According to U.S. News and World Report, 2,000+ colleges and universities offer online education in the USA. In 2015 students have such an extensive choice of e-learning options:
- online distance learning programs from top US colleges with real certificates and degrees (including Associate, Bachelor, Master and Doctorate)
- massively open online courses (MOOCs)
- free Open CourseWire classes supported by major universities all over the world
- and numerous free educational webinars and online academies
But today we’ll explore official educational institutions that provide students with diploma. Here’s our exclusive hand-picked list of 50 best online US schools that help you to get new skills, a diploma or a certificate for best career prospects. There’s only one school per each state with the best online learning programs.
SEE ALSO: 200+ Free Useful Resources for Teachers & Students
1. Alabama – Columbia Southern University
Columbia Southern University provides a wide range of online degrees starting in business, education, science and safety fields. The university has flexible and affordable programs that are beneficial for adult learners and secondary education. Plus, CSU is a member of Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).
CSU Facts & Figures
Degrees: Associate, Bachelor, Master and Certificates
Tuition: Undergraduate courses starts at $210.00 per credit hour.
Graduate courses starts at $275.00 per credit hour.
2. Alaska – The University of Alaska Southeast
The University of Alaska Southeast has e-learning programs for all tastes. Students can study business, liberal arts, management, education or even fishing. Online classes are provided via audio and web conferences, through multimedia casts and satellite.
UAS Facts & Figures
Degrees: Associate, Bachelor, Master and Certificates
Tuition: Undergraduate tuition average cost is $201.58 per credit hour.
3. Arizona – The University of Phoenix
If you browse the web planning your future career, you are surely spot The University of Phoenix ads. It’s a famous online school which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission for online degrees. It means that an online diploma matches offline standards. Most popular degrees in University of Phoenix are business, management and marketing. But the academic courses include technology, science, health, liberal arts, journalism and much more.
University of Phoenix Facts & Figures
Degrees: Associate, Bachelor, Master and Certificates
Tuition: Undergraduate courses start at $410 per credit hour.
4. Arkansas – University of Arkansas
University of Arkansas was founded in 1872 and since then its fundamental research continues to move forward academic heritage of the whole region. In 2014 University of Arkansas celebrated 26,000 students enrollment milestone. The pearl of the university is Sam M. Walton College of Business which is one of the best public business schools in the USA.
Facts & Figures
Degrees: Associate, Bachelor, Master and Certificates
Tuition: Self-paced courses start at $130 per credit hour.
Undergraduate tuition starts at $234.26 per credit hour. Graduate tuition starts at $399.94 per credit hour.
DON’T MISS: Multimedia in Education: Animoto Video Maker
5. California – Brandman University
Brandman University is a part of Chapman University System, one of oldest higher educational institutions on the West Coast. About 12,000 students select Brandman University as their Alma Mater. The university developed flexible programs and courses for adult learners that permit them to study at day or night without career or family sacrifice.
Brandman University Facts & Figures
Degrees: Associate, Bachelor, Master and Certificates
Tuition: Undergraduate tuition starts at $500 per credit hour (for CA residents).
Graduate tuition starts at $610 per credit hour (for CA residents).
6. Colorado – Colorado Technical University
Colorado Technical University offers almost all popular online degrees, including Doctorate which is quite rare. Besides, the institution has a unique and profound approach to education. They offer Intellipath™ technology of distance learning with intelligent educational recommendations that helps students to achieve their goals better.
CTU Facts & Figures
Degrees: Associate, Bachelor, Master and Doctorate
Tuition: depends on major.
7. Connecticut – Post University
Post University is a pioneer in online and hybrid education. The university with 125-year history adapts its academic calendar to modern requirements. There are no fixed online hours, students may go through courses in an accelerated tempo and collaborate with classmates. There is also a good choice of academic courses and degrees available from accounting to legal studies.
Post University Facts & Figures
Degrees: Associate, Bachelor, Master and Certificates
Tuition: Undergraduate & graduate tuition starts at $570 per credit hour.
