Top 7 Nationally Accredited Online Colleges 2019
Nationally accredited online colleges are generally for-profit and offer career, technical, or vocational programs.
Be aware that there are significant differences between national and regional accredited online colleges. Nationally accredited institutions will generally receive credit from accredited local and national tertiary institutions, but the same does not apply when going from National Accreditation to regionally accredited tertiary institutions.
The Ministry of Education may not recognize some nationally accredited universities. If the school is not listed on the Ministry of Education website, avoid school as if it does not have any accreditation.
Rating
The schools listed below are all nationally accredited, and the US Department of Education recognizes their accreditation. The school ranks solely on affordability.All data comes from the school site and the National Center for Statistics education.
Top 7 Nationally Accredited Online Colleges
1. University of California Coast
Tuition: $ 4,725Accreditation: DEAC
California Coast University was founded in 1973 as a private liberal arts school based in Santa Ana, California. With around 8,000 students enrolled at any given time, the school is committed to providing affordable education in a flexible, online format. Designed for working professionals, CCU's study programs can be completed at your own pace and offered in an accelerated format so you can achieve a bachelor's or Master's degree in just nine months and a doctorate in 3 years. This online university offers several degrees from colleagues to doctorates.
In addition to these features, CCU rolling acceptance means you can apply and be accepted at any time of the year. Committed to flexibility and ease of access, this accredited online lecture does not have a physical campus, which means they are fully committed to a distance learning experience in addition to being experts in online education. They offer study programs in the fields of arts and sciences, Behavioral Sciences, criminal justice, education, and administration and management.
2. University of Western Governors
Tuition: $ 6,070Accreditation: DEAC
Western Governors University is a mission-driven, non-profit university known as a pioneer in online learning. The school was founded in 1997 by a group of Governors concerned that the traditional model of higher education would not cut it to the needs of 21st-century students.
Since the 1990s, WGU has recognized the value of the internet to provide education to students wherever they live and on a schedule that works for those who are busy, work life. Even their mascot, Sage The Night Owl, was adopted as a symbol of students who had to adapt their studies to adjust to their work, family, and life.
WGU uses an advanced competency-based system, which means students progress through their degrees at the speed at which they understand the material, as opposed to the traditional semester-by-semester approach. Their programs are grouped around the fields of business, education, information technology, and Healthcare & Nursing.
In 2018, US News & World Report ranked WGU as # 10 in the most innovative category of colleges and universities. Also, the United States Distance Learning Association has been awarded the 21st Century WGU Award for Best Practices in distance learning, which means it is the top, best accredited online National college.
3. Grantham University
Tuition: $ 6,540Accreditation: DEAC
Initially founded in 1951 in Southern California, Grantham University grew more than the traditional campus experience in the 1990s when it utilized the power of the internet to reach students across the country. What was once a school that focused on radio and electronics for returning soldiers and working women has evolved into an online school with programs in a broad field of study?
Currently, their curriculum has more than 50-degree programs, including studies in engineering and computer science, business, nursing, allied health, and liberal arts programs through the College of Arts and Sciences. Grantham specializes in students who are incompatible with traditional scientific print: first-generation students, active duty military personnel, military veterans, and busy entrepreneurs.
Since 2006, Grantham has been recognized for various awards in the fields of University excellence, military hospitality, and the quality of education. In 2018, Grantham was known in the most diverse national award for higher education as # 33.
4. South Columbia University
Tuition: $ 6,600Accreditation: DEAC
Founded in 1993, Columbia Southern University's mission is to provide affordable, high-quality online learning paired with general education skills that enable lifelong success in both the education and professional world. A digital University based in Orange Beach, Alabama, it respects student-first, family-oriented culture that serves non-traditional students who have jobs and families to balance with their studies.
CSU has a variety of studies available in certificates, associations, bachelors, Masters, doctoral level in academic programs including occupational safety and health, fire administration, criminal justice, Business Administration, Human Resource Management, health care administration, and more. As online colleges are accredited, they specialize in adults and non-traditional students who are looking to balance their education with their work and family.
CSU has recently been recognized by the college ranking authority TheBestSchools.Org as # 13 on the list of the most popular online colleges, making it one of the top accredited online colleges nationwide.
5. American public university system
Tuition: $ 6,880Accreditation: DEAC
We are recognized as a leading university for professionals in the military, national security, and public safety sectors, the American Public University System bridges class to the workplace with online education. The school was founded in 1991 by a former Marine Corps officer who wanted to offer a career focus, distance education for military students who were always on the move and unable to study on traditional, brick-and-mortar campuses.
