The U.S. News & World Report “Best Online Programs” rankings are an annual evaluation of online higher education programs across the United States. They enjoy wide recognition among consumers and serve as a national benchmark for program quality and reputation. Consider how rankings are determined and celebrate Charlotte’s current performance below.
Each year, U.S. News evaluates nearly 1,800 online bachelor’s and master’s programs nationwide. Rankings are determined through a mix of statistical data (graduation rates, faculty qualifications, student services) and peer assessments by leaders at other institutions.
For online programs, U.S. News assesses institutions on five key dimensions. Together, these categories provide a comprehensive view of program quality, including both the academic standards and the student experience in online delivery.
Engagement — Student–instructor interaction, responsiveness, and practices that keep students enrolled and finishing on time (e.g., graduation/retention, class size, evaluations, best-practice policies).
Faculty Credentials & Training — Instructor qualifications and support for online pedagogy (terminal degrees, training to teach online, continuing training/peer review, tenure mix).
Services & Technologies — Access to online student support (24/7 tech help, admissions counseling, registration/degree audit, librarian, mentoring, live tutoring, résumé & writing help, career placement) and learning technologies (mobile apps, streaming/recorded media, simulations, software readers/visual tools, learning analytics, adaptive learning).
Peer Assessment — Reputation via surveys of senior academics/administrators in the field.
Student Excellence — Selectivity/preparedness of entrants (acceptance rate, mean UG GPA, required experience/coursework, recommendations, employer sponsorship).
| Dimension | Bachelor’s | Nursing (MSN) | Education (M.Ed./MAT) | MBA | Engineering (M.Eng./MS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engagement | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Faculty Credentials & Training | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Services & Technologies | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Peer Assessment | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Student Excellence | N/A | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
For UNC Charlotte Online and affiliated faculty/staff, these rankings:
Why they matter:
For inquiries or questions regarding U.S. News & World Report “Best Online Programs” rankings, contact Samantha Abt-Bumgarner, Director of Program Management, at sabtbum@charlotte.edu.