Top Online Colleges
Top Online Colleges (Photo: CC BY Earlham College)

Students have an abundance of choices when it comes to looking for the top online colleges. Here we gather a collection of rankings of the best online colleges in an effort to help guide students in their online college search efforts. This list of best online colleges can be a good starting point in researching what online college may be the best fit for you. While rankings alone should not be the sole criteria for attending a college, rankings in general can be used as a guide to see the strengths and weaknesses of a college you are considering.

2019 Best Online Bachelor's Programs - US News

The U.S. News ranking of Best Online Colleges looks at several factors in determining the top online colleges, including online college graduation rates, credentials of faculty who teach online courses, and support services remotely available to online students.

Top 25 Best Online Colleges - US News

1. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
2. Arizona State University
3. Ohio State University (tie)
3. Oregon State University (tie)
5. Pennsylvania State University - World Campus (tie)
5. University of Florida (tie)
5. University of Illinois - Chicago (tie)
8. Colorado State University - Global Campus (tie)
8. University at Buffalo - SUNY (tie)
8. University of North Carolina - Wilmington (tie)
8. University of Oklahoma (tie)
12. Loyola University Chicago (tie)
12. University of Alabama - Birmingham (tie)
14. University of Central Florida
15. CUNY School of Professional Studies (tie)
15. Utah State University (tie)
15. Western Kentucky University (tie)
18. University of Arkansas (tie)
18. West Texas A&M University (tie)
20. Colorado State University (tie)
20. George Washington University (tie)
20. Indiana University - Online (tie)
20. University of Massachusetts - Amherst (tie)
20. Washington State University (tie)
25. Ball State University (tie)
25. Charleston Southern University (tie)
25. University of Georgia (tie)
25. University of Massachusetts - Lowell (tie)

US News Ranking Methodology

2020 Best Online Colleges in America - Niche

Niche.com is another ranking that takes a thorough look at the top online colleges. The 2020 Best Online Colleges ranking is based on data from the U.S. Department of Education, student and alumni surveys, and statistics that include quality of professors, alumni earnings, average loan amount, and student-faculty ratio.

Top 15 Best Online Colleges - Niche.com

1. LeTourneau University
2. Liberty University
3. Regis University
4. University of Illinois at Springfield
5. University of Texas - Arlington
6. University of Minnesota - Crookston
7. Keiser University
8. Emery-Riddle Aeronautical University
9. Asbury University
10. National University
11. Mayville State University
12. University of South Dakota
13. Northwestern State University of Louisiana
14. Southern Wesleyan University
15. Champlain College

Niche.com Ranking Methodology

Best Online Colleges for Financial Aid

Everglades University
Fisher College
Keiser University
Salem University

Easiest Online Colleges to get into

American InterContinental University
Keiser University