Top 50 Online Colleges with the Highest Student Satisfaction

Choosing a school can be a very stressful task, and most students want to ensure that they will be happy with the college or university that they ultimately decide to attend. By considering online colleges with high student satisfaction rates, students have a better chance of enjoying their collegiate experience while obtaining a high quality education.

We have ranked the top fifty best schools that offer degree programs online and have the highest student satisfaction rates.

Methodology:
We ranked schools based on the following criteria using data provided by the National Center for Education Statistics:

• 50% Freshmen Retention Rates
• 50% Graduation Rates

Where necessary, we used a tie-breaking ranking criteria of:

• 100% Quality and Rigor of the Education Provided

About Student Satisfaction Rankings Criteria:

This criteria was logically chosen because freshmen retention rates and graduation rates are the two strongest indicators of student satisfaction. We chose this method for accuracy over student polls due to the wide variance of criteria and focus in student polling data.

A school’s ability to retain freshmen students and the percentage of students staying with the school all the way to program completion are strongly tied to student satisfaction rates due to the comparably easy transfer process. If students are unhappy with the education they are receiving at a school, they will generally transfer to a new school that better suits their educational goals.

50. Liberty University

School Profile
Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty University (which is commonly referred to as LU) is a private, not-for-profit doctoral research university that was originally established in 1971.

The school, which maintains a Southern Baptist affiliation, obtained its university status in 1984 and is commonly referred to as Liberty U or simply as LU.

Liberty University launched its distance learning program in 2009, and this program–known as LU Online or Liberty University Online–has swiftly grown to become the school’s largest educational divisions. Liberty University reports that Liberty University Online teaches twice as many students on a yearly basis as their on-campus counterpart does.

Liberty University’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 58.4%

Liberty University’s Website: https://www.liberty.edu

49. New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)\

With a campus located in Newark, New Jersey, New Jersey Institute of Technology (which is commonly referred to as NJIT) is a land-grant and sea-grant public research university.

The school, which was originally founded in 1881, offers more than 50 undergraduate degree-granting programs and 78 graduate degree-granting programs to attending students. Many of these degree-granting programs are available to distance learners in an online format, along with many online-available certification programs, allowing for a wide-range of educational flexibility.

New Jersey Institute of Technology was an early pioneer in distance education and coined the term “Virtual Classroom” about distance learning.

New Jersey Institute of Technology’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 59.7%

New Jersey Institute of Technology’s Website: https://www.njit.edu

48. University of Maryland

The University of Maryland (which is commonly referred to UM or UMD) is a public research university that is located in College Park, Maryland.

The school, which was originally founded in 1856, offers more than 100 different undergraduate degree-granting programs and 120 graduate degree-granting programs to the its many students. Most of these degree-granting programs can be completed fully online and in an asynchronous manner.

The University of Maryland, which is the largest university located in the state of Maryland and is the most major university located within the Washington Metropolitan Area, has a 61.4% student satisfaction rate which takes into account both the school’s on-campus traditional students and the school’s online distance-learning students.

University of Maryland’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 61.4%

University of Maryland’s Website: www.umd.edu

47. Wichita State University

Located in Wichita, Kansas, Wichita State University (which is commonly referred to as WSU) is a public research university.

The school, which was originally established in the year of 1895, offers more than 60 different undergraduate degree-granting programs, 44 graduate degree-granting programs, a specialist in education degree program and many certification programs. Many of these programs are available in a fully online, asynchronous format for the school’s many distance-learning students.

Wichita State University, which used to be a Congregational-affiliated school, currently does not have any religious affiliation to provide a more inclusive atmosphere to attending students.

Wichita State University’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 61.8%

Wichita State University’s Website: www.wichita.edu

46. Valdosta State University

Located in the heart of Valdosta, Georgia, Valdosta State University (which is commonly referred to as Valdosta State or simply as VSU) is a public research university.

The school, which was originally established in 1906, offers various undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification programs–many of which are available to the school’s many distance-learning students in a fully online and asynchronous format, affording them with a large amount of flexibility.

