2026 Online College Rankings

Best Online Colleges

Data-driven rankings of 3,134 colleges based on distance education completion, retention, and online enrollment

Undergraduate programs only

3,134
Schools Ranked
2,649
Full Data Rankings
485
Partial Data Rankings
7
Ranking Criteria
Rankings based on IPEDS data: completion rates, retention, online enrollment (20%+ threshold), geographic reach, program breadth, scale, and student-faculty ratio. Undergraduate only.
View Methodology

Top Online Colleges

Showing 1-50 of 3,134 ranked schools

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#1

Chicago, IL

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
83.3 / 100
83.3
Completion
60.3%
79%
Online %
99.8%
91%
Retention
87%
90%

Illinois Institute of Technology is a top-performing institution in the best-online ranking with a score of 83, ranking in the 91th percentile for online penetration.

The college enrolls 8,563 students with in-state tuition of $49,607.

100% of undergraduate students take courses online (91st percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#2

Columbia, MO

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
83 / 100
83
Completion
62.9%
82%
Online %
77.9%
66%
Retention
91%
93%

University of Missouri-Columbia is a top-performing institution in the best-online ranking with a score of 83, ranking in the 97th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 31,013 students with in-state tuition of $13,008.

78% of undergraduate students take courses online (66th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#3

Champaign, IL

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
83 / 100
83
Completion
77.1%
94%
Online %
77.3%
65%
Retention
94%
95%

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a top-performing institution in the best-online ranking with a score of 83, ranking in the 99th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 56,563 students with in-state tuition of $14,768.

77% of undergraduate students take courses online (65th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#4

Tallahassee, FL

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
82.8 / 100
82.8
Completion
75.1%
93%
Online %
75.6%
61%
Retention
96%
96%

Florida State University is a top-performing institution in the best-online ranking with a score of 83, ranking in the 99th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 43,234 students with in-state tuition of $4,640.

76% of undergraduate students take courses online (61st percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#5

Fairfax, VA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
82.4 / 100
82.4
Completion
68.2%
88%
Online %
77.4%
65%
Retention
87%
90%

George Mason University is a top-performing institution in the best-online ranking with a score of 82, ranking in the 99th percentile for geographic reach.

The college enrolls 39,527 students with in-state tuition of $10,095.

77% of undergraduate students take courses online (65th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#6

Columbus, OH

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
82.3 / 100
82.3
Completion
65.9%
85%
Online %
77.8%
66%
Retention
94%
95%

Ohio State University-Main Campus is a top-performing institution in the best-online ranking with a score of 82, ranking in the 100th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 60,046 students with in-state tuition of $11,826.

78% of undergraduate students take courses online (66th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#7

Corvallis, OR

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
82.3 / 100
82.3
Completion
61.3%
80%
Online %
78%
66%
Retention
87%
90%

Oregon State University is a top-performing institution in the best-online ranking with a score of 82, ranking in the 98th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 35,622 students with in-state tuition of $11,145.

78% of undergraduate students take courses online (66th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#8

Blacksburg, VA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
82.2 / 100
82.2
Completion
75.8%
93%
Online %
76.1%
62%
Retention
92%
94%

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is a top-performing institution in the best-online ranking with a score of 82, ranking in the 98th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 38,294 students with in-state tuition of $12,698.

76% of undergraduate students take courses online (62nd percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#9

Tampa, FL

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
81.8 / 100
81.8
Completion
69.7%
89%
Online %
80.7%
70%
Retention
91%
93%

University of South Florida is a top-performing institution in the best-online ranking with a score of 82, ranking in the 99th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 48,572 students with in-state tuition of $4,559.

81% of undergraduate students take courses online (70th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#10

Irvine, CA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
81.5 / 100
81.5
Completion
76.7%
93%
Online %
78.3%
66%
Retention
94%
95%

University of California-Irvine is a top-performing institution in the best-online ranking with a score of 82, ranking in the 98th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 36,582 students with in-state tuition of $11,834.

78% of undergraduate students take courses online (66th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#11

Baltimore, MD

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
81.2 / 100
81.2
Completion
92.7%
99%
Online %
63.5%
42%
Retention
98%
97%

Johns Hopkins University is a top-performing institution in the best-online ranking with a score of 81, ranking in the 99th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 30,362 students with in-state tuition of $62,840.

