Online education is an amazing tool that has opened the door for millions of students to access degrees on their own time, often while working, parenting, or navigating other responsibilities. Flexibility is a big concern for many working adults when it comes to getting their degrees, and it is often one of the biggest obstacles. Online education works as an equalizer, but with this flexibility comes risk: not every online school is what it seems. In recent years, “diploma mills” have taken advantage of students by offering fake degrees with little to no academic work required. These programs may look legitimate on the surface, but they leave students with worthless credentials, wasted money, and deep frustration.
To protect your time, money, and future, here are the key red flags to watch out for when choosing an online school.
What Is a Diploma Mill?
A diploma mill is a school (or more often, a company) that offers degrees or certificates with minimal academic requirements and often no legitimate accreditation. These organizations may claim you can earn a degree quickly, sometimes in just days or week, in exchange for a flat fee. They frequently use official-sounding names and websites designed to look credible but don’t provide a real education. Basically, you pay for a paper that claims to be a degree but when you go to the real world, you realize it’s really not that helpful.
Diploma mills often use aggressive marketing tactics and may mislead students about accreditation and transferability of credits. It’s important to know that accreditation is a voluntary process that helps ensure a school meets basic quality standards. To receive federal financial aid, a college must be accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. You can check a school’s accreditation status using the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs.
Red Flags to Watch For
1. Unrealistically Fast Degrees
Any school that promises a degree in a few weeks or guarantees you can “graduate instantly” based on your life experience can be a red flag. While some schools offer credit for prior learning, legitimate programs usually still require assessments, coursework, and some instructor interaction. Remember, earning a degree should take real effort. If a school treats it like something you can simply buy, you might want to check twice.
2. No Recognized Accreditation
Accreditation is key. Real colleges are accredited by agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Degree mills often list fake accreditation agencies that sound official but are not recognized.
To check if a school is properly accredited, visit:
- ope.ed.gov/dapip (U.S. Department of Education’s database)
- chea.org (CHEA’s database)
3. No Physical Address or Contact Info
Legitimate institutions have real locations, even if they are primarily online. If the school has no address, only uses a P.O. Box, or lacks a customer service phone number, it’s worth questioning their legitimacy.
4. Poor Website Quality and Unprofessional Communication
Watch for broken links, vague program descriptions, and grammar mistakes (don’t be paranoid about typos, though. Everyone slips up now and then!). Scammers often copy content from real schools or use AI-generated text. If their emails or websites look sketchy, trust your instincts.
5. Pressure to Pay Upfront
If you’re being rushed to enroll and pay before you’ve had a chance to ask questions or review the course structure, that’s a sign the school may not be trustworthy. Regardless of the product, you want to make sure you’re making an informed decision. This is your future we’re talking about here, take your time and do what feels right.
6. Too Many Glowing (But Vague) Reviews
Be wary if all the testimonials sound generic or seem too good to be true. Look for student feedback on third-party sites like Reddit, Trustpilot, or the Better Business Bureau.
How to Protect Yourself
- Verify Accreditation: You can use the DOE or CHEA databases to confirm.
- Ask Questions: Contact the admissions office and ask about curriculum, credit transfer, and student support.
- Check Transfer Policies: See if other schools accept credits from the one you’re considering. Most schools won’t accept credits from a degree mill.
- Look for Transparency: Legit schools offer clear details about tuition, refund policies, and academic requirements. On the other hand, diploma mills can be shady about information.
- Use Caution with Life Experience Credits: Some schools do award credit for work or life experience, which can be fantastic for older students and professionals, but this is usually a small part of the total degree and must be validated through portfolios or exams.
Keep in Mind the Careers You’re Pursuing
The Chronicle of Higher Education published an article that stated about half a billion dollars are paid to diploma mills every year. Students enrolled in degree mills are often misled into thinking they were joining accredited programs, some paying thousands of dollars only to discover their degrees were not accepted by employers or graduate programs. That’s why it’s essential to start with your end goal in mind. Different careers have different education and licensing requirements depending on the state. For example, the New York State Education Department requires counseling graduates to complete specific coursework and supervised internships in order to qualify for licensure in mental health counseling. Before enrolling, make sure the program you’re considering actually aligns with the requirements for the career you want.
In one case, a student believed they had earned a master’s in counseling only to learn that their degree wasn’t valid for licensure in their state… a heartbreaking and expensive mistake. Diploma mills don’t care about your future, so don’t give them your time or money!
Resources for Safe School Search
If you’re looking for legitimate online colleges, at Supportive Colleges we work hard to match you with real, accredited institutions, giving you peace of mind that your education will be recognized by employers and licensing boards, so you can confidently pursue your career goals.
- College Scorecard (U.S. Dept. of Education) provides detailed information on accredited schools, such as cost. graduation rates, and other relevant factors.
- Accreditation databases at CHEA and the DOE. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) both offer databases where you can look up accredited institutions and programs to ensure their legitimacy.
Smart Decisions, Secure Future
Getting an education online can be one of the best decisions you make… if you choose a real school. Don’t rush the process. Do your research. And when in doubt, ask for help or a second opinion. A little caution now can save you from falling in the trap of a diploma mill and a lot of regret later.