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.
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Featured Online Programs
Find a program that meets your affordability, flexibility, and education needs through an accredited, online school.
Best Online Colleges and Universities
#1 10 Best Online Colleges and Universities of 2024
Southern New Hampshire University
- Manchester, NH
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $330
Out-of-State | $330
Credits to Graduate: 120
Online students can save money on out-of-state tuition at this private university. You'll pay a flat tuition rate at Southern New Hampshire University, which also offers a 30% tuition discount for active duty military.
You can earn your degree in business, social science, healthcare, or another field. There are no set class times, allowing you to complete your courses on your own time. In addition, SNHU stands out for its transfer-friendly policies that allow up to 90 transfer credits toward a 120-credit bachelor's degree. Online learners can submit the FAFSA to qualify for grants and other forms of financial aid.
Students Enrolled
145,533
Percent Online Enrollment
96%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
New England Commission on Higher Education
#2 10 Best Online Colleges and Universities of 2024
University of Florida
- Gainesville, FL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $129
Out-of-State | $553
Credits to Graduate: 120
You'll save 40% attending online compared to on-campus students at this public university. University of Florida Online offers the same degrees taught by the same faculty as on-campus students in a flexible, affordable format. And you'll also qualify for financial aid.
UF Online prioritizes flexibility, letting students take as little as 3 credits per term or as much as 18 credits. You can choose from 25 online majors and specialize your degree with one of 11 minors. And distance learners can complete internships in their local area to network and gain hands-on experience.
Percent Online Enrollment
57%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#3 10 Best Online Colleges and Universities of 2024
Florida International University
- Miami, FL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $153
Out-of-State | $567
Credits to Graduate: 120
Pay for college with grants, scholarships, and other forms of financial aid at this Miami public university. Students at FIU Online qualify for many financial aid options, including the Funds for Books program that covers the cost of books and supplies.
You'll take interactive classes with a flexible format at FIU. And you'll benefit from dozens of online academic programs, including business, the social sciences, and education. Or earn a unique hospitality management degree and specialize in cruise line operations, entertainment management, or mega-events.
Percent Online Enrollment
65%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#4 10 Best Online Colleges and Universities of 2024
Purdue University Global
- West Lafayette, IN
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $280
Out-of-State | $315-$371
Credits to Graduate: 180 credits
At Purdue Global, students have access to a sweeping catalog of flexible and affordable degrees. Students can save money through in-state tuition discounts, reduced rates for military personnel, and credit for work experience. Transfer students from partnering community colleges may receive tuition reductions as well.
Undergraduate majors include accounting, aviation management, health and wellness, and early childhood administration.
Purdue Global's ExcelTrack programs allow you to earn a degree at your own pace. That means you can quickly move through the courses you know and save money in the process. You also can spend more time on a course if needed.
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
100%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#5 10 Best Online Colleges and Universities of 2024
Pennsylvania State University
- University Park, PA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $626-$671
Out-of-State | $626-$671
Credits to Graduate: 120
Penn State World Campus emphasizes affordability as much as rigor. The school calculates tuition based on the number of credits you plan to take and transfer.
There's no distinction between your in-state or out-of-state residency status. You pay affordable tuition and can save even more by transferring credits from former programs. Plus, Penn State World Campus participates in federal financial aid and other programs.
You can choose to pursue an undergraduate major like business, economics, biobehavioral health, or functional data analytics. That's just a sampling of the online school's 175 programs.
Percent Online Enrollment
54%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#6 10 Best Online Colleges and Universities of 2024
San Diego State University
- San Diego, CA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $492-552
Out-of-State | $492-552
Credits to Graduate: 120
As a San Diego State University student, you can qualify for federal aid and California grants. By enrolling in qualifying SDSU Global Campus programs, you can apply for Cal Grant A and B or a Pell Grant. Eligible programs include bachelor's degree completion programs in economics, engineering, business, public health, communication, and more.
These flexible programs meet the requirements for several financial aid options. Students can also apply for almost 700 scholarships offered by the public university. SDSU advisors partner with degree-seekers to explore funding options and find financial solutions.
Percent Online Enrollment
64%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
#7 10 Best Online Colleges and Universities of 2024
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- Minneapolis, MN
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $442
Out-of-State | $442
Credits to Graduate: 120
University of Minnesota offers 18 fully online bachelor's programs. Minnesota residents and out-of-state students pay the same affordable per-credit tuition rate. If eligible, you can use financial aid such as federal loans and scholarships to fund your education.
