Online College and University Reviews
When choosing a school that best fits their needs and goals, prospective students may find it helpful to read online college reviews written by former students and graduates. We have collected reviews from more than 2,400 colleges. Students often provide positive feedback about the quality of their online degree programs, including factors like flexible course options, helpful professors, and the cost of tuition. Complaints tend to revolve around student support resources like career counseling, job placement support, and financial aid services.
Based on their feedback and other factors, we've put together a comprehensive list of schools offering online degree programs. We've also provided summaries of some of the best online colleges, plus answers to frequently asked questions.
91 Online Colleges With Student Reviews
Student-Recommended Online Schools
The online schools on this list are highly recommended by current students and alumni. Ratings are based on student reviews collected since 2008, totaling thousands of reviews of more than 2,400 schools. Keep in mind that the relatively small sample size of online school reviewers for any given school, as well as personal reviewer biases, can skew a school's rating positively or negatively. However, every review is vetted to ensure authenticity before being published.
Southern New Hampshire University Online
69% Recommended
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a private, nonprofit university that provides more than 200 online degree programs. Some popular areas of study at SNHU include accounting and finance, business, art and design, engineering, and health, among others. The school delivers online courses through Brightspace, a D2L learning management system.
As a nonprofit institution, SNHU strives to offer affordable tuition. To further lower the cost, students can transfer up to 90 toward their bachelor’s and 12 toward their master’s degree. Active duty service members and their spouses are also eligible for discounts of up to 30%. Additional options include financial aid, scholarships, and employer tuition assistance. As for services SHNU provides, online students can access academic support and advising, career services, an online library and bookstore, a wellness center, and virtual events.
Grand Canyon University
64% Recommended
Grand Canyon University (GCU) is a private, for-profit institution affiliated with the Christian faith, where online students can earn degrees at a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate level. Major range from digital design to accounting to business administration and beyond. GCU uses a learning management system called Halo Learn to allow remote students to complete their coursework 100% virtually.
Financial aid and various scholarship opportunities are available to GCU online students. The school also allows credit transfers, including up to a total of 30 credits from alternative transfer credit options. Additionally, remote learners at GCU receive access to technical support and student services counselors who can provide guidance throughout their time at GCU.
Western Governors University
75% Recommended
Western Governors University (WGU) is a private university offering a wide selection of online programs, including certificates and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in majors related to business, education, information technology, and health and nursing. Online students and WGU use Blackboard, a learning management system, to access lectures, assignments, and class discussions.
WGU offers financial aid and a variety of scholarships. The school can also assist students applying for state grants. Another option to reduce education expenses is through an employer’s tuition reimbursement program. Often, students can also transfer credits from their accredited associate or bachelor’s degree. Online student services available at WGU include career services, counseling, well-being services, academic coaching, and a library.
Columbia Southern University
79% Recommended
Columbia Southern University (CSU) is a private, for-profit institution. It offers exclusively online programs in all degree levels and a wide selection of majors, including business, criminal justice, emergency services, health, information technology, and many others. Students use the Blackboard learning management system, which allows them to complete online classes at their own pace.
To save on costs, CSU students can qualify for financial aid, and the school offers several scholarships. Plus, the school partners with employers for tuition assistance. There’s also an option to transfer previously earned college credits to reduce the cost of a degree. Finally, CSU offers access to a range of resources, including career services, a virtual math and writing center, academic advising, and student support specialists.
ECPI University Online
46% Recommended
ECPI University Online (ECPI) is a private, for-profit institution that provides online associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs. Some of the examples of programs available to remote learners include degrees in mechanical engineering technology, cybersecurity, and healthcare administration, among others. Students can complete courses asynchronously and synchronously through the learning management system Canvas.
ECPI online students can apply for financial assistance, such as scholarships, veterans and military benefits, and an employer partnership program. Further, they can get up to 75% of the credits required for their degree through credit transfers and for experiences in the workplace, in the military, or as a volunteer. As for student support, remote learners can use career services, military and veterans services, and an online library.
The University of Texas at Arlington
78% Recommended
The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) is a public university offering online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. UTA is known for its healthcare and education master's programs, such as public health, nursing, and special education. Students use Canvas, a learning management system, to complete their coursework online, which can be either synchronous or asynchronous.
Financial aid and scholarships are available to eligible students, including unique programs covering 100% of tuition for qualified students. Additionally, courses taken at another regionally accredited college or university may be approved for transfer credits. Remote learners also have access to technical support, counseling and psychological services, and an online library.
Colorado State University Global
58% Recommended
Colorado State University Global (CSU Global) is a public, nonprofit institution providing online undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates in a wide variety of majors. Some examples include human resource management, computer science, marketing, project management, and information technology, among others. Online students complete coursework asynchronously through Canvas, the school’s learning management system.
