Best Online Colleges for 2018–2019


An online college or online university can help you achieve the education you want, often on your schedule and for less money. Fully accredited online colleges have become so attractive, more and more of the best campus-based schools compete for students by offering online bachelor’s degree programs, along with online master’s degrees and even doctoral degrees.


Because so many top schools now host college courses online, we update our 100 Best Online Colleges ranking annually to help you find the best school online for you.
Need more convincing that online colleges and online universities are the smart choice?
Consider this: students who attend college online report the highest level of satisfaction with their college education experience, twenty-one percentage points higher than students who attend traditionally!

Find the Best Online College for You

With 100 online schools in our ranking of the Best Online Colleges for 2018–19, one is sure to fit your needs. And though online education knows no boundaries, the bonuses of in-state tuition breaks, access to campus, and employer readiness to hire graduates from known regional schools may make attending an online college in your state or region a smart consideration. For this reason, we also include our listing of the top online colleges in each state.
Which school is the best online university for you? See our rankings below and find out!

Important Information about Online Colleges

  • What do I need to know about accreditation?
  • What’s the difference between synchronous and asynchronous classes and programs?
  • Can I get credits for previous learning assessments, life and work experiences, and/or job training?
  • Can I get financial aid for an online degree?

What methodology is used to rank these top, accredited, online colleges and universities?

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This ranking of the best online colleges and universities is based on extensive research and familiarity with American online education. In formulating this ranking, we looked to such factors as academic excellence, scholarly strength of faculty, online teaching methods, tuition costs, reputation, awards, regional accreditation, financial aid, and range of online degrees offered:


RANKING METHODOLOGY


TheBestSchools.org’s 2018–19 ranking of the 100 best online colleges identifies those nonprofit online schools that are currently at the top in delivering a high-quality online education. All are nationally or regionally accredited online colleges or accredited online universities. Note that traditional campus-based schools, however good their reputation may be for delivering instruction in traditional campus-based classrooms, appear here only if they deliver online instruction effectively and offer a wide range of online college degrees.

1 Penn State World Campus

(State College, Pennsylvania)
School Image: Penn State World Campus

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Launched in 1998, Penn State World Campus is the online school of the highly respected Pennsylvania State University.

Penn State World Campus offers an impressive list of online degrees, with more than 120 online programs leading to a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as certificate programs.

Offerings include online degrees in fields such as technology, engineering, education, healthcare, business, and more.

Penn State World Campus enrolls more than twelve thousand students. After their initial acceptance into the World Campus, students must receive acceptance into the appropriate college for their chosen major at Pennsylvania State University.

Online students receive instruction from the same world-class faculty members as on-campus students. Online students have access to academic advisers, career services, online tutoring, and library services.

World Campus offers courses in an asynchronous format, so students can complete coursework on their schedule. Students must complete readings, assignments, discussions, and exams by set deadlines. Some of graduate degree programs require a residency period of from a few days to two weeks in length.

Penn State World Campus graduates earn the same degree as traditional Penn State students. Graduates can join the largest alumni network in the United States, another factor that makes this one of the best online schools.

A member of the Association of American Universities (an association of excellent North American research universities), Pennsylvania State University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA). Pennsylvania State University’s Smeal College of Business also received accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International).

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Accreditation Regional (MSCHE)
Public/Private Public Nonprofit
Region Mideast
Acceptance Rate 58.1%
Retention Rate 74%
Graduation Rate 40.6%
Requires ACT or SAT SAT or ACT
Cost Per Credit
(In-State/Out-of-State) Undergrad: $535/$535
Grad: $805/$805
Website Address: 100 Innovation Blvd #128, University Park, PA 16802 USA
2 University of Florida Distance Learning

(Gainesville, Florida)
School Image: University of Florida Distance Learning

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The University of Florida (UFL), a public, Sea Grant, space-grant, and land-grant research university established in 1853, enrolls more than 49,900 students. Consistently ranked among the top universities in the United States, the University of Florida offers more than three hundred undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

A member of the State University System of Florida, the university has sixteen colleges and more than 150 research centers and institutes. The University of Florida has a membership in the Association of American Universities (an association of excellent North American research universities).

