Best Online Colleges and Universities 2026
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The best colleges offer an excellent education you can use to start or advance your career. However, not everyone can pause their lives to earn a degree. The best online universities offer a solution, letting you complete your education while working or juggling other responsibilities.
Online schools help you succeed by providing classes and student services tailored specifically to remote learners. The best programs also feature personal and professional growth opportunities, such as internships close to home.
Best Online Colleges and Universities 2026
Arizona State University Digital Immersion — Most Undergraduate Degree Offerings
- Scottsdale, AZ
- 4 year
- Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Superlative: Offers Over 190 Undergraduate Degree Options
With over 190 online undergraduate degrees, ASU Online offers one of the most diverse selections of programs in fields like business, education, and engineering. These programs include accelerated, part-time, and full-time options, so you can find a course load that fits your schedule. Popular bachelor's programs include information technology, psychology, and liberal studies.
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $580
Out-of-State | $580
Why Students Choose ASU Online:
- Extensive Catalog: Choose from over 190 online undergraduate and more than 150 online graduate programs.
- Flexible Learning: Study at the time and place that fits your lifestyle, without needing to attend live courses.
- Comprehensive Support: Access 24/7 tech help, academic advising, and dedicated success coaches.
Know Before You Enroll:
- While most programs are fully online, a few may include short in-person labs or capstone projects.
- Accelerated classes run in 7.5-week or 6-week sessions, with six start dates each year.
98%
$11,308
74%
$13,512
- Acceptance Rate
- 64%
- Students Enrolled
- 66,062
- Institution Type
- Public
Purdue University Global — Best for Working Professionals Returning to School
- West Lafayette, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Superlative: Offers a Personalized Learning Pathway Through ExcelTrack to Save Money and Time
Purdue Global offers over 100 online degree programs, including 11 accelerated options for working professionals. The accelerated options, known as ExcelTrack, let you turn career experience into credit through competency-based learning, helping you earn your degree more quickly. Options include bachelor’s degrees in analytics and cloud computing, as well as master’s degrees in business administration and nursing education.
Cost per Semester:
In-State | $371
Out-of-State | $371
Why Students Choose Purdue Global:
- Fast-Track Options: ExcelTrack lets you skip what you already know and focus only on new material, helping you finish your degree faster.
- Flat-Rate Model: Pay a flat rate per term for ExcelTrack, which lets you complete as many courses as you want for the same price.
- Program Variety: Choose from over 100 online degree programs, including 43 bachelor’s and 30 master’s options.
Know Before You Enroll:
- You can try a three-week, no-cost trial for undergraduate programs before deciding to enroll.
- ExcelTrack programs charge a flat rate of $2,500 per term for most bachelor’s degrees and $2,833 per term for most master’s degrees.
- Admission requirements vary, but it’s recommended that you have at least three years of work experience or have completed at least three college courses from an accredited school.
100%
$10,080
25%
$13,356
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 44,421
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Florida — Most Affordable Online Flagship Research University
- Gainesville, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Superlative: Offers Flexible Online Bachelor Programs at Half the Cost of In-Person Tuition
As Florida’s flagship research university, UF Online offers affordable degrees with a strong academic reputation. Its online bachelor’s programs cost about half as much as on-campus programs, with 27 online degree options available. Graduate students also pay rates comparable to in-state tuition and can choose from nearly 100 online graduate programs across various fields.
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $129
Out-of-State | $553
Why Students Choose UF Online:
- Affordable Tuition: Online bachelor’s programs cost roughly 50% less than on-campus rates, for both residents and nonresidents.
- Learn Anytime: Most classes are asynchronous, allowing you to study at your convenience around your work or family schedule.
- Prestigious Institution: As Florida's flagship research university, you can access leading faculty, research opportunities, and a strong academic reputation that can lead to better career prospects.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Most online courses are asynchronous, so you’ll need good time management to stay on track.
- Florida residents in undergraduate programs pay the lowest rates, while out-of-state students still save compared to on-campus tuition.
- For in-state students, online graduate tuition may be slightly more than on-campus tuition, but it is still much lower than nonresident graduate on-campus tuition.
