There are a number of colleges, universities, and career schools with online medical billing and coding degree and certificate programs available. Because the quality of online degree programs vary widely, we’ve put together this list of what we consider the very best colleges for online medical coding and billing degrees. Our online degree rankings are based on several factors, including school reputation, student satisfaction, peer and instructional quality, and overall affordability. Only fully accredited online colleges and universities were considered.

#1. Virginia College Online

Virginia College Online’s Healthcare Reimbursement Associate’s Degree program is a 96 quarter credit hour online degree program that includes on-the-job training through an externship. Graduates will be prepared to sit for medical billing and coding certification exams.

–>Click here for more information on Virginia College Online

#2. Herzing University Online

Herzing University Online’s online Diploma in Medical Billing and Insurance Coding is a 12-18 month, 48 credit hour program that covers all of the medical billing and coding courses at the core of Herzing’s online Associate of Science in Medical Billing and Coding and online Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management. Graduates of any one of the programs will be prepared to sit for medical billing and coding certification exams.

–>Click here for more information on Herzing University Online

#3. LA College Online

LA College Online’s Associate of Arts Degree in Health Care Administration with a concentration in Billing and Coding is a 16 month, 60 unit online degree program. Graduates will be prepared to sit for medical billing and coding certification exams. Students are encourage to contact LA College Online for tuition details.

–>Click here for more information on LA College Online

#4. National American University Online

National American University Online offers an online Diploma in Medical Coding and an Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology.

–>Click here for more information on National American University Online

#5. Bryant & Stratton College Online

Bryant & Stratton College Online’s Associate of Applied Science in Medical Reimbursement & Coding can be completed in as little as 20 months. Graduates will be prepared to sit for medical billing and coding certification exams.

–>Click here for more information on Bryant & Stratton College Online

#6. Drexel University Online

Drexel University’s Medical Billing and Coding Certificate is a six-course, 18 credit online program offered through Drexel’s College of Nursing and Health Professions. The program can be completed in one year. Graduates will be prepared to sit for medical billing and coding certification exams.

#7. Sullivan University Online

Sullivan University’s Medical Coding Certificate Program is a two-year, 48 credit hour program that can be completed entirely online. Graduates will be prepared to sit for medical billing and coding certification exams.

#8. Champlain College Online

Champlain College’s Data Coding and Classification Certificate is a one-year, 21 credit hour online certificate program offered through Champlain’s Continuing Professional Education department. Champlain also offers an online associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in Health Informatics for students looking to deepen their knowledge and further their career prospects in the health informatics field.

#9. Antonelli College Online

Antonelli College’s Associate of Science in Medical Billing and Coding is a 21-24 month online degree program. Graduates will be prepared to sit for medical billing and coding certification exams.

#10. Grantham University Online

Grantham University Online’s online Associate of Applied Science in Medical Coding is a 64 credit hour degree. Graduates will be prepared to sit for medical billing and coding certification exams.

Increasingly people are choosing to pursue college degrees online because of the greater flexibility and affordability of online degrees. For those looking to earn an online psychology degree, we’ve put together a list of the best online colleges and universities offering online psychology programs in 2011. Our online psychology degree rankings are based on several factors, including school reputation, student satisfaction, peer and instructional quality, and overall affordability. Only fully accredited online colleges and universities were considered.

#1. Liberty University Online

Liberty University, the world’s largest Christian university, came in #25 in our list of the top 25 online colleges and universities of 2011 and #2 in our list of the top 10 online Christian colleges and universities and 2011. Liberty University Online offers an Associate’s degree and Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, as well as a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Counseling and both master’s and doctoral degrees in Counseling.

–>Click here for more information on Liberty University Online

#2. Saint Leo University Online

Ranked # 24 in our list of the top 24 online colleges and universities of 2011 and #3 in our list of the top 10 online Catholic colleges and universities, Saint Leo University Online has established itself as a premier online school. St. Leo University Online’s Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is designed to prepare graduates for advanced study in psychology and related disciplines as well as employment in entry-level professional positions in human service settings and mental health facilities.

–>Click here for more information on Saint Leo University Online

#3. Walden University Online

Recognized for its online programs by U.S. News & World Report in 2010 and ranked #14 by the Online Education Database, Walden University Online is known not only for its quality online degree programs, but also for its commitment to social change. Walden University Online currently offers Master of Science degrees in Psychology with 12 distinct concentrations, including Social Psychology, Health Psychology, and Media Psychology among others.

