message board discussions so students can interact with one another if they want, and the faculty is always available for questions. You’ll take up to 3 classes per quarter and follow a 10-week class schedule.
Alternatively, the FlexPath is just what it sounds like: flexible. Designed for people who want to learn at their own pace, this program allows you to learn and finish courses as quickly or as slowly as you want. This way you don’t have to wait for others to finish a course to move on to the next one. You also aren’t tied to a specific timeframe, schedule, or deadline.
FlexPath is also a good option if you are highly motivated and looking to save money. Why? Because you’ll pay a flat fee for the entire 12-week session and take as many courses as you want during that time. If you are motivated, you can conceivably finish multiple courses in that time and only pay the single rate.
How much you’ll pay will depend on which degree you’re interested in and how long it takes for you to complete the coursework. It’s worth noting that not all programs are available on the FlexPath track. Best to check availability before you get excited.
What’s also nice about this university is that Capella has the option for a friendly student body social life if you want it, despite the fact that you are learning online. There are group discussions, learning groups, and even local meet-ups for those who are looking for a more interactive, social experience from their college.
Finally, Capella has a competency-based education model. In short, this gives students real-world skills and tools they’ll need to do their jobs properly. So it’s not just facts and useless information. It’s applicable learning.
Annual tuition ranges considerably for Capella students, depending on the degree, program, and learning track you opt for. For example, the FlexPath program has a flat rate of approximately $2500-$3200 for a 12-week session and that includes as many courses as you can handle. Meanwhile, individual courses can run in the range of $357-$411 per credit. So you’ll need to use the online calculator to know exactly what you’ll be paying per year at Capella. There are also other fees that may apply including an application fee, international transcript evaluation fee, undergraduate prior learning assessment, documented credit prior learning assessment, resource kit, and more.
Capella has several scholarship opportunities as well as federal grants. For starters, students who maintain a reasonable GPA and meet the requirements can get a tuition reduction. Capella also has several scholarships including the Diversity in Counseling scholarship for counseling students with diverse backgrounds, Fellows scholarship, and Behavior Change for Sustainability Research scholarships. There’s even a referral scholarship for referring friends to the college. Some scholarships are not available for FlexPath students.
Capella will also let you transfer credits for courses you took at other institutions, accept workplace experience credits, and prior learning assessments. Additionally, Capella students can apply for federal grants, join a federal work-study program, or be eligible for student loans.
Capella has a tremendous variety of courses and degrees you can choose from, including:
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of the six regional accreditation agencies that are recognized by the US Department of Education. Capella also holds accreditation for specific degree programs and certifications, including the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation, the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, to name a few.
“My Capella master's degree helped me to attain a significantly advanced position with a larger employer before I had even graduated.“
-Barbara Miller Hall
“After graduation and with increased counseling competencies from the superb teaching staff at Capella my salary for 2013 was $180,000 dollars.“
Craig Dossman
“While in my coursework I was promoted to School Improvement Specialist. When I was in the dissertation phase I was promoted to Assistant Principal.“
Aaron Randell
Capella has a ton of support resources and guidance counselors. In fact, Capella puts together a team of advisors to help guide you through each step of the learning process and beyond. You’ll start with an enrollment counselor who is available to help you decide which program is right for you. There are also financial aid counselors who know how to get the funding you need to fuel your education.
As a student, you’ll have full access to the faculty. Teachers are well-educated, and most are doctoral degree holders or real-world practitioners. You can reach out to a faculty member and usually receive a response within 48-72 hours. Capella also provides academic advisors, tutors, writing support, and tech support (that’s 24/7, by the way).
Capella also has a massive online library, a database that’s filled with all kinds of information and useful resources for students to learn and grow from. Lastly, Capella has after-graduation support to help people prepare and get the job they’re looking for, including resume writing assistance, interview tips, and an alumni support network.
Capella is a well-reputed online degree university with accreditation. The school offers a dizzying number of courses and degrees that you can take from home or while you’re working. Capella also provides loads of guidance and assistance for students during their learning journey, and helps with career advice after graduation. The FlexPath allows you to finish a large amount of course material in a shorter, more cost-effective way.