Online colleges and schools provide courses comparable to those offered on-campus. You’ll receive lectures, assignments, projects, and assessments while earning the same number of credit hours as on-campus courses offer. The accredited online colleges below offer convenience, academic rigor, and promising graduate outcomes — so you can learn from home without missing out.
Top 5 online colleges: Quick facts
The best online colleges and universities: Our picks
Using ZDNet’s ranking methodology, we found our top picks for online colleges and universities for 2022. Our proprietary formula combines federally reported data, professional and program outcomes, and insights from industry leaders to provide a comprehensive, unbiased assessment. Columbus, OH Miami, FL Pensacola, FL Columbia, MO Boca Raton, FL Online learning allows you to complete coursework on a schedule that matches your personal and professional needs. You can often work part- or full-time and tend to other obligations while earning your degree online. Most online programs offer access to resources including libraries, tutoring, and technical support. You can interact with classmates and instructors, attend virtual office hours, and participate in class assignments, discussions, and projects. Being an online student requires self-discipline, determination, and time management. You need to make sure you’re prepared to meet the demands of the online learning environment, both academically and technically. Some online schools may provide computers but having a bad internet connection is a roadblock to online learning. Unless otherwise indicated, data is drawn from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, College Scorecard, and each college’s website. Note that for public colleges, the average annual net price given is for in-state students.
- The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio About the school: Alongside its online programs, Ohio State maintains seven campuses and research centers throughout Ohio. Ohio State offers online degrees and certificates in 11 fields of study.
Acceptance rate: 68%Graduation rate: 77%Avg. annual net price: $16,845Student body population: 45,862Student-to-teacher ratio: 18:1Avg. SAT range for admitted students: 1210-1430Minimum GPA: 2.0Course delivery method: Synchronous and asynchronous programs available
Accreditation: The Ohio State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). 2. Florida International University Miami, Florida About the school: FIU offers more than 100 online programs including combined bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice and hospitality management.
Acceptance rate: 58%Graduation rate: 65%Avg. annual net price: $5,298Student body population: 41,2220Student-to-teacher ratio: Not publicly availableAvg. SAT range for admitted students: 1110-1260Minimum GPA: 2.0Course delivery method: Synchronous and asynchronous programs available
Accreditation: Florida International University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). 3. University of West Florida Pensacola, Florida
About the school: Home to five academic colleges, UWF offers 15 online undergraduate degrees in seven fields of study. Acceptance rate: 58%Graduation rate: 52%Avg. annual net price: $7,089Student body population: 9,196Student-to-teacher ratio: 21:1Avg. SAT range for admitted students: 1060-1230Minimum GPA: 2.0
Course delivery method: Synchronous and asynchronous programs available Accreditation: The University of West Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). 4. University of Missouri Columbia, Missouri About the school: As the flagship institution of the University of Missouri system, Mizzou offers nearly 50 online undergraduate degrees.
Acceptance rate: 82%Graduation rate: 68%Avg. annual net price: $16,559Student body population: 22,622Student-to-teacher ratio: 18:1Avg. SAT range for admitted students: 1110-1320Minimum GPA: 2.0Course delivery method: Synchronous and asynchronous programs available
Accreditation: The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). 5. Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, Florida About the school: With six campuses across Florida, FAU also offers online degrees through seven academic colleges.
Acceptance rate: 75%Graduation rate: 61%Avg. annual net price: $10,735Student body population: 24,396Student-to-teacher ratio: 21:1Avg. SAT range for admitted students: 1060-1220Minimum GPA: 2.0Course delivery method: Synchronous and asynchronous programs available
Accreditation: Florida Atlantic University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). 6. Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania About the school: Established in 2017 with the unification of Jefferson and Philadelphia University, Jefferson’s online offerings include seven bachelor’s degrees, 15 master’s degrees, and a Ph.D. in population health science.
Acceptance rate: 70%Graduation rate: 75%Avg. annual net price: $26,569Student body population: 3,740Student-to-teacher ratio: 13:1Avg. SAT range for admitted students: 1090-1270Minimum GPA: Not publicly availableCourse delivery method: Synchronous and asynchronous programs available
Accreditation: Thomas Jefferson University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCH). 7. University of Colorado Denver Denver, Colorado About the school: CU Denver, one of four schools within the University of Colorado System, offers over 25 online programs and certificates.
Acceptance rate: 66%Graduation rate: 50%Avg. annual net price: $14,470 Student body population: 11,392Student-to-teacher ratio: 18:1Avg. SAT range for admitted students: 1000-1210Minimum GPA: 2.0Course delivery method: Synchronous and asynchronous programs available
Accreditation: The University of Colorado Denver is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). 8. Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Indianapolis, Indiana About the school: Formed when campuses of the two namesake institutions merged, IUPUI offers online degrees and classes in 20 fields of study.
Acceptance rate: 79%Graduation rate: 51%Avg. annual net price: $12,416Student body population: 20,411Student-to-teacher ratio: Not publicly availableAvg. SAT range for admitted students: 1000-1190Minimum GPA: 2.0Course delivery method: Synchronous and asynchronous programs available
Accreditation: Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). 9. Oklahoma State University Stillwater, Oklahoma About the school: With five campuses across Oklahoma, OSU also offers 15 online bachelor’s degrees and more than 20 online graduate degrees.
Acceptance rate: 67%Graduation rate: 61%Avg. annual net price: $14,237Student body population: 19,782Student-to-teacher ratio: 20:1Avg. SAT range for admitted students: 1020-1250Minimum GPA: 2.25Course delivery method: Synchronous and asynchronous programs available
Accreditation: Oklahoma State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). 10. Maryville University Saint Louis, Missouri About the school: Maryville offers more than 30 online programs and requires no entrance exams or fees to apply.
Acceptance rate: 95%Graduation rate: 57%Avg. annual net price: $27,290Student body population: 5,463Student-to-teacher ratio: 14:1Avg. SAT range for admitted students: N/AMinimum GPA: 2.0Course delivery method: Synchronous and asynchronous programs available
Accreditation: Maryville University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
