25 Largest Online Universities 2026
BY ABOUND: FINISH COLLEGE STAFF, TYSON SCHRITTER
Updated: February 12, 2026
Looking for the biggest online universities in the U.S.? This list ranks the 25 largest online universities in 2026 by fully online undergraduate enrollment (not total enrollment). If your goal is to finish a bachelor’s degree while working, raising a family, or balancing other responsibilities, these schools represent some of the most scalable online options available.
Important: “Largest” doesn’t mean “best.” Big online schools can be a strong fit—especially if you need flexible start dates, generous transfer policies, or a wide range of programs—but outcomes, support, and cost matter just as much.
How this list is ranked
We ranked schools using the most recent enrollment data available from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), focusing specifically on undergraduate students enrolled exclusively in distance education (fully online).
How to choose a large online university (quick checklist)
- Accreditation: confirm institutional accreditation and (if relevant) programmatic accreditation (nursing, teaching, etc.).
- Transfer & prior learning credit: ask how many credits they accept and whether they award credit for military/work experience.
- Total cost, not sticker price: compare net price, fees, and per-credit costs—especially for part-time adults.
- Adult support: look for dedicated advising, flexible scheduling, tutoring, and clear pathways to graduation.
- Career outcomes: internships, career coaching, alumni networks, and job placement support matter more than brand alone.
If you want recommendations based on quality and adult-student outcomes (not just size), see our curated list: Best Online Colleges for Adult Learners.
Before you commit, read: how to transfer credits and earn credit for prior learning, how to choose your major as an adult, and how to tell if an online college is legitimate.
1. Southern New Hampshire University
Online Students: 153,371
Southern New Hampshire University is a private college in Manchester, New Hampshire and has been named to the Best Online Colleges award list. Its online program features 45 online degree options. The school offers weekend/evening classes, credit for military training, credit for life experiences, academic counseling services, career services, and more.
Average net price: $33,163 – Admissions rate: 96%
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 48%
2. Western Governors University
Online Students: 135,822
Western Governors University is a private college in Salt Lake City, Utah and has been named to the Best Online Colleges award list. Its online program features 30 online degree options. The on-campus net price to attend is $9,555. The school offers credit for military training, academic counseling services, and more.
Average net price: $9,555 – Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 51%
3. Arizona State University-Online
Online Students: 49,000
Arizona State University Digital Immersion is a public college in Scottsdale, Arizona and has been named to the Best Online Colleges award list. Its online program features 54 online degree options. The in-state on-campus net price to attend is $14,367 and the per-credit hour charge is $541. The school offers credit for military training, academic counseling services, career services, and more.
Admissions rate: 64%
Student-to-faculty ratio: 25:1
4. University of Maryland Global Campus
Online Students: 43,045
University of Maryland Global Campus is a public college in Adelphi, Maryland and has been named to the Best Online Colleges award list. Its online program features 32 online degree options. The in-state on-campus net price to attend is $14,545 and the per-credit hour charge is $300. The school offers weekend/evening classes, credit for military training, credit for life experiences, academic counseling services, and more.
Average net price: $14,545 – Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 24%
5. Liberty University
Online Students: 36,519
Liberty University is an accredited evangelical liberal arts institution with 15 colleges and schools, over 100,000 students, and 700+ programs of study from the certificate to the doctoral level. Over 450 of these programs are available to students around the globe through online programs.
Average net price: $29,692 – Admissions rate: 99%
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 66%
6. Purdue University Global
Online Students: 33,192
Purdue University Global is a public college in West Lafayette, Indiana and has been named to the Best Online Colleges award list. Its online program features 33 online degree options. The per-credit hour charge to attend is $280. The school offers weekend/evening classes, credit for military training, credit for life experiences, academic counseling services, career services, and more.
Average net price: $9,494 – Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 50%
7. Brigham Young University-Idaho
Online Students: 22,366
Brigham Young University-Idaho is a private college in Rexburg, Idaho. The school’s online program features 13 online degree options and 22,541 online students. The on-campus average net price to attend is $7,295 and the per-credit hour charge for part-time students is $189. The school offers online degrees, academic counseling services, career services, credit for military training, and more.
Average net price: $7,295 – Admissions rate: 97%
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 51%
8. Excelsior University
Online Students: 12,701
Excelsior University offers fully online degree programs designed specifically for working adults, military students, and those returning to complete their education. With generous transfer credit policies, prior learning assessment options, and flexible start dates, Excelsior makes it possible to finish your degree on your schedule. Programs are available in business, healthcare, liberal arts, public service, and technology.
