Top 43 Most Reputable Online Colleges
In search of the most reputable online colleges?
What if there was a way you could attend college with flexible class schedules, lower tuition costs, and the potential to learn all the skills necessary to enter into a lucrative career?
Now that dream can become a reality with the increasing popularity of online degree programs!
Reputable Colleges Offering Online Degrees
Although there are dozens of reputable colleges offering online degrees, there are a couple that stand out from that pack.
Both Purdue and Colorado State have excellent faculty, student services, and a thriving alumni community. Both also offer dozens of degrees in fields ranging from psychology to business and almost everywhere in between.
Plus, they each have about 150 years of history and the reputation that goes along with it.
Several factors were taken into consideration to determine the most reputable online colleges.
The methodology that was used included the following criteria:
- Student engagement
- Faculty credentials and training
- Student services and technology
- Peer reputation
By considering a well-rounded perspective of what goes into making an online college reputable, students can ensure that they are earning a degree that has a solid reputation in the professional workforce.
Top 43 Most Reputable Online Colleges
So, how do you know which online school is the most reputable?
To answer that question, we’ve put together a list of the top reputable online universities across the country:
| Rank | University | Tuition | Most Popular Majors |
| #1 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Location: Daytona Beach, FL |
$355 in-state
$355 out-of-state |
Aircraft Powerplant Technology
Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science Aviation Management and Operations Management Business Administration |
| #1 | Pennsylvania State University World Campus
Location: University Park, PA |
$535 in-state
$535 out-of-state |
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
Psychology Business Criminal Justice Information Science |
| #3 | Western Kentucky University
Location: Bowling Green, KY |
$474 in-state
$474 out-of-state |
General Studies
Business Administration and Management Registered Nursing Information Technology |
| #4 | University of Illinois – Chicago
Location: Chicago, IL |
$519 in-state
$519 out-of-state |
Health Information
Medical Records Administration Registered Nursing |
| #5 | University of Georgia
Location: Athens, GA |
$312 in-state
$562 out-of-state |
Special Education and Teaching |
| #6 | Temple University
Location: Philadelphia, PA |
$752 in-state
$752 out-of-state |
Business Administration
General Marketing General Corporate, Finance, and Securities Law |
| #7 | Daytona State College
Location: Daytona Beach, FL |
$92 in-state
$560 out-of-state |
Business Administration
Management and Operations Engineering Technologies Information Technology |
| #7 | Ohio State University – Columbus
Location: Columbus, OH |
$382 in-state
$387 out-of-state |
Registered Nursing
Dental Hygiene |
| #7 | Oregon State University
Location: Corvallis, OR |
$200 in-state
$200 out-of-state |
Computer Science
Human Development and Family Studies Natural Resources Conservation Anthropology Economics |
| #7 | University of Wisconsin – Whitewater
Location: Whitewater, WI |
$389 in-state
$389 out-of-state |
N/A |
| #11 | Arizona State University
Location: Tempe, AZ |
$490 in-state
$490 out-of-state |
Registered Nursing
Psychology Liberal Arts and Sciences Criminal Justice Speech Communication and Rhetoric |
| #11 | Colorado State University – Global Campus
Location: Greenwood Village, CO |
$350 in-state
$350 out-of-state |
Business Administration
Information Technology Accounting Human Resources Management Health Care Administration |
| #11 | CUNY School of Professional Studies
Location: New York, NY |
$275 in-state
$275 out-of-state |
Business/Commerce
Speech Communication and Rhetoric Psychology Hospital Administration Sociology |
| #11 | Pace University
Location: New York, NY |
$555 in-state | Communication and Media Studies
Computer and Information Sciences Telecommunications Business/Commerce |
| #11 | University of Florida
Location: Gainesville, FL |
$500 in-state | N/A |
| #11 | West Texas A&M University
Location: Canyon, TX |
$253 in-state
$284 out-of-state |
Business Administration
Marketing Criminal Justice Business Economics Registered Nursing |
| #17 | Charleston Southern University
Location: Charleston, SC |
$490 in-state | Business Administration
Management Operations |
| #17 | Regent University
Location: Virginia Beach, VA |
$395 in-state
$395 out-of-state |
Business Administration and Management
Psychology Theology English Language and Literature Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies |
| #17 | University of Nebraska – Omaha
