Online bachelor degrees are offered all over the country at four-year colleges and universities in various fields of study. With so many opportunities for distance learners to complete their online bachelor’s degrees, it may be difficult to know what school is the best option for them. With factors such as tuition costs, graduation rates, and resources available for online learners, we have analyzed schools that offer online bachelor degrees and ranked the top institutions. Explore the best online bachelor degree programs for 2016-2017 here.
| Rank | University | Location | Score | Tuition | # of Online Programs | Financial Aid % | Student-Teacher Ratio | Grad Rate | Credit for Experience | Placement Services | Counseling Services | University Information | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dickinson State University | Dickinson, ND | 99.79 | $6,050 | 20 | 63% | 11:1 | 35% | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 2 | Siena Heights University | Adrian, MI | 99.29 | $22,740 | 38 | 99% | 11:1 | 43% | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 3 | Fort Hays State University | Hays, KS | 99.22 | $4,469 | 21 | 72% | 17:1 | 41% | No | Yes | Yes | ||
| 4 | Davenport University | Grand Rapids, MI | 98.47 | $15,072 | 21 | 89% | 14:1 | 40% | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 5 | Judson College | Marion, AL | 98.30 | $16,258 | 15 | 95% | 9:1 | 37% | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 6 | Northern Arizona University | Flagstaff, AZ | 98.05 | $8,728 | 23 | 66% | 18:1 | 49% | No | Yes | Yes | ||
| 7 | East Carolina University | Greenville, NC | 97.95 | $6,143 | 18 | 50% | 18:1 | 58% | No | Yes | Yes | ||
| 8 | Columbia College | Columbia, MO | 97.34 | $6,582 | 22 | 24% | 34:1 | 42% | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 9 | Saint Leo University | Saint Leo, FL | 97.31 | $20,110 | 16 | 99% | 15:1 | 43% | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 10 | Granite State College | Concord, NH | 97.20 | $7,065 | 35 | N/A | 12:1 | 50% | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 11 | University of Louisiana at Monroe | Monroe, LA | 97.16 | $6,963 | 20 | 56% | 21:1 | 37% | No | Yes | Yes | ||
| 12 | University of Memphis | Memphis, TN | 97.01 | $8,619 | 17 | 40% | 14:1 | 40% | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 13 | Baker College Center for Graduate Studies | Flint, MI | 96.77 | $8,280 | 16 | 72% | 13:1 | 25% | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 14 | Western Kentucky University | Bowling Green, KY | 96.59 | $9,140 | 21 | 37% | 18:1 | 50% | No | Yes | Yes | ||
| 15 | Southwestern College | Winfield, KS | 96.35 | $24,835 | 19 | 95% | 8:1 | 51% | Yes | No | Yes | ||
| 16 | Tiffin University | Tiffin, OH | 96.35 | $21,535 | 18 | 92% | 18:1 | 33% | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 17 | Liberty University | Lynchburg, VA | 96.21 | $21,000 | 20 | 78% | 18:1 | 46% | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 18 | Colorado Christian University | Lakewood, CO | 96.09 | $20,935 | 13 | 97% | 14:1 | 40% | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 19 | Mercy College | Dobbs Ferry, NY | 95.84 | $17,766 | 19 | 88% | 19:1 | 34% | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 20 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | 95.72 | $6,313 | 15 | 29% | 21:1 | 85% | No | Yes | Yes | ||
| 21 | Oregon State University | Corvallis, OR | 95.70 | $9,122 | 16 | 55% | 19:1 | 61% | No | Yes | Yes | ||
| 22 | Florida International University | Miami, FL | 95.62 | $6,497 | 14 | 48% | 26:1 | 49% | No | Yes | Yes | ||
| 23 | Concordia University-Saint Paul | Saint Paul, MN | 95.56 | $20,200 | 15 | 85% | 15:1 | 47% | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 24 | Southwestern Assemblies of God University | Waxahachie, TX | 95.41 | $19,450 | 16 | 73% | 16:1 | 38% | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 25 | Indiana State University | Terre Haute, IN | 95.40 | $8,416 | 15 | 75% | 20:1 | 43% | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 26 | Troy University | Troy, AL | 95.26 | $7,564 | 12 | 45% | 15:1 | 35% | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 27 | University of Nebraska at Omaha | Omaha, NE | 95.24 | $6,750 | 12 | 49% | 16:1 | 46% | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 28 | Dallas Baptist University | Dallas, TX | 95.07 | $23,650 | 12 | 86% | 13:1 | 54% | No | Yes | Yes | ||
| 29 | Northwestern State University of Louisiana | Natchitoches, LA | 94.93 | $6,786 | 13 | 48% | 20:1 | 36% | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 30 | Bellevue University | Bellevue, NE | 94.81 | $6,450 | 36 | 51% | 32:1 | 31% | Yes | No | Yes | ||
