This month, UMass Lowell’s online degree programs continued to rank among the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report. The media company released its 2024 Best Online Programs Rankings based on its methodology which considers factors like student engagement, faculty expertise, services, technologies and expert opinion.
Online learning continues to increase in popularity, offering flexibility and accessibility to individuals juggling work, family and other commitments. U.S. News & World Report rankings offer a simplified way for prospective students and families to compare different online institutions.
Year after year, UMass Lowell has received excellent rankings for its online programs. Here’s the 2024 breakdown:
Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees
UMass Lowell’s online bachelor’s programs are ranked #28 nationwide and the best among higher-education institutions in Greater Boston. This is a fantastic ranking, placing it among the country’s top 10% of online bachelor’s programs.
In addition to ranking highly for bachelor’s degrees overall, specific programs were highlighted. For example, the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology earned the top spot for the best online Bachelor’s in Psychology in New England, ranking 27th overall in the nation. Also, the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration ranked as the #31 best online bachelor’s in business in the country.
Best Online Master’s Degrees
UMass Lowell’s online masters consistently rank well with U.S. News & World Report and in other national publications due to the high academic quality, affordability, accessibility, positive student outcomes and reputation as a well-respected public research university. The online master’s degree programs at UMass Lowell earned several top spots in 2024, including:
- #3 Best Online Criminal Justice Program in the nation.
- #14 Best Online Master’s in Computer Information Technology in the country.
- Highest-ranked Online Graduate Education Program in New England, ranking #12 in the nation.
- Highest-ranked Online Master’s in Engineering Programs in Greater Boston, ranking #26 in the nation.
- #31 Best Online Master’s in Business Programs in the nation (excluding the MBA)
- #42 Best Online MBA program in the country
Best Online Degrees for Veterans
UMass Lowell’s online programs for veterans rank highly with U.S. News & World Report due to several key factors that cater specifically to the needs and challenges of veterans transitioning to civilian life, including tailored support services. For example, the Veteran and Military Services unit provides advising, benefits assistance and personalized guidance throughout the academic journey.
UMass Lowell programs that ranked especially well for veterans in 2024 include:
- Best online Master for Criminal Justice for veterans in Massachusetts, and #3 in the nation
- Top-ranked IT program in New England for Veterans, and #9 Best Online Master’s in Computer Information Technology programs in the country.
- Top-ranked online Master’s in Business programs for veterans in Greater Boston (excluding the MBA), and #14 best in the nation.
- #17 best online bachelor’s programs for veterans nationally.
- Top-ranked best online Master’s in Engineering programs in New England for Veterans, ranking #18 in the country.
- #26 Best Online MBA programs for veterans in the nation.
UMass Lowell Remains Among the Top Public Universities in the Country
Several factors contribute to UMass Lowell’s reputation as a great public university, including its strong academics, career preparation, diverse and inclusive student community, affordability and value. As a public university, UMass Lowell offers financial aid, scholarships and significantly lower tuition fees than private institutions, making it an accessible and cost-effective option.
In addition to receiving high online rankings from U.S. News & World Report, UMass Lowell was ranked as Massachusetts’s number one public university in The Wall Street Journal’s “2024 Best Colleges in the U.S.” list, based on a 20-year Return on Investment.
Learn more about UMass Lowell’s high-quality, affordable and flexible online degree programs.
