Best Accredited Online Colleges and Universities of 2025

These days, most college students take online classes at some point in their education journey. And it’s easy to see why — online learning offers flexibility, affordability, and convenience.

But how can you find the best online college to earn your degree? First, it’s important to choose an accredited institution. Accredited online colleges offer high-quality degrees that are reviewed by accrediting agencies.

Then, research factors that are important to you, like tuition cost, student services, and graduation rates. Check out our list of the best accredited online colleges to start your search.

Is an online college worth it? The answer will vary for each student. Ultimately, your budget, goals, and schedule can influence whether an online college is the right choice for you.

I love being able to meet with people and teachers from all over the globe and country, said Charlotte Amy Rose, an online master’s student at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.

You can earn pretty much any degree online these days. Online colleges and universities offer a variety of undergraduate degrees and graduate programs.

You’ll also find programs that can help you complete a degree you’ve already started. You can earn a two-year associate degree online or finish a bachelor’s degree. At the graduate level, you can earn a master’s degree or doctorate online.

In addition to degrees, many online colleges offer certificate programs. These focused programs typically take less than a year to complete, and you can earn an undergraduate or graduate certificate.

Learn more about the types of academic credentials you can earn online:

The number of online colleges available to you can be overwhelming. Follow these five tips to help you choose the best online university for you.

Your career and educational goals will inform the best degree program for you. Consider your budget, how much time you’d like to spend in school, what skills and knowledge you wish to graduate with, and what you’d like to do when you finish your degree.

Knowing what you plan to major in can guide your choice for an online college. Once you’ve chosen a major, you can compare specific degree programs. Consider things like the kinds of courses a program offers, the program structure, and networking opportunities.

If you haven’t chosen a major yet, try looking for online colleges with various majors that interest you. Alternatively, you could complete an online associate degree in general studies and choose a more focused major for a bachelor’s degree later on.

Don’t apply to the first online school you come across. Instead, research a variety of colleges to find the right one for you. Compile a list of online universities that offer your major or another feature you value.

You can compare online colleges on features like:

For example, maybe you prefer synchronous learning, where you’ll take classes in real-time with other students through online video services like Zoom. Or, maybe you prefer an asynchronous class structure, which lets you finish coursework on your own time with pre-recorded lectures.

Before applying to an online school, check that it is accredited. Most colleges list their accreditation statuses on their websites. You should also look on the accrediting agency’s website to double-check that the school is listed there.

Accreditation is particularly important for online schools to ensure high academic standards. To be eligible to receive federal financial aid, you must attend an accredited school. Accreditation is also important for reputation purposes, as employers may consider your school’s accreditation status when you apply for jobs.

Depending on the career you are pursuing and where you reside, your online degree may also need to hold programmatic accreditation. Healthcare, social work, and law are examples of such fields where programmatic accreditation is often a requirement for state licensure.

Many online schools don’t charge students differently based on where they live; rather, there’s just one tuition rate for all online students.

Online programs at traditional public colleges differentiate between in-state and out-of-state students. In these cases, choosing an online program from a public school in your state should qualify you for lower in-state tuition costs.

In Florida, for example, tuition at public, four-year schools in 2022-2023 averaged $4,540 for in-state students and $17,831 for out-of-state students. That year, public schools in Vermont had the highest average tuition rates, charging $17,600 to in-state students and $41,900 to out-of-state students.

Like any other student, an online college student will need to budget for tuition, fees, and textbooks. Some universities also charge an additional distance learning or technology fee. And taking classes online sometimes means upgrading your technology, internet, or software.

How do students pay for online degrees? Fortunately, if you choose an accredited college, you’ll qualify for many forms of financial aid.

Here are some common ways that distance learners at accredited online colleges pay for their degrees:

Here’s a breakdown of the average costs of an undergraduate and graduate degree in the U.S.

Search the list below to learn more about accredited online colleges and universities in your state.