–>Click here for more information on Walden University Online

#4. Grand Canyon University Online

Ranked #7 by the Online Education Database, Grand Canyon University Online is one of the fastest growing online Christian universities. Grand Canyon University Online currently offers a Bachelor of Science and two doctoral degrees in Psychology.

–>Click here for more information on Grand Canyon University Online

#5. Arizona State Umiversity Online

Arizona State University ranks #5 on the Wall Street Journal’s list of schools favored by employers for job recruiting and #2 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2011 list of “Up-and-Coming Schools.” ASU Online currently offers a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Family and Human Development designed to prepare students for careers in human services or further study in the psychological sciences.

–>Click here for more information on ASU Online

#6. UMass Online

U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of Massachusetts among its top 100 universities for 2011 and our editors gave UMass Online the #13 spot in our list of the top 25 online colleges and universities of 2011. UMass Online currently offers Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, one of its most popular undergraduate degree programs, along with a number of master’s level degrees in therapy and counseling.

#7. Ohio Christian University Online

Ranked #8 on our list of the top 10 online Christian colleges and universities of 2011, Ohio Christian University approaches all of its classes from a distinctively Christian perspective. Ohio Christian University Online currently offers a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology that prepares students to conduct their own research in psychology or do counseling from a Christian perspective.

#8. Brandman University Online

Recognized by U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review as one of the top universities in the Western U.S., Brandman University has quickly established a strong reputation for its online programs. Brandman University Online currently offers a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology designed to prepare students for a future in social work or graduate study in psychology.

#9. Northcentral University Online

With a #37 ranking in the Online Education Database’s list of top online schools, Northcentral University Online is known for its faculty mentored approach to online education, allowing for greater individualized attention for students. Northcentral University Online currently offers several online master’s and doctoral degrees in General Psychology, Gender Diversity Studies, Health Psychology and Industrial/Organizational Psychology.

#10. Southern New Hampshire University Online

A U.S. News & World Report tier 1 university and GetEducated.com “Best Buy”, Southern New Hampshire University Online has established a reputation for quality and affordability in online education. SNHU Online currently offers a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development.

Getting into a top online college or university is not always easy. As with traditional brick-and-mortar schools, admissions at most online colleges and universities is a competitive process based upon several factors like standardized test scores (e.g. SAT, GRE), prior college or high school GPA, recommendation letter, personal character, and so on. Competitive admissions enables schools to be selective in determining the make up of their student body, ensuring some level of quality control. Because so many online classes involve a high level of online student-to-student interactions as part of the learning process, it is generally a better overall experience to interact with students who have proven a level of academic ability and commitment. That is why we take into account a college’s acceptance rate in our rankings of the best online schools.

Advantages of Open Admissions

Some online schools offer open admissions (also known as open enrollment) in which nothing more than a high school diploma or GED is required for a student to be admitted. While the downside of offering open admissions is the possible diluting of the quality of the student body due to the lack of selectivity, the upside is that it opens up the possibility of a college education for many people who would otherwise be excluded. Many very talented and committed students are unable to get into online schools with selective admissions because of past mistakes, learning challenges, or testing difficulties that fail to accurately reflect their true academic ability at the current time. Most adults seeking an online education have experienced a significant amount of personal and intellectual growth since high school or their early college experience. Online colleges with open admissions offer such students the chance to overcome the past and pursue a brighter, more successful future for themselves and their families.

How We Developed Our Rankings

The good news is that there are several quality online colleges and universities with open admissions. You can find the best of them here on our list of the top 25 online colleges and universities with open admissions of 2011. All of our rankings are developed based on the following criteria: student satisfaction (as measured by graduation and retention rates), peer and instructional quality (as measured by acceptance rate and student-teacher ratio), affordability (as measured by tuition costs and availability of financial aid), and credibility (as measured by years of accreditation, reputation and awards). Obviously for all of the schools in this list the acceptance rate is an identical 100%. All data was gathered from objective, independent sources like The National Center for Education Statistics and College Results Online, as well as from school websites and direct conversations with school representatives.