UMN's online degree options include criminal justice, software engineering, English, and finance majors. The school's strong business program offers IT, health, and manufacturing management degrees. Or you may prefer an applied studies degree designed for transfer students with a certificate, diploma, or associate degree in an occupational field.
Percent Online Enrollment
45%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#8 10 Best Online Colleges and Universities of 2024
Florida Atlantic University
- Boca Raton, FL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $203
Out-of-State | $722
Credits to Graduate: 120
Textbooks can add a lot to your college costs. At Florida Atlantic University Online, faculty lower the cost of online courses by aiming for a maximum course material cost of $20 per credit. That could potentially save you hundreds of dollars while earning your bachelor's degree. And if you're a Florida resident, you'll pay one of the lowest tuition rates for online colleges.
Choose from undergraduate programs in business, public safety administration, or nursing. FAU also offers majors in nursing, computer science, and interdisciplinary studies.
Percent Online Enrollment
65%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#9 10 Best Online Colleges and Universities of 2024
University of Missouri
- Columbia, MO
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $542-$692
Out-of-State | $659-$809
Credits to Graduate: 120
You can graduate from University of Missouri at an affordable price, thanks to financial aid. Missouri Online, a consortium of four public colleges in Missouri, designs its online programs for busy learners. Online students attending this accredited university qualify for scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid.
Mizzou encourages you to submit the FAFSA to qualify for financial aid. The public institution also provides mentoring and financial aid advising to help you pay for your degree.
Percent Online Enrollment
63%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#10 10 Best Online Colleges and Universities of 2024
University of Utah
- Salt Lake City, UT
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $260
Out-of-State | $260
Credits to Graduate: 122
You'll pay one of the most affordable tuition rates at UOnline, where Utah residents and out-of-state students pay the same low tuition rate. Make progress toward your degree by accessing student services and working with advisors. You can also connect with the career and professional development center to plan your career path.
As an online student, you'll qualify for the same federal financial aid as on-campus students. Some academic departments also offer scholarships for distance learners.
Percent Online Enrollment
66%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
At Affordable Colleges Online, we use a proprietary ranking system to help you find the best schools for your needs. Our most important metric, affordability, accounts for 60% of our weighted formula. We also consider academic quality, program offerings, online enrollment, and graduation rate.
You can learn more about our school ranking methodology here.
Types of Online Degrees
Advances in online learning allow students to pursue an associate, 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.
Choosing an Online College That's Right for You
Choosing the right online college involves researching online learning, defining goals, choosing a major, and comparing accredited schools. Consulting friends, family, and coworkers can also help you find the right program.
Decide Whether Online College Is the Right Format
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. Doing so helps you narrow your school search and focus on programs that meet your unique needs.
You can define your goals in many ways, such as through performing self-reflection, speaking with family members, and consulting your employer's human resources department.
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.
Your school may offer your major with one or more concentrations. A concentration lets you gain specialized knowledge and affects 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. Employers may not hire you if you earned a degree from an unaccredited institution.
Fortunately, many online colleges feature a website describing their accreditation status. 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.
In 2022, a bachelor's degree cost an average of $9,700 per year in tuition and fees at public, in-state colleges, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Alternatively, private colleges cost an average of $38,800 in tuition and fees.
Online Colleges By State
Choosing an online college in your state can help lower tuition costs and make it possible to attend hybrid programs or use on-campus resources.
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.
Choosing the best online college involves selecting a major and knowing what resources you need for academic and career success. Even some great schools may not meet all of your personal requirements.
Do not forget about financial aid, as some colleges offer online students tuition discounts and other benefits. Attending an accredited school also lets you apply for federal grants and loans.
Online colleges with open admissions accept all applicants who meet basic admission requirements, such as a high school diploma or GED. You need not submit standardized test scores or recommendation letters to apply.
Accredited colleges with open admissions offer the same advantages as other online schools, such as access to federal financial aid, transfer pathways, and student services.
Yes, online degrees are taken seriously if a school holds proper accreditation. These schools award online degrees with requirements identical to on-campus programs. Employers and other colleges should view your degree the same as any other.
Protect yourself against diploma mills and non-accredited online schools by researching institutions' accreditation status.
Full-time students can complete an online associate degree in two years. You can graduate in about 18 months if you enroll in an accelerated track or take classes during the summer term. These options may not appeal to you if you work or care for family members while in school.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by Affordable Colleges Online. Page last reviewed December 5, 2023.