Search the Best Online Degrees
As a part of our mission to inform prospective students about online colleges, we have developed a custom ranking algorithm that uses school-reported data to determine the best online programs.
We know there is not just one path to a career; that’s why we have over 50 rankings covering programs at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s levels. We have dedicated hundreds of hours of research with top online education experts to ensure our rankings are thorough, accurate, and trusted.
Our Methodology
We base our rankings methodology on the factors that matter most to online students. Using official, standardized data, we weight metrics such as the number of online programs, the percentage of online students, and graduation rates to create a unique list of online colleges that provide excellent support, instruction, and results for their online students. Read more about our methodology.
Methodology
Key factors used in our rankings:
Academic quality makes up 45% of a school’s overall score.
A lower admissions rate indicates a more competitive school, and likely more rigorous academics. A high enrollment rate shows that students are accepted to a school choose to go there, meaning it was likely a top choice. Higher graduation rates increased a school’s ranking, as it provides the academic support students need to succeed. A high number of students majoring in the ranked subject likely indicates that school puts more resources behind that particular program.
- Admission Rate – 25%
- Enrollment Rate – 20%
- Graduation Rate – 15%
- First Majors – 40%
Online offerings make up 35% of a school’s overall score.
A strong online presence shows expertise in distance education. The number of online programs measures experience and breadth of a school’s offerings, while graduate enrollment in online programs shows that students believe in the quality of online education at that school. Likewise, a higher percentage of programs offered at the master’s level indicates an established post-graduate program.
- Online Programs – 40%
- Graduate Enrollment – 40%
- Percentage of Programs Offered at the Master’s Level – 20%
Cost and student aid support make up 20% of a school’s overall score.
Attending college can place a major financial burden on students and their families, and it’s important to prospective students that they get a good return on their investment. Those colleges that had a lower average net price ranked higher, while a high student loan default rate lowered a school’s overall score.
- Average Net Price – 50%
- Loan Default Rate – 50%
- Academic Quality + Online Offerings + Cost and Student Aid = Final Score
Top Online Associate Rankings
If you're unsure what field you want to enter, or hesitant about committing to a four year program, an associate degree can offer an opportunity to get started on a flexible path with minimal debt burden.
- Associate in Online Medical Billing and Coding Degree Programs
- Online Medical Assistant Degree Programs
- Associate in Online Information Technology Degree Programs
- Associate in Online Paralegal Studies Degree Programs
- Associate in Online Business Administration Degree Programs
- Associate in Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs
- Associate in Online Healthcare Administration Degree Programs
- Associate in Online Human Services Degree Programs
- Online The 50 Community Colleges for 2020
- Associate in Online Healthcare Information Technology (IT) Programs
Top Online Bachelor’s Rankings
Bachelor's degrees provide a strong entry level credential to get started in some of the most competitive fields. They are also mandatory if you want to pursue a graduate level education. If you're sure higher education is for you, and you know your field of interest, a bachelor's degree is the best place to start.
- Online Colleges for 2024
- Bachelor’s in Online Psychology Degree Programs
- Bachelor’s in Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs 2024
- Bachelor’s in Online Human Resources Degree Programs
- Bachelor’s Degrees in Online Healthcare Management
- Bachelor’s in Online Accounting Degree Programs
- Bachelor’s in Online Business Administration Degree Programs
- Bachelor’s in Online Christian Counseling Degree Programs
- Bachelor’s in Online Communications Degree Programs
- Bachelor’s in Online Computer Science Degree Programs
- Bachelor’s in Online Early Childhood Education Degree Programs
- Bachelor’s in Online Education Degree Programs
- Bachelor’s in Online Graphic Design Degree Programs
- Bachelor’s in Online Homeland Security Degree Programs
- Bachelor’s in Online Hospitality Management Degree Programs
- Bachelor’s in Online Information Technology Degree Programs
- Bachelor’s in Online Marketing Degree Programs
- Bachelor’s in Online Video Game Design Degree Programs
- Online Christian Colleges
- Online Cybersecurity Degrees
- Online Finance Degrees
- Online RN to BSN Degree Programs
- The 50 Most Affordable Online Colleges in Online 2020
- The Bachelor’s in Online History Degrees
Top Online Master’s Rankings
Many specialized careers require a minimum of a master's degree to be qualified. These 1- or 2-year degrees are typically completed after graduating from a bachelor's program. Students gain highly specialized knowledge that qualifies them for mid to senior level positions. Online master’s degrees are also a good stepping stone to a doctoral program.
- Master’s in Online Social Work Degree Programs
- Master’s in Online Education Degree Programs
- Online MBA Degree Programs
- Master’s in Online Healthcare Administration Degree Programs
- Bachelor’s in Online Education Degree Programs
- Master’s in Online Accounting Degree Programs
- Master’s in Online Computer Science Degree Programs
- Master’s in Online Counseling Degree Programs
- Master’s in Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs
- Master’s in Online Early Childhood Education Degree Programs
- Master’s in Online Educational Administration Degree Programs
- Master’s in Online Educational Leadership Degree Programs
- Master’s in Online Finance Degree Programs
- Master’s in Online Health Informatics Degree Programs
- Master’s in Online Homeland Security Degree Programs
- Master’s in Online Human Resources Degree Programs
- Master’s in Online Information Technology Degree Programs
- Master’s in Online Marketing Degree Programs
- Master’s in Online Nursing Degree Programs
- Master’s in Online Organizational Leadership Programs
- Master’s in Online Project Management Degree Programs
- Master’s in Online Public Administration Degree Programs
- Master’s in Online Public Health Degree Programs
- Master’s in Online School Counseling Degree Programs
- Master’s in Online Sports Management Degree Programs
- Master’s in Online Substance Abuse Counseling Degree Programs
- Master’s in Online Supply Chain Management Degree Programs
- Master’s in Online Theology Degree Programs
- The 25 Master’s in Online Psychology Programs
- The Master’s in Online Communications Programs
- The Master’s in Online Curriculum and Instruction Programs
- The Master’s in Online Educational Technology Programs
- The Master’s in Online English Language Learning Programs
- The Master’s in Online Family Counseling Programs