UF Online Named No. 1 Online Bachelor’s Program, Best for Veterans and Business by U.S. News & World Report Again 

“Online students shouldn’t have to choose between access, affordability and quality,” said Melissa Allen, director of UF Online. “Our students entrust us with their time, their goals and their futures, and these rankings affirm that we take that responsibility seriously.”

“Today, we celebrate these remarkable achievements and the extraordinary talent across the university community that makes it possible for our online students to thrive, launch successful careers and lead meaningful lives with a UF degree,” Allen said.

The 2026 rankings reflect the University of Florida’s innovative approach to providing the same exceptional education fully online at an affordable cost to students in Florida and around the world. The accolades mark UF Online’s third time topping the list of online bachelor’s programs in the nation since 2022 and eighth year in a row among the top five overall online undergraduate programs. UF Online’s psychology bachelor’s degree maintains its No. 3 ranking for the third consecutive year.

“UF Online has improved the lives of thousands of Floridians and students from around the country over the past 12 years,” said Dr. Brian Harfe, associate provost for the Office of Teaching and Technology. “This would not have been possible without the support of our state legislators and UF Board of Trustees, whose vision of a fully online bachelor’s degree-granting program led to the birth of UF Online in 2014. While our rankings are impressive, UF Online is defined by the impact we have on our students — past, present and future Florida Gators.”

UF Online was founded in January 2014 in accordance with the Florida Legislature’s directive for the Preeminent State Research University Institute for Online Learning to offer high-quality, fully online bachelor’s degree programs at an affordable cost. Since UF Online’s founding, nearly 8,000 students have graduated with UF bachelor’s degrees, and students from 90 countries have enrolled in the program. Students earn the same UF degree, save about 40 percent on tuition and fees compared to on-campus students, and more than 70 percent of UF Online learners graduate without taking out loans.

The rankings recognize UF Online’s dedication to providing an outstanding experience for military-affiliated students, including participating in the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon programs to provide tuition assistance among other benefits, with coordinated support from a variety of departments including UF’s Collegiate Veteran’s Success Center.  

The news also highlights UF’s Warrington College of Business’ dynamic online business administration bachelor’s degree program, which offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree and Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration degree with multiple specialization options.  

UF Online’s cutting-edge online education attracts a robust student body that includes aspiring Olympians, working parents, and first-generation college students. In the Fall 2025 term, UF Online enrolled students from 47 U.S. states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and 22 countries.

UF Online students can access a host of student success resources, including OneStop enrollment services, personalized advising, faculty mentorship, career coaching and alumni networking. Additionally, students can participate in experiential learning opportunities, including study abroad, leadership development, immersive service opportunities and undergraduate research awards. UF Online graduates are invited to join commencement ceremonies and walk across the same stage in the Swamp alongside graduates who earned their degrees on campus.

“We hear again and again from our students that they need the flexibility of online learning, but they also want a degree they can truly be proud of,” said Allen. “UF Online makes it possible to have both with one of the most affordable programs in the nation. At the end of the day, how you learn matters less than what you learn and, more importantly, how you carry that knowledge forward into your future to make an impact.”

The U.S. News & World Report 2026 Rankings evaluated online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs across the country using metrics specific to online learning, including remote services and course delivery best practices. According to U.S. News & World Report, the rankings evaluate how well online degree programs meet the same academic standards as in-person programs while applying online learning pedagogy. The rankings only include programs administered by regionally accredited institutions.