Recognized for providing high-value education to students, the University of Florida offers a variety of online programs leading to bachelor, bachelor completion, master, specialist, and doctoral degrees. The university also offers a handful of international degree programs.

Undergraduate and graduate degree topics include environmental management in agriculture and natural resources, health education, biology, entomology, industrial and systems engineering, and Latin. Students also can pursue doctoral degrees in education, audiology, philosophy, classical studies, nursing practice, and pharmacy.

Applicants must meet the university’s general admission requirements and those specified by the degree program.

Distance learning students can access a variety of support services, such as an online course management system, library resources, career services, and an online registration system. University of Florida Distance Learning graduates can join the large alumni network.

The University of Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International).

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Accreditation Regional (SACS)
Public/Private Public Nonprofit
Region Southeast
Acceptance Rate 48%
Retention Rate 96%
Graduation Rate 87%
Requires ACT or SAT SAT or ACT
Cost Per Credit
(In-State/Out-of-State) Undergrad: $112/$552
Grad: $112/$552
Website Address: 4211 Southwest 23 Street, Gainesville, FL 32603 USA
3 UMass Online

(Amherst, Massachusetts)
School Image: UMass Online

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The University of Massachusetts (UMass), a public university system established in 1863, enrolls about 71,000 students across five campuses. The University of Massachusetts consists of four universities, a satellite campus, and a medical school.

UMass Online, the online consortium of the highly respected University of Massachusetts system, offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate (including doctoral) degree programs.

Degree offerings include associate’s degrees in information technology and sustainable food and farming and more than forty bachelor’s degree programs, including degree completion programs in topics such as nursing, applied psychology, criminal justice, and more.

The University also provides more than forty master’s degree programs in topics including gerontology, security studies, and criminal justice; four doctoral programs; and dozens of certificate programs.

Online students receive instruction from the same faculty, earn the same degrees, and attend the same graduation ceremony as on-campus students. UMass Online students have access to a host of services, such as library help, fellowship advising, and academic counseling.

UMass Online received the Excellence in Distance Teaching Education award from the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA).

The University of Massachusetts is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) provides accreditation to the University of Massachusetts branches in Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, and Lowell.

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Accreditation Regional (NEASC)
Public/Private Public Nonprofit
Region New England
Acceptance Rate 58%
Retention Rate 90%
Graduation Rate 65.1%
Requires ACT or SAT SAT or ACT
Cost Per Credit
(In-State/Out-of-State) Undergrad: $525/$525
Grad: $570/$570
Website Address: 785-809 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01002 USA
4 Boston University

(Boston, Massachusetts)
School Image: Boston University

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Boston University, a nonsectarian, private research university established in 1839, enrolls about 33,000 students across 18 colleges and schools. Boston University, one of the largest independent, non-profit universities in the United States, boasts more than 250,000 alumni worldwide. Boston University operates one of the strongest private research programs in the United States.

The University offers a variety of bachelor, master, doctoral, and professional degrees. Boston University offers a host of online undergraduate courses, as well as a variety of online degree programs such as an online bachelor’s degree completion program; eighteen online master’s degree programs, including management, taxation law, and art education; and doctoral programs in music education and occupational therapy. Boston University also offers more than a dozen certificate programs.

Boston University’s online students have access to a variety of services, including library resources, career services, and tutoring.

A member of the Association of American Universities (an association of excellent North American research universities), Boston University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Boston University’s School of Management holds accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International).

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Accreditation Regional (NEASC)
Public/Private Private Nonprofit
Region New England
Acceptance Rate 33%
Retention Rate 93%
Graduation Rate 85%
Requires ACT or SAT SAT or ACT
Cost Per Credit
(In-State/Out-of-State) Undergrad: $435/$435
Grad: $830/$830
Website Address: 881 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215 USA
5 Northeastern University

(Boston, Massachusetts)
School Image: Northeastern University

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Northeastern University, a private, non-profit research university established in 1898, enrolls about 20,000 students across nine colleges and schools, as well as graduate campuses in North Carolina and Washington State.

