2023 Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Schools
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. 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 Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking. This report analyzed 2,337 schools in the United States to see which ones were the most popular bachelor's degree programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
Featured schools near , edit
Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Western Governors University the most popular school in the United States for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Salt Lake City, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 26,612 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees at WGU is $7,452. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $26,218 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out WGU. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southern New Hampshire University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. SNHU is located in Manchester, New Hampshire and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15,591 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees at SNHU is $15,380. 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 SNHU accumulate an average of $31,825 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that SNHU does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 96% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means University of Central Florida is a great place for students working on their bachelor’s degree. University of Central Florida is a large public school located in Orlando, Florida that handed out 15,189 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $6,368 in tuition and fees if they attend UCF full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $22,467. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from UCF accumulate an average of $22,799 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
UCF does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 99% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Out of the 2,337 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Arizona State University - Tempe landed the # 4 spot on the list. ASU - Tempe is a public institution located in Tempe, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 14,829 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $11,348 in tuition and fees if they attend ASU - Tempe full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $29,438. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,760 in student loans. Around 52% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at ASU - Tempe, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 93% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Florida International University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in the United States. FIU is located in Miami, Florida and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13,988 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $6,565 in tuition and fees if they attend FIU full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $18,963. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from FIU accumulate an average of $23,098 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
FIU does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 86% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #6, Grand Canyon University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit institution located in Phoenix, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13,529 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Grand Canyon University does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $17,189. This amount may 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.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Grand Canyon University. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 90% took at least some of their classes online.
Texas A&M University - College Station came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Texas A&M University - College Station is a large public school located in College Station, Texas that handed out 13,409 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Texas A&M College Station is $12,204. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $38,855. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,847 in student loans. Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Texas A&M College Station. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 36% took at least some of their classes online.
University of Phoenix - Arizona 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 #8 on the list. UOPX - Arizona is located in Tempe, Arizona and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12,925 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
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.
UOPX - Arizona does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 100% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree programs. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a large public school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 12,018 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from Ohio who attend Ohio State full time pay an average of $11,936 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $35,019. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,741 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 51% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Ohio State. During the 2019-2020 year, about 99% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
The University of Texas at Austin 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 #10 on the list. UT Austin is located in Austin, Texas and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10,592 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,281 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Online courses are available at UT Austin, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 99% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
University of California - Berkeley came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in Berkeley, California, the large public school awarded 10,523 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UC Berkeley is $14,226. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $43,980. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $15,205 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that UC Berkeley does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 100% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #12, Liberty University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, the large private not-for-profit school awarded 10,381 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students 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. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Liberty University accumulate an average of $31,644 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Liberty University does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 88% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #13, University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their bachelor’s degree. University of South Florida - Main Campus is a large public school located in Tampa, Florida that handed out 10,333 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $6,410 in tuition and fees if they attend USF Tampa full time. Those students who come from outside the state 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. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
USF Tampa does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 97% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
University of California - Los Angeles ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. University of California - Los Angeles is a large public school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 10,102 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from California who attend UCLA full time pay an average of $13,258 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $43,012. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,277 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
UCLA does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 100% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
California State University - Fullerton came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 10,010 students in 2020-2021.
Students from California who attend Cal State Fullerton full time pay an average of $6,976 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $18,856. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Cal State Fullerton accumulate an average of $17,931 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Cal State Fullerton does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 100% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
University of Wisconsin - Madison 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 #16 on the list. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 9,926 students in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $10,720 in tuition and fees if they attend UW - Madison full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $38,608. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from UW - Madison accumulate an average of $20,865 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at UW - Madison, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. 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 California - Irvine ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in Irvine, California, the large public school handed out 9,882 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $13,775 in tuition and fees if they attend UC Irvine full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $43,529. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $16,722 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at UC Irvine. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 100% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
University of California - Davis landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree programs. UC Davis is a public institution located in Davis, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9,846 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $14,645 in tuition and fees if they attend UC Davis full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $44,399. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,449 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
UC Davis does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 100% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #19, University of Florida did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Gainesville, Florida, the large public school handed out 9,775 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UF is $6,381. 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.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since UF does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Florida State 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 #20 on the list. Florida State is located in Tallahassee, Florida and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9,735 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $6,517 in tuition and fees if they attend Florida State full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $21,683. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,978 in student loans. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Florida State does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.
California State University - Northridge ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in Northridge, California, the large public school handed out 9,572 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $7,043 in tuition and fees if they attend CSUN full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $18,923. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,166 in student loans. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
CSUN does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2019-2020 year, about 99% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Read full report on California State University - Northridge
University of Washington - Seattle Campus came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. UW Seattle is located in Seattle, Washington and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9,451 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UW Seattle is $12,076. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $39,906. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from UW Seattle accumulate an average of $18,284 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
UW Seattle does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 13% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Michigan State University landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree programs. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, the large public school awarded 9,450 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 $24,867 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Michigan State does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 100% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree programs. This large public school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 9,414 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UMN Twin Cities is $15,254. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $33,818. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from UMN Twin Cities accumulate an average of $21,575 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at UMN Twin Cities. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 91% took at least some of their classes online.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 9,305 students in 2020-2021.
Students from Illinois who attend UIUC full time pay an average of $17,634 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $37,632. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $18,891 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that UIUC does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 100% took at least some of their classes online.
Read full report on University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Rest of the Top 50 Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Schools in the United States
Not only did these schools make the top 50 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 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 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.