RELATED POST: 20 Top EDU Hashtags for Instagram & Twitter
8. Delaware – University of Delaware
University of Delaware delivers online classes with the help of Sakai online platform, a flexible and popular distance education software that enables students to get top-class access to offline campus knowledge online. The university offers variety of programs to extend professional development, including online degrees, certified and non-certified programs.
UD Facts & Figures
Degrees: Associate, Master and Certificates
Tuition: Undergraduate tuition is $468 per credit hour (Delaware residents only). Graduate tuition is $1,674 per credit hour.
9. Florida – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University was one of the first universities in the USA with distance learning programs. The university is one of the strongest schools of engineering. Now students have wide choice of majors to enroll in: applied science, computers and technology, business, aerospace engineering and much more.
ERAU Facts & Figures
Degrees: Associate, Bachelor, Master, Doctorate and Certificates
Tuition: Undergraduate tuition starts at $355 per credit hour. Master tuition starts at $600 per credit hour. Doctoral tuition starts at $1,080 per credit hour.
10. Georgia – Kennesaw State University
In 2015 Kennesaw State University and Southern Polytechnic State University consolidated to provide top-notch education. Over 33,000 students study in 13 colleges of the university. Online education at SKU has the same high standards as offline peers for all programs and certificates: nursing, education, engineering, humanities, logistics, match, marketing and more.
KSU Facts & Figures
Degrees: Bachelor, Master and Certificates
Tuition: Undergraduate tuition starts at $277.33 per credit hour.
Graduate tuition starts at $408 per credit hour.
MUST READ: Gadgets & Education: Friend or Foe?
11. Hawaii – The University of Hawaiʻi
Hawaii is one of the distant states where distance learning is flourishing. The University of Hawaiʻi offers 600+ online courses for those who are building their career. There are accounting, health care, business, management, teaching and psychology programs.
Facts & Figures
Degrees: Associate, Bachelor, Master and Doctorate
Tuition: depends on school.
12. Idaho – Boise State University
Boise State University is popular among students for its health-related majors such as nursing, community and environmental health, psychology, biological science and biomedical engineering. The University is a reliable knowledge resource for those who plan medical career.
Boise State Facts & Figures
Degrees: Bachelor, Master
Tuition: Undergraduate tuition starts at $273 per credit hour.
Graduate tuition starts at $358 per credit hour.
13. Illinois – Benedictine University
Benedictine University was founded in 1887 in Chicago as school with strong Roman-Catholic cultural background. Since then, the university focuses on strong liberal arts and educational programs.
Benedictine University Facts & Figures
Degrees: Bachelor, Master
Tuition: Bachelor tuition starts at $450 per credit hour.
Graduate Certificates tuition starts at $650 per credit hour.
14. Indiana – Purdue University
Purdue University is for sure one of the strongest national universities that was established in XIX century. Purdue staff member Ei-ichi Negishi holds Novel Prize for chemistry. The school is famous for its STEM majors.
Purdue Facts & Figures
Degrees: Associate, Master and Certificates
Tuition: Estimated cost of attendance is starting at $10,002 for 2015-2016.
15. Iowa – Iowa State University
Iowa State University is one of the oldest research universities. Its agricultural, veterinary, aerospace, engineering and journalism courses are well-known and respected in the USA. Besides, Iowa State University is the origin place of the first electronic digital computer – ABC.
ISU Facts & Figures
Degrees: Bachelor, Master and Certificates
Tuition: Undergraduate fees start at $286 cost per credit hour.
Graduate fees start at $444 cost per credit hour.
16. Kansas – Barclay College
Barclay College is one of the best schools for those who plan to get theology degree. The university was founded by Quaker settlers and shows strong Christian culture. The top online degrees are Biblical studies, Christian ministry leadership and psychology.
Barclay College Facts & Figures
Degrees: Associate, Bachelor and Certificates
Tuition: starting at $295 per credit hour.
17. Kentucky – Midway College
Started in 1847 as a school for women, Midway College offers degrees for everyone, including Associate in business and medical assistance. Midway College alumni notice that online education is flexible and suitable for working people.
