ARIZONA – After months of campus closings and restrictions, the coronavirus pandemic has given new importance to online education and the flexibility it offers to current and future university students.
While some colleges have temporarily moved to the Internet as an alternative to face-to-face learning in the midst of the pandemic, a new rating from the US News & World Report gives a nod to select schools and degree programs in Arizona that were specifically designed to be obtained online.
A total of three Arizona colleges and universities have earned a place on the list of the best online programs of 2021, published by the US News.
Aimed at those looking to complete or advance their education, the ranking assesses more than 1,600 online bachelor’s and master’s programs.
The rating did not take into account schools or programs that were temporarily transferred to the Internet due to the pandemic, according to a US News statement. The list also does not include blended learning programs that combine courses in traditional classrooms with online
Education.
To determine which schools and programs are on this year’s list, US News looked at overall academic quality in a variety of disciplines. In addition to online baccalaureate degrees, US News ranked master’s programs in business, education, nursing, engineering, computer information technology and criminal justice. Online MBA programs have been separated from other business courses and classified separately.
New this year, US News added ratings for online bachelor’s programs in business and psychology.
The methodologies for determining the best programs vary according to the specialty. Learn more about the methodologies used at USNews.com.
Here’s a look at how other schools in Arizona fared on this year’s list:
Arizona State University, Tempe
- 6th Ranked in Bachelor Programs
University of Arizona, Tucson
- Ranked seventh in baccalaureate programs
Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff
- Ranked # 67 in Bachelor Programs
Florida-based Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University returned to first place this year among the Best Online Bachelor Programs. For MBAs, Carnegie Mellon University tied with the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill for first place.
Meanwhile, Columbia University had the highest rated master’s program in computer information technology. Tied first among the best online master’s programs in nursing were Rush University and the University of South Carolina.
Finally, the No. 1 master’s programs in education and engineering are at the University of Florida and Columbia University, respectively.
See the full 2021 list of the Best Online Programs here.