Arizona State University’s online programs continue to earn recognition among the nation’s best in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings, earning four No. 1 rankings.
Three ASU Online graduate programs offered through the Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation and one from the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering received top spots:
- No. 1 — curriculum and instruction, ahead of Indiana University-Bloomington, Michigan State University and the University of Virginia.
- No. 1 — educational administration and supervision, ahead of University of Wisconsin-Madison, Michigan State University and Indiana University-Bloomington.
- No. 1 — educational/instructional media design, ahead of Indiana University-Bloomington, Michigan State University and the University of Virginia.
- No. 1 — master’s in electrical engineering, ahead of the University of Southern California, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and Texas A&M University.
With more than 95,000 learners worldwide and over 100,000 graduates, ASU’s dedication to innovation and academic excellence across its online degree programs has secured its place as a leader in online learning.
Offering more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral online degree programs, ASU Online’s continued recognition reflects the university’s commitment to making high-quality education accessible to learners everywhere.
“These rankings reflect ASU’s dedication to providing students with an exceptional online education,” said Nancy Gonzales, executive vice president and university provost. “Our online programs are designed to equip learners with the knowledge, skills and support they need to thrive in their careers and beyond.”
A total of 23 online programs were ranked among the top 10, with 10 of those being among the top three in the nation, including the online bachelor’s in business at No. 2, ahead of Pennsylvania State University, Indiana University and the University of Arizona. Additionally, ASU ranked among the top three in the following categories:
- No. 3 — bachelor’s programs for veterans, ahead of the University of Arizona, University of Massachusetts-Amherst and Penn State.
- No. 3 — master’s in business programs, ahead of USC, Ohio State University and Michigan State University.
- No. 3 — general management MBA, ahead of Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Florida and USC.
- No. 3 — master’s in engineering management, ahead of Duke University, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Ohio State University.
- No. 3 — master’s in special education, ahead of Indiana University-Bloomington, Michigan State University and Purdue University.
ASU was also ranked among the top 10 for best online bachelor’s programs — ahead of the University of Arizona, the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and Penn State — offering more than 180 online undergraduate programs across humanities, business, psychology, science, nursing, engineering and more.
The university’s commitment to supporting veterans in their educational pursuits was also recognized. In addition to a top three ranking for best online bachelor’s programs for veterans, ASU was also ranked in the top 10 for best online programs across the following categories:
- No. 4 — master’s in education programs for veterans, ahead of Purdue University, Penn State and the University of Kansas.
- No. 5 — MBA program for veterans, ahead of the University of Arizona, Carnegie Mellon and USC.
- No. 6 — master’s in criminal justice for veterans, ahead of Michigan State University, Florida State University and the University of Cincinnati.
- No. 7 — master’s in engineering programs for veterans, ahead of Texas A&M University, USC and the University of Arizona.
Additionally, ASU's Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation was ranked No. 13 for best online master’s in nursing for veterans.
“Our strong rankings for veterans reflect ASU’s deep commitment to supporting those who have served our country. We are proud to provide veteran learners with high-quality online programs, innovative resources, and the flexibility they need to achieve their educational and career goals,” Gonzales said.
From cutting-edge technology, such as Dreamscape Learn, to flexible pathways, such as Study Hall and Earned Admission, ASU is redefining what’s possible in digital teaching and learning.
Additional online program rankings
Bachelor’s degree programs
In addition to ASU’s No. 7 ranking for best online bachelor’s programs, it also received the following:
- No. 2 — business, ahead of Penn State, Indiana University and the University of Arizona.
- No. 9 — psychology.
Master’s degree programs
Business and MBA
The W. P. Carey School of Business was ranked No. 3 for its online master’s in business — ahead of USC, Ohio State University and Michigan State University — and No. 7 for the online MBA, ahead of the Rochester Institute of Technology, the University of Texas at Dallas and the University of Maryland-College Park. The MBA program also received the following top 10 rankings in the following categories:
- No. 4 — business analytics MBA, ahead of the University of Florida, USC and Ohio State University.
- No. 6 — MBA programs in marketing, ahead of Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Washington and Ohio State University.
- No. 6 — finance MBA, ahead of Ohio State University, the University of Washington and the University of Arizona.
Education
The Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation was ranked in the top 10 for its online master's in education, ahead of Purdue University, Indiana University-Bloomington and Penn State.
Engineering
Ranked in the top 15 for best online master’s in engineering (No. 12, ahead of Columbia University, USC and the University of Arizona), the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering received top 10 rankings in the following category, as well as the rankings listed above:
- No. 6 — industrial engineering, ahead of the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Texas A&M and Virginia Tech.
Criminal justice
The Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions was ranked in the top 10 nationally for its online master’s degree in criminal justice, ahead of Michigan State University, Florida State University and the University of Cincinnati.
Related
- W. P. Carey School of Business: College is ranked No. 2 for online business programs.
- Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions: Criminal justice online graduate program climbs to No. 9.
- Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation: Online Master of Science in nursing leaps to top 21% of programs nationwide.
- Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation: No. 1 in three online graduate education categories.
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