Hodges University

HU is a good school that we've ranked in the #1 spot for best online college in Florida. It also made the top 10 for best online liberal studies degrees. It caters to adult learners who often juggle multiple responsibilities. Class sizes are small in order to provide individualized instruction and help build a sense of community, which is often appealing to nontraditional students who don't have the opportunity or desire to participate in campus activities. Because it's a private university and a nonprofit, HU doesn't have the statutory and government constraints of public universities. Therefore, it can quickly adapt its programming to meet current workforce demands.

Yes, HU is an online college, and it offers 19 degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels that learners can earn complete entirely online. Undergraduate distance learners can choose from online bachelor's degrees in majors such as modern marketing, finance, computer science, and legal studies. Online master's degree majors include clinical mental health counseling, law, and organizational leadership.

Employers respect HU's online degrees because of the school's favorable accreditation status. HU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, master's and doctorate degrees, and certificates. 

Accreditation means that HU has sound and ethical practices, and its academic programs provide high quality education. Its online programs rival those offered on campus, providing the same instruction, rigor, and outcomes. Transcripts and diplomas generally don't state whether degrees are completed remotely, so you don't have to disclose this information to prospective employers if you don't want to.

OnlineU only provides trustworthy, legitimate schools: All institutions listed on the site are accredited. 

Despite its small student body, HU is known for being diverse and inclusive. For example, it's designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-learning institution (HSI), which means that at least 25% of its full-time student body identifies as Hispanic. 

It also touts itself as offering an "outstanding and comprehensive English as a Second Language (ELS) program" that represents students from more than 25 countries. 

According to College Scorecard data, HU's online bachelor's degrees in business administration provide the highest earnings for graduates, with a median annual salary of approximately $48,200.

OnlineU's proprietary Salary Score ranks colleges by how much their alumni earn compared to graduates with the same degree from across the country. HU has a bachelor's degree Salary Score of 76 out of 100 total, and it scores 26 for its master's degree programs.

Getting into HU is easy because it has an open admission policy and accepts all applicants. An open admission policy helps create greater access to higher education, and it reduces competition by waiving entrance exams and minimum GPA requirements. You usually only need a high school diploma or its equivalent to enroll.

HU's admission requirements for undergraduates are similar to other colleges and universities with open admission policies. In general, first-year students must submit the following:

• An application (it's unclear if there's an application fee for undergrads)
• Official high school transcripts or GED scores
• Official college transcripts, if transferring credits
• Military transcripts, if applicable
• Professional training documents for academic credit, if available
• Entrance exam scores from the SAT and ACT are optional

Enrolling in college takes some time and planning. Meeting with an enrollment advisor early is always a good idea to ensure you understand all the requirements. They can also let you know if your program has additional requirements.

If you're still exploring schools, we've identified the most popular online colleges to help with your search.