Valdosta State University was, at one point in its long history, a women’s only college and–at that time–was called Georgia State Woman’s College.

Today VSU is a coeducational facilitator of higher education and currently maintains a 63.1% student satisfaction rating, according to our stringent ranking criteria.

Valdosta State University’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 63.1%

Valdosta State University’s Website: www.valdosta.edu

45. Louisiana State University

With its campus located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Louisiana State University (commonly referred to as Louisiana State or simply as LSU) is a land-grant, sea-grant and space-grant public research university.

The school, which was originally established in the year of 1860, offers a myriad of undergraduate degree-granting programs and graduate degree-granting programs across numerous disciplines. In addition to the degree-granting programs offered, the school also has many professional certification programs available. Many of these degree-granting programs and professional certification programs are available in an online and asynchronous format.

LSU is highly distinguished due to the numerous reputable research facilities the school maintains.

Louisiana State University’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 63.1%

Louisiana State University’s Website: www.lsu.edu

44. Union College

Located in Schenectady, New York, Union College (which is commonly referred to as UC) is a non-denominational and private liberal arts university.

The school, which was originally established in 1795, offers a wide array of undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification programs for on-campus students and the school’s online student counterparts.

Union College is known as the “Mother of Fraternities,” because three of the earliest such Greek Life organizations were originally birthed there. In addition to this, the school also has numerous study-abroad programs available for students to enroll in if they wish. These study-abroad programs are of a high-quality caliber and allow students to gain unique life experiences while obtaining their education.

Union College’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 63.1%

Union College’s Website: www.union.edu

43. Western Illinois University

Located in Macomb, Illinois, Western Illinois University (which is commonly referred to as Western Illinois or simply as WIU) is a public and coeducational research university.

The school, which was originally established in the year of 1899, has 69 undergraduate degree-granting programs available, 13 pre-professional graduate degree-granting programs and numerous professional certification programs available for students to enroll in. Many of these degree-granting programs and certification programs are available in an online and asynchronous format for the school’s various distance-learning students.

Western Illinois University provides a service known as the FYE (First Year Experience) Program for all of the school’s incoming freshmen. This program was designed to assist in the transition from high school to college.

Western Illinois University’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 64.2%

Western Illinois University’s Website: www.wiu.edu

42. University of Rhode Island

With the main campus located in Kingston, Rhode Island, and numerous satellite campuses across the state, the University of Rhode Island (which is commonly referred to as URI) is a land-grant and sea-grant public research university.

The school, which was originally founded in the year of 1892, offers 80 undergraduate degree-granting programs, 49 graduate degree-granting programs, and numerous professional certification programs. Many of these degree- and certification-granting programs are available in an online and comprehensively asynchronous format for added educational flexibility.

U.S. News and World Report ranks URI as a “Tier 1” university, ranking it as tied for the 161st best overall university located within the United States.

University of Rhode Island’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 64.2%

University of Rhode Island’s Website: www.uri.edu

41. University of Memphis

With its campus located in Memphis, Tennessee, the University of Memphis (which is commonly referred to as Memphis or simply as UoM) is a public research university.

The school, which was originally established in the year of 1912, offers numerous undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification programs across diverse disciplines and inter-disciplines. Many of the school’s degree-granting programs and certification-granting programs are available to distance-learning students in a fully online and completely asynchronous format.

University of Memphis’ Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 65.4%

University of Memphis’ Website: www.memphis.edu

40. University of Missouri

Located in Columbia, Missouri, the University of Missouri (which is commonly referred to as Mizzou or simply as MU) is a land-grant public research university.
School Profile
The school, which was originally established in the year of 1839, offers students an extensive selection of undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification programs. Many of these programs are available to distance-learning students in an online and fully asynchronous format.

The school’s University of Missouri Research Reactor Center is the world’s most powerful university-maintained research reactor.

University of Missouri’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 65.0%

University of Missouri’s Website: missouri.edu

39. University of Southern Maine

As a multi-campus university with campuses located in Portland, Gorham, and Lewiston, Maine, the University of Southern Maine (which is commonly referred to as USM) is a public research university.

