Best Online Colleges of 2025
For many students, online college makes getting a degree more accessible and affordable. With flexible scheduling and little travel, you can earn an online bachelor’s degree without disrupting your work and home life. Moreover, a bachelor’s degree opens the door to higher-paying jobs.
On this page, we look at the top ranked online universities and the most popular degrees available. We also explore how you might pay for college and highlight some of the differences between online and on-campus studies.
10 Best Online Colleges and Universities of 2025
Texas A & M University-College Station
College Station, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
As an Aggie, you'll be part of one of the nation's few land, sea, and space grant universities. Texas A&M enrolls more than 77,000 students in 400-plus academic programs and has branch locations in Galveston and Qatar outside of its main College Station campus. You can study abroad in one of 110 countries or join some of the 1,300 student organizations.
Things We Love:
- Texas residents pay around 30% of the tuition costs that nonresidents pay.
- Thirteen of Texas A&M's colleges and schools offer distance learning degrees or certificates.
- On-campus students can take up to 50% of their courses online.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- Distance education courses can cost between $40 and $550 per credit, with each academic department setting its own rate.
- Distance education courses may require additional fees.
- Some web-based courses are for on-campus learners only.
- In-State$8,443
- Out-of-state$36,637
- In-State$6,885
- Out-of-state$19,593
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate63%
- Students Enrolled76,633
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment40%
- AccreditationYes
Florida International University
Miami, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
Designated a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, Florida International University holds acclaim as both a Hispanic- and minority-serving institution. You can pursue one of 73 fully online academic programs.
Things We Love:
- FIU offers out-of-state tuition waivers to qualifying students from Mexico and the Caribbean.
- Approximately 91% of full-time first-year undergraduates returned to FIU for their second year.
- Around 73% of FIU graduates earn more than people who hold only a high school diploma.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- Nonresidents pay around twice as much as residents for online graduate study.
- Florida residents pay $4,371 for tuition per semester to pursue an online graduate degree.
- FIU reports that incoming freshmen hold an average GPA of 3.83.
- In-State$6,168
- Out-of-state$18,566
- In-State$911
- Out-of-state$2,003
- Retention Rate92%
- Acceptance Rate59%
- Students Enrolled54,085
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment67%
- AccreditationYes
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
The University of Florida enrolls over 55,000 students, including 5,000+ online students. Nearly 50% of the student body identifies as non-white, making UF one of the more ethnically diverse campuses in the state. If you like studying future technologies, you will want to take advantage of UF's research opportunities in artificial intelligence, as the school aims to be a national leader in AI.
Things We Love:
- UF offers 26 bachelor's degrees along with master's, specialist, doctoral, and certificate programs entirely online.
- You can take online courses for credit without enrolling in a formal academic program.
- Online students can qualify for Florida's Bright Futures scholarship.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- UF has three fixed application deadlines for online students in January, April, and September, and students are accepted on a rolling basis.
- If you graduated high school within the last five years and have fewer than 60 transferable credits, you must submit SAT, ACT, or CLT scores.
- Florida residents pay $129 per credit for online courses, while nonresidents pay $553.
- In-State$4,477
- Out-of-state$25,694
- In-State$10,770
- Out-of-state$27,335
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate23%
- Students Enrolled54,442
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment57%
- AccreditationYes
Arizona State University Digital Immersion
Scottsdale, AZ
- 4 year
- Online
What You'll Like:
Arizona State University offers more than 200 fully online undergraduate degrees and certificates.
As an online student, you'll enjoy ASU's extensive support services for first-year students, including coaching, mental health support, tutoring, and career counseling. You can also participate in many of ASU's student-led clubs.
Things We Love:
- ASU offers the me3 quiz to help you decide which major is right for you.
- Nonresidents pay the same tuition rates as Arizona residents.
- You don't have to submit SAT or ACT scores if you graduated in the top 25% of your class or hold a 3.0 GPA in competency courses.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- First-year students must have taken a specific college preparatory curriculum, including two years of a foreign language, three years of lab sciences, and more.
- If you do not meet ASU's admissions requirements, you can still pursue the Earned Admission pathway by completing online courses with a minimum 2.75 GPA.
- In-State$10,978
- Out-of-state$13,248
- In-State$9,972
- Out-of-state$9,972
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled62,551
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment98%
- AccreditationYes
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
Home of the Wildcats, the University of Arizona offers more than 150 online programs of study to more than 50,000 students. As an online student, you can benefit from the flexible, per-credit pricing. And if you're not an Arizona resident, you'll also appreciate that Arizona Online charges the same tuition for in-state and out-of-state students.
Things We Love:
- Ninety percent of Arizona Online students say they would recommend the school to others.
- Twenty-one percent of Arizona Online's students are military-affiliated.
- The University of Arizona accepts some CLEP scores for college credit.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- Arizona Online offers four start dates each year.
