Report: MSU among best colleges for online learning
Missouri State University has been named one of the best online colleges for 2015.
It was the only higher education institution in Missouri to crack the top 50 on the list put out by the Affordable Colleges Foundation, which looks at affordable high quality programs and the flexibility of distance learning.
Only three Missouri colleges made the list. Missouri State was ranked No. 25, the University of Missouri-St. Louis was No. 56 and Columbia College, in Columbia, Mo. was No. 73.
"When it comes to online learning, these schools are the best of the best," said Dan Schuessler, founder and CEO of the foundation, in a news release. "They appeal to prospective students and working professionals because they provide the same academic excellence in their online programs as their campus courses."
The entry for Missouri State showed a student-teacher ratio of 21 to 1 and noted online degree programs are offered at the bachelor's, master's and certificate levels — some with no on-campus time required. Programs include a wide rage of fields including finance, education and project management.
According to the report, the university also offers numerous services to online students including career counseling, tutoring and the computer services help desk.
"As the demand for distance learning continues to rise, we're seeing more and more institutions incorporate online learning into their curricula," said Schuessler, in the release. "We want to recognize these schools for their drive for innovation in higher education and their success in expanding their high-quality programs to the online learning environment."
The report shows the number of colleges offering online degree programs has nearly doubled in past decade and online enrollment is growing rapidly. To make the list, colleges were evaluated on the following:
•Must be not-for-profit institution
•Must offer at least one fully online bachelor's degree program
•Number of online programs available
•Student-faculty ratio
•6-year graduation rate
•Job placement for graduates
Separately, the foundation noted a handful of colleges revolutionizing online education.
Only one Missouri school was included. Washington University in St. Louis was No. 2.
The report noted the university "has the unique distinction of offering one of the only top-tier law degrees that can be earned entirely online. Prospective students must pass the same rigorous admissions standards as on-campus law students. However, once they've completed the program, they earn an identical diploma."
Another award
The Missouri State University information technology service management program has been ranked third out of 52 on the list of 2015 Best Online Computer Science Degrees by Computer Science Online.
"We are thrilled with the recognition of the excellence and affordability of the MSU ITSM program," said Stephanie Bryant, dean of the Missouri State College of Business, in a news release. "With the growing need for work/education balance, online learning is a priority and our ITSM program can help meet this need for our students."
The data analysts and higher education experts at Computer Science Online waded through data for hundreds of colleges and universities to find those with stand-out online degrees in computer science that offer a winning combination of quality, affordability and online learning.