| 31 | Indiana Wesleyan University | Marion, IN | 94.58 | $24,102 | 15 | 50% | 16:1 | 70% | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 32 | Texas A & M University-College Station | College Station, TX | 94.34 | $9,685 | 13 | 54% | 20:1 | 80% | No | Yes | Yes | ||
| 33 | Penn State World Campus | University Park, PA | 94.24 | $17,502 | 15 | 37% | 17:1 | 86% | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 34 | University of Houston-Downtown | Houston, TX | 94.16 | $5,594 | 13 | 34% | 22:1 | 12% | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 35 | Northern State University | Aberdeen, SD | 94.01 | $7,563 | 11 | 67% | 18:1 | 46% | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 36 | University of Houston-Victoria | Victoria, TX | 93.94 | $5,483 | 10 | 92% | 17:1 | N/A | No | Yes | Yes | ||
| 37 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 93.93 | $6,368 | 12 | 44% | 31:1 | 65% | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 38 | Old Dominion University | Norfolk, VA | 93.93 | $8,970 | 15 | 41% | 20:1 | 49% | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 39 | Ferris State University | Big Rapids, MI | 93.84 | $10,556 | 11 | 63% | 16:1 | 53% | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 40 | Dakota State University | Madison, SD | 93.73 | $7,506 | 11 | 58% | 16:1 | 42% | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 41 | Wayland Baptist University | Plainview, TX | 93.59 | $12,960 | 12 | 33% | 10:1 | 36% | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 42 | University of Massachusetts-Lowell | Lowell, MA | 93.51 | $12,447 | 12 | 59% | 18:1 | 54% | No | Yes | Yes | ||
| 43 | Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 93.07 | $16,936 | 10 | 77% | 12:1 | 60% | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 44 | Eastern Kentucky University | Richmond, KY | 92.77 | $7,920 | 10 | 41% | 15:1 | 37% | No | Yes | Yes | ||
| 45 | Missouri State University-Springfield | Springfield, MO | 92.76 | $7,008 | 10 | 51% | 20:1 | 55% | No | Yes | Yes | ||
| 46 | National University | La Jolla, CA | 92.70 | $12,384 | 39 | 1% | 20:1 | 23% | Yes | No | Yes | ||
| 47 | Goodwin College | East Hartford, CT | 92.58 | $19,400 | 10 | 91% | 10:1 | N/A | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 48 | University of North Dakota | Grand Forks, ND | 92.56 | $7,741 | 11 | 30% | 19:1 | 52% | No | Yes | Yes | ||
| 49 | University of Maryland-University College | Adelphi, MD | 92.51 | $6,744 | 27 | 3% | 22:1 | 4% | Yes | No | Yes | ||
| 50 | Hawaii Pacific University | Honolulu, HI | 92.47 | $21,130 | 10 | 78% | 13:1 | 40% | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Online bachelor’s degree programs give students the opportunity to earn a baseline four-year credential with maximum flexibility. Originally, students earned online bachelor’s degrees from private schools that focused solely on distance learning. Over the past decade, however, traditionally campus-based colleges and universities have added both online and hybrid programs to their collections to attract and serve a wider student base. For those interested in earning a bachelor’s online, the following page offer three helpful resources? First, the search tool makes it easy for anyone to find accredited online degree programs fast. For prospective students who want a more comprehensive look, the page includes a listing of the top colleges for online bachelor’s degree volume. Finally, the student’s guide to online bachelor’s explains in detail what they are, how they work and, perhaps most importantly, how to identify a quality program.
The ability to work, submit materials and access resources 24/7makes online bachelor’s degree programs a popular choice among distance learners. Self-paced programs offer maximum flexibility, allowing students to view online lectures, post to message boards and collaborate with peers when and where convenient. Real-time, or synchronous, bachelor’s programs are flexible as well, but for some students, have a more “college feel”. They can turn in assignments and take exams at varying times, but may have scheduled meetings and discussion sessions with professors or peers.
Most online bachelor’s programs focus on earning the four-year degree itself. In other words, students get their diplomas and transition directly into their chosen career. However, more and more online degrees at the four-year level bridge with advanced master’s degree study. Students earn their online bachelor’s but some of their coursework applies to a master’s in the same discipline.This occurs most notably in medical- and education-related majors.
