Rankings
Are you ready to discover your college program?
Whatever your field or desired degree level, our rankings can help you find the right program.
At TheBestSchools.org (TBS), we strive to balance academic excellence, return on investment, and indirect benefits to develop curated program lists for top-ranked fields.
Our ranking methodology clearly spells out the criteria we look for in quality online degree programs. We carefully vet the degree-granting programs on these lists to help you find your ideal program and access a quality education — wherever you are.
Featured Online Programs
Explore the Rankings
If you know what you want to study, click on your field to explore our list of rankings for related programs at any level. If you’re interested in learning more about which level of education is right for you and your professional goals, try starting with our degree guide.
| Art and Design | Associate/ Certification | Bachelor’s | Master’s |  |
| Business, Marketing, and Management | Associate/ Certification | Bachelor’s | Master’s | Doctorate |
| Computer Science and Information Technology | Associate/ Certification | Bachelor’s | Master’s | Doctorate |
| Criminal Justice and Legal Studies | Associate/ Certification | Bachelor’s | Master’s | Doctorate |
| Education and Teaching | Associate/ Certification | Bachelor’s | Master’s | Doctorate |
| Liberal Arts and Humanities | Associate/ Certification | Bachelor’s | Master’s | Doctorate |
| Nursing and Healthcare | Associate/ Certification | Bachelor’s | Master’s | Doctorate |
| Psychology, Counseling, and Social Work | Associate/ Certification | Bachelor’s | Master’s | Doctorate |
| Science and Engineering |  | Bachelor’s | Master’s |  |
| Theology and Religious Studies | Associate/ Certification | Bachelor’s | Master’s | Doctorate |
| Trades and Careers | Associate/ Certification | Bachelor’s | Master’s |  |
| Elementary Through High School | Colleges and Universities | Career-Specific Schools |
Associate Degree and Certificate Rankings
An associate degree introduces college students to the basics of a subject and strengthens their critical thinking skills. In disciplines such as business, the liberal arts, psychology, education, and the natural sciences, an associate degree opens doors to entry-level careers or meets general education requirements for higher degrees. For example, in healthcare, an associate degree meets entry-level requirements for employment as a nurse, physical therapist assistant, and respiratory therapist. In some vocational careers, an associate degree meets all educational requirements.
The TBS associate degree and certificate rankings list the top programs in disciplines such as business, healthcare, education, and technology.
Art and Design
An associate degree in art and design introduces enrollees to the visual arts, including graphic design, fine art, art history, and multimedia design. With a master’s degree, graduates can find work as web designers or graphic designers.
Business, Marketing, and Management
In a business, marketing, or management associate program, students explore project management, accounting, finance, and other core business areas. The degree can leads to roles like customer service associate, administrative assistant, and sales associate.
Computer Science and Information Technology
An associate degree in computer science and information technology introduces students to basic computer systems, programming languages, and security techniques. The degree can lead to opportunities like computer support specialist or IT specialist.
Criminal Justice and Legal Studies
A criminal justice or legal studies associate degree introduces students to law enforcement, the legal system, and the correctional system. Graduates can find employment as law enforcement officers, corrections officers, and paralegals.
Education and Teaching
An associate degree in education and teaching prepares graduates for roles as teacher’s assistants, early childhood educators, and paraeducators. Graduates can also transfer into bachelor’s programs to pursue teacher certification.
Liberal Arts and Humanities
An associate degree in liberal arts and humanities trains students in critical thinking and analysis. By studying English, communication, political science, and history, liberal arts and humanities majors can strengthen their research and writing skills.
Nursing and Healthcare
An associate degree in nursing and healthcare prepares graduates for roles like dental assistant, medical assistant, or radiology technician. In these fields, an associate degree can lead to above-average salaries in high-demand fields.
Psychology, Counseling, and Social Work
Psychology, counseling, and social work associate degree students learn about the basics of human behavior, social welfare organizations, and counseling techniques. The degree prepares graduates for technician and assistant roles or to enroll in bachelor’s programs.
Theology and Religious Studies
An associate degree in theology and religious studies introduces learners to Biblical, ministry, and pastoral studies. The degree prepares graduates for work as youth ministers and church program supervisors.
Trades and Careers
An associate degree in a trade field offers vocational training for careers in fields like client services, manufacturing, and technology. The following trade and career rankings list the top vocational programs in multiple fields.
Bachelor’s Degree Rankings
A bachelor’s degree strengthens analytical and critical thinking skills and meets the entry-level requirement for many careers. Professionals with bachelor’s degrees earn higher salaries and see lower unemployment rates than individuals without college degrees.
The TBS bachelor’s degree rankings list the top programs in fields like art and design, business, education, the liberal arts, and STEM disciplines.
