As the cost of a college education continues to skyrocket at three times the rate of inflation over the past decade, there is an accelerating trend toward online education solutions. Interestingly, big employers such as Google and AT&T are designing and funding relatively inexpensive online courses and providing education “certifications” known as MOOC's (massive open online courses).

While not a college degree, the narrower certification called a “verified certificate” is issued after completing the course work and taking an administered test. The certificate satisfies employers specific needs and gets professionals successfully into the job market.

Of course there is more to an education than course work in a specific field including exposure to the arts and sciences as well as valuable connections that pay dividends throughout ones career. However, with costs skyrocketing and student loans exceeding $1 trillion, the MOOC is an important step in breaking down the education monopoly that has been enjoyed by the college and university systems.