7.1 million
Americans took for-credit classes online in 2013, with a large portion of these
students completing their entire degree online. Online education is relatively
new, but now it’s mainstream. There are more online colleges than ever,
increasing competition, offerings, and overall value for students. Skill-based
learning is particularly on the rise online, and most employers now report that
they don’t see any difference between degrees obtained fully online and those
obtained through more traditional methods.
Featured
Online Colleges:
·
Grand Canyon University
·
Walden University
·
Liberty University
With the
increased acceptance and range of high quality programs available fully online,
we’ve decided to revamp our best online college rankings for 2015. At Best
College Reviews we’ve learned over the years what students value the most in
online education: affordability, flexibility, and quality support and
instruction. This year, we surveyed over 400 institutions providing at least
one bachelor’s degree fully online. Because institutions only providing a limited
range of online degrees aren’t what most students want when it comes to
attending an online college, we then narrowed the field by looking at the 80+
institutions that provide ten or more degrees fully online.
We then
ranked those 80+ surveyed institutions according to the following metrics:
Best
Online Colleges Methodology
·
Affordability: the average cost of attendance for one semester
taking 15 credit hours
·
Flexibility: the number of bachelor’s degree-granting
programs that may be obtained fully online, coupled with the flexibility with
which students may obtain a degree
·
Academic Rigor and Support: the strength and reputation of the online
program’s parent institution as well as the range of support services for
online college students.
Data from the Distance Education Council, Peterson’s, and the National Center for Education
Statistics was used in
compiling this list.
25.
Colorado Technical University
Colorado
Technical University currently offers 13 bachelor’s degree level programs fully
online, and a total of 99 programs at every instruction level. The large
majority of their online bachelor’s programs are in information technology,
healthcare, security studies, and business & management. Colorado Technical
University courses are presented with intellipath technology, that focuses on
what you don’t know through a series of questions and adaptive technology,
tailoring course materials accordingly. The current estimated per-semester
tuition is $4,875, making the program the 12th most affordable of all surveyed.
24. Brandman University
Brandman
University offers 33 bachelor’s degree level programs fully online through
their schools of arts & science, business & professional studies,
education, and nursing & health professions. Brandman University is a
recognized leader in online course development and e-training and is regularly
consulted by major corporations to craft quality educational opportunities
online. The current estimated per-semester tuition rate is $7,500, making the
program the 28th most affordable surveyed.
23. Ottawa
University
Ottawa
University offers 23 bachelor’s degree level programs fully online through
their schools of arts & sciences, business, and education. Online programs
at Ottawa boast a 4:1 student-faculty ratio, and an active personal academic
advisor program. Unique offerings include degrees in addiction counseling, and
actuarial science and social enterprise management concentrations. The
estimated per-semester tuition is currently $7,200, making the program the 25th
most affordable of those surveyed.
22. Regis
University
Regis University World Campus
offers 24 bachelor’s degree level programs fully online through three
departments of the university: the college of computer and information
sciences, professional studies, and the college of health professions. Online courses
are offered in five- or eight-week accelerated terms and run alongside their
classroom counterparts. Regis is a member of the Online Consortium of
Independent Colleges and Universities, which allows Regis students to take
online courses at other schools if they aren’t offered at Regis. Currently, the
estimated per-semester tuition for Regis University online is $6,900, making
the program the 22nd most affordable of surveyed programs.
21.
University of Maryland – University College
University
of Maryland at University College offers 31 bachelor’s degree level programs
fully online, for more than 95 online programs of any level. A number of
online-specific support services are provided with the program including
24-hour technical support, online writing feedback, an online library, academic
and career advising, and job search assistance. The main departments from which
UMUC online degrees are offered include business & management, cyber
security, education & teaching, healthcare & science, information technology
& computer science, liberal arts & communications, and public safety.
The estimated per-semester tuition for online programs is $5,737, making the
program the 11th most affordable surveyed.
17.
Waldorf College (tie)
Waldorf College offers 22 bachelor’s
degree level programs fully online in a wide range of disciplines. Unique
programs include bachelor’s degrees in health care management, homeland
security, occupational safety, organizational leadership, and fire science. The
current estimated per-semester tuition rate for Waldorf College online is
$4,150, making the program the 9th most affordable of those surveyed.
