Florida’s Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University—Worldwide is ranked as the best online bachelor’s program for the second year in a row by U.S. News & World Report‘s 2017 Best Online Program rankings [1].
Pennsylvania’s Temple University and the University of Oklahoma took the No. 2 and No. 3 spot on the list of best online bachelor’s programs. Temple University ranks as the best online MBA program for the third consecutive year.
California schools top the list of the best online schools for students interested in STEM. The University of California—Los Angeles and the University of Southern California tied for No. 1 in engineering.
The University of Southern California once again ranks No. 1 for computer information technology. Illinois’ St. Xavier University tops the list for nursing, and the University of Florida is the best online education program for the second consecutive year.
“Online learning is relatively new but growing in popularity because of the flexibility it offers,” said Anita Narayan, managing editor of Education at U.S. News. “We developed the Best Online Programs rankings to provide students with the tools to identify programs that offer top faculty, positive student engagement and generous support services – all of which are key to productive online learning.”
(Next page: Characteristics of a great online learning program)
The new rankings cover more than 1,300 programs, including bachelor’s and graduate degrees in fields such as business, engineering, education and nursing.
Surveys indicate [2] online learning continues to increase, with a large number of students at brick-and-mortar institutions taking at least one course online.
Educators and leaders at online schools can take a number of steps to ensure online students succeed:
- A well-defined set of standards lets students know what is expected of them and how they can maintain their academic integrity.
- Along with a tailored code of conduct, institutions should provide students with support tools that address the unique needs of online learners.
- Connecting and building relationships among and across online students can not only enhance their course experience, it also sets up a support system and outside resources that can help deepen their understanding of the course material.
Strong online leadership can buoy student and program success. In 2016, the University Professional and Continuing Education Association released a report detailing seven hallmarks of excellence in online leadership:
1. Advocacy and leadership within the university
2. Entrepreneurial initiative
3. Faculty support
4. Student support
5. Digital technology
6. External advocacy and leadership beyond the university
7. Professionalism