Some higher educational tracks will always require hands-on training. It’s unavoidable. For example, no one can earn an online bachelor’s degree in teaching without first-hand experience with students; same with nursing and patients. Therefore, many colleges have developed hybrid solutions, which allow submission of academic materials online, but involve scheduled visits to classrooms, medical centers or other appropriate physical locations to focus on tactile knowledge and skills. If a school purports to offer a fully online program in a subject area that undoubtedly requires hands-on work, research its requirements thoroughly.
Yet online programs at the bachelor’s level may call for an in-person meeting anyway, even if it’s a purely academic degree. For example, business programs may require students to visit a campus once per semester (or per year) to meet professors, fellow classmates and other important faculty and staff. This occurs in the more collaborative fields where group projects happen regularly or close communication is a must.
Great online bachelor’s programs have a winning combination of affordability, flexibility and quality. The best ones offer all that and more, including top-notch resources to help students succeed. For example, a growing number of colleges are giving online students free laptops, tablets and other tech tools. These devices not only help online learners stay connected, but they also facilitate access to digital libraries and similar online research materials.
Regardless of the reason for pursuing a bachelor’s degree online, it’s important to understand how it works from start to finish. In addition to diving into the reasons to earn a bachelor’s degree, this section dissects each step of a four-year education, from admission to graduation.
The college application process actually begins the first day of high school. It’s then that students begin building an academic track record along with hobbies, summer jobs, and community activities that all go into creating a successful college application. For potential online learners, this is prime time to assess whether distance learning is the right move. Questions to ask before considering an online education (or even a hybrid one) include:
Whether choosing an online program or a campus one, every student needs to follow a schedule to ensure college application goes smoothly. They also need to think about how their education might progress as they enter year one and move toward graduation. The following timeline offers a clear start-to-finish look at the bachelor’s degree education.
Focus on math, science and English skills
Work with an advisor to choose college prep courses. Work harder, if necessary, to get grades up. Take the PSAT exam (optional).
Take first SAT/ACT exam as a baseline for improvement. If necessary, consider SAT/ACT mentoring.
Search for scholarships.
Second SAT/ACT exam.
Start compiling a college list. Visit schools while in session.
Round up recommendation letters from high school faculty.
Review and check off high school graduation requirements.
Fill out college applications.
Complete the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA® ).
Submit all applications by school deadlines. Confirm that materials were received.
Second visits to schools that have sent acceptance letters.
Compare financial aid packages. Make a final decision and inform the college.
High school sends final transcripts to the college.
Review the Student Aid Report statement and submit it to the college.
Meet with a college advisor to plan first-year fall courses.
The first year is organized around arming students with the core skills in navigating college, along with introductory courses in the arts and sciences. Students develop research skills, explore critical thinking and writing, and assimilate to the college-style of learning. Students attending college for the first time should already begin looking forward toward defining their educational and career goals. Those who are already focused on a major and professional goal should be planning for next year’s classes.
Students typically complete the requirements for general education this year, developing plans to finish incomplete courses as early as the upcoming summer. It’s not too soon to be thinking about a college major. Since upper-division courses may be limited in size, this year may be essential in fulfilling pre-requisites for courses in the major.
By junior year, students should commit to their major. Full-time students should expect to devote more than half of their classes toward fulfilling major requirements. To graduate on schedule, students should assess progress and make any mid-course corrections immediately with the assistance of a departmental academic advisor. In the fall of the junior year, students may want to apply for career-related internships, volunteer opportunities, study abroad programs or work studies. Students in degree programs that require senior projects should map out their plans now.
The senior year moves fast. Students may focus their work on senior research projects, arts presentations, or take comprehensive exams in their major. At the beginning of the fall semester/quarter, students should begin compiling a portfolio, resume, or vitae ahead of graduation. For those entering the workplace, it’s a strategic time to explore career services at their college for help with resumes, cover letters, employment applications and job placement. Students heading directly into graduate work should start the application process for grad school in September (see Master’s Degree page for more details).
No. If the student knows how to use email, the Internet and some basic document programs, they’re prepared. Many schools offer introductory training in using their online interface.
While online classes can be accelerated toward completion, they are not cupcakes. Students find course requirements as rigorous online as in campus-based counterparts.
Yes, but there’s two sides to the ease of access: Getting to class materials is a breeze, but online students who do not develop consistent study habits can easily fall behind.
Yes, and in increasing numbers. The top criterion for acceptance is whether the college/program is accredited, according to Ed Tech Magazine. Employers may be more interested in the candidate’s level of skills and experience than where they earned their degree.
Grants, scholarships, loans and military education benefits are part of the financial aid packages offered to qualified students by online bachelor’s degree programs. Students should inquire about financial aid at their prospective college as well as complete their FAFSA® application. However, only programs from accredited colleges quality for aid.