The school, which was originally established in the year of 1878, offers multiple undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification programs. Many of these programs are available to the school’s various distance-learning students via an online and asynchronous format.

The University of Southern Maine is often ranked as one of the “Best Northeastern Universities” by many respectable online college publication sources.

University of Southern Maine’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 65.0%

University of Southern Maine’s Website: usm.maine.edu

38. Cleveland State University

Located in Cleveland, Ohio, Cleveland State University (which is commonly referred to as Cleveland State or simply as CSU) is a public research university.

The school, which was originally established in the year of 1964, offers students more than 200 academic programs which include undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification programs. Many of these programs are available to distance-learning students in an online and fully asynchronous format.

CSU is a core member of the OneCommunity computer network system, which is an initiative of Case Western Reserve University that connects not-for-profit institutions which are located throughout the Northeast Ohio area and which allows large scale university collaborations over a high-speed fiber optic network.

Cleveland State University’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 65.0%

Cleveland State University’s Websitewww.csuohio.edu

37. Bridgewater State University

Located in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, Bridgewater State University (which is commonly referred to as Bridgewater State or simply as BSU) is a public research university.

The school, which was originally established in the year of 1840, offers numerous undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification programs. Many of the school’s myriad programs are available in a fully online and asynchronous format to cater to the school’s distance-learning students.

Bridgewater State University maintains two satellite campuses–one located in Attleboro and the other in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Bridgewater State University’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 65.0%

Bridgewater State University’s Website: www.bridgew.edu

36. University of Central Arkansas

Located in Conway, Arkansas–just north of Little Rock, Arkansas–the University of Central Arkansas (which is commonly referred to as UCA) is a public research university.

The school, which was originally established in the year of 1907 as Arkansas State Normal School, offers a wide-selection of undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification programs. A significant portion of these programs is available in an online and completely asynchronous format for the school’s many distance-learning students.

The University of Central Arkansas is most recognized for its programs in Education, Occupational Therapy and in Physical Therapy.

University of Central Arkansas’ Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 65.6%

University of Central Arkansas’ Website: uca.edu

35. University of Texas at Austin

Located in Austin, Texas, the University of Texas at Austin (which is commonly referred to as UT Austin, UTA or simply as UT) is a space-grant public research university. The University of Texas at Austin has the seventh-largest single-campus enrollment of students within the United States.

The school, which was originally founded in the year of 1881 as The University of Texas, offers attending students a substantial selection of undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification programs across multiple disciplines. Many of these programs are not only available to traditional on-campus students, but also to distance-learning students in an online and asynchronous format.

University of Texas at Austin’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 65.6%

University of Texas at Austin’s Website: www.utexas.edu

34. University of Cincinnati

With its campus located in Cincinnati, Ohio, the University of Cincinnati (which is commonly referred to as UC) is a space-grant public research university.

The school, which was originally established in the year of 1819 and provides multiple academic options across many disciplines for students to enroll in, including a wide array of undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification programs. The University of Cincinnati has been ranked as a “Tier One” institution of higher learning due to the school’s quality academic programs.

University of Cincinnati’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 65.7%

University of Cincinnati’s Website: www.uc.edu

33. University of Southern Indiana

Located in Evansville, Indiana, the University of Southern Indiana (which is commonly referred to as USI) is a public research university.

The school, which was originally established in the year of 1965, offers students a wide-range of academic options through various undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification programs that cover a myriad of different disciplines.

USI is also a Carnegie Foundation Community Engaged University, and the school offers continuing education and special programs to more than 15,000 participants annually through outreach and engagement with the assistance of the Carnegie Foundation.

University of Southern Indiana’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 66.3%

University of Southern Indiana’s Website: www.usi.edu

32. Southeast Missouri State University

School Profile
Located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Southeast Missouri State University (which is commonly referred to as SEMO) is a public and fully accredited university.

The school, which was originally established as an institute of higher education in the year of 1873 as Southeast Missouri State Normal School, offers a selection of undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree granting programs and professional certification programs that span a broad range of career interests. Many of these programs are available in an online and completely asynchronous format, so it can cater to the many distance-learning students that wish to attend.

