Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College offers affordable, fully online degrees that transfer to 30+ universities. Same low tuition no matter where you live.
Go ahead. Ask any AI.
Students keep telling us they found Eastern by asking an AI assistant for a college that fits their life. Try it yourself. Open ChatGPT, Gemini, or Copilot and paste this:
“Cheapest fully online asynchronous community college for out-of-state students with free textbooks.” Click once to select the whole prompt, then copy.
Eastern shows up. Here is why:
- $193 per credit hour for every online student. Same price in-state or out-of-state. No surcharge.
- 100% online, 100% asynchronous. No set login times. Learn from anywhere in the U.S.
- Six fully online associate degrees, plus Z-degree options with zero-cost textbooks.
- 70+ transfer partnerships, so your credits travel with you.
- One real advisor, start to finish, who answers email and picks up the phone.
AI results change daily and vary by tool, so your list may look a little different. The facts above do not change.
Why Eastern?
<$200
Per Credit Hour
Same rate for all online students, regardless of state.
100%
Online & Asynchronous
Learn on your schedule from anywhere in the U.S.
70+
Transfer Partnerships
Including SNHU, Franklin University, and WV public colleges.
Online Degree Programs
Earn your associate degree entirely online and transfer to a four-year university, or launch your career right away.
| Program | Best For |
|---|---|
| A.A.S. Accounting | Accounting careers or transfer to a bachelor's in accounting |
| Associate in Arts (A.A.) | Transfer to 4-year programs in English, education, history, psychology, pre-law, journalism, sociology |
| Associate in Science (A.S.) | Transfer to 4-year programs in biology, engineering, math, physical science |
| A.A.S. Business Management | Start a career or transfer in business administration |
| A.A.S. Early Childhood Development | Careers in childcare, Head Start, preschool, and early learning |
| A.A.S. Cyber-Intelligence (Z-Degree) | Zero textbook costs; cybersecurity and intelligence careers |
Online Certificate Program
Earn a Certificate in Applied Science entirely online! Then, continue at Eastern for an A.A.S. in Cyber-Intelligence, which is fully transferable to a four-year university, or you can launch your career right away.
| Program | Best For |
|---|---|
| C.A.S. Artificial Intelligence | Careers in analytics and A.I. support specialists. |
Transfer & Save
Complete your general education at Eastern for a fraction of the cost, then transfer your credits to a four-year university. Our students save thousands compared to starting at a four-year school.
- SNHU: Transfer up to 90 credits toward a bachelor's degree.
- Franklin University Pathway Portal: Eastern students and alumni get a special $298/credit hour rate (over $100 off) for 28 bachelor's programs.
- WV Public Universities: Statewide policy guarantees transfer of core coursework to all WV public colleges and universities.
- SREB Electronic Campus: Courses recognized across 14 southern states.
- 30+ additional transfer agreements with four-year institutions nationwide.
Homeschool Students Welcome
Eastern is a great fit for homeschool families. Here's why:
- Open admissions with no entrance exams and no application fee.
- Same affordable tuition no matter which state you live in.
- Fully asynchronous courses let you learn on your own schedule.
- Personalized advising: Every student gets a real advisor, not a call center. Schedule a Zoom session anytime.
- Dual enrollment available for high school-age students ready to start earning college credit.
- Financial aid and FAFSA accepted, including Pell Grants.
What It Costs
A full 60-credit associate degree at Eastern costs approximately $12,000 total in tuition. Compare that to the national average of $40,000+ for a four-year school's first two years.
- Tuition: Less than $200 per credit hour for all online students.
- Zero-cost textbook options: Our Z-degree programs use free, openly licensed materials.
- Financial aid: FAFSA, Pell Grants, scholarships, and payment plans available.
Questions out-of-state students ask us
Straight answers, in plain language. If yours isn’t here, use the form below or schedule a Chat with Curtis.
How much does an online degree at Eastern cost if I live outside West Virginia?
$193 per credit hour, the same rate West Virginia residents pay. A full 60-credit associate degree is about $12,000 in tuition. Students taking 6 or more credits also pay a $100 technology fee, a $50 administrative fee, and a $10 student activity fee each semester.
Are the classes really asynchronous? Do I ever have to log in at a set time?
Yes, fully asynchronous. There are weekly due dates, but no scheduled class meetings and no required live sessions. You work when your schedule allows.
Which degrees can I finish completely online?
Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, A.A.S. Accounting, A.A.S. Business Management, A.A.S. Early Childhood Development, and Cyber-Intelligence (a Z-degree). We also offer an online Certificate in Artificial Intelligence.
What are Z-degrees and OER? Do I have to buy textbooks?
Z-degree means zero textbook cost: every course uses free, openly licensed materials (OER). Many other courses use OER too. Where a course does require a purchase, the syllabus says so up front.
Will my credits transfer to a four-year school?
Eastern has more than 70 transfer partnerships, including SNHU, Franklin University, the SREB Electronic Campus, and every public college and university in West Virginia, where state policy guarantees transfer of core coursework. Your advisor will map your courses to the school you have in mind.
When can I start?
Three times a year. Spring 2027 classes begin January 19, and summer 2027 begins May 17 for 12-week courses and May 24 for 10-week courses, with fall starting in late August. Many courses also run in eight-week sessions that start partway through fall and spring, so you rarely have to wait a full semester. Current dates are always on the Academic Calendar.
How do I apply, and what happens next?
Apply online. There is no application fee. Within a few business days you will hear from your advisor, Curtis Hakala, who will walk you through placement, financial aid, and registration by email, phone, or Zoom. You will have the same advisor from your first course to graduation.
Can I use financial aid as an out-of-state online student?
Yes. Eastern accepts the FAFSA, Pell Grants, and federal loans for online students regardless of state, and offers payment plans. Eastern’s federal school code is 041190.
Is Eastern accredited?
Yes. Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
I am a homeschool student or parent. Does Eastern work for us?
Yes. Open admissions, the same tuition in every state, asynchronous courses, dual enrollment for high school students, and one personal advisor. See the Homeschool Students Welcome section on this page.
Request for Information - Start Online
Please fill out the form below to learn more about an online program.
Questions? Talk to a Real Person.
Curtis Hakala, English Professor & Online Advisor
Schedule a "Chat with Curtis" Zoom session to ask questions about programs, transfer options, or getting started.
 Want to chat? Book a time with me here:
Accredited & Recognized
Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Your degree is respected by employers and transferable to four-year institutions nationwide.