The Best Online Colleges

As widespread acceptance of online education surges among nonprofit institutions, we predict that the number of accredited online colleges – and their quality – will increase. This rapid growth can make choosing an online college feel intimidating. To develop a short list of options that make sense for you and your goals, you need to compare a wide range of components, such as accreditation, tuition and fees, support services, faculty, and career preparation.

Today’s students should expect convenient access, affordability and academic value from online colleges. That’s why we only consider accredited online colleges for our rankings. The accreditation process ensures that a school’s facilities, instructors, and curriculum meet a rigorous set of standards established by industry leaders. Students should only consider accredited online colleges to ensure they invest in a universally respected degree.

The Center for Online Education’s rankings are designed to help you quickly identify the schools and programs at online colleges that most closely match your needs and preferences. We spent hundreds of hours reviewing every college listed in government’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Our rankings are thorough, accurate, and trusted.