20 Best Online Colleges That Are Accredited.Many online schools falsely claim to be accredited, which can result in students paying tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars for a degree that is worthless! To avoid this scam, ensure that you are only considering authorized online colleges.
If you are interested in pursuing an online degree, it might be challenging to locate a recognized school. This post will highlight the 20 top Online Colleges That Are Accredited, along with resources you may use to determine if a school is accredited or not.
What is Accreditation?
Accreditation is a process through which colleges, universities, and other educational institutions demonstrate that they meet particular quality standards. It’s a method for determining if an institution provides high-quality education and training.
Accreditation is voluntary and not mandated by law, but many educational institutions prefer to participate because it helps them recruit more students, expand their programs, gain federal or state funds, and enhance their reputation.
A regional agency accredits the majority of colleges and universities in the United States; this is known as institutional accreditation.
Individual programs can also be accredited by accrediting bodies, a process known as programmatic accreditation. Remember that accreditation of a program does not indicate accreditation of the institution, and vice versa.
How to Determine Whether an Online College is Accredited
Online education is growing in popularity, but you should always do your research before investing in any educational program.
Check out these methods on how to determine if an online school is accredited if you don’t want to waste hundreds (or thousands) of dollars on an unaccredited course.
1) Contact your state’s education department.
Your initial destination should be your state’s Department of Education. Enter the name of your state and the words Department of Education into your browser’s search bar to locate the link. Their website will have a list of accredited schools.
The list of accredited colleges and universities in Pennsylvania, for instance, can be found on the website of the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
If your school is not listed on the website, you will need to contact the school directly.
2) Visit the School’s Internet site
The most critical step in this approach is locating the school’s accreditation information. You should be able to obtain a list of each school’s accreditations and degrees offered on its website.
Check the institution’s website to see if accreditation is indicated. Check out their FAQ section and About page next.
If there is no mention of accreditation, it is likely that the institution is not accredited by any major organizations; therefore, we recommend contacting the institution immediately to confirm its accreditation status.
3) Visit the website of the Accreditation Agency
Even if a school’s website indicates that it is accredited, you should still visit the website of the accrediting organization to confirm.
It is recommended to check the accreditation agency’s website, as an unethical school could lie about its accreditation status and post anything it wishes on its website.
20 Best Online Colleges that are Accredited
The following is a list of the Best Online Colleges That Are Accredited:
- University of Florida
- The University of Arizona Global Campus
- Pennsylvania State World Campus
- Arizona State University
- Colorado State University Global
- Oregon State University Ecampus
- Indiana University Online
- University of Maryland Global Campus
- The University of Alabama
- University of Arkansas Online
- Liberty University
- University of Central Florida
- The University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Southern New Hampshire University
- Florida International University
- Capella University
- Grand Canyon University
- George Washington University
- Western Governors University
- Loyola University Chicago.
1. Online University of Florida
The University of Florida Online is the online campus of the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, a public land-grant research university.
This Online Colleges That Are Accredited provides more than twenty-four online bachelor’s degree programs, many graduate programs, and certificates. It also provides non-degree courses for college credit.
Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) accredits the University of Florida.
2. Arizona University Global Campus
The University of Arizona Global Campus is a reputable online college for individuals with hectic schedules. Independent, accredited, online college founded in 2020 and connected with the University of Arizona.
The University of Arizona Global Campus provides more than fifty online programs in a variety of academic disciplines, including business, criminal justice, education, healthcare, social and behavioral sciences, etc.
WASC Senior College and University Commission has accredited the UA Global Campus (WSCUC).
3. Penn State University’s Global Campus
Pennsylvania State World Campus is an online college with accreditation that was established in 1998. World campus evolved from the Pennsylvania State University’s illustrious history in distance education, which dates back to 1892.
This Online Colleges That Are Accredited provides over 175 degree and certificate programs. With over 20,000 students, Penn State World Campus is the second largest campus of The Pennsylvania State University.
Middle States Commission on Higher Education has accredited Pennsylvania State University (MSCHE).
4. Online Arizona State University
Arizona State University Online is the online campus of Arizona State University, a comprehensive public research institution. It was introduced in 2010.
This Online Colleges That Are Accredited was founded with the purpose of making quality education accessible to all. ASU Online currently offers over 300 online degrees and certificates in high-demand fields such as nursing, engineering, health, and management, among others.
The Higher Learning Commission accredits Arizona State University Online (HLC).
5. Global Colorado State University
The Colorado State University System includes the online public university Colorado State University Global. CSU Global was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Aurora, Colorado.
CSU Global was the nation’s first independent, fully-accredited, online-only State university. It provides undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs online.
Higher Learning Commission accredits Colorado State University Global (HLC).
6. Oregon State University
Oregon State University Ecampus is one of the greatest Online Colleges That Are Accredited in the United States. The company was established in 2002, although its origins in remote education date back to the 1880s.
OSU Online provides more than one hundred online degree programs, including undergraduate degrees, certificates, graduate degrees, and microcredentials.
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities accredits Oregon State University’s online campus.
7. Online Indiana University
This Online Colleges That Are Accredited is the virtual campus of Indiana University, a leading research university in the United States. IU Online is the leading supplier of online bachelor’s degree programs in Indiana.
Indiana University Online provides over 200 online certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs.