64% of undergraduate students take courses online (42nd percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#12

Gainesville, FL

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
80.3 / 100
80.3
Completion
79.3%
95%
Online %
58.7%
34%
Retention
97%
97%

University of Florida is a top-performing institution in the best-online ranking with a score of 80, ranking in the 99th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 54,814 students with in-state tuition of $4,477.

59% of undergraduate students take courses online (34th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#13

Philadelphia, PA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
80.2 / 100
80.2
Completion
67.5%
87%
Online %
68.9%
50%
Retention
90%
92%

Drexel University is a top-performing institution in the best-online ranking with a score of 80, ranking in the 97th percentile for program breadth.

The college enrolls 21,703 students with in-state tuition of $58,293.

69% of undergraduate students take courses online (50th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#14

Steubenville, OH

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
79.9 / 100
79.9
Completion
78.5%
95%
Online %
75.3%
61%
Retention
88%
90%

Franciscan University of Steubenville scores above average in the best-online ranking at 80, ranking in the 96th percentile for geographic reach.

The college enrolls 3,750 students with in-state tuition of $32,070.

75% of undergraduate students take courses online (61st percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#15

Cincinnati, OH

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
79.6 / 100
79.6
Completion
60.4%
79%
Online %
75.7%
62%
Retention
86%
88%

University of Cincinnati-Main Campus scores above average in the best-online ranking at 80, ranking in the 99th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 43,338 students with in-state tuition of $11,228.

76% of undergraduate students take courses online (62nd percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#16

Iowa City, IA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
79.3 / 100
79.3
Completion
63.7%
83%
Online %
71%
53%
Retention
89%
92%

University of Iowa scores above average in the best-online ranking at 79, ranking in the 97th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 30,042 students with in-state tuition of $9,016.

71% of undergraduate students take courses online (53rd percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#17

East Lansing, MI

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
79.1 / 100
79.1
Completion
72.5%
91%
Online %
73.1%
57%
Retention
91%
93%

Michigan State University scores above average in the best-online ranking at 79, ranking in the 99th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 51,316 students with in-state tuition of $16,930.

73% of undergraduate students take courses online (57th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#18

San Luis Obispo, CA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
78.6 / 100
78.6
Completion
68.9%
89%
Online %
71.8%
54%
Retention
95%
96%

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo scores above average in the best-online ranking at 79, ranking in the 96th percentile for retention rate.

The college enrolls 22,485 students with in-state tuition of $5,742.

72% of undergraduate students take courses online (54th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#19

University, MS

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
78.6 / 100
78.6
Completion
58.9%
77%
Online %
72.5%
56%
Retention
88%
90%

University of Mississippi scores above average in the best-online ranking at 79, ranking in the 96th percentile for student faculty ratio.

The college enrolls 24,043 students with in-state tuition of $9,252.

73% of undergraduate students take courses online (56th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#20

New Brunswick, NJ

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
78.4 / 100
78.4
Completion
70.2%
90%
Online %
63.6%
42%
Retention
93%
95%

Rutgers University-New Brunswick scores above average in the best-online ranking at 78, ranking in the 99th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 50,617 students with in-state tuition of $13,674.

64% of undergraduate students take courses online (42nd percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#21

New York, NY

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
78.3 / 100
78.3
Completion
73%
91%
Online %
44.7%
16%
Retention
96%
96%

New York University scores above average in the best-online ranking at 78, ranking in the 100th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 57,335 students with in-state tuition of $60,438.

45% of undergraduate students take courses online (16th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#22

Omaha, NE

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
78.2 / 100
78.2
Completion
65.1%
85%
Online %
63.2%
41%
Retention
92%
94%

Creighton University scores above average in the best-online ranking at 78, ranking in the 97th percentile for student faculty ratio.

The college enrolls 8,255 students with in-state tuition of $45,000.

63% of undergraduate students take courses online (41st percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#23

Anderson, SC

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
78.1 / 100
78.1
Completion
60.7%
80%
Online %
85.5%
77%
Retention
82%
82%

Anderson University scores above average in the best-online ranking at 78, ranking in the 86th percentile for program breadth.

The college enrolls 4,325 students with in-state tuition of $32,710.

86% of undergraduate students take courses online (77th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#24

Wilmington, NC

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
77.9 / 100
77.9
Completion
66.6%
86%
Online %
86.7%
79%
Retention
85%
87%

University of North Carolina Wilmington scores above average in the best-online ranking at 78, ranking in the 93th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 17,987 students with in-state tuition of $4,443.

