U.S. News Releases Ranking of Top Online Degree Programs

  • By Staff
  • 01/11/17

U.S. News & World Report yesterday released its annual list of top online programs for bachelor’s and graduate degrees in business, engineering, nursing, education and criminal justice. Rankings are based on several factors, including student engagement, faculty credentials and technology.

U.S. News analyzed more than 1,300 programs, finding that the top online bachelor’s degree program is at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (FL), a nonprofit independent institution that specializes in aviation and aerospace.

The No. 1 online MBA program went to Temple University (PA) — for the third consecutive year — followed by Carnegie Mellon University (PA). The No. 3 spot went to Indiana University, which also ranked No. 1 for online graduate business programs. The University of Texas, Dallas and Arizona State University won the second and third best graduate business programs respectively.

The University of Southern California ranked No. 1 in the category of online computer information technology programs, followed by Virginia Tech (ranked No. 2) and New York University (ranked No. 3).

Online graduate nursing programs was the only category to have more than three winners, with Saint Xavier University (IL) coming in first ahead of Medical College of South Carolina. Both Duke University (NC) and Ohio State University tied for the No. 3 spot.  

The University of Florida ranked No. 1 for its online graduate education program, followed by University of Houston (TX, ranked No. 2) and Florida State University (No. 3).   

For online graduate criminal justice programs, Sam Houston University (TX) came in first place. The University of Nebraska and University of California, Irvine came in second and third place respectively.

The methodology used to rank the programs is available on the U.S. News site. The full list is available here.

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