Is that online degree worth more than the paper it's printed on?

Is that online degree worth more than the paper it's printed on? »Play Video
SEATTLE -- Getting educational credit online is an increasingly popular way for people to increase knowledge and boost your marketability to employers. But be very careful about the online school you choose, or you could be wasting your money.

A lot of those online degrees and diplomas are worthless.

One company getting a lot of complaints is Belford High School, which offers diplomas and GED certificate with no classes, or admissions required. You just take a 4-part equivalency test for Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies.

The Better Business Bureau gives Belford High School an F rating. Their investigation shows the physical address listed is a postal drop box.

There are all sorts of complaints.

Consumers report paying hundreds of dollars and giving up sensitive personal information -- including the last 4 digits of their Social Security Number, only to end up with a worthless piece of paper.

It is one of many diploma mills operating online. If you have to pay for a "guaranteed" degree that requires very little or no work, you're on the wrong website.

And don't be mislead by claims of accreditation. Many accreditation organizations are not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and are of little value in the eyes of legitimate educational institutions and employers. Before you give money to any educational institution, make sure they’re accredited by a reputable, recognized organization.

BBB Houston

www.bbb.org/us

School Databases

  • U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Schools
  • Council for Higher Education Accreditation Database of Accredited Postsecondary Schools

    Accrediting Agency Databases

  • U.S. Department of Education database of Regional and National Institutional Accrediting Agencies
  • Directory of CHEA Recognized Accrediting Organizations 2009-2010