Midway College Facts & Figures
Degrees: Associate, Bachelor, Master
Tuition: Undergraduate fees start at $820 per credit hour.
Graduate fees start at $410 per credit hour.
18. Louisiana – Louisiana Tech University
Louisiana Tech University as the name hints is a master of STEM majors. It’s a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education supported by NSA and DHS. Online students are enabled to access top class content for information technology.
Louisiana Tech University Facts & Figures
Degrees: Associate, Bachelor, Master and Certificates
Tuition: depends on the course.
19. Maine – University of Maine at Augusta
University of Maine at Augusta offers variety of associate and bachelor distance learning degrees. Among them are business and public administration, healthcare, applied science, justice, liberal arts.
UMA Facts & Figures
Degrees: Associate, Bachelor and Certificates
Tuition: Maine Residents tuition fee starts at $217 per credit hour.
Non-resident tuition fee starts at $525 per credit hour.
20. Maryland – University of Maryland University College
University of Maryland University College offers over 90 online courses and degrees. The list is impressive: business, healthcare, education, IT, liberal arts, etc. There are even Doctoral degrees, but they require offline presence.
UMUC Facts & Figures
Degrees: Bachelor, Master and Certificates
Tuition: Undergraduate tuition fee starts at $279 per credit hour (residents only) or $499 per credit hour (for non-residents). Graduate tuition fee starts at $458 per credit hour (residents only) or $659 per credit hour (for non-residents).
21. Massachusetts – Boston University
Boston University is ranked high for bachelor’s programs in IT, computer technology and criminal justice. Besides that there are a number of professional certified programs like: finance, risk management, applied business analytics that can broaden boarders of your career.
BU Facts & Figures
Degrees: Master, Doctorate and Certificates
Tuition: Graduate tuition fee starts at $741 per credit hour.
22. Michigan – Central Michigan University
Michigan is a prominent student’s center, even for online studies. Central Michigan University offers good e-learning opportunities for those who want to get knowledge of administration, leadership, psychology, political science, and much more.
CMU Facts & Figures
Degrees: Bachelor, Master, Doctorate and Certificates
Tuition: Undergraduate tuition fee starts at $395 per credit hour.
Graduate tuition fee starts at $527 per credit hour (Master), and Doctoral starts at $511 per credit hour.
23. Minnesota – Capella University
Capella University has invented FlexPath e-learning programs that lets students get knowledge online at their own pace. Online students are assessed by their results not time-spent. Thus, it makes distance learning experience at Capella truly unique.
Capella University Facts & Figures
Degrees: Bachelor, Master, Doctorate and Certificates
Tuition: Bachelor tuition fee starts at $315 – $371 per credit hour. Master tuition fee starts at $387 – $737 per credit hour. Doctoral tuition fee starts at $630 – $728 per credit hour.
24. Mississippi – The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi offers affordable online education as the website declares “Education shouldn’t make you file for bankruptcy”. Southern Miss offers a long list of Bachelor, Master and Hybrid programs like: business administration, engineering, logistics, nursing, tourism, teaching of foreign languages (French, Spanish), human capital development and more.
Southern Miss Facts & Figures
Degrees: Bachelor, Master and Certificates
Tuition: Undergraduate tuition fee starts at $281 per credit hour.
Graduate tuition fee starts at $388 per credit hour.
25. Missouri – The University of Central Missouri
On July 24, 2013 Barack Obama spoke at Campus of the University of Central Missouri about innovation in education that this institution as achieved. He believed that this is a great example to follow. If you want to join innovation forces, the University of Central Missouri is right place to get online degree for safety, technology, justice, teaching or management.
UCM Facts & Figures
Degrees: Bachelor, Master and Certificates
Tuition: Undergraduate tuition fee starts at $265.05 per credit hour. Graduate tuition fee starts at $324.05 per credit hour.
26. Montana – Montana State University
Montana State University is one of the strongest national research universities. Its science and engineering faculties are popular to enroll. Besides that there are great business and teaching online degrees.