Southeast Missouri State University’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 66.3%

Southeast Missouri State University’s Website: www.semo.edu

31. California State University

With the main campus located in Long Beach, California and satellite campuses located in Los Angeles and Fullerton, California, California State University (which is commonly referred to as Cal State or simply as CSU) is a public, coeducational university.

The school, which was originally established in the year of 1857 and is a direct institutional descendant of Minns Evening Normal School, offers a variety of comprehensive courses across numerous disciplines that, upon student completion, will lead to an undergraduate degree, a graduate degree or a professional certification depending on the course.

California State University is the largest four-year public university system located within the United States.

California State University’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 66.3%

California State University’s Website: www.csulb.edu

30. University of Oklahoma

The University of Oklahoma (which is commonly referred to as OU) is a public space-grant research university that is located in Norman, Oklahoma.

The school, which was originally established as a postsecondary institution of higher learning in the year of 1890, offers many academic options ranging across a wide selection of disciplines for undergraduate degree-granting courses, graduate degree-granting courses, and professional certification-granting courses. A broad sampling of these courses is available to students in an online and asynchronous format if they prefer the added flexibility that distance learning affords.

University of Oklahoma’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 66.3%

University of Oklahoma’s Website: www.ou.edu

29. University of Nebraska at Lincoln

Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (which is commonly referred to as UNL or NU) is a public land-grant research university.

The school, which was originally founded in the year of 1869, offers a myriad of educational programs to students–both traditional on-campus students and distance-learning students via an online and asynchronous application format–across a range of disciplines in the categories of undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification programs.

University of Nebraska at Lincoln’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 67.0%

University of Nebraska at Lincoln’s Website: www.unl.edu

28. Colorado School of Mines

Located in Golden, Colorado, Colorado School of Mines (which is commonly referred to as Mines or simply as CSM) is a public research university.

The school, which was originally established in the year of 1874, offers a variety of undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs, and professional certification-granting programs. Most of the school’s various programs are available in an online and fully asynchronous format for the large population of distance-learning students that the school attracts.

The school has been ranked as the “1st Best Engineering School of 2015” by US Today and 38th best in the U.S. News & World Report‘s 2015 “Top Public Schools” ranking. Colorado School of Mines currently has a 69% student satisfaction rating.

Colorado School of Mines’ Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 69.0%

Colorado School of Mines’ Website: www.mines.edu

27. Purdue University

Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, Purdue University is the main campus of the Purdue University system and is a public land-grant, sea-grant and space-grant research university.

The school, which was originally established in the year of 1869, offers a choice selection of undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification-granting programs across multiple professional, STEM and Liberal Arts disciplines. Most of the school’s distinguished programs are available in an online and fully asynchronous format.

Purdue University is accredited by North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) and has been since 1913.

Purdue University’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 69.3%

Purdue University’s Website: www.purdue.edu

26. State University of New York

As a system of public institutions of higher education located throughout the state of New York, the State University of New York (which is commonly referred to as SUNY) is a collection of public research universities that service various areas around the state.

Spanning 64 satellite locations, SUNY is one of the largest comprehensive systems of schools, colleges and community colleges located within the United States. The system, which was originally established in the year of 1948, offers a vast selection of undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs, professional certification-granting programs, adult education programs and personal growth agendas. Many of the school’s sum 7,660 degree and certificate programs are available to distance-learning students via online and asynchronous program formats.

State University of New York’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 69.3%

State University of New York’s Website: www.suny.edu

25. University of Alabama

School Profile
With its campus located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the University of Alabama (which is commonly referred to as UA) is a public sea-grant and space-grant research university.

The institution, which was originally established in the year of 1820 as The University of the State of Alabama, provides students with a selection of undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs, and professional certification-granting programs. Many of these programs are available in an online, asynchronous and flexible format to cater to a large population of distance-learning students.

The University of Alabama provides students with a selection of academic programs that are otherwise unavailable elsewhere in the state, such as Metallurgical Sciences and the Romance Languages.