59%
$ 4,477
98%
$25,694
- Acceptance Rate
- 24%
- Students Enrolled
- 56,311
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Maryland Global Campus — Best Online Military-Friendly College
- Adelphi, MD
- 4 year
- Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Superlative: Global Reach and Strong Military Support for Both Active Duty Members and Veterans
The University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) offers over 70 online bachelor's and master's degree programs. UMGC is highly military-friendly, offering credit for military experience and reduced tuition to help over 60,000 military-affiliated students earn their degrees more quickly and affordably. UMGC has over 170 global locations, making higher education accessible, regardless of your location.
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $330
Out-of-State | $499
Why Students Choose Maryland Global:
- Tuition Discount: Military-affiliated students, including spouses and children, pay $250 per credit hour for undergraduate courses, $80 less than the standard rate.
- Experience for Credit: Earn credit for your military rank, experience, and training to speed up the time to complete your degree.
- No Textbooks: Nearly all courses use no-cost digital materials instead of textbooks, reducing extra costs.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Courses are mostly asynchronous and allow you to study on your time, regardless of location or time zone.
- Credit for military experience is not a guarantee and depends on several factors, including your specific program and recommendations from the American Council on Education (ACE).
95%
$ 7,632
53%
$11,976
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 60,084
- Institution Type
- Public
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley — Top Online University for First-Generation Students
- Edinburg, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Superlative: Large First-Gen Enrollment With Flexible Online Completion Pathways
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) offers 45 online degree programs designed to keep higher education affordable and flexible. More than 90% of full-time, in-state undergraduates pay no tuition or fees, helping first-generation students — who make up 60% of the student population — pursue degrees without financial barriers. Programs are available in 8- or 16-week formats to fit different schedules.
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $416
Out-of-State | $821
Why Students Choose UTRGV:
- Affordable Education: Ninety percent of full-time in-state undergraduates pay no tuition or fees.
- First-Generation Impact: First-generation students made up 60% of enrollment and earned over half of all degrees awarded in the fall of 2025.
- Flexible Scheduling: Choose from 8- or 16-week online courses to match your pace and availability.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Tuition is about twice as expensive for out-of-state students as for in-state students.
- UTRGV will cover tuition and mandatory fees for Texas residents with a family income of $125,000 or less.
67%
$ 7,857
81%
$20,007
- Acceptance Rate
- 94%
- Students Enrolled
- 33,881
- Institution Type
- Public
Types of Online Degrees
Advances in online learning allow students to pursue an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree. These degrees use the same curriculum as on-campus programs.
Some online college programs may use a hybrid curriculum, particularly for degrees that may require lab work or in-person experience. In-person requirements may include an on-campus seminar, internship, or other hands-on experience.
Popular Online Degrees
The best colleges offer a variety of online programs in different fields, such as healthcare, business, liberal arts, and STEM.
Working with college advisors can help you explore majors that align with your education and career goals. Some schools let you complement an online degree with a second major or minor.
Choosing an Online College That’s Right for You
Online colleges appeal to many groups, such as parents or caretakers and full-time professionals. Asynchronous online education can benefit these and other potential learners tremendously. This learning style lets you view lectures and complete assignments when convenient.
Online school may not be ideal if you learn best in an in-person, social environment. On-campus instruction may also benefit you if you learn better by engaging with lectures rather than just watching them.
Define Your Goals
Define your personal, educational, and professional goals before applying to online colleges. This will help you narrow your school search and focus on programs that meet your unique needs.
Choose a Major
Use your goals to find the major you need for career success. Narrow your school search by eliminating those lacking the major that interests you. Don’t forget to look at concentration options because they let you gain specialized knowledge and can affect which careers you can pursue after graduation.
Compare Accredited Schools
Limiting your search to accredited online colleges helps you avoid potential downfalls. Attending an unaccredited school means you may not qualify for federal financial aid, even if you prove need.
Additionally, employers may not hire you if you earned a degree from an unaccredited institution. Organizations such as the Council for Higher Education Accreditation can help you research a college’s accreditation status.
Consider Your Budget
Your choice of college could be influenced by financial factors. Degree costs vary widely by program and school. For example, bachelor’s programs generally cost more than associate programs and private schools usually charge more than public schools.
Online Colleges By State
Choosing an online college in your state can help lower tuition costs, allow you to attend hybrid programs, and allow you to use on-campus resources.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges
Yes, if you know what you want to do with your degree and attend an accredited online school. Remember that online education may offer other advantages, such as lower tuition and no commuting costs. You also receive the same academic and career resources available to on-campus degree-seekers.
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