OEDb's Online College Rankings: The Best Online Universities

Online higher education is growing, but a lack of transparency is preventing it from reaching its full potential. Even though online colleges are now receiving increased respect from top employers, diploma mills and the like limit the prestige of a legitimate online degree. We think more transparency is a good thing; a set of objective, quantitative rankings — however imperfect — should help shed some light on the relative attractiveness of the most popular accredited online colleges.

These rankings have been produced by OEDb, a database of accredited online education programs. In our rankings we included the most significant degree-granting undergraduate online colleges that operate nationally, as determined by our selection criteria. To our knowledge, our 2007 rankings were the first of their kind, and these rankings are meant to serve as an update.

For each college, we gathered data for eight different metrics — acceptance rate, financial aid, graduation rate, online programs, retention rate, scholarly citations, student-faculty ratio, and years accredited. The overall ranking, shown below, ranks each college by its average ranking for each metric for which data was available.

Overall Results

This table simply shows the overall ranking of each college, with its average rank in the right-hand column reflecting the sum of all of its ranks divided by the number of metrics for which data was found for that particular college.

Overall Rank College Average Rank
1 National University 10.858
2 Southern New Hampshire University 16.389
3 Golden Gate University 16.703
4 Regent University 17.161
5 Colorado State University 17.565
6 Saint Leo University 17.783
7 Colorado Technical University 17.926
8 Liberty University 18.151
9 Jones International University 18.600
10 Walden University 19.717
11 Franklin University 19.730
12 Fisher College 20.273
13 Ottawa University 20.305
14 Champlain College 20.783
15 Columbia College 20.951
16 Argosy University 21.422
17 Brandman University 24.276
18 Virginia College 24.371
19 Grand Canyon University 25.061
20 Post University 25.204
21 Florida Tech University 25.559
22 Berkeley College 25.711
23 Ohio Christian University 25.758
24 DeVry University 25.898
25 American Public University 25.983
26 Tiffin University 26.250
27 Full Sail University 27.385
28 South University 28.339
29 Northcentral University 28.846
30 Capella University 28.978
31 Keiser University 29.201
32 Everglades University 29.249
33 Ashford University 29.453
34 Ellis University 30.100
35 City University 30.330
36 Rasmussen College 30.347
37 ITT Technical Institute 30.424
38 Peirce College 30.680
39 Salem International University Online 30.773
40 Grantham University 30.904
41 Bellevue University 30.989
42 National American University 31.205
43 Herzing University 31.220
44 Florida National College 31.526
45 Kaplan University 31.680
46 Granite State College 32.721
47 Strayer University 33.331
48 University of the Rockies 33.473
49 Harrison College 34.871
50 Western Governors University 35.001
51 Stevens-Henager College 35.223
52 Everest University 36.564
53 Hodges University 37.786
54 Columbia Southern University 37.918
55 Schiller International University 38.516
56 Ultimate Medical Academy 38.753
57 Aspen University 38.761
58 American Intercontinental University 38.770
59 Stratford University 39.186
60 San Joaquin Valley College 41.731
61 Ivy Bridge College of Tiffin University 42.667
62 Western International University 43.044
63 LA College International 44.183
64 Westwood College 44.640
65 California Intercontinental University 46.500

Overall Results with Metric Data

This table, ordered by the overall ranking of each college, shows each college's average rank and the data gathered for each of the eight metrics.

In the interest of conserving space, we have abbreviated the name of each college. Mouse over each abbreviation to view the full name of each college.

We have also abbreviated the names of all of the metrics in the table header. Key to metric acronyms — AR: Acceptance Rate, FA: Financial Aid, GR: Graduation Rate, OP: Online Programs, RR: Retention Rate, SC: Scholarly Citations, SF: Student-Faculty Ratio, YA: Years Accredited

