U.S. News Ranks 2019 Best Online Programs

The number of students taking online classes topped 6 million in fall 2016, according to a 2018 report from Babson Survey Research Group, with around 3 million of those learners exclusively taking distance education classes in either graduate and undergraduate programs. The report, based on U.S. Department of Education data, indicates that the number of students in distance education courses increased by 5.6 percent over the previous year.With so many options available to students, U.S. News has ranked the Best Online Programs for the eighth consecutive year. U.S. News ranked online bachelor's degrees as well as master's programs in business, education, nursing, engineering, computer information technology and criminal justice. Online MBA programs were split from other business degrees and ranked separately.U.S. News also ranked the Best Online Programs for Veterans. To be eligible for the veterans category, schools must be in the top half of the rankings of Best Online Programs; certified for the GI Bill; and participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program or be a public institution that offers in-state tuition costs, which can be fully paid through the GI Bill for veterans from out of state. Finally, online bachelor's programs must have a minimum enrollment of 25 veterans and active service members; the requirement is 10 for master's programs.