The Ohio State University has again been recognized as among the best in the nation for online education.
U.S. News & World Report ranked Ohio State’s Master of Science in Nursing the No. 2 online nursing graduate program as part of its 2023 Best Online Programs rankings. Ohio State tied with Duke University and the University of Alabama for the second spot.
Nursing’s RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, considered together with Ohio State’s three other online undergraduate degree-completion programs – the College of Medicine’s Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and AS to Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences and the College of Dentistry’s RDH to Bachelor of Science, Dental Hygiene – tied with the CUNY School of Professional Studies and Utah State University for No. 11.
“The consistent top rankings of our outstanding online master’s program is a direct result of the dedication and passion of our world-class faculty, staff, students, preceptors and alumni,” said Bernadette Melnyk, vice president for health promotion, university chief wellness officer and dean of the College of Nursing. “Our awesome college empowers people to dream, discover and deliver a healthier, just world that we all need. The evidence-based advanced practice nurses who graduate from our stellar online master’s program, along with all of our graduates, carry that mission to enhance the health and well-being of the communities they serve.”
Ohio State began offering for-credit online programs more than a decade ago to expand the university’s educational excellence to more people. Since then, Ohio State’s online academic program portfolio has grown to nearly 65 degree and certificate programs offered by 12 of the university’s 15 colleges.
“Our top-ranked online programs enhance access to an Ohio State education and enable learners to explore new opportunities and advance in their careers,” said Melissa L. Gilliam, executive vice president and provost. “Advancing online education is a priority of Ohio State’s Academic Plan and enables us to create transformative, high quality and learner-centric academic programs that build skills and provide flexible degree pathways.”
In addition to Ohio State’s online bachelor’s and nursing graduate programs, several of the university’s online graduate engineering, education and business programs were recognized by U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 Best Online Programs rankings.
The Fisher College of Business’ Specialized Master in Business Analytics became eligible for ranking for the first time in 2023, having been offered fully online for more than two years. Out of more than 200 online programs considered, the non-MBA graduate business degree ranked No. 21, tied with Florida International University, Florida State University, George Washington University, the University of Alabama-Birmingham and William & Mary.
Ohio State’s online engineering degree programs – the Master of Global Engineering Leadership, the Master of Engineering Management and the Master of Welding Engineering – ranked No. 25, tied with the University of Alabama and Virginia Tech.
The College of Education and Human Ecology’s online Master of Learning Technologies program and the College of Arts and Sciences’ Master of Arts in Art Education were jointly ranked No. 52 in U.S. News’ Best Online Masters in Education category, tied with Florida Atlantic University, George Mason University, George Washington University, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Western Michigan University.
U.S. News & World Report began ranking program specialty areas in 2020. The Master of Learning Technologies was again recognized among the top 10 in the Educational and Instructional Media Design specialty. Ohio State’s online graduate education degrees ranked No. 3 in the nation in the Curriculum and Instruction specialty area.
The College of Engineering’s online programs ranked No. 16 in the Management specialty area for the first year. Additionally, three graduate nursing specialty areas also received high marks, with the Nurse Practitioner – Family and Nursing Administration/Leadership specialties each ranking No. 2.
“I’m so proud of the faculty and staff who support our online programs. We’re inspired and driven to provide meaningful and affordable educational experiences to support learners’ personal and professional goals in a changing workforce,” said Ohio State Chief Digital Learning Officer Rob Griffiths.
Affordability and quality of instruction are at the forefront of the consideration by U.S. News & World Report. The site uses insights from these factors to rank online programs at regionally accredited institutions across the country.
View the full list of 2023 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings.
Ohio State’s portfolio of online degree and academic certificate programs are taught by the same faculty who teach on campus, and courses have a small student-to-instructor ratio. Each faculty member partners with an instructional designer – an expert who helps the instructor optimize the course content and engagement experience for a technology-rich modality.