Many sites publish lists of the “top” online universities. Treat these lists with care. Rankings are built on different methods, so a school can look strong in one list and average in another. Read the method behind any ranking before you trust it.
The safer check is accreditation. In the United States, confirm that the school’s accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Both run public databases you can search for free. Institutional accreditation is the standard most employers and graduate schools expect. What you need to know about accredited online degrees walks through this check.
Employer attitudes toward online degrees have improved. A 2023 survey by Excelsior College and Zogby Analytics found that 83 percent of business leaders rated online degrees from well-known universities as equally valuable as on-campus degrees. This look at whether online master’s degrees are credible covers the topic in more detail.
When you compare schools, look past the marketing. Compare tuition, graduation rates, student support, and career services. This comparison of online and traditional colleges and this overview of accredited online degree options can help you weigh the trade-offs.

