Colleges and even high schools are getting into the online game, offering students an attractive option: Learn on your own time.

Jennifer McGraph, Rio Salado College vice president of academic affairs, says students choose online education for the convenience.

"They're able to work while taking courses," she said. “They don't have to show up at one place on time every week. They don't have to worry about parking or driving."

Her college has just fewer than 54,000 students, and more than half of them are online.

An online degree is just as credible as one from a traditional university, McGraph said.

"You know, now business employers don't consider online degrees any less than those who are in person,” she said. "I personally have two online degrees; my second master's and my PhD were both done online. Not one time has it been questioned by employers or anybody as to the quality or reputation of the degree itself."

But parent Peter Erickson doesn’t think online degrees are right for everyone.

"Knowing my daughter, she's not as self-motivated, so I think being in class would be a better experience for her," he said. "And maybe it's just a personal bias, but I feel that being in a classroom with your peers with teachers is just a better overall experience."

Erickson has first-hand experience with the classroom environment. In addition to being a parent, he is an Advanced Placement language arts teacher at Boulder Creek High School in Anthem.

"I'm not ready to be replaced by a computer yet," he said.

Editor's Note: SPOT 127 is KJZZ 91.5's youth media center. KJZZ is licensed to Rio Salado College, part of the Maricopa County Community College District.