University of Alabama’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 72.0%

University of Alabama’s Website: www.ua.edu

24. Florida State University

With the main campus located in Tallahassee, Florida, and numerous satellite campuses located around the state, Florida State University (which is commonly referred to as Florida State or simply as FSU) is a sea-grant and space-grant public research university.

The school, which was originally founded in the year of 1851 and is located on the oldest continuous site of higher education in the state of Florida, has a wide selection of undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification programs available to students. Many of the school’s programs are also available online in an asynchronous and flexible format for both full-time and part-time distance-learning students.

Florida State University’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 72.0%

Florida State University’s Website: www.fsu.edu

23. Auburn University

Located in Auburn, Alabama, Auburn University is a land-grant, space-grant and sea-grant public research polytechnic university.

The school, which was originally established in the year of 1856 as the East Alabama Male College, has a broad selection of undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification programs from which students can choose. Many of Auburn University’s programs are available online in an asynchronous format.

In 1872, the school became the state of Alabama’s first public land-grant university under the Morrill Act and was renamed the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama.

Auburn University’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 72.3%

Auburn University’s Website: www.auburn.edu

22. Texas A&M University

Located in College Station, Texas, Texas Agricultural and Mechanical University (which is commonly referred to as Texas A&M, TAMU or simply as A&M) is a land-grant, sea-grant and space-grant public research university.

The school was originally established in the year of 1871 as The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. Texas A&M University has an extensive selection of undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification programs available for students to enroll in, and many of these programs have an online and asynchronous format option for distance-learning students.

TAMU has made great contributions to the fields of animal cloning and petroleum engineering.

Texas A&M University’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 74.3%

Texas A&M University’s Website: www.tamu.edu

21. Pennsylvania State University

School Profile

With the main campus located in University Park, Pennsylvania, and with multiple satellite locations throughout the state, Pennsylvania State University (which is commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU) is a land-grant, sea-grant, space-grant and sun-grant public research university.

The school, which was originally established in the year of 1855, has many undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification programs available for students to enroll in, and many of these programs are available online in an internet-based, asynchronous format. Pennsylvania State University is what is known as a “Public Ivy” institution of higher learning, which means the education that Penn State provides is comparable to the Ivy League schools in both rigor and quality.

Pennsylvania State University’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 76.3%

Pennsylvania State University’s Website: www.psu.edu

20. Clemson University

School Profile
Located in sunny Clemson, South Carolina, Clemson University is a land-grant and sea-grant public research university.

The school, which was originally established in the year of 1889, has a myriad of academic program options for students to enroll in. Many of these undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification programs that the school offers to its traditional on-campus students are also available to the school’s distance learning counterparts.

Clemson University is nationally recognized for its architecture and automotive programs, and the school even maintains an active partnership with BMW in relation to the company’s local manufacturing plant.

Clemson University’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 76.6%

Clemson University’s Website: www.clemson.edu

School Profile

19. Georgia Institute of Technology

Located in Atlanta, Georgia, the Georgia Institute of Technology (which is commonly referred to as Georgia Tech, GA Tech or simply as GT) is a space-grant public research university.

The school, which was originally established in the year of 1885, is a member of the University System of Georgia and maintains satellite campuses in Savannah, Georgia; Metz, France; Athlone, Ireland; Shenzhen, China and in Singapore. GT has many undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification programs for students to choose from, many of which are available online in an asynchronous and flexible format.

Georgia Institute of Technology’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 77.0%

Georgia Institute of Technology’s Website: www.gatech.edu

School Profile

18. University of North Carolina

With the main campus located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and multiple satellite campuses located throughout the state, the University of North Carolina (which is commonly referred to as UNC) is a multi-campus public, coeducational university.

The school, which was originally established in the year of 1789 and was restructured in the year of 1972, has multiple undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certificate-granting programs for students to choose from. Many of these programs are available in an online and asynchronous format.

The University of North Carolina maintains the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, which is the nation’s first public residential high school for gifted students.

University of North Carolina’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 79.3%<

University of North Carolina’s Website: www.unc.edu

School Profile

17. College of William and Mary

Located in Williamsburg, Virginia, the College of William and Mary (which is commonly referred to as William & Mary or simply as W&M) is a public research university which was originally a Royal University that was established by King William III and Queen Mary II in the year of 1693.

