Schools of Distinction

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Published on November 8, 2018

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2018 was a great year for online education. The industry saw an increase in online degree programs offered across the board and a consistent rise in online enrollments. Many colleges contributed to these positive trends, but a handful truly stood out as the leaders of their field -- and we want to take a moment to celebrate them.

Out of the over 3,500 eligible universities in the United States, more than 2,000 offer online degrees. Only 100 of these schools can claim the right to be called a School of Distinction for 2018. This year, 15 schools earned a gold standing, 26 earned silver, and 59 earned bronze.

To qualify for this honor, schools must be a two- or four-year, accredited, nonprofit college or university and offer an online program ranked by Best Colleges. Points for each school were calculated based on the number of times they appeared in the top 3 positions of our rankings, weighted against the total number of rankings in which they appeared.

Only online academic degree and certificate program rankings were considered in the calculations. Online colleges earning the Gold distinction scored in the 98th percentile nationwide, Silver schools in the 95th and Bronze in the 90th.

These Schools of Distinction have devoted time, energy, and resources to developing quality online programs that meet the expanding demand in higher education. We recognize that their hard work provides flexible, customized learning alternatives for today's growing demographic of online learners. We hope you will join us in celebrating their well deserved achievements.

Continue below to view the complete Schools of Distinction awards list, and get more information about their online programs and the rankings they feature in. If you are from a recipient school or the media and would like more information, please do not hesitate to reach out.

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Gold Schools

Gold colleges and universities are in the 98th percentile of all online colleges ranked on our site. Not only do they provide students with some of the most diverse program offerings, but they also consistently finish among the top three on their respective rankings. These schools demonstrate a high-level of investment in online education and a commitment to excellence in online learning. Click on each school to learn more about the degrees and subject areas they offer. Schools are listed alphabetically.

ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY-TEMPE - Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University offers over 150 undergraduate, graduate, certificate, and non-degree programs through the school's distance learning arm, ASU Online. ASU earns top marks from BestColleges.com for their programs in media communications, art and art history, homeland security, electronics engineering, and forensic psychology.

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RANKINGS WHERE ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY-TEMPE IS FEATURED
BRANDMAN UNIVERSITY - Irvine, CA

Brandman University offers several online and hybrid programs. The school has earned #1 ranks in multiple BestColleges.com lists, on subjects such as corrections, child and adolescent psychology, organizational psychology, legal studies, and organizational leadership. Hybrid offerings allow students to interact with students and professors in a face-to-face environment.

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RANKINGS WHERE BRANDMAN UNIVERSITY IS FEATURED
COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY-GLOBAL CAMPUS - Greenwood Village, CO

CSU-Global Campus offers a wide variety of accredited online bachelor's and master's degrees. It was founded in 2007 as the first and only 100% online, independent, regionally accredited state university in the United States. BestColleges.com has recognized CSU-Global with #1 rankings for their high-quality programs in organizational leadership, business management, healthcare management, social science, and management information systems.

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EXCELSIOR COLLEGE - Albany, NY

Excelsior College offers a wide variety of associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees entirely online. The school's programs rank at the top of BestColleges.com's rankings for their associate in administration and management, associate in health science, bachelor's in forensic science, and master's in cybersecurity programs.

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RANKINGS WHERE EXCELSIOR COLLEGE IS FEATURED
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY - Miami, FL

FIU Online offers a wide variety of distance learning programs through Canvas. The school is ranked #6 on BestColleges.com's ranking of top online schools. The school has also been recognized for their high-quality programs in early childhood education, information technology, hospitality management, human resources, and international business

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RANKINGS WHERE FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY IS FEATURED
GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY - Washington, DC

George Washington University offers several online degree programs, with topics ranging from liberal arts, business, and education to medicine and nursing. BestColleges.com recognizes GW Online with top ratings in their master's in clinical research, MBA in healthcare management, MBA in project management, and MSN in nurse practitioner programs.