Best Online Colleges & Universities with Open Admission of 2011

#1. National University Online

#2. Walden University Online

#3. Florida National College Online

#4. Liberty University Online

#5. Sullivan University Online

#6. Herzing University Online

#7. Oklahoma Weslyan University Online

#8. Dickinson State University Online

#9. Granite State College Online

#10. Westwood College Online

#11. Darton College Online

#12. Bryant and Stratton College Online

#13. Salem International University Online

#14. Grand Canyon University Online

#15. Bellevue University Online

#16. Rasmussen College Online

#17. National American University Online

#18. City University of Seattle Online

#19. Argosy University Online

#20. University of Maryland University College Online

#21. Strayer University Online

#22. Kaplan University Online

#23. Capella University Online

#24. Baker College Online

#25. University of Phoenix Online

#1. DeVry University Online

One of most recognized and well-known names in online education, DeVry University Online was ranked #25 overall by Online Education Database in 2009. DeVry University Online currently offers a Bachelor of Computer Engineering as well as a number of other computer related online bachelor’s degrees.

–>Click here for more information on DeVry University Online

#2. Colorado Technical University Online

Ranked one of the top schools for minority students by Diverse Issues in Higher Education, and a top military friendly school by G.I. Jobs Magazine, Colorado Technical University Online is a recognized leader in online technology degrees. Colorado Technical University Online currently offers a PhD in computer science in addition to numerous other computer related bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees online.

–>Click here for more information on Colorado Technical University Online

#3. Walden University Online

Recognized for its online programs by U.S. News & World Report in 2010 and ranked #14 by the Online Education Database, Walden University Online is known not only for its quality online degree programs, but also for its commitment to social change. Walden University Online currently offers a BS CIS in human computer interaction along with a variety of other computer related online bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.

–>Click here for more information on Walden University Online

#4. Regis University Online

One of our top 25 online colleges & universities of 2011, as well as one of our top 10 online catholic colleges & universities of 2011, Regis University Online has distinguished itself as one of the very best online schools around. Regis University Online currently offers a BS in computer science along with several other computer related online bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

–>Click here for more information on Regis University Online

#5. Drexel University Online

Winner of several awards for its online programs, including a #11 overall ranking in our list of the top 25 online colleges & universities of 2011, Drexel University Online has an outstanding reputation for its online degree programs. Drexel University Online currently offers an MS in computer science as well as several other computer related online master’s degrees and certificates.

#6. Nova Southeastern University Online

Ranked the #1 online school overall by the Online Education Database and one of the top distance learning graduate programs by The Princeton Review, Nova Southeastern University Online is a standout among online colleges and universities. Nova Southeastern Online currently offers both and MS and a PhD in computer science as well as a number of other computer related online graduate degrees.

#7. Baker College Online

Winner of the “2010 Educational Program of the Year Award” from Michigan’s largest technology business association, Automation Alley, and listed by G.I. Jobs Magazine as a top military friendly school, Baker College Online is distinguishing itself as one of the most respected online colleges in America. Baker College Online offers a BS in computer science along with a variety of other computer related associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees online.

#8. University of Maryland University College Online

High quality and affordability earned the University of Maryland University College Online a “Best Buy” award for its online computer science program from GetEducated.com, which the school can list next to a growing number of other awards and recognitions for its online degree programs. The University of Maryland University College Online currently offers a BS in computer science in addition to several other computer related online bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

#9. American Sentinel University Online

Recognized as one of the most most affordable and most military friendly online schools, American Sentinel University continues to grow its online degree offerings. American Sentinel University Online currently offers a BS and an MS in computer science along with two other computer related online bachelor’s degrees.

#10. Grantham University Online

Recognized by G.I. Jobs Magazine as a top military friendly university for the last four consecutive years, Grantham University Online is also known for awarding several generous scholarships to military families over the course of its 59 years in distance education. Grantham University Online currently offers an AS and a BS in computer science as well as a number of other computer related associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees online.

Why Use Our Online Christian College & University Rankings

Some of these online Christian schools are accredited, high-quality institutions with a serious commitment to their student’s spiritual and academic growth. Sadly, others are little more than degree mills looking to exploit people’s desire for an online degree in order to make a quick buck–wolves in sheep’s clothing, so to speak.

That’s why we’ve put together this list of the top 10 online Christian colleges and universities for 2011. We’ve done the work of sifting the wheat from the chaff of online Christian schools so you don’t have to.