Location: Omaha, NE |
$257 in-state
$409 out-of-state |
Business
Criminal Justice Geography Gerontology Library and Information Science |
| #20 | Creighton University
Location: Omaha, NE |
$422 in-state
$422 out-of-state |
Organizational Leadership |
| #20 | University of Central Florida
Location: Orlando, FL |
$105 in-state
$642 out-of-state |
Psychology
Interdisciplinary Studies Criminal Justice Healthcare Administration/Management Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse |
| #20 | University of Denver
Location: Denver, CO |
$566 in-state | Speech Communication and Rhetoric
Organizational Behavior Studies International Studies Computer and Information Sciences Environmental Studies |
| #20 | Utah State University
Location: Logan, UT |
$221 in-state
$299 out-of-state |
Agricultural Business and Management
Human Development and Family Studies General Economics Communication Sciences and Disorders |
| #24 | Fort Hays State University
Location: Hays, KS |
$194 in-state
$194 out-of-state |
Business, Management, and Marketing
Organizational Leadership Elementary Education and Teaching Registered Nursing Nursing Administration Criminal Justice |
| #24 | Savannah College of Art and Design
Location: Savannah, GA |
$766 in-state
$766 out-of-state |
Digital Communication
Visual Communications Photography |
| #24 | University of La Verne
Location: La Verne, CA |
$592 in-state | Organizational Leadership
Business Administration and Management Public Administration |
| #27 | City University of Seattle
Location: Bellevue, WA |
$398 in-state
$523 out-of-state |
Business Administration
General Applied Psychology Computer and Information Sciences Accounting |
| #27 | George Washington University
Location: Washington, DC |
$560 in-state | Healthcare Management
Clinical Research Coordinator Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist |
| #27 | SUNY College of Technology – Delhi
Location: Delhi, NY |
$270 in-state
$270 out-of-state |
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse |
| #30 | University of Illinois – Springfield
Location: Springfield, IL |
$362 in-state
$362 out-of-state |
Computer Science
Business Administration and Management Liberal Arts and Sciences Mathematics English Language and Literature |
| #30 | University of Maine – Augusta
Location: Augusta, ME |
$217 in-state
$217 out-of-state |
Psychiatric/Mental Health Services
Liberal Arts and Sciences Business Administration Criminal Justice Library and Information Science |
| #30 | University of Oklahoma
Location: Norman, OK |
$143 in-state
$589 out-of-state |
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Criminal Justice |
| #34 | Ball State University
Location: Muncie, IN |
$290 in-state
$483 out-of-state |
Business Administration
Management General Studies Nursing Science |
| #34 | California Baptist University
Location: Riverside, CA |
$529 in-state
$529 out-of-state |
Business
General Liberal Arts and Sciences Kinesiology and Exercise Science Early Childhood Education and Teaching |
| #34 | Florida State University
Location: Tallahassee, FL |
$270 in-state
$776 out-of-state |
N/A |
| #34 | Palm Beach Atlantic University
Location: West Palm Beach, FL |
$450 in-state | Organizational Behavior Studies |
| #34 | Washington State University
Location: Pullman, WA |
$543 in-state
$569 out-of-state |
Social Sciences
Accounting Operations Management Psychology Criminal Justice / Police Science |
| #39 | Indiana University – Online
Location: Bloomington, IN |
$211 in-state
$303 out-of-state |
Registered Nursing
Business/Commerce Health Information Medical Records Administration Mathematics |
| #39 | University of Massachusetts – Lowell
Location: Lowell, MA |
$370 in-state
$370 out-of-state |
Information Science
Liberal Studies Psychology Criminal Justice Business Administration |
| #39 | University of the Incarnate Word
Location: San Antonio, TX |
$505 in-state | Business Administration
Management and Operations Human Resources Management Criminal Justice Health Services |
| #39 | University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
Location: Milwaukee, WI |
$337 in-state
$337 out-of-state |
Psychology
Registered Nursing Information Science Speech Communication History |
| #43 | Central Michigan University
Location: Mount Pleasant, MI |
$415 in-state
$415 out-of-state |
Psychology
Organizational Behavior Health Services Interdisciplinary Studies Community Organization and Advocacy |
| #43 | Northeastern State University
Location: Tahlequah, OK |
$185 in-state
$430 out-of-state |
Registered Nurse
Clinical Laboratory Science Medical Technology |
| #43 | St. Leo University
Location: Saint Leo, FL |
$470 in-state | Business Administration
General Criminal Justice Accounting Health Care Management |
Source: U.S. News & World Report, Online College Rankings, 2016
What Makes an Online College Reputable?
