California Baptist University ranked #25 in best online bachelor's programs

RIVERSIDE, Calif., Jan. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- California Baptist University (CBU) earned the no. 25 spot among online bachelor's programs in the 2013 Top Online Education Program rankings by U.S. News & World Report. 

CBU entered the online education market in the spring of 2010 with programs offered by the university's Division of Online and Professional Studies. It is the first time those online programs have been ranked by U.S. News & World Report. CBU now serves more than 2,500 students online throughout the United States and offers 26 online undergraduate majors, eight master's degrees and two certificate programs.

"It is gratifying to be ranked in the top 25 of best online bachelor's programs after two short years," said Dr. David Poole, vice president for Online and Professional Studies at CBU.  "We are all thrilled to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report. I am particularly pleased that CBU ranked no. 2 overall in faculty credentials and training and no. 15 in student services & technology. This validates that quality and experience of faculty; innovative, cutting edge technology and student support are at the heart of what we do."

The rankings were created by U.S. News in response to today's high demand for education provided in a flexible manner. While U.S. News has applied some of its rankings used for traditional schools, many new measures have been developed and were used to evaluate online programs. To be eligible for the rankings, online degree programs needed to have at least 80 percent of their course contact available online. U.S. News collected data from 237 for-profit and not-for-profit institutions.

Online bachelor's degree programs were ranked by U.S. News & World Report according to weighted indicators in three different categories: student engagement and assessment, faculty credentials and training, and student services and technology. There was also separate indicator ranking for admissions selectivity.

Founded in 1950, CBU is a private comprehensive institution located in Riverside, Calif. and affiliated with the California Southern Baptist Convention. Fall 2012 enrollment at CBU totaled 6,031 students, studying 145 majors and 35 master's degree programs. CBU is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, the International Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities, and the Consortium for Global Education. 

For more information on the U.S. News Top Online Education Program rankings, please visit http://www.usnews.com/education/online-education.

CONTACT: Kathie Chute, 951-343-5067, [email protected]

SOURCE California Baptist University