Part-time retention rate: 20% – Student-to-faculty ratio: 20:1
9. Florida International University
Online Students: 36,311
Florida International University is a public college in Miami, Florida and has been named to the Best 100 Online Colleges and Best Colleges for Adults award lists. Its online program features 40 online degree options. The part-time student body is 21,498 students. The in-state on-campus net price to attend is $9,352 and the per-credit hour charge is $206. The school offers on-campus day care, weekend/evening classes, credit for military training, academic counseling services, career services, and more.
Average net price: $9,398 – Admissions rate: 64%
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 67%
10. Oregon State University
Online Students: 10,125
Oregon State University is a public college in Corvallis, Oregon and has been named to the Abound: Finish College Best Online Colleges, Best Online Colleges: West, Best Colleges for Adults, and Best Colleges for Military and Veterans award lists. The school’s online program features 49 online degree options and 10,125 online students. The school offers online degrees, on-campus day care, academic counseling services, career services, credit for military training, and more.
Average net price: $21,868 – Admissions rate: 79%
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 71%
11. University of Central Florida
Online Students: 10,009
University of Central Florida is a public college in Orlando, Florida and has been named to the Best Online Colleges and Best Colleges for Adults award lists. Its online program features 19 online degree options. The in-state on-campus net price to attend is $13,110. The school offers on-campus day care, credit for military training, credit for life experiences, academic counseling services, career services, and more.
Average net price: $13,110 – Admissions rate: 40%
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 75%
12. Bellevue University
Online Students: 9,816
Bellevue University is a private college in Bellevue, Nebraska and has been named to the Abound: Finish College Best Online Colleges and Best Colleges for Military and Veterans award lists. The school’s undergraduate online program features 69 online degree options and 9,816 online students. The on-campus average net price to attend is $25,735 and the per-credit hour charge for part-time students is $335. The school offers online degrees, credit for life experiences, weekend/evening classes, academic counseling services, credit for military training, and more.
Average net price: $25,735 – Student-to-faculty ratio: 17:1
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 56%
13. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide
Online Students: 8,037
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide is a private college in Daytona Beach, Florida and has been named to the Abound: Finish College Best Online Colleges and Best Colleges for Military and Veterans award lists. The school’s online program features 17 online degree options and 8,037 online students. The on-campus average net price to attend is $20,183 and the per-credit hour charge for part-time students is $465. The school offers online degrees, credit for life experiences, weekend/evening classes, academic counseling services, career services, credit for military training, and more.
Average net price: $20,183 – Admissions rate: 62%
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 23%
14. The Pennsylvania State University
Online Students: 7,417
Penn State World Campus offers more than 175 accredited online degree and certificate programs through The Pennsylvania State University. Designed for working adults and non-traditional students, these programs combine academic excellence with the flexibility of fully online learning. Students can pursue degrees in business, healthcare, education, engineering, and more—while benefiting from the same faculty, resources, and reputation as Penn State’s on-campus programs.
Average net price: $21,171 – Admissions rate: 80%
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 31%
15. Wilmington University
Online Students: 7,416
Wilmington University is a private college in New Castle, Delaware. The on-campus average net price to attend is $14,267 and the per-credit hour charge for part-time students is $399. The school offers online degrees, credit for life experiences, weekend/evening classes, academic counseling services, career services, and more.
Average net price: $14,267 – Student-to-faculty ratio: 12
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 23%
16. University of Arizona
Online Students: 7,272
University of Arizona is a public college in Tucson, Arizona and has been named to the Abound: Finish College Best Online Colleges, Best Colleges for Adults, and Best Colleges for Military and Veterans award lists. The school’s online program features 46 online degree options and 7,272 online students. The on-campus average net price to attend is $18,144. The school offers online degrees, credit for life experiences, weekend/evening classes, academic counseling services, career services, credit for military training, and more.
Average net price: $18,144 – Admissions rate: 86%
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 66%
17. National University
Online Students: 7,263
National University specializes in flexible online degree programs built for adult learners, military service members, and working professionals. With year-round enrollment, four-week course formats, and generous transfer credit policies, students can earn degrees faster in fields like business, education, healthcare, cybersecurity, and more. National University’s online programs are designed to fit your schedule—so you can balance school, work, and life.
