25 Largest Online Universities 2023
BY ABOUND: FINISH COLLEGE STAFF, TYSON SCHRITTER
Published: November 3, 2022
Deciding to pursue your bachelor’s degree online is a big step toward your career development. Online education is no longer a buzzword. Colleges and universities all across the country have been putting more and more high-quality resources and attention into their online programs. Especially since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, every institution has been challenged and required to provide an online education that is of the same quality as their traditional on-campus courses.
Thinking about enrolling online? You’re in good company; over 7 million people in America are getting an exclusively online education. Online education has continued its sometimes slow and sometimes fast progress as a key way many students attend college. While there are many amazing smaller online programs across the country (check out our full list of online colleges here) there are a handful that have very large populations of online students across the country. Here is a list of the top 25 biggest online programs in the country. Data is from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System.
1. Southern New Hampshire University
Online Students: 106,789
Southern New Hampshire University is a private college in Manchester, New Hampshire and has been named to the Best 100 Online Colleges award list. Its online program features 45 online degree options. The on-campus net price to attend is $40,323 and the per-credit hour charge is $320. The school offers weekend/evening classes, credit for military training, credit for life experiences, academic counseling services, career services, and more.
Average net price: $21,502 – Admissions rate: 92 %
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 37 %
2. Western Governors University
Online Students: 104,919
Western Governors University is a private college in Salt Lake City, Utah and has been named to the Best 100 Online Colleges award list. Its online program features 30 online degree options. The on-campus net price to attend is $8,286.The school offers credit for military training, academic counseling services, and more.
Average net price: $10,336 – Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 64 %
3. University of Central Florida
Online Students: 47,659
University of Central Florida is a public college in Orlando, Florida and has been named to the Best 100 Online Colleges and Best Colleges for Adults award lists. Its online program features 19 online degree options. The part-time student body is 17,888 students. The in-state on-campus net price to attend is $11,914 and the per-credit hour charge is $212. 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: $11,575 – Admissions rate: 36 %
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 75 %
4. Arizona State University-Online
Online Students: 40,485
Arizona State University Digital Immersion is a public college in Scottsdale, Arizona and has been named to the Best 100 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: 70%
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 26 %
5 . University of Maryland Global Campus
Online Students: 38,705
University of Maryland Global Campus is a public college in Adelphi, Maryland and has been named to the Best 100 Online Colleges award list. Its online program features 32 online degree options. The in-state on-campus net price to attend is $15,172 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: $16,228 – Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 11%
6 . Michigan State University
Online Students: 36,947
Enjoy the convenience of online learning with several programs that offer a combined online and on-campus learning experience. Many of MSU’s online programs are also offered on our beautiful 5,200-acre campus located in East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
Average net price: $8,738 – Admissions rate: 83%
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 82%
7 . 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%
8 . University of Houston-Downtown
Online Students: 35,568
University of Houston-Downtown is a public college in Houston, Texas and has been named to the Best 100 Online Colleges and Best Colleges for Adults award lists. Its online program features 13 online degree options. The part-time student body is 6,798 students. The in-state on-campus net price to attend is $9,043 and the per-credit hour charge is $236. The school offers weekend/evening classes, credit for military training, credit for life experiences, academic counseling services, career services, and more.
Average net price: $27,891 – Admissions rate: 99%
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 65%
9 . Liberty University
Online Students: 35,568
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: $14,339 – Admissions rate: 66%
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 62%
10 . California State University-Fullerton
Online Students: 34,461
Looking for a way to earn your Bachelor’s degree on your schedule? These three online degree programs from California State University, Fullerton let you finish your bachelor’s degree online on your time — and you’ll earn the same degree you would earn on campus.
Average net price: $4,939 – Admissions rate: 59%
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 71%
11 . 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 100 Online Colleges award list. Its online program features 33 online degree options. The and 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: $3,802 – Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 30%
12 . California State University-Long Beach
Online Students: 33,032
If you’re a CSU student, you can take one online course through any of the CSU’s 23 campuses concurrently with your home CSU courses fall or spring semester at no additional cost*. A “fully online” course is any class that’s offered in a completely online environment, no in person or on campus meetings. Many courses are offered in an asynchronous learning mode, meaning no scheduled meeting or exam times.
Average net price: $9,171 – Admissions rate: 47%
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 75%
13 . California State University-Northridge
Online Students: 30,091
If you’re a CSU student, you can take one online course through any of the CSU’s 23 campuses concurrently with your home CSU courses fall or spring semester at no additional cost*. A “fully online” course is any class that’s offered in a completely online environment, no in person or on campus meetings. Many courses are offered in an asynchronous learning mode, meaning no scheduled meeting or exam times.
