Best Online Colleges of 2024

Doug Wintemute
By
Updated on April 12, 2024
Edited by
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Online college has made accessible education a reality for many. Discover what online colleges do best and what programs you can choose from.

Are you ready to discover your college program?

For many students, online college makes postsecondary education more accessible and affordable. With flexible scheduling and limited travel requirements, you can pursue an online bachelor’s degree without entirely disrupting your work and home life. Earning a bachelor’s degree can also help you qualify for higher-paying jobs.

On this page, we look at the top online colleges and the most popular degrees available to you. We also explore how you might pay for college and highlight some of the differences between online and on-campus studies.

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Top Online Colleges of 2024

#1 Best Online Colleges of 2024

Southern New Hampshire University

  • Location-markerManchester, NH
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$15,000
  • Out-of-state$15,000
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$18,900
  • Out-of-state$18,900
  • Retention Rate62%
  • Acceptance Rate92%
  • Students Enrolled145,533
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment96%
  • AccreditationYes
#2 Best Online Colleges of 2024

University of Florida

  • Location-markerGainesville, FL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$4,477
  • Out-of-state$25,694
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$10,770
  • Out-of-state$27,335
  • Retention Rate97%
  • Acceptance Rate30%
  • Students Enrolled55,781
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment57%
  • AccreditationYes
#3 Best Online Colleges of 2024

Florida International University

  • Location-markerMiami, FL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$4,721
  • Out-of-state$16,529
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$8,912
  • Out-of-state$21,393
  • Retention Rate90%
  • Acceptance Rate64%
  • Students Enrolled56,664
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment65%
  • AccreditationYes
#4 Best Online Colleges of 2024

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

  • Location-markerMinneapolis, MN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$13,532
  • Out-of-state$32,096
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$17,844
  • Out-of-state$27,612
  • Retention Rate92%
  • Acceptance Rate73%
  • Students Enrolled52,376
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment45%
  • AccreditationYes
#5 Best Online Colleges of 2024

University of Utah

  • Location-markerSalt Lake City, UT
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,749
  • Out-of-state$27,201
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$6,970
  • Out-of-state$24,607
  • Retention Rate87%
  • Acceptance Rate95%
  • Students Enrolled34,464
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment66%
  • AccreditationYes
#6 Best Online Colleges of 2024

Pennsylvania State University

  • Location-markerUniversity Park, PA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$15,400
  • Out-of-state$25,084
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$23,189
  • Out-of-state$39,248
  • Retention Rate87%
  • Acceptance Rate92%
  • Students Enrolled88,914
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment54%
  • AccreditationYes
#7 Best Online Colleges of 2024

San Diego State University

  • Location-markerSan Diego, CA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$5,742
  • Out-of-state$17,622
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$7,176
  • Out-of-state$16,680
  • Retention Rate90%
  • Acceptance Rate38%
  • Students Enrolled36,484
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment64%
  • AccreditationYes
#8 Best Online Colleges of 2024

Colorado State University-Global Campus

  • Location-markerAurora, CO
  • 4 year
  • Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$8,400
  • Out-of-state$8,400
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$9,000
  • Out-of-state$9,000
  • Retention Rate35%
  • Acceptance Rate96%
  • Students Enrolled10,844
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment0%
  • AccreditationYes
#9 Best Online Colleges of 2024

University of Missouri

  • Location-markerColumbia, MO
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$10,017
  • Out-of-state$28,992
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$9,950
  • Out-of-state$27,245
  • Retention Rate88%
  • Acceptance Rate77%
  • Students Enrolled31,401
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment63%
  • AccreditationYes
#10 Best Online Colleges of 2024

University of North Texas

  • Location-markerDenton, TX
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$8,295
  • Out-of-state$18,111
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$6,350
  • Out-of-state$13,694
  • Retention Rate79%
  • Acceptance Rate81%
  • Students Enrolled42,441
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment62%
  • AccreditationYes

Finding the Right Online Program for You

With so many options at your fingertips, picking the right online bachelor’s program can be difficult. Here are some of the most popular online degrees to help guide you.

