Is an online degree right for me?

Since the first online colleges came onto the scene in the mid-1990s, millions of students have enrolled in online degree programs. In fact, the 2010 Sloan Survey of Online Learning by the Babson Survey Research Group reports that in the fall of 2009, 5.6 million students were enrolled in at least one online course.

But just because online degrees are popular, doesn't mean they are the perfect fit for anyone and everyone. Research into online learning is ever-evolving, but certain factors and characteristics of successful online students have emerged over time. We've designed a self-assessment quiz to help you find out how you compare to these characteristics, and if you may be a good "fit" for online degree programs.

1. Assuming you want to go back to school, why are you motivated to earn a degree?
It's essential to achieve your career and life goals.
It's something you've always wanted to do, but just never got around to it.
It's something you know you should do, but you may be on the fence as to when you should do it.
2. How well do you expect to do in school?
You're determined and focused, so you expect to do well.
You think you'll probably do well, but you're not sure.
School has been a challenge in the past, so you're not sure any degree—online or otherwise—is for you.
3. Which describes your approach to work?
You determine your priorities and work your way through them.
You like to work with others to prioritize and complete your work.
You work best when someone provides you with a list of things of things to do, and you can just work your way through it.
4. If you run into a problem in your daily life you:
Work it out on your own.
Seek help from family, friends or other individuals.
Wait to see if the issue resolves itself or for someone to step in to help you.
5. How do you use computers in your daily life?
For everything from banking to email, social networking, research, shopping, etc.
For a few things, but not everything.
Rarely, only on occasion.
6. Do you have reliable access to the internet at home?
Yes
No
7. How supportive do you expect your friends, family, and employer to be about your going back to school?
Very supportive. They'll bend over backwards to help you do it.
Supportive. They see it as a positive thing.
Indifferent. They don't see it as something that affects them.
Not very supportive. You have a lot of responsibilities, and they're worried you'll be too busy with school to keep them up.
8. How much time do you have to devote to your degree program each week?
0-5 hours
5-10 hours
10-20 hours
20-40 hours
40+ hours