- Active military members pay a reduced tuition rate of $250 per credit.
- Students transferring from an Arizona community college are eligible to receive a $500-per-semester scholarship.
- In-State$11,210
- Out-of-state$35,628
- In-State$12,348
- Out-of-state$32,290
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate86%
- Students Enrolled53,187
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment60%
- AccreditationYes
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
San Diego State University, home to 39,000 students, stands out for its rich ethnic diversity. It is both a Hispanic-serving institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution. SDSU Global Campus offers more than 80 online bachelor's and master's degrees, technology bootcamps, and other credential programs.
Things We Love:
- SDSU offers a flexible, pay-as-you-go pricing model.
- You can pursue numerous non-degree programs through SDSU Global Campus.
- SDSU offers month-long winter session courses that allow you to earn credits and complete your degree program faster.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- You must apply to the university through Cal State Apply.
- You can use several institutional, state, and federal financial aid packages as an online student.
- SDSU participates in the Military Spouse Department of Defense financial aid program.
- In-State$5,742
- Out-of-state$17,622
- In-State$7,176
- Out-of-state$19,140
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate34%
- Students Enrolled36,637
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment56%
- AccreditationYes
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
With 171,000 living alumni and over 30,000 current students, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte is one of the state's leading research universities. The school has two locations in Charlotte and a robust online campus that offers 60-plus online degrees and certificates.
Things We Love:
- In 2023, UNC Charlotte awarded more degrees to Latinx students than any other university in North Carolina.
- UNC Charlotte offers more than 100 fully online academic programs.
- UNC Charlotte students come from 49 U.S. states.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- UNC Charlotte accepts qualifying credits from AP, LB, CLEP, and Cambridge exams.
- SAT and ACT scores are optional for first-year students with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or higher.
- In-State$3,812
- Out-of-state$18,474
- In-State$4,337
- Out-of-state$18,482
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled30,298
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment56%
- AccreditationYes
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Knoxville, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is the state's flagship university and rests on a history that stretches back 230 years. The school enrolls more than 36,000 students in over 900 programs of study, including an extensive array of online degree programs. You'll also enjoy flexible transfer policies as UT accepts most credits from completed two-year degree programs.
Things We Love:
- Around 90% of UT graduates are employed full time or in graduate school within six months of graduation.
- UT offers support services for veterans, first-year students, and first-generation college students.
- Ninety-one percent of UT students return after their first year.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- UT charges a $75 application fee.
- UT requires transcripts of any previous postsecondary study, even if you only took one course.
- Out-of-state learners pay just $75 per credit more than in-state students for most online undergraduate degree programs.
- In-State$11,332
- Out-of-state$29,552
- In-State$11,468
- Out-of-state$29,656
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate46%
- Students Enrolled36,304
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment50%
- AccreditationYes
University of North Texas
Denton, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
The University of North Texas enrolls more than 46,000 students in over 240 academic programs. UNT awards over $456 million in financial aid annually and is recognized as a Hispanic- and minority-serving institution.
You'll have the opportunity to participate in UNT's homecoming through online and streaming activities — one of the more unique offerings for online students.
Things We Love:
- UNT has more than 90 online programs, including bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees as well as certificate programs.
- Some programs offer accelerated formats or flexible enrollment options at the Denton or Frisco campuses.
- UNT offers 1,824 online courses.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- First-year applicants can apply for fall, spring, or summer admission.
- Applicants with an unweighted high school GPA of 3.0 or higher do not need to submit SAT or ACT scores.
- In-State$8,404
- Out-of-state$21,004
- In-State$6,350
- Out-of-state$13,694
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate72%
- Students Enrolled47,507
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment65%
- AccreditationYes
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
America's eighth oldest institution of higher learning, Rutgers University was founded in 1771 and was the site of the first collegiate football game. Its New Brunswick location alone is home to 19 schools and colleges. You'll like the vast array of choices at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels that you can pursue entirely online.
Things We Love:
- Rutgers has an 80% graduation rate and an 89% retention rate for first-year, full-time students.
- Online students can participate in internships, study abroad programs, and dual degree options.
- Rutgers is among the nation's most ethnically diverse campuses.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- Students eligible for VA educational benefits may qualify for in-state tuition rates.
- Rutgers accepts 79% of its applicants.
- First-year, in-state students pay less than 50% of the published tuition rates through university, state, and federal financial aid.
- In-State$13,674
- Out-of-state$32,436
- In-State$18,696
- Out-of-state$31,800
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate65%
- Students Enrolled50,617
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment46%
- AccreditationYes
Finding the Right Online Degree Program
With so many options at your fingertips, picking the right online bachelor’s program can be difficult. To help guide you, here are some of the most popular online degrees.