Art and Design
Art and design majors build creative skills while learning the technologies behind game design, web design, and animation. Graduates can pursue opportunities as graphic designers, web designers, and animators.
Business, Marketing, and Management
A bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or management trains students in accounting, finance, economics, and project management. Business, marketing, and management majors can find work as financial analysts, public relations specialists, and market research analysts.
Computer Science and Information Technology
Computer science and information technology majors study programming languages, data analytics, and information security. A bachelor’s in computer science or IT can lead to employment as a software developer, database administrator, or computer engineer.
Criminal Justice and Legal Studies
A bachelor’s in criminal justice and legal studies trains students in law enforcement, forensic science, and legal analysis. Specialized programs in homeland security, paralegal studies, and corrections help prepare graduates for careers like police officer or border agent.
Education and Teaching
A bachelor’s degree in education or teaching prepares educators for licensure as K-12 teachers. Education programs also train students in child development, early childhood education, and special education.
Liberal Arts and Humanities
A liberal arts and humanities degree emphasizes research, communication, and writing skills. Humanities encompasses diverse fields such as English, history, and political science, and majors can strengthen their analytical and critical thinking abilities.
Nursing and Healthcare
A bachelor’s degree in nursing or healthcare prepares majors for careers as registered nurses (RNs), health science professionals, and health educators. A bachelor’s degree meets the requirement for many entry-level roles in the growing healthcare field.
Psychology, Counseling, and Social Work
A psychology, counseling, or social work degree trains majors to analyze human behavior and help people overcome challenges. Graduates can pursue careers in social services, private practice, or nonprofit organizations.
Science and Engineering
Science and engineering majors study chemistry, civil engineering, the life sciences, and physics. A bachelor’s degree in science and engineering strengthens analytical, mathematical, and critical thinking skills.
Theology and Religious Studies
A bachelor’s degree in theology and religious studies examines religious traditions from around the world. Students can also focus on Bible studies and or ministry in other specific religions to prepare for careers within religious organizations.
Trades and Career
A bachelor’s degree in a trade or career field trains students for service careers like automotive mechanics, construction management, and restaurant management. Learn more about the top bachelor’s programs in vocational fields through our rankings.
Master’s Degree Rankings
Master’s programs provide focused, graduate-level training. In many industries, a master’s degree offers a pathway to managerial roles. For example, a master’s in business prepares graduates for supervisory responsibilities, while a master’s in educational administration trains enrollees to become school principals. Master’s programs can also offer clinical training in nursing, social work, and psychology.
In many careers, a master’s degree translates into higher salaries and more job opportunities. At TBS, our master’s degree rankings break down the top master’s programs in every field.
Art and Design
A master’s in art and design strengthens analytical and technical skills. The degree prepares graduates for roles as art educators, filmmakers, graphic designers, and video game designers.
Business, Marketing, and Management
Business, marketing, and management master’s programs emphasize managerial and leadership skills. With MBAs, professionals can advance into supervisory roles. A master’s in accounting, meanwhile, prepares students to sit for the CPA credential.
Computer Science and Information Technology
Computer science and information technology master’s programs offer advanced training in technical areas like cybersecurity, management information systems, and informatics. These two-year programs train students for leadership roles.
Criminal Justice and Legal Studies
A master’s in criminal justice or legal studies strengthens analytical and decision-making skills. Graduates can work as detectives, federal law enforcement agents, compliance officers, and cybersecurity specialists.
Education and Teaching
Educators specialize their skills and move into leadership roles by earning master’s degrees in education or teaching. Specializations like educational administration, higher education, and library science can prepare graduates for career advancement.
Liberal Arts and Humanities
A master’s degree in the liberal arts and humanities can lead to careers in education, communications, public policy, and public administration. These academic programs also prepare graduates for doctoral study.
Nursing and Healthcare
In nursing and healthcare, a master’s degree can lead to nurse practitioner (NP) or administrative employment tracks for healthcare executives and managers. These degrees can help healthcare workers increase their professional responsibilities and earning potential.
Psychology, Counseling, and Social Work
A master’s degree in psychology, counseling, or social work trains graduates for employment as clinical social workers, mental health counselors, and organizational psychologists. They also prepare graduates to enroll in doctoral programs.
Science and Engineering
A master’s degree in science or engineering offers advanced training for careers like engineer, scientist, mathematician, and statistician. With a two-year master’s degree, science and engineering graduates can pursue supervisory and research roles.
Theology and Religious Studies
A master’s in theology or religious studies, which often include ministry programs, emphasizes leadership and counseling skills. These degrees prepare graduates to pursue decision-making roles within religious organizations.
