Actually I don't think online learning is better than classroom, I wrote two blog posts (the more recent is http://williambswift.blogspot.com/2009/04/overcoming-bias-an... and links to the earlier) claiming that the Web is NOT adequate for serious study. Books are the thing.
The nonsense was a bit strong, but I have seen this claim over and over, and equipment suitable for learning is much less expensive than tuition. If you REALLY want to learn, you can even build large amounts of the equipment yourself (that is also the ultimate test - Pass/Fail - does it work or not). I don't know if they still do, but the UMCP had a required physics shop course where you learned to use machine shop and electronics tools to make specialized equipment you may need.