To give you a better understanding of the criteria used to determine the most reputable online colleges, the following sections look a little deeper into the various factors that contribute to the world of online education. When choosing a school that is right for you, it’s important to consider the school’s reputation along with other aspects that affect the quality of their course offerings.
Accreditation
Accreditation is an essential component to a reputable online education. When a school is accredited, it means that they have gone through a voluntary review process by a recognized accrediting agency to ensure that their curriculum meets high quality standards.
A few of the top accrediting agencies across the country include the following:
- Regional accrediting agencies
- Distance Education Accrediting Commission
- Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
Different degrees often have specific accrediting agencies that review curriculum for that particular field. The United States Department of Education’s website is an excellent starting point for researching which agencies are nationally recognized.
Professional Reputation
Knowing that your college has an accredited, quality curriculum is a major step towards selecting a reputable online college. However, it is also important to research the peer and professional reputation of the university that you are considering.
Steps you can take to research the academic reputation of your online university include:
- Checking reputation rankings through quality resources such as the Times Higher Education World Reputations Rankings.
- Considering data from reputable research, such as the rankings found in S. News and World Report
- Looking into student and alumni reviews through various websites
- Listening to opinions and first-hand experience from professionals and colleagues within your field of interest
Attending a college with a solid academic reputation will likely provide you with a greater potential to land a professional position after graduation. Employers often consider the background of the education you have a received, and a degree from a reputable university can go a long way in the competitive job market.
Faculty Credentials
A quality curriculum is only as good as the instructors that are teaching the material, and knowing the background of your future professors is an important step in determining which college you would like to attend.
Factors that you can consider when looking into the qualifications of your school’s faculty include:
- Professional experience
- Educational background
- Academic achievements
- Prior teaching history
Most colleges have a “Faculty” section of their school’s website that can be a useful tool for prospective students. Here you are typically able to look at the biographies of the faculty, as well as see their professional qualifications, history, and achievements.
Student Services
The purpose of attending college is to gain the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a professional career, and having the support of your school can make a big impact on your educational success.
Many of the top accredited universities offer a variety of student services to their distance education students that may include the following:
- Virtual academic advisement services
- 24/7 technology support teams
- Online mentoring and tutoring with peers or instructors
- Advanced technological platforms that allow students interact throughout their courses
- Options for flexible scheduling of any in-person degree requirements
- Access to extensive online research and library resources
Online college courses can be highly challenging, and many students find that they need to reach out for additional support at some point during their educational journey. The availability of online-focused student services is a way for reputable universities to help ensure their students reach their full potential.
Student to Faculty Ratio
Most students prefer the personalized attention of a small, traditional college class, but having a low student to faculty ratio is just as important in online learning. When a college is committed to keeping class sizes small, the instructors are able to give students the individualized support they deserve to succeed in the class.
In small online classes, professors can connect with their students through a variety of means, including:
- Live lectures through a virtual classroom
- Online discussion boards
- Email and phone calls
- Online classroom platforms
These smaller online classrooms nurture the cooperative atmosphere needed for students to push themselves to their highest potential. Some colleges publish information regarding student to faculty ratio their websites, and statistics can also be found by speaking with your school’s academic advisor
Advantages of an Online Education
Pursuing your degree through online education is a personal decision, and there are many things to consider when choosing a school that will provide you with a reputable education and degree.
There are several advantages to earning a degree through an online program, and these benefits include:
- Potential for lower tuition costs
- Flexible scheduling that allows you to log-on to classes anytime and anywhere
- Ability to accelerate your degree program
- Access to the same quality curriculum as traditional students
- Online resources and services to support you throughout your education
The flexible nature of online learning is one of the biggest draws for adult students looking for a way to balance their busy schedules with pursuing their degree. In many cases, students also have the opportunity to take accelerated classes or a heavier course-load to graduate in a much shorter timeframe than traditional on-campus students.
Is an Online Degree Program the Right Choice for me?
Choosing whether an online degree program is right for you is a highly personal decision, and research into the advantages and disadvantages of online education is essential to make the choice that meets your needs.
Regardless of why you feel an online degree is the best choice for you, enrolling in a college with a strong professional reputation and quality curriculum is imperative to your success after graduation. Luckily, top universities across the country are continuing to expand their online degree offerings every year – giving working adult students the ability to pursue their dreams while juggling the demands of daily life.
*For important information about the educational debt, earnings, and completion rates of students who attended these programs, go to: www.aiuniv.edu/disclosures.
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