Trades and Career
A master’s degree in a trade or career field provides career-focused training for leadership roles. For example, a master’s in construction management prepares graduates to oversee major building projects.
Doctoral Degree Rankings
A doctoral degree is the highest degree available for disciplines like business, education, technology, and engineering. With doctorates, graduates can pursue research and academic roles, including college professor. A doctorate also leads to leadership roles in diverse fields.
This section introduces our doctoral degree rankings by discipline. Prospective students can find the right fit for their career goals. Learn more about the top-ranked doctoral programs in criminal justice, business, the liberal arts, psychology, healthcare, and other fields.
Business, Marketing, and Management
A doctorate in business, marketing, or management provides specialized, advanced training in areas like accounting, finance, nonprofit management, and human resources management. Graduates can work as top executives, researchers, and academics.
Computer Science and Information Technology
A doctorate in computer science and information technology builds advanced technical and administrative skills. Graduates focus their training by choosing a specialization, leading to employment opportunities as researchers, computer scientists, and academics.
Criminal Justice and Legal Studies
A criminal justice and legal studies doctorate emphasizes research and administration. During doctoral programs, graduate students strengthen their analytical skills while building practical leadership abilities.
Education and Teaching
A doctorate in education and teaching prepares graduates for top roles in the field, including employment as educational administrators, educational psychologists, and higher education administrators. The degree also trains researchers and school counselors.
Liberal Arts and Humanities
A doctorate in the liberal arts and humanities trains graduates for research and academic roles. Some programs, such as degrees in public administration or public policy, include a professional focus.
Nursing and Healthcare
A doctorate in nursing or healthcare prepares graduates for advanced practice clinical roles as well as leadership positions like hospital director or public health official.
Psychology, Counseling, and Social Work
A doctorate in psychology, counseling, or social work trains graduates for psychologist licensure or to pursue leadership roles in counseling and social work organizations. Learn more about the best doctoral programs in psychology, counseling, and social work below.
Theology and Religious Studies
A doctorate in theology or religious studies offers specialized training in comparative religions, theology, and pastoral studies. With a doctorate, theology and religious studies graduates can pursue opportunities as clergy, researchers, and academics.
Rankings by Discipline
TBS ranks programs in every discipline, making it easy for students to review top-ranked prorams in the various fields that interest them. Our rankings also help undecided students narrow their options by learning more about career paths and degree requirements.
This section explores program rankings at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels in several different academic disciplines.
Art and Design
Art and design programs combine creativity with analytical skills. During an art and design program, learners study the graphic arts, animation, and film. Students can also pursue specialized programs that focus on game or web design. In addition to studying design elements, enrollees learn about software programs used by animators and video game designers.
By honing their critical eye, art and design students prepare for careers that require a distinct creative voice and technical skills. A bachelor’s degree in art or design meets the entry-level requirement for a career as a graphic designer, animator, or web designer. A master’s degree builds advanced skills that help graduates pursue leadership and educational roles.
Business, Marketing, and Management
The business, marketing, and management field requires robust interpersonal, leadership, and organizational skills. Business students can specialize in accounting, human resources, supply chain management, and entrepreneurship, studying things like organizational behavior, financial management, and business communications. Business students develop strong decision-making and analytical skills.
Many business occupations hire graduates with bachelor’s degrees to work as market research analysts, financial analysts, and management analysts. A master’s in business, such as an MBA, provides leadership training for supervisory roles. A doctorate in business, marketing, or management prepares professionals for executive-level roles.
Computer Science and Information Technology
Computer science and information technology programs train students for in-demand careers. During a computer science and IT degree, students learn about programming languages, coding techniques, and computer networking and security. Common concentrations include data science, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
Associate degrees prepare graduates for careers in web development, programming, and computer support. At the bachelor’s level, IT and computer science programs train software developers, computer systems analysts, and database administrators. Supervisory roles and research positions typically require a graduate degree.
Criminal Justice and Legal Studies
Criminal justice and legal studies covers law enforcement, the courts, and the correctional system. A criminal justice or legal studies degree introduces students to comparative legal systems, criminal justice administration, and criminology. Programs also offer concentrations in topics like cybercrime, homeland security, and juvenile justice.
With a criminal justice degree, graduates can pursue careers in law enforcement or corrections. Legal studies degrees also prepare undergraduates for law school or careers as paralegals. Graduate-level students in criminal justice and legal studies programs can find employment in leadership, research, and academic roles, including as criminal justice professors.
Education and Teaching
Education and teaching trains students in pedagogy, classroom management, educational theory, and instructional design. During an education or teaching degree, students learn how to design curricula, measure student learning, and lead educational organizations.
