Penn State World Campus, the online college division of Pennsylvania State University, has been named the best online college, according to a new ranking released by the TheBestSchools.org, a school and degree ranking website.
The college has been given the top spot among 50 best online schools that are regionally accredited, nonprofit, and offer different online degree programs at the undergraduate level.
Penn State offers 210 online programs with an acceptance rate of 67 percent, graduation rate of 28 percent and received a score of 98.7 topping the ranking table.
“Penn State World Campus offers more than 200 online programs, including a full array of undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as online certifications. Penn State’s World Campus awards degrees in virtually every field — including popular degree programs like engineering, education, healthcare, and business,” TheBestSchools.org report says.
The University of Florida Distance Learning, which offers over 250 undergraduate and graduate online degree programs leading to bachelor’s, bachelor’s completion, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees, has ranked second. It received a score of 98.2 with an acceptance rate of 68 percent and a retention rate of 86 percent.
“Online students can access a variety of support services, such as an online course management system, library resources, career services, and an online registration system. University of Florida Distance Learning graduates can also join the school’s robust alumni network,” reads the report.
To rank the colleges, the website relied on various factors, including online teaching methods, tuition costs, reputation, awards, financial aid, academic excellence, scholarly strength of faculty and regional accreditation.
“Students today find that online college may offer both cost savings and a better fit for their busy work and personal schedules. Our latest ranking reflects this need for simplifying student’s lives,” Dan Edelen, marketing director for TheBestSchools.org, said.
“For 2019, we revamped the user experience of our best online colleges and universities ranking with a more accessible and easier-to-use layout. Now, at a glance, students can find the essential school information they need to make better-informed choices about their education.”
Other 10 institutions that figured in the top 50 best online colleges are the UMass Online, Northeastern University, Indiana University–IU Online, Arizona State University, University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, University of Arizona, Oregon State University and Drexel.