MSU Facts & Figures
Degrees: Bachelor, Master and Certificates
Tuition: depends on College.
27. Nebraska – Creighton University
Creighton University offers dozens of educational programs including Doctorate. There are excellent business, finance and leadership courses that enrich students with useful knowledge and practical skills.
Creighton University Facts & Figures
Degrees: Bachelor, Master, Doctorate and Certificates
Tuition: Bachelor tuition fee starts at $422 per credit hour.
Graduate tuition fee starts at $836 per credit hour.
28. Nevada – University of Nevada, Reno
Established in 1874 University of Nevada, Reno till now strive to be among best national schools. The university demonstrates a solid research background. It keeps high standards in online education as well as offline. Nevada students can choose from 30+ online courses the one that they want starting from women’s studies up to geography.
University of Nevada, Reno Facts & Figures
Degrees: Master, Doctorate and Certificates
Tuition: depends on a course.
29. New Hampshire – Rivier University
Rivier University is proud of its Roman Catholic heritage. The university specializes in liberal arts form the last 80 years. Online degrees include MBAs in management, marketing, and healthcare.
Rivier University Facts & Figures
Degrees: Bachelor, Master and Certificates
Tuition: Bachelor tuition fee starts at $325 per credit hour.
Master tuition fee starts at $540 per credit hour.
30. New Jersey – Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University has 90+ academic programs that are highly ranked in the USA. Selton is known for undergraduate courses that help to level up your career. It’s also worth taking a look at business and health-related programs.
Seton Hall Facts & Figures
Degrees: Bachelor, Master and Certificates
Tuition: depends on a course.
31. New Mexico – University of the Southwest
University of the Southwest doesn’t differentiate between local and out-of-state students. Both groups have similar enrollment and tuition procedure. The University is based on Christian values and supports a servant leadership philosophy. So if you plan to merge education and values, go to University of the Southwest for studies
USW Facts & Figures
Degrees: Bachelor, Master
Tuition: starting at $425 per credit hour.
32. New York – Utica College
Utica College is a top class private higher education school founded in the heart of New York. The college specializes in modern IT technology, nursing, economic crime and fraud. Plus, the online education in Utica College New York enables you to get variety of degrees: from certificates up to Doctorate.
Utica College Facts & Figures
Degrees: Bachelor, Master, Doctorate and Certificates
Tuition: Undergraduate tuition fee starts at $400 per credit hour.
Graduate tuition fee starts at $625 per credit hour.
33. North Carolina – Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University has a serious approach to online education. Before students enroll in distance learning journey, they can visit “Catamount Online Readiness Experience” site and feel what’s like to be a distance learning student. You evaluate whether it’s your choice or not. The school offers many up-to-date online degrees for prosperous career.
WCU Facts & Figures
Degrees: Bachelor, Master and Certificates
Tuition: Undergraduate tuition fee starts at $147.77/credit hour (for residents) or $498.88/credit hour (for non-residents). Graduate tuition fee starts at $236.08/credit hour (for residents) or $746.23/credit hour (for non-residents).
34. North Dakota – The University of Mary
The University of Mary has a solid set of evening and online degrees that almost don’t require offline presence at school. The University of Mary marketing departments states that students can unlock a degree within 15 months. It sounds like an incredible opportunity for distance learning!
The University of Mary Facts & Figures
Degrees: Bachelor, Master
Tuition: Undergraduate tuition fee starts at $515.00 per credit hour.
Graduate tuition fee starts at $550.00 per credit hour.
35. Ohio – Cleveland State University
Cleveland State University offers affordable programs for online students. No matter what you learn business, nursing, or chemical dependency, the school gives you modern environment for studies. Here you’ll use dedicated Blackboard online software and mobile apps.
CSU Facts & Figures
Degrees: Bachelor, Master
Tuition: Undergraduate tuition fee starts at $401.50 per credit hour (residents) or at $536.60 per credit hour (non-residents). Graduate tuition fee starts at $531.40 per credit hour (residents) or at $998.90 per credit hour (non-residents).
