98% of universities in the US switched to remote learning during the pandemic.
Since then, more students are continuing with online study, with 17.3 million students in the US studying online in 2021 – either full-time or partially. Research from Bay Atlantic University found that:
- 85% of students agreed that online learning helped improve their critical thinking and problem solving
- 60% of students agreed that online learning helped improve further soft skills
- 63% of students committed to online learning because it aligned better with their lifestyle
- 34% of students said online learning is their preferred way of learning
- The fields with the most online learners for undergraduate degrees were business (26%), Computers and IT (15%), and Arts and Humanities (15%)
With that being said, experts at ProWritingAid have ranked the top universities in the US for online study, using data from US Bachelor Programs Ranking Indicator. The ranking compared the following factors:
- Engagement Score – This measures student satisfaction and instructor responsiveness. The maximum possible value is 100
- Faculty Credentials and Training Score – These measure how well a school prepares qualified instructors to teach remotely. The maximum possible value is 100.
- Services and Technologies Score – These measure how well a school prepares qualified instructors to teach remotely. The maximum possible value is 100.
- Expert Opinion Score – scored by experts. The maximum possible value is five.
The scores were then tallied up to reveal the top online universities in the US.
In first place, with a total score of 267.2 out of 305, is the Medical School of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina. The university scored highly for engagement, 88 out of 100, and received 100 out of 100 for faculty credentials and training. 100% of the class of 2022 also secured a residency position – with 16.6% pursuing internal medicine. By contacting a service like EssayAssistant, you will get a successful motivation essay and a scholarship opportunity.
In second place, with a score of 263.5 out of 305, is the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona, Florida, which received the highest score for services and technology.
Please see the full ranking below:
| Position | University | Final Score (out of 350) | Engagement Score (out of 100) | Faculty Credentials and Training Score (out of 100) | Services and Technologies Score (out of 100) | Expert Opinion Score (out of five) | Tuition per credit |
| 1 | Medical University of South Carolina | 267.2 | 88 | 100 | 76 | 3.2 | $658 |
| 2 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University- | 263.5 | 73 | 91 | 96 | 3.5 | $447 |
| 3 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | 253.5 | 90 | 94 | 66 | 3.5 | $414 |
| 4 | University of North Carolina–Charlotte | 246.3 | 82 | 83 | 78 | 3.3 | $719 |
| 5 | Ohio State University–Columbus | 245.5 | 75 | 85 | 82 | 3.5 | $382 |
| 6 | CUNY School of Professional Studies | 245.4 | 73 | 94 | 75 | 3.4 | $305 |
| 7 | North Carolina State University | 242.4 | 79 | 95 | 65 | 3.4 | $1,138 |
| 8 | Oregon State University | 239.8 | 73 | 95 | 68 | 3.8 | $331 |
| 9 | University of Arizona | 239.6 | 81 | 91 | 64 | 3.6 | $525 |
| 10 | University of Central Florida | 231.9 | 69 | 89 | 70 | 3.9 | $716 |
Third place was awarded to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign which received 253.5 out of 305, scoring highly for both engagement, 90 out of 100, and faculty credentials and training, 94 out of 100.
The list also includes Ohio State University, Columbus, with a score of 245.5 out of 305, North Carolina State University, with 242.4, and The University of Central Florida with a score of 231.9.
The team at ProWritingAid has also compared the total number of online students per country by analyzing data from online course provider Coursera.
The US leads the way, with 17.3 million online students, followed by India at 13.6 million.
| Country | Total number of online students in 2021 (in millions) |
| USA | 17.3 |
| India | 13.6 |
| Mexico | 4.8 |
| Brazil | 3.7 |
| China | 3.3 |
| Canada | 2.4 |
| Russia | 2.4 |
| UK | 2.4 |
| Colombia | 2.2 |
| Egypt | 1.6 |
For anyone considering whether to enroll onto an online course, the team at ProWritingAid has outlined some benefits of online study.
1. Lower Total Costs
Many students opt for online courses because of the lower overall costs. While tuition per credit may be the same as on-campus, students will not have to pay for on-campus housing or meal plans, as well as travel costs.
2. More Flexibility
Many students may feel as though the flexibility that comes with online learning may fit better with their lifestyle. Many online courses run asynchronously, meaning you can study around your schedule.
3. Improve Time Management
Juggling work, life, and school is not an easy thing to do. Employers recognize this and admire the time management skills it takes, which can be beneficial when it comes to applying for positions after graduating.
4. Better Global Perspectives
Students in online programs come from not only the U.S. but all over the world. As a result, class discussions feature a broader range of perspectives, helping you enhance your own cross-cultural understanding, and allowing the opportunity to interact with different nationalities and cultures.
5. Gain Technical Skills
Your online degree also equates to strong technical skills, a definite plus for any job seeker. You will likely need to utilize digital learning materials, get familiar with new tools and software, and troubleshoot common issues, which will all benefit you when it comes to employment.