USA is one of the leading countries in technology and innovation. As a result, it was not difficult for universities in USA to adopt online learning. USA has hundreds of universities that provide online programs but which are the best online universities in USA?
You don’t have to bother about this because we have already done a wide research and compiled a list of 15 best online universities in USA. These universities are part of the best distance learning universities in USA for international students.
We understand that a lot of international students wish to study in popular study destinations like USA but couldn’t because of distance.
Immigration to other countries for education can be so tedious and expensive but all thanks to advancement in technology, students can now earn degree from anywhere in the world without leaving their comfort zones and going through any immigration process
Online education in USA can be traced back to late 1900s and ever since then a lot of universities in USA adopted online learning, especially during the COVID 19 pandemic.
Do you wish to know the best online universities in USA? This article contains list of some of the best universities in USA and other things you need to know.
Table of Contents
Why Online Universities in USA?
USA is one of the countries with the highest numbers of international students. This is also the case for her online universities, a lot of international students are enrolled in online programs provided by online universities in USA.
Students enroll in online universities in USA because of the following reasons
- Earn a quality and widely recognized degree
USA is known for a lot of things including quality education. Any degree earned from an accredited university in USA will be recognized anywhere in the world.
- Financial Aid
Most online universities in USA provide financial assistance through grants, loans, work-study programs and scholarships for online students.
- Affordability
There are a lot of affordable online universities in USA that provide high quality education at affordable rates. Most of these universities charges per credit hour.
- Accreditation
There are a lot of accredited universities in USA that offer online programs.
- Flexibility
One of the reasons students enroll in online programs is flexibility. The online universities in USA provide online programs that are ideal for students with busy schedules.
- Free Online Courses
Some of the online universities in USA offer free MOOCs through Coursera, Edx, Udemy and other online learning platforms.
All you need to know about the Best Online Universities in USA
This list was compiled based on the quality, accreditation, affordability, and flexibility. The 15 best online universities in USA are constantly ranked in best online programs from bachelor’s to graduate degrees and certificates.
These universities offer online programs at different levels: bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, undergraduate and graduate certificates, which are available in different areas of study.
Most of the programs offered by these online universities are available fully online. Other format used by these universities is hybrid, combination of online courses and in-class courses.
The programs offered are taught by the same faculty who teach on campus and with the same curriculum. So, you are getting the same quality on-campus students will get.
Degrees or certificates earned from these online universities are accredited, either nationally or regionally. Also, some of the programs offered have independent accreditation i.e programmatic accreditation.
Financial aids in form of grants, loans, work-study programs are also available for online students.
List of the Best Online Universities in USA
Below is the list of some of the best online universities in USA:
- University of Florida
- UMass Global
- Ohio State University
- Pennsylvania State University – World Campus
- Colorado State University – Global Campus
- Utah State University
- University of Arizona
- University of Oklahoma
- Oregon State University
- University of Pittsburgh
- John Hopkins University
- Florida State University
- George Institute of Technology
- Boston University
- Columbia University.
15 Best Online Universities in USA
Before we discuss about these universities, do well to check our article on how to find the best online colleges near me. This article is a complete guide on how to choose the best online colleges.
1. University of Florida
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Tuition: $111.92 per credit hour
Availability of Financial Aid: Yes
University of Florida is a top-ranked public research university in Gainesville, Florida, that provides high quality, fully online baccalaureate degree programs.
About 25 majors are offered by university of Florida through it’s colleges.
2. UMass Global
Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
Tuition: from $500 per credit hour
Availability of Financial Aid: Yes
UMass Global is a private, non-profit institution affiliated with University of Massachusetts (UMass).
Since 1958, UMass Global have been offering a varieties of online and hybrid programs from associate’s to doctorate’s.
Online programs are available in the areas of arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and health.
3. Ohio State University
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Tuition:
- Undergraduate: $459.07 per credit hour
- Graduate: $722.50 per credit hour
Availability of Financial Aid: Yes
Ohio State University claims to be the highest ranked public university in Ohio.
OSU offer online degrees at different levels: certificates, associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.
4. Pennyslavia State University – World Campus
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Tuition: $590 per credit
Availability of Financial Aid: Yes
Pennyslavia State University – World Campus is the online campus of Pennyslavia State University, created in 1998.
World Campus offer thousands of online programs at different levels: bachelor’s, associate’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, undergraduate and graduate certificates, undergraduate and graduate minors.
5. Colorado State University – Global Campus
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Tuition:
- Undergraduate: $350 per credit
- Graduate: $500 per credit
Availability of Financial Aid: Yes
Colorado State University – Global Campus is an online public university that is a member of the Colorado State University System, founded in 2007.
CSU Global offer online bachelor’s and master’s degree, and certificate programs.
6. Utah State University
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Tuition:
- Undergraduate: $1,997 for 6 credits (Utah residents) and $2,214 for 6 credits (Non-Utah residents).
