Best Online Colleges of 2024

An 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.

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

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.

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.

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.