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The 19 best online programs for getting your bachelor’s degree
Online degree programs make it possible to study anywhere, anytime.
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For many people, restrictions on time and money make going to school full time impossible. But with the rise of online programs, it’s easier and more affordable than ever to earn a degree – no matter where in the country you reside.
U.S. News & World Report recently released its 2016 list of the best online programs for earning a bachelor’s degree, focusing on schools that effectively deliver affordable undergraduate degrees in a reasonable amount of time. To determine the rankings, U.S. News considered four categories: student engagement, faculty credentials and training, student services and technology, and peer reputation. (You can read a full breakdown of the methodology here.) Note that because of multiple ties, the ranking only goes through No. 17.
Read on to see the 19 schools that make earning a degree online as seamless as possible, according to U.S. News.
19. TIE: University of Nebraska at Omaha
U.S. News score: 90
Cost per credit: $409 (out-of-state), $257 (in-state)
Most popular major: Business/commerce
The University of Nebraska at Omaha offers more than 20 fully online degrees, including highly specialized programs like architectural engineering, gerontology, and aviation studies. A military-friendly school, UNO provides extra benefits to veterans, including participation in the Yellow Ribbon Post 9/11 GI Bill.
18. TIE: Regent University
U.S. News score: 90
Cost per credit: $395
Most popular major: Business administration and management
Online students at Regent University take classes from the same top-notch professors who teach on campus. Like with traditional classes, students still participate in class discussions via online threads and develop a community among their classmates, all while maintaining an independent schedule.
17. TIE: Charleston Southern University
U.S. News score: 90
Cost per credit: $490
Most popular major: Business administration, management and operations
Charleston Southern University offers three bachelor’s degree programs for students who have no college experience up to those holding associate’s degrees.
Students in the organizational management program can take advantage of classes with rolling enrollment, which allows them to complete two accelerated seven-week courses per semester.
16. TIE: West Texas A&M University
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U.S. News score: 92
Cost per credit: $284 (out-of-state), $253 (in-state)
Most popular major: Business administration and management
Part of the Texas A&M University system – the second-largest in the world – WTAMU has the benefit of easy credit transfers to numerous colleges across the US.
The school’s education on demand program allows both full-time students and those who want to continually learn more enroll in self-paced courses anytime as well.
15. TIE: University of Florida
U.S. News score: 92
Cost per credit: $500 (out-of-state), $112 (in-state)
Most popular major: N/A
University of Florida strives to make getting an education as affordable as possible: credits cost only $112 each for Florida residents and a number of financial aid packages are available to qualified students. UF Online offers degrees across 15 subjects, including nursing, psychology, sports management, and computer science.
14. TIE: Pace University
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U.S. News score: 92
Cost per credit: $555
Most popular major: Telecommunications technology
Pace University‘s online degree program, iPace, prepares students for successful careers through rigorous curriculums and real-world experience.
Students have access to the university’s career services department, which facilitates thousands of internship, co-op, and practicum placements in New York City every year. Recent Pace graduates have been hired by elite companies like Apple, Google, NBCUniversal, and Goldman Sachs.
13. TIE: CUNY School of Professional Studies
U.S. News score: 92
Cost per credit: $275
Most popular major: Business/commerce
Earning an online degree allows CUNY SPS students immense flexibility: They can take classes day or night from anywhere in the world. This doesn’t mean missing out on any of the perks of an on-campus program, however. Students are able to interact with classmates and professors through email, blogs, webinars, discussion boards, and more.
12. TIE: Colorado State University — Global Campus
U.S. News score: 92
Cost per credit: $350
Most popular major: Business administration and management
At CSU-Global, Students can explore a second area of study and supplement their skills through a specialization, with options ranging from cyber security to organizational leadership to criminology.
The school’s tuition guarantee ensures that each student’s tuition won’t increase over time, letting students know how much their degree will cost from day one and helping keep it as affordable as possible.