17. Old
Dominion University (tie)
Old Dominion
University offers 27 bachelor’s degree level online programs, and a total of
70+ when all levels of instruction are counted. +ODU is a partnership between
Old Dominion University and a large number of community colleges, allowing for
cheaper courses through the associates degree level to be transferred to Old
Dominion, where a degree may be finished online. Experiential learning and real
world experience is pushed through practicums and internships for a number of
programs. Currently the estimated per-semester tuition for the program is
$8,527, making the program the 35th most affordable of programs surveyed.
17.
University of Phoenix (tie)
University
of Phoenix is a national university that currently offers 20 bachelor’s degree
level programs fully online. Program offerings are comprehensive, and are
available in the departments of arts & sciences, business & management,
criminal justice & security, education, human services, nursing &
healthcare, psychology, and technology. In a career-centered move, University
of Phoenix is working with STEM industry organizations to develop a portfolio of
degree and certificate programs that meet employer STEM talent needs. The
current estimated per-semester tuition for University of Phoenix online is
$6,000, making the program the 18th most affordable of those surveyed.
17. St.
Catherine University (tie)
St.
Catherine University currently offers 18 fully online bachelor’s degree
programs under their evening/weekend/online program header. If you live close
to St. Catherine University, you can also accelerate your learning through
blended program delivery (some on campus, some online courses). For bachelor’s
degrees, the university is women’s-only, and their online offerings are geared
towards adult women. For many students, however, this is a good option. The
estimated per semester tuition is $3,990, making the program the 6th most
affordable of those surveyed.
16.
Columbia College
Columbia
College of Missouri currently offers 24 bachelor’s degree level programs fully
online. Offerings are comprehensive, and include programs in business
administration (with many specializations), computer information systems,
management information systems, criminal justice administration, human
services, general studies, American studies, history, political science, public
administration, English, nursing, psychology, and sociology. Current estimated
per semester tuition at Columbia College is $3,900, making the program the 5th
most affordable of those surveyed.
14.
Liberty University (tie)
Liberty
University bills itself out as the largest Christian University in the world,
and currently offer 26 fully-online bachelor’s degree programs, and over 200
programs of every level. Unique program offerings include degrees in
aeronautics, biblical educational studies, Christian ministries, and
evangelism. The current estimated per semester tuition rate for Liberty
University is $5,625, making the program the 15th most affordable of those
surveyed.
14.
Bellevue University (tie)
Bellevue
University currently offers 46 bachelor’s level degrees fully online, the 4th
largest number compared to surveyed programs. Unique delivery methods include
an accelerated cohort method, in which you’re placed with a community of peers
who share similar educational and professional goals, and pushed through
classes at an accelerated pace. On the other end of the spectrum, flex-paced
learning is available for busy learners who have already completed 60 or more
credit hours. The flex-paced program is unique in that you progress according
to mastery, passing through topics you already know quickly, while taking your
time on subjects you need more help with. Currently the estimated per semester
tuition is $5,925, making the program the 17th most affordable of programs
surveyed.
13.
University of Arizona
The
University of Arizona currently offers 23 fully online bachelor’s` level
programs including some unique offerings in sustainable built environments
(architecture/planning), meteorology, eSociety, administration of justice, and
africana studies. The online program was established to offer a degree
identical to an on-campus University of Arizona student from anywhere.
Currently the estimated per semester tuition is $7,672, making the program the
30th most affordable of programs surveyed.
12.
Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New
Hampshire University offers 40 bachelor’s degree level online majors, and a
whopping 200+ online degrees at every level of instruction. Departments
offering online bachelor’s degrees include business, liberal arts, education,
culinary arts, design, and hospitality, and a number of programs can even be
completed in 3 years. The current estimated per semester tuition for Southern
New Hampshire University is $4,800, making the program the 11th most affordable
surveyed.
10.
Wilmington University (tie)
Wilmington
University is a national university offering 21 fully online bachelor’s level
degrees, and over 90 total online programs, concentrations, and certificates.
Through portfolios, examinations, or transfer credits the credit for prior
learning program allows students to accelerate their program. Co-op
opportunities help students through experiential and real world experience by
pairing them up with paid employment opportunities related to their field of
study. Currently the estimated per semester tuition is $5,070, making the
program the 13th most affordable of those surveyed.
10. Grand
Canyon University (tie)
Grand Canyon
University has the largest range of bachelor’s degree level offerings of the
schools we surveyed, with a total of 52 programs available entirely online.
