College Choice Publishes First Annual Ranking of the 50 Best Online Colleges and Universities

RALEIGH, N.C., Oct. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- College Choice, an independent college search and rankings website, has published a ranking of the 50 best online colleges and universities. This list was calculated to help potential students find high quality online options for higher education and can be viewed at http://www.collegechoice.net/rankings/best-online-colleges/.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University took the top spot in the ranking, which was based on publicly available information from the National Center for Educational Statistics, official university websites, and other college ranking from a variety of publications like U.S. News and World Report, Forbes, and Washington Monthly. Several factors were considered in calculating the ranking, including academic reputation, affordability, the number of online degrees offered, academic credentials of professors teaching online courses, level of teaching engagement, technological resources, and other awards won by each school's online programs. Pennsylvania State University World Campus and Arizona State University are ranked second and third, respectively.

Other universities making the list include (alphabetically ordered):

Ball State University
Belhaven University
Boston University
California Baptist University
Central Michigan University
Champlain College
Colorado State University -- Global Campus
Concordia University Chicago
Concordia University St. Paul
DePaul University
Drexel University
Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern University
Florida Institute of Technology
Florida State University
Huntington University
Liberty University
Limestone College
Loyola University Chicago
University of Missouri
North Carolina State University -- Raleigh
Northeastern University
Norwich University
Oregon State University
Pace University
Regis University
Rochester Institute of Technology
Saint Leo University
Southeast Missouri State University
St. Louis University
Troy University
University of Alabama
University of Arkansas
University of Cincinnati
University of Denver
University of Illinois Springfield
University of Illinois Chicago
University of Massachusetts
University of Minnesota Crookston
University of Nebraska
University of South Carolina
University of St. Francis
Upper Iowa University
Utah State University
Washington State University
Western Carolina University
Western Kentucky University

Online higher education is growing rapidly. In the past twelve years, the amount of students taking at least one higher education course online has grown from 1.6 million to 7.1 million. Yet, there are some online colleges and universities that stand above the rest in terms of quality of education, student engagement, affordability, and the selection of online degrees offered.

According to Coby Cagle, Associate Editor for College Choice and the lead editor of the ranking, "Studies suggest that students choose online education because of the increased ability to balance school with other responsibilities, the flexibility of learning from anywhere at any hour, a quicker completion time, access to more programs, and potentially lower costs. As the demand for online education has grown so has the technology to personalize the experience. Online education is an increasingly viable option for all those considering higher education."

College Choice is an independent online publication dedicated to helping students and their families find the right college. The site publishes rankings and reviews that make finding the best colleges for different interests easier and more fun, as well as resources to help students get into, pay for, and thrive at the college of their choice.

Contact:
Jeremy Alder
Managing Editor, College Choice
(919) 745-8594
Email

SOURCE College Choice