The specialization of APU is a professional, working adult looking to start their careers in the fields of business, health, education and government. They offer more than 200 academic programs in accredited areas related to nursing, public health, fire fighting, and Cyber defence education. APUS has a particular focus on members of the military community, including active duty personnel, veterans, national guards, reserves and military partners.
American Public University is registered as an Unregistered University in the South by U.S. News and World Report. APUS has also been recognized as a "Best for Vets College" by the Military Times and a Top-five Value Choice in Washington Monthly College Rankings.
6. University of Abraham Lincoln
Tuition: $ 7,500Accreditation: DEAC
Founded in 1996 by a Los Angeles lawyer, Abraham Lincoln University is a law-focused school that offers programs in business administration, general studies, criminal justice & legal studies. Named after Abraham Lincoln, the founder of ALU wanted the school mission to reflect Lincoln's heritage as a self-taught lawyer who understood the importance of practical and flexible education and the need to develop U.S. government agencies. Through progress in law.
ALU offers studies at all degree levels, including certificates, undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral degrees. Their J.D. Program graduates become eligible to sit for the California bar exam after completing their studies. Known for its focus on lawyer preparation for future practice, the ALU Faculty mainly practices lawyers from institutions such as Stanford University, UCLA, UC Berkeley, and Loyola. Students can attend classes at people on the ALU Los Angeles campus, online, or mixed models of online and in-person courses.
7. Rasmussen College online
Tuition: $ 10,935Accreditation: ABHES
Rasmussen College was founded in 1900 in Stillwater, Minnesota as a school to educate America and the upcoming business class. Since then, Rasmussen has developed into a physical campus in Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Kansas, and operates a robust digital school for distance learners. Rasmussen offers more than 30 online degree programs in business, design, education, health sciences, justice studies, nursing, and technology. Credentials are available at the Diploma, Associate and undergraduate degree level.
For each program, Rasmussen offers Flex Choice options such as credit for prior learning, self-directed assessment, and competency-based education that allows students to obtain course credit without taking classes in traditional formats. For digital students, this school offers several innovative learning modalities, including virtual online and laboratory simulations, direct interactive sessions, and practical real-world experience to connect your education to your career.
See the full list of rankings below, including Bible colleges.
- Full List of the Top 41 Nationally Accredited Online Colleges
- Shiloh University DEAC $4,510
- California Coast University DEAC $4,725
- Western Governors University DEAC $6,070
- Grantham University DEAC $6,540
- Columbia Southern University DEAC $6,600
- American Public University System DEAC $6,880
- Abraham Lincoln University DEAC $7,500
- Rasmussen College Online ABHES $10,935
- Calvary University ABHE $11,152
- Liberty University TRACS $11,700
- Southwestern Oklahoma State University ABHES $13,905
- American National University DEAC $14,886
- Johnson University ABHE $14,920
- ECPI University Online ABHES, ACCET, and ACCSC $16,039
- Stratford University ABHES $15,135
- Independence University ACCSC, CCNE, and CoARC $16,968
- The Art Institute of Pittsburgh – Online Division ACICS $17,014
- Eastern Kentucky University ACCET $18,250
- Keiser University eCampus ABHES $18,488
- Southwestern Assemblies of God University ABHE $19,994
- California Institute of Advanced Management ACICS $20,000
- Ohio Christian University ABHE $20,240
- Toccoa Falls College ABHE $22,104
- Columbia International University ABHE $22,390
- Virginia College Online ACICS $22,600
- Full Sail University ACCSC $23,694
- Crown College ABHE $25,430
- Andrews University DEAC $28,436
- LA Film School – Online ACCET and ACCSC $29,500
- San Diego Christian College TRACS $30,438
- Miller-Motte College Online ACICS $10,800 – $11,740
- Kaplan University DEAC $11,581 – $16,246
- Purdue University Global DEAC $11,581 – $16,246
- Carrington College ABHES and ACCSC $13,975 – $54,125
- Brookline College Online ABHES and ACICS $14,500 – $15,515
- Bryan University Online ACCSC $15,400 – $15,447
- Ultimate Medical Academy ABHES $15,500 – $15,550
- Pinnacle Career Institute Online ACCSC and ACICS $15,765 – $20,465
- Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts Online ACCET $23,900 – $23,982
- Kansas Christian College ABHE $5,460 – $7,640
- Miller-Motte Technical College Online ACICS $9,500 – $12,420