WASHINGTON, January 26, 2021 / PRNewswire / – The US News & World Report, the global authority on education ratings, today published the 2021 Best Online Program Ratings. Designed for students looking to complete or improve their education, the ratings assess more than 1,600 online bachelor’s and master’s programs. These programs offer an alternative option for prospective students looking to meet their academic goals, while pandemic restrictions remain in place in much of the country.
The Best Online Programs ratings include only programs designed to be administered online. In other words, the rankings do not evaluate schools or temporarily virtual programs due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Aeronautical University Embry-Riddle back to first place this year between Best Online Bachelor Programs. For MBAs, Carnegie Mellon University ties with the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill to the top spot. Columbia University has the best ranked computer information technology Master’s program. Tied first between Best Online Master’s Degree in Nursing programs are Rush University and the University of South Carolina. Master programs No. 1 in Education and Engineering they are in University of Florida and Columbia University, respectively.
For the first time, US News published specialty ratings for bachelor’s programs in business and psychology. These complement specialty master’s level classifications in 18 subject areas, such as MBA in finance and nursing administration / leadership. In addition, the annual rankings for the Best Online Veterans Programs give credit to programs selected for their success in enrolling military veterans and active service members and making federal financial benefits accessible to them.
Along with the ratings, US News produces editorial content throughout the year on how to pay for school, balance work and studies, find tutoring resources and more. Prospective students can also use the Compare Online College tool to search and compare different programs.
“As face-to-face meetings remain limited, we can see more interest in online courses than in pre-pandemic years,” he said. Anita Narayan, editor in chief of Education at US News. “But online degrees are not only practical in the short term – distance education can also lead to a schedule that includes full-time work or other commitments.”
US News remains the only publication to comprehensively assess online degrees at the program level, rather than at the school level. The classifications are based on indicators such as student services and technology, faculty credentials and student involvement, using data collected directly from each institution. Only diploma award programs offered mainly online by regionally accredited institutions were considered, and the programs with the highest score are those that apply the best educational practices specific to distance students.
2021 US News & World Report Best Online Programs
Bachelor Programs
1. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide (FL)
2. University of Illinois – Chicago
3 – University of Florida
Master’s programs
MBA
1 Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper) (PA) (tie)
1. University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler) (tie)
3. Indiana University – Bloomington (Kelley)
Business, not MBA
1 University of Southern California (Marshall)
2. Indiana University – Bloomington (Kelley)
3 – Arizona State University (Carey)
Information Technology
1 Columbia University (NEW YORK)
two Johns Hopkins University (Whiting) (MD) (tie)
two University of Southern California (necktie)
Criminal Justice / Criminology
1. University of California – Irvine
two Boston University (necktie)
two Sam Houston State University (TX) (tie)
Education
1 University of Florida
two Clemson University (Moore) (SC)
3. University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign
Engineering
1 Columbia University (Fu Foundation) (NY)
2. University of California – Los Angeles (Samueli)
3. Purdue University – West Lafayette (IN)
Nursing
1 Rush University (IL) (tie)
1 University of South Carolina (necktie)
3 – Duke University (NC) (tie)
3 – Ohio State University (necktie)
In Friday, January 29, US News will host a free webinar on the potential benefits of enrolling in an online bachelor’s program, as well as what differentiates these programs from temporary virtual learning. To subscribe, visit the US News Live page here.
For more information on ratings, visit Best online programs and share the ratings using #BestOnlinePrograms at Facebook and Twitter.
About US News & World Report
The US News & World Report is the global leader in quality ratings that empower people to make better, more informed decisions about important issues that affect their lives. A digital news and information company focused on education, health, money, travel, cars and news, USNews.com provides consumer advice, ratings and analysis to serve people who make complex decisions at all stages of life. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com every month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, US News is headquartered in Washington DC