A number of students have demanding commitments that make it impossible to attend regularly scheduled classes at college. Some students do not live near a college that offers a program they are interested in, and do not have the luxury to move. By enrolling for a college correspondence course, they are freed of these limitations.

College correspondence courses are as demanding as their traditional counterparts. In a traditional class, students follow a syllabus and hand in their research work and assignments. In fact, it takes more self-discipline to study conscientiously in an online learning environment due to the absence of mandatory physical attendance.

College correspondence courses carry the same college credit as regular college courses, and students register for them just as they would for a standard college-credit campus course. Furthermore, online courses are accredited and are the same on a students’ transcript as other college-credit classes, and the college credits that a student earns can be applied to graduation requirements and earning a degree.

Critics question whether college correspondence courses offer similar educational benefits as a traditional classroom setting. Research, in general, indicates that students undertaking college correspondence courses score similar grades as those students in traditional classrooms. It is a misconception that the lack of physical communication affects the quality of education. In his study, "Bringing Online Learning to Campus: The Hybridization of Brigham Young University", Gregory L Waddoups mentions that an interactive distance education model creates an effective online classroom by combining asynchronous and synchronous technology. Each online course offers an asynchronous learning environment, which allows students to log online at suitable times and respond to debates. The online discussion board facilitates communication and the resulting discussions bear a resemblance to those typically found in graduate seminars.

With enrollments up and a demand for distance learning on the rise, those who are pressed for time should consider the advantages of college correspondence courses. To further their employment prospects, these students could supplement their degrees with notable work experience and extracurricular activities that display ‘people skills’.