The basics:

• U.S. News evaluated nearly 1,850 online degree programs nationwide
• Rankings focus on affordability, student engagement, outcomes
• Multiple New Jersey universities place among top online programs
• Categories include business, education, IT, nursing, engineering

U.S. News & World Report released the 2026 Best Online Programs rankings to help perspective students choose the university that best suits their goals. 

“Online education continues to be a vital path for professionals, parents and service members seeking to advance their careers and broaden their knowledge with necessary flexibility,” LaMont Jones, managing editor for education at U.S. News, said in the Jan. 27 press release announcing the results. 

“The 2026 Best Online Programs rankings are an essential tool for prospective students, providing rigorous, independent analysis to help them choose a high-quality program that aligns with their personal and professional goals.”

This year marks the 14th iteration of the U.S. News list.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, more than 2.5 million graduate students were enrolled in exclusively online programs at public institutions in 2023–2024. 

What determines a ‘best’ program? 

To determine the Best Online Programs for 2026, U.S. News assessed nearly 1,850 online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs at regionally accredited institutions across the country. 

The publication noted that the methodology differed across programs. However, all were assessed on how well they were “designed for distance learners and their effectiveness at awarding affordable degrees in a reasonable timeframe.” 

Researchers evaluate factors such as student engagement; services and technologies; faculty credentials and training; and peer assessment. 

Catering to all levels of learners 

U.S. News noted that the evaluations consider the needs of traditional college-age students, working parents, military service members, established professionals and lifelong learners. 

U.S. News ranks only the top 75% of programs in each category; the rest are displayed with a numerical range and listed alphabetically. Programs listed as “unranked” are those with fewer than 10 students enrolled or newly established programs. See the methodology for each category here.  

2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs 

New Jersey’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs 

• No. 29 (tie): Rutgers University–Camden 
• No. 56 (tie): Montclair State University, Montclair 
• No. 63 (tie): William Paterson University of New Jersey, Wayne 
• No. 77 (tie): Rowan University, Glassboro 
• No. 169 (tie): Berkeley College, Woodland Park 
• No. 169 (tie): Kean University, Union 
• No. 256 (tie): Rider University, Lawrenceville

New Jersey’s Best Online Master’s Programs 

MBA

• No. 71 (tie): Rutgers University–Camden (Rutgers School of Business-Camden) 
• No. 78 (tie): Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken 
• No. 107 (tie): Montclair State University, Montclair 
• No. 107 (tie): Rowan University (Rohrer College of Business), Glassboro 
• No. 136 (tie): New Jersey Institute of Technology (Martin Tuchman School of Management), Newark 
• No. 178 (tie): William Paterson University of New Jersey (Cotsakos College of Business), Wayne 
• No. 217 (tie): Rider University (Norm Brodsky College of Business), Lawrenceville 
• No. 276-364: Berkeley College–Woodland Park (Larry L. Luing School of Business) 
• No. 276-364: Fairleigh Dickinson University (Silberman College of Business), Teaneck 
• No. 276-364: Georgian Court University, Lakewood 
• Unranked: Caldwell University, Caldwell; Kean University, Union; Monmouth University, West Long Branch 

Master’s in Business (non-MBA) 

• No. 12 (tie): Rutgers University–New Brunswick and Newark 
• No. 45 (tie): Rutgers University–Camden (Rutgers School of Business-Camden) 
• No. 53 (tie): Montclair State University, Montclair 
• No. 53 (tie): Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken 
• No. 96 (tie): New Jersey Institute of Technology (Tuchman), Newark 
• No. 96 (tie): Rider University (Brodsky), Lawrenceville 
• No. 125 (tie): Rowan University (Rohrer), Glassboro 
• No. 141 (tie): William Paterson University of New Jersey (Cotsakos), Wayne 
• Unranked: Caldwell University, Caldwell; Kean University, Union 

Information Technology

• No. 22 (tie): Stevens Institute of Technology (Schaefer School of Engineering & Science), Hoboken 
• No. 38 (tie): New Jersey Institute of Technology (Ying Wu College of Computing), Newark 
• Unranked: Rider University, Lawrenceville 

Criminal Justice

• No. 10 (tie): Saint Elizabeth University, Morristown 
• No. 59 (tie): Rowan University (Ric Edelman College of Communication, Humanities & Social Sciences), Glassboro 

Education

• No. 5 (tie): Montclair State University (College for Education and Engaged Learning), Montclair 
• No. 64 (tie): Seton Hall University, South Orange 
• No. 97 (tie): Rowan University, Glassboro 
• No. 97 (tie): Rutgers University–New Brunswick 
• No. 133 (tie): Monmouth University, West Long Branch 
• No. 145 (tie): Rider University (College of Education and Human Services), Lawrenceville 
• No. 157 (tie): William Paterson University of New Jersey, Wayne 
• No. 234 (tie): Kean University, Union 
• No. 244-323: Caldwell University, Caldwell 
• No. 244-323: Georgian Court University, Lakewood 

Engineering

• No. 38 (tie): Stevens Institute of Technology (Schaefer), Hoboken 
• No. 58 (tie): Rowan University (Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering), Glassboro 
• No. 67 (tie): New Jersey Institute of Technology (Wu), Newark 

Nursing

• No. 35 (tie): Seton Hall University, Nutley 
• No. 62 (tie): Montclair State University, Montclair 
• No. 105 (tie): Rowan University (Rowan-Virtua Rita & Larry Salva School of Nursing & Health Professions), Glassboro 
• No. 109 (tie): Felician University, Lodi 
• No. 114 (tie): Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck 
• No. 114 (tie): William Paterson University of New Jersey 
• No. 135 (tie): Ramapo College of New Jersey, Mahwah 
• Unranked: Monmouth University, West Long Branch 

For Veterans 

• No. 38 (tie): William Paterson University of New Jersey, Wayne 
• No. 57 (tie): Rowan University, Glassboro 
• No. 95 (tie): Kean University, Union 
• No. 97 (tie): Berkeley College, Woodland Park