Online College and University Reviews
When choosing a school that best fits their needs and goals, prospective students may find it helpful to read online college reviews written by former students and graduates. Our partner site, GradReports.com, has collected reviews of more than 2,400 colleges. Students often provide positive feedback about the quality of their online degree programs, including factors like flexible course options, helpful professors, and the cost of tuition. Complaints tend to revolve around student support resources like career counseling, job placement support, and financial aid services.
Based on their feedback and other factors, we've put together a comprehensive list of schools offering online degree programs. We've also provided summaries of some of the best online colleges, plus answers to frequently asked questions.
Student-Recommended Online Schools
The 10 online schools on this list are highly recommended by current students and alumni. Ratings are based on student reviews collected since 2008, totaling thousands of reviews of more than 2,400 schools. Keep in mind that the relatively small sample size of online school reviewers for any given school, as well as personal reviewer biases, can skew a school's rating positively or negatively. However, every review is vetted to ensure authenticity before being published.
Western Governors University
71% Recommended
One of the largest fully online, private, non-profit colleges, Western Governors University (WGU) offers a wide range of bachelor's and master's degrees, as well as certificates. Some of the school's most popular degrees include nursing, business management, cybersecurity, education, IT, and healthcare management. Online learning is asynchronous, and new classes begin every month.
Rather than a per-credit tuition fee, WGU charges a flat rate for six months of courses, enabling students to save money by completing as many courses as they can in each six-month period. The school also offers federal financial aid, institutional scholarships, and discounts for active military members and veterans. Various resources are available to students, such as career development services, faculty mentors, and learning resources.
Southern New Hampshire University Online
63% Recommended
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) offers more than 200 associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees through its online programs. Some of the more popular subjects of study at this large, private, non-profit university include business, English, software engineering, and healthcare administration. Students access course materials through the Desire2Learn Brightspace online learning system.
SNHU offers financial aid for qualified students, and military members and veterans may be eligible for a discount of up to 30%. New enrollees may also be able to transfer credits for previously completed coursework, and some may receive credit for prior work or military experience. All students are paired with academic advisors and can take advantage of other student resources, such as career services.
University of Phoenix
60% Recommended
The University of Phoenix is a large, private, non-profit university offering more than 100 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Students can opt for a variety of programs in seven categories — business, education, criminal justice, psychology, nursing, healthcare, and technology — and may begin at any of the 18 start dates each year.
In addition to federal financial aid, the University of Phoenix offers two school-sponsored scholarships of $1,000 for incoming bachelor's students and $3,000 for incoming master's students. Current students and alumni are entitled to use the school's Career Services for Life for assistance with career development and job searches. Students also have access to other support services, such as a counseling center and an alumni association.
Grand Canyon University
50% Recommended
Grand Canyon University (GCU) offers online programs at all levels, from associate degrees through doctorates, as well as certificate programs. At this large, private, non-profit university, students can earn one of more than 200 degrees in nine subject areas, such as teaching, business, healthcare, digital arts, and theology.
GCU charges the same tuition fees for in-state and out-of-state residents. In addition to federal financial aid programs, the school offers scholarships for eligible new students. GCU is also a Yellow Ribbon participant and provides tuition discounts for military members. Newly enrolled students may be able to earn credits for prior work and military experience, and they may be able to transfer credits for previously completed college coursework.
Liberty University
58% Recommended
A large, private, non-profit college, Liberty University is an Evangelical Christian institution where students can earn degrees at every level. Programs include business, education, communication, law, behavioral sciences, and religion, and all courses are grounded in biblical concepts. Liberty students and instructors use the Canvas online learning management system to share course materials and communicate with each other.
Liberty's Experience Plus program allows incoming students to earn credit for previous experience, and the school also welcomes transfer credits from other accredited institutions. Financial aid and tuition discounts for military members may help learners save money on their college education. Student services include an online library, IT support, online study aids, and writing tutorials.
Strayer University
59% Recommended
Strayer University is a medium-sized, private, non-profit college that offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees, as well as certificate programs. Strayer's programs are consolidated in a few key subject areas, primarily business, information technology, and criminal justice. The school provides online courses through the Blackboard learning system.
Strayer offers a number of cost-saving options for eligible students. For example, some students may be eligible for a new free laptop, and some associate and bachelor's students may be able to take up to 10 general education courses at no cost. Strayer's SOAR program gives learners 24/7 access to student support resources and experts, and the Career Center assists students in finding jobs.
Walden University
51% Recommended
A medium-sized, private, non-profit college, Walden University offers fully online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, as well as certificates. Newly admitted students can opt for one of approximately 90 programs in 10 major areas of interest, including nursing, business, psychology, social work, and public policy. Walden's distance learning system is designed for use on multiple types of devices, including mobile.
Walden sponsors many scholarships for students majoring in specific subjects, and it also offers a 15% tuition discount for military members, veterans, and military spouses. Incoming students who have completed some coursework at other accredited institutions may be able to transfer credits for undergraduate or graduate degrees. Students have access to several support services, including academic advisors and career counselors.
