Sul Ross State University has been acknowledged as one of the premier institutions for online master’s level education by OMD for the second consecutive year.
SRSU’s programs have excelled in various subject areas, securing top positions in the rankings.
This recognition is particularly significant amidst a decline in enrollment for master’s degree programs. A report by the Council of Graduate Schools in 2023 revealed a nearly five percent drop in enrollment from Fall 2021 to Fall 2022, despite an uptick in applications. The report attributes this decline to uncertainties regarding the value of pursuing a graduate degree.
Kyle Darland, the co-founder of OMD, emphasized the importance of showcasing institutions that offer excellent value in light of students questioning the return on investment for a master’s degree. The rankings by OMD prioritize regionally accredited institutions with the most competitive net costs, considering both tuition fees and institutional aid provided to graduate students. Cost plays a pivotal role in enrollment decisions for many individuals.
Moreover, the rankings factor in the value of flexibility, recognizing the needs of master’s students who juggle work, family, and other commitments. Online learning has become essential for colleges to cater to these diverse needs.
SRSU boasts a commendable array of 25 online master’s programs.
OMD conducted a thorough analysis of over 7,700 accredited colleges and universities, utilizing data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and internal institutional data. By employing a proprietary algorithm, OMD’s data science team ranked qualifying schools based on various criteria for different master’s degree specializations. Key data points considered include graduate student tuition, number of online programs, student-to-faculty ratio, acceptance rate, academic counseling services, career placement services, among others.
For eligibility, institutions must hold active regional accreditation and offer at least one partially online master’s program in the relevant subject area. Only nine percent of U.S. postsecondary institutions secured a ranking position, underscoring the significance of this achievement.