2023 Most Popular Online Bachelor's Degree 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 Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking. Our analysis looked at 845 schools in the United States to see which online bachelor's degree programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.
Featured schools near , edit
Most Popular Online Bachelor's Degree 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 bachelor’s degree. WGU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Salt Lake City, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 26,612 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $7,452 to cover tuition and fees at WGU. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,218 in student loans. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
Since WGU is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in Tempe, Arizona, the large private for-profit school awarded 12,925 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $41,357 in student loans. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.
During the 2019-2020 year, about 100% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Southern New Hampshire University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Online Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in Manchester, New Hampshire, the large private not-for-profit school handed out 15,591 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend SNHU, expect to pay an average of $15,380 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $31,825 in student loans. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 96% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Liberty University is a great place for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Liberty University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Lynchburg, Virginia. It awarded 10,381 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $16,160 to cover tuition and fees at Liberty University. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $31,644 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 88% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Maryland Global Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Online Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in Adelphi, Maryland, the large public school awarded 7,697 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UMGC is $7,704. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,336. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,230 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.
Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 92% took at least some of their classes online.
Arizona State University - Skysong landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree programs. ASU - Skysong is a public institution located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7,277 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Arizona pay an average of $10,818 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend ASU - Skysong. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $13,092. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from ASU - Skysong accumulate an average of $26,041 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out ASU - Skysong. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
American Public University System landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree programs. American Public University System is a large private for-profit school located in Charles Town, West Virginia that handed out 7,005 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
American Military University does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $7,360. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,030 in student loans. Around 35% of those degree recipients were women.
American Military University is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
Grand Canyon University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree programs. Grand Canyon University is a large private for-profit school situated in Phoenix, Arizona. It awarded 13,529 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend Grand Canyon University, expect to pay an average of $17,189 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Grand Canyon University accumulate an average of $31,746 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 75% were women.
To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 90% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Capella University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. This large private for-profit school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 5,286 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $36,933 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 82% were women.
Since Capella University is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
Purdue University Global came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Purdue University Global is a large public school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 4,945 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $10,125 in tuition and fees if they attend Purdue University Global full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $14,436. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $42,448 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
Purdue University Global is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
University of Central Florida landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree programs. Orlando, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 15,189 students in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UCF is $6,368. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $22,467. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,799 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.
University of Florida ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Online Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. UF is a public institution located in Gainesville, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9,775 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Florida pay an average of $6,381 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend UF. Out-of-state students pay an average of $28,659. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,875 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.
Columbia Southern University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Columbia Southern University is a fairly large private for-profit school situated in Orange Beach, Alabama. It awarded 3,131 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Columbia Southern University does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $5,775. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,528 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 35% were women.
Columbia Southern University is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree programs. Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs is a large private for-profit school situated in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It awarded 3,076 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $12,581. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $39,244 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
In 2019-2020 about 100% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Excelsior College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree programs. Excelsior College is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Albany, New York. It awarded 3,053 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,305 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 45% were women.
Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Excelsior College. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
With a ranking of #17, University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their bachelor’s degree. USF Tampa is located in Tampa, Florida and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10,333 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at USF Tampa is $6,410. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,324. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from USF Tampa accumulate an average of $24,223 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 97% took at least some of their classes online.
Old Dominion University ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Online Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Old Dominion is a large public school situated in Norfolk, Virginia. It awarded 4,024 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $10,800 in tuition and fees if they attend Old Dominion full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $30,960. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,724 in student loans. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.
Fort Hays State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. FHSU is a fairly large public school situated in Hays, Kansas. It awarded 3,223 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $5,430 in tuition and fees if they attend FHSU full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,870. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,547 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
During the 2019-2020 year, about 48% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Brigham Young University - Idaho landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree programs. Rexburg, Idaho is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 5,977 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,085 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 82% took at least some of their classes online.
East Carolina University ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Online Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. ECU is a large public school situated in Greenville, North Carolina. It awarded 5,233 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $7,297 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend ECU. Out-of-state students pay an average of $23,574. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from ECU accumulate an average of $24,531 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 96% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
University of Memphis came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. UofM is a large public school situated in Memphis, Tennessee. It awarded 3,273 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from Tennessee who attend UofM full time pay an average of $10,056 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $14,088. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from UofM accumulate an average of $28,159 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 53% took at least some of their classes online.
Bellevue University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in Bellevue, Nebraska, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 2,348 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $8,310 to cover tuition and fees at Bellevue University. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Bellevue University accumulate an average of $29,741 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.
Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.
American InterContinental University - Online did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #24 on the list. This fairly large private for-profit school is located in Schaumburg, Arizona, and it awarded 2,085 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees at AIU Online is $12,418. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from AIU Online accumulate an average of $46,026 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 45% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, AIU Online is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
Sam Houston State University ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Online Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in Huntsville, Texas, the large public school awarded 4,433 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Students from Texas who attend SHSU full time pay an average of $8,960 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $18,752. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from SHSU accumulate an average of $25,557 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
In 2019-2020 about 58% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Rest of the Top 50 Most Popular Online Bachelor's Degree 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:
Narrow Schools by Region
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Online Bachelor's Degree 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.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.