11. TIE: Arizona State University
U.S. News score: 92
Cost per credit: $490
Most popular major: Registered nursing
With more than 50 degree programs available, covering everything from nutrition communication to art history, Arizona State students aren’t limited in their online choices. Students can also take advantage of opportunities like virtual networking events, 24/7 tutoring, and success coaches.
10. TIE: University of Wisconsin at Whitewater
U.S. News score: 93
Cost per credit: $389
Most popular major: N/A
At the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, online students have access to the same career resources on-campus students do, including résumé development, cover letter writing, and interviewing services. UW-Whitewater’s flexible degree programs allow students to access lecture notes, assignments, and reference material online anytime they want as well.
9. TIE: Oregon State University
U.S. News score: 93
Cost per credit: $200
Most popular major: Computer science
OSU‘s extensive Ecampus offers online degrees across 20 different subjects, including everything from anthropology to horticulture to women, gender, and sexuality studies. Even students who aren’t sure what they want to major in yet have a home: the University Exploratory Studies Program allows students to intentionally test out their options while completing core coursework.
8. TIE: Ohio State University
U.S. News score: 93
Cost per credit: $387 (out-of-state), $382 (in-state)
Most popular major: Registered nursing
Ohio State’sregistered nurse to bachelor of science in nursing program allows students to complete coursework completely online while still gaining valuable practical skills. Classes such as “Evolving Concepts in Leadership and Management” and “Concepts in Community Health Nursing” explore real topics in the ever-changing healthcare industry.
7. TIE: Daytona State College
U.S. News score: 93
Cost per credit: $560 (out-of-state), $92 (in-state)
Most popular major: Business administration, management and operations
Through Daytona State’s 2+2 model, students earn an associate’s degree during their first two years of study, completing a bachelor’s after four. Anyone who previously earned an associate’s degree at another accredited college or university can apply to DSC’s online bachelor’s programs as well.
6. Temple University
U.S. News score: 94
Cost per credit: $752
Most popular major: Business administration and management
Temple aims to find the perfect fit for every student through a variety of class formats, including hybrid online/on-campus courses, virtual classrooms, and video conferencing. The school offers several virtual support systems as well, from email-based writing tutors to résumé and cover letter help.
5. University of Georgia
U.S. News score: 95
Cost per credit: $562 (out-of-state), $312 (in-state)
Most popular major: Special education and teaching
Even online, the University of Georgia makes sure to keep class sizes small so students receive the individual attention they deserve. In addition to online courses, students also participate in field work, allowing them to apply what they’ve learned in real-world scenarios.
4. University of Illinois at Chicago
U.S. News score: 96
Cost per credit: $519
Most popular major: Registered nursing
UIC keeps online learning flexible, allowing students to log in anytime to complete their coursework, so long as they keep up with deadlines. And anyone who wants to further their education – without committing to a full bachelor’s degree program – can earn a certification in subjects ranging from disaster management to electromagnetics technology.
3. Western Kentucky University
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U.S. News score: 97
Cost per credit: $474
Most popular major: General studies
Western Kentucky University offers 13 online bachelor’s degrees, eight of which can be completed entirely online with no prior credits required. WKU students can also take advantage of more than 100 on-demand courses, which aren’t semester-based, allowing students to sign up any day of the year based on what works with their schedule.
2. TIE: Pennsylvania State University — World Campus
U.S. News score: 100
Cost per credit: $535
Most popular majors: Registered nursing, psychology
Penn State’s online programs feature the exact same courses that are offered on campus, so students receive the same caliber of education no matter where they’re studying. Furthermore, all students earn the same diploma upon graduating – no distinction is made between those who earned their degree on campus or online.
1. TIE: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University — Worldwide
U.S. News score: 100
Cost per credit: $355
Most popular major: Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology
All of Embry-Riddle‘s bachelor’s programs start with general education classes before narrowing down to a focused major, providing each student with a diverse set of knowledge and skills. No matter what a student’s background may be, the school prepares them for careers in aerospace, aviation, fire science, or technical management with over 15 specific degree tracks to choose from.