87% of undergraduate students take courses online (79th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#25

San Jose, CA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
77.9 / 100
77.9
Completion
73.2%
92%
Online %
84.8%
76%
Retention
86%
88%

San Jose State University scores above average in the best-online ranking at 78, ranking in the 98th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 36,062 students with in-state tuition of $5,742.

85% of undergraduate students take courses online (76th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#26

Columbia, SC

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
77.8 / 100
77.8
Completion
61.2%
80%
Online %
77.9%
66%
Retention
91%
93%

University of South Carolina-Columbia scores above average in the best-online ranking at 78, ranking in the 98th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 36,579 students with in-state tuition of $12,288.

78% of undergraduate students take courses online (66th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#27

Orlando, FL

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
77.7 / 100
77.7
Completion
67.9%
87%
Online %
77%
64%
Retention
92%
94%

University of Central Florida scores above average in the best-online ranking at 78, ranking in the 100th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 69,233 students with in-state tuition of $4,478.

77% of undergraduate students take courses online (64th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#28

Madison, WI

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
77.7 / 100
77.7
Completion
83.1%
97%
Online %
45.9%
17%
Retention
95%
96%

University of Wisconsin-Madison scores above average in the best-online ranking at 78, ranking in the 99th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 49,605 students with in-state tuition of $9,644.

46% of undergraduate students take courses online (17th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#29

Provo, UT

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
77.4 / 100
77.4
Completion
74.3%
92%
Online %
51.3%
24%
Retention
89%
92%

Brigham Young University scores above average in the best-online ranking at 77, ranking in the 98th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 35,074 students with in-state tuition of $6,496.

51% of undergraduate students take courses online (24th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#30

Addison, IL

Complete Data Private For-Profit
Overall Score
77.3 / 100
77.3
Completion
70.1%
90%
Online %
98.6%
90%
Retention
77%
70%

Chamberlain University-Illinois scores above average in the best-online ranking at 77, ranking in the 97th percentile for geographic reach.

The college enrolls 28,897 students with in-state tuition of $19,341.

99% of undergraduate students take courses online (90th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#31

Salt Lake City, UT

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
77.2 / 100
77.2
Completion
62.9%
82%
Online %
66.3%
46%
Retention
85%
87%

University of Utah scores above average in the best-online ranking at 77, ranking in the 98th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 35,260 students with in-state tuition of $8,175.

66% of undergraduate students take courses online (46th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#32

Atlanta, GA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
77.2 / 100
77.2
Completion
93.4%
99%
Online %
52.6%
26%
Retention
96%
96%

Emory University scores above average in the best-online ranking at 77, ranking in the 99th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 15,046 students with in-state tuition of $59,920.

53% of undergraduate students take courses online (26th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#33

Oxford, OH

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
77.1 / 100
77.1
Completion
75.6%
93%
Online %
67.1%
47%
Retention
90%
92%

Miami University-Oxford scores above average in the best-online ranking at 77, ranking in the 93th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 18,618 students with in-state tuition of $14,052.

67% of undergraduate students take courses online (47th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#34

Medford, MA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
77 / 100
77
Completion
95.2%
99%
Online %
40.6%
13%
Retention
96%
96%

Tufts University scores above average in the best-online ranking at 77, ranking in the 99th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 13,274 students with in-state tuition of $66,358.

41% of undergraduate students take courses online (13th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#35

Miami, FL

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
76.9 / 100
76.9
Completion
65.9%
85%
Online %
76%
62%
Retention
92%
94%

Florida International University scores above average in the best-online ranking at 77, ranking in the 99th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 53,953 students with in-state tuition of $4,721.

76% of undergraduate students take courses online (62nd percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#36

Boone, NC

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
76.6 / 100
76.6
Completion
74%
92%
Online %
78.6%
67%
Retention
85%
87%

Appalachian State University scores above average in the best-online ranking at 77, ranking in the 94th percentile for program breadth.

The college enrolls 21,253 students with in-state tuition of $4,242.

79% of undergraduate students take courses online (67th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#37

Manchester, NH

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
76.6 / 100
76.6
Completion
83.3%
97%
Online %
57.5%
32%
Retention
90%
92%

Saint Anselm College scores above average in the best-online ranking at 77, ranking in the 99th percentile for geographic reach.

The college enrolls 2,078 students with in-state tuition of $45,360.

