Best Accredited Online Colleges and Universities 2026
As our world has grown increasingly reliant on digital spaces, education has expanded to offer more online degrees. Accredited online colleges deliver the same rigorous and legitimate education as traditional, on-campus learning, but with added flexibility, accessibility, and potential cost savings.
Some online programs may still have in-person requirements, but others allow you to earn a degree at any level without needing to leave the comfort of your home.
Discover our ranking of the best accredited online colleges in this helpful guide, which includes details on accreditation, available degrees, tuition costs, and financial aid.
Top 5 Accredited Online Schools
Arizona State University Digital Immersion — Most Selective Undergraduate Admissions
- Scottsdale, AZ
- 4 year
- Online
- Accredited
Why It's a Top School
Arizona State University Online accepts just 64% of undergraduate applicants, making it the most selective school on our list. Choose from nearly 200 undergraduate degree programs and 150 master's programs to advance in your career or transition to a new one.
ASU Online is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and many of its degree programs are programmatically accredited through subject-specific professional organizations. It’s also an institutional participant in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement, which authorizes the school to provide education to students across the country.
What to Expect
- ASU Online offers six start dates per year.
- Each online class lasts seven and a half weeks or six weeks in the summer.
- Full-time semesters cost around $5,911 for Arizona residents and $6,960 for non-Arizona residents.
- Full-time enrollment consists of four classes per semester.
How to Enroll
Arizona residents and out-of-state applicants are required to meet different testing thresholds for acceptance as first-year students. Residents must earn an ACT score of over 22 (24 for nonresidents), an SAT score of over 1120 (1180 for nonresidents), a 25% placement in your graduating class, or a minimum high school GPA of 3.0. If you have earned more than 12 college credits, you’re considered a transfer student.
98%
$11,308
74%
$13,512
- Acceptance Rate
- 64%
- Students Enrolled
- 66,062
- Institution Type
- Public
Kennesaw State University — Most Affordable Tuition Rates
- Kennesaw, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why It's a Top School
Kennesaw State University offers the mostaffordable tuition on our list, with per-credit rates of $190 for undergraduates and $393 for graduate students. A public school located in Georgia, KSU extends its relatively low online tuition rates to both residents and nonresidents.
KSU offers 17 online bachelor's and 27 online master's programs. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Many of its degree programs are also programmatically accredited by subject-specific organizations.
What to Expect
- KSU students have over 80 online certificates and degrees to choose from.
- KSU offers many double degree pathways.
- KSU offers free online tutoring.
How to Enroll
Incoming first years applying for fall 2026 and beyond are required to submit SAT or ACT scores for admission. You may be admitted in spring or summer 2026 without these test scores if you have a high school GPA of 3.2 or higher.
69%
$ 5,700
77%
$21,030
- Acceptance Rate
- 69%
- Students Enrolled
- 47,845
- Institution Type
- Public
Purdue University Global — Most Accessible Admissions
- West Lafayette, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why It's a Top School
Purdue Global stands out for having the most accessible admissions due to an open admission policy. Plus, the school charges no application fees for its 43 online bachelor’s programs and 31 online master’s programs. This accessible online public school is also relatively affordable, with undergraduate tuition costing $13,356 per year.
Purdue Global is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and participates in NC-SARA to ensure quality education for students across the country.
What to Expect
- Purdue offers monthly term start dates.
- You can start for free with a three-week trial.
- Purdue also offers online advising, tutoring, and accessibility services.
How to Enroll
Purdue Global offers open enrollment and requires no documents for admission. However, you will have to complete a virtual interview and submit any program-specific requirements, such as high school or post-secondary transcripts.
100%
$10,080
25%
$13,356
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 44,421
- Institution Type
- Public
Southern New Hampshire University — Largest Online Student Population
- Manchester, NH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why It's a Top School
Southern New Hampshire University has over 180,000 students, 97% of whom attend classes entirely online. This makes it the school with the largest online student population on our list. For a private institution, it’s also relatively affordable, with tuition costing $342 per credit for undergraduate degree programs and $659 per credit for graduate programs.
SNHU offers 116 online bachelor's programs and 87 online master's programs. The institution is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. Additionally, many of the school's online programs hold specialized accreditation.
What to Expect
- Online learners at SNHU have 24/7 access to student services, such as library, tech, and academic support.
- SNHU offers six undergraduate terms and five graduate terms per year.
- You can transfer up to 90 credits for bachelor’s degrees or 12 credits for master’s degrees.
How to Enroll
Submit a free online application before you complete an attestation form that confirms you graduated from high school or earned a GED diploma. While there’s no GPA requirement for undergraduate admission, you need an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 to be admitted as a graduate student. There are no standardized test requirements for admission.
97%
$15,450
60%
$15,450
- Acceptance Rate
- 96%
- Students Enrolled
- 184,099
- Institution Type
- Private
University of Maryland Global Campus — Lowest Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- Adelphi, MD
- 4 year
- Online
- Accredited
Why It's a Top School
At 20-to-1, the University of Maryland Global Campus has the lowest student-to-faculty ratio on our list, which is ideal if you prefer more one-on-one interactions with instructors. With smaller class sizes, you can get the support you need from your online instructors.
