1. Devry University- Request FREE info packet

First established in Chicago in 1931, DeVry University has a long and prestigious history as one of the United States’ top professional training institutions. DeVry offers a multitude of career-oriented degrees, ranging from information technology to business and medical administration, and often at an accelerated pace for students who want to power through their degree and move on to bigger and better things. Meanwhile, on the convenience front, the option of studying online or at one of the schools numerous campuses makes it easy to find a program and schedule that will fit your life. As if that weren’t enough, DeVry boasts an unprecedented 90% job placement success rate. Sounds like a winner, from where we stand!

2. University of Phoenix Online- Request FREE info packet

University of Phoenix is not your parents’ correspondence college. Well, it was, when it was founded in 1976 on the idea that quality higher education should be affordable and accessible to everyone, even working students. Three decades later that foundation hasn’t changed: between flexible scheduling and its highly-qualified professors, the university still dedicates itself to providing opportunities to students with full plates. That said, University of Phoenix has since blossomed into a thoroughly modern institution. With an eBook library, a commitment to environmental sustainability practices, and a presence on every social network imaginable (check out the talented Kate Voegele’s online college experience on MySpace!), University of Phoenix knows what its 21st-century students demand, and what’s more, it delivers in full.

3. Walden University- Request FREE info packet

When business magazine Fast Company reviewed and graded five online colleges, they only handed out one straight-A. That coveted glowing review went to graduate degree haven Walden University, the same school that was singled out by U.S. News and World Report as a “respected virtual institution.” Why such praise? It may have something to do with its affordable classes and its multimedia approach to learning. Or maybe it’s the sense of community it strives to foster among its students, with forums and an online student union. One thing’s for certain: as an online college contender, Walden University has made its mark.

4. Westwood College Online - Request FREE info packet

Westwood College, originally based in Denver, CO, only entered the online college scene in 2002, but already it has had a major impact with its unique interpretation of the online college experience. Placing value on a real classroom atmosphere, Westwood utilizes audio/video technology to capture the feel of a real lecture; students are also provided with real hard-copy books, allowing them time to study away from the computer screen. Westwood also seems to realize that education doesn’t just stop once you’ve received your diploma – the school offers an Alumni Retaining program, where former students can continue to stay on top of new developments and practice updates in their field, for no tuition. Though new to the game, don’t expect Westwood Online to leave any time soon.

5. Capella University - Request FREE info packet

Though not quite as new as Westwood, Capella University is still a fairly recent addition to the correspondence college family, with fifteen years of service under its belt. Within that time, Capella has risen to become one of the most prestigious institutions in its class. Specializing in graduate degrees, the university nonetheless offers a multitude of degree programs at every level, and encourages student discourse and participation in the form of class discussions, assignment postings, and faculty and peer reviews. Although Capella is strictly an online school, representatives and faculty often travel the country to hold seminars and conferences, making connections with students of its past, present, and future.

6. Colorado Technical University Online- Request FREE info packet

Though Colorado Technical University can only lend its services to those within state lines, students from all over the world can benefit from an education at Colorado Technical University Online. Understanding that different students have different wants and needs in learning, CTU offers options in the classroom: you can choose to “show up” for live classes and chat online with your professors and classmates, or watch prerecorded lectures. One thing that doesn’t change, however, is being taught by knowledgeable professors who are respected and active in their fields. In addition, not only can you earn a valuable degree, but also resume-enhancing academic certificates as you gain important skills along the way. It all adds up to a college that consistently ranks among the top online universities in the nation.

7. AIU Online- Request FREE info packet

There are plenty of universities out there, but how many of them are truly global institutions? With campuses from Los Angeles to London, and now reaching farther than ever via the power of the internet, American InterContinental University certainly fits the bill. AIU is on a mission to cultivate a geographically and culturally diverse student population, and provide their students with quality education in a choice of many subjects to help them advance in their careers. A bustling virtual campus, interactive learning labs, crackerjack career services center, and growing global community of students and alumni all come together to make AIU an excellent choice for an online education.