58% of undergraduate students take courses online (32nd percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#38

San Diego, CA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
76.5 / 100
76.5
Completion
77.1%
94%
Online %
72.3%
55%
Retention
90%
92%

San Diego State University scores above average in the best-online ranking at 77, ranking in the 98th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 39,241 students with in-state tuition of $5,742.

72% of undergraduate students take courses online (55th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#39

Romeoville, IL

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
76.2 / 100
76.2
Completion
55%
72%
Online %
85.8%
77%
Retention
84%
85%

Lewis University scores above average in the best-online ranking at 76, ranking in the 86th percentile for program breadth.

The college enrolls 6,636 students with in-state tuition of $37,592.

86% of undergraduate students take courses online (77th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#40

Norman, OK

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
76.2 / 100
76.2
Completion
61.6%
81%
Online %
70.9%
53%
Retention
89%
92%

University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus scores above average in the best-online ranking at 76, ranking in the 96th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 29,145 students with in-state tuition of $5,070.

71% of undergraduate students take courses online (53rd percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#41

University Park, PA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
76.1 / 100
76.1
Completion
64.5%
84%
Online %
57.3%
32%
Retention
92%
94%

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus scores above average in the best-online ranking at 76, ranking in the 99th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 50,399 students with in-state tuition of $19,672.

57% of undergraduate students take courses online (32nd percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#42

Boston, MA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
76 / 100
76
Completion
89.7%
98%
Online %
45.3%
16%
Retention
98%
97%

Northeastern University scores above average in the best-online ranking at 76, ranking in the 98th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 31,159 students with in-state tuition of $62,000.

45% of undergraduate students take courses online (16th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#43

Clemson, SC

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
76 / 100
76
Completion
67.9%
87%
Online %
65.7%
45%
Retention
93%
95%

Clemson University scores above average in the best-online ranking at 76, ranking in the 96th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 28,747 students with in-state tuition of $14,038.

66% of undergraduate students take courses online (45th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#44

Los Angeles, CA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
76 / 100
76
Completion
77.4%
94%
Online %
40.5%
13%
Retention
97%
97%

University of California-Los Angeles scores above average in the best-online ranking at 76, ranking in the 99th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 46,678 students with in-state tuition of $11,834.

41% of undergraduate students take courses online (13th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#45

Tallahassee, FL

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
75.9 / 100
75.9
Completion
58.8%
77%
Online %
76.1%
62%
Retention
86%
88%

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University scores above average in the best-online ranking at 76, ranking in the 89th percentile for program breadth.

The college enrolls 9,265 students with in-state tuition of $3,152.

76% of undergraduate students take courses online (62nd percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#46

Raleigh, NC

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
75.9 / 100
75.9
Completion
76.1%
93%
Online %
63.3%
41%
Retention
93%
95%

North Carolina State University at Raleigh scores above average in the best-online ranking at 76, ranking in the 98th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 37,323 students with in-state tuition of $6,535.

63% of undergraduate students take courses online (41st percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#47

Clearwater, FL

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
75.8 / 100
75.8
Completion
63.2%
83%
Online %
100%
91%
Retention
76%
67%

Ultimate Medical Academy scores above average in the best-online ranking at 76, ranking in the 99th percentile for geographic reach.

The college enrolls 7,436 students.

100% of undergraduate students take courses online (91st percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#48

Boston, MA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
75.7 / 100
75.7
Completion
77.9%
94%
Online %
75.8%
62%
Retention
82%
82%

Simmons University scores above average in the best-online ranking at 76, ranking in the 94th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 5,053 students with in-state tuition of $44,208.

76% of undergraduate students take courses online (62nd percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#49

Weston, MA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
75.6 / 100
75.6
Completion
72.9%
91%
Online %
91.4%
84%
Retention
81%
80%

Regis College scores above average in the best-online ranking at 76, ranking in the 91th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 2,842 students with in-state tuition of $47,770.

91% of undergraduate students take courses online (84th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

#50

Saint Louis, MO

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
75.4 / 100
75.4
Completion
52.8%
68%
Online %
91.8%
84%
Retention
83%
83%

Maryville University of Saint Louis scores above average in the best-online ranking at 75, ranking in the 91th percentile for geographic reach.

The college enrolls 9,883 students with in-state tuition of $24,766.

92% of undergraduate students take courses online (84th percentile), indicating a strong distance education presence.

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