Northeastern University offers nearly two hundred programs leading to a variety of undergraduate and graduate (including doctoral) degrees. The university is a leader in cooperative education and other types of experimental learning.

Northeastern University’s offerings include more than sixty online degree programs, which give students the flexibility to earn their degree on their own schedule.

Northeastern University’s programs include a variety of online bachelor’s degrees including English, finance, and political science; more than two dozen online master’s degrees, including project management, respiratory care, leadership, and homeland security; and doctoral degrees in education and transitional physical therapy. Northeastern University also offers more than twenty certificate programs in a range of topics.

Northeastern University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Northeastern University’s D’Amore–McKim School of Business also holds accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International).

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Northeastern MBAs—REQUEST INFO

Accreditation Regional (NEASC)
Public/Private Private Nonprofit
Region New England
Acceptance Rate 28%
Retention Rate 96%
Graduation Rate 82.1%
Requires ACT or SAT SAT or ACT
Cost Per Credit
(In-State/Out-of-State) Undergrad: $378/$378
Grad: $646/$646
Website Address: 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115 USA
6 Indiana University–IU Online

(Bloomington, Indiana)
School Image: Indiana University–IU Online

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Indiana University, a public university system founded in 1820, enrolls more than 110,000 students across nine campuses and two centers. Indiana University, a member of the Association of American Universities (an association of excellent North American research universities), offers a host of degree programs and boasts more than 580,000 alumni. Indiana University–Bloomington attracts students from all over the world.

Through IU Online, Indiana University offers hundreds of online classes and more than 100 online degrees and academic certificate programs.

Students can pursue a variety of associate and bachelor degree programs, including nine degree completion programs such as business administration, mathematics, political science, and nursing.

IU Online offers more than two dozen online master degree programs ranging from strategic management to social work to data science and more. Students also can earn doctoral degrees in instructional systems technology, nursing practice, and nursing science. Online students also can choose from a variety of certificate programs.

IU Online students have access to libraries and technology resources.

Indiana University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) provides accreditation to Indiana University–Bloomington and Indiana University–Indianapolis.

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Accreditation Regional (HLC)
Public/Private Public Nonprofit
Region Great Lakes
Acceptance Rate 78%
Retention Rate 89%
Graduation Rate 74.9%
Requires ACT or SAT SAT or ACT
Cost Per Credit
(In-State/Out-of-State) Undergrad: $378/$1372
Grad: $362/$1184
Website Address: 107 S Indiana Ave, Bloomington, IN 47405 USA
7 Arizona State University–ASU Online

(Tempe, Arizona)
School Image: Arizona State University–ASU Online

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Arizona State University (ASU), a public research university founded in 1885, is the largest public university in the United States by enrollment. ASU enrolls nearly one hundred thousand students across sixteen colleges and schools. Arizona State University offers a variety of bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees. ASU is one of the world’s top universities for business incubation.

The University provides an array of graduate programs. Arizona State University offers about 140 online degree programs including undergraduate and graduate (including doctoral) degree programs, as well as a variety of certificate programs through ASU Online.Online degree offerings include bachelor’s degrees in art history, business, film, and justice studies. The university also offers master’s degrees in legal studies, nutrition, English, electrical engineering, and more.

Students can pursue doctoral degrees in behavioral health and leadership and innovation.

ASU Online students have access to enrollment counselors, academic advisers, and success coaches. ASU Online offers six start dates each year.

Online students have flexibility to complete coursework on their own schedule. Some ASU Online courses require specific log-on times, and most have set assignments and deadlines.

Arizona State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) provides accreditation to Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business.

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Accreditation Regional (HLC)
Public/Private Public Nonprofit
Region Southwest
Acceptance Rate 83%
Retention Rate 84%
Graduation Rate 78%
Requires ACT or SAT None
Cost Per Credit
(In-State/Out-of-State) Undergrad: $502/$502
Grad: $502/$502
Website Address: 1151 S Forest Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281 USA
8 University of Minnesota–Twin Cities

(Minneapolis, Minnesota)
School Image: University of Minnesota–Twin Cities

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The University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, a public, land-grant, Sea Grant, space-grant university founded in 1851, enrolls more than fifty-one thousand students. The flagship of the University of Minnesota System, the university offers more than three hundred undergraduate and graduate degree programs across nineteen schools and colleges. The university is a member of the Association of American Universities.

