2020 Best Online Colleges & Degrees

Located in Washington, D.C., George Washington University prioritizes well-roundedness for its students, both on-campus and around the world. The university is among the leading producers of Fulbright scholars as well as Peace Corps volunteers. George Washington University offers over 90 online degrees: 12 bachelor's degrees, 70 master's degrees, 11 doctoral degrees, and 41 certificates. These programs cover a broad range of disciplines, such as liberal arts, business, education, medicine, nursing, and pre-professional disciplines. Students interested in health sciences will find many options, including a BSHS in Medical Laboratory Sciences or an MSHS in Clinical Microbiology. GWU is also one of the few universities where distance students can earn an online PhD in Nursing.

The University of Virginia offers a wide selection of online learning opportunities for students seeking to complete a degree. Students can pursue a bachelor's degree, obtain a specialized certificate, pursue a license (such as a CPA certification), or earn certain master’s degrees, including the Master of Science in Data Science degree. Both synchronous and asynchronous course material is delivered via the school’s UVACollab platform, which is designed to be user-friendly for students of all levels of technological aptitude. The selection of online certificate programs at UVA is particularly abundant, including popular certificates in cybersecurity, procurement and contract management, and accounting.

The University of Massachusetts Lowell began as the Lowell Normal School, a teaching college founded in 1894, and the Lowell Textile School, founded in 1895 to train textile industry professionals. The schools expanded and eventually merged in 1975, becoming part of the University of Massachusetts (UMass) system in 1991. The University of Massachusetts offers a wide selection of degree and certificate programs available online, including 18 bachelor's programs, 30 master’s programs, and 29 certificate programs. Students who are interested in learning with Lowell campus faculty within UMass can access more than 1,400 Lowell courses online, and certain programs — such as the UMass Lowell online MBA — are offered via UMass Lowell exclusively.

The Florida Institute of Technology comprises four academic colleges, each with a strong focus: the College of Engineering and Science, the College of Aeronautics, the College of Psychology and Liberal Arts, and the Nathan Bisk College of Business. Online students may choose among 16 bachelor’s programs, 43 master’s programs, and a doctoral program in aviation, along with nine certificate programs and 10 associate degree programs. Degrees in business, computer information systems, criminal justice, information assurance, psychology, and liberal arts are offered in eight-week terms and delivered through a proprietary learning management system. Online classes at the College of Aeronautics are administered in 16-week semesters via the Canvas Learning Management System.

Founded in 1901, Golden Gate University is California’s fourth oldest private university. In addition to evening and weekend classes, most courses and degrees are offered entirely online. Students may also create their own hybrid program by mixing online courses with those occurring in-person with a professor present. GGU specializes in preparing students for careers in four main fields: business, public administration, accounting, and taxation. As such, popular graduate and undergraduate programs include accounting, finance, supply chain management, marketing, and international business.

Oregon State University has two campuses in Oregon and places a strong emphasis on scientific innovation as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion. More than 1,300 classes are offered online, contributing to more than 100 online and hybrid programs including certificates, bachelor’s degrees, and master's degrees. Online undergraduates may study many popular disciplines in the sciences and liberal arts, and OSU also offers several more specialized online undergraduate programs, including foreign languages, sustainability, and agricultural sciences. Master’s programs are similarly varied, including some uniquely specialized disciplines such as forests and climate change, and even a Master of Natural Resources (MNR) program.

Established in 1766, New Jersey’s state university, Rutgers University, is older than the United States. It is also the eighth-oldest higher education institution in the United States and employs more than 8,500 faculty members across its 29 schools and colleges. Online programs feature the same coursework, faculty, and interactive student-to-student experiences available to in-person students. Distance students can also work at their own speed, providing a flexible learning environment for working adults. Rutgers University currently offers 11 online bachelor’s degree programs and 53 online master’s programs geared toward careers in nursing, business, public service, marketing, and education.

Although DePaul University is the largest Catholic university in the United States, it welcomes students of all faith traditions and backgrounds. Students can earn their degrees online in small classes that facilitate individualized attention from professors. Those interested in pursuing a career in a STEM field, in particular, will find a broad range of online degree options at DePaul, including programs in data science, DevOps, human-computer interaction, and fundamentals of software testing, among others. Almost 50 online master’s degrees are offered, and these programs cover many of the most popular fields, including accountancy, computer science, nursing, and public administration.

The University of Minnesota maintains a digital campus to make fully-online and hybrid programs accessible for working students. The university offers 18 online bachelor's degrees, 11 online master's programs, three online doctoral degrees, and 21 online certificates. Online programs are equivalent to on-campus degrees and certificates, and they generally involve the same instructors, program requirements, and curriculums. While many programs are offered fully online, others are partial online programs that involve either a short residency or perhaps offer between 50%-80% coursework online. UMN has a broad selection of online offerings across most disciplines, including doctoral programs for aspiring nurse practitioners.

Philadelphia’s Drexel University educates students from around the world through its extensive online learning program. Drexel offers 19 online bachelor's degrees, nearly 200 online master's programs, 13 online doctoral degrees, and 93 online certificate programs. The degree programs are designed based on specific career-driven industries, including business, construction, medical and healthcare simulation, educational services, and pharmaceutical research. Alumni seeking further education from Drexel are often entitled to tuition discounts. Additionally, Drexel makes a point of helping set students up for their desired careers through its network of community and corporate partnerships.

Texas Tech University, based in Lubbock, Texas, is a research-oriented university that offers an extensive eLearning program serving not only undergraduate and graduate students (including doctoral candidates), but also K-12 students and lifelong learners aged 50 and older. Online college courses follow the same schedule as on-campus courses, and some programs incorporate “mini-mesters” and five-week course options. Among its online degree programs, TTU offers 14 bachelor’s programs, 67 master’s programs, and six doctoral programs alongside a handful of hybrid programs that blend online and in-person learning. These programs cover subjects such as early child care education, human resources, communication studies, business administration, and more.