The school has a wide selection of undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification programs for students to choose from, many of which are available online.

William & Mary educated the United States Presidents Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and John Tyler, as well as many other prominent figures that played a key role in the development of the United States.

College of William and Mary’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 79.3%

College of William and Mary’s Website: www.wm.edu

16. University of Virginia

Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, the University of Virginia (which is commonly referred to as UVA) is a public research university.

The school, which was originally founded in the year of 1819 by Declaration of Independence author Thomas Jefferson, has a wide selection of undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification-granting programs available for students to choose from, many of which are available to distance-learning students through an online and asynchronous format.

The University of Virginia is well-known for its strong historical foundations and quality educational programs.

University of Virginia’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 80.6%

University of Virginia’s Website: www.virginia.edu

15. University of Chicago

The University of Chicago (which is commonly referred to as U of Chicago or simply as U of C) is a private, non-denominational and coeducational research university that is located in Chicago, Illinois.

The school, which was originally established in the year of 1890, has a large selection of undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification programs for students to choose from across a number of various disciplines. Many of these programs are available in an online, asynchronous and highly flexible format for the large population of distance-learning students that enroll with the University of Chicago each year.

University of Chicago’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 84.6%

University of Chicago’s Website: www.uchicago.edu

14. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (which is commonly referred to as MIT) is a land-grant private research university.

The school, which was originally established in the year of 1861, has a big selection of undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certificate-granting programs for students to choose from, along with various adult education programs. Many of these programs are available online in an asynchronous format. Additionally, the school frequently offers free stand-alone courses online for interested students.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 85.0%

Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Website: web.mit.edu

13. California Institute of Technology

Located in Pasadena, California, California Institute of Technology (which is commonly referred to as CalTech) is a private research university.

The school, which was originally founded in the year of 1891, has many undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification programs available for students to choose from. A significant portion of the school’s academic programs is also available in an online and asynchronous format.

CalTech is often cited as being one of the best institutions of higher education in the nation by many reputable publications.

California Institute of Technology’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 85.3%

California Institute of Technology’s Website: www.caltech.edu

12. University of Southern California

Located in Los Angeles, California, the University of Southern California (which is commonly referred to as USC) is a sea-grant and space-grant private, not-for-profit research university and the oldest university in California.

The school, which was originally established in the year of 1880 and which has a wide selection of undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification-granting programs for students to choose from; many of which are available in an online and asynchronous format.

University of Southern California’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 85.3%

University of Southern California’s Website www.usc.edu

11. Stanford University

Located in Stanford, California, Stanford University (which is officially known as Leland Stanford Junior University) is a private research university that was originally founded in the year of 1891 by Leland Stanford and his wife.

The school, which is a coeducational and nondenominational institution of higher learning, has numerous undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification programs available for students to enroll in. Most of the school’s many programs are available in an online and asynchronous format, allowing for an enormous amount of educational flexibility.

Stanford University’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 85.6%

Stanford University’s Website: www.stanford.edu

10. Duke University

Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke University (which is commonly known as Duke) is a nonsectarian and private, not-for-profit research university.

The school, which was originally founded in the year of 1838, has a multitude of undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification programs for students to enroll into. Many of these programs are also available in an online and asynchronous format for the school’s many distance-learning students.

Duke University’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 86.0%

Duke University’s Website: www.duke.edu

School Profile

9. Johns Hopkins University

Located in Baltimore, Maryland, Johns Hopkins University (which is commonly called Johns Hopkins or only JHU) is a private research university that was originally established in the year of 1876. Johns Hopkins was one of the core founding members of the American Association of Universities.

JHU has many academic programs available for students to enroll in across multiple disciplines for undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification programs. Much of the school’s catalog of academic programs are available in an online and asynchronous format to better serve distance-learning students.

