It’s tempting to think of online degree programs as existing in some parallel educational universe: Sure, they’re accredited, but who’s actually gone to one? The answers are surprising. In addition to online-only programs, many established schools are adding distance learning initiatives, meaning you can get the same education online. Just to prove how popular online education is, here are some famous faces who attended schools with online degree programs. And if it’s good enough for the rich and famous, it’s probably good enough for me.

1. Conan O’Brien, Harvard University
Harvard University is one of the oldest and most respected schools in the country, but don’t write them off as too old-fashioned: They’ve also got an online division designed to let students study from home on their own time. Conan O’Brien graduated from Harvard with a B.A. in history and went on to work at “Saturday Night Live” and “The Simpsons” before landing his own late-night talk show.

2. Renee Zellweger, University of Texas
Renee Zellweger is an Oscar-winning actress with credits including Jerry Maguire, Chicago, and Cold Mountain. But before she found international fame, she attended the University of Texas and got a B.A. in English. The flagship of the UT system, the Austin school has a variety of online offerings geared toward flexible education.

3. Shaquille O’Neal, University of Phoenix
Although he earned his bachelor’s degree at LSU, Shaquille O’Neal earned his MBA online through the University of Phoenix in 2005. Granted, a basketball player of his skill and stature probably doesn’t need to scour the want ads, but he said he was doing it as investment in his future for the day when he might leave the game and “have a regular 9-to-5 like everybody else.”

4. Ashley Judd, University of Kentucky
The actress in the family, Ashley Judd has earned critical acclaim for her portrayals of strong women in films like Where the Heart Is and Double Jeopardy. Her resume also includes a degree in French from the University of Kentucky, which is a leader in distance learning and offers a variety of online programs for students.

5. Adam Sandler, New York University
The comedian who grew to prominence singing songs about Chanukah and red-hooded sweatshirts is now a top box-office draw and one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. But before he got big, he studied at New York University, which in the years since has become a leader in distance learning. His song “Lunchlady Land” is dedicated to a lunchlady at NYU’s Hayden Dining Hall.

6. Condoleezza Rice, University of Notre Dame
A high-profile figure in the George W. Bush administration, Condoleezza Rice was the first female African-American to hold the office of secretary of state. Like many politicians, she had a great education before she entered public service, earning a B.A. in political science from the University of Denver and then a master’s degree in the same field from the University of Notre Dame. The school has since diversified its distance learning options, meaning that future leaders can get a head start with an online degree.

7. David Spade, Arizona State University
Another “Saturday Night Live” alumni, David Spade’s film and TV career hasn’t stopped since the late 1980s. Although born in Michigan, Spade grew up in Arizona, so it’s no surprise he attended Arizona State University. ASU is at the cutting edge of online education and boasts more than 2,000 students.

8. Eli Manning, University of Mississippi
Currently the quarterback for the New York Giants, Eli Manning made a name for himself in college at Ole Miss, aka the University of Mississippi. (For starters, he had 10,119 passing yards, which puts him at number five on the SEC career list.) Ole Miss also offers quality education online as a way to broaden the learning experience and create more opportunities for its students.

9. James Earl Jones, University of Michigan
James Earl Jones has been acting in film, TV, and theater since the 1950s, and he’s also provided the most famous voice-over work in film history with his portrayal of Darth Vader in the Star Wars films. In his younger days, he studied drama at the University of Michigan, which has since come to offer online programs that would’ve been pure fantasy when Jones was an undergrad.

10. Will Ferrell, University of Southern California
Will Ferrell is easily one of the biggest comedy stars of his generation, and for good reason. He’s proven his comedic chops in films like Anchorman and Elf as well as a seven-year run on “Saturday Night Live.” But before he was a household name, he was an undergrad at the University of Southern California, majoring in sports information. USC remains a major player in higher education with a host of online offerings.