UMGC offers 36 online bachelor’s programs and 40 online master’s programs. It’s accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and many of its individual programs are programmatically accredited by specialized bodies.
What to Expect
- Some courses are cohort-based, allowing you to learn alongside your peers and professors.
- In-state undergraduate tuition costs $330 per credit, while out-of-state tuition costs $499 per credit.
- UMGC offers three undergraduate term start dates.
How to Enroll
UMGC maintains an open admissions policy. You'll pay a $50 admission fee and then work with an admissions advisor to help you transfer any credits, submit official transcripts, and register for classes.
95%
$ 7,632
53%
$11,976
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 60,084
- Institution Type
- Public
Why Accreditation Matters for Online College
Accreditation is particularly important for online schools to ensure high academic standards. Additionally, you must attend an accredited school to qualify for federal financial aid. Accreditation is also important for reputation purposes; employers may consider your school’s accreditation status when you apply for jobs.
Depending on your target career and the state you live in, your online degree may also need to hold programmatic accreditation. Healthcare, social work, and law are examples of fields where programmatic accreditation is often required for state licensure.
How Does Online College Work?
Accredited online colleges operate in several ways. However, at their core, they allow students to complete coursework away from campus, so long as they have a strong internet connection. Schools may deliver classes fully online or through a hybrid format that blends distance learning with on-campus classwork.
Colleges may use synchronous and/or asynchronous methods of administering classes. Synchronous classes mirror the in-person experience with set class times and direct interactions with instructors. In contrast, asynchronous delivery allows learners to watch recorded lectures and complete assignments at their convenience, as long as they meet specified deadlines.
However, some fully online programs may include occasional on-campus requirements, like fieldwork. Always inquire about any in-person elements of online learning, along with whether you’ll need to arrange for placements.
Consider online college if…
- You need a flexible schedule.
- You’re looking to save money.
- You want to complete coursework from any location.
- You need a more accessible learning format.
Consider traditional college if…
- You prefer in-person instruction.
- You’re pursuing a labwork-heavy degree.
- You’re easily distracted at home.
- You value peer-to-peer interaction.
Explore Accredited Online Colleges Near You
Need local school options? Search below to discover the top accredited online colleges and universities in your state.
Is Online College Worth It?
Median Weekly Earnings by Highest Education Level (2024)
$930
High school diploma
$1,543
Bachelor’s degree
$1,840
Master’s degree
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that professionals with higher educational attainment typically see higher demand in the job market and earn larger salaries.
Although pursuing higher education requires careful financial planning, degree-holders typically see a strong return on their investment. The BLS reports that the median weekly income for workers with a bachelor’s degree as their highest level of education is about $600 higher than that of individuals with only a high school diploma.
A postsecondary education also appears to increase demand for job candidates. BLS reporting indicates an unemployment rate of 4.2% for those holding a high school diploma as their highest educational attainment. This figure drops to 2.5% for bachelor’s degree-holders and 2.2% for individuals with a master’s degree.
Additionally, companies with distributed workforces may look to hire graduates from online programs, due to their demonstrated ability to complete work with little oversight and remain in close contact without direct supervision.
Q&A With Real Online College Students and Grads
Q: Why did you decide to pursue an online degree?
“I wanted to be able to study, travel, and work simultaneously — not sit in a classroom at a set time each week.”
— Alexandra Markin, Founder of Online Student Life
“I love the freedom of being able to study from anywhere in the country. … I also struggle with social anxiety sometimes, so knowing I have the comfort of being able to study from home allows me to feel more at ease.”
— Charlotte Amy Rose, Founder of Sacred Footprints
“I decided to continue my education online mainly because I wanted to move out of state and needed the flexibility to finish my degree while also starting my family.”
— Alison Hamar, College Counselor and Schools Manager at Transizion
Q: In your opinion, what is the value of earning a degree online?
“Flexibility. If you need to take classes when you have time and don’t have to abide by a strict schedule, then online classes can be a great fit. You do have to be a self-motivated student, and online education isn’t for everyone.”
— Alison H.
“With an online degree, you can be there for your family, friends, or anything you want in life when you need to be. You don’t have to choose between that and a three-hour lecture.”
— Alexandra M.
“Earning a degree online offers more flexibility. I can work more easily around it as I don’t need to factor in travel time. I feel you are more focused too. You can spend more time actually studying and learning rather than traveling to and from university.”
— Charlotte A. R.
Q: What is your biggest piece of advice to students considering an online college?
“I would highly recommend getting involved with the university, even if you are online. There are still so many extracurricular activities and courses you can join, which is a great way to meet people on the same course or just like-minded people you can share your experience with.”
— Charlotte A. R.
“I would consider how much time you have to dedicate to school, if you can and will hold yourself accountable, and if flexibility is a necessity in your life. … In many ways online school is harder, but if you are motivated and driven to finish your degree and need the flexibility, then I would go for it.”
— Alison H.
“You need to know your learning style and what works best for you. … Try a few online courses first before you commit to an online degree. The format of online learning isn’t for everyone.”
— Alexandra M.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, online degrees awarded by accredited institutions are respected. Employers hire candidates with online degrees, and you can get into graduate school with an online bachelor’s degree. Also, your diploma won’t state that you earned your degree online.
