Affordable Online Degrees Tailored to Your Life
ACE programs cost less, no matter your location.
ACE vs. Other Online Schools
to $1 ROI
For every $1 ACE students invest in their education, they receive $19.20 in higher future earnings.2
When it comes to selecting the right online program, you’ve likely seen popular options from major online graduate schools such as Western Governors University (WGU), Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), Grand Canyon University (GCU) and Walden University. But will they provide you with the highest return on your educational investment?
American College of Education (ACE) is a fully online college where you get a quality education you can afford.
Proven satisfaction¹ becomes your reality when you continue your education at a place where your commitment is valued with evidence-based returns² and your career-readiness is a priority. That’s where ACE comes in – offering high-quality online programs designed for working professionals, with affordable tuition rates and flexible schedules that let you learn on your own time.
Why Choose ACE?
From the day you apply through becoming an alum and beyond, we’re here for you. You’ll gain a world-class education while keeping your budget and schedule intact. Whether you’re advancing your career or starting a new one, ACE’s affordable online degrees are designed to help you get to the finish line without compromising quality.
How ACE Compares
From SNHU and Liberty University to GCU and University of Phoenix, there are plenty of online schools promising flexibility, affordability and career readiness – but ACE is different. Our institution was established as an online college – built from the ground up to serve working professionals seeking affordable, high-quality degrees. Our online programs are intentionally designed to be flexible, career-focused and transparent in both cost and expectations.
While many online colleges retrofit traditional classroom models for the web, ACE’s courses were designed for online learning from day one. That means a consistent format, expert faculty and a streamlined experience that lets you focus on what matters most: advancing your career.
Compare your options below and see why thousands of working professionals have chosen ACE as their affordable, flexible path forward in higher education.
| ACE | WGU | SNHU | GCU | Walden University | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Delivery | 100% online (built for online learning) | 100% online | 100% online | Hybrid and online | 100% online |
| Tuition model | Fixed per course | Flat rate per term | Pay per course | Pay per credit | Pay per credit |
| Cost (online master’s) | Most under $10,0003 (total cost) | $9,320 (average annual cost) | $21,387 (average annual cost) | $10,015 (average annual cost) | $10,885 (average annual cost) |
| Completion flexibility | Finish on your schedule, no extra cost | Cost rises if term extends | Standard pacing | Set terms | Self-paced |
| Faculty model | Expert practitioners teaching real-world application | Faculty and evaluators, limited instructor contact | Professional instructors | Mix of faculty and adjuncts | Industry and research faculty |
| ACE | Purdue University Global | Franklin University | National University | University of Phoenix | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Delivery | 100% online (built for online learning) | 100% online | Mostly online | Mostly online | 100% online |
| Tuition model | Fixed per course | Pay per credit | Pay per credit | Pay per course | Pay per credit |
| Cost (online master’s) | Most under $10,0003 (total cost) | $10,211 (average annual cost) | $12,090 (average annual cost) | $16,416 (average annual cost) | $15,208 (average annual cost) |
| Completion flexibility | Finish on your schedule, no extra cost | Set terms | Set terms | Set terms | Set terms |
| Faculty model | Expert practitioners teaching real-world application | Practitioner faculty | Practitioner faculty | Practitioner faculty | Practitioner faculty |
Our Unmatched Affordability
If you’re searching for affordable online colleges, your search ends with ACE – where you can earn a respected degree more affordably than at most other online graduate schools. In fact, 86% of ACE students graduate without debt.4
Our tuition rates are transparent, consistent and designed to help working professionals succeed without financial surprises.
Our Unique Academic Experience
At ACE, online learning is designed to be efficient, engaging and relevant. Our academic team continuously reviews and updates programs to meet today’s workforce standards, ensuring your education supports your career advancement. Faculty are experienced practitioners and leaders in their fields, bringing real-world perspectives directly into the online classroom.
Your experience also includes:
- Uniform course formats: All courses share the same structure, so you know exactly what to expect each term.
- No live lecture requirements: Coursework is asynchronous, allowing you to balance work, family and study time.
- Robust student support: From writing resources to tutoring and academic advising, you’re supported every step of the way.
Programs That Advance Careers
We’re accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and have the online programs you need to advance your career.
Education
Whether you’re looking to become an educator, grow your expertise or advance into administration, ACE equips you with the research, strategies, pedagogies and skills you need.
Business
Dive into today’s business landscape and discover how to address its challenges with relevant skills, practices and technologies that are designed to make a difference.
Healthcare
Healthcare administrators and public health professionals are a driving force in ensuring quality patient care. ACE prepares you to succeed in non-clinical healthcare roles.
Nursing
Nurses looking to become leaders or educators should look no further than ACE to support their career goals with innovative and applicable practices that lead to positive patient outcomes.
FAQs
While some online colleges advertise low tuition rates, they often use per-term pricing models that increase if you need extra time to finish your degree. Our fixed per-course pricing keeps costs predictable, so your total investment doesn’t rise if life gets busy.
Yes! ACE is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the same accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for major universities nationwide.
ACE was built for online learning from the start – no retrofitting of existing in-person classes involved. This means you’ll benefit from structured courses, expert faculty and consistent tuition, all designed to help working professionals succeed in higher education without sacrificing quality or flexibility.
3All values shown are an estimated value of the cost of tuition and fees. Actual amounts may vary depending on the number of transfer credits applied to the selected program hours, the pace and satisfactory completion of the selected program, the receipt of scholarship or grant amounts, or adjustments to tuition or fees as described in the Catalog Right to Modify Tuition section. State sales and use tax will apply where required by law.
4Internal research completed in March 2025