Washington State University has been providing online education since 1992 within its WSU Global Campus program. Global Campus students may choose among 50 undergraduate degrees, 20 master's degrees, six doctoral degrees and 22 certificate programs. WSU encourages Global Campus students to take advantage of 11 student services, including virtual mentoring, eTutoring, and the Global Connections Video Vault, which is a database of live-streamed events and webinars given by expert guest speakers. In addition, qualifying Global Campus students may be able to access a reimbursement program that compensates them for technological, travel, and childcare expenses.

Founded in 1947 to serve working adults, especially military service members, the University of Maryland Global Campus has a strong focus on online education. More than 90 programs are available at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including associate, bachelor's, master's, and certificate programs, as well as two doctoral programs. These programs cover a range of subjects, including accounting, east Asian studies, computer science, criminal justice, psychology, and software engineering. Notably, admission to undergraduate programs at UMGC does not require SAT or GRE scores, and special tuition assistance is available for military personnel, veterans, and immediate family members of military service members.

Part of the sprawling California State University network, CSU East Bay offers more than 100 online and hybrid courses through which students can earn credits and certificates or complete their four-year degrees in a flexible system. In fully online classes, 100% of the class communications and coursework are delivered online (via the Blackboard platform), and exams are delivered either online, on-campus, or proctored at an off-site location. In hybrid classes, some classroom meetings are replaced by online activities. Sixteen bachelor’s degree completion programs and five master’s programs are available online. Programs are available in fields such as ethnic studies, human development, business administration, hospitality and tourism, educational leadership, and healthcare administration.

In 1927, the University of Bridgeport was founded as the Junior College of Connecticut by a mathematics teacher and two of his close friends. Thanks to an influx of veterans following World War II, the small school grew into a university and established at its present-day location. Six bachelor’s programs, nine master’s programs, and two doctoral programs are available online, with coursework delivered via the online learning management system Canvas. Each class involves weekly assignments and requires regular participation. Students are expected to log into their online class portal three to five times per week to read course material, get assignments, and interact with other students.

The second-largest university in the University of Texas System, the University of Texas at Arlington is located in Dallas-Fort Worth. Via UTA’s online learning division, students can access accelerated online programs featuring multiple start dates and 100% online coursework. Although students interact with one another and are strongly encouraged to interact frequently with professors, classwork is generally asynchronous, so students can log in and learn anytime. Online degree programs are offered in many fields, among them nursing, public health, education, public affairs, and business administration.

Focused on sustaining low tuition and small class sizes, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs has an online learning program geared primarily toward in-state students who need to complete most or all of their coursework online. Online programs are delivered using the Canvas learning management system, and distance students have access to an online writing center, bookstore, and library. Students may choose among nine bachelor's degrees, 23 master’s degrees, one doctoral degree, and 24 graduate certificates that can be earned online. In addition to popular programs in the liberal arts and sciences, UCCS also features several unique dual degree programs, including a dual bachelor’s degree in sociology and criminal justice.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst was founded in 1863 with four faculty members, four wooden buildings, and 56 students. In 1947, it became the University of Massachusetts (UMass) with an enrollment of several thousand students. Amherst is now the state university’s flagship location. UMass offers a wide selection of degree and certificate programs available online, including 34 bachelor's programs, 15 master’s programs, and 22 certificate programs. Students who are interested in learning with Amherst campus faculty within UMass can access more than 1,300 Amherst courses online.

Established in 1885, Arizona State University has grown to produce more than 20,000 graduates annually. ASU offers more than 200 fully online degree programs on a rotating basis with different start dates throughout the year. Students can pursue degrees in a wide range of specializations, including executive fire administration, indigenous education, materials science, supply chain management, and health informatics, among others. Certificates are available in fields including nuclear power generation, Lean Six Sigma, gifted education, and biomimicry. Online students have access to several support services, including career services, online tutoring, and success coaches.

Founded in 1890 between Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma State University is a community of students from more than 100 countries who are united by the “Cowboy Code” of personal ethics. Distance students can take advantage of OSU's free tutoring, success coaching, writing center, and career services. OSU’s online course offerings span undergraduate, graduate, and graduate certificate programs predominantly in the study areas of liberal arts, business, education, nursing, and agriculture. At OSU, online undergraduate students can obtain a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science with a pre-law concentration. It also offers a distinctive online MBA with a concentration in entrepreneurship.

Home to the second-oldest undergraduate research program in the United States, Utah State University has grown from a small-town college to a large institution. Online programs are available at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree levels. Bachelor’s degrees require 120 credits, while master’s degrees require between 30 and 36 credits. In addition to technology, liberal arts, agribusiness, and other popular undergraduate programs, an online bachelor’s program in Communicative Disorders & Deaf Education sets USU’s online undergraduate offerings apart. Master’s programs are available in a wide range of fields, including natural resources, rehabilitation counseling, and aviation science.

Located in Northfield, Vermont, Norwich University celebrated its 200th birthday in 2019. Originally founded by Captain Alden Partridge as the American Literary, Scientific and Military Academy at Norwich, the university originally welcomed veterans of the War of 1812 into a flexible adult-oriented curriculum. Today, Norwich continues to provide flexible education for working adults with both online and hybrid programs. Norwich offers 17 online bachelor's degrees, 60 online master's programs, and 18 certificates. Degree programs are offered in popular fields such as nursing, management studies, history, and business administration, in addition to less common fields such as strategic studies and national security studies.