RankCollegeAvg. RankARFAGROPRRSCSFYA
1 NU 10.858 NA 1.00 41.30 11 10.12 1 5.19 17.25
2 SNHU 16.389 NA 28.08 21.80 6 18.11 22 20.92 14.20
3 GGU 16.703 NA 58.42 NA 31 1.00 11 10.44 5.06
4 RU 17.161 1.00 22.67 NA 19 22.67 8 33.50 30.45
5 CSU 17.565 19.20 51.92 4.90 42 7.84 3 27.21 2.02
6 StLU 17.783 14.00 7.50 17.90 36 22.67 34 19.87 8.11
7 CTU 17.926 NA 16.17 27.00 13 19.25 31 15.68 21.31
8 LU 18.151 NA 14.00 16.60 9 13.54 10 60.76 21.31
9 JIU 18.600 24.40 1.00 45.20 17 1.00 27 2.05 49.75
10 Wald 19.717 NA 28.08 NA 1 10.12 12 50.27 36.55
11 Frank 19.730 1.00 36.75 29.60 24 45.47 13 12.53 15.22
12 FU 20.273 6.20 42.17 10.10 46 32.93 14 20.92 10.14
13 Otta 20.305 NA 63.83 NA 50 NA 6 1.00 1.00
14 Champ 20.783 8.80 32.42 7.50 40 16.96 26 18.82 36.55
15 Colum 20.951 11.40 53.00 21.80 40 29.51 5 15.68 12.17
16 AU 21.422 NA NA NA 10 64.86 21 7.29 25.38
17 BU 24.276 NA 54.08 NA 19 NA 56 12.53 4.05
18 VC 24.371 NA 14.00 60.80 38 6.70 18 20.92 36.55
19 GCU 25.061 40.00 28.08 21.80 13 50.04 30 33.50 9.13
20 Post 25.204 42.60 9.67 49.10 31 31.79 17 33.50 12.17
21 FTU 25.559 NA NA 6.20 34 26.09 58 27.21 27.41
22 Berk 25.711 21.80 9.67 30.90 25 43.19 19 53.42 28.42
23 OCU 25.758 32.20 9.67 11.40 58 30.65 59 15.68 15.22
24 Devry 25.898 45.20 16.17 40.00 5 32.93 24 25.11 44.67
25 APU 25.983 NA 46.50 NA 8 4.42 29 51.32 42.64
26 Tiff 26.250 16.60 24.83 17.90 51 27.23 39 27.21 32.48
27 Full 27.385 NA 46.50 1.00 47 7.84 54 27.21 35.53
28 SU 28.339 47.80 16.17 42.60 12 59.16 4 40.84 32.48
29 NCU 28.846 NA 66.00 NA 6 1.00 25 45.03 58.89
30 CU 28.978 34.80 43.25 NA 3 62.58 9 33.50 45.69
31 KU 29.201 55.60 45.42 2.30 37 12.40 37 33.50 39.59
32 EU 29.249 55.60 34.58 3.60 61 5.56 55 7.29 40.61
33 Ash 29.453 37.40 27.00 43.90 2 47.75 38 66.00 3.03
34 Ellis 30.100 NA 60.58 NA 39 NA 15 2.05 63.97
35 City 30.330 NA 55.17 51.70 51 61.44 2 2.05 19.28
36 Rasm 30.347 27.00 1.00 34.80 28 37.49 47 45.03 52.80
37 ITT 30.424 55.60 24.83 11.40 28 15.82 35 53.42 49.75
38 PU 30.680 NA 1.00 63.40 55 39.77 50 25.11 11.16
39 SIU 30.773 NA 19.42 34.80 60 45.47 48 31.40 7.09
40 GU 30.904 NA 34.58 NA 28 39.77 44 63.90 6.08
41 Bell 30.989 NA 59.50 27.00 18 52.32 33 40.84 17.25
42 NAU 31.205 NA 36.75 45.20 26 58.02 46 5.19 32.48
43 HU 31.220 50.40 1.00 17.90 23 24.95 62 39.79 61.94
44 FNC 31.526 NA 19.42 14.00 42 13.54 61 56.56 45.69
45 Kap 31.680 NA 57.33 53.00 16 20.39 16 45.03 45.69
46 GSC 32.721 NA 32.42 50.40 57 36.35 57 7.29 21.31
47 Stry 33.331 NA 56.25 59.50 15 37.49 28 45.03 25.38
48 UofR 33.473 NA NA NA 33 NA 42 NA 58.89
49 Harr 34.871 55.60 23.75 45.20 42 62.58 32 31.40 21.31
50 WGU 35.001 NA 48.67 54.30 21 20.39 20 62.85 52.80
51 SHC 35.223 NA 1.00 33.50 47 35.21 60 49.23 55.84
52 Evst 36.564 55.60 9.67 34.80 51 54.60 49 10.44 63.97
53 Hgs 37.786 53.00 7.50 56.90 42 66.00 23 42.94 48.73
54 ColS 37.918 NA 19.42 60.80 26 28.37 51 64.95 52.80
55 SIU 38.516 NA 62.75 15.30 61 42.05 41 57.61 28.42
56 UMA 38.753 NA 36.75 8.80 65 NA 66 42.94 51.78
57 Aspn 38.761 NA 64.92 NA 35 56.88 53 20.92 40.61
58 AIU 38.770 29.60 43.25 58.20 22 44.33 36 59.71 55.84
59 Strt 39.186 NA 61.67 38.70 54 47.75 43 12.53 55.84
60 SJVC 41.731 NA 36.75 30.90 66 50.04 52 55.52 42.64
61 IvyB 42.667 NA NA NA 63 NA 65 NA NA
62 WIU 43.044 NA 50.83 63.40 47 60.30 40 52.37 30.45
63 LAC 44.183 NA 41.08 25.70 63 NA 63 57.61 58.89
64 WC 44.640 NA 49.75 55.60 58 52.32 45 33.50 62.95
65 CIU 46.500 NA NA NA 56 NA 64 NA 66.00

Overall Results with Metric Ranks

This table, ordered by the overall ranking of each college, shows each college's average rank and the rank or adjusted rank of that college for each of the eight metrics.

