Why we even have colleges and universities in the internet age is a mystery. I’ve learned much more on the internet than I did in five years of university studies. We don’t use outhouses any more because indoor toilets are more functional and convenient. Someday universities will be regarded as just as outmoded.
IN the first year that MIT had OPenCourseWare online, I followed a online and meatspace group of English speaking Indians who went through every economics course available. Learned quite a bit through following their conversations.
Was an interesting experience.
For economics... I suggest mises.org for freepers.
http://mises.org/store/For-Beginners-C9.aspx
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/economics/
College and unversity as we know it is so over with. The future is a mix of distance learning (internet) and periodic seminars, capped off with a comprehensive exam that, if you pass, it won’t matter how you learned your stuff.