Average net price: $8,708 – Admissions rate: 88%
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 54%
14 . University of California-Irvine
Online Students: 29,209
As the continuing education division of the University of California, Irvine, UC Irvine Extension is dedicated to providing a university-level learning experience for adult professionals. We offer over 40 certificate programs and specialized studies, and thousands of courses to local, regional, and global constituencies.
UC Irvine Extension courses are available on-campus in Irvine, online, and on-site through Corporate Training. Several programs lead to industry certifications, as well as transfer credits toward a master’s degree at partner universities.
Average net price: $11,633 – Admissions rate: 29%
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 84%
15 . University of California-Los Angeles
Online Students: 28,924
As one of the nation’s oldest, largest and most comprehensive continuing education providers, UCLA Extension combines top-tier academics with practical real-world applications. With online learning through UCLA Extension, you can upgrade your current skills—or explore an entirely new area of interest —with flexibility and convenience.
Average net price: $13,393 – Admissions rate: 11%
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 92%
16 . California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Online Students: 27,905
Online Learning programs are available through Cal Poly Pomona. Learn at your own pace, perfect for busy professionals. Click on each program to register for an online learning course, offered by a trusted providers.
Average net price: $12,942 – Admissions rate: 61%
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 70%
17 . San Diego State University
Online Students: 27,797
SDSU Global Campus offers a wide variety of online programs, from certificates to career building courses to personal enrichment opportunities. All online courses are taught by either industry experts or SDSU faculty members. Specific computer specifications are always spelled out in advance so that you’ll always know if you have the right equipment to take a course. Some courses even offer free demos.
Average net price: $6,867 – Admissions rate: 38%
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 76%
18 . University of Florida
Online Students: 26,204
UF Online provides an unparalleled education to determined individuals – wherever life takes them. And those who have what it takes to complete one of our fully online four-year programs earn the same University of Florida degree as their counterparts on campus.
Average net price: $9,809 – Admissions rate: 30%
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 91%
19 . Florida State University
Online Students: 26,098
Whether you’re looking for an online program for flexibility, convenience, or reputation, FSU offers nationally ranked programs, distinguished faculty, and a renowned strength in the arts, humanities, and sciences. Browse our offerings and learn how FSU can help your future take flight.
Average net price: $12,684 – Admissions rate: 37%
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 83%
20 . San Jose State University
Online Students: 26,098
SJSU’s model allows you to maximize the number of credits you can transfer so that you have a fast and affordable pathway to complete your bachelor’s degree online. You can also minimize your cost further by applying for Federal Student Aid, Federal Pell Grants, Federal Work-Study opportunities, and SJSU scholarships.
Average net price: $14,603 – Admissions rate: 84%
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 69%
21 . The University of Texas at San Antonio
Online Students: 25,272
UTSA Online offers high-quality education through convenient and flexible formats. We tailor your education to your personal needs to help shape your future and achieve your goals at your pace!
Average net price: $11,013 – Admissions rate: 90%
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 51%
22 . The Pennsylvania State University
Online Students: 25,075
Pennsylvania State University-World Campus is a public college in University Park, Pennsylvania and has been named to the Best 100 Online Colleges award list.
Average net price: $24,012 – Admissions rate: 92%
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 73%
23 . University of California-Berkeley
Online Students: 25,075
Take online programs and courses from anywhere in the world! Receive a Berkeley-quality education from the comfort of your home—no visa or application required. Search the course catalog to find the right one for you.
Average net price: $17,652 – Admissions rate: 14%
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 93%
24 . University of California-Davis
Online Students: 25,016
Advancing your education doesn’t have to compete with the demands of life. UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education’s award-winning online programs are specifically designed to provide you with a flexible, engaging learning experience that ensures:
Convenience—Learn on your schedule. All you need is a computer, an Internet connection and some quiet time.
Interactivity—Experience the latest educational technology, including video, interactive exercises and online discussion with instructors and fellow students.
Quality—Learn from industry experts who want to engage with you on real-world content that’s backed by UC Davis, one of the nation’s leading universities.
Average net price: $16,640 – Admissions rate: 49%
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 87%
25 . University of California-San Diego
Online Students: 24,940
In order to support the growing interest of online course and program delivery, UC San Diego launched a branded instance of Open edX in 2019 tailored to the learning needs of our campus and the global community. UC San Diego Online is based on Open edX, an open source learning management system (LMS) with a large supportive community. Open edX is the same platform that powers edX.org.
UC San Diego is committed to providing global access to scholarship and research via UC San Diego Online. Courses and programs provide opportunities to learn from and engage with the campus community.
Average net price: $15,632 – Admissions rate: 34%
Percent of students that graduate within 6 years: 89%
Abound: Finish College narrows down your options and gets you in touch with schools that we can confirm are Accessible, Affordable, Accelerated, and Advanced. Take a look at the schools we trust and find the program that works for you.
