Ranking Methodology
Updated on February 18, 2025
Accredited Schools Online ranks the best U.S. schools and programs. Our rankings consider factors like affordability, academic quality, and reputation.
Accredited Schools Online ranks the best schools and programs in the country to help readers identify the right fit for their goals and potential. Our rankings include only accredited institutions that meet high standards for educational quality.
To create our rankings, we use a customized methodology that weighs factors like academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.
Below we provide a detailed overview of the inclusion criteria, data sources, formulas, and subfactors that comprise our ranking methodology.
Criteria and Considerations
ASO only ranks schools that are U.S.-based and hold institutional accreditation. For certain program-specific rankings, we may also consider programmatic accreditation, state approval, and/or industry recognition.
The majority of our lists exclusively rank nonprofit institutions, though some lists — namely those pertaining to vocational training and trades — may include for-profit institutions.
We aim to align our college rankings with our commitment to supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in higher education — and our belief that people of all identities and backgrounds deserve to learn in a safe environment.
The ASO ranking team may apply discretion to remove schools from rankings that do not provide sufficient data or that otherwise fail to serve a nationally representative audience of online learners.
Note: When applicable, our independent third-party panel of experts reviews page content — excluding school descriptions — for accuracy.
Refer to our editorial policy to learn more.
About the Data We Use
Our ranking formulas draw from two sources: the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and Peterson’s.
- IPEDS, which is part of the U.S. Department of Education (ED), collects and releases annual data on enrollment, graduation and retention rates, net prices, financial aid, and more. Our rankings utilize provisional data from two academic years prior.
- Peterson’s, which is privately owned, relies on annual surveys where colleges self-report their data, and its research team also contributes. Peterson’s offers unique insights into undergraduate financial aid, graduate programs, admissions, and career outcomes. We may utilize Peterson’s data to fill in gaps where IPEDS data is missing.
Another helpful source is College Scorecard, a free tool from ED for comparing colleges and universities. We may leverage this source when displaying supplemental school details on our rankings.
Together, these sources help us rank and showcase the best schools and programs for students to compare, research, and consider attending.
A Breakdown of Our Ranking Formulas
For each ASO ranking, we use one of two distinct formulas depending on the page’s parameters. Compare the details of each formula below.
Best Online Schools
We use the following formula for institution-level lists. Such rankings are typically general (not degree- or subject-specific), like our best colleges and universities list.
Our Ranking Factors and Subfactors
We rank schools based on what matters to students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings. These factors help students choose the best education and ensure a good return on their investment.
Academic Quality
Academic quality looks at a school’s graduation rate, retention rate, student-to-faculty ratio, and percentage of faculty employed full-time. These subfactors show how well institutions support students, how well students progress toward graduation, and the quality of education.
The graduation rate is the percentage of full-time, first-time students who graduate within 150% of the expected time for their programs. For bachelor’s programs, this means six years. This data helps students choose schools where they are likely to succeed. It also holds schools accountable for their quality and performance.
The retention rate is the percentage of full-time, first-time undergraduates who return to the same institution for their second year. A high rate suggests strong support and a quality education. A low rate means students are leaving before graduation, which can indicate struggles or issues within the school.
The student-to-faculty ratio measures the number of students at the institution compared to the number of faculty members. Typically, a lower student-to-faculty ratio indicates smaller class sizes and more personalized attention from instructors. A large student-to-faculty ratio can mean fewer opportunities for mentorship and instructor interaction.
This subfactor examines the percentage of faculty members who are employed full-time at the school. Full-time faculty are essential for several reasons. They provide student support, institutional knowledge, and a stable curriculum, which can greatly improve student success and retention.
Affordability
As a factor in our rankings, affordability weighs each school’s average net price, student loan default rate, median student debt, and financial aid. Affordability is vital for several reasons: It reduces student debt, makes college more accessible, and boosts economic mobility.
An institution’s average net price refers to how much first-time, full-time undergraduate students spend annually on their education after receiving grant and scholarship aid. It’s important to consider because the net price — or actual cost — is often lower than the school’s published cost of attendance.
The loan default rate reflects the percentage of borrowers who fail to repay their federal student loans. Default rates are a key indicator of an institution’s ability to administer and manage federal student aid. The consequences of defaulting on a student loan include wage garnishment, a lower credit score, and even home foreclosure.
This subfactor, which evaluates the percentage of undergraduates who receive federal loans, considers whether students pay for their degree with loans or other sources. A high percentage could indicate a more expensive institution.
This subfactor looks at the average amount of federal loans awarded to undergraduate students. A high number may indicate a more expensive school, with many students relying on loans to cover their costs.
This subfactor looks at the percentage of full-time, first-time undergraduates who receive scholarships, grants, loans, and other forms of financial aid. A high percentage indicates a school with a strong record of securing financial aid for its students.
Our methodology considers the average amount of grant and scholarship aid awarded to full-time, first-time undergraduates at the school. A high amount of grant and scholarship aid can indicate a more affordable school.
This subfactor analyzes the median debt for students six years after enrolling at the institution. A high median debt indicates a less affordable school, while a low median debt indicates students can pay for their degrees without taking on as much debt.
Reputation
An institution’s reputation matters in the job market. This factor breaks down reputation by weighing the school’s admission rate and admission yield. In addition to selectivity, this factor considers the average earnings for graduates.
The admission rate is the percentage of applicants accepted at the school. Our formulas factor in the admission rate for undergraduates and/or graduates, depending on the type of ranking. A high admission rate means the school is less competitive, whereas a low admission rate suggests a more selective and prestigious institution.
Admission yield is the percentage of accepted applicants who enroll at the school. We look at the yield for undergraduates and/or graduates based on the degree level of the ranking. This subfactor reflects the school’s popularity and strength. A low admission yield might mean the school is losing students to other universities.
This subfactor analyzes the average earnings of undergraduate students six years after enrolling in the institution. Higher average earnings indicate that graduates from the school successfully transitioned into the workforce.
Program Offerings
This factor looks at the percentage of programs offered at a particular level and overall online enrollment. Program offerings are an important factor in our rankings because they affect student choice, career prospects, and the school’s overall appeal.
Some institutions focus on undergraduate degrees, whereas others invest heavily in graduate studies. This subfactor looks at the percentage of programs offered at a particular level, such as certificate, bachelor’s, or master’s. This number reflects a school’s reputation for offering programs at that level.
This subfactor examines the percentage of online programs offered at a specific academic level, such as certificate or bachelor’s. A high percentage indicates that the school offers more options for fully online students.
Online enrollment refers to the total number of students who are enrolled in at least some online courses at the school. A high count of online learners indicates a strong investment in online education, while a low count may indicate the institution largely focuses on on-campus programs.
