BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University has strengthened its standing among the nation’s best schools for online education, according to U.S. News & World Report, which named the university in its “2024 Best Online Programs” rankings, released Feb. 7.
App State Online placed within the top 23% of U.S. colleges and universities for best online bachelor’s programs. The national publication also recognized App State’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA), Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Science in nursing programs, as well as the university’s online master’s programs in education.
High-ranking bachelor’s programs in business
As part of its “Best Online Bachelor’s Programs” rankings list, U.S. News recognized App State among the top schools in the nation for best online bachelor’s programs in business — a distinction App State has held for four consecutive years. The university placed within the top 20% of schools named to the list.
App State’s online BSBA degree programs in management and supply chain management offer students the flexibility to complete the degree on their own schedule — full or part time. App State also offers the BSBA in management and BSBA in supply chain management at its Boone and Hickory campuses.
MBA program advances 44 positions
The university’s internationally recognized online Master of Business Administration program was ranked within the top 18% of schools recognized in U.S. News’ 2024 “Best Online MBA Programs” rankings list, advancing 44 positions over its 2023 ranking.
App State’s flexible, online MBA offers the same high-quality curriculum as the on-campus MBA program, with opportunities for students to work closely with faculty. The 36-hour program is designed to be completed in two years; however, students can take classes at their own pace.
Master’s education programs ranked top of class
App State’s online graduate programs also received recognition in U.S. News’ “2024 Best Online Programs” rankings, with the university’s master’s education programs placing within the top 28% of schools named to the rankings list.
App State offers eight online graduate programs through its Reich College of Education:
- Doctor of Education in educational leadership.
- Master of Arts in curriculum specialist.
- Master of Arts in higher education.
- Master of Arts in literacy education.
- Master of Arts in media, technology and learning design.
- Master of Arts in special education.
- Master of Library Science.
- Master of School Administration.
A national ‘best’ for nursing
App State was recognized within the top half of schools named to U.S. News’ 2024 “Best Online Master’s in Nursing Programs” rankings list for its online master’s degree in nursing.
With a focus on educational creativity, nursing practice, leadership and research, App State’s online Master of Science in Nursing prepares graduates for educator roles in practice settings and for academic positions in nursing programs.
U.S. News evaluated 1,752 online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs for the 2024 rankings. Factors considered in the rankings include student engagement, services and technologies available to students, faculty credentials and training, as well as peer reputation. Student excellence was also considered for schools offering online master’s degree programs.
App State Online enrollment — undergraduate and graduate — has increased for the fourth consecutive year, with App State enrolling its largest online student body to date in fall 2023. From fall 2022 to fall 2023, online student enrollment has increased by more than 16%, with App State Online students representing nearly 10% of the total student population at App State.
All of App State’s online undergraduate and graduate programs are designed to be flexible, are regionally accredited and are taught by the same faculty who teach on campus. Learn more about App State Online.
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App State Online
App State Online is designed to meet students wherever they are — whether they are seeking a degree, a credential or looking to sharpen their personal and/or professional skills. Through App State Online, App State offers innovative, flexible and accredited undergraduate and graduate programs.
Learn more
App State has been named among the top 10 North Carolina colleges and universities for online education in 2024, according to Forbes Advisor, a branch of Forbes magazine. Forbes Advisor named the university to its “Best North Carolina Online Colleges Of 2024” list, released in 2023.
To generate its list, the publication scored 41 accredited, nonprofit colleges offering online bachelor’s degree programs in North Carolina using 16 data points in the categories of credibility, affordability, student outcomes, student experience and schools’ application processes. Schools that received a final score of 85.86% or higher were named to the list.
App State places among national publications’ ‘best’ and ‘top’ lists for academics, value, innovation and more
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Several national publications, including U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Forbes magazine, have named App State among the best schools in the nation — and the Southeast — for 2023–24, recognizing the university for its academics, innovation, value and more.
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App State Online bachelor’s, master’s programs named among 2023’s ‘Best Online Programs’
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App State’s online bachelor’s programs and online graduate programs in business, education and nursing — offered through App State Online — rank among the best in the nation for 2023, according to U.S. News & World Report’s “2023 Best Online Programs” rankings.
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About App State Online
Recognized as one of the top online education destinations in the country by U.S. News & World Report, App State Online is designed to meet students wherever they are — whether they are seeking a degree, a credential or looking to sharpen their personal and/or professional skills. Through App State Online, Appalachian State University offers innovative, flexible and accredited undergraduate and graduate programs. Learn more at https://online.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.