The university offers a variety of online degrees. Students can complete most of the programs fully online, but some programs require on-campus visits.

The University provides an array of online bachelor degrees in topics such as applied health manufacturing management, entrepreneurship, and communication.

Students can choose from a variety of master’s degrees ranging from tribal administration and governance to computer science to and maternal and child health.

The University offers online doctoral programs including in adult health/gerontological clinical nurse specialist, international education, nurse-midwifery and more.

Online students have access to financial aid, technical support and library resources.

The University of Minnesota is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

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Accreditation Regional (HLC)
Public/Private Public Nonprofit
Region Plains
Acceptance Rate 45%
Retention Rate 92%
Graduation Rate 76.9%
Requires ACT or SAT SAT or ACT
Cost Per Credit
(In-State/Out-of-State) Undergrad: $593/$995
Grad: $676/$1047
Website Address: 3 Morrill Hall, 100 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis MN 55455 USA
9 University of Arizona

(Tucson, Arizona)
School Image: University of Arizona

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The University of Arizona (UA), a public research university founded in 1885, enrolls about 42,000 students. A member of the Association of American Universities, UA offers more than 330 programs of study leading to a host of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees.

Through UA Online, the University of Arizona offers more than eighty online degree programs including online bachelor’s degrees ranging from Africana studies to early childhood education to communication as well as online master’s degrees, including those in geographic information system technology; mining, geological and geophysical engineering, and library and information science.

Students can earn their degrees fully online. Students have access to online coursework 24/7. UA Online students have access to technical support and an online orientation.

Some courses follow an asynchronous format, although others may require scheduled discussion sessions or online meetings.

The University of Arizona is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Several of the university’s programs also received specialized accreditation such as from the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

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Accreditation Regional (HLC)
Public/Private Public Nonprofit
Region Southwest
Acceptance Rate 76%
Retention Rate 81%
Graduation Rate 60.8%
Requires ACT or SAT None
Cost Per Credit
(In-State/Out-of-State) Undergrad: $492/$475
Grad: $1458/$1296
Website Address: The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA
10 Oregon State University–OSU Ecampus

(Corvallis, Oregon)
School Image: Oregon State University–OSU Ecampus

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Oregon State University (OSU), a public research university, founded in 1868, enrolls more than thirty thousand students across a dozen colleges and a graduate school. OSU, a prominent research school, has nationally recognized programs in areas such as agricultural sciences, forestry, fisheries, community health, pharmacy, and wildlife management.

OSU is one of only six educational institutions in the United States with a land-grant, space-grant, and sea-grant designations. OSU also has a sun-grant designation.

Oregon State University, which offers more than two hundred undergraduate and graduate (including doctoral) degree programs, is home to the internationally renowned Center for Gene Research and Biotechnology.

Oregon State University offers more than nine hundred online courses and a host of degree programs through OSU Ecampus. The university’s online offerings include online bachelor’s degrees in topics ranging from anthropology to German to sustainability; online master’s degrees such as executive leadership, counseling, and natural resources; and doctoral degrees in education and counseling. The online school also offers certificate programs, as well as chemistry and foreign language courses.

OSU Ecampus allows students to access course materials on their schedule and earn the same degree as on-campus students. Online students have access to a host of student services such as library resources, career services, 24/7 tutoring help, and counseling services.

Oregon State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) provides accreditation to Oregon State University’s College of Business.