36. Oklahoma – Oral Roberts University
Oral Roberts University provides all types of majors starting from liberal arts, business administration, and government up to religious studies. The curriculum is flexible and modular, so students can balance their work and personal life.
ORU Facts & Figures
Degrees: Bachelor and Certificates
Tuition: starting at $349 per credit hour.
37. Oregon – Oregon State University
As a major research university, Oregon State University offers lots of online programs. There are also flexible courses (non-credit) like chemistry and foreign languages. Thus, you can level up your knowledge with or without degree-proven diploma.
OSU Facts & Figures
Degrees: Bachelor, Master and Certificates
Tuition: Undergraduate tuition fee starts at $280.00 per credit hour. Graduate tuition fee starts at $521.00 per credit hour.
38. Pennsylvania – Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is famous for educational programs. It has various online degrees for future teachers: math, special education, history, English and others. If you plan to build career in education, Slippery Rock University will help you to fulfil your dream.
SRU Facts & Figures
Degrees: Bachelor, Master and Certificates
Tuition: Undergraduate tuition fee starts at $294.00 per credit hour (for residents) or $300.00 (for non-residents).
Graduate tuition fee starts at $470.00 per credit hour (for residents) or $479.00 (for non-residents).
FEATURED POST: 5 Free Slideshow Makers for Amazing College Presentations
39. Rhode Island – University of Rhode Island
The University of Rhode Island is the educational institution with about 4K awards. The University has long history and 114,753 alumni. University of Rhode Island is notable for cyber security degrees that help you to get solid knowledge of new threats.
URI Facts & Figures
Degrees: Bachelor, Master and Certificates
Tuition: depends on residence.
40. South Carolina – Claflin University
Claflin University is a place to learn management and polish business administration skills. Here you can get affordable online Bachelor and Master degrees. One more option is criminal justice, if you plan to build a career in legal sphere.
Claflin University Facts & Figures
Degrees: Bachelor, Master
Tuition: starting at $515.00 per credit hour.
41. South Dakota – Black Hills State University
Online studying at Black Hills State University is comfortable thank to WebAdvisor portal. It’s a one-stop place to get schedule updates, pay tuition, and to ask for help from university administration. Thus, if you plan to dig deeper into leadership, management and business affairs, Black Hills State University will empower you with necessary knowledge and hassle-free distance learning.
BHSU Facts & Figures
Degrees: Bachelor, Master and Certificates
Tuition: depends on residence.
42. Tennessee – East Tennessee State University
The most fascinating thing about online education in East Tennessee State University is the ability to select the “East Tennessee State University Dual Enrollment” program. It lets high school students study at school and pass university courses at the same time. Thus, they can speed up college studies. Half of the Dual Enrollment courses are going online. So it’s certainly requires offline local presence, but it deserves to look at.
ETSU Facts & Figures
Degrees: Bachelor, Master and Certificates
Tuition: Undergraduate tuition fee starts at $373 per credit hour (for residents) or $440 (for non-residents). Graduate tuition fee starts at $527 per credit hour (for residents) or $738 (for non-residents).
43. Texas – University of Houston
University of Houston is a pioneer in distance education since 1953. In that year the University released the first national educational TV station. Nowadays, e-learners use modern software like BlackBoard Learn, CourseWare, CourseCompass, etc. Students can be sure, if they enroll in University of Houston online program, they are innovative institution.
UH Facts & Figures
Degrees: Bachelor, Master and Certificates
Tuition: depends on a course & residence.
44. Utah – Western Governors University
There are four online colleges in Western Governors University: Teachers College, College of Business, College of Information Technology, and College of Health Professions. Before students jump into any field of studies, they can go through quiz and evaluate if distance learning is right for them.
WGU Facts & Figures
Degrees: Bachelor, Master
Tuition: depends on a course.
45. Vermont – The University of Vermont
The University of Vermont is one of the 4 oldest universities in the United States. UVM alumni include the Nobel Prize winners, governors and civil rights movement leaders. Here students can get an online degree in management, business, nursing and other disciplines.
