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 12 colleges
serving the area by offering distance learning programs, including 7 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 2022, students completed
5,622 distance education degree programs at online colleges and
universities near Independence. That was an increase of 72% from completions reported in
2018.
Schools with Distance Education Completions
Est. Total Online Completions in 2022
Est. Online Completions (Last 5 Years)
2018:3277
2019:4578
2020:4576
2021:5539
2022:5622
Estimate derived from 2022 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™ 2022 (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 7 nonprofit 4-year
schools serving Independence, Missouri, where students completed
4,839 distance education
degree programs. Of those schools, 7 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 2022, 1,011 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 94 associate degrees, 676 master's degrees, and 39 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2022 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
1,820
Associate: 94
Bachelor's: 1,011
Master's: 676
Doctoral: 39
Source: Lightcast™ 2022
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate64Bachelor's631Master's402Doctoral21
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate18Bachelor's89Master's24Doctoral0
Communication, Journalism, and Related ProgramsAssociate3Bachelor's26Master's0Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate5Bachelor's107Master's101Doctoral15
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective ServicesAssociate4Bachelor's54Master's11Doctoral0
Multi/Interdisciplinary StudiesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's28Doctoral0
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and KinesiologyAssociate0Bachelor's16Master's0Doctoral0
Public Administration and Social Service ProfessionsAssociate0Bachelor's1Master's34Doctoral0
Visual and Performing ArtsAssociate0Bachelor's17Master's0Doctoral0
Social SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's19Master's0Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's2Master's18Doctoral3
PsychologyAssociate0Bachelor's49Master's58Doctoral0
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$41,701 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 2022, 265 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 29 associate degrees, 252 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
52%
Source: Lightcast™ 2022 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
546
Associate: 29
Bachelor's: 252
Master's: 265
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2022
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate29Bachelor's252Master's66Doctoral0
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's195Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's8Doctoral0
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 2022, 6 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
9%
Source: Lightcast™ 2022 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
6
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 0
Master's: 6
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2022
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Theology and Religious VocationsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's6Doctoral0
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$22,390 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 2022, 93 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 50 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
38%
Source: Lightcast™ 2022 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
143
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 93
Master's: 50
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2022
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's36Master's18Doctoral0
Communication, Journalism, and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's1Master's0Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's14Master's24Doctoral0
PsychologyAssociate0Bachelor's27Master's8Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's10Master's0Doctoral0
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesAssociate0Bachelor's5Master's0Doctoral0
Ottawa University-Kansas City
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$12,622 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. Master's degrees are the most popular at
Ottawa University-Kansas City. In 2022, 105 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 80 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2022 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
185
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 80
Master's: 105
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2022
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's23Master's11Doctoral0
Public Administration and Social Service ProfessionsAssociate0Bachelor's9Master's0Doctoral0
English Language and Literature/LettersAssociate0Bachelor's2Master's0Doctoral0
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's82Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's6Master's8Doctoral0
Mathematics and StatisticsAssociate0Bachelor's2Master's0Doctoral0
PsychologyAssociate0Bachelor's11Master's0Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's27Master's4Doctoral0
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$9,702 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 2022, 1,439 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 152 associate degrees, 519 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
92%
Source: Lightcast™ 2022 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
2,110
Associate: 152
Bachelor's: 1,439
Master's: 519
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2022
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate83Bachelor's689Master's274Doctoral0
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate12Bachelor's161Master's40Doctoral0
PsychologyAssociate28Bachelor's220Master's0Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's48Master's64Doctoral0
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective ServicesAssociate29Bachelor's138Master's0Doctoral0
Multi/Interdisciplinary StudiesAssociate0Bachelor's69Master's0Doctoral0
Public Administration and Social Service ProfessionsAssociate0Bachelor's36Master's44Doctoral0
HistoryAssociate0Bachelor's9Master's0Doctoral0
Communication, Journalism, and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's10Master's16Doctoral0
Social SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's49Master's0Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's10Master's81Doctoral0
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$6,000 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 2022, 18 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 5 associate degrees, 6 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2022 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
29
Associate: 5
Bachelor's: 18
Master's: 6
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2022
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate1Bachelor's7Master's6Doctoral0
Theology and Religious VocationsAssociate4Bachelor's3Master's0Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's8Master'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 42 distance education degree programs.
Source Details Research College of Nursing
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$18,000 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 2022, 42 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
20%
Source: Lightcast™ 2022 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
42
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 0
Master's: 42
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2022
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's42Doctoral0
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 $16,999. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit
schools near Independence is $18,000, 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
- City Vision University
- Ottawa University-Kansas City
- Avila University
- Nazarene Theological Seminary
- Park University
- Rockhurst University
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