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Accreditation Regional (NWCCU)
Public/Private Public Nonprofit
Region Far West
Acceptance Rate 78%
Retention Rate 84%
Graduation Rate 62.3%
Requires ACT or SAT SAT or ACT
Cost Per Credit
(In-State/Out-of-State) Undergrad: $280/$521
Grad: $280/$521
Website Address: 104 Kerr Admin Building, Corvallis, OR 97331-2106 USA
11 Drexel University–Drexel Online
12 Florida State University–Office of Distance Learning
13 Washington State University Global Campus
14 University of Missouri–Mizzou Online
15 University of Central Florida
16 University of Denver–University College
17 Rochester Institute of Technology–RIT Online
18 University of Alabama
19 Colorado State University–Fort Collins Online
20 University of Cincinnati
21 Kansas State University
22 Rutgers University
23 University of Arkansas Global Campus
24 Liberty University Online
25 Robert Morris University–RMU Online
Top Online Bachelor’s Degree Searches

    Accounting
    RN to BSN
    Computer Science
    Information Technology
    Management

    Business Administration
    Healthcare Administration
    Psychology
    Paralegal
    Health Informatics

View all Online Bachelor’s Degree Rankings…
26 University of Alabama at Birmingham–UAB Online
27 University of North Dakota
28 Colorado State University–Global Campus
29 University of South Florida
30 University of Illinois at Chicago
31 University of Oklahoma Outreach
32 Ohio State University, Ohio State Online
33 George Washington University, GW Online
34 University of Louisville
35 Texas Tech University
36 West Virginia University
37 University of New Mexico
38 Ball State University
39 University of Minnesota–Crookston
40 Northern Arizona University, NAU–Extended Campuses
41 Florida Institute of Technology–Florida Tech University Online
42 Loyola University Chicago, Loyola Online
43 Creighton University
44 CUNY School of Professional Studies
45 Everglades University
46 University of Illinois–Springfield
47 Western Kentucky University
48 Regis University
49 Mississippi State University
50 Azusa Pacific University
Popular Online Graduate Degrees

    Business Administration
    Nurse Practitioner
    Computer Science
    Healthcare Administration
    Social Work

    Education
    Human Resources
    Healthcare Informatics
    Supply Chain Management
    Educational Administration 

View all Online Master Degree Rankings…
51 University of Colorado–Denver
52 University of South Carolina–Palmetto College
53 Missouri State University
54 New Mexico State University
55 Southern Illinois–Carbondale
56 University of North Carolina at Greensboro
57 Fort Hays State University–Virtual College
58 University of Louisiana at Monroe
59 Lewis University
60 Huntington University
61 University of Southern Mississippi
62 Indiana Wesleyan University
63 Old Dominion University
64 California Baptist University–CBU Online
65 Regent University–Regent Online
66 Utah State University
67 North Dakota State University
68 Upper Iowa University
69 Champlain College
70 Dakota State University
71 University of Memphis–UM Online
72 Central Michigan University
73 South Dakota State University
74 Dallas Baptist University
75 Lamar University
Top Online Associate’s Degree Searches

    Health Administration
    Criminal Justice
    Information Technology
    Medical Assisting
    Human Services

    Financial Management
    Hospitality
    Business Administration
    Paralegal
    Health Information Technology

View all Online Associate’s Degree Rankings…
76 Florida International University
77 LeTourneau University
78 East Carolina University
79 Nova Southeastern University
80 Brenau University
81 Central Washington University
82 Western Carolina University
83 Saint Leo University Online
84 West Texas A&M University
85 Charleston Southern University
86 University of Nebraska Omaha
87 University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
88 Sam Houston State University
89 University of North Texas
90 California University of Pennsylvania
91 Kennesaw State University
92 Mississippi College
93 Webster University
94 Eastern Kentucky University
95 Southeast Missouri State University
96 Concordia University, Saint Paul
97 Oral Roberts University
98 University of Nebraska at Kearney
99 Brescia University
100 Saint Joseph’s University
Popular Online Undergraduate Majors

    Business Administration
    Nursing
    Computer Science
    Information Technology
    Healthcare Administration

    Psychology
    Health Science
    Human Resources
    Graphic Design
    Accounting

View all Online Bachelor Degree Rankings…
Honorable Mention
Asbury University
Belhaven University
Columbus State University
Dickinson State University
Fayetteville State University
Indiana State University
Limestone College
Northern Kentucky University
Ottawa University
Rowan University
Troy University
University of Central Missouri
University of Houston–Victoria
University of Texas of the Permian Basin
Valley City State University