Best Online Colleges and Universities

Champlain enrolls approximately 2,200 students annually and offers more than 60 distance learning programs. The catalog includes four associate and 11 bachelor's degrees in fields like software development, healthcare administration, and accounting. Champlain sets itself apart from other online colleges by offering a bachelor of science in economic crime investigation leading to Certified Fraud Examiner designation. Graduate students pick from such fully online master's programs as early childhood education and executive leadership. Champlain powers online learning with Canvas, offering classes at an accelerated eight-week pace. Students can start degree work at six points every year. Application requirements include minimum 2.5 GPA, resume, and short essay responses. Candidates also need to demonstrate online learning aptitude.

UIC facilitates distance education through the Canvas platform, offering synchronous and asynchronous online classes. Students may also pursue hybrid learning by adding flexible on-campus courses. While distance learners can find undergraduate programs in business administration and nursing, the majority of UIC remote programming centers on post baccalaureate degrees and certificates. Options comprise master's tracks in engineering, health informatics, public health; and statistics and assessment. Students can also purse education certificates and endorsements in areas like early childhood special education, ESL, and research methodology. Students who complete stackable certificate programs may apply those credits toward a graduate degree. Admission criteria vary drastically by program, but generally include standardized test scores.

Located between Manchester and Hooksett, SNHU enrolls over 73,000 students every year. Many of whom pursue distance education through one of 200 career-relevant degree programs. Undergraduate students choose associate degrees in areas like information technologies and fashion merchandising. Bachelor's programs include sports management, criminal justice, and business administration, with further options through specialization areas. On top of graduate and post-graduate certificates, SNHU provides 15-month master's programs. Stand-outs among this group consists of clinical medical health counseling and creative writing. To apply, graduate students need a minimum 2.75 GPA. Undergraduate GPA vary by program. The higher a student ranks, the more scholarship opportunities they enjoy. SNHU does not require standardized test scores.

Powered by Canvas, FIU Online provides accessible certificate and degree programs to over 54,000 students. Undergraduate options include computer engineering, early childhood education, finance, English, and international relations. Students pick from graduates programs in areas like construction management, forensic science, and public health. Furthermore, FIU is one of the few online colleges to offer a master's program in real estate. Admission criteria differ by degree level: undergraduate candidates need to submit standardized test scores, while graduates must hold a minimum 3.0 GPA. FIU guarantees admission for students who earned their associate degree from a partnering institution. All distance learners benefit from low tuition rates and financial assistance, including the Bright Futures Scholarship for Florida residents.

Founded in 1863, Amherst is the flagship campus for the UMass system. Today, the school offers more than 230 degree programs, including distance education options. Online students may pursue bachelor's programs in fields like business administration; hospitality and tourism management; and sustainable food and farming. UMass Amherst also operates an accelerated bachelor of science in nursing track. The online graduate degree catalog comprise 17 programs, including historic preservation, public health, and nutrition. Furthermore, UMass Amherst provides certificate and professional development opportunities. High school students can jumpstart degree work by enrolling in an online pre-college program. Distance learners pay per-credit tuition based on individual class rates. Online financial aid is available, including the David A. Cole Scholarship based on financial need and employment status.

As one of the best online colleges in Alabama, Troy offers fully remote certificate and degree programs through the Canvas platform. Undergraduate students pick from 14 associate degrees in general education, with concentration options like military operations, global business, and aviation. For bachelor's degree seekers, options consist of applied computer science, social work, anthropology, and resource and technology management. Graduate programs include six specializations in public administration and seven tracks for adult educators. Troy also provide online dual enrollment tracks for high school students who hold a minimum 3.0 GPA. Distance learners benefit from a flat tuition rate regardless of where they live, with steep discounts for military personnel.

Founded in Logan in 1888, USU provides 30 fully online degree programs. Undergraduate options include an associate in criminal justice and bachelor's degrees in areas like psychology and agribusiness. USU stands out from other online colleges by offering a bachelor of science in communicative disorders and deaf education. The distance education catalog also consists of master's degrees, including programs in business administration, rehabilitation counseling; and instructional technology and learning sciences. USU Online operates accelerated seven-week courses through Canvas, enabling students to earn their degree in about half the time of conventional programs. The university offers affordable tuition based on residency status and degree level. Online student resources include e-tutoring, career services, and software discounts.

ENMU enrolls over 6,000 students annually, many of whom pursue one of the 30 fully online degree programs. Undergraduate students choose from such options as computer science, sociology, social work, and economics. For students with an associate degree in a vocational or technical field, ENMU offers intensive bachelor of applied arts and sciences programs. The distance education catalog also includes graduate tracks in fields like sport administration, educational technology, and financial planning. To apply, undergraduate students need a minimum 17 ACT score or 810 SAT score. Similarly, graduate candidates must submit GRE or GMAT results. ENMU facilitates online learning through Blackboard.

