It used to be the norm for students to commute to campus or live in a dorm at a college or university to get a higher education. But no more. These days, anyone seeking to better themselves can attend class at some of the best online schools in the nation, all from the comfort and security of their own home, according to TheBestSchools, a website that helps students find the best college.
Getting an undergraduate or graduate degree online is convenient, flexible, and most importantly, less expensive when the overall cost does not include room and board or transportation to class, on top of paying an arm and a leg for tuition, says TheBestSchools. And students who need financial assistance can apply for many of the same financial aid options as on-campus students.
There are several factors to consider before applying to the most name-recognizable online schools. For example, not all academic programs of study are designed as a one-size-fits-all. And the total cost of the online undergraduate or graduate degree could be just as costly at some schools as an on-campus education is at others.
TheBestSchools identifies and ranks the best accredited online colleges and universities by awarding 20% of its weighted score for academic excellence; 20% for its online faculty’s scholarship; 15% for reputation; 5% for financial aid; 15% for range of degree programs; and 25% for strength of online instruction methodology.
Here, in ascending order, are the top 10 best online colleges and universities for 2020.
10. Ohio University – Athens, Ohio
Established in 1804, Ohio University is a public nonprofit university with a 64% graduation rate. It offers more than 65 online degrees and certificates through its eCampus, which includes 22 online certificates, 10 online bachelor’s degrees, 35 online master’s degrees, and one online doctorate. Average Net Price: $$$$ (out of five)
9. Oregon State University – Corvallis, Ore.
An international public research university founded in 1868, Oregon State University is a public nonprofit with a 67% graduation rate. It offers 75 online degrees and certificates through Oregon State eCampus, which include 24 online certificates, 30 online bachelor’s degrees, 19 online master’s degrees, and two online doctorates. Average Net Price: $$$
8. University of New Mexico – Albuquerque, N.M.
Founded in 1889 as the state’s flagship institution of higher learning, the University of New Mexico is a public nonprofit with a 50% graduation rate. It offers 24 online degrees and certificates through UNM online, including two online certificates, 12 online bachelor’s degrees, nine online master’s degrees, and one online doctorate. Average Net Price: $$
7. The University of Alabama – Tuscaloosa, Ala.
The University of Alabama, a public nonprofit with a 72% graduation rate, was founded in 1831 as the state’s first public college. It offers 70 online degrees and certificates through Bama by Distance, which include one online certificate, 15 online bachelor’s degrees, 45 online master’s degrees, and nine online doctorates. Average Net Price: $$$$
6. Indiana University – Bloomington, Ind.
Indiana’s flagship university, a public nonprofit with a 78% graduation rate, is celebrating its bicentennial this year, but students no longer have to attend class on campus to earn a degree or certificate from it. IU Online offers over 125 degrees and certificates, including 71 online certificates, 25 online bachelor’s degrees, 35 online master’s degrees, and five online doctorates. Average Net Price: $$
5. University of Massachusetts – Amherst, Mass.
Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst is a public research and land grant university. This public nonprofit, with a graduation rate of 80%, offers more than 55 online degrees and certificates through University without Walls, including 26 online certificates, 11 online bachelor’s degrees, 19 online master’s degrees, and one online doctorate. Average Net Price: $$$$
4. Arizona State University – Tempe, Ariz.
ASU is one of the largest universities in the country, and is a magnet for hiring managers nationwide. This public nonprofit, with a 69% graduation rate, offers over 300 online degrees and certificates through ASU Online, including 28 online certificates, 89 online bachelor’s degrees, 78 online master’s degrees, and three online doctorates. Average Net Price: $$
3. University of Missouri – Columbia, Mo.
Home of the world’s first journalism school, Mizzou was founded in 1839. This public nonprofit has a 69% graduation rate. It offers more than 125 semester-based, self-paced or mobile-option online degrees and certificates, including 34 online certificates, 17 online bachelor’s degrees, 54 online master’s degrees and 10 online doctorates. Average Net Price: $$$
2. University of Arizona – Tucson, Ariz.
Founded in 1885, the UofA is a public nonprofit research university with a 64% graduation rate. It offers 110 online degrees and certificates, including 38 online certificates, 33 online bachelor’s degrees, 31 online master’s degrees, and eight online doctorates. All online learners pay the same tuition rate. Average Net Price: $$$
1. University of Minnesota, Twin Cities – Minneapolis
This is the flagship campus of the state’s public university system. This public nonprofit, with an 80% graduation rate, offers more than 65 online degrees and certificates through The University of Minnesota Online, including 24 online certificates, 18 online bachelor’s degrees, 16 online master’s degrees, and nine online doctorates. Average Net Price: $$$