A bachelor’s degree in teaching from an educator preparation program can meet the requirements for a teaching license and career as a K-12 teacher, although some states require a master’s degree. At the graduate level, a master’s in education prepares teachers for career advancement as educational administrators. A doctorate in education leads to opportunities in academia and at the top levels of educational leadership.
Liberal Arts and Humanities
The liberal arts and humanities critically examine society and culture through disciplines such as history, political science, and sociology. History and political science students explore social organizations and how they change over time, while English, philosophy, and art history students explore human culture and condition.
Liberal arts and humanities degrees build strong communication, research, and writing skills. At the undergraduate level, a liberal arts or humanities degree can lead to many different careers, including in business, marketing, social services, and education. A graduate degree in liberal arts or humanities can lead to careers in library sciences, education, professional services, and academia.
Nursing and Healthcare
Nursing and healthcare programs train students for careers as nurses, home health aides, physician assistants, and NPs. In many of these fast-growing fields, an associate degree can satisfy the entry-level educational requirement. For example, RNs, occupational therapy assistants, and physical therapist assistants can all enter their fields with associate degrees. At the graduate level, nursing and healthcare degrees train students to pursue more specialized roles.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that healthcare occupations will add more jobs than any other occupational group between 2019-2029. Many healthcare careers rank among the fastest-growing occupations.
Psychology, Counseling, and Social Work
Psychology, counseling, and social work degrees emphasize the human condition. Psychology students explore human development, behavioral health, and mental health disorders. Counseling enrollees strengthen interpersonal skills while learning how to help clients with a variety of needs. Degree-seekers in social work programs learn about social welfare systems and counseling.
An undergraduate degree in psychology, counseling, or social work prepares graduates for roles as case managers, psychiatric technicians, substance abuse counselors, and behavioral disorder counselors. Counselors, clinical social workers, and psychologists generally need graduate degrees to meet licensure requirements to practice.
Science and Engineering
Science and engineering degrees strengthen analytical and problem-solving skills. Undergraduate science and engineering programs build critical thinking abilities through coursework, labs, and other practical assignments. Graduate degrees in the field provide advanced training in the life sciences, physical sciences, and engineering.
BLS projections indicate that this in-demand field offers strong job prospects, with science and engineering careers growing at more than twice the rate of the average career in the U.S. Earning a science or engineering degree at any level prepares graduates for careers as engineering technicians, civil engineers, biologists, research scientists, and science professors.
Theology and Religious Studies
The field of theology and religious studies covers religious traditions, the history of religion, and theological training for pastors, ministers, and other religious leaders. Depending on the program and level, a theology degree may also examine Biblical interpretation and ministry. Students learn to counsel members of religious communities and lead worship services. A master’s in theology prepares graduates for roles in churches, nonprofit organizations, and social services.
A religious studies degree examines world religions through a critical lens, building strong analytical and research skills. At the graduate level, a religious studies degree leads to opportunities in education, including academic careers.
Trades and Career
Trade and career-focused degrees prepare graduates for specific career paths after graduation. At the undergraduate level, trade programs include vocational careers in healthcare, manufacturing, and technology. Graduate-level career programs, also known as professional degrees, include law, medicine, and pharmacy programs.
An associate degree in a vocational field typically takes two years, while a bachelor’s trade degree takes four years. At the graduate level, program length varies. Law school usually takes three years, while many medical, dental, and pharmacy programs take around four years.
A career-focused degree often trains students for fields that require professional licensure. As a result, prospective students must carefully research programs to ensure that they meet licensure requirements.
School Rankings
Prospective students have nearly endless choices when it comes to schools. To help students narrow down their options, our school rankings draw on reliable sources like the U.S. Department of Education to analyze information about hundreds of schools.
We rank the most affordable colleges, the most prestigious universities, and the best online colleges and universities. This section explores our school rankings, from the elementary level through doctoral programs.
Elementary Through High School
Education typically starts at the elementary level, but what are the best elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools in the country? These rankings list the top K-12 schools in the U.S., including the best online high schools, the top boarding schools, and the top Christian high schools.
Colleges and Universities
In the U.S., thousands of colleges and universities grant degrees. Our lists help prospective students find the right school to meet their needs, whether they’re looking for the most affordable option in a specific state, they’re pursing a niche career, or they want an online program. Our rankings also include the best universities outside of the U.S.
Career-Specific Schools
Some schools train students for specific careers, including culinary schools and paralegal programs. The following pages rank career-specific schools, making it easier to identify the best programs in a particular vocational field.
If you’re ready to get started in the professional world, our careers page might be of service. You can also explore your program options by state.
Visit our resources page for articles about attending college, available learning tools, or accessing financial aid. We also provide custom guides for military students, students with disabilities, undocumented students, and LGBTQIA+ students.