In the interest of conserving space, we have abbreviated the name of each college. Mouse over each abbreviation to view the full name of each college.

We have also abbreviated the names of all of the metrics in the table header. Key to metric acronyms — AR: Acceptance Rate, FA: Financial Aid, GR: Graduation Rate, OP: Online Programs, RR: Retention Rate, SC: Scholarly Citations, SF: Student-Faculty Ratio, YA: Years Accredited

RankCollegeAvg. RankARFAGROPRRSCSFYA
1 NU 10.858 NA 1.00 41.30 11 10.12 1 5.19 17.25
2 SNHU 16.389 NA 28.08 21.80 6 18.11 22 20.92 14.20
3 GGU 16.703 NA 58.42 NA 31 1.00 11 10.44 5.06
4 RU 17.161 1.00 22.67 NA 19 22.67 8 33.50 30.45
5 CSU 17.565 19.20 51.92 4.90 42 7.84 3 27.21 2.02
6 StLU 17.783 14.00 7.50 17.90 36 22.67 34 19.87 8.11
7 CTU 17.926 NA 16.17 27.00 13 19.25 31 15.68 21.31
8 LU 18.151 NA 14.00 16.60 9 13.54 10 60.76 21.31
9 JIU 18.600 24.40 1.00 45.20 17 1.00 27 2.05 49.75
10 Wald 19.717 NA 28.08 NA 1 10.12 12 50.27 36.55
11 Frank 19.730 1.00 36.75 29.60 24 45.47 13 12.53 15.22
12 FU 20.273 6.20 42.17 10.10 46 32.93 14 20.92 10.14
13 Otta 20.305 NA 63.83 NA 50 NA 6 1.00 1.00
14 Champ 20.783 8.80 32.42 7.50 40 16.96 26 18.82 36.55
15 Colum 20.951 11.40 53.00 21.80 40 29.51 5 15.68 12.17
16 AU 21.422 NA NA NA 10 64.86 21 7.29 25.38
17 BU 24.276 NA 54.08 NA 19 NA 56 12.53 4.05
18 VC 24.371 NA 14.00 60.80 38 6.70 18 20.92 36.55
19 GCU 25.061 40.00 28.08 21.80 13 50.04 30 33.50 9.13
20 Post 25.204 42.60 9.67 49.10 31 31.79 17 33.50 12.17
21 FTU 25.559 NA NA 6.20 34 26.09 58 27.21 27.41
22 Berk 25.711 21.80 9.67 30.90 25 43.19 19 53.42 28.42
23 OCU 25.758 32.20 9.67 11.40 58 30.65 59 15.68 15.22
24 Devry 25.898 45.20 16.17 40.00 5 32.93 24 25.11 44.67
25 APU 25.983 NA 46.50 NA 8 4.42 29 51.32 42.64
26 Tiff 26.250 16.60 24.83 17.90 51 27.23 39 27.21 32.48
27 Full 27.385 NA 46.50 1.00 47 7.84 54 27.21 35.53
28 SU 28.339 47.80 16.17 42.60 12 59.16 4 40.84 32.48
29 NCU 28.846 NA 66.00 NA 6 1.00 25 45.03 58.89
30 CU 28.978 34.80 43.25 NA 3 62.58 9 33.50 45.69
31 KU 29.201 55.60 45.42 2.30 37 12.40 37 33.50 39.59
32 EU 29.249 55.60 34.58 3.60 61 5.56 55 7.29 40.61
33 Ash 29.453 37.40 27.00 43.90 2 47.75 38 66.00 3.03
34 Ellis 30.100 NA 60.58 NA 39 NA 15 2.05 63.97
35 City 30.330 NA 55.17 51.70 51 61.44 2 2.05 19.28
36 Rasm 30.347 27.00 1.00 34.80 28 37.49 47 45.03 52.80
37 ITT 30.424 55.60 24.83 11.40 28 15.82 35 53.42 49.75
38 PU 30.680 NA 1.00 63.40 55 39.77 50 25.11 11.16
39 SIU 30.773 NA 19.42 34.80 60 45.47 48 31.40 7.09
40 GU 30.904 NA 34.58 NA 28 39.77 44 63.90 6.08
41 Bell 30.989 NA 59.50 27.00 18 52.32 33 40.84 17.25
42 NAU 31.205 NA 36.75 45.20 26 58.02 46 5.19 32.48
43 HU 31.220 50.40 1.00 17.90 23 24.95 62 39.79 61.94
44 FNC 31.526 NA 19.42 14.00 42 13.54 61 56.56 45.69
45 Kap 31.680 NA 57.33 53.00 16 20.39 16 45.03 45.69
46 GSC 32.721 NA 32.42 50.40 57 36.35 57 7.29 21.31
47 Stry 33.331 NA 56.25 59.50 15 37.49 28 45.03 25.38
48 UofR 33.473 NA NA NA 33 NA 42 NA 58.89
49 Harr 34.871 55.60 23.75 45.20 42 62.58 32 31.40 21.31
50 WGU 35.001 NA 48.67 54.30 21 20.39 20 62.85 52.80
51 SHC 35.223 NA 1.00 33.50 47 35.21 60 49.23 55.84
52 Evst 36.564 55.60 9.67 34.80 51 54.60 49 10.44 63.97
53 Hgs 37.786 53.00 7.50 56.90 42 66.00 23 42.94 48.73
54 ColS 37.918 NA 19.42 60.80 26 28.37 51 64.95 52.80
55 SIU 38.516 NA 62.75 15.30 61 42.05 41 57.61 28.42
56 UMA 38.753 NA 36.75 8.80 65 NA 66 42.94 51.78
57 Aspn 38.761 NA 64.92 NA 35 56.88 53 20.92 40.61
58 AIU 38.770 29.60 43.25 58.20 22 44.33 36 59.71 55.84
59 Strt 39.186 NA 61.67 38.70 54 47.75 43 12.53 55.84
60 SJVC 41.731 NA 36.75 30.90 66 50.04 52 55.52 42.64
61 IvyB 42.667 NA NA NA 63 NA 65 NA NA
62 WIU 43.044 NA 50.83 63.40 47 60.30 40 52.37 30.45
63 LAC 44.183 NA 41.08 25.70 63 NA 63 57.61 58.89
64 WC 44.640 NA 49.75 55.60 58 52.32 45 33.50 62.95
65 CIU 46.500 NA NA NA 56 NA 64 NA 66.00

