Here Are The Top Online College Programs In MI

A trend to virtual higher education that began during the pandemic has become a norm for many students, U.S. News & World Report said in a recent ranking of the best online programs that includes a dozen schools in Michigan.

Colleges are expected to expand their online degree offerings, developing new programs as technology, course design, and high-speed internet availability continue to advance online learning, U.S. News said in its 2026 Best Online Colleges report.

The top five online institutions in Michigan and the tuition cost per credit are:

No. 89 (tie) Oakland University, Rochester, $796 tuition per credit, 376 enrollment

No. 89 (tie) Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, $659 tuition per credit, 1,940 enrollment

No. 105 Ferris State University, Big Rapids, $563 tuition per credit, 573 enrollment

No. 117 Northwood University, Midland, $529 tuition per credit, 1,314 enrollment

No. 150 Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, $526 tuition per credit, 2,006 enrollment

Online enrollment peaked in 2020 when the pandemic closed college campuses nationwide. In fall 2021, when colleges reopened for in-person learning, 61 percent of all undergraduate students (9.4 million) were enrolled in at least one distance education course, and 28 percent (4.4 million) were enrolled exclusively in online classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Flexibility is a big reason behind the growth of online college enrollment. Students with family and full-time job responsibilities may be able to work around their schedules. It’s not a perfect fit for everyone, U.S. News said, but those with strong time management skills and the discipline to overcome distractions can make it work.

Online formats come with unique learning challenges, but U.S. News said accredited institutions like those in its ranking typically offer tailored support to help students adjust to the online environment.

The top schools in the country and the cost of out-of-state tuition per credit are:

1. University of Florida ($500)
2. State University of New York — SUNY ($353)
3. University of Illinois Chicago ($350)
4, (tie) Ohio State University ($508)
4, (tie) University of North Carolina-Charlotte ($318)
6. (tie) Arizona State University ($580)
6. (tie) Oregon State University ($384)
6. (tie) University of Central Florida ($769)
9. CUNY School of Professional Studies ($350)
10. University of Tennessee-Knoxville ($460)
11. (tie) Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide ($522)
11. (tie) Texas A&M University-College Station ($1,249)
11. (tie) University of Missouri-St. Louis ($1,384)
11. (tie) Washington State University ($672)
15. (tie) University of Arizona ($525)
15. (tie)University of North Carolina-Wilmington ($942)

Related: Forbes Names 20 Colleges ‘New Ivies,’ Says Employers Prefer Them