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Online College and University Reviews

By Jennifer King Logan | Updated September 26, 2025

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.

Want an online degree that's:

  • Affordable
  • Popular
  • Highly Rated
  • Military-friendly

We've got them. Let's get started.

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91 Online Colleges With Student Reviews

School Location Average Student Rating
American Public University System Charles Town (WV)
3.76 (349 Reviews)
Arizona State University, Online Tempe (AZ) (and 4 others)
4.07 (1534 Reviews)
Arkansas State University Jonesboro (AR)
4.07 (82 Reviews)
Aspen University Denver (CO)
4.08 (247 Reviews)
Ball State University Muncie (IN)
4.04 (162 Reviews)
Bellevue University Bellevue (NE)
3.66 (118 Reviews)
Boise State University Boise (ID)
3.91 (115 Reviews)
Boston University Boston (MA)
3.86 (620 Reviews)
Bryant & Stratton College Online Orchard Park (NY)
2.86 (165 Reviews)
California State University - Fullerton Fullerton (CA)
4.06 (291 Reviews)
Capella University Minneapolis (MN)
3.74 (1381 Reviews)
Colorado Christian University Lakewood (CO)
3.24 (61 Reviews)
Colorado State University Global Greenwood Village (CO)
3.06 (124 Reviews)
Columbia Southern University Orange Beach (AL)
3.96 (232 Reviews)
DeVry University Multiple Locations
3.35 (490 Reviews)
Drexel University Philadelphia (PA)
3.88 (349 Reviews)
East Carolina University Greenville (NC)
4.04 (140 Reviews)
East Texas A&M University Commerce (TX)
4.13 (230 Reviews)
Eastern Kentucky University Richmond (KY)
3.87 (69 Reviews)
ECPI University Online Multiple Locations
2.8 (218 Reviews)
Excelsior University Albany (NY)
3.22 (230 Reviews)
Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton (FL)
4.0 (575 Reviews)
Florida International University Miami (FL)
3.95 (580 Reviews)
Florida State College at Jacksonville Jacksonville (FL)
2.11 (58 Reviews)
Florida State University Tallahassee (FL)
4.13 (452 Reviews)
Full Sail University Winter Park (FL)
3.08 (313 Reviews)
George Mason University Fairfax (VA)
3.84 (549 Reviews)
The George Washington University Washington D.C.
3.67 (515 Reviews)
Georgia State University Atlanta (GA)
3.88 (297 Reviews)
Indiana Wesleyan University Online Marion (IN)
3.12 (72 Reviews)
Johns Hopkins University Baltimore (MD)
4.0 (484 Reviews)
Kennesaw State University Kennesaw (GA)
3.82 (121 Reviews)
Kent State University at Kent Kent (OH)
3.79 (241 Reviews)
Lamar University Beaumont (TX)
4.0 (127 Reviews)
Liberty University Lynchburg (VA)
3.68 (861 Reviews)
Louisiana State University - Shreveport Shreveport (LA)
4.24 (122 Reviews)
Maryville University St. Louis (MO)
2.92 (140 Reviews)
National University La Jolla (CA)
2.82 (527 Reviews)
Northern Arizona University Flagstaff (AZ)
3.83 (287 Reviews)
Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights (KY)
3.76 (82 Reviews)
Northwestern State University of Louisiana Natchitoches (LA)
4.04 (32 Reviews)
Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale (FL)
3.89 (490 Reviews)
Ohio University - Main Campus Athens (OH)
4.22 (127 Reviews)
Old Dominion University Norfolk (VA) (and 1 other)
3.92 (207 Reviews)
Oregon State University Corvallis (OR)
3.66 (177 Reviews)
Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park (PA)
2.69 (11 Reviews)
Pennsylvania Western University Clarion (PA) (and 2 others)
3.85 (36 Reviews)
Purdue Global Indianapolis (IN)
3.76 (700 Reviews)
Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette (IN)
4.07 (397 Reviews)
Regent University Online Virginia Beach (VA)
3.83 (147 Reviews)
Saint Leo University Online St. Leo (FL)
3.3 (154 Reviews)
Sam Houston State University Huntsville (TX)
4.17 (159 Reviews)
San Jose State University San Jose (CA)
3.83 (247 Reviews)
South University Online Multiple Locations
2.76 (158 Reviews)
Southern New Hampshire University Online Manchester (NH)
3.41 (744 Reviews)
Strayer University Nationwide
3.6 (405 Reviews)
Texas Tech University Lubbock (TX)
4.08 (197 Reviews)
Texas Woman's University Denton (TX)
4.26 (270 Reviews)
Thomas Edison State University Trenton (NJ)
3.41 (106 Reviews)
Troy University Troy (AL)
3.93 (129 Reviews)
Ultimate Medical Academy Clearwater (FL) (and 1 other)
4.32 (945 Reviews)
UMass Global Multiple Locations
3.48 (235 Reviews)
University of Alabama Tuscaloosa (AL)
4.1 (239 Reviews)
University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham (AL)
4.11 (178 Reviews)
University of Arizona Tucson (AZ) (and 1 other)
4.04 (454 Reviews)
The University of Arizona Global Campus Chandler (AZ)
3.38 (801 Reviews)
University of Arkansas Grantham Kansas City (KS)
2.99 (118 Reviews)
University of Central Florida Orlando (FL) (and 7 others)
4.02 (844 Reviews)
University of Cincinnati Cincinnati (OH) (and 1 other)
3.82 (379 Reviews)
University of Colorado Denver Denver (CO)
3.79 (295 Reviews)
University of Florida Gainesville (FL)
4.01 (619 Reviews)
University of Houston Houston (TX)
3.7 (258 Reviews)
University of Houston - Downtown Houston (TX)
3.77 (37 Reviews)
University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign (IL)
4.05 (463 Reviews)
University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi (MD)
3.46 (478 Reviews)
University of Massachusetts - Lowell Lowell (MA)
3.89 (75 Reviews)
University of Memphis Memphis (TN)
3.81 (147 Reviews)
University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro (NC)
3.89 (121 Reviews)
University of North Carolina at Wilmington Wilmington (NC)
3.94 (40 Reviews)
University of North Dakota Grand Forks (ND)
3.94 (90 Reviews)
University of North Texas Denton (TX)
3.97 (293 Reviews)
University of Phoenix Nationwide
3.9 (3539 Reviews)
University of South Florida Online Tampa (FL)
3.91 (502 Reviews)
University of Southern California Los Angeles (CA)
4.03 (1109 Reviews)
The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington (TX)
3.46 (341 Reviews)
University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg (KY)
3.51 (52 Reviews)
University of West Alabama Livingston (AL)
3.43 (28 Reviews)
The University of West Florida Pensacola (FL)
3.65 (93 Reviews)
Utah State University Logan (UT)
4.18 (137 Reviews)
Washington State University Pullman (WA)
3.83 (191 Reviews)
Western Governors University Salt Lake City (UT)
3.77 (1033 Reviews)

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.

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