Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has the best online bachelor’s degree program in the United States, according to the annual ranking released Tuesday by the US News & World Report.
Headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida, Embry-Riddle is the largest accredited university system focused on the aviation and aerospace sectors. The university outperformed the University of Illinois-Chicago, the University of Florida and last year’s top-rated program at Ohio State University-Columbus.
The University of Illinois-Chicago offers three online bachelor’s degree programs, including health information management, business administration and a nursing program. Susan Poser, dean of the university and vice dean for academic affairs, told the publication that the institution is committed to “increasing access to high-quality online programs for professionals who are juggling work and family responsibilities and cannot go to campus for classes. “
The US News & World Report develops its rating, which has now been published for a decade, based on faculty credentials, student involvement, use of technology and access to student services.
Top US News & World report online baccalaureate programs:
- Aeronautical University Embry-Riddle
- University of Illinois-Chicago
- University of Florida
- Ohio State University-Columbus and Oregon State University (tie)
- Arizona State University
- University of Arizona
- CUNY School of Professional Studies & University at Buffalo-SUNY (tie)
- Colorado State University-Global Campus and Medical University of South Carolina and Pennsylvania State University-World Campus and University of Georgia (4 copies)
The publication also develops rankings for graduate programs, programs for veterans, as well as rankings for various thematic areas.
Main master’s programs:
- MBA: Carnegie Mellon University
- Business, not MBA: University of Southern California
- Computer Information Technology: Columbia University
- Criminal Justice / Criminology: University of California, Irvine
- Education: University of Florida
- Engineering: Columbia University
- Nursing: Rush University
The 2021 rankings arrive when universities have spent nearly an entire year struggling with the challenges of a pandemic, usually turning to some form of virtual education.
The publication evaluated more than 1,600 programs predominantly online, which can present face-to-face events such as guidelines, clinical requirements or tests. Combined learning programs – which many universities relied on during the pandemic – were not included in the ratings.
“As face-to-face meetings remain limited, we can see more interest in online courses than in pre-pandemic years,” said Anita Narayan, managing editor of education for US News & World Report in a press release. “But online degrees are not just practical in the short term – distance education can also lead to a schedule that includes full-time work or other commitments.”