With popularity comes danger. Although online degrees are highly respected now, the taint of diploma mills still affect us. Experts urge consumers to use caution.

George Gollin, a professor at the University of Illinois who has studied distance learning, said many online programs are reputable. But he cautioned that some "diploma mills" have sophisticated Web sites and might seem like real universities but lack college-level work and accreditation. Gollin said students should check with the Council for Higher Education Accreditation to see if their program is accredited.
David Wood, director of distance learning at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, said all sorts of students enjoy online courses. He said the quality of the courses is as good as traditional classes.