What can I do with an online degree?

You can do all the same things with an online degree that you can do with an in-person degree: expand your knowledge, master a subject area, become career-ready, qualify for higher-paying jobs, and apply to graduate school. The list of opportunities is endless.

How much does online college cost?

The cost of an online degree varies depending on the college and program. On average, online colleges cost $600 per credit. But some charge less than $200 per credit. Your transfer credits will also impact the total cost of an online degree. You can save money by enrolling online if you choose an affordable college. For example, in-state public universities typically charge the lowest tuition rates. In addition to tuition, factor in fees, textbooks, and other expenses to calculate the total cost. Then, apply for financial aid to determine how much you'll pay for your degree.

Are online colleges legitimate?

Yes! If you pick an accredited school with a good program, your online degree is just as legitimate as a traditional on-campus degree. In the past, some employers may have been skeptical about the value of an online degree. But today, online college degrees have become very common: More than 50% of students have taken at least one online course and 40% of undergrads study fully online, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Once you have that degree, pretty much no one is going to ask you: Did you get this online?

Best Online Colleges of 2024

Want to earn a degree online? Discover the best online colleges and universities, plus resources on choosing a school and applying for financial aid.

Edited by

Updated June 26, 2024

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An online degree program is more than just a price tag. At BestColleges, we compare graduation rates, admissions rates, faculty-to-student ratios, net price, and more to create a holistic ranking of the best online schools.

The University of Florida is our top online university for 2024. With more schools rolling out online degree programs, Florida and others still managed to rise above the rest and stand out as top online schools in the country.

Featured Online College Programs

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In this Article

Best Online Colleges and Universities of 2024

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL4 yearCampus + Online

$4,477

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$25,694

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

30%

Acceptance Rate

57%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,770

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,335

Retention Rate

97%

Students Enrolled

55,781

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,477

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,694

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,477

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,694

Acceptance Rate

30%

Online Enrollment

57%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,770

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,335

Retention Rate

97%

Students Enrolled

55,781

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA4 yearCampus + Online

$9,510

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$32,970

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

91%

Acceptance Rate

78%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,035

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$34,347

Retention Rate

84%

Students Enrolled

38,628

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,510

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,970

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,510

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,970

Acceptance Rate

91%

Online Enrollment

78%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,035

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$34,347

Retention Rate

84%

Students Enrolled

38,628

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

University of Missouri

Columbia, MO4 yearCampus + Online

$10,017

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$28,992

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

77%

Acceptance Rate

63%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,950

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,245

Retention Rate

88%

Students Enrolled

31,401

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$10,017

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,992

University of Missouri

Columbia, MO4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$10,017

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,992

Acceptance Rate

77%

Online Enrollment

63%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,950

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,245

Retention Rate

88%

Students Enrolled

31,401

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Northeastern University Professional Programs

Boston, MA4 yearCampus + Online

$12,984

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$12,984

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

66%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$22,866

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$22,866

Retention Rate

N/A

Students Enrolled

10,918

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$12,984

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$12,984

Northeastern University Professional Programs

Boston, MA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$12,984

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$12,984

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

66%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$22,866

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$22,866

Retention Rate

N/A

Students Enrolled

10,918

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Florida International University

