Best Online Colleges of 2024
2024An online degree program is more than just a price tag. At BestColleges, we compare graduation rates, admissions rates, faculty-to-student ratios, net price, and more to create a holistic ranking of the best online schools.
The University of Florida is our top online university for 2024. With more schools rolling out online degree programs, Florida and others still managed to rise above the rest and stand out as top online schools in the country.
Featured Online College Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Colleges and Universities of 2024
- In-State$4,477
- Out-of-state$25,694
- In-State$10,770
- Out-of-state$27,335
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate30%
- Students Enrolled55,781
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment57%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$9,510
- Out-of-state$32,970
- In-State$13,035
- Out-of-state$34,347
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate91%
- Students Enrolled38,628
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment78%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$10,017
- Out-of-state$28,992
- In-State$9,950
- Out-of-state$27,245
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate77%
- Students Enrolled31,401
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment63%
- AccreditationYes
Northeastern University Professional Programs
Boston, MA- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$12,984
- Out-of-state$12,984
- In-State$22,866
- Out-of-state$22,866
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled10,918
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment66%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$4,721
- Out-of-state$16,529
- In-State$8,912
- Out-of-state$21,393
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled56,664
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment65%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$54,766
- Out-of-state$54,766
- In-State$36,234
- Out-of-state$36,234
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate83%
- Students Enrolled23,216
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment50%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$41,900
- Out-of-state$41,900
- In-State$22,068
- Out-of-state$22,068
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate78%
- Students Enrolled8,270
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment66%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$23,760
- Out-of-state$23,760
- In-State$13,320
- Out-of-state$13,320
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled1,954
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment31%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$10,065
- Out-of-state$29,456
- In-State$13,446
- Out-of-state$27,297
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate89%
- Students Enrolled33,193
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment52%
- AccreditationYes
Maryville University of Saint Louis
- Saint Louis, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$24,766
- Out-of-state$24,766
- In-State$14,346
- Out-of-state$14,346
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate92%
- Students Enrolled10,596
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment84%
- AccreditationYes
No. 1 Program: University of Florida
The University of Florida (UF) took the top spot for best online colleges and universities in 2024. With a high graduation rate and a low average net price of $3,679, UF offers both affordability and a path to successfully earning your degree.
UF hits all the marks for accessibility and student outcomes. Roughly 94% of UF students receive financial aid. You’ll also have access to a large selection of degree programs at UF — the university offers 22 online bachelor’s and 40 online master’s degrees.
UF continues to roll out high-demand degrees, featuring career support for online students as they enter fast-growing fields. In fall 2024, UF plans to launch three new majors for online students: agricultural education and communication, early childhood education, and entomology and nematology.
At UF Online, we strive to provide students pursuing fully online bachelor’s degrees with high levels of support and resources, as well as a strong sense of community,
Rhiannon Pollard, interim director of UF Online, told BestColleges. The
big why
of our work is ensuring that students receive a rigorous and enriching education that also connects them with their peer community of learners and the greater Gator Nation.
UF manages all of this while still being a relatively selective institution with high academic standards and a 16-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, combining the best of high academic performance with student outcomes and affordability.
No. 2 Program: George Mason University
George Mason University couples accessibility and affordability with a relatively high graduation rate, offering students both an avenue to higher education and a path to graduation. Good student outcomes and an affordable tuition rate landed GMU the number two spot on our best online colleges and universities list this year.
GMU has a relatively high admissions rate at 90% but also maintains an impressive 70% graduation rate. The university offers 13 online bachelor’s degrees and 28 online master’s degrees in high-demand fields like cybersecurity, technology, and information technology.
GMU also boasts a 16-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. It also includes a number of virtual services and resources for online students.
The average net price of an online degree at GMU is $18,581, and roughly 80% of students are awarded some form of financial aid.
Why George Mason University Ranked Second
George Mason University has a high graduation rate, a large amount of financial aid awarded to students, and a number of degree offerings — but it didn’t quite stack up to UF when it comes to student outcomes and affordability.
The net cost at GMU is $18,581, compared to $3,679 at UF. That, coupled with a lower graduation rate, put GMU in second place.
No. 3 Program: University of Missouri
The University of Missouri comes in at third on our list of best online colleges and universities thanks to a high graduation rate, hefty student aid, and plenty of resources for students.
Mizzou boasts a 73% graduation rate against a 79% admission rate. That means that, like GMU, it offers an accessible pathway to higher education without sacrificing good student outcomes.
The University of Missouri system’s Missouri Online combines resources from all of the system’s schools into a convenient, centralized online portal for students. This digital-focused platform means that online degrees from different university campuses are available to students, alongside student support and flexible learning systems.
Heading to Missouri for online education means you’re not just likely to get in, but also likely to graduate. You’ll probably also see financial aid: Roughly 91% of students received some form of financial aid with a net cost of $17,899.
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
Related Topics
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges
Both online and on-campus programs can be challenging. You’ll need to master the course material and demonstrate your knowledge. But, online college does pose some unique benefits and challenges.
Online programs give students greater flexibility compared to on-campus programs. That means they require strong organizational skills and determination. For some students, online college can be harder. It’s a good idea to take an online class before enrolling in an online college to see if the format matches your learning style and needs.
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