Most Popular Accredited Online Colleges of 2025
Online learning brings the college classroom to you. As an online student, you learn from top professors and receive the same high-quality education as on-campus students. Many leading schools offer a plethora of online degrees and programs.
Among the hundreds of accredited schools offering online degrees, a few stand out for their exceptionally large online student bodies. While all accredited online colleges are held to high standards and provide a quality education, the largest and most popular online schools often come with additional advantages.
Thanks to their size and specialization in online learning, these institutions typically invest heavily in dedicated resources, advanced technologies, and comprehensive support services designed specifically to help you succeed in an online learning environment.
So, which colleges dominate the online space? Keep reading to discover the biggest accredited schools by online enrollment nationwide.
The 10 Biggest Accredited Online Colleges
How We Chose These Schools
At TheBestSchools, we use trusted data from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to evaluate schools without bias. Our ranking methodology helps prospective students from various backgrounds find the best fit. We consider key factors like academic quality, online offerings, and affordability so every type of student can find the best fit for them.
For this page, we’ve ranked colleges by their online enrollment numbers. This list has been updated for 2025. Learn more about how our formula works on our ranking methodology page.
Reality Check: Is It Possible To Do College Online?
Yes, it’s absolutely possible to earn your degree entirely online, and for many students, it’s the preferred option. Online college offers a lot of flexibility. You can learn at your own pace and study whenever and wherever you want, all while following a structured curriculum with set deadlines.
How Does Online College Work?
Online colleges offer the same high-quality education as on-campus programs but with classes taught completely online. A typical course features a curriculum of video recordings or live lectures, plus readings and assessments.
Although online learning is independent, you’ll still have many chances to interact with students and professors. This usually happens through discussion boards, video conferencing, or group projects. Some programs may also include in-person activities, such as residencies or labs.
Why Choose a Popular Online College?
The biggest online colleges provide many accredited degree, certificate, and course options to help you find the right fit for your education. They also offer additional benefits, such as easy credit transfer and the flexibility to take classes on your schedule.
Many of these schools also offer options to enroll in asynchronous programs, which means you can watch lectures and complete coursework at times that suit you. This is especially helpful if you’re working while in school. Alternatively, you can join live sessions at set times in synchronous classes.
6 Benefits of Attending a Popular Online College
- You can attend one of these larger, reputable online schools from anywhere with internet access, whether in the comfort of your home or your local library.
- Several of the biggest online colleges offer start anytime enrollment options, allowing you to begin your degree program whenever it’s right for you.
- While all accredited online degrees are respected by employers, degrees from popular, well-established schools can carry added name recognition and credibility in the job market.
- The flexible learning environments offered by these popular online schools can make it easier to fit your education around your job, family, and other responsibilities.
- Many of these larger, well-known colleges offer online degree programs that are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts.
- Many of these online colleges have generous transfer credit policies, allowing you to seamlessly apply previously earned college credits toward your degree.
How to Choose an Online College: 5 Tips
While online enrollment numbers paint a picture of the school’s online offerings and support services, the best online college for you will depend on your educational goals, budget, and preferences. Use these five tips to help you choose the right online college.
1. Define Your Goals
Before researching online colleges, you need to define your academic and career goals. Consult with friends, family, coworkers, and mentors to find out which path works best for you.
Do you want to increase your expertise? Advance to a higher position? Qualify for a higher salary? All of these goals can influence the school you choose.
2. Choose Your Degree
Knowing your career goals makes choosing a degree easier. Your goal may require an advanced degree, such as a master’s or doctorate. Fortunately, many popular online universities offer graduate degrees.
Understanding the degree you’d like to pursue, the subjects you want to specialize in, and how long you’d like to be in school will all help you choose the best online college for you.
3. Check for Accreditation
The best online colleges hold legitimate institutional accreditation from one or more independent agencies. You can check a school’s accreditation status by visiting the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) website. The free database offers detailed information about thousands of U.S. colleges and universities.
Accreditation is essential for applying to graduate programs, gaining employment, and qualifying for professional licensure.
4. Create a Budget
Many factors make up your total cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, textbooks, and other education-related expenses. You may qualify for scholarships or grants. Create a budget with this information so you can determine how much you can contribute toward your education annually.
Fortunately, many online programs offer savings compared to on-campus degrees. You can learn more about these cost differences on school websites.
5. Talk With Representatives and Alumni
The most popular online colleges produce satisfied alumni and employ qualified faculty. Reach out to alumni and staff to learn more about the school’s educational opportunities, culture, and career-planning resources.
You may find that a school on your short list does not offer what you need for academic and career success.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges
Are online degree programs respected?
Employers and other universities respect online degrees as long as the school issuing them holds proper accreditation. Accreditation acts as a seal of approval, showing that a school’s academic requirements result in a quality education. An online degree from an unaccredited school may not prepare you adequately for a job or graduate education.
You can check with ED or CHEA for the latest accreditation information for all schools you’re considering.
Is online college easier?
Properly accredited online colleges provide the same rigorous academic experience on-campus students receive. Expect to complete identical coursework and meet the same expectations required by traditional on-campus programs.
Although the most popular online colleges expect the best from their learners, the convenience of online learning may make earning your degree easier. Asynchronous programs let you complete coursework around your busy schedule. That said, if you often struggle with time management or self-motivation, online college may be more difficult for you.
What is the biggest online school?
Southern New Hampshire University ranks on our list as the largest online school in the United States, enrolling more than 158,000 students. The University of Maryland Global Campus is the next biggest, with over 50,000 online students.
Consider more than a school’s size before enrolling. Figuring out your short- and long-term goals can help you identify the majors and student support services you need for academic success.
Does student aid cover online college?
Yes, online students are eligible for the same federal student aid as campus-based students, including grants, loans, and work-study programs. To be eligible, you must fill out the FAFSA and meet certain requirements, which might include a financial need for need-based aid, U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen status, and enrollment in a degree or certificate program at an eligible college or trade school.
Can I leave college and transfer to an online college?
Yes, you can transfer from a traditional college to an online one. But first, check the transfer policies of the online college you are considering to ensure they will accept the credits you’ve earned. It’s also key to enroll in an accredited online college to make transferring credits easier and ensure your prospective degree holds value and credibility.