Students wishing to attend an online university should begin their investigation of schools by looking at online university ranking. While not the only resource for information, rankings can help students focus on what is important to them in their education.
Who Provides Ranking Lists
There are many web sites that list online university ranking, but students should look for rankings published by nationally recognized sources such as U.S. News & World Report which conducts an independent survey of the institutions. The Internet enables anyone to publish a list of rankings so students should always look for the source of a ranking list to verify its reliability. Survey questions and answers will vary for each institution for each ranking list regardless of how reliable the source is so students need to investigate each school for themselves.
Current Leading Online University Rankings
- Kaplan University
- University of Phoenix
- Walden University
- Liberty University
- Strayer University
- Ashford University
- Post University
- University of Massachusetts
- Rasmussen College
- DeVry University
- University of Liverpool
- Grand Canyon University
- South University
- Capella University
- Colorado Technical University
- Boston University
Understanding the Online University Ranking Process
Reliable online university ranking lists will provide readers with a detailed description of the survey and ranking process. Students can also consult the admissions offices of their preferred schools for recommendations of ranking lists. Students should not be concerned if their favorite school does not appear on a ranking list; there are a variety of legitimate reasons that might exclude a school from participating. By understanding the survey process and the steps taken by the ranking source, students can gain a better understanding of who truly belongs on the ranking lists they review.
The Online Element
Ranking of universities has been around for years but with the addition of distance learning online university ranking data now includes some new information not found in previous years. For example, students may have answered survey questions on the ease of using distance learning software or receiving technical support through the university. Prospective students will want to know how much time they can expect to interact with their professors, classmates, and advisors. Online university rankings provide a wider range of information than traditional school rankings.
Not All Rankings are Equal
Students will learn by reviewing each online university ranking that some ranking lists involve a unique set of ranking criteria. While most sources rely on a combination of surveys from current students, faculty, administration, and alumni some alternative ranking tools will compile their lists using starting salary information, debt accumulated by graduating students, and number of students listed in Who’s Who in America. All of this information can be valuable to a student when making a decision about enrolling in an online university.
Personal Ranking List
Prospective online university students should assemble their own personal ranking lists. By reviewing the students’ learning style, curriculum interests, and educational goals students should be able to narrow in on schools with online university ranking data that support their needs. Keeping notes on the schools that most interested the student will help the student pinpoint the appropriate online institution for them. When it comes time to talk with admissions staff, students will be armed with rankings data for competitive schools and will be prepared to ask intelligent questions.
Ranking Information Can be Quiet Warnings
As students review the online university ranking they need to look for data that is a silence warning. If the university does not have an accreditation within the U.S. students should be forewarned of problems with future employers or post-graduate programs not accepting their diploma. If the current student body has a significantly low graduation rate, students need to question why so few students are willing to complete their education with that online university. If the faculty resume has a low number of post-graduate degrees, students should question the quality of teacher interaction.
Do Not Get Stuck in a Target Zone
Sometimes students start their university search with a preset notion of where they want to be. While it is great that students have an idea of what their future will hold, reviewing online university rankings is the time to let go of those preconceived ideas and see what is outside the student’s frame of reference. Rankings offer exposure to online universities that students might have otherwise overlooked. Keeping an open mind during the initial search period will enable the student to include as many good options as possible for their online studies.
Narrowing Searches
Understanding the proper usage for online university ranking can save the prospective student time and effort. Students should not be afraid to go with school rankings to see what happens when they focus on one element such as school size, degree choices, and elective options. However, university rankings are most valuable to students when rankings are used to narrow focus until students find the perfect online university to continue their education. Students should give themselves plenty of time to investigate university rankings and contact admission staff with follow up questions.
Nothing Replaces a Visit
Just like students tour traditional campuses before making their final enrollment selection, prospective online students need to tour the online universities before completing an online enrollment. Online university ranking information will help students discover the right schools for them, but it is still up to the student to decide what learning environment feels right for them. Some things cannot be captured in a survey or list. Students should take demo classes or tours of the online university and get a feeling for what their daily course activities will be like before enrolling.
Looking Beyond the Classroom
While most prospective online students focus on the education that they’ll receive, students should also consider the university’s value-add services offered outside the classroom. For example, while most online university ranking data will discuss student to teacher ratio, students should dig deeper to look for career placement services from the university upon graduation. Students may also need financial aid assistance to help pay for their university classes. Students need to know if their online university charges additional fees for these non-classroom services.
Students can find online university ranking to be a valuable tool in selecting the proper school for their secondary education. It is only one item that students should use to select a school but it will help students focus on what is important to them and narrow their search to some key online universities for further investigation.