How To Use Our Online Christian College & University Rankings

That said, you are the only one who can decide which online Christian college or university is the best fit for you. Our rankings of the top online Christian schools is meant only as a guide, a starting point for your journey in Christian education.

How We Generated Our Online Christian College & University Rankings

Considering only those online Christian colleges and universities accredited by recognized and respected accrediting agencies, we investigated which online Christian schools were explicit about seeking to provide a biblically rooted, Christ-centered online education experience for their students. From there we relied on the following criteria to generate our online Christian college and university rankings: student satisfaction (as measured by graduation and retention rates), peer and instructional quality (as measured by acceptance rate and student-teacher ratio), affordability (as measured by tuition costs and availability of financial aid), and credibility (as measured by years of accreditation, reputation, awards and job placement record).

Data was gathered from objective, independent sources like The National Center for Education Statistics and College Results Online, as well as from school websites and direct conversations with school representatives.

Note: Statistics were calculated using the lowest representative tuition per credit hour and assuming full-time status. Tuition may vary depending on the degree program and full-time vs. part-time status. Where a difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition costs exist, the out-of-state tuition cost was used. Only schools that offer undergraduate degrees were considered.

GRA=Graduation Rate
RET=Retention Rate
S/T=Student-Teacher Ratio
ACC=Acceptance Rate
TUI=Tuition Per Undergraduate Credit Hour
AID=Percentage of Students Receiving Financial Aid

Top 10 Online Christian Colleges & Universities of 2011

#1. Liberty University Online

Ranked #25 overall in our list of the top 25 online colleges and universities of 2011, Liberty University Online is the online division of Virginia based Liberty University, the largest private university in the US and the largest evangelical Christian university in the world. With a mission to “develop Christ-centered men and women with the values, knowledge, and skills essential to impact the world,” Liberty University Online offers an extraordinary number of online associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in everything from aeronautics to religion. Besides offering the largest online degree section of any of the schools on our list, Liberty University Online is also the most affordable. Liberty University Online’s weaknesses are the school’s extremely high student-to-faculty ratio and lack of admission selectivity. That said, Liberty University Online’s student satisfaction indicators are strong.

–>Click here for more information on Liberty University Online

#2. LeTourneau University Online

Ranked #22 overall in our list of the top 25 online colleges and universities of 2011 and recognized for its academic quality and value by GetEducated.com, U.S. News & World Report, OEDb (Online Education Database) among others, Texas based LeTourneau University Online is our choice for the top online Christian university of 2011. LeTourneau University is an interdenominational Christian university based in Texas that “seeks to glorify God by integrating faith, learning and living.” LeTourneau University’s online degree program offers online associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, psychology, leadership, education and management. Boasting a 94% employment placement rate for its online graduates over the last three years, LeTorneau University can also lay claim to solid student satisfaction indicators, competitive admissions, reasonable tuition and strong financial aid.

#3. Azusa Pacific University Online (Online APU)

With a mission to “advance the work of God in the world through academic excellence in the liberal arts and professional programs of higher education that encourage students to develop a Christian perspective on truth and life,” California based Azusa Pacific University is one of the largest and most respected evangelical Christian universities in the world. Online APU offers online bachelor and masters degrees in business, education, nursing and leadership grounded in an evangelical Christian worldview. APU Online’s student satisfaction and instructional quality indicators are the highest we found, and a competitive admissions process ensures strong peer quality. While tuition is relatively high compared to the other schools on our list, the majority of students receive financial aid.

#4. Northwestern College Online (Minnesota)

The only non-denominational Christian college in the state of Minnesota, Northwestern College “exists to provide Christ-centered higher education equipping students to grow intellectually and spiritually, to serve effectively in their professions, and to give God-honoring leadership in the home, church, community and world.” In addition to online associate, bachelor and master degree programs, Northwestern College’s distance education program offers over 50 online courses in Bible and the liberal arts. With solid student satisfaction and instructional quality indicators, affordable tuition, and a high percentage of students receiving financial aid, Northwestern College deserves to be considered one of the best places to go for an online Christian degree.

#5. Malone University Online

Maintaining historical ties to the Quaker tradition, and affiliated with the Evangelical Friends Church, Ohio based Malone University proclaims “Christ’s Kingdom First” as its motto. Malone University’s online degree completion program currently offers bachelor of arts degrees in environmental and organizational management, health services, marketing, and project management. Malone University’s student satisfaction and instructional quality indicators are high, and with competitive tuition and generous financial aid, it is one of the overall best values on our list.

