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Countless surveys done in late spring found students were significantly less satisfied with their learning experience when COVID-19 shifted higher education online. However, most did not blame instructors for the drop in quality.

Data from .

Students and alumni rate their education based on five critical factors: quality of instruction, financial services, degree satisfaction, earning potential, and career preparedness. These questions encompass need-to-know information to help prospective students make informed decisions when choosing an online program.

Data Collection

To accurately compare school review ratings, we gathered online-specific reviews from the past three years. Each school needed five or more student reviews to be included. After applying those requirements to our database of over 30,000 reviews, the resulting data set used for this analysis comprises 1,280 total student reviews for 43 online schools. We also included recommend rate from our student reviews. To see recommend rate for all colleges, check out our popular colleges list.

We manually researched tuition rates for each online program and used out-of-state tuition when applicable to ensure the rates are accurate for the largest number of potential students. When calculating annual tuition rates, we assumed a total of 30 credits per year for full-time students, used the cost per credit, and did not include potential fees. Bachelor's level tuition was collected for all schools except for Ultimate Medical Academy, which only offers associate degrees, and the University of Southern California, which only offers master’s and doctoral programs online.

We've provided additional information at the bottom of this article.

The 10 Top-Rated UUÖ±²¥s Based on Student Reviews

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Students favor private schools and value engaging, supportive instructors

While this list includes a mix of public and private institutions, the top three schools with the highest student ratings are small, private colleges serving 6,000 or fewer undergraduate students.

Although online programs are in a different format than in-person classes and require alternative teaching strategies to keep students engaged, the benefits of attending a smaller private college often remain the same.

They tend to have smaller class sizes, which allow students to get help from instructors and connect with peers. Fostering community in an online setting can be difficult, and small class sizes make it easier for students to build relationships.

“Even though Simmons is an online format degree, the personal touch and the commitment of the professor reminds me of my home town university,” wrote Amy, who earned her master’s of science in nursing online at Simmons University. “Each professor knows my name and becomes invested in my determination to learn.”

Small private colleges are also known for academic excellence, but this often comes at a higher price, with fewer program offerings and a demanding schedule that requires full student engagement. Online programs allow students to gain the benefits offered by private colleges without the schedule constraints of being on campus.

Lower undergraduate enrollment numbers mean educators can spend more time with students and may be able to provide better support. Helpful staff, engaging classes, and available professors were also common themes throughout reviews of these programs.

“As I am set to graduate in May of 2020, I reflect on all of my professors and how they were there for me in many email conversations providing guidance,” wrote Mckenzie, who earned an online degree in communication at King University. “I think about how intentional my success coaches were who truly wanted to see me flourish, I think about how much I have been pushed and grown throughout this process and can say with confidence that I could not have asked for a better experience.”

Everglades University student Sharon Wright-Dyson, who earned an online bachelor’s degree in alternative medicine, said the program changed her view of online education. Before she enrolled at Everglades, she didn’t think online learning would work for her. She found that the learning management system was easy to use, and connections with her professors and thorough support services helped her succeed academically. She went on to enroll in their master’s in public health program.

Students at all three top universities said they received comprehensive support from staff, had dedicated and engaging professors, and enjoyed the program’s flexibility.

Low student to faculty ratios correlate with higher student satisfaction

Nearly every school on the list has a student to faculty ratio of 20:1 or lower. The only exceptions were Valdosta State University, with a ratio of 21:1, and Western Governors University, with a ratio of 41:1.

UUÖ±²¥ education can be isolating. For students who prefer to work on their own, this may not be an issue. Others enroll in an online program for the flexible benefits they offer but struggle to learn effectively without a strong peer network.

The smaller class sizes at online private colleges may encourage a sense of community and help prevent students from feeling lost in the crowd. Small classes allow for more interaction between students and instructors and more opportunities to connect with peers.

“Faculty were attentive, and the class sizes were small enough that I was always able to ask questions and work one on one with the instructor if needed,” wrote Paul, an online student who earned his MBA through Everglades University.

Amy, a psychology major at Arizona State University, said that she enrolled online because she had a full-time job, but worried about taking classes online because of how isolating it can be. However, she found that she still felt a sense of community with her online peers.

“Upon starting college, I didn’t think online was a good idea because you are physically alone. You miss out on a lot of student life,” she wrote in her review. “You are not alone online. The professors always provided excellent assistance and support, showing constant excitement for what they were teaching. The students in all classes provide a sense of belonging, as ultimately, you all are ‘there’ for the same purpose.”

Outliers

Western Governors University is the only school without a physical campus

Western Governors University has the largest proportion of online student reviews, in part because it’s one of the largest universities in the country and does not have in-person programs. WGU is a popular online university, serving nearly 120,000 online students per year. Their 161 student reviews spanned many different programs.

Students liked the flexible schedule and ability to learn at their own pace. The university utilizes competency-based education (CBE), where students move as quickly or slowly as they like through classes, then take a test or complete other assignments to demonstrate knowledge in a subject. Competency-based education relies on one-on-one instructor feedback and written discussions between students rather than having live lectures and scheduled meeting times.

“The classes are difficult, but rightfully so. You get out of it what you put into it,” wrote Susan, a WGU student who studied business administration. “The exams are challenging, as to be expected with a program that is based on competency. It has taken me less than a week to complete some, and up to a couple months to complete others.”

Other students said CBE allowed them to complete their degree in a shorter period by using prior knowledge and experience to pass competency exams.

“WGU’s setup is perfect for working adults who already have experience in the workplace, as you will have already learned about many things informally in the workplace,” wrote WGU graduate Jimmy, who studied accounting online. “I’ve raved about WGU to almost anyone who will listen, as I think their competency-based model is the model of the future when it comes to Higher Education.”

Rather than taking traditional credit courses, students can move through as many classes in a quarter as they’d like and pay a flat tuition rate instead of paying per credit. At $6,670 per year, tuition rates at WGU are significantly lower than other online programs.

Dedicated students can use this structure to complete degrees faster and lower their education costs, making quality CBE programs appealing for many adult learners looking for flexible, affordable education options.

Students who are self-starters, highly motivated, and work better on their own often like this style of learning. Those who need more support, engagement, or work better in a collaborative setting may struggle in this learning environment.

This model is also used at other universities, but WGU is .

Overall, student reviews show many students value quality education and feel they learn best when they have adequate support, and not just from professors. Reviews for these top schools frequently mentioned good communication in class and resource offices such as admissions and financial aid. Students also favored flexible online programs customized to work around busy schedules, whether it was competency-based education or accelerated degree programs.