Johns Hopkins University’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 86.3%

Johns Hopkins University’s Website: www.jhu.edu

8. Columbia University

Located in the area of Upper Manhattan in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City, New York, Columbia University (which is officially known as Columbia University in the City of New York) is a private Ivy League research university that was originally established in the year of 1754 as King’s College by royal charter of George II of Great Britain.

The school has a comprehensive offering of undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification programs. Columbia University is an Ivy League institution of higher learning, a term which has become synonymous with a high-quality education.

Columbia University’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 86.3%

Columbia University’s Website: www.columbia.edu

7. Brown University

With its campus located in Providence, Rhode Island, Brown University (which is commonly known just as Brown) is a private, Ivy League research university that was originally established in the year of 1764.

Brown is the seventh-oldest institution of higher education located within the United States and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges that were established before the American Revolution. Brown University has many undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certificate programs available to students, most of which are also available to distance-learning students.

Brown University’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 86.3%

Brown University’s Website: www.brown.edu

6. Dartmouth College

Located in Hanover, New Hampshire, Dartmouth College (which is commonly referred to simply as Dartmouth) is a private Ivy League research university which was established in the year of 1769.

The school has many undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification programs available for traditional students and distance-learning students to choose from.

Dartmouth was ranked in the 12th place among undergraduate programs at national universities by U.S. News & World Report in their 2016 rankings.

Dartmouth College’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 91.0%

Dartmouth College’s Website: dartmouth.edu

5. Princeton University

Located in Princeton, New Jersey, Princeton University (which is commonly referred to simply as Princeton) is a private Ivy League research university which was originally founded in the year of 1746 as the College of New Jersey.

Princeton has a large offering of various undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification programs across multiple disciplines. Many of these programs are available to distance-learning students in a fully online and asynchronous format.

Princeton was the fourth chartered institution of higher education within the Thirteen Colonies and was, as a result, one of the nine colonial colleges that were established before the American Revolution.

Princeton University’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 95.0%

Princeton University’s Website: www.princeton.edu

4. University of Pennsylvania

Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the University of Pennsylvania (which is commonly referred to as UPenn or simply as Penn) is a private Ivy League research university which was originally established in the year of 1740.

UPenn has many undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certificate-granting programs available for both traditional on-campus and distance-learning students to choose from. UPenn is one of 14 founding members of the Association of American Universities and is also one of the nine original Colonial Colleges.

University of Pennsylvania’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 96.6%

University of Pennsylvania’s Website: www.upenn.edu

3. Harvard University

Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University (which is commonly referred to as simply Harvard) is a private Ivy League research university.

The school, which was originally established in the year of 1636, is one of the most prominent and prestigious universities in the world. Harvard University has many undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification programs for traditional and distance-learning students to choose from and which cover a broad spectrum of disciplines.

Harvard University maintains the Harvard Library, which is the largest academic and private library system in the world.

Harvard University’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 96.6%

Harvard University’s Website: www.harvard.edu

School Profile

2. Yale University

Located in New Haven, Connecticut, Yale University (which is commonly referred to simply as Yale) is a private Ivy League research university that was originally established in the year of 1701 under the name of Collegiate School.

Yale awarded the first Ph.D. in the United States in the year of 1861. Today, the school has many undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification programs available for students to choose from–both traditional on-campus students and distance-learning students. Yale University also has a rich list of highly successful alumni.

Yale University’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 97.0%

Yale University’s Website: www.yale.edu

1. University of Notre Dame

With its campus located in South Bend, Indiana, the University of Notre Dame du Lac (which is commonly referred to as the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame or simply as ND) is a private, Catholic-affiliated research university which was originally established in the year of 1842.

The school has many undergraduate degree-granting programs, graduate degree-granting programs and professional certification programs available for students to choose from. Many of these academic programs are offered in an online and fully asynchronous format.

Notre Dame du Lac means “Our Lady of the Lake” in French and the name refers to the university’s patron saint, the Virgin Mary. ND has a 98% student satisfaction rating, the best that we have found based on our ranking criteria of freshmen retention rates and student graduation rates.

University of Notre Dame’s Student Satisfaction Rate (On-campus and Online): 98.0%

University of Notre Dame’s Website: www.nd.edu

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