Can a online college IT degree coupled with appropriate IT certifications negate the negative stigma against "for-profit" schools?

Absolutely - what would you like to know? Please send specific questions?

I'd like a Linux sysadmin job. As stated, I'm wrestling with the choice of Syracuse versus AMU. I'm working on getting Linux + within the next few months. I'd prefer a remote (stay-at-home) job. What say you, sir ?

Sorry for the delayed response was travelling all last week. A linux sysadmin job does NOT require a degree of ANY kind. In my personal opinion a degree in the IT field is for when you are tired of doing the xxxadmin jobs and want to get in to management or executive positions. You won't be upwardly mobile without a degree - most call for a bachelors in Computer Science or related or higher.
If you have the time, effort and funds go for the college with the swag... I mentioned in earlier post that certain colleges carry swag: ivory: Harvard, Yale, MIT, Stanford. Then there are just good colleges : Columbia, UC (University of California (too many campuses to list). I personally would recommend any poly-technic state college / university.
To directly answer your question - I don't know and would want to research what Syracuse and AMU are known for in the business world. Go with the one with the technical chops.

Most companies IT or otherwise recognize TODAY that their two most expensive assets in order of precendence: 1 - the employees and 2 - the real estate. AND long term HR (human resources) studies indicate that productivity is typically higher with work from home / remote employees. Once you have gained some type of relative Linux admin experience you could work for some consulting firm (remotely / from home) or even start your own linux admin consutling firm ( just need a good customer or customer(s) to get started) The starter customer should be a significant / marquee customer. That customer should have big financial / funds. If that customer has problems paying its bills then so will you. If your customer is a Verizon or Fedex then you probably won't have to worry about them making their bills or maintaining the contract with you.
Hope this helps!?

PO2 Chris Steinheiser - In summary, seems you recommend I stay with Syracuse because it's IT program is well respected, but a linux sysadmin job wouldn't be directly affected until I want to promote into a leadership role.

You gotta tag someone for them to be notified of your reply, by the way.

I need to get one first.

I believe AMU/APUS is also a Regionally accredited college instead of a Nationally accredited college. Since Regional accreditation is harder to obtain than National accreditation, it holds a little more weight than many other nationally accredited for profit colleges.

SSG (Join to see) - Yes, it is regionally accredited which is good. Unlike Grantham (advertised a lot on RP), which is only nationally accredited. If you go to a non-predatory Regionally accredited school, then you are good to go.

PO1 (Join to see) and SSG (Join to see) , how well will that compare to Syracuse, though? The biggest pro to having a SU degree seems to be the guaranteed jobs from people trusting SU cirriculum.

SGT (Join to see) - I believe that a degree from a brick and mortar school is always going to be viewed as preferable to an online University... especially if that University has a long established history. So all other things being equal you would definitely be better of with a degree from Syracuse University if that is an option for you.