Newlane University

After doing a ton of research on affordable, accredited online universities, I decided to go with Newlane University. I found a lot of useful info on degreeforum.net, where I even saw one of the school's founders engaging in discussions. That gave me a good impression, but I still wanted to dig deeper.

There’s a Reddit sub for Newlane, but it’s practically dead—only two posts and not much discussion. After checking out the official website, I decided to apply. Right after, I got a link to schedule a video call with a counselor. Honestly, that annoyed me. I prefer a straightforward online application with no unnecessary steps, and I definitely didn’t want any kind of sales pitch. But out of curiosity, I scheduled it for the next day.

When the meeting started, the person introduced himself, and it turned out to be one of the actual founders of the school. Was not expecting that. I don’t know if that’s a good or bad sign, but it was definitely interesting. We ended up talking for about 30 minutes, and I asked about pricing, accreditation, and what motivated him to start the school.

I totally forgot to ask how many students are enrolled, which annoys me, but based on my research, it seems to be a couple hundred. I’ll confirm when I get an answer.

What impressed me was that there was no upselling at all. He told me the exact pricing structure upfront. The way it works is simple: you pay a flat monthly fee while you're enrolled, and once you hit a set total cost, you don’t pay anything else. No hidden fees, no books to buy (everything is online), and they accept up to 90 transfer credits. It’s competency-based, so you work at your own pace—as fast or as slow as you want. If you stop taking classes, you stop paying.

The website itself is easy to use, though it looks a little dated. That doesn’t bother me, though, because it loads super fast. I also got an email about credit transfer, so I’m in the process of updating my credits.

So far, so good. The only things I don’t love: the school logo looks pretty generic, and the founders definitely avoid the corporate “suit-and-tie” look. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but some people might see it as unprofessional.

One thing I like is how fast everything moves. Every email I’ve sent has been answered the same day or the next day, and I was assigned a student support person in case I need help.

Haven’t had to use them yet, but they did give some advice on course pacing: "If you have 5-10 hours a week to spend, we recommend taking one course. If you have 10-20 hours a week, taking two courses is totally doable. You can also change how many courses you take at once as you get a feel for what works for you at Newlane."

So far, my experience with Newlane has been fast, smooth, and no-nonsense. I’ll keep updating my thoughts as I go, sharing both the pros and cons along the way.

Just to be clear, I’m not advertising Newlane for anyone—I’m just sharing my experience as a new student who believes in its model and finds it interesting as an up-and-coming school.

Everyone should do their own research before choosing a college, since what works for one person may not work for another. I’m talking about Newlane because there’s very little information out there, and I think some people might find it an affordable and flexible option worth looking into.

As I continue my studies, I’ll be sharing my honest thoughts—including both pros and cons—to help others get a clearer picture of what the school is really like.

I became a student of this school several days ago after doing a lot of research. I even had a video chat with founder Josh Stanely. Love the idea, love the energy.

If for some reason it turns out to be a scam or something, I'll note that too and this will quickly turn into an anti-Newlane University. haha

But so far I've really enjoyed my interactions and I'm in process of transferring my previous college credits over. I'll let everyone know how that worked.

Newlane University: A Different Kind of Higher Education

Newlane University is an accredited online school designed for people who want an affordable, flexible way to earn a degree. Instead of the usual college experience with set schedules and high costs, Newlane lets students move at their own pace and pay a flat-rate tuition that keeps costs low. The university offers degrees in Philosophy, Liberal Arts (with Business and Psychology concentrations), and General Studies, making it a solid choice for students looking for a broad, well-rounded education.

How It Started & What It Stands For

Newlane was founded by Ben Blair and Josh Stanley, two educators who wanted to create a better way for people to access college-level education. Their goal was simple: make higher education affordable, flexible, and available to anyone who wants it. Instead of following the traditional model that limits access based on cost, location, or admissions barriers, they built a system that puts learning first.

How It Works

Newlane follows a competency-based model, which means students move forward by proving they understand the material rather than just sitting through a set number of credit hours. This setup is great for independent learners who want to work at their own speed—whether that means finishing quickly or taking time to really absorb the material. Instead of letter grades, progress is measured by mastering concepts through assessments.

Accreditation & Recognition

Newlane is nationally accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. While it’s not regionally accredited (which some traditional schools require for credit transfers), it’s a legitimate, recognized school that has been evaluated for quality and standards. I would prefer it be regionally accredited, but DEAC works for me as it's recognized as legit.

Why Students Choose Newlane

Newlane attracts students who want a low-cost, no-frills way to earn a degree without going into debt. The university reports high levels of student satisfaction, with many praising its clear course objectives, flexible structure, and focus on real learning. Some students use Newlane as a stepping stone for graduate programs or career advancement, while others enroll simply because they enjoy learning.

A Fresh Approach to Education

Newlane operates on a few simple beliefs:

Education should be available to everyone, not just those who can afford traditional college.

You should be able to learn from anywhere, without needing to relocate or attend in-person classes.

School should fit your schedule, not the other way around.

If you can prove you’ve mastered a subject, you should move forward—no unnecessary hoops.

The Bottom Line

Newlane University may be a good fit for self-motivated learners who want an affordable, flexible way to get a degree. While it doesn’t follow the traditional college path, it offers a solid, accredited education for those who value knowledge and independence. Whether you’re looking to advance your career, prepare for grad school, or just challenge yourself, Newlane is carving out a new lane in higher education.

But again, do your own research! I'm just a retired idiot on Lemmy who likes the idea of inexpensive college.