Top Online Universities

How to Determine Top rated online schools

Different methodologies are used to rate and classify both online and traditional universities. Based on a few principles, a list of the top 10 rated online schools was reached at, which included:

• Nova Southeastern University
• Regent University
• Champlain College
• Upper Iowa University
• LeTourneau University
• Liberty University
• Grand Canyon University
• Dickinson State University
• Western Governors University
• Salem International University

Criteria Used

• The institution has to be accredited – for a degree to be accepted and acknowledged by employers and other different genuine higher learning institutions, the school conferring the degree must be accredited
• The top rated online schools have to feature in the College Navigator. This is a website commissioned by the US department of education with the sole purpose of helping prospective students compare the different higher education opportunities.
• The top rated online schools must have in its degree listings more than one undergraduate degree-granting program offered online.
• If the college is campus-based, at least 50% of its undergraduate degree-granting programs should be offered online.

Metrics used to get top rated online Universities

• The rate of acceptance – the prestige and quality of a college is partly determined by its selectivity whereby the acceptance rate is one of the indicators.
• Financial aid – a lot of prospective college students regard financial aid very highly. Thus, the higher the number of students getting financial assistance, the more desirable and sought-after the college becomes.
• The rate of graduation – this is another indicator of an institution in helping the students meet their educational goals.
• Retention rate – this rate reflects the overall interest amongst the students to what the school offers. The retention rate figure can help explain very many factors including how attractive a college is, how competent its administration is, the quality of the curriculum and teaching staff, the willingness of the students, and the believed value of what the college is teaching.
• Years of accreditation – to be able to determine the top rated online schools, the years in which the college has been accredited also plays a role. A long period means the school is competent enough, prestigious, and highly recognized.