NOVA JERSEY – 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 online 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 New Jersey that were specifically designed to be obtained online .
A total of 11 New Jersey colleges and universities earned a place on the list of the best online programs of 2021, published on Tuesday by the US News.
Aimed at those seeking to complete or expand 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 physical classrooms with online courses
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 New Jersey schools compare to this year’s list of the best online bachelor’s degrees:
- 86 – Draw between Berkeley College and Rutgers University – Camden
Best online master’s programs for business (not MBA):
- 12 – Rutgers University – New Brunswick and Newark
- 14 – Stevens Institute of Technology
- 91 – New Jersey Institute of Technology
- 109 – Rider University
Best Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice Online:
- 19 – Saint Elizabeth University
- 56 – Rowan University
Best online master’s programs for education:
- 15 – Montclair State University
- 108 – Rutgers University – New Brunswick
- 208 – Monmouth University
Best online master’s programs for engineering:
- 21 – Stevens Institute of Technology
- 56 – New Jersey Institute of Technology
Best online master’s degree programs for IT:
- 8 – Stevens Institute of Technology
Best online master’s degree programs for MBA:
- 35 – Stevens Institute of Technology
- 76 – Rutgers University – Camden
- 79 – Montclair State University
- 100 – New Jersey Institute of Technology
- 180 – Rider University
- 192 – Rowan University
Best online master’s programs for nursing:
- 27 – Seton Hall University
- 115 – Felician University
Florida-based Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is back in 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.