2010 Online College Rankings
We are proud to present our selections for the best online colleges of 2010. After several weeks of gathering data, analyzing statistics, and consulting experts, we feel that our list represents the best of distance education. Because many distance learning programs are still in their infnacy, finding the necessary information on the prestige of online schools can be difficult and time consuming. Guide to Online Schools is here to help. By examining accreditation statuses, institution type, tuition costs, graduation and retention rates, and student reviews of the universities, we feel that we have developed an excellent and measurable way to evaluate online institutions in a fair and balanced manner.
To see the most up-to-date data on top-ranked online colleges, please check out our most recent rankings.
Overall Rankings
The table presented below shows the overall rank of every school. By clicking on the college name, you will be taken directly to the school's information page to learn more about the institution. The figure in the right hand column is the average ranking. This number was calculated by averaging the score each school earned in our various determining categories. To learn more about the data and how we arrived at the score you see in the right hand column, check out the methodology section included on our most recent rankings page. Each year we try to improve our data collection and ranking process, but the general criteria remain the same.
Rank | College | For Profit | Graduation Rate | Retention Rate | Tuition | Score |
| # 1 | Boston University - Graduate Programs | No | 82% | 91% | $37,910 | 114.2 |
| # 2 | California University of Pennsylvania Online | No | 49% | 79% | $8,214 | 111.2 |
| # 3 | Abilene Christian University | No | 57% | 74% | $20,080 | 110.6 |
| # 4 | Iowa Central College | No | 30% | 58% | $4,450 | 109.8 |
| # 5 | Bowling Green State University | No (Public) | 57% | 67% | $12,542 | 108.2 |
| # 6 | AT Still University | No | 83% | 60% | $40,367 | 108.2 |
| # 7 | Northeastern University | No | 66% | 91% | $34,621 | 108.2 |
| # 8 | New England College | No | 45% | 66% | $27,322 | 107.8 |
| # 9 | Norwich University | No | 48% | 77% | $27,064 | 105.4 |
| # 10 | Strayer University | Yes | 54% | 78% | $14,595 | 104.9 |
| # 11 | University of Maryland University College | No (Public) | 50% | 58% | $13,360 | 104.7 |
| # 12 | City University | No | 50% | 60% | $14,192 | 102.6 |
| # 13 | San Joaquin Valley College Online | Yes | 54% | 85% | $12,790 | 100.9 |
| # 14 | Capella University | Yes | 50% | 60% | $12,560 | 100.1 |
| # 15 | Liberty University Online | No | 45% | 66% | $4,700 | 99.2 |
| # 16 | Western Governors University | No | 37% | 78% | $6,770 | 98.8 |
| # 17 | Jones International University | Yes | 50% | 60% | $12,040 | 98.4 |
| # 18 | Kaplan University | Yes | 15% | 25% | $15,372 | 97.2 |
| # 19 | University of Phoenix | Yes | 50% | 61% | $12,340 | 95.5 |
| # 20 | Grand Canyon University | Yes | 46% | 69% | $17,710 | 95.4 |
| # 21 | Saint Leo University Online | No | 41% | 70% | $18,085 | 93.4 |
| # 22 | Colorado Technical University - Online | Yes | 50% | 60% | $11,536 | 92.5 |
| # 23 | Ashford University | Yes | 41% | 45% | $16,090 | 90.9 |
| # 24 | Walden University | Yes | 50% | 60% | $16,000 | 89.9 |
| # 25 | Pinnacle Career Institute Online | Yes | 67% | 52% | $12,569 | 87.9 |