#6. Huntington University Online

A “Christ-centered liberal arts institution of higher education” affiliated with the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Huntington University made Forbes Magazine’s 2010 list of the top 100 schools in the U.S., where it was the highest ranked “Christ-centered” school. Huntington University offers online associate and bachelor degrees through its EXCEL adult accelerated degree program, as well as partially online master’s degrees in education and youth ministry. With strong showings in every category we measured, Huntington University online is one of the top online Christian universities around.

#7. Crown College Online

One of U.S. News & World Reports top 100 regional schools, Crown College is affiliated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance and devoted to providing “biblically based education for Christian leadership.” Crown College offers a number of undergraduate and graduate online degrees and certificates in ministry, business, education, healthcare, leadership and communications. Exemplary student satisfaction indicators, a low student-to-faculty ratio and relatively competitive admissions help Crown College to stand out from the crowd of online Christian colleges.

#8. Ohio Christian University Online

Ohio Christian University seeks to provide its students with “a holistic, Christ-centered, biblically integrated education in the Wesleyan tradition.” Offering online associate and bachelor degrees in business, leadership, ministry, psychology and counseling through its AIM Adult Degree Program, Ohio Christian University has established itself as a leader in online Christian education. Competitive admissions and a very low student-to-faculty ratio, along with solid student satisfaction indicators, make Ohio Christian University one of our top picks for an online Christian degree.

#9. Dallas Baptist University Online (DBU Online)

The mission of Dallas Baptist University is to provide a “Christ-centered education” for the purpose of producing “servant leaders who have the ability to integrate faith and learning through their respective callings.” With over 30 online associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees, including several dual degree programs, few online Christian schools can match Dallas Baptist University in the breadth of online degrees offered. Strong student satisfaction indicators, competitive admissions and a low student-to-faculty ratio suggests Dallas Baptist University’s online programs might be worth the hefty price-tag.

#10. Northwest Christian University Online

An interdenominational Christian school in Eugene, Oregon, Northwest Christian University sees its mission “to develop competent, ethical leaders for service in the workplace, community, Church, and world.” Northwest Christian University offers online bachelor’s degrees in accounting, business administration and psychology. Solid student satisfaction indicators, competitive admissions and generous financial aid make it one of our top picks for an online Christian bachelor’s degree.

Drucker certainly has the data on his side. Online classes and degree programs continue to grow in popularity every year. The 2010 Sloan Survey of Online Education shows online education grew by over a million students just in the past year, an increase of 21%, the largest single-year growth on record. This far exceeds the 2% growth in higher education enrollment overall. The total number of college and university students taking at least one course online is now over 30%.

The Advantages of Online College and University Degrees

There are many reasons for the dramatic increase in online degree program enrollment. More and more adults are returning to school in order to upgrade their skills and gain some advantage in an increasingly competitive job market. A high school diploma no longer holds the same value that it used to. Having a college degree is now more necessary than ever for securing a decent job or advancing in a career.

The flexibility and relatively low cost of online colleges and universities make them an especially attractive alternative to traditional brick and mortar schools, particularly for working adults and students with children. Moreover, students pursuing an online degree from a top ranked online college or university can rest assured they are getting an education that is every bit as good as one they would receive in a traditional classroom setting. A recent study shows that employers are increasingly recognizing the quality of online degrees and now commonly accept employees with degrees from accredited online colleges and universities.

Why Use Our Online College and University Rankings

With the rise in popularity of online degree programs, the number of online colleges and universities has exploded in recent years. Students seeking an online degree now have an unprecedented variety of online schools and degree programs to choose from. The quality of these online schools and degree programs vary widely. Some are high quality and accredited institutions of higher education, others are worthless diploma mills looking to exploit people’s desire for education in order to make a quick buck, and others fall somewhere in-between.

That’s why we’ve put together this list of the top 25 best online colleges and universities for 2011. We’ve done the research to determine which online colleges and universities offer students the best, most reputable online degrees for their money so you don’t have to. Unfortunately, there are many online college and university rankings out there that are really nothing more than paid advertisements for certain schools and make no attempt at providing an objective, data-driven analysis. We strive to provide the most authoritative, objective, comprehensive and transparent analysis of the top online colleges and universities available, so you can be confident in making one of the most important decisions of your life: where to invest in your education.

