2025 Guide to Top Online Colleges Near Independence, Missouri
Looking for information about the best online colleges and universities serving Independence? Here's your guide to the top schools offering online degrees to students in the area, including
institutions located within 20 miles of Independence, Missouri.
There are at least 13 colleges
serving the area by offering distance learning programs, including 10 nonprofit online colleges, 1 for-profit online college, and 1 community college offering 2-year online degrees.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide provides a breakdown of online colleges serving Independence, with details about trends, school type, online degree offerings, and online program completions. Click here to learn more about the guide.
Independence, Missouri Online Colleges by the Numbers
Online associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions near
Independence, Missouri have been growing over the past 5 years. In 2023, students completed
5,121 distance education degree programs at online colleges and
universities near Independence. That was an increase of 12% from completions reported in
2019.
Schools with Distance Education Completions
Est. Total Online Completions in 2023
Est. Online Completions (Last 5 Years)
2019:4555
2020:4594
2021:5566
2022:5622
2023:5121
Estimate derived from 2023 Lightcast™ completion data.
Top Online College for Busy Adults & Transfer Students
Franklin University is a top choice for online learners, transfer students and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus
has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more
than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Adult Students
77%
Students 25+ 77
Students Under 25 23
Source: College Scorecard 2022
Undergraduate Cost / Credit Hour
Best Nonprofit Online Colleges Serving Independence, Missouri
There are at least 10 nonprofit 4-year
schools serving Independence, Missouri, where students completed
5,271 distance education
degree programs. Of those schools, 10 were private nonprofit
institutions and 1 was
a public school. Browse through the listing below to learn more about these nonprofit online colleges
serving Independence, including an estimate about online degree availability and popular online degree
programs. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Source Details
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$9,577 Accredited
Yes
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in the Independence, Missouri area. Franklin University is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes
part-time. Most of the students are
adults and all programs completed were offered
online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at
Franklin University. In 2023, 1,429 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 88 associate degrees, 616 master's degrees, and 38 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
2,171
Associate: 88
Bachelor's: 1,429
Master's: 616
Doctoral: 38
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate69Bachelor's801Master's313Doctoral17
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate13Bachelor's106Master's31Doctoral0
Communication, Journalism, and Related ProgramsAssociate1Bachelor's26Master's0Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate2Bachelor's157Master's128Doctoral15
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective ServicesAssociate3Bachelor's163Master's10Doctoral0
Multi/Interdisciplinary StudiesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's44Doctoral0
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and KinesiologyAssociate0Bachelor's19Master's0Doctoral0
Public Administration and Social Service ProfessionsAssociate0Bachelor's4Master's31Doctoral0
Social SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's100Master's0Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's3Master's10Doctoral6
PsychologyAssociate0Bachelor's50Master's49Doctoral0
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$12,808 Accredited
Yes
Park University is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes
part-time. Most of the students are
a mixture of traditional and adult aged and most programs completed were offered
online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at
Park University. In 2023, 1,247 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 126 associate degrees, 422 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
90%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
1,795
Associate: 126
Bachelor's: 1,247
Master's: 422
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate83Bachelor's592Master's186Doctoral0
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate7Bachelor's117Master's34Doctoral0
PsychologyAssociate16Bachelor's200Master's12Doctoral0
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective ServicesAssociate18Bachelor's120Master's0Doctoral0
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesAssociate2Bachelor's0Master's0Doctoral0
Multi/Interdisciplinary StudiesAssociate0Bachelor's68Master's0Doctoral0
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and KinesiologyAssociate0Bachelor's8Master's0Doctoral0
Public Administration and Social Service ProfessionsAssociate0Bachelor's28Master's47Doctoral0
English Language and Literature/LettersAssociate0Bachelor's3Master's0Doctoral0
HistoryAssociate0Bachelor's13Master's0Doctoral0
Communication, Journalism, and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's7Master's17Doctoral0
Social SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's43Master's0Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's11Master's73Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's37Master's53Doctoral0
Ottawa University-Kansas City
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$13,296 Accredited
Yes
Ottawa University-Kansas City is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes
part-time. Most of the students are
adults and all programs completed were offered
online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at
Ottawa University-Kansas City. In 2023, 110 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 89 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
199
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 110
Master's: 89
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's21Master's12Doctoral0
Theology and Religious VocationsAssociate0Bachelor's1Master's0Doctoral0
Public Administration and Social Service ProfessionsAssociate0Bachelor's7Master's0Doctoral0
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's54Doctoral0
HistoryAssociate0Bachelor's2Master's0Doctoral0
Communication, Journalism, and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's3Master's0Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's23Master's20Doctoral0
PsychologyAssociate0Bachelor's8Master's0Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's43Master's3Doctoral0
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's2Master's0Doctoral0
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$6,400 Accredited
Yes
City Vision University is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes
part-time. Most of the students are
adults and all programs completed were offered
online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at
City Vision University. In 2023, 20 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 9 associate degrees, 15 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
44
Associate: 9
Bachelor's: 20
Master's: 15
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate1Bachelor's5Master's15Doctoral0
Theology and Religious VocationsAssociate6Bachelor's7Master's0Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate2Bachelor's8Master's0Doctoral0