Since CSU is a nonprofit institution, students can expect affordable and accessible education. Financial aid is available along with grants, scholarships, and military discounts. Students can also transfer up to 90 credits, including alternative credit options. CSU Global also provides access to services such as virtual tutoring and career coaching.
Saint Leo University Online
62% Recommended
Saint Leo University Online is a Catholic, private, and nonprofit institution offering more than 75 undergraduate and graduate online degree programs in majors like computer science, health care administration, applied theology, sociology, software engineering, and others. Students complete coursework through the Desire2Learn learning management system.
According to the information available on the school’s website, 98% of students receive some form of financial aid. Saint Leo also offers tuition assistance and funding to military members and veterans. Online student support services Saint Leo offers include student advising, counseling and prevention services, career services, and opportunities for remote students to interact with each other remotely.
Lamar University
81% Recommended
Lamar University is a public institution offering several online certificate and degree programs in majors related to nursing, education, business, health science, and political science. Remote learners use the Blackboard learning management system to access course materials, assignments, and interactive modules. This allows online students to take courses on a flexible schedule.
The school offers pay-by-the-course options and comparatively affordable tuition. Students can also take advantage of financial aid, scholarships, and grants. Additionally, Lamar University assists students using eligible education benefits for veterans. Student services available to remote learners include online advising, tutoring, technical support, and access to a library system.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Reviews
What Factors About an Online Program Are Important to Students?
According to the 2021 Voice of the Online Learner report, online students consistently rank multiple start dates, the selection of fully online majors available, and asynchronous classes among their top priorities. In terms of tuition rates, our sister site's research indicates that online programs tend to cost less than on-campus ones. Reading through even a few dozen college reviews on GradReports.com reveals additional considerations for college students who’ve opted to pursue an online education. The most common include:
- Interaction with instructors: Just like students of on-campus programs, online students want their instructors to be highly responsive. They also value instructors who demonstrate that they are informed, engaged, and concerned about student success.
- Interaction with staff: Students enrolled in online degree programs also want school employees in the administration and financial aid departments to be responsive, well-informed, and courteous.
- Technology help: Problems with the technology that drives online courses can be frustrating and stressful, so online students benefit from an IT team that can resolve issues quickly.
- Transfer credits: Because so many online students are returning to school after being in the workplace or are military veterans, they appreciate schools that give credit for prior experience. They also want schools to recognize transfer credits from other higher education institutions, such as community colleges, or from AP classes in high school.
- A flexible schedule: Flexibility is a major benefit of online education, and this factor often distinguishes an online program from an on-campus one. Given that 40% of full-time undergraduate students and 74% of part-time students work while attending college, flexible courses and degree options are often crucial to the completion of a program.
Among the specific complaints about particular online degree programs are some generalized comments about the nature of online education itself. It appears that college students who succeed in distance learning are those who prefer flexibility and independence over structure. A 2019 pre-pandemic study found that individuals who enjoy new experiences and create new ideas reflect the highest degree of satisfaction with online education.
Should I Trust College Reviews by Students?
College reviews, like all product reviews, can be valuable when conducting a school search. Both positive and negative reviews can provide insights into specific online degree programs and online universities. For example, they might highlight which schools’ programs are highly structured and which are extremely flexible. This information can help prospective students make better, more thoughtful decisions about the best online colleges that fit their own needs and preferences. However, college reviews need to be kept in perspective. No individual college review should be given more power or influence than the overall average. It’s also worth noting that GradReports.com's methodology ensures honest and trustworthy reviews written by real students and alumni.
Are Students Happy With Their Online Education?
In early 2021, Wiley Education Services surveyed 3,000 online college students and graduates for the 2021 Voice of the Online Learner report. The data they collected indicates very positive attitudes toward online learning. Among the many interesting findings were the following:
- Among students and alumni, 45% felt that online learning was equal to on-campus learning, and 20% felt online learning was superior to traditional learning.
- Given the opportunity to restart their college education, 49% of current students and alumni would definitely choose and 30% would probably choose an online program.
- When asked how they think employers view the credibility of an online degree, 49% believe employers see no difference between online and traditional degrees, and 15% believe that employers think online programs are better.
- Regarding outcomes, 42% of online program graduates said the degree led to a salary increase, 38% said it allowed them to start a new career, and 31% said it helped them get a new job.
- Of students who were attending college prior to the pandemic, half said their forced experience with online learning changed their opinion for the better.
Disclaimer: OnlineU makes student reviews available via our sister site, GradReports.com. The views expressed by users do not necessarily reflect the views of OnlineU. OnlineU takes no position with respect to the information or opinions expressed in the user comments/reviews and is not responsible for their content. For additional information, refer to our Review Guidelines.