Magazine ranks top online colleges
January 12, 2012
The popularity of attending college online continues to grow. According to a recent report titled the Survey of Online Learning, conducted by Babson Survey Research Group and the College Board, the number of students taking at least one online course has surpassed 6 million. Now nearly one-third of all students in higher education are taking at least one online course.
"The rate of growth in online enrollments is ten times that of the rate in all higher education," said study co-author I. Elaine Allen.
While students of all ages are fueling the growth in online learning, this type of learning is often especially attractive to mothers pursuing a college degree, as they allow them the flexibility they need to balance the demands of motherhood and education simultaneously.
The fact that online degree programs are often less expensive than traditional colleges or universities is another contributing factor. And, as long as the school is accredited, students attending them are able to use grants for parents, single mother scholarships, scholarships for mothers and other financial aid to offset the cost.
But how does one go about finding the best online college? US News and World Report recently released its list of top-ranking Online Education Programs.
"U.S. News ranked 196 online bachelor's degree programs and 523 online master's degree programs in business, engineering, nursing, education, and computer information technology. Programs considered for the rankings needed to have at least 80 percent of their course content available online," stated USNews.com.
When it comes to online programs offering bachelor degrees, the publication ranked the institutions on three different categories - student engagement and assessment, student services and technology, and faculty credentials and training.
In the category of faculty credentials and training, the top three online colleges included Westfield State University in Massachusetts, United States Sports Academy in Alabama and St. Mary's College of California.
In the category of student services and technology, Arizona State University, Sam Houston State University and Florida International University won top honors.
And, in the category of student engagement and assessment, the top programs included Bellevue University of Nebraska, Newberry College of South Carolina and Troy University of Alabama.
It's interesting to note that the publications rankings do not feature popular for-profit online colleges including the University of Phoenix, DeVry University and American Public University. Instead, the top honors went to "public and private institutions with established on-campus programs, in addition to online offerings."