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$43,420 Accredited
Yes
Rockhurst University is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes
full-time. Most of the students are
of traditional age and some programs completed were offered
online. Master's degrees are the most popular at
Rockhurst University. In 2023, 169 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 135 bachelor's degrees, and 16 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
39%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
320
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 135
Master's: 169
Doctoral: 16
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's135Master's74Doctoral0
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's63Doctoral0
Multi/Interdisciplinary StudiesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's26Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's12Doctoral16
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$38,762 Accredited
Yes
Avila University is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes
full-time. Most of the students are
of traditional age and some programs completed were offered
online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at
Avila University. In 2023, 79 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 44 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
37%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
123
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 79
Master's: 44
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's39Master's18Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's8Master's0Doctoral0
PsychologyAssociate0Bachelor's14Master's26Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's8Master's0Doctoral0
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesAssociate0Bachelor's10Master's0Doctoral0
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$11,020 Accredited
Yes
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes
part-time. Most of the students are
a mixture of traditional and adult aged and most programs completed were offered
online. Master's degrees are the most popular at
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 2023, 383 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 4 associate degrees, 105 bachelor's degrees, and 70 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
83%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
562
Associate: 4
Bachelor's: 105
Master's: 383
Doctoral: 70
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Theology and Religious VocationsAssociate4Bachelor's75Master's383Doctoral62
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's9Master's0Doctoral0
Multi/Interdisciplinary StudiesAssociate0Bachelor's16Master's0Doctoral0
Communication, Journalism, and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's5Master's0Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's0Doctoral16
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$19,890 Accredited
Yes
William Jewell College is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes
full-time. Most of the students are
of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered
online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at
William Jewell College. In 2023, 38 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
17%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
38
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 38
Master's: 0
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's38Master's0Doctoral0
Nazarene Theological Seminary
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
N/A Accredited
Yes
Nazarene Theological Seminary is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes
full-time. Most of the students are
of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered
online. Master's degrees are the most popular at
Nazarene Theological Seminary. In 2023, 5 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
10%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
5
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 0
Master's: 5
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Theology and Religious VocationsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's5Doctoral0
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$10,950 Accredited
Yes
Kansas Christian College is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes
full-time. Most of the students are
of traditional age and most programs completed were offered
online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at
Kansas Christian College. In 2023, 13 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 1 associate degree, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
88%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
14
Associate: 1
Bachelor's: 13
Master's: 0
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate1Bachelor's11Master's0Doctoral0
PsychologyAssociate0Bachelor's2Master's0Doctoral0
For-Profit Online Colleges Near Independence, Missouri
Get a list of four-year for-profit online colleges and universities near Independence, Missouri here. According to 2022 data from
the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, there was 1 for-profit 4-year school
near Independence, Missouri where students completed 32 distance education degree programs.
Source Details Research College of Nursing
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$21,160 Accredited
Yes
Research College of Nursing is an institutionally accredited
for profit 4-year school where most students attend classes
full-time. Most of the students are
a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered
online. Master's degrees are the most popular at
Research College of Nursing. In 2023, 32 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
18%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
32
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 0
Master's: 32
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's32Doctoral0
Affordable Online Colleges Near Independence, Missouri
Wondering what you can expect to pay for an online degree near Independence, Missouri? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average
tuition at Independence-area's 4-year nonprofit schools is $18,458. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit
schools near Independence is $21,160, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is N/A.
Accredited
Online Colleges Serving Independence, Missouri
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a college degree from an institutionally accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your
education is of high quality. Institutionally accredited universities are held to rigorous standards by state and regional bodies and undergo regular reviews
to verify that their processes and academic programs meet the proper standards.
Wondering if a certain college or university offering degree programs near Independence, Missouri is institutionally accredited? View a list of
institutionally accredited online colleges and universities serving Independence, Missouri here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
Accredited Online Nonprofit Colleges Serving Independence, Missouri
- Franklin University
- Kansas Christian College
- Ottawa University-Kansas City
- City Vision University
- Avila University
- Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
- Nazarene Theological Seminary
- Park University
- Rockhurst University
- William Jewell College
Accredited Online Community Colleges Serving Independence, Missouri
- Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City
Accredited Online For-Profit Colleges Serving Independence, Missouri
- Research College of Nursing
Find Online Degrees Near Independence, Missouri