How to Use our Online College and University Rankings

That said, only you can make the decision about which online college or university is best for you. Every student is different. Our list of the top 25 online colleges and universities for 2011 is offered as a guide, a place to start in your personal journey towards choosing the online degree program that is right for your unique needs and situation.

How We Calculated Our Online College and University Rankings

We’ve relied on the following criteria to generate our online colleges and universities rankings: student satisfaction (as measured by graduation and retention rates), peer and instructional quality (as measured by acceptance rate and student-teacher ratio), affordability (as measured by tuition costs and availability of financial aid), and credibility (as measured by years of accreditation, reputation and awards).

Data was gathered from objective, independent sources like The National Center for Education Statistics and College Results Online, as well as from school websites and direct conversations with school representatives.

Statistics were calculated using the lowest representative tuition per credit hour and assuming full-time status. Tuition may vary depending on the degree program and full-time vs. part-time status. Where a school operates multiple campuses, statistics from the flagship or largest campus were used. Where a difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition costs exist, the out-of-state tuition cost was used. Only schools that offer undergraduate degrees were considered.

GRA=Graduation Rate
RET=Retention Rate
S/T=Student-Teacher Ratio
ACC=Acceptance Rate
AID=Percentage of Students Receiving Financial Aid

Top 25 Online Colleges and Universities of 2011

#1. Liberty University Online

A Christian university with a wide selection of online associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in everything from business to religion, Liberty University Online is known for its affordability and high student satisfaction. A very large school with over 50,000 students, Liberty University Online’s major drawbacks are a very high student-teacher ratio and a lack of admission selectivity. Still, everything taken together, Liberty University Online is one the best online schools that deserves to round out our list.

–>Click here for more information on Liberty University Online

#2. St. Leo University Online

Listed as one of the Top 100 Degree Producers by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, an organization that tracks diversity issues in higher education, St. Leo University is a Catholic, liberal-arts based university open to people of all faiths and none. While offering many degrees in business and other career-oriented fields, St. Leo University also offers online degrees in religion, sociology, psychology and liberal studies. Tuition is fairly high, but nearly every student receives financial aid.

–>Click here for more information on St. Leo University Online

#3. Western Governors University Online

Called “the best and cheapest university you’ve never heard of” by TIME Magazine, Western Governors University was recently awarded the Sloan Consortium’s 2010 Ralph E. Gomery Award for Excellence in Online Education. Western Governors University has the interesting distinction of being the first school established by a group of state governors, having been founded in 1995 by the governors of 19 western US states seeking to expand quality higher-education opportunities to their constituencies. With several bachelors and masters programs in education, health, business and information technology offered at a very affordable rate, the only reason Western Governors University doesn’t rank near the very top of our list is its relatively low completion rate and extremely high student-teacher ratio. Nevertheless, Western Governors University remains a very good overall value for an online degree.

–>Click here for more information on Western Governors University Online

#4. Virginia College Online

While the student-teacher ratio at Virginia College Online is pretty high, its solid student satisfaction indicators suggests a good online experience for students. With affordable tuition, made even more affordable by the fact that textbooks costs are included, Virginia College Online is one of the top online college values around. Virginia College Online offers degrees in business, education, IT, and healthcare, while also being one of the few top online schools offering online culinary arts degrees.

–>Click here for more information on Virginia College Online

#5. Colorado State University-Global Campus

Colorado State University-Global Campus offers several online degrees oriented towards professional careers in business, management, education, and technology, all backed by the reputation and standards of the Colorado State University System. Colorado State University-Global Campus is about average in terms of affordability, but ranks high in terms of student satisfaction and quality. All in all, Colorado State University-Global Campus is a very good place to go for an online college degree.

–>Click here for more information on Colorado State University-Global Campus

#6. Boston University Online

Not far behind Penn State University World Campus in terms of student satisfaction and completion rate, Boston University Online has an extremely low student-to-teacher ratio and selective admissions, ensuring a high quality online learning experience. What one loses in affordability may be made up for in quality and reputation. Boston University Online was awarded the 2010 Sloan-C Award for Excellence in Institution-Wide Online Education and a 2010 Silver Best Practices Award for Distance Learning Programming from the United States Distance Learning Association.

