U.S. News & World Report ranked UMSL second in Missouri and No. 67 nationally on its list of Best of Online Bachelor’s Programs. (Photo by Jay Fram)

Online education has made it more accessible than ever to pursue a college degree. Students of every background have come to appreciate the flexibility it provides them as they juggle the responsibilities of their everyday lives, including work and family.

At the University of Missouri–St. Louis, students can feel confident they aren’t sacrificing quality when they choose to pursue their degree online.

U.S. News & World Report today ranked UMSL second in Missouri and No. 67 nationally on its 2024 list of Best Online Bachelor’s Programs. More than 330 colleges and universities were represented in the rankings.

“We are proud that U.S. News & World Report has once again recognized the high quality our online degree programs bring to our students,” said Steven J. Berberich, UMSL’s provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “Those who take advantage of them are engaged and challenged, and they gain the knowledge and skills needed for future success in their chosen careers.”

UMSL offers 21 of its bachelor’s degree programs 100% online – everything from business, chemistry and computer science to nursing, political science and psychology.

In their 12th year, the U.S. News Best Online Programs rankings are designed for individuals looking to complete or further their education. The rankings only include degree-granting programs offered primarily online by regionally accredited institutions.

Because of the profile of many students enrolled in online programs – such as working professionals in their 20s to 40s with some college credit and looking to advance in or change careers – U.S. News does not include measures only applicable to teenage applicants, such as high school grades or standardized test scores, when comparing schools and building its rankings.

“Instead, U.S. News chose factors that weigh how these programs are being delivered and their effectiveness at awarding affordable degrees in a reasonable amount of time to all types of students,” U.S. News staff members wrote in a statement explaining the methodology for the rankings.

Each program is assessed based on engagement, including class sizes and retention and graduation rates; services and technologies, including student indebtedness and access to different technology tools; faculty credentials and training; and peer assessment.

U.S. News also ranked online master’s degree programs in education, listing UMSL No. 214 nationally – an improvement of 17 places from the 2023 list.