Best Online Colleges of 2025

Interest in online education has surged over the last decade, causing schools to increase investment in online degrees. As of fall 2022, there were more than 4.9 million exclusively online learners in higher education, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Despite past stigmas about the worth and value of an online degree, 97% of online students in 2024 told BestColleges they would recommend online education to others.

Source: BestColleges 2024 Online Education Trends Report

We compared graduation rates, admission rates, net price, and more to create a holistic ranking of the best online schools.

But first, if you’re wondering whether online education or in-person instruction better fits your needs, let’s cover some of the top reasons for pursuing an online degree.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Here are the most important factors to consider when choosing an online college.

Key Factors to Consider Before Applying

It’s easy to assume getting an online degree costs less than pursuing a degree on campus. While this may occasionally be true, it’s important to thoroughly research total costs.

In fact, 27% of online learners in BestColleges 2024 Online Education Trends Report say they wish they had done more research about cost and financial aid when choosing an online program.

How much does online college cost? The cost can vary greatly by institution type and number of credits. According to data from the NCES College Navigator database of 41 distance-learning-only institutions, the average net price of fully online education in 2022-2023 was $17,410 a year. However, public colleges cost less than private institutions.

The average net price per credit for online colleges was about $580; however, the least expensive online colleges can cost less than $100 per credit.

According to NCES, among undergraduates enrolled in 56 fully online institutions in 2021-2022, the majority received some federal, state, local, or institutional grant aid.

Ready to explore your financial aid options for an online program? Skip ahead to learn more about how to pay for an online degree.

Even fully online students can expect to see some price variation for in-state vs. out-of-state tuition. In-state tuition is the price you pay when you attend a public college within your state of residence. Out-of-state tuition is the price to attend a school outside your state of residence.

In-state tuition is typically much lower than out-of-state tuition. During the 2022-2023 academic year, the average in-state tuition at public universities was $10,490, compared to $24,000 for out-of-state students, according to Peterson’s Data.

Fully online schools may not have this distinction, however, so be sure to do your research.

Below are some of the top online schools by state and the average tuition costs you can expect.

There’s no shortage of options when it comes to the types of online credentials you can earn. Follow the links below to find more detailed information about the different types of online education, from non-degree certificates to advanced degrees.

Students in all fields can pursue their studies online. Below are some of the most popular online programs by degree level.

Some mostly online programs may still require an in-person component, called a practicum, so that students get the hands-on experience they need in the jobs they’re studying for.

According to certified career coach and online learning expert Melissa Venable, Ph.D., finding an online program that includes practical opportunities such as internships can help students be more competitive in the job market. Read more of Melissa’s interview.

Institutional accreditation is awarded to U.S. colleges and universities by independent agencies that periodically examine schools’ offerings. These agencies confirm the institutions are providing students with a quality education. Schools can receive regional and/or national accreditation, but generally, it is known as institutional accreditation.

Attending an accredited online institution is a good way to ensure that future employers take your degree or credentials seriously.

Some professional pathways like nursing, teaching, business, and law rely on programmatic accreditation for licensure. This means that a specific program of study within an institution is accredited to meet certain standards.

If you see that your program is accredited by an agency with an unfamiliar name, you can check the Council for Higher Education Accreditation’s directory of programmatic accrediting agencies.

If you’re choosing an online college, the length of your program may not follow a traditional timeline. Understanding how long the program will take to complete can help you prepare for the time commitment.

Want to complete your program at a faster pace? Here are some resources to help:

If you’re interested but unsure whether an accelerated program is right for you, explore our guide to accelerated online programs.

The different course formats for online learning may be new to you. These formats include synchronous and asynchronous learning.

Still concerned about adjusting to any of these formats? You’re not alone. In 2024, roughly 1 in 10 online learners and program graduates say their biggest concern about their higher education experience was adapting to an online or remote learning environment.

If you struggle with the rigid schedules of real-time lectures and need more flexibility with your learning format, asynchronous programs might be a better fit. But if you tend to struggle with self-directed learning, a synchronous style of learning is probably a better option.

To apply to an accredited online college, you typically need to submit your application through an online portal. Pay close attention to submission deadlines and application fees. Application fees range from $40-$60 on average and can be waived if you demonstrate financial need.

If you’re concerned about your ability to qualify for a financial waiver, look into schools without application fees.

In addition to checking deadlines and fees, ensure you have official transcripts mailed from your last school to the institution you hope to attend.

Lastly, gather any test scores, letters of recommendation, and lists of academic honors or achievements.

As an online student, you have access to many of the same financial aid options and other programs to fund your education as students who attend in person. Below, we detail some of the most common ways you can pay for your online degree.

Just like students who enroll on campus, online college students can receive student loans to pay for educational expenses like tuition, housing, textbooks, and university fees. During the 2021-2022 academic year, 41% of fully online students were awarded federal student loans.

Students enrolled in fully online programs have access to nearly all of the same scholarship and grant opportunities as students enrolled in on-campus programs.

Grants are typically awarded by federal and state governments and allocated based on financial need instead of merit. Online learners can apply for college grants by filing the FAFSA.

By comparison, scholarships are usually awarded based on merit and given out by various entities like nonprofits, employers, foundations, schools, religious institutions, and professional organizations. To apply for scholarships for online students, a separate application is typically required.

Some employers offer tuition assistance or reimbursement to employees who enroll in certain programs in an effort to attract, retain, and develop a skilled workforce. Typically, companies that offer this benefit to eligible employees will reimburse or assist up to $5,250 per calendar year per employee.