Accounting
Online accounting degrees prepare you for careers in business, finance, and accounting. You’ll study the principles of financial accounting and auditing, plus the accounting information systems that many professionals use.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for accountants and auditors was $81,680 as of May 2024.
Business Administration
Online business degree programs cover a lot of ground, including coursework in accounting, economics, management, and finance. With a business degree, you can work in various entrepreneurial careers, along with roles in the healthcare and information technology sectors.
Per the BLS, in May 2024, business and financial occupations earned a median annual salary of $80,920.
Computer Science
In an online computer science degree program, you’ll gain a foundation in computation and computer systems. You’ll acquire the skills necessary to pursue careers in computer support, networking, information security, and web development.
Earning a degree in computer science can lead to some of the top-paying careers in tech. For example, the BLS reports that software developers earned a median annual salary of $131,450 in May 2024.
Criminal Justice
An online criminal justice degree program equips you with knowledge of the law and the criminal justice system. You’ll also acquire leadership skills that you can apply to many personally and financially rewarding public safety careers.
For example, in May 2024, police officers and detectives earned a median annual salary of $77,270, according to the BLS.
Education
An online education degree program prepares you for a career in the education system, such as being a teacher or education administrator. You’ll learn about child development, teaching strategies, and how the school system operates.
The BLS reports that in May 2024, educational instruction and library occupations earned a median annual salary of $59,220.
Finance
Earning an online finance degree positions you to help people and organizations manage their money more effectively. You’ll study topics like taxation, financial and investment management, and personal and corporate finance.
Finance professionals earn some of the highest wages in the business sector, such as financial analysts, who, as of May 2024, earned a median annual salary of $101,910, according to the BLS.
Information Technology (IT)
Professionals with online IT degrees provide computer support and solutions to people and organizations. IT programs teach you to tackle technical challenges using skills in programming, networking, security, and emerging technologies.
According to the BLS, in May 2024, computer and information technology occupations earned a median annual salary of $105,990.
Legal Studies
With an online legal studies degree, you can pursue many law-related careers, including paralegal, court reporter, and arbitrator. Your studies will familiarize you with the court and legal system.
You’ll also enjoy competitive salaries in this field, as the BLS reports that legal occupations earned a median annual salary of $99,990 as of May 2024.
Nursing
Nursing degree programs cover healthcare fundamentals, nursing informatics, and community health, plus clinical training. While your online bachelor’s in nursing can lead to various healthcare roles, the most direct path leads to a career as a registered nurse (RN).
According to the BLS, in May 2024, RNs earned a median annual salary of $93,600.
Psychology
In a psychology program, you’ll study human development and behavior, counseling, and psychological science. With an online psychology degree, you can access many counseling and social service careers.
The BLS reports that in May 2024, community and social service professionals earned a median annual salary of $57,530.
Online vs. In-Person Programs
Attending college on campus usually means you have to attend in-person lectures and classes to complete your coursework. Classes are held on specific days at specific times, and attendance is generally required.
Online colleges usually include prerecorded lectures that you can view at a time that’s convenient for you. Courses are available either at a specific time or any time of your choosing — in other words, synchronously or asynchronously.
Compared to on-campus studies, online degree programs feature considerably less travel. As such, you should expect a less traditional classroom environment. This might include a more independent learning experience with less interaction with instructors and peers.
Online programs can also be cheaper than their on-campus counterparts. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in 2020, tuition rates for online bachelor’s programs were lower, on average, than in-person programs.
Type | Cost |
---|---|
Online | $7,926 |
Traditional, On-Campus | $12,250 |
How to Pay for Online College
Online college costs typically run lower than on-campus programs, but you should still expect to pay a considerable amount for your online degree. How exactly can you pay for online college?
Like on-campus programs, you can pay for your online education through scholarships, grants, and student loans. In fact, many online students qualify for the same financial aid opportunities as traditional students, including federal financial aid. You can also find scholarships and grants through your school.
- Federal Financial Aid: The federal government offers grants, loans, and other financial aid to students at accredited online colleges. You must fill out the FAFSA every year to qualify for federal financial aid.
- Scholarships and Grants: Many schools and professional organizations offer scholarships and grants. Eligibility may be specific to a demographic group or field of study.
- Private Student Loans: Online students can apply for private student loans offered by banks and other financial institutions.
- Work-Study Programs: Work study is a federal program that gives students part-time jobs while they complete degrees.
Best Online Colleges By State
Online college allows you to study anywhere, but you might have a specific state in mind. Use the list below to find the best colleges by state.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges
Generally speaking, the best online college provides comprehensive student support services. These schools offer you help before, during, and after your degree programs. TheBestSchools.org’s online university rankings prioritize academic quality, online offerings, and affordability.
A college’s graduation and retention rates can also tell you a lot about how students fare at the school and how well they’re supported. Ultimately, the best online college for you depends on your preferences and educational goals.