Don't underestimate the Cost
There was a time when people took courses outside of traditional methods because it was not only convenient, but because it was very cheap. Early correspondence courses were attractive, since students could stay home working at their own pace and pay a negligible fee for the course and its material. By the time you added in paper, postage and other small costs, it was still a reasonably cheap way to get a diploma. Nowadays, however, institutes of higher learning offer long distance programs, and if you plan on enrolling in one of these, do not expect it to be cheap or negligible. In fact, don't underestimate the cost at all.
Prestigious universities that permit virtual learning do not necessarily reduce their fees because you stay at home. And while it is true that you save on other costs such as bus fare or auto gas, you still have significant expenses attached to online learning. Not only are the tuition fees costly, but everything else required to get started will be equivalent to on campus.. Everyone will be required to purchase the same materials in terms of textbooks and other resources, but those working solely from home will also need equipment such as desks and chairs. Students on campuses, living in dorms, may have desks supplied right in their rooms so they do not have this added expense.
Additionally, to watch the streaming video lectures, you may need to upgrade your computer system and programs. Students who attend classes in person will not have these expenses since they can take their notes right in the class. And, online education is not possible without a proper internet connection. Basically, cheap dial-up service is not going to be feasible for taking a degree online. Once you add up the main costs coupled with all the bits and pieces of staying home, the dollars really accumulate fast.
Remember also that some financial aid is available, so you should at least apply, and if you work for a company that sponsors education, you might be able to submit your tuition fees for reimbursement (yes, there are scholarships for online education). But for the most part, budgeting beforehand will be necessary. Not only saving the amount needed to get started, but scheduling the classes according to your money. In other words, if you only have enough funds to take one course per semester, then you really need to plan ahead. Sit down and determine whether you can complete all the program requisites in the alloted time, given your limited funds.
Don't underestimate the cost of education, as it is indeed a major investment, whether online or on-campus.