Based in Madison, South Dakota, DSU operates online education through the Desire2Learn platform. The catalog consists of associate programs in web development and health information technology. Bachelor's degree seekers pick from fields like marketing, accounting; and cyber leadership and intelligence. DSU also provides graduate certificate, master's, and doctoral programs. Degree options vary by individual state, so online students should confirm that their chosen program is available based on residency status. Admission criteria include standardized test scores. Undergraduate candidates need a minimum 2.6 GPA, while graduate applicants must hold at least a 3.25. All students benefit from financial aid, including the Transfer Champion Scholarship for high-achieving applicants.

USD enrolls more than 10,000 students every year. In addition to a comprehensive list of on-campus programming, the university provides 40 online degrees and certificates. The undergraduate catalog contains an associate of arts in general studies and bachelor's programs in areas like addiction studies and criminal justice. Students pick from such graduate tracks as social work, sport management, and music. USD also offers a master's of business administration with five specialization options. The school facilitates asynchronous online college courses through Desire2Learn. To apply, candidates need to submit standardized test scores. All distance learners enjoy a flat and affordable tuition rate. USD accepts transfer credits from other regionally accredited institutions.

Located in Aberdeen, South Dakota, NSU operates 14 distance education programs. These include associate and bachelor's degrees in fields like accounting, international business, management, and Spanish. Graduate students pick from four programs: music education; teaching and learning; leadership and administration; and banking and financial services. The Desire2Learn platform delivers asynchronous and synchronous courses. Unlike other online colleges, distance learners at NSU benefit from hands-on training through faculty-led study abroad trips. Online students enjoy the same funding opportunities as their campus peers, including business awards and the Wolfpact Scholarship for first-time freshmen. Graduate candidates need a minimum 2.75 GPA, while undergraduates must hold at least a 2.6. Undergraduate students can make up for inadequate GPA with exceptional standardized test scores and/or high school ranking.

CSU Global enrolls over 19,000 students every year. Bachelor's programs include communication, marketing, and information technology. Students can fully customize their major with the interdisciplinary studies degree. CSU operates graduate programs in fields like data analytics, healthcare administration; and teaching and learning. The university also offers diverse degree specializations and certification, so students can acquire the training that most benefits their careers. Through eight-week courses powered by Canvas, students can earn their degree or certificate entirely online and in less time than traditional programs. CSU is one of the best online colleges in terms of cost, offering not only comprehensive financial support, but also an affordable tuition guarantee. The university ensures that, as long as a student maintains good academic standing toward degree completion, their tuition will not increase.

As one of three public institutions in the Nebraska State College System, CSC provides affordable and career-centered distance education programs. The online catalog includes bachelor's degrees in geoscience, psychological sciences, and family consumer science. CSC offers master's in education, business administration, and organizational management. Each degree comes with specialization tracks, enabling students to find the program that aligns with their career goals. Blackboard powers online learning at CSC and select courses run on accelerated eight-week sessions. Distance learners benefit from in-state tuition rates and financial assistance. To apply, graduate candidates need a minimum 2.75 GPA. CSC does not state GPA minimums for prospective undergraduates.

Founded in 1889, Saint Leo provides over 70 online academic programs. Undergraduate students can pick from associate and bachelor's degrees in fields like liberal arts, computer science, healthcare administration, and religion. Saint Leo also delivers graduate programs to distance learners, including a master of business administration with 10 specialization options. Furthermore, the school offers doctoral degrees in criminal justice and school leadership. Online students can earn their credentials entirely online through asynchronous courses powered by Canvas. They may also opt for hybrid learning, mixing in classes on campus or at one of the university's 40 education centers. Saint Leo accepts applications on a rolling basis and students can begin classes at six points during the year.

Powered by Canvas, online learning at UNO enables students to earn degrees at every level. On top of conventional undergraduate programs, the school operates bachelor of multidisciplinary studies tracks specifically designed for nontraditional students like military personnel and transfers. Here, degree candidates pick from 13 concentrations, including aviation studies, gerontology, criminal justice, and library science. Master's students pick from such programs as public administration, social work; and special education, behavior intervention specialist. UNO sets itself apart from other online colleges by offering undergraduate/graduate endorsements and certification. To apply, undergraduate students must rank in the upper half of their high school graduating class or submit adequate SAT/ACT scores. Graduate candidates also need to send in standardized test results.