Average net price: $28,115 – Student-to-faculty ratio: 16
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 60%
18. The University of Texas at Arlington
Online Students: 6,759
The University of Texas at Arlington is a public college in Arlington, Texas and has been named to the Abound: Finish College Best Colleges for Adults and Best Colleges for Military and Veterans award lists. The part-time student body is 6,987 students, which represents 39% of total students. The on-campus average net price to attend is $14,956 and the per-credit hour charge for part-time students is $366. The school offers online degrees, weekend/evening classes, on-campus day care, academic counseling services, career services, credit for military training, and more.
Average net price: $14,956 – Admissions rate: 81%
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 57%
19. Thomas Edison State University
Online Students: 6,598
Thomas Edison State University offers flexible, fully online degree programs designed for self-directed adult learners. With generous transfer credit options, credit for prior learning and work experience, and competency-based education pathways, TESU helps students earn degrees efficiently. Programs span business, healthcare, liberal arts, public service, and technology.
Student-to-faculty ratio: 15:1
20. Kennesaw State University
Online Students: 6,430
Kennesaw State University is a public college in Kennesaw, Georgia and has been named to the Abound: Finish College Best Colleges for Adults and Best Colleges for Military and Veterans award lists. The on-campus average net price to attend is $17,566 and the per-credit hour charge for part-time students is $185. The school offers online degrees, credit for life experiences, weekend/evening classes, academic counseling services, career services, credit for military training, and more.
Average net price: $17,566 – Admissions rate: 69%
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 48%
21. Empire State University
Online Students: 6,372
Average net price: $11,065
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 22%
22. Colorado State University Global
Online Students: 6,202
Colorado State University Global is a public college in Aurora, Colorado and has been named to the Abound: Finish College 100 Best Online Colleges, Best Online Colleges: West, and Best Colleges for Military and Veterans award lists. The school’s online program features 15 online degree options and 6,202 online students. The on-campus average net price to attend is $12,475 and the per-credit hour charge for part-time students is $350. The school offers online degrees, credit for life experiences, weekend/evening classes, academic counseling services, credit for military training, and more.
Average net price: $12,475 – Admissions rate: 93%
23. Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global
Online Students: 5,670
Student-to-faculty ratio: 19:1
24. Utah Valley University
Online Students: 5,550
Utah Valley University is a public college in Orem, Utah and has been named to the Abound: Finish College Best Colleges for Adults award list. The on-campus average net price to attend is $8,650. The school offers online degrees, credit for life experiences, weekend/evening classes, on-campus day care, academic counseling services, career services, credit for military training, and more.
Average net price: $8,650
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 37%
25. Old Dominion University
Online Students: 5,518
Old Dominion University is a public college in Norfolk, Virginia and has been named to the Abound: Finish College Best Online Colleges and Best Colleges for Military and Veterans award lists. The school’s online program features 28 online degree options and 5,518 online students. The on-campus average net price to attend is $16,150 and the per-credit hour charge for part-time students is $374. The school offers online degrees, credit for life experiences, weekend/evening classes, academic counseling services, career services, credit for military training, and more.
Average net price: $16,150 – Admissions rate: 91%
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 44%
Frequently asked questions
What does “largest online university” mean?
In this guide, “largest” refers to the number of undergraduate students enrolled exclusively in distance education (fully online). It does not measure overall enrollment, selectivity, or program quality.
Are large online universities a good fit for adults finishing college?
They can be—especially if you need flexible start dates, a wide range of majors, and strong transfer options. But you should also compare total cost, academic support, and career services before choosing based on size alone.
Is accreditation the same for online colleges?
Online programs should be offered by an institution with recognized accreditation, and some majors require additional programmatic accreditation (for example, nursing or teacher preparation). Always verify accreditation before enrolling.
How can I finish faster at an online university?
Ask about transfer credit limits, credit for prior learning (PLA), accelerated terms, and whether you can take a higher course load while working. Your advisor should be able to map a graduation plan based on your current credits.
Where can I find “best,” not just “largest,” online colleges?
If you want schools selected for adult-student support and outcomes, start here: Best Online Colleges for Adult Learners.
About Abound: Finish College
Abound: Finish College helps adult learners compare degree-completion options and find schools built for working students. Our editorial team focuses on the factors that most affect adult success—flexibility, affordability, acceleration options (transfer/PLA), and student support.
Data note: Enrollment figures in this article are sourced from IPEDS and reflect reported counts of students enrolled exclusively in distance education (fully online) at the undergraduate level.
