As food and fuel prices rise, many Americans struggle to meet day-to-day costs, much less pay college tuition. But with a stagnant job market and more unemployed workers competing for jobs, many adults are returning to school.

Employees with degrees typically see more job opportunities and earn higher salaries than less educated workers. Continuing education helps adults stay ahead in the workforce and helps America stay competitive in the global marketplace - companies require skilled employees.

While some adults attend traditional institutions for post-secondary degrees, less expensive, more convenient alternatives are starting to hold wide appeal. As gas and oil prices fluctuate, students look to eliminate long commutes. Taking classes online helps students further their education without spending gas money.

Some online schools offer students further incentives. For example, APU established a book grant so that undergraduate students don't have to pay the price of purchasing or shipping expensive textbooks. They also offer some of the least expensive rates with undergraduate courses costing approximately $750 a course and graduate courses costing $825 a course. In a time when tuition only seems to increase, APU has not raised their undergraduate rates in over seven years.