Miami, FL4 yearCampus + Online

$4,721

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$16,529

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

64%

Acceptance Rate

65%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,912

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,393

Retention Rate

90%

Students Enrolled

56,664

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,721

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,529

Florida International University

Miami, FL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,721

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,529

Acceptance Rate

64%

Online Enrollment

65%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,912

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,393

Retention Rate

90%

Students Enrolled

56,664

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online

$54,766

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$54,766

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

83%

Acceptance Rate

50%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$36,234

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$36,234

Retention Rate

90%

Students Enrolled

23,216

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$54,766

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$54,766

Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$54,766

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$54,766

Acceptance Rate

83%

Online Enrollment

50%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$36,234

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$36,234

Retention Rate

90%

Students Enrolled

23,216

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online

$41,900

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$41,900

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

78%

Acceptance Rate

66%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$22,068

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$22,068

Retention Rate

84%

Students Enrolled

8,270

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$41,900

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$41,900

Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$41,900

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$41,900

Acceptance Rate

78%

Online Enrollment

66%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$22,068

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$22,068

Retention Rate

84%

Students Enrolled

8,270

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Parker University

Dallas, TX4 yearCampus + Online

$23,760

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$23,760

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

31%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,320

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,320

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

1,954

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$23,760

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,760

Parker University

Dallas, TX4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$23,760

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,760

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

31%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,320

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,320

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

1,954

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR4 yearCampus + Online

$10,065

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$29,456

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

89%

Acceptance Rate

52%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,446

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,297

Retention Rate

87%

Students Enrolled

33,193

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$10,065

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,456

Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$10,065

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,456

Acceptance Rate

89%

Online Enrollment

52%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,446

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,297

Retention Rate

87%

Students Enrolled

33,193

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#10

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Saint Louis, MO4 yearCampus + Online

$24,766

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$24,766

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

92%

Acceptance Rate

84%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,346

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,346

Retention Rate

82%

Students Enrolled

10,596

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$24,766

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,766

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Saint Louis, MO4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$24,766

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,766

Acceptance Rate

92%

Online Enrollment

84%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,346

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,346

Retention Rate

82%

Students Enrolled

10,596

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

No. 1 Program: University of Florida

The University of Florida (UF) took the top spot for best online colleges and universities in 2024. With a high graduation rate and a low average net price of $3,679, UF offers both affordability and a path to successfully earning your degree.

UF hits all the marks for accessibility and student outcomes. Roughly 94% of UF students receive financial aid. You’ll also have access to a large selection of degree programs at UF — the university offers 22 online bachelor’s and 40 online master’s degrees.

UF continues to roll out high-demand degrees, featuring career support for online students as they enter fast-growing fields. In fall 2024, UF plans to launch three new majors for online students: agricultural education and communication, early childhood education, and entomology and nematology.

At UF Online, we strive to provide students pursuing fully online bachelor’s degrees with high levels of support and resources, as well as a strong sense of community, Rhiannon Pollard, interim director of UF Online, told BestColleges. The big why of our work is ensuring that students receive a rigorous and enriching education that also connects them with their peer community of learners and the greater Gator Nation.

UF manages all of this while still being a relatively selective institution with high academic standards and a 16-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, combining the best of high academic performance with student outcomes and affordability.

No. 2 Program: George Mason University

George Mason University couples accessibility and affordability with a relatively high graduation rate, offering students both an avenue to higher education and a path to graduation. Good student outcomes and an affordable tuition rate landed GMU the number two spot on our best online colleges and universities list this year.

GMU has a relatively high admissions rate at 90% but also maintains an impressive 70% graduation rate. The university offers 13 online bachelor’s degrees and 28 online master’s degrees in high-demand fields like cybersecurity, technology, and information technology.

GMU also boasts a 16-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. It also includes a number of virtual services and resources for online students.

The average net price of an online degree at GMU is $18,581, and roughly 80% of students are awarded some form of financial aid.

Why George Mason University Ranked Second

George Mason University has a high graduation rate, a large amount of financial aid awarded to students, and a number of degree offerings — but it didn’t quite stack up to UF when it comes to student outcomes and affordability.

The net cost at GMU is $18,581, compared to $3,679 at UF. That, coupled with a lower graduation rate, put GMU in second place.

No. 3 Program: University of Missouri

The University of Missouri comes in at third on our list of best online colleges and universities thanks to a high graduation rate, hefty student aid, and plenty of resources for students.

Mizzou boasts a 73% graduation rate against a 79% admission rate. That means that, like GMU, it offers an accessible pathway to higher education without sacrificing good student outcomes.

The University of Missouri system’s Missouri Online combines resources from all of the system’s schools into a convenient, centralized online portal for students. This digital-focused platform means that online degrees from different university campuses are available to students, alongside student support and flexible learning systems.

Heading to Missouri for online education means you’re not just likely to get in, but also likely to graduate. You’ll probably also see financial aid: Roughly 91% of students received some form of financial aid with a net cost of $17,899.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges

Both online and on-campus programs can be challenging. You’ll need to master the course material and demonstrate your knowledge. But, online college does pose some unique benefits and challenges.

Online programs give students greater flexibility compared to on-campus programs. That means they require strong organizational skills and determination. For some students, online college can be harder. It’s a good idea to take an online class before enrolling in an online college to see if the format matches your learning style and needs.