University of Maryland Global Campus
59% Recommended
At the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), which is a large, public university, students may enroll in a wide range of bachelor's and master's degree programs in education, business, healthcare, cybersecurity, and more. Primarily asynchronous online classes are hosted on the Learning Experience Online platform, and most courses include no-cost digital resources instead of requiring additional textbooks.
UMGC offers federal scholarships, grants, and loans, as well as an interest-free monthly payment plan to help make tuition more affordable. Qualified students can also apply for veteran education benefits and employer tuition reimbursement. UMGC offers various support services for enrolled students, including access to library resources, the writing center, and online tutoring.
American Public University System
70% Recommended
AThe American Public University System — a large, private, non-profit institution — offers online programs at all levels, from associate degrees through doctorates, as well as certificate programs. Students can select from more than 200 degree programs in business, nursing, education, engineering, global studies, and more. Classes begin every month and are delivered on the Brightspace learning management system.
Students may be able to transfer credits from previous college coursework and earn credit for prior work and military experience, reducing the number of courses required to complete a degree online. Students do not have to pay an application fee, and all reading materials are provided free of charge. Student resources include academic advising and career services.
Arizona State University
64% Recommended
Arizona State University (ASU), which is a large, public institution, offers fully online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, as well as certificates. With more than 300 programs to choose from, students can study any one of dozens of subjects, including nursing, healthcare administration, engineering, history, forensic science, and more. Students and faculty access course materials, engage in class discussions, and take exams through the Canvas learning system.
Online students are eligible for financial aid. ASU students gain access to a wide range of student support services, including counseling, tutoring, personal and time management coaching, and job search and career development assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Reviews
What Factors About an Online Program Are Important to Students?
According to the 2021 Voice of the Online Learner report, online students consistently rank multiple start dates, the selection of fully online majors available, and asynchronous classes among their top priorities. In terms of tuition rates, our sister site's research indicates that online programs tend to cost less than on-campus ones. Reading through even a few dozen college reviews on GradReports.com reveals additional considerations for college students who’ve opted to pursue an online education. The most common include:
- Interaction with instructors: Just like students of on-campus programs, online students want their instructors to be highly responsive. They also value instructors who demonstrate that they are informed, engaged, and concerned about student success.
- Interaction with staff: Students enrolled in online degree programs also want school employees in the administration and financial aid departments to be responsive, well-informed, and courteous.
- Technology help: Problems with the technology that drives online courses can be frustrating and stressful, so online students benefit from an IT team that can resolve issues quickly.
- Transfer credits: Because so many online students are returning to school after being in the workplace or are military veterans, they appreciate schools that give credit for prior experience. They also want schools to recognize transfer credits from other higher education institutions, such as community colleges, or from AP classes in high school.
- A flexible schedule: Flexibility is a major benefit of online education, and this factor often distinguishes an online program from an on-campus one. Given that 40% of full-time undergraduate students and 74% of part-time students work while attending college, flexible courses and degree options are often crucial to the completion of a program.
Among the specific complaints about particular online degree programs are some generalized comments about the nature of online education itself. It appears that college students who succeed in distance learning are those who prefer flexibility and independence over structure. A 2019 pre-pandemic study found that individuals who enjoy new experiences and create new ideas reflect the highest degree of satisfaction with online education.
Should I Trust College Reviews by Students?
College reviews, like all product reviews, can be valuable when conducting a school search. Both positive and negative reviews can provide insights into specific online degree programs and online universities. For example, they might highlight which schools’ programs are highly structured and which are extremely flexible. This information can help prospective students make better, more thoughtful decisions about the best online colleges that fit their own needs and preferences. However, college reviews need to be kept in perspective. No individual college review should be given more power or influence than the overall average. It’s also worth noting that GradReports.com's methodology ensures honest and trustworthy reviews written by real students and alumni.
Are Students Happy With Their Online Education?
In early 2021, Wiley Education Services surveyed 3,000 online college students and graduates for the 2021 Voice of the Online Learner report. The data they collected indicates very positive attitudes toward online learning. Among the many interesting findings were the following:
- Among students and alumni, 45% felt that online learning was equal to on-campus learning, and 20% felt online learning was superior to traditional learning.
- Given the opportunity to restart their college education, 49% of current students and alumni would definitely choose and 30% would probably choose an online program.
- When asked how they think employers view the credibility of an online degree, 49% believe employers see no difference between online and traditional degrees, and 15% believe that employers think online programs are better.
- Regarding outcomes, 42% of online program graduates said the degree led to a salary increase, 38% said it allowed them to start a new career, and 31% said it helped them get a new job.
- Of students who were attending college prior to the pandemic, half said their forced experience with online learning changed their opinion for the better.
Disclaimer: OnlineU makes student reviews available via our sister site, GradReports.com. The views expressed by users do not necessarily reflect the views of OnlineU. OnlineU takes no position with respect to the information or opinions expressed in the user comments/reviews and is not responsible for their content. For additional information, refer to our Review Guidelines.
Related Articles
2023 Best Online Community Colleges
Explore the best community colleges in the country that offer online degrees in 2023 and learn more about whether community college might be right for you.
By OnlineU Staff Writers | 1/10/2023