–>Click here for more information about Boston University Online

#7. Keiser University Online

Keiser University has been offering career-oriented education for over 25 years and now offers a variety of online associates, bachelors and masters degrees in business, healthcare, education and other fields. Keiser University has an outstanding graduation and retention rate, indicating high student satisfaction. Tuition is high, but almost three quarters of Keiser University students receive financial aid.

–>Click here for more information on Keiser University Online

#8. Utica College Online

Utica College was founded by Syracuse University in 1946 and retains close ties with its mother institution. One of the few top online schools offering degrees in the fields of cyber-security and cyber-intelligence, Utica College Online has staked out a unique place in online education. Utica College Online ranks well in terms of affordability, and boasts an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio. One of the best online colleges, especially for those interested in the fields of cyber-security, economic crime and healthcare.

–>Click here for more information on Utica College Online

#9. Champlain College Online

Around since 1878, Champlain College was highlighted as one of the “top up and coming schools in America” by U.S. News & World Report 2010. Champlain College has established a great reputation for its online bachelor’s degree and certificate programs, with over 30 programs now on offer. Tuition is fairly high, but a good majority of students receive financial aid. Champlain rates high in terms of peer and instructional quality, and student satisfaction indicators are standout as well. Definitely one of the best online schools for bachelor’s degrees and certificate programs.

–>Click here for more information on Champlain College Online

#10. Regis University

A Jesuit school with over 130 years in existence, Regis University’s College for Professional Studies launched one of the very first online college degree programs in 1997, and has since built a solid reputation for online academic excellence. Offering over 25 different online degree programs in business, communications, education, administration, computer science and other areas, Regis University boasts the lowest student-teacher ratio of any of the schools on our list. Regis University doesn’t rate very high in terms of affordability, but if quality is what you’re looking for, it’s a solid investment, and one of the best online college options available.

–>Click here for more information on Regis University Online

#11. Saint Joseph’s University Online

Saint Joseph’s is a Jesuit university with a solid 150 year history and outstanding academic reputation. Although Saint Joseph’s currently only offers one online bachelor’s degree (the multi-disciplinary Bachelor’s of Science in Professional and Liberal Studies), they have a number of online master’s degree programs in business, criminal justice, education and healthcare. The tuition is fairly steep, but over 90% of students receive financial aid, and the strong student satisfaction and instructional quality indicators suggest students get what they pay for.

–>Click here for more information about Saint Joseph’s University Online

#12. Northeastern University Online

Very few of the best online colleges and universities can match Northeastern University Online when it comes to the breadth of online degree programs offered (over 70 online degrees in several different fields). Northeastern University Online’s high graduation and retention rates, coupled with a very low student-teacher ratio and selective admissions, speaks to the quality of their programs as well. The vast majority of students receive financial aid to help cover the costs.

–>Click here for more information on Northeastern University Online

#13. Full Sail University Online

UNleashed Magazine called Full Sail University one of the top 5 film schools in the country, online or otherwise. Rolling Stone and Electronic Gaming said the same about their music and gaming programs. If you’re interested in the music, film, gaming industries, or anything having to do with new-media, it’s hard to do better than a degree from Full Sail University. They’re not cheap, but their solid retention and graduation rates speak to a high level of student satisfaction, and almost three quarters of their students receive some form of financial aid to help with the costs.

#14. Penn State University World Campus

With the combination of outstanding student satisfaction indicators, high peer and instructional quality, a wide diversity of degree programs, and a world-class reputation, Penn State World Campus tops our list of the best online colleges and universities for 2011. Long a leader and innovator in distance education, Penn State University World Campus offers the same high quality instruction and the exact same degree and transcript as it awards its traditional on-campus students. Although tuition is a little on the high side, a strong majority of Penn State University students receive some form of financial aid to ease the burden.

#15. North Carolina State University Distance Education

A major research university with a global reputation for its leadership and innovation in education, engineering, technology, science and mathematics, North Carolina State University Distance Education offers degrees in each of these fields and more. From bachelors to PhDs, North Carolina State University Distance Education provides the same quality faculty and instruction for its online degree students as it provides its traditional on-campus students, and at a very affordable price. North Carolina State University Distance Education ranks near the top in terms of student satisfaction indicators, making it an excellent online education value.