UVM Facts & Figures
Degrees: Bachelor, Master and Certificates
Tuition: depends on a course.
46. Virginia – Strayer University
Strayer University takes care about its online students. The school developed a proprietary educational system called iCampus. The service helps to navigate through classes, submit homework and projects, communicate with fellow students.
Strayer University Facts & Figures
Degrees: Associate, Bachelor, Master and Certificates
Tuition: depends on a course.
47. Washington – Bellevue College
Bellevue College has a small set of online degrees. One of them is “Applied Science in Healthcare and Technology”. The bachelor degree is suitable for those who want to continue education without personal life sacrifice.
Bellevue College Facts & Figures
Degrees: Associate, Bachelor and Certificates
Tuition: starting from $102.75 per credit hour (for residents) and $279.26 per credit hour (for non-residents).
48. Washington, DC – The George Washington University
The George Washington University offers 360 degree education. No matter online or offline. The university invites guest speakers, who are real professional in their sphere, to deliver top-notch classes. Here you can advance in medicine, business, arts, engineering, communication and other fields.
GW Facts & Figures
Degrees: Bachelor, Master, Doctorate and Certificates
Tuition: starting from $1545 per credit hour.
49. West Virginia – West Virginia University
West Virginia University empowers students with ability to learn medicine, communication, data analysis and business affairs online. With eCampus help, students can get all necessary lectures, videos and audio content for education.
WVU Facts & Figures
Degrees: Bachelor, Master and Certificates
Tuition: Undergraduate tuition starts from $266 per credit hour (for residents) and $841 per credit hour (for non-residents). Graduate tuition starts from $406 per credit hour (for residents) and $1160 per credit hour (for non-residents).
50. Wisconsin – The University of Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin offers 44+ various programs, including online Doctorate degree in nursing. Here you can start with Associate degree in Arts and advance up to Master degree in Leadership.
UW Facts & Figures
Degrees: Associate, Bachelor, Master, Doctorate and Certificates
Tuition: Undergraduate tuition starts from $480.74 per credit hour (for residents) and $1,282.81 per credit hour (for non-residents).
51. Wyoming – Eastern Wyoming College
Eastern Wyoming College has a great choice of distance options for those who plan to get legal and criminal justice education. With the CampusCruiser LMS learning system even hard legal concepts will be easy to understand.
EWC Facts & Figures
Degrees: Associate and Certificates
Tuition: depends on a course.
Bonus #1: 15 Best Massively Open Online Courses
CHECK ALSO: 20 Sites to Download Free eBooks for your Digital Library
If you are looking for non-degree online education, check top online courses sites. Here anyone can teach you anything: from math to happiness.
- edx.org
- udemy.com
- coursera.org
- skillshare.com
- lynda.com
- khanacademy.org
- codecademy.com
- udacity.com
- academicearth.org
- novoed.com
- futurelearn.com
- alison.com
- open2study.com
- canvas.net
- p2pu.org
Bonus #2: 11 Free Open Courses by Top Universities of the World
You can get best education for free. Professors of Harvard, Yale, Stanford and other well-known universities publish their courses for free online. This initiative is named Open CourseWire or OCW. You can’t get a diploma of Harvard, but you can level up your knowledge close to Harvard students.
- ocw.mit.edu
- open.umich.edu
- ocw.uci.edu
- ocw.jhsph.edu
- oli.cmu.edu
- ocw.njit.edu
- ocw.tufts.edu
- dev.ourworld.unu.edu
- ocw.umb.edu
- oyc.yale.edu
- online.stanford.edu
Bonus #3: YouTube EDU
YouTube.com seems to be the pole of attraction for multinational educators. Check the list of recommended YouTube educational channels to follow. Feel free to go in-depth with YouTube EDU, which offers educational channels in engineering, social sciences, business, languages, history and other domains. As a learner you are welcome to subscribe for any school channel and receive updates daily.
What’s great: you can even become wiser offline. For this install YouTube video downloader on your PC and download all lessons. You can learn how to use this educational helper here.
