21 Best Online Colleges in USA| Study Online

Are you exploring options for an online degree from one of the best online colleges in the USA? Today’s leading online institutions offer accredited, flexible, and career-oriented programs designed for students across the nation. Whether you are a working professional or a recent high school graduate, selecting the right online college can unlock new career opportunities without the need to relocate

The Work Scholar Hub team has put together a comprehensive list of some of the best online colleges in the U.S., carefully selected based on their program variety, quality of faculty, online learning technology, and accessibility to resources. Read on to find the ideal school for your goals.

Why Attend an Online College in the USA?

Online colleges in the USA offer flexible learning paths, allowing students to complete coursework from anywhere in the world. Many regional colleges now offer fully online programs, helping students build connections with local employers who value familiar degrees. Enrolling in an online program based in your state or region can also be beneficial if the program requires occasional on-campus activities, such as orientations or internships.

See: How to Get a Master’s in Management Information Systems (MIS) Online

Benefits of Attending an Online College:

Flexibility: Study on your own time without needing to relocate.
Recognized Degrees: Earn a degree from reputable institutions that employers know and trust.
Career Growth: Access more job opportunities, with online colleges offering degrees in fields from business to healthcare.
Access to Resources: Many online programs offer extensive support services, including tutoring, career advising, and library resources.

See: Top 10+ Accredited Online Ph.D. in Business: Cost, Admission Requirements

Top Online Colleges in the USA

Our selection of Online Colleges in the USA considers factors like academic reputation, faculty excellence, student support, and a range of available online degrees. Here are some of the best online colleges in each state:

1. University of Alabama (Alabama)

Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
Programs Offered: Online bachelor’s in engineering, consumer sciences, early childhood education, nursing, and more. UA also offers over 20 graduate programs online.
Reputation: Consistently ranks high for research activity; accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tuition: In-state $10,780; Out-of-state $30,250
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2. University of Alaska Fairbanks (Alaska)

Location: Fairbanks, AK
Programs Offered: Undergraduate and graduate programs including justice, homeland security, and emergency management, plus various certifications.
Support Services: Students have access to the library, math lab, and a dedicated academic adviser.
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
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3. Arizona State University Online (Arizona)

Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs Offered: Nearly 80 online bachelor’s and master’s degrees in areas like business, justice studies, engineering, and more.
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Reputation: Ranked highly for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs and Graduate Business Programs.
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4. University of Arkansas (Arkansas)

Location: Fayetteville, AR
Programs Offered: Online degrees in business administration, nursing, education, and many others.
Unique Offerings: Participates in the Quality Matters Program to ensure quality online courses.
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5. Azusa Pacific University (California)

Location: Azusa, CA
Programs Offered: Offers over 30 online programs with a Christian worldview; degrees in nursing, business, and education.
Support Services: Access to library resources, career services, and writing centers.
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges
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6. University of Colorado Denver (Colorado)

Location: Denver, CO
Programs Offered: Offers over 140-degree programs, including nursing, pharmacy, and public health.
Reputation: Ranked among the top research universities.
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7. Post University (Connecticut)

Location: Waterbury, CT
Programs Offered: Fast-paced online degrees with military education options.
Support Services: Full access to career services, tutoring, and a virtual library.
Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges
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8. Wilmington University (Delaware)

Location: Wilmington, DE
Programs Offered: More than 60 degrees through its “WilmU” distance learning program; affordable tuition rates.
Support Services: Students pay in-state tuition regardless of location.
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9. University of Florida (Florida)

Location: Gainesville, FL
Programs Offered: Over 100 online programs through UF Online, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate programs.
Reputation: Ranked as one of the top public universities in the nation.
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10. Georgia

Brenau University
Location: Gainesville, GA

Brenau University provides a flexible online learning environment, offering both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Students can choose to enhance their in-person studies with online courses or pursue a degree entirely online. To ensure high-quality instruction, all online faculty members must complete a four-week training program, and new online instructors receive mentorship from experienced faculty.