#16. Florida State University Online

Florida State University Online ranks near the very top of our list in terms of student satisfaction. And with reasonable tuition rates and and 98% of students receiving some form of financial aid, it is affordable as well. Despite a student-teacher ratio on the high side, Florida State University Online offers a wide selection of degree programs and a fairly selective admissions process, making it one of the top online schools around.

#17. Sullivan University Online

Sullivan University’s Global e-Learning program offers outstanding affordability coupled with a strong student satisfaction rating. The only reason it didn’t rank higher on our list of the best online colleges is its low peer and instructional quality indicators, based on a very high student-teacher ratio and an open admissions policy. Still, everything taken together, Sullivan University is one of the top online college values we’ve seen.

#18. Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Online

U.S. News and World Report has recognized Rochester Institute of Technology as the top Northern university for academic reputation, and in 2008 The New-Media Consortium awarded Rochester Institute of Technology’s online degree programming with its Center of Excellence Award for outstanding online education. With its low student-teacher ratio and high student satisfaction ratings, its hard to beat Rochester Institute of Technology in terms of quality. Tuition is definitely on the high side, but over 90% of students receive financial aid.

#19. Drexel University Online

A pioneer in quality online education, Drexel University Online was selected, along with Boston University Online, for the 2010 Sloan Consortium Award for Excellence in Institution-Wide Online Education. U.S. News & World Report ranks Drexel University in its top 100 colleges and universities for 2011. Not surprisingly, Drexel University Online rates near the very top in our student satisfaction and quality ratings. Unfortunately, it ranks near the very bottom in terms of cost, though this is tempered somewhat by the fact that nearly every Drexel University students receive financial aid.

#20. Everglades University Online

There’s nothing flashy or fancy about Everglades University, but impressive graduation and retention rates, and a very low student-teacher ratio makes it worthy of inclusion in our list. Tuition is high, but so is the percentage of students receiving financial aid. With strengths in aviation science and degrees in business, management, and even alternative medicine, Everglades University is a solid, no-nonsense choice for a top online college degree.

#21. UMass Online

The University of Massachusetts is widely regarded as one of the top universities in the U.S., and UMassOnline extends the school’s reach to a global audience. A recent winner of a Sloan Consortium Award for Most Outstanding Online Teaching and Learning Program, UMassOnline students receive the same quality education and degree as traditional on-campus students, and at a fraction of the cost. UMassOnline offers one of the very best online degree values, with reasonable tuition and generous financial aid. Definitely a school to check out if you’re in the market for a well-respected online degree.

#22. Oregon State University Online

Oregon State University Online is the most affordable online college or university on our list, and offers one of the broadest selections of online bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the sciences and liberal arts. Students who graduate from one of Oregon State University Online’s degree programs receive the very same degree and transcript as on-campus Oregon State University students. Although the student teacher ratio is a little on the high side, Oregon State University Online rates very well in terms of our overall student satisfaction metrics. For the money, its tough to do better than Oregon State University Online for a top online college degree.

#23. Fisher College Online

Fisher College Online has garnered a national reputation for its online associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs in business, management, communications, nursing and other fields. Fisher College Online’s student satisfaction and instructional quality are strong. With reasonably priced tuition and over three quarters of students receiving financial aid, Fisher College Online is a solid choice for a high quality online college degree.

#24. Fort Hays State University Online

An online university with a truly global reach, Fort Hays State University Online claims graduates in every U.S. state, Europe, the Middle East, islands in the South Pacific, Asia, and elsewhere. No doubt its affordability is one of the qualities that makes Fort Hays State University Online attractive to students from around the world. Relatively strong graduation and retention rates, along with a respectable student-teacher ratio, make Fort Hays State University Online worthy of inclusion in our list of top online colleges.

#25. LeTourneau University Online

LeTourneau University Online is an interdenominational, evangelical Christian university based in Texas that has developed a solid reputation for its online degree programs. Boasting a 94% employment placement rate for its online graduates over the last three years, like all of the schools on our list, LeTorneau University Online has solid graduation and retention rates, as well as competitive admissions and reasonable tuition. For an online bachelor’s or master’s degree in business or education, LeTourneau University Online is definitely one of the best.

Here are there top 3 online colleges of 2009:

1. Devry University
2. University of Phoenix
3. Capella University

To see the rest of the rankings, click here.

• Walden University
• Liberty University
• Capella University