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College and Degree Program Rankings

Best Accredited Colleges takes great care to create thoughtful, balanced school rankings that account for more than just prestige or name recognition. Our mission is to make education accessible, so we value schools that offer a high-quality education with compelling value that remain accessible to a wide range of students. Our objective ranking methodology takes into account accessibility, affordability, quality of education, and return on investment to ensure that we are highlighting well-rounded schools that deliver on that mission.

Online Degrees

Online degree programs offer students flexible opportunities to earn their degrees from anywhere, often asynchronously. Distance learning programs are ideal for many non-traditional students, as well as students that simply want to earn the benefits of a high-quality education from home. Our rankings highlight schools with strong online programs that make a great long-distance education accessible.

Online Associate Degrees

Associate degree programs offer foundational training and skills that can be great steppingstones into bachelor's programs or directly into entry-level careers. Typically 2-3 year programs, associate degrees tend to take less time to earn than bachelor's degrees. Online associate degree programs combine the flexibility of distance learning along with the expedience of an associate degree to offer a compelling value to a young professional or a student looking for a foundational exploration of their subject-area of choice.

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Bachelor's degrees offer students thorough explorations into their subject-area of choice, typically along with a broader review of other areas in the form of general education requirements. Bachelor's degrees are also often listed as requirements for entry- to mid-level jobs. Online bachelor's degrees are great for geographically constrained students or working professionals who are looking to improve their career prospects by increasing their highest level of education.

Online Master's Degrees

Master's degrees are graduate-level degrees that offer students a more focused and in-depth exploration of a subject. Holding a master's degree signifies more robust expertise in an area and can open up new career opportunities in many fields. Online master's degrees are great options for students who are looking to deepen their expertise in their fields an unlock additional career opportunities.

Online Doctorate Degrees

Doctoral degrees are typically the highest level of degree offered in a given subject. Doctoral programs require students to demonstrate mastery over material and often require original research/work in the field. Online doctoral programs aren't as common as online undergraduate programs, but they offer students the opportunity to pursue their advanced studies at-a-distance and can be a great fit for working professionals.

Online Certificate Programs

Certificate programs offer students a survey of important topics in a given field, which can help them prepare for a degree program or enter a relevant field in the workforce. Online certificate programs offer great flexibility and can offer a valuable foot-in-the-door for working professionals looking to upskill or shift their focus to a new area.

Online Graduate Certificate Programs

Graduate certificates are post-bachelor level certificates awarded for completing specialized coursework in a given field. Online graduate certificates offer students and working professionals the opportunity to expand their knowledge and explore their fields in greater depth in the comfort of their own homes.

Campus Degrees

If online coursework isn't what you are looking for, more traditional, campus-based degrees are available in virtually any subject at colleges and universities across the US. Campus-based programs typically require synchronous in-person course completion and may require hands-on experiential learning depending on the program. Our rankings highlight schools with strong in-person degree programs that combine accessibility, affordability, quality of education, and return on investment.

Associate Degrees

Traditional campus-based associate degree programs can be offered by both 4-year and 2-year institutions. This means that there are myriad opportunities to earn associate degrees in-person at universities and community colleges across the country.

Bachelor's Degrees

Campus-based baccalaureate programs are often what come to mind when people think of a college degree. These programs offer deep dives into the major-specific subjects and generally include a broader general education component to ensure graduates leave the programs with a well-rounded education. 4-year post-secondary schools across the US offer bachelor's degree programs in all subjects.

Master's Degrees

Traditional Master's degrees in the US typically involve in-person coursework at a University and may also require independent research or work experience depending on the degree. These programs typically last around 2 years, with students focusing solely on major-specific subjects with no additional general education requirements. Master's degrees represent deep expertise and competence in the field and can be very attractive to potential employers.

Doctorate Degrees

Traditional doctoral programs involve intensive in-person research and study at a university, often centered around very specific subject areas and questions. Doctoral students often work closely with faculty who help guide their research and provide feedback along the way. Doctoral students may also be called upon to help teach undergraduate level courses as part of their doctoral program.

Certificate Programs

Certificate programs at post-secondary institutions offer students the opportunity to delve into coursework which can help them prepare for further study in the form of an undergraduate degree or demonstrate their knowledge to potential employers. Certificate programs can be excellent options for prospective students who want to test the waters in a particular field, working professionals who are looking for upskilling opportunities, as well as jobseekers for specific careers that require the completion of a certificate program.

Graduate Certificate Programs

Some institutions of higher learning offer certificates at the graduate level for students looking to do a deep dive in a particular subject area without committing to a full graduate degree program. These graduate certificate programs can be excellent prep for students thinking about entering a master's or doctoral program and can also be invaluable for working professionals looking to increase their knowledge in specific areas of their field.