Online education has experienced a surge in popularity over the past decade, offering students a versatile and often more affordable pathway toward obtaining a degree. These flexible learning platforms have dramatically expanded access to higher education, enabling people to learn at their own pace, from their own homes.
NextGraduate presents a concise roundup of the best accredited online colleges for the academic years of 2022-2023 based on aggregated data from various sources.
Best Online Colleges Analysis and Insights
- Affordability and Flexibility: The leading online colleges offer affordability and flexibility. They provide an economical solution for those balancing work, family, and other commitments alongside their education. With average post-aid costs varying significantly, students can select a college that best suits their budget.
- Graduation and Acceptance Rates: Universities with higher graduation rates, such as the University of Florida (88%) and Arizona State University (66%), might indicate a supportive learning environment encouraging student success. On the other hand, universities with high acceptance rates, like Southern New Hampshire University (92%) and Liberty University (99%), are more accessible to a broad range of students.
- Reputation and Alumni Success: Many of these online colleges have a roster of notable alumni, which may speak to the quality of education they provide. Alumni success can be a strong signal of the degree’s value.
- In-State vs. Out-of-State Tuition: Some universities, like the University of Arizona and Penn State World Campus, offer significantly lower post-aid costs for in-state students than out-of-state students. This may make these schools particularly attractive to students residing in those states.
- Public vs. Private Institutions: The list includes a mix of public and private institutions, such as Liberty University, a private Baptist university, and Arizona State University, a public research university. Choosing between a private and public institution can influence the cost, academic environment, and overall experience.
- Diverse Educational Offerings: The offerings are diverse, from large, established research universities like the University of Arizona to universities specifically designed for online education like the University of Phoenix. This means students can likely find a program that suits their specific interests and career goals.
Choosing an online college involves considering several factors: cost, flexibility, graduation rates, acceptance rates, and the institution’s reputation.
It’s important for students to thoroughly research their options and consider their personal goals, budget, and learning preferences when making this decision.
What Are the Best Online Colleges?
Southern New Hampshire (SNHU)
- Cost: Average cost of attendance is $23,000 per year.
- Location: Main campus is in Manchester, New Hampshire.
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education.
- Acceptance rate: 92%.
- Graduation rate: 39%.
- Notable alumni: Felix G. Arroyo, Don Dodge, Marc Pacheco, and Andrea Jenkins.
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is leading the list, renowned for its reasonable tuition, adaptable learning models, and comprehensive student support services. With a reputation for academic excellence, SNHU is placed between #133-175 in the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings for 2022-2023. SNHU, whose main campus is situated in Manchester, New Hampshire, is distinguished by its affordable average annual cost of $23,000, high acceptance rate of 92%, and six-year graduation rate of 39%. Notable alumni include Felix G. Arroyo, Don Dodge, Marc Pacheco, and Andrea Jenkins.
Strayer University
- Cost: Average cost of tuition and fees is $27,600 for the 2022-2023 academic year, with average cost after aid of $15,600.
- Graduation rate: 21%.
- Acceptance rate: Open admission policy.
- Notable alumni: John W. Thompson (CEO of Symantec), James A. Smith (CEO of Exelon), Mark A. Gainey (CEO of Exelon).
Strayer University in Maryland stands out for its flexible and economical education offerings. Despite the average tuition and fees for the 2022-2023 academic year amounting to $27,600, the average cost after aid is significantly lower, at $15,600. The university maintains a graduation rate of 21% and hosts a commendable roster of alumni, including John W. Thompson, James A. Smith, and Mark A. Gainey.
University of Phoenix
- Cost: Average cost of tuition and fees is $19,662, with average cost after aid of $13,365.
- Graduation rate: 27%.
- Acceptance rate: Open admission policy.
- Notable alumni: Shaquille O’Neal (NBA Hall of Famer), Mary E. Peters (former U.S. Secretary of Transportation), Howard Schmidt (former U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director), Kirkland H. Donald (former U.S. Ambassador to the European Union).
Next on the list is the University of Phoenix, with an average tuition and fee cost of $19,662 for the 2022-2023 academic year, and an average post-aid cost of $13,365. The graduation rate stands at 27%. Its notable alumni include NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal and former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters.
University of Arizona
- Cost: Average cost of tuition and fees is $30,686 for in-state students and $52,876 for out-of-state students, with average cost after aid of $15,601 for in-state and $30,000 for out-of-state students.
- Graduation rate: 64%.
- Acceptance rate: 87%.
- Notable alumni: Jerry Bruckheimer (film producer), Amanda Beard (Olympic swimmer), Gilbert Arenas (NBA player), Rob Gronkowski (NFL player).
The University of Arizona, offering both campus and online study options, boasts an average post-aid cost of $15,601 for in-state students and $30,000 for out-of-state students. It holds a graduation rate of 64% and an acceptance rate of 87%. Notable alumni from this university include film producer Jerry Bruckheimer and Olympic swimmer Amanda Beard.
Penn State World Campus
- Cost: Average cost of tuition and fees is $15,054 for in-state students and $24,164 for out-of-state students, with an average net price of $10,000 for in-state students and $15,000 for out-of-state students.
- Graduation rate: 64%.
- Acceptance rate: 54%.
- Notable alumni: Chris Christie (former Governor of New Jersey), Kevin DeYoung (pastor and author), Brian Koppelman (screenwriter and producer), David Plouffe (political strategist).
Penn State World Campus provides high-quality education at an affordable price, with an average post-aid cost of $10,000 for in-state students and $15,000 for out-of-state students. The graduation rate is 64%, and the acceptance rate is 54%. Penn State World Campus alumni include prominent figures such as Chris Christie and David Plouffe.
University of Florida
- Cost: Average cost of tuition and fees is $6,381 for Florida residents and $28,659 for out-of-state students, with average cost after aid of $3,679 for Florida residents and $16,980 for out-of-state students.
- Graduation rate: 88%.
- Acceptance rate: 30%.
- Notable alumni: Tim Tebow (former NFL quarterback), Tim Robbins (actor), Alison Bechdel (cartoonist), Wilma Rudolph (Olympic track and field athlete).
The University of Florida has an impressive graduation rate of 88% and offers an affordable education, especially for Florida residents, with an average post-aid cost of $3,679. The acceptance rate is 30%, and notable alumni include Tim Tebow and Tim Robbins.
Arizona State University
- Cost: Average cost of tuition and fees is $11,618 for Arizona residents and $30,592 for out-of-state students, with average cost after aid of $12,814 for Arizona residents and $32,000 for out-of-state students.
- Graduation rate: 66%.
- Acceptance rate: 88%.
- Notable alumni: Jimmy Kimmel (late-night talk show host), Phil Mickelson (professional golfer), Kate Spade (actress)
Arizona State University, one of the largest public universities by enrollment in the U.S., offers an average post-aid cost of $12,814 for Arizona residents and $32,000 for out-of-state students. It reports a graduation rate of 66% and an acceptance rate of 88%. ASU alumni include late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel and professional golfer Phil Mickelson.
Liberty University
- Average cost of attendance: $42,114 for full-time students (average cost after aid is $28,561)
- Graduation rate: 29%
- Acceptance rate: 56%
- Location: Lynchburg, Virginia
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Notable alumni: Rashad Jennings (NFL running back), TobyMac (musician), Jerry Falwell Jr. (former university president), and Samantha Ponder (ESPN reporter).
Liberty University in Virginia, a private Baptist university with a high acceptance rate of 99%, offers a Christian education with an average post-aid cost of $28,561. The graduation rate is 29%, and its notable alumni include Jerry Falwell Jr. and professional basketball player Seth Curry.