Undergraduate Programs:

Liberal Studies
Organizational Leadership
Accounting
Business Administration
Human Resource Management
Nursing

Graduate Programs:

Early Childhood Education
Accounting
Project Management
Gerontology
Interior Design

Online students enjoy access to extensive library resources, a dedicated student help desk, writing assistance, and math tutoring. Brenau University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In the 2014 U.S. News & World Report, Brenau ranked #49 among Regional Universities (South) and was also recognized for its online bachelor’s programs (#95), online graduate business programs (#107), and online graduate education programs.

11. Hawaii

University of Hawaii Manoa
Location: Honolulu, HI

As the flagship campus of the University of Hawaii System, the University of Hawaii Manoa is a prominent public research university situated in a residential area of Honolulu. The university offers various distance learning formats, including online courses, live sessions, and pre-recorded lectures, allowing for interactive learning experiences.

Undergraduate Programs:

Business Administration
Nursing
Social Sciences
Elementary Education

Graduate Programs:

Computer Science
Educational Foundations
Music Education
Social Work
Nursing
Doctoral Programs in Educational Policy Studies and Professional Practice in Education

The University also offers post-baccalaureate and graduate certificate programs. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Recognized as a research university with very high research activity by the Carnegie Foundation, the university was included in the Princeton Review’s Best 378 Colleges (2014) and ranked #158 in the U.S. News & World Report’s National Universities list for 2014.

12. Idaho

University of Idaho
Location: Moscow, ID

The University of Idaho is a public institution that offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Students can pursue graduate degrees online in diverse fields such as engineering, environmental studies, education, and the sciences.

Accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the University of Idaho is recognized as a research university with high activity by the Carnegie Foundation. It was included in the Princeton Review’s Best 378 Colleges (2014) and ranked #161 in the U.S. News & World Report’s National Universities list for 2014. Additionally, Forbes ranked the university #352 overall and #150 among research universities.

13. Illinois

University of Illinois at Chicago
Location: Chicago, IL

The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) is a significant public university within the University of Illinois system, offering an extensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs across its numerous colleges. UIC provides online degrees in various fields, including bachelor’s programs in health information management and business administration, as well as master’s degrees in engineering, public health, and health informatics.

Courses are offered in an asynchronous format, allowing students to complete coursework on their schedule. UIC is classified as a Doctoral University with the highest research activity by the Carnegie Classification. In 2017, it ranked #340 in Forbes’ Top Colleges list and #152 in the U.S. News & World Report’s National Universities list. UIC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, among other specialized accrediting bodies.

14. Indiana

Indiana University
Location: Bloomington, IN

Indiana University’s Bloomington campus offers a robust online division known as IU Online, featuring over 100 academic programs with options for associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. Popular undergraduate degrees include business administration, criminal justice, and psychology, while graduate options range from health sciences to social work.

IU Online students benefit from access to the university’s library and technological resources. Indiana University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and recognized as a research university with very high activity by the Carnegie Foundation. In 2014, U.S. News & World Report ranked Indiana University #75 among National Universities and #1 for Best Online Graduate Business Programs.

15. Iowa

Upper Iowa University
Location: Fayette, IA

A leader in distance education for over 40 years, Upper Iowa University is a private institution that offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Students can choose from 17 post-secondary degree programs, five certificates, and three master’s degrees in fields such as graphic design, communication, and management.

The university features a Self-Paced Degree Program, allowing students to complete courses at their own pace. Additionally, Upper Iowa University is military-friendly and offers tuition discounts through its corporate advantage program. The Higher Learning Commission provides accreditation, and U.S. News & World Report ranked it #61 for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs.

16. Kansas

Kansas State University, Global Campus
Location: Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University is a public institution that provides a range of undergraduate and graduate programs through its Global Campus. Offering nine online bachelor’s degrees and nearly 30 master’s degrees, students can explore fields such as business, health, and personal financial planning.