Ranking Metrics

You may wish to view the rankings for each individual metric.

Learn More About This Study

For further information regarding these rankings, you are encouraged to consult the in-depth documentation of our methodology; you may also wish to read about who we are and why we conducted this study.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, comments, or feedback regarding these rankings, please feel free to contact us.


Top Online Colleges

American InterContinental University More Info
American InterContinental University - Associate’s, Bachelor’s, & Master’s Degrees. American InterContinental University offers complete support throughout a student's educational career. All instructors have real-world experience and are also trained educators. They can offer insights that others cannot because they have worked in these fields.
More Info from Saint Leo University Online More Info
Saint Leo University Online - Associate’s & Bachelor’s Degrees. Saint Leo University Online is a premiere destination for students in obtaining their college degree online. Saint Leo University Online offers a dynamic curriculum to every student and are taught by the very best professors in their field of study.
DeVry University More Info
DeVry University - Associate’s, Bachelor’s, & Master’s Degrees. DeVry University offers students a variety of different degree choices so they can reach their career goals. An accredited college, DeVry University makes getting a college degree online obtainable for every student.
Liberty University More Info
Liberty University - Associate’s, Bachelor’s, & Master’s Degrees. Liberty offers campus, online, or blended degree programs for students all around the world. Liberty provides a flexible and welcoming experience for students who want to continue their education in a Christian environment.
More Info from South University More Info
South University - Associate’s, Bachelor’s, & Master’s Degrees. At South University, students are offered the same quality education online as they are at traditional college campuses. They are an accredited college, which is highly valued by employers all around the world.
More Info from Everest University More Info
Everest University - Associate’s, Bachelor’s, & Master’s Degrees. Everest University is an accredited school prepares its students to become global thinkers and conscientious leaders. A degree from Everest provides a rigorous education offered in the context of its outstanding academic tradition.

Did you find these rankings useful?


Return to Top ↑

College Rankings

Ranking Metrics

Past Years

About OEDb

The Online Education Database is your guide to online colleges, continuing education, distance learning, and more.

For further information regarding online education, visit our library.

Featured Online Colleges

Kaplan University Online
Choose from over 70 programs, online or at one of over 75 campuses.

American InterContinental University Online
Complete your degree faster than typically possible, at home!

South University
Established in 1899, South has many convenient online degree programs.