Since the advent of the Internet, many parts of the world have changed. One no longer has to venture into a department store to purchase a pair of slacks. Now, it's as simple as visiting the stores' website, choosing the items wanted, and purchasing them online. If one isn't a social butterfly, it's now possible to meet a future spouse online.

Just the same, the concept of online education is becoming increasingly popular. No longer are courses limited to the physical classroom. One does not have to attend a class at a specific time and location; likewise, many online programs operate on an accelerated schedule, enabling people to get degrees in a shorter amount of time. These benefits in addition to others help make it possible for adults to get a post-secondary education while continuing with their home life and career.

A number of educational institutions offer online education in a variety of courses. However, some schools are better than others and have a track record to prove it. Five institutions have superior reputations and are a huge influence in the online education arena. These institutions present high degree completion rates and job success rates thanks to career assistance, two points to be taken into consideration when choosing a school. Job success means that the education is valuable far beyond the classroom experience; it means that the education is meant to be applied for success in the workplace.

Here, we examine these top schools and the educations that they offer.

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The University of Phoenix

Serving just about 300,000 students at more than 250 campuses throughout the United States, the University of Phoenix (UOP) received regionally accredited status in 1978, has since participated in more than 30 visits from regionally accrediting bodies and passed 10 program reviews from the U.S. Department of Education. In 1989, UOP started offering online courses. Currently the largest private university in the nation, UOP offers degree programs in Business, Education, Management, Nursing, Technology and more.

Many students at the university are adult learners that take advantage of the flexible schedule offered through non-traditional higher education and 59% of all University of Phoenix students complete their programs. Additionally, 88% of alumni say that they achieved a new position as a result of their education at UOP. The university provides students with job assistance through their Career Services department, which recently partnered with Drake Beam Morin (DBM) http://jobscout.dbm.com/, considered to be a leading career management service.

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DeVry University

DeVry University offers what they call a “career-oriented education” online and at their 80+ campuses in the U.S. and Canada. DeVry offers certificate programs in addition to graduate and undergraduate degree programs, featuring accounting, biomedical engineering, business operations, computer information systems, electronics, and game programming just to name a few. The university offers students the choice of an accelerated schedule, making it possible for one to achieve a bachelor's degree in about three years.

Headquartered in Illinois, DeVry is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, which accredits several prestigious educational institutions and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The university is respected and recognized for the quality education its students receive. In the past 10 years, DeVry has seen more than 54,000 graduates. To compliment that figure, the university's Career Services Department reports that approximately 91% of DeVry graduates obtained employment directly related to their degree less than six months after graduation.

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Westwood College

Founded in 1953, Westwood College offers 17 online degree programs in areas including Business, Criminal Justice, and Game Art & Design. Accredited by many bodies including the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology and Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, Westwood has seventeen campuses throughout several states. Online programs are offered to students through the Denver North Campus.

Westwood College assists their students with job placement and career planning upon enrollment as one of the school's prime objectives is to help students meet their career aspirations. The Career Development Service Center provides job search assistance & tips, and fosters relationships with leading companies to help ensure the students' success after graduation. Westwood College online students have a program completion rate of 44%. A significant amount of those individuals found employment related to their degree shortly after graduation.

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Kaplan University

Kaplan, Inc.'s Higher Education Division consists of Kaplan University, Concord Law School and over 70 campuses. Owned by the Washington Post Co., the university offers students Associate, Bachelor, and MBA programs as well as certificate programs. Some areas of study offered include business, criminal justice, education, fashion and design, information technology, and legal/paralegal studies.

Headquartered in Davenport, Iowa, Kaplan University receives its accredited status from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Higher Learning Commission. The university currently serves more than 26,000 students; in a February 2007 graduation ceremony, there were 2,300 online graduates. According to a 2005 Kaplan University Survey, 95% of gradates “found their education Kaplan University education useful.”

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Walden University

Founded by two New York teachers to provide a way for working adults to pursue doctoral degrees, the first Walden University location opened in Naples, Florida in 1971. Now, Walden University is part of Laureate International Universities and is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Higher Learning Commission.

Walden University offers masters and doctoral degrees in education, health and human services, management and psychology. Additionally, they offer degree completion programs in business. Walden University supports its students from the time they apply until the time they graduate, preparing them to perform to their highest potential in the workplace. A successful program currently making headlines for the university is their M.S. in Education program, with nearly 7,000 graduate students and a 92% retention rate.

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As online education grows increasingly popular, more educational institutions are beginning to offer accredited online programs. While an education online might not be a practical solution for everyone, a significant number of working adults are now able to pursue higher education on their own time and at their own pace and on their own time. These individuals are reaping the rewards of having a higher education by receiving that long desired promotion or in making a career change altogether.

Online education will continue to grow and improve, providing a much-needed alternative for individuals seeking higher education that couldn't otherwise pursue it.