Online students receive academic advising and tech support, along with access to the campus store. The university is classified as a Doctoral University with the highest research activity by the Carnegie Foundation. In 2017, it ranked #135 in U.S. News & World Report’s National Universities list and was recognized in the Princeton Review’s Best 381 Colleges. Kansas State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

17. Kentucky

University of Louisville
Location: Louisville, KY

The University of Louisville, part of the Kentucky State University System, offers over 200 study programs across various schools and colleges, leading to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Among its offerings, the university provides 16 online programs, including degrees in nursing and organizational leadership.

Courses are taught by the same faculty who instruct on-campus classes, maintaining a consistent curriculum. The University of Louisville is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and recognized as a Doctoral University with the highest research activity. In 2017, U.S. News & World Report ranked the university #171 among National Universities.

18. Louisiana

University of Louisiana Monroe
Location: Monroe, LA

With over a decade of experience in online education, the University of Louisiana Monroe offers fully online programs with classes lasting between four and 16 weeks. Students enrolled in online courses receive the same materials and information as their peers in traditional classrooms.

The university features 33 online programs, including associate and bachelor’s degrees in areas like nursing and organizational leadership, as well as master’s degrees in gerontology and occupational therapy. Accreditation is provided by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and U.S. News & World Report ranked the university #160 for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs.

19. Maine

Saint Joseph’s College of Maine
Location: Standish, ME

Saint Joseph’s College of Maine provides a diverse selection of accredited online courses and degree programs that students can begin at any time throughout the year. The college offers undergraduate degrees in fields such as accounting, criminal justice, and nursing, alongside master’s degrees in business administration and health administration.

Each student receives personalized support from a dedicated academic adviser. The college is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc., and holds specialized accreditations for its nursing programs. In 2014, U.S. News & World Report ranked Saint Joseph’s College #81 among Regional Universities (North).

20. Maryland

University of Maryland University College
Location: Adelphi, MD

The University of Maryland University College (UMUC), a non-profit institution, was the first university in the United States to offer online degree programs and currently offers nearly 1,000 online courses. UMUC features more than 95 completely online bachelor’s and master’s programs across various disciplines.

The university also caters to active-duty military personnel, offering associate degrees and doctoral degrees in management. Students benefit from tech support, online library access, and academic advising. UMUC is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and has received multiple Sloan Consortium Excellence Awards for its online programs.

21. Massachusetts

UMass Online
Location: Amherst, MA

UMass Online, the online division of the University of Massachusetts system, offers over 100 degree and certificate programs, alongside more than 1,500 courses. Students can register through one of five UMass campuses: Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell, or Worcester, with the same faculty teaching both online and traditional classes.

Degree offerings include an associate’s in information technology and various master’s programs. UMass Online is known for its commitment to providing high-quality online education, and students have access to extensive resources throughout the UMass system.

How to Choose the Right Online Colleges in USA

Factors to Consider:

Accreditation: Look for schools accredited by recognized agencies to ensure a credible education.
Degree Programs Offered: Ensure the college offers your desired program and specialization.
Cost and Financial Aid: Compare tuition rates and check if financial aid options are available.
Student Support Services: Access to resources like tutoring, career services, and technical support can make a big difference.
Career Outcomes: Research alumni success and employment rates post-graduation.

Additional Tips

Plan Your Schedule: Online programs are flexible but require time management skills.
Network: Engage with faculty and peers, as networking can lead to career opportunities.
Stay Updated: Use available technology and tools to keep up with coursework and stay connected with advisors.

Conclusion Online Colleges in USA

Online colleges in the USA provide high-quality education, allowing you to pursue your dreams from wherever you are. Whether you’re interested in a research-focused institution or one that emphasizes career readiness, the best online colleges in the USA have options for every student. Use this list to start your journey toward achieving your academic and career goals from the comfort of your home.

For more information on specific programs and admissions requirements, visit each college’s website or reach out to their admissions department. Online learning is more accessible than ever, and with the right school, you’re well on your way to a brighter future!