When you think of an online university college, what comes to mind? Is it the University of Phoenix or another online school where students can earn their degree without ever having to step foot on campus?
That’s certainly one way to get your education, but it’s not the only way and it may not even be the best way Below, you’ll find some of the best online university colleges in the United States as ranked by students who have attended them and are now studying at more traditional campuses.
Harvard
Of course, it’s no surprise that Harvard is on our list of top online colleges. Founded in 1636, Harvard is one of America’s oldest institutions. Harvard accepts a tiny 4% of applicants each year and has a student-to-faculty ratio of 6:1, making it easy to get individualized attention from professors.
Courses are offered through Harvard Extension School as well as its prestigious undergraduate college. Thanks to a multimillion dollar endowment and some generous donors, students can take advantage of exceptional financial aid packages at Harvard without having to take out loans.
For those who are accepted into its Master’s programs, students will receive their degree entirely online or by attending classes on campus with fellow graduate students.
Stanford is a private, coeducational research university located in California. both undergraduate and graduate programs. Undergraduate students can choose from more than 60 majors at the university’s four undergraduate colleges Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Humanities and Sciences, and Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences.
Graduate students can pursue academic studies at one of many Stanford schools such as its law school or business school.
The university regularly ranks among the world’s top five best universities by major publications such as Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings and US News Best Global Universities.
Yale
Yale University is a private Ivy League research university. Founded in 1701, it is also one of America’s nine Colonial Colleges. Yale has produced presidents and US Supreme Court Justices, Nobel Prize winners, Pulitzer Prize winners, CEOs of fortune 500 companies and astronauts. Students can choose from over 50 majors across 12 schools.
The main campus is located next to Central Park, with two additional campuses in New Haven and West Haven, Connecticut. The cost for tuition and fees for 2017-2018 was $47 000 dollars per year..
Princeton
Founded in 1746, Princeton has a tradition of educating notable alumni, including three U.S. presidents and 23 Nobel laureates. The university’s campus was designed by renowned architect James Gamble Rogers, who modeled it after Colonial-era New England. its Gothic style architecture is considered among Princeton’s greatest strengths.
Princeton operates one of the top-ranked business schools in North America and its undergraduate admissions are highly selective; just 8 percent of applicants were admitted last year.
There are more than 41,000 students enrolled at Princeton overall, with nearly half taking classes online. Additional information about studying at Princeton can be found on College Factual.
University of Pennsylvania
One of America’s oldest and most prestigious schools, UPenn is renowned for its highly-ranked Wharton business school. Students at Penn will find an eclectic mix of academic pursuits, which range from pre-med to engineering to philosophy and religion.
Of particular note is UPenn’s interdisciplinary initiative, Global Brigades, a unique study abroad program that allows students to work alongside physicians at clinics throughout Mexico, Central America and South America.
While working on projects aimed at combating HIV/AIDS patients or improving rural communities, students see first-hand how different areas of study can be used to make an impact around the world.
Columbia
Founded in 1754, Columbia is one of America’s oldest universities. While its campus is located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, more than 75% of students study online. Students receive instruction from approximately 700 full-time faculty members and can choose from more than 150 undergraduate majors and master’s degree programs.
The University has been ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s top 100 for National Universities for nearly three decades (No. 34 as of 2017). On campus, roughly 45% of students are from outside New York State, with international students making up 13% of overall enrollment.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
One of America’s oldest and most prestigious colleges, MIT has been educating leaders for more than a century. MIT is known for its rigorous academics, which prepare students to take on some of today’s biggest scientific challenges through research opportunities.
There are seven different schools at MIT, including architecture and planning; science; engineering; humanities, arts and social sciences; management; linguistics and philosophy; and education.
You’ll also find world-class art museums like The Arthur M. Sackler Museum and The List Center for Art & Technology. In total, there are 14 degree programs at MIT that can be completed entirely online or at campus locations around Boston.
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
Probably one of the most well-known names on our list, Caltech is located right smack dab in Pasadena. For an institution that charges just $46,600 a year, they sure do pack a punch with their success rate.
83% of graduates find jobs within 6 months and salaries average around $55k annually.
This school has been around since 1891 and doesn’t look to be going anywhere anytime soon. Find out how you can get your degree from here for as little as $11k/year!
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Northwestern University
Northwestern is a private, research university located in Evanston, Illinois. The school was founded by members of the Church of Latter Day Saints on October 12, 1851 and opened for classes on March 2, 1855.
Northwestern has grown to become one of America’s most prestigious universities with a student population around 21,000 and highly esteemed degree programs offered through 12 academic schools across various departments.
Undergraduates can choose from more than 150 fields of study while graduate students can pursue over 90 different advanced degrees. Graduate students at Northwestern can participate in more than 400 scholarly societies and research groups and there are also more than 300 study abroad opportunities available to undergraduates throughout 50 countries worldwide.
Cornell
This private Ivy League school offers a number of fully online degrees and certificates, including a Master’s of Computer Science, a Master’s of Information Science and a Master’s of Business Administration. Unlike many other schools on our list, Cornell has a program for students who have recently graduated from high school:
The College at Brockport allows freshmen and sophomores to earn bachelor’s degrees via its online division. According to U.S.
