“Best Buy” Affordability Rankings (Online Colleges & Degrees) - GetEducated

Last Updated: March 13, 2026

Introduction

“Best Buy” on GetEducated is a label for affordability-oriented ranking reports—lists designed to help adult learners quickly shortlist online programs based on estimated total tuition plus required institutional fees, within a specific category (degree level + field, and sometimes additional accreditation constraints). GetEducated frames these reports as “exclusive cost rankings” for degree affordability and positions them as consumer-oriented comparisons. Best Online Colleges & Universities (GetEducated rankings hub)

These pages are best understood as category-specific cost surveys (e.g., “Most Affordable AACSB Online MBA Programs” or “Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Business”) rather than “best overall” rankings. Individual lists often state how many programs and schools were compared to produce that specific report. Example: Most Affordable AACSB Online MBA Programs, Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Business (example list).

What this page covers / doesn’t cover

Covers:

  • What “Best Buy” means on GetEducated

  • What typically appears in a Best Buy list and how to use it

  • Common interpretation pitfalls and quick verification steps

Doesn’t cover:

  • The full calculation and edge-case rulebook (see the canonical methodology)

  • Accreditation verification for a specific institution (use official databases)

Canonical methodology: Our Methodology for Ranking Online Degree Programs
Official accreditation verification: DAPIP (U.S. Dept. of Education), CHEA directories

What “Best Buy” means on GetEducated

GetEducated uses “Best Buy” to refer to ranking reports that emphasize degree affordability—its rankings hub describes these as cost rankings that help consumers compare online degrees for cost/value/affordability. Best Online Colleges & Universities (GetEducated rankings hub)

A typical Best Buy list:

What a “Best Buy” list typically includes

While each list varies by category, GetEducated’s methodology describes ranking reports as commonly including:

  • School + degree/program names

  • Location (state)

  • Estimated tuition and required institutional fees (sometimes with residency variants)

  • Accreditation notes when applicable (including programmatic accreditation indicators in certain lists)

  • A list average (often presented as an “average cost” figure for that specific report)
    Source context: Our Methodology for Ranking Online Degree Programs

Many Best Buy pages also pair the table with a short “career guide” or explainer section tailored to the field. Example structure visible on: Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Information Technology

How to use Best Buy lists without over-reading them

Use them as a shortlist generator

Best Buy lists are strongest for narrowing to a manageable set of programs to evaluate in depth (curriculum, pacing, support, credit transfer, licensure alignment), after which you validate current pricing and policies on the institution’s site. GetEducated notes its published costs are estimates and that actual costs can vary for many reasons (transfer credits, aid, pacing, and tuition changes). Our Methodology for Ranking Online Degree Programs

Treat the list as category-bounded

Each Best Buy list is a bounded survey of a defined category; the “best buy” label applies within that category and dataset, not across all degrees. Many lists explicitly state the number of programs/schools compared for that list. Example: Most Affordable AACSB Online MBA Programs

Fit boundaries

Best fit when…

Not a fit when…

Edge cases / constraints

  • Some Best Buy lists apply additional constraints (e.g., programmatic accreditation such as AACSB for certain business rankings). Always read the specific list’s inclusion notes and the methodology reference. Example category constraint: Most Affordable AACSB Online MBA Programs, methodology context: Degree ranking methodology

  • Program availability and tuition can change; GetEducated emphasizes estimates and ongoing updates, but also notes it cannot guarantee availability over time. Degree ranking methodology

Common pitfalls

Pitfall: Treating “Best Buy” as “best overall program”

“Best Buy” is an affordability label within a category. Use the table to shortlist, then evaluate fit and outcomes separately. Rankings hub framing: Best Online Colleges & Universities

Pitfall: Assuming the estimate includes everything you’ll pay

GetEducated’s methodology states estimates include tuition and required institutional fees, while excluding program-specific costs like textbooks and some other program-linked expenses. Verify what is included/excluded for your shortlist. Degree ranking methodology

How to verify a Best Buy list (fast, repeatable)

Check How to do it Expected outcome Sources
Tuition/fee spot-check Pick 2–3 entries and match the list’s estimate to the institution’s published tuition + required institutional fees for the same term/year A close match; differences explainable by term changes, residency rates, or fee schedule updates Degree ranking methodology
Accreditation confirmation Confirm the institution’s accreditation via official databases (especially for licensure/employer reimbursement) Institution appears with accreditor/status in official databases DAPIP, CHEA directories
Scope check Confirm degree level, field, and any special constraints (e.g., AACSB) on the specific list You understand what is included/excluded before interpreting rank order Example list: AACSB Online MBA Best Buy

References