Programs at Grand Canyon are built for busy or working adults, and students
take one accelerated class at a time, so that their attention isn’t spread thin
through multiple courses. While most online colleges use the same professors
they use on campus to teach online classes, Grand Canyon University also has a
team of full-time online-only professors and instructors. Currently tuition per
semester is $6,975, making the program the 23rd most affordable of those
surveyed.
9.
Pennsylvania State World Campus
Pennsylvania
State University allows you to take classes from a world class research
university from the comfort of your home. Currently 22 bachelor’s degree
granting options are available, from advertising & public relations, to
labor & employment relations, to turfgrass science. The average
per-semester cost is more expensive for the programs that we surveyed, coming
in at $6,758, but much cheaper than attending Penn State on-campus.
8. Fort
Hays State University
Fort Hays
State University Online offers a full 24 bachelor’s level programs, including a
number of business education courses, education specializations, management
concentrations, and social sciences and humanities majors. The 2+2 program, in
which established learning paths from other institutions are transferable to
Fort Hays (where a student may finish their degree) are available from
universities in many states. The estimated per-semester tuition is $3,247,
making the program the third most affordable of those surveyed.
6.
American Public University System (tie)
The American
Public University System has long been a leader in continuing education for
service men and women, as well as continuing education for corporate America.
Today they offer 43 fully online bachelor’s level degrees. The most popular of
which include: business administration, criminal justice, emergency &
disaster management, history, homeland security, information technology
management, intelligence studies, management, sports & health sciences, and
transportation & logistics management. Tuition is low at an estimated
$4,000 per semester, ranking the school as the seventh most affordable of all
surveyed.
6. Oregon
State University (tie)
Oregon State
University’s eCampus currently offers 18 fully online bachelor’s level programs,
as well as a special post-bacc computer science program. They even offer online
chemistry and lab-based courses! Though Oregon State is a nationally ranked
research university, their average cost per semester is low for online courses,
clocking in at $4,065, or the 8th most affordable of programs surveyed. The
University Exploratory Studies Program is a unique offering that enables
students to explore several majors while working on core requirements, just in
case you aren’t sure exactly what you want to study yet.
5. State
University of New York / OPEN SUNY
OPEN SUNY is
a collaboration between 19 State University of New York system institutions to
provide high quality online degree-granting programs in a variety of
disciplines. A full 50 bachelor’s level degrees may be completed entirely
online, the second most of programs surveyed. OPEN SUNY also excels through the
number of support services offered with programs, including day and night
tutoring hours, experiential learning opportunities, and prior learning
assessments that can accelerate your learning. Per-semester estimated tuition
is currently $8,000, the 33rd most affordable of programs surveyed.
4.
University of Central Florida
The
University of Central Florida is a national research university that offers 20
bachelor’s level programs fully online. Online program offerings are
comprehensive at the University of Central Florida, with a greater availability
of humanities and social science majors than many other online colleges.
Per-semester tuition is affordable as well, coming in at $3,270, the fourth
ranked rate of programs surveyed.
3. Granite
State College
Granite
State College offers 29 fully online bachelor’s level degrees that may be
completed at full-time, part-time, or accelerated rates. Program offerings are
comprehensive, ranging from digital and social media, to nursing, to education.
Granite State College is a liberal arts school that is part of the University
of New Hampshire system, and offers the 10th most affordable per-semester tuition
rate of programs surveyed ($4,575).
2. Arizona
State University
Arizona
State University offers 47 bachelor’s degree programs fully online, and a full
80+ programs when specializations and non-bachelor’s level programs are
included. Degree offerings are comprehensive, ranging from art, business,
communications, culture, education, engineering, health, language, to STEM. 6
start dates are available per year, allowing students to start on their degree
when it works best for them. Arizona State University is a national research
university that offers affordable tuition online, with an estimated
per-semester tuition cost of $7672.
1.
Northern Arizona University
Northern
Arizona University offers a full 45 bachelor’s level degreesthat can be
completed entirely online. Ranging from hotel & restaurant management, to
liberal arts, to computer information technology, mostdegrees offered are
skill-centered and geared towards your future career. Northern Arizona
University is also one of the most affordable schools of those surveyed, with
highly competitive costs for online degrees and NAU’s competency-based programs
that are available for an estimated cost of only $2500 per semester. The
competency-based is a flat rate subscription, allowing students to take an unlimited
number of courses online for a six month period. There are no lab or course
fees, and all materials required by the courses are available online.
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