Accounting

Online accounting degrees prepare you for careers in business, finance, and accounting. You 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 $79,880 in May 2023.

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Business Administration

Online business degrees cover a lot of ground, including topics in accounting, economics, management, and finance.

With a business degree, you can work in various business and entrepreneurial careers, along with roles in the healthcare and information technology sectors. Overall, business and financial occupations earn a median annual salary of $79,050 (BLS, May 2023).

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Computer Science

With an online computer science degree, you’ll have a foundation in computation and computer systems. You’ll have the skills necessary to pursue careers in computer support, networking, information security, and web development.

Computer science can lead to some of the top-paying careers in tech. For example, software developers earn a median annual salary of $132,270 (BLS, May 2023).

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Criminal Justice

Your online criminal justice degree 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, police and detectives earn a median annual salary of $72,260 (BLS, May 2023).

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Education

An online education degree prepares you for a career in the educational system, such as a teacher or administrator. You learn about child development, teaching strategies, and how the school system operates. Educational instruction and library occupations earn a median annual salary of $59,940 (BLS, May 2023).

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Finance

Online finance degrees position 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 with a median annual salary of $97,450 (BLS, May 2023).

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Information Technology (IT)

Professionals with online IT degrees provide computer support and solutions to people and organizations. These programs teach you to tackle technical challenges using skills in programming, networking and security, and emerging technologies.

Computer and information technology occupations make a median annual salary of $104,200 (BLS, May 2023).

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Legal Studies

With an online legal studies degree, you can pursue many law-related careers, including paralegal, court reporting, and arbitration. Your studies will familiarize you with the court and legal system and law and society.

You’ll also enjoy competitive salaries, as legal occupations make a median annual salary of $99,220 (BLS, May 2023).

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Nursing

Nursing 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, your most direct path leads to the registered nurse (RN) career. RNs earn a median annual salary of $86,070 (BLS, May 2023).

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Psychology

In a psychology program, you study human development and behavior, counseling, and psychological science. With an online psychology degree, you can access many counseling and social service careers.

Community and social service professionals earn a median annual salary of $52,000 (BLS, May 2023).

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Online vs. In-Person Programs

Students who attend college on campus usually have to attend in-person lectures or classes to complete their coursework. Classes are on specific days and times, and attendance is generally required.

Online colleges usually include pre-recorded lectures that you can view at a time that’s convenient for you. Courses can be delivered either at a specific time (synchronously) or available for you to review at any time (asynchronously), so check beforehand to see if you’ll have to meet at a designated time.

Compared to on-campus studies, online programs feature considerably less travel. As such, you should expect a less traditional classroom environment. This might include a more independent experience with less interaction with instructors and peers.

How to Pay for Online College

Online college costs typically run lower than on-campus programs, but you can still expect to pay a considerable amount for your online degree. But how exactly do 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 from 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 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (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.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges

Generally speaking, the best type of online college provides comprehensive student support services. These schools offer you assistance before, during, and after your programs.

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.

Yes. Online degrees earned at an accredited online college meet the same academic standards as on-campus programs. They also meet the same licensure requirements unless otherwise stated.

In general, the easiest online colleges to attend are those with high acceptance and graduation rates. High graduation rates are often a good indicator that students receive a high level of support from their online school.

Additionally, some colleges even have open admission policies and admit all students regardless of their grades and SAT or ACT scores. However, this does not necessarily mean the college is “easy” — only that it’s easier to get accepted.

Yes. Credits earned from a regionally accredited institution typically transfer to online colleges. However, you can call the school for clarification if you’re unsure. Some online colleges also offer credit for work experience or military training.

No. In fact, they cover the same material as in-person classes. But if you need help focusing or staying self-motivated, you may find it harder to attend college online. Many online schools offer resources to help you transition to an online learning format.

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by TheBestSchools. Page last reviewed November 20, 2023.