# Best Online Colleges

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 12 | Category: National
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-online-colleges

## Methodology

Composite score for primarily online institutions

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

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%.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [University of Florida-Online](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-florida-online) | Gainesville, FL | 81% | $71,588 | $4,815 | $15,000 | 0.21x |
| 2 | [Western Governors University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/western-governors-university) | Salt Lake City, UT | 48% | $60,615 | $12,548 | $11,116 | 0.18x |
| 3 | [Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/embry-riddle-aeronautical-university-worldwide) | Daytona Beach, FL | 21% | $84,131 | $18,725 | $23,666 | 0.28x |
| 4 | [Arizona State University Digital Immersion](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/arizona-state-university-digital-immersion) | Scottsdale, AZ | 29% | $62,668 | N/A | $19,500 | 0.31x |
| 5 | [University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-new-hampshire-college-of-professional-studies-online) | Manchester, NH | 22% | $66,479 | $10,864 | $26,814 | 0.4x |
| 6 | [University of Arkansas Grantham](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-arkansas-grantham) | LIttle Rock, AR | 32% | $63,496 | $8,370 | $21,956 | 0.35x |
| 7 | [University of Maryland Global Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-maryland-global-campus) | Adelphi, MD | 31% | $65,287 | $22,063 | $21,000 | 0.32x |
| 8 | [Touro University Worldwide](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/touro-university-worldwide) | Los Alamitos, CA | 36% | $40,803 | $19,058 | $25,000 | 0.61x |
| 9 | [Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northwest-university-center-for-online-and-extended-education) | Kirkland, WA | 40% | $54,914 | $35,671 | $20,891 | 0.38x |
| 10 | [Bryant & Stratton College-Online](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bryant-stratton-college-online) | Orchard Park, NY | 21% | $32,568 | $15,187 | $21,549 | 0.66x |
| 11 | [Hypnosis Motivation Institute](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hypnosis-motivation-institute) | Tarzana, CA | 87% | $24,244 | $48,328 | $9,500 | 0.39x |
| 12 | [Los Angeles Pacific University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/los-angeles-pacific-university) | San Dimas, CA | 29% | N/A | $22,677 | $18,750 | N/A |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Online Colleges." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-online-colleges

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.