8. Argosy University Online

When the powers of three recently merged colleges combine, the outcome is Argosy University, one of today’s hottest online learning institutions. Specializing in business, education, and health care, Argosy’s goal is to encourage a good sense of ethics and social skills within the professional fields to which it caters. On a related note, Argosy has an excellent relationship with all branches of the U.S. military and its veterans, offering everything from honoring of the G.I. Bill and loan repayment programs to tutorial assistance and tuition supplements for dependents.

9. Kaplan University- Request FREE info packet

If you’ve ever taken the SAT, ACT, or an advanced placement test, then you must be familiar by now with Kaplan, Incorporated – but did you know that the popular college prep institution is also a college in and of itself? If you live outside of Iowa or Nebraska, you might be unfamiliar with their campuses, but luckily Kaplan has gone online and is up there with the best of them. Kaplan knows a thing or two about enhancing your success in education, and their online university is no exception. Along with active peer forums, a commitment to professor/student communication and innovative practices like web-based “field trips” and interactive seminars, Kaplan grants students access to knowledgeable advisors and an immense resource library. It can be a comforting thought to know that a place so dedicated to helping you in your academic accomplishments doesn’t quit once you graduate high school.

10. Baker College Online- Request FREE info packet

Rounding out the top ten is Michigan-based Baker College Online. Baker is a no-frills kind of college, but it knows one thing – it shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg to get a quality education. Instead, the college offers a multitude of career-oriented graduate and undergraduate programs in the business and science fields. As far as the application process, Baker College boasts a “right-to-try” procedure: no one is turned away for an errant test score or mistakes or gaps in or after high school. If you are ready to make a commitment to education, then Baker is ready to make a commitment to you.

…BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!

11. University of London External System: An offshoot of the ultra-prestigious University of London, the extension and online program is respected in its own right and was the choice of three Nobel Laureates, including Nelson Mandela, for their distance learning needs.

12. Boston University Online: Born from the fourth-largest private university in the United States, BU Online is most well-known for its high standards and for its Master’s program in Criminal Justice, “the largest and most successful of its kind.”

13. Bowling Green State University Online: Dedicated to professional development and cutting edge research, BGSU is one of the top institutions for teacher preparation education.

14. Golden Gate University: rated by U.S. News and World Report as among the best distance learning schools in the nation, with an environmental law program surpassed only by UC Berkeley and Stanford.

15. Stanford University Center for Professional Development: Master’s degrees and graduate certificates in the engineering and business fields from one of California’s most respected private universities.

16. Seton Hall Worldwide: The online division of the largest and oldest Catholic university in New Jersey, this school promises rigorous yet rewarding courses, specializing in leadership in the fields of health care and education.

17. University of South Africa: One of the largest universities in the world, online or otherwise, this school boasts some of the highest credentials in Africa at a fraction of the cost.

18. Ellis College of New York Institute of Technology: Not only does this college boast an impressive list of majors, from journalism to a wide range of MBA options, but it also offers substantial benefits for both active and inactive military personnel.

19. University of Maryland University College: UMUC is an official part of the University System of Maryland, and though based in Adelphi in Maryland, its reputation as a leader in state-of-the-art distance learning precedes it around the world.

20. UT TeleCampus: The online branch of the University of Texas system, it works with all fifteen locations to build comprehensive career programs, with academic standards on par with its stationary counterparts.

21. University of South Australia: Ranked within the 2007 Times Higher Education Supplement Top 400 list, this is a school dedicated not only to education, but to cultivating problem solvers and effective communicators with a strong commitment to ethics and social responsibility.

22. Globe University & Minnesota School of Business: The merger of Globe and MSB give you 130 years of educational experience; when paired with innovative virtual classroom design and degrees in the most in-demand business fields, it’s hard to beat.

23. Herzing College Online: Though formed as a computer programming school in 1965, by now Herzing has branched out its fields to health care, business management, and even graphic design.

24. Concord Law School: After merging with Kaplan in 2007, Concord has become the first online law school to be affiliated with a regionally accredited university.

25. Columbia Southern University: This private online-only institution is consistently ranked by its students and alumni as providing a quality education and a truly satisfying college experience.

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