2023 Most Popular Online Schools
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Most Popular Online Schools ranking. This report analyzed 1,783 schools in the United States to see which ones had the most popular online programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.
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Most Popular Online Schools in the United States
Learn more about these popular schools with online programs:
Our 2023 rankings named Western Governors University the most popular school in the United States for students working on their degree. Western Governors University is a large private not-for-profit school located in Salt Lake City, Utah that handed out 49,508 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from WGU accumulate an average of $26,218 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, WGU graduates make an average of $62,838 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 70% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend University of Phoenix - Arizona. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Online Schools list. UOPX - Arizona is a large private for-profit school situated in Tempe, Arizona. It awarded 29,877 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $33,058 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $146. During the early years of their career, UOPX - Arizona graduates make an average of $50,608 annually. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.
Out of the 1,783 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern New Hampshire University landed the # 3 spot on the list. Southern New Hampshire University is a large private not-for-profit school located in Manchester, New Hampshire that handed out 27,014 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from SNHU accumulate an average of $30,063 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $294. Once they receive their degree, SNHU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,640 during the early year of their career. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means American Public University System is a great place for students. American Military University is a large private for-profit school situated in Charles Town, West Virginia. It awarded 14,306 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from American Military University accumulate an average of $25,070 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, American Military University graduates make an average of $51,395 annually. Around 35% of those degree recipients were women.
Out of the 1,783 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Liberty University landed the # 5 spot on the list. Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lynchburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 24,308 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $30,497 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $420, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Liberty University graduates make an average of $40,489 annually. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Maryland Global Campus ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Online Schools list. UMGC is a public institution located in Adelphi, Maryland. The school has a large population, and it awarded 15,422 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $25,870 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, UMGC graduates make an average of $59,246 annually. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.
Purdue University Global ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Online Schools list. Purdue University Global is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13,709 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $36,097 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $133, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Purdue University Global, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,154 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
Utah Valley University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #8 on the list. UVU is located in Orem, Utah and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12,591 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $20,616 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from UVU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,719 during the early years of their career. Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.
Capella University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Schools ranking. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the large private for-profit school handed out 14,837 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $36,349 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Capella University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $61,758 during the early year of their career. Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.
Arizona State University - Skysong did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #10 on the list. Scottsdale, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 12,598 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,869 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $304. During the early years of their career, ASU - Skysong graduates make an average of $48,067 annually. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
Grand Canyon University ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Online Schools list. Grand Canyon University is a large private for-profit school located in Phoenix, Arizona that handed out 29,176 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $31,746 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $174 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Grand Canyon University graduates make an average of $48,396 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 76% were women.
Lone Star College System landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. North Harris Montgomery is a public institution located in The Woodlands, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 11,684 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,481 in student loans. During the early years of their career, North Harris Montgomery graduates make an average of $36,839 annually. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Santa Monica College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. This large public school is located in Santa Monica, California, and it awarded 8,388 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $13,428 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, SMC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $70,951 during the early year of their career. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #15, Ultimate Medical Academy - Clearwater did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Clearwater, Florida, and it awarded 7,746 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $19,393 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, UMA Clearwater graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $21,883 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 96% were women.
With a ranking of #16, Excelsior College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Albany, New York is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 5,868 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $20,421 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Excelsior College graduates make an average of $58,705 annually. Around 52% of those degree recipients were women.
DeVry University - Illinois landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. DeVry University - Illinois is a private for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6,865 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from DeVry University - Illinois accumulate an average of $40,148 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $163, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, DeVry University - Illinois graduates make an average of $48,020 annually. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #18, Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs is a private for-profit institution located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6,864 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $36,481 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $170 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,482 during the early year of their career. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
Full Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs Report
St Petersburg College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Schools ranking. St Petersburg College is a large public school located in Clearwater, Florida that handed out 7,209 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,619 in student loans.After graduating from SPC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,600 during the early years of their career. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Columbia Southern University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #20 on the list. Columbia Southern University is located in Orange Beach, Alabama and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7,022 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $27,476 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Columbia Southern University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $55,041 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 38% were women.
Wake Technical Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Schools ranking. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, the large public school handed out 8,408 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Wake Technical Community College accumulate an average of $22,490 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Wake Technical Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,991 during the early years of their career. Around 52% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #22, University of Florida did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. UF is located in Gainesville, Florida and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 17,268 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $18,875 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $207, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UF graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,332 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
University of Central Florida did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #23 on the list. UCF is a large public school situated in Orlando, Florida. It awarded 19,318 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,607 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $211 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UCF graduates make an average of $44,595 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Seminole State College of Florida came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Schools ranking. Located in Sanford, Florida, the fairly large public school awarded 6,961 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $19,694 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Seminole State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,833 during the early years of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Brigham Young University - Idaho did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #25 on the list. BYU - I is a private not-for-profit institution located in Rexburg, Idaho. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7,639 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,533 in student loans. During the early years of their career, BYU - I graduates make an average of $37,650 annually. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Rest of the Top 50 Most Popular Online Schools in the United States
Not only did these schools make the top most popular online list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
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Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Online Schools in the United States
To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular online schools ranking:
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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