Quick Highlights:
- Capella University, Purdue Global, and Walden University are notable for offering college work experience credits.
- Many online colleges offer credit for work and life experience. This can help you save on tuition and accelerate your degree completion. Work experience credits vary by college. However, some cover a significant portion of degree requirements.
- Not all experiences qualify for college credit. They must be related to the study field and verifiable by the college. Consult an academic advisor to verify eligibility.
- Be sure to fill out FAFSA forms for online programs to access financial aid like grants and scholarships. These will further reduce tuition costs.
Can you get college credit for work experience? Yes, many online colleges offer Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) programs that allow students to earn college credit for professional work experience, military training, or corporate certifications. By submitting a Portfolio Assessment or passing CLEP/DSST exams, students can often waive 15 to 30 credits (equivalent to one year of school), significantly reducing both the time to graduation and the total cost of tuition.
You have a few options if you are searching for online college credit for work experience. Many affordable online degree programs provide students with credits for their work and life experience. This option is also called a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Program at many colleges. A PLA is an excellent way for students to accelerate their learning while maintaining a good work-life balance.
In addition to work experience credits, you can reduce your college costs by filling out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). With online college FAFSA forms, you can further reduce the cost of going to school. FAFSA for online degree programs may involve getting grants, scholarships, or loans for school.
Admissions Insider Note: “In 2026, the ‘Hidden Credit’ secret is the CAEL (Council for Adult and Experiential Learning) standards. When researching online schools, ask if they are CAEL-affiliated. These institutions have standardized rubrics for evaluating work experience, meaning you are much more likely to get 12 credits for your management experience at a CAEL school than at a traditional university.”
Admissions Insider Note: “Be wary of schools that offer ‘Life Experience Degrees’ for a flat fee. Legitimate online colleges will never give you a degree based solely on your resume. Authentic PLA requires a rigorous portfolio process where you map your professional skills directly to specific course learning objectives.”
Related:
- Five Barriers to Going Back to College and How to Overcome Them
- Balancing Full-Time Work with Pursuing an Online Degree: Strategies for Success
- The Most Flexible College Majors for Non-Traditional Students
What Are Work and Life Experience Credits for College?
| Credit Source | Method of Evaluation | Potential Credits Earned | Impact on Financial Aid |
| Work Experience | Portfolio Review (PLA) | 3–15+ Credits | Reduces total loan debt. |
| Certifications | Industry Credential (e.g., PMP, IT) | 3–9 Credits | Credits usually “free” to transfer. |
| Military Service | Joint Services Transcript (JST) | 15–30+ Credits | Pairs with GI Bill benefits. |
| Standardized Tests | CLEP or DSST Exams | 3 Credits per exam | Low-cost way to save “Pell Grant” funds. |
| Traditional Class | 8–16 Week Course | 3 Credits | Full tuition/fee cost applied. |
With work and life experience credits, accredited university programs can lower your tuition costs. For example, you may get work experience credit in a counseling degree program if you worked in a mental health clinic. Likewise, you may be able to get work experience credit if you worked in an accounting office and plan on pursuing an accounting degree.
Getting college credit for work experience isn’t available for every career or life experience. It is only an option if you have achieved college-level knowledge through life and work experience. In addition, the amount of work experience online college credit you receive will vary based on the college you go to.
Some cheap online colleges will give you work credits to cover the majority of your degree requirements. Other schools will only give you a few credits for your work and life experience. You should take time to research online colleges that give credit for work experience. Be sure to compare your choices before you begin any degree program.
Proving Your Work and Life Experience
In addition to your work experience, your college may also ask you to prove what you have learned through an exam. Depending on where you go to school, this may be called credit by exam or prior learning experience exam. You basically have to prove that you have the appropriate knowledge and abilities through an essay, exam, or portfolio.
Regardless of your experience, it is essential to remember that your college may not accept it for college credit. Typically, the experience must be related to the field you want to study. In addition, the college must be able to verify that your experience actually occurred. You should talk to an academic advisor before you begin your course of study. They can help you determine if your work history will qualify you for a credit for work and life experience.
One learns from books and example only that certain things can be done. Actual learning requires that you do those things.
Frank Herbert
FAFSA
If you aren’t able to get life experience college credit, you should still fill out your FAFSA forms online. There are many cheap affordable online colleges where you can qualify for FAFSA. With FAFSA, you can apply for financial aid for online degree programs and reduce your tuition costs. Online colleges also use this form to determine how much you are given in grants and scholarships.
The Benefits of Getting Work Experience College Credit
Some cheap online colleges don’t offer work experience college credit. But many accelerated degree programs do. Before you enroll in the most affordable online college, check to see if they offer work and life experience credits. By finding colleges that give credit for work experience, you can these benefits:
Discover Reduced Tuition Costs
Searching for online colleges offering financial aid is just one way to save money on school. But by getting college credit for work experience, you may also be able to save money on your tuition. Many colleges charge less for life experience college credits than they do for traditional credits.