- Graduate: $2,342 for 6 credits (Utah residents) and $2,826 for 6 credits (Non-Utah residents).
Availability of Financial Aid: Yes
Established in 1888, Utah State University is the only land grant institution in Utah.
USU offer fully online degrees and certificates in Agriculture and Technology, Education and Healthcare, Business, Natural Resources, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Science.
Utah State University started offering online programs in 1995.
7. University of Arizona
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Tuition:
- Undergraduate: $500 to $610 per credit
- Graduate: $650 to $1332 per credit
Availability of Financial Aid: Yes
Established in 1885, University of Arizona is a public land-grant university.
University of Arizona offer a varieties of online programs at different levels: undergraduate and graduate degrees, graduate and undergraduate certificates.
8. University of Oklahoma
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Tuition: $164 per credit (in-state tuition) and $691 per credit (out-of-state tuition).
Availability of Financial Aid: Yes
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university in Norman, Oklahoma.
University of Oklahoma offer both graduate degree and graduate certificate programs online.
9. Oregon State University
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Tuition:
- Undergraduate: $331 per credit
- Graduate: $560 per credit
Availability of Financial Aid: Yes
Oregon State University is a public land-grant research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, that started distance education in 1880s.
Online and hybrid format programs are available in different options: graduate and undergraduate degrees, graduate and undergraduate certificates, undergraduate minors, micro-credentials, and course sequences.
10. University of Pittsburgh
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Tuition: $700 per credit
University of Pittsburgh is a public university that offers several fully online graduate and certificate programs.
Also, University of Pittsburgh offers several massive open online courses (MOOCs).
11. John Hopkins University
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Tuition: depends on the college
Availability of Financial Aid: Yes
John Hopkins University is American’s first research university established in 1876.
Fully and partially online programs are available at different levels: doctoral and master’s degree, and graduate certificate.
John Hopkins University also offer free MOOCs through Coursera.
12. Florida State University
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Tuition:
- Undergraduate: $180.49 per credit hour (in-state tuition) and $686.00 per credit hour (out-of-state tuition)
- Graduate: $444.26 per credit hour (in-state tuition) and $1,075.66 per credit hour (out-of-state tuition)
Availability of Financial Aid: Yes
Florida State University is a public university. FSU’s colleges and departments offer synchronous and asynchronous learning formats, as well as a mix of both.
Online programs are available at different levels: certificate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees, specialist, and specialized studies.
13. Georgia Institute of Technology
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Tuition: $1,100 per credit for certificate programs.
Availability of Financial Aid: Yes
George Institute of Technology is a public research university and institute of technology in Atlanta, Georgia.
Georgia Tech offer a variety of online degree and graduate certificate programs, especially in STEM.
Georgia Institute of Technology also offer free MOOCs through Coursera and Udacity.
14. Boston University
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
Availability of Financial Aid: Yes
Boston University is a leading private institution located in Boston.
BU has been offering online programs since 2002. Online programs are offered at different levels: concentration, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees, and certificate.
15. Columbia University
Accreditation: Middle State Commission on Higher Education
Columbia University is a private ivy league research university in New York City.
CU offers a variety of online programs ranging from certifications to degree and non-degree programs.
Also, Columbia University offer MOOCs through Coursera, edX, and Kadenze.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best distance learning universities in USA for international students?
Some of the best distance learning universities in USA for international students are:
- University of Florida
- UMass Global
- Ohio State University
- Pennsylvania State University – World Campus
- Colorado State University – Global Campus
- Utah State University
- University of Arizona
- University of Oklahoma
- Oregon State University
- University of Pittsburgh
- John Hopkins University
- Florida State University
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- Boston University
- Columbia University.
Can I get a degree completely online?
Yes, the online universities in USA offer fully online programs.
Are there Tuition-free Online Universities in USA?
Yes, there are few tuition-free online universities in USA. For example, University of People.
Are Online degrees worth it?
Yes, accredited online degrees worth it. Most employers no longer care about how you earn your degree, what matters most is accreditation.
What are the requirements needed to get into the online universities in USA?
Most universities demand the same enrollment requirements from on-campus and online students, except for immigration requirements.
Some of the documents required by online universities in USA are:
- Official transcripts from previous institutions
- SAT or ACT scores
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal Statement or Essay
- Proof of language proficiency.
How much does it cost to attend online universities in USA?
The cost of a program depends on the type of institution and degree level. We mentioned the tuition of most of the 15 online universities in USA.
Apart from tuition, online universities in USA charge distance learning fee and/or technology fees.
We Also Recommend:
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- Most Affordable Online Colleges in Texas
- 20 Easiest Degrees to get Online.
Conclusion on the Best Online schools in USA
The Best Online Universities in USA are constantly ranked among universities with the best online bachelor’s and graduate degree programs.
You will earn the same quality of education on-campus students get because the online programs are taught by the same faculty.
We have now come to the end of this article on 15 Best Online Universities in USA, which of these universities suit you best? Let us know in the Comment Section.