You do not have to get your education the traditional way anymore. Thanks to the Internet you can get a quality education online. Much of the same criteria applies when choosing online schools compared to a traditional education. You have to make sure that the college is fully accredited, there is a variety of programs for you to chose from, the form of lectures suit you.
It is always helpful when you have an idea about the type of program that you would like to get your degree in. It depends on your career intersts, your skills and personal attributes. You can also do some research into which career are forcasted to be more in demand in 5 to 10 years. For example, some of the safer programs are online degree programs in business. This degree is transferable to many fields and it is also a good stepping stone for other careers.
Do not underestimate the importance of having a secondary education. It is one of the key factors that will help you land your career job. It may cost money up front but it will be the best investment you will make. If you need financial assistance then look for the Federal Student Aid College Finder http://studentaid2.ed.gov/gotocollege/collegefinder/advanced_find.asp for options.