An online degree should be evaluated as an academic program, not as a marketing page. DegreeScoutHQ recommends confirming every important decision point against the university's own source.
Start with the institution
Confirm that the institution named on the program page is the institution that awards the credential. Use the official university website as the primary source rather than relying on a third-party listing.
Check whether the online program belongs to the university itself, a continuing education division, a professional school or another academic unit. Those distinctions can affect admissions, tuition and the credential awarded.
Verify the exact program
A university can offer hundreds of programs, but only some may be available online. Open the direct official program page and confirm the degree title, level and delivery format.
If the official source is only a general university homepage or a broad catalog, treat program-level details as unverified until a direct program page is available.
Compare total cost, not only a headline price
When comparing programs, separate tuition from mandatory fees and check whether tuition is quoted per credit, per course, per term or for the whole program.
If DegreeScoutHQ has not independently verified a cost field, use the official program page as the deciding source because tuition can change by academic year and student status.
Check admissions and completion requirements
Review prerequisite education, GPA expectations, test requirements, language requirements, application deadlines, residency requirements and any in-person components.
A strong comparison should also consider required credits, expected completion time and whether the program supports part-time study.