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RANKINGS WHERE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IS FEATURED
JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY - Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University offers several distance learning programs through their 7 graduate schools. The school's Office of Continuing Medical Education offers online courses that help doctors receive professional development conveniently through distance learning. Johns Hopkins' top programs include its master's in education, master's in economics, and online MBA in healthcare management.

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RANKINGS WHERE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY IS FEATURED
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY - Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University is ranked #5 in BestColleges.com's ranking of top online schools. The school offers a wide variety of distance learning programs on topics such as graphic design, game design, homeland security, education, and management information systems. Classes are offered in eight-week terms with eight start dates each year.

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RANKINGS WHERE LIBERTY UNIVERSITY IS FEATURED
NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY GLOBAL NETWORK - Boston, MA

Northeastern University offers a wide variety of certificates and bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees that can be completed entirely online. The school is ranked #3 in BestColleges.com's list of top online schools. Some of the school's topic programs cover topics like behavioral psychology, security, finance, human services, and taxation.

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RANKINGS WHERE NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY GLOBAL NETWORK IS FEATURED
SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE UNIVERSITY - Manchester, NH

SNHU offers more than 200 accredited online degree programs. The school boasts low tuition rates and several start dates throughout the year. BestColleges.com has ranked SNHU as #1 on rankings for associate in marketing, bachelor's in forensic accounting, bachelor's in nonprofit management, and bachelor's in sports management programs.

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RANKINGS WHERE SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE UNIVERSITY IS FEATURED
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA - Orlando, FL

University of Central Florida is ranked #2 on BestColleges.com's list of top online schools. UCF offers more than 80 distance learning programs, including both degrees and certificates. The school's top programs cover subjects such as criminal justice, anthropology, English, history, legal studies, and healthcare administration.

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RANKINGS WHERE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA IS FEATURED
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA - Gainesville, FL

University of Florida is a leader in online education, offering over 100 distance learning programs. UF offers a variety of undergraduate, bachelor completion, master's, doctorate, and specialist degrees online. The school is ranked #1 in BestColleges.com's list of top online schools.

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RANKINGS WHERE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA IS FEATURED
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA - Tampa, FL

University of South Florida offers a wide variety of distance learning programs. The schools has been recognized by BestColleges.com with top rankings for their bachelor's in general studies, master's in coaching, master's in adult education/learning, and master's in reading and literacy programs.

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RANKINGS WHERE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA IS FEATURED
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - Los Angeles, CA

USC Online offers several graduate and professional programs that can be completed entirely online. BestColleges.com has recognized USC Online for their high-quality degree offerings including a master's in supply chain management, master's in construction management, and master's in English language learning.

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RANKINGS WHERE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IS FEATURED
WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY - Salt Lake City, UT

WGU offers over 60 distance learning programs through the school's four online colleges. Some of the school's top online programs include a bachelor's in database management, bachelor's in nursing, bachelor's in information systems, and a master's in cybersecurity. WGU graduates have a 98% rate of employer satisfaction.

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RANKINGS WHERE WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY IS FEATURED

Silver Schools

Schools earning a silver medal represent the 95th percentile of all online colleges and universities ranked on Best Colleges. These institutions provide an expanding number of options for students interested in online learning through a wide variety of academic programs. Explore the opportunities available in your subject of interest and location at all degree levels. Schools are listed alphabetically.

ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY-SKYSONG - Scottsdale, AZ Visit School Site
RANKINGS WHERE ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY-SKYSONG IS FEATURED
BOSTON UNIVERSITY - Boston, MA Visit School Site
RANKINGS WHERE BOSTON UNIVERSITY IS FEATURED
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY-IDAHO - Rexburg, ID Visit School Site
RANKINGS WHERE BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY-IDAHO IS FEATURED
DREXEL UNIVERSITY - Philadelphia, PA Visit School Site
RANKINGS WHERE DREXEL UNIVERSITY IS FEATURED
FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY - Tallahassee, FL Visit School Site
RANKINGS WHERE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY IS FEATURED
FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY - Hays, KS Visit School Site
RANKINGS WHERE FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY IS FEATURED
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY - Washington, DC Visit School Site
RANKINGS WHERE GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY IS FEATURED
HARVARD UNIVERSITY - Cambridge, MA Visit School Site
RANKINGS WHERE HARVARD UNIVERSITY IS FEATURED
KEISER UNIVERSITY-FT LAUDERDALE - Fort Lauderdale, FL Visit School Site
RANKINGS WHERE KEISER UNIVERSITY-FT LAUDERDALE IS FEATURED
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY AT RALEIGH - Raleigh, NC Visit School Site
RANKINGS WHERE NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY AT RALEIGH IS FEATURED
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY - Fort Lauderdale, FL Visit School Site
RANKINGS WHERE NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY IS FEATURED
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY - Corvallis, OR Visit School Site
RANKINGS WHERE OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY IS FEATURED
PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY-WORLD CAMPUS - University Park, PA Visit School Site
RANKINGS WHERE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY-WORLD CAMPUS IS FEATURED
REGIS UNIVERSITY - Denver, CO Visit School Site
RANKINGS WHERE REGIS UNIVERSITY IS FEATURED
THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA - Tuscaloosa, AL Visit School Site
RANKINGS WHERE THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IS FEATURED
THE UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA - Pensacola, FL Visit School Site
RANKINGS WHERE THE UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA IS FEATURED
THOMAS EDISON STATE UNIVERSITY - Trenton, NJ Visit School Site
RANKINGS WHERE THOMAS EDISON STATE UNIVERSITY IS FEATURED
TOURO UNIVERSITY WORLDWIDE - Los Alamitos, CA Visit School Site
RANKINGS WHERE TOURO UNIVERSITY WORLDWIDE IS FEATURED
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM - Birmingham, AL Visit School Site
RANKINGS WHERE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM IS FEATURED
UNIVERSITY OF DENVER - Denver, CO Visit School Site
RANKINGS WHERE UNIVERSITY OF DENVER IS FEATURED
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA - Athens, GA Visit School Site
RANKINGS WHERE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA IS FEATURED
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT SPRINGFIELD - Springfield, IL Visit School Site
RANKINGS WHERE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT SPRINGFIELD IS FEATURED
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN Champaign, IL Visit School Site
RANKINGS WHERE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN IS FEATURED
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL - Chapel Hill, NC Visit School Site
RANKINGS WHERE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL IS FEATURED
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON-SEATTLE CAMPUS - Seattle, WA Visit School Site
RANKINGS WHERE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON-SEATTLE CAMPUS IS FEATURED
WEBSTER UNIVERSITY - Saint Louis, MO Visit School Site
RANKINGS WHERE WEBSTER UNIVERSITY IS FEATURED

Bronze Schools

Bronze colleges and universities round out the top 10% of Best Colleges' ranked online schools. These schools have established themselves as online education providers that focus on multiple degrees and areas of study. Learn more about how these schools support distance learning through a growing number of quality academic programs. Schools are listed alphabetically.

American University

Azusa Pacific University

Bellevue University

Bismarck State College

California State University-Fullerton

Carnegie Mellon University

Champlain College

Clemson University

Columbia University in the City of New York

Concordia University-Chicago

Concordia University-Wisconsin

Davenport University

East Carolina University

Eastern Kentucky University

Foothill College

Franklin University

George Mason University

www.gatech.edu

www.iub.edu

www.indwes.edu

Lehigh University

Michigan State University

Minnesota State Community and Technical College

Minnesota West Community and Technical College

Mississippi College

Missouri State University-Springfield

Moraine Park Technical College

National University

New York University

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Northwestern University

Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Saint Leo University

Stanford University

Stevens Institute of Technology

Stony Brook University

Surry Community College

Syracuse University

Texas A & M University-College Station

The Baptist College of Florida

The University of Texas at Dallas

University of Arizona

University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

University of Maryland-College Park

University of Maryland-University College

University of Massachusetts-Lowell

University of Memphis

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

University of Missouri-Columbia

University of Nebraska at Kearney

University of Nebraska at Omaha

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

University of North Dakota

University of Virginia-Main Campus

University of West Georgia

Wake Technical Community College

Wilmington University
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BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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