Arizona State University has achieved the impressive ranking of No. 4 for top online bachelor’s programs according to the U.S. News & World Report, surpassing the University of Arizona, George Washington University, and the University of Georgia. ASU has also secured the No. 3 position nationwide for outstanding online bachelor’s programs in business.
Furthermore, graduate programs from various schools within ASU were recognized among the top 10 in their respective fields.
This year’s assessment considered over 1,700 online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs spanning diverse disciplines with a specific focus on online learning criteria.
The rankings evaluate the overall academic excellence at both undergraduate and graduate levels across various disciplines, taking into account factors such as student engagement, technological resources, and faculty qualifications.
ASU’s online programs are tailored to meet the distinctive requirements of military-affiliated students, making them a preferred choice for active-duty learners and their families.
In the year 2023, nearly 12,000 military-affiliated students were enrolled in degree programs through ASU Online.
ASU has also excelled in the top 10 rankings for best online programs for veterans across five categories this year:
- No. 2 in bachelor’s programs, surpassing George Washington University, University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Syracuse University.
- No. 4 in MBA programs, ahead of University of Southern California, Carnegie Mellon, and University of Michigan–Ann Arbor.
- No. 6 in master’s in education programs, surpassing University of Kansas, Florida State University, and University of Massachusetts–Boston.
- No. 6 in master’s in criminal justice programs.
- No. 7 in master’s in engineering programs, outperforming John Hopkins University, University of Southern California, and University of Maryland–College Park.
ASU has consistently demonstrated a dedication to revolutionizing online education through research-based course structures and innovative learning tools.
In 2006, the university introduced its initial online program, which later evolved into ASU Online four years later.
ASU Online was strategically developed to extend its reach and cater to a diverse student population. By 2023, ASU boasted over 88,000 online degree-seeking students and had conferred degrees to more than 90,000 graduates through its online programs.
“ASU Online has debunked the myth that online education compromises academic quality,” stated [University Dean for Educational Initiatives and CEO of EdPlus at ASU]. “We have made significant advancements in the online education realm — offering a wider array of online undergraduate degree programs compared to any other university. As a prominent research institution, we provide learners with extensive resources, hands-on learning experiences, and cutting-edge educational technologies.
“Our programs and initiatives revolve around enhancing the student experience and ensuring their success, including receiving top-notch instruction from the same faculty who teach on our physical campuses. This recognition among the best programs nationwide underscores our unwavering commitment to academic excellence.”
ASU Online provides access to over 300 degree programs, irrespective of a student’s location within the U.S., encompassing fields such as biological sciences, medical studies, pharmacology and toxicology, special education (applied behavior analysis), positive psychology, and architecture.
Additional 2023 Best Online Programs rankings for ASU
Bachelor’s degree programs
ASU Online’s bachelor programs secured an overall ranking of No. 4 nationwide, outperforming the University of Arizona, Syracuse University, and the University of Denver.
Other notable rankings include:
- No. 3 (tied) — business.
- No. 6 (tied) — psychology.
Education
Ranked among the top 10 nationally for overall education graduate programs — surpassing University of Wisconsin–Madison, Texas A&M University–College Station, and University of Georgia — the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College also achieved top 10 rankings in the following specialty categories:
- No. 2: Educational administration and supervision, ahead of University of Virginia, University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Indiana University–Bloomington.
- No. 3: Curriculum and instruction, surpassing University of Virginia, Indiana University–Bloomington, and University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign.
- No. 4 (tied): Educational/instructional media design, ahead of University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, University of Virginia, and University of Central Florida.
- No. 6 (tied): Online master’s in special education programs, outperforming University of Georgia, University of Central Florida, and University of Arizona.
Engineering
The Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering secured a position in the top 15 nationally for its online graduate engineering programs — surpassing Cornell University, Stanford, and the University of Arizona — and received top 10 rankings in three specialty categories:
- No. 4: Electrical engineering, ahead of Stanford, University of Michigan–Ann Arbor, and University of California–Los Angeles.
- No. 5: Engineering management, surpassing Stanford, University of Michigan–Ann Arbor, and Georgia Tech.
- No. 7: Industrial engineering, outperforming Stanford, John Hopkins University, and Texas A&M University–College Station.
Business
In addition to the No. 3 ranking for online bachelor’s degrees in business, the W. P. Carey School of Business’ online graduate program in business (non-MBA) also secured the No. 3 spot — ahead of Duke, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, and University of Maryland–College Park — while the online MBA program ranked in the top 10 — surpassing University of Michigan–Ann Arbor and Rice University.
It also ranked among the top five nationally in the following specialty areas for the online MBA:
- No. 3: General management, ahead of University of Southern California, University of Washington, and Carnegie Mellon.
- No. 4: Marketing, surpassing University of Southern California, University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, and University of Arizona.
- No. 4: Business analytics MBA, ahead of University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, Rice University, and University of Washington.
- No. 5: Finance MBA, surpassing Rice University, University of Washington, and University of Texas at Dallas.
Criminal justice
The Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions secured a position in the top 15 nationally for its online master’s degree in criminal justice.