Higher Learning Commission has accredited IU Online (HLC).
8. Maryland University Global Campus (UMGC)
The University of Maryland’s online campus is the University of Maryland Global Campus. It was formed in 1947 to provide educational opportunities of the highest caliber.
The University of Maryland University College provides more than 125 online programs, including associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate, and certificate programs.
Middle States Commission on Higher Education accredits the University of Maryland Global Campus (MSCHE).However, it is also among the Online Colleges That Are Accredited.
9. University of Alabama, Alabama
The University of Alabama Online is the online campus of Alabama’s flagship university, the University of Alabama.
This Online Colleges That Are Accredited offers more than 80 online and hybrid bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and doctorate degree programs. In addition, it offers professional development courses to enhance your skill set for career progression.
Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits the University of Alabama Online (SACSCOC).
10. Online University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas Online is the virtual campus of the University of Arkansas, the state’s first public institution of higher education. Since 2008, it has offered online programs.
The University of Arkansas Online provides more than one hundred online programs, including bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate, and certificate programs.
Liberty University Online is the online campus of the Christian private non-profit university Liberty University.
This Online Colleges That Are Accredited is one of Virginia’s top online institutions. It provides more than 450 online bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate programs.
Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits Liberty University Online (SACSCOC).
11. Online Liberty University
Liberty University Online is the online campus of the Christian private non-profit university Liberty University.
LU Online is one of Virginia’s top online institutions. It provides more than 450 online bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate programs.
Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits Liberty University Online (SACSCOC).
12. Online University of Central Florida
Institution of Central Florida Online is the online campus of the public research university in Orlando, Florida, University of Central Florida.
This Online Colleges That Are Accredited is a reliable provider of new education technologies, since it has more than 25 years of expertise offering high-quality online degrees.
UCF Online provides more than 100 online bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate, and certificate programs.Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools offers the University of Central Florida (SACSCOC).
13. Massachusetts Amherst University (UMass Amherst)
University Without Walls (UWW) was established by the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1971 to provide online education.
UWW adheres to the same rigorous academic standards as UMass Amherst, a top-ranked public institution and the flagship campus of the Commonwealth.
UWW provides online programs at several levels, including pre-college, undergraduate, graduate, certificate, and professional development.
New England Association of Schools and Colleges has granted University of Massachusetts Amherst accreditation (NEASC).
14. Southern University of New Hampshire (SNHU)
More than 135,000 online students attend the private, non-profit, accredited Southern New Hampshire University.
SNHU provides over 200 flexible and affordable online bachelor’s degree programs. This Online Colleges That Are Accredited also offers various courses for credit.
Southern New Hampshire University is a New England Commission of Higher Education institution (NECHE).
15. Florida International University (FIU) Online
Florida International University Online is the virtual campus of Miami’s public research university, Florida International University. With roughly 54,000 students, FIU is one of the ten largest colleges in the United States.
FIU Online offers more than two decades of online education expertise. It provides more than one hundred online degree programs, including undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs.
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accredits FIU Online (SACSCOC).
16. Capella University
This Online Colleges That Are Accredited is a private online institution with a location in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Since 1993, it has been a leader in online education.
Capella University offers online bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees, and certificates. Additionally, it offers individual courses.
The Higher Learning Commission has accreditated Capella University (HLC).
17. Grand Canyon College (GCU)
Phoenix, Arizona’s Grand Canyon University is a private, for-profit Christian university. GCU also offers a variety of online degree programs that are accredited.
Grand Canyon University offers over two hundred and fifty bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs.
Higher Learning Commission has accredited GCU (HLC).
18. George Washington University
George Washington University is a private, research-based institution with a campus in Washington, D.C. that also offers online degrees. The George Washington University is the major university in the District of Columbia.
The George Washington University provides online programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate levels. It also offers open online courses.
19. Western Governors University
Western Governors Institution is a private, online, non-profit university. The Online Colleges That Are Accredited was founded in 1997 by Western Governors.
WGU is an online institution committed to enabling access to higher education as widespread as possible. It provides online bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and certificates.
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities has granted Western Governors University accreditation (NWCCU).
20. Chicago’s Loyola University
Loyola University Chicago is a private, Jesuit, research institution in Chicago, Illinois that offers online degrees. LUC provides online certificate, master’s, and doctoral programs.
Higher Learning Commission has granted accreditation to Loyola University Chicago (HLC).
FAQs On Online Colleges That Are Accredited
What college accreditation is the best?
According to Hoey, regional accreditation is the “gold standard” when it comes to oversight of higher education. Online degree programs offered at these institutions are also usually included under their accreditation.
Does it matter if my degree is not accredited?
You shouldn't be concerned about the quality of a course just because it isn't accredited – not all degree courses are. Accredited courses are only really necessary if there is a professional qualification in the industry you plan to work in – where they can help you to get ahead in your chosen career.
Do colleges take online school seriously?
As long as a school is regionally accredited, colleges won't typically have any issue with whether the school is online or in-person. For students looking at more competitive universities, there are obviously additional considerations, such as AP courses or extracurricular activities.
Is online college even worth it?
The opportunity cost of your degree is less because you can continue to earn income while pursuing your degree (plus tuition and fees can be lower than on-campus programs). You experience the incremental worth of a degree, as you can apply the skills you learn to your day-to-day job from day one.
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