Rankings / National

Best Online Colleges

By David Krug, Co-Founder, CollegeRanker · Updated 2026-05-31 · 12 schools · Agent Insights

Schools Analyzed

$56,981

Avg. Earnings (10yr)

40%

Avg. Graduation Rate

$19,846

Avg. Net Price

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Earnings from online college graduates can reach $84,131. This figure can greatly impact a family's financial future.

Students seeking online education face a critical decision. They often weigh flexibility against career outcomes. How will their choice affect their earnings and debt?

Consider the University of Florida-Online. Graduates earn an average of $71,588 with only $15,000 in debt. In contrast, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide offers higher earnings at $84,131 but a low graduation rate of 21%. This difference highlights the importance of completion rates in evaluating value.

Key Findings

University of Florida-Online graduates earn an average of $71,588.

Western Governors University has a graduation rate of 48%, lower than the average of 37%.

Embry-Riddle's graduates face an average debt of $23,666, significantly higher than the $15,000 at University of Florida-Online.

Arizona State University Digital Immersion graduates earn $62,668, with a graduation rate of just 29%.

Quick Numbers

Schools ranked 12

Avg. earnings at 10yr $56,981

Avg. graduation rate 40%

Avg. net price $19,846

Avg. median debt $19,562

How We Ranked

Composite score for primarily online institutions

Read our full methodology →

Earnings vs. Cost

Each dot is a ranked school. Up = higher earnings. Right = higher cost. Top-left is the best value.

Graduation Rates

Longer bars = higher graduation rate.

Top 3

University of Florida-Online

Gainesville, FL

Graduation81%

Earnings$71,588

Net Price$4,815

View full profile →

Western Governors University

Salt Lake City, UT

Graduation48%

Earnings$60,615

Net Price$12,548

View full profile →

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide

Daytona Beach, FL

Graduation21%

Earnings$84,131

Net Price$18,725

View full profile →

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Full Rankings

University of Florida-Online

Gainesville, FL · 4,627 students · Public

Graduates from the University of Florida-Online earn a median income of $71,588 ten years after graduation. The school has a solid graduation rate of 81%, which indicates that students largely complete their programs successfully. This online option attracts many students who seek flexibility without sacrificing quality education.

61% accepted 81% graduate $71,588 earnings

University's full profile

Western Governors University

Salt Lake City, UT · 155,088 students · Private nonprofit

With over 155,000 students, Western Governors University serves a large and diverse population. The school has a lower graduation rate of 48%, which may concern some prospective students. However, its focus on online learning caters to working adults and those balancing multiple responsibilities.

48% graduate $60,615 earnings

Western's full profile

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide

Daytona Beach, FL · 9,139 students · Private nonprofit

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide is known for its strong focus on aviation and aerospace. Even with a graduation rate of only 21%, it boasts impressive median earnings of $84,131 for graduates ten years after earning their degree. This school attracts students passionate about aviation and technology.

58% accepted 21% graduate $84,131 earnings

Embry-Riddle's full profile

Arizona State University Digital Immersion

Scottsdale, AZ · 53,782 students · Public

Arizona State University Digital Immersion has a substantial enrollment of 53,782 students. The graduation rate stands at 29%, which is lower than some other institutions. However, students can expect a median salary of $62,668 after a decade in the workforce.

67% accepted 29% graduate $62,668 earnings

Arizona's full profile

University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online

Manchester, NH · 1,157 students · Public

The University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online has a graduation rate of only 22%, which may raise some questions about student success. Graduates earn a median income of $66,479 ten years post-graduation, which is relatively competitive. This school caters well to adult learners and those pursuing new career paths.

22% graduate $66,479 earnings

University's full profile

University of Arkansas Grantham

LIttle Rock, AR · 2,833 students · Public

32% of students graduate from the University of Arkansas Grantham. This public university in Little Rock serves 2,833 students. With a median earning of $63,496 at ten years post-graduation, many graduates find solid career paths.

32% graduate $63,496 earnings

University's full profile

University of Maryland Global Campus

Adelphi, MD · 49,664 students · Public

This institution has a large student body of 49,664, with a graduation rate of 31%. Located in Adelphi, it offers extensive online options for those balancing education with other commitments. Graduates earn a median of $65,287 after ten years, reflecting the value of its programs.

31% graduate $65,287 earnings

University's full profile

Touro University Worldwide

Los Alamitos, CA · 454 students · Private nonprofit

Graduation rates at Touro University Worldwide reach 36%. Located in Los Alamitos, California, this private nonprofit serves 454 students. Graduates earn a median of $40,803 after ten years, indicating a decent return on their educational investment.

36% graduate $40,803 earnings

Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education

Kirkland, WA · 405 students · Private nonprofit

Northwest University has a graduation rate of 40%. This private nonprofit in Kirkland serves 405 students and has a median earning of $54,914 at ten years post-graduation. The numbers indicate a supportive environment for student success and career advancement.

40% graduate $54,914 earnings

Northwest's full profile

#10

Bryant & Stratton College-Online

Orchard Park, NY · 8,841 students · Private nonprofit

21% graduate $32,568 earnings

Bryant's full profile

#11

Hypnosis Motivation Institute

Tarzana, CA · 209 students · Private nonprofit

87% graduate $24,244 earnings

Hypnosis's full profile

#12

Los Angeles Pacific University

San Dimas, CA · 1,483 students · Private nonprofit

29% of students graduate from Los Angeles Pacific University, which serves 1,483 students in San Dimas. The median earnings at ten years post-graduation are $22,677, reflecting the financial realities graduates face in the job market.

Two schools in this ranking illustrate a striking difference. The University of Florida-Online graduates earn $71,588 with a graduation rate of 81%. Meanwhile, Embry-Riddle graduates earn more, $84,131, but only 21% complete their programs. This disparity shows that higher earnings do not always correlate with better graduation rates.

After reviewing these schools, consider your priorities. Think about program fit, location, and how each institution's financial data aligns with your situation. Assess whether the potential earnings justify the debt you might incur. Make a list of what matters most to you.

This data reveals the critical link between education and financial stability. One decision about an online college can shape a family's financial future. Choosing the right program could lead to greater earnings or a heavier debt burden. Make this choice carefully.

Data Sources

U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard

Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card

Social Capital Atlas

Times Higher Education World Rankings

NCES IPEDS

Sources & Citations

[1]

Chetty, R., Friedman, J., Saez, E., Turner, N., & Yagan, D. (2017). Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility. NBER Working Paper No. 23618. →

[2]

U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics. →

[3]

National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). →

David Krug

Co-Founder, CollegeRanker

David Krug is the co-founder of CollegeRanker and a data systems architect focused on making institutional research accessible to families. He builds the data pipelines and ranking algorithms that power CollegeRanker, drawing from federal datasets and Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights research to measure what traditional rankings ignore: whether a college actually changes a family's economic trajectory.

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