January 26, 2021

Student studies outside by the Benny statue

New rankings released today by U.S. News & World Report reflect Ball State University’s continued excellence as one of the top online education providers in the nation.

Five Ball State online degree programs ranked in the top 40 nationally in their respective categories in U.S. News & World Report’s 2021 “Best Online Programs.” Four Ball State specialty areas were ranked in the top 20 by peer institutions.

The Ball State degrees recognized in the 2021 “Best Online Programs” were:

Ball State’s online rankings in specialty areas included:

Ball State also continues to rank highly among U.S. News & World Report’s best online programs for veterans:

  • 17th — Master’s degrees in education programs
  • 37th — Bachelor’s degrees

Moreover, Ball State’s online programs ranked among the top 15 percent nationally in its bachelor’s degrees, bachelor’s programs in business, master’s degrees in education programs, master of business administration and master’s in nursing.

“These rankings from U.S. News & World Report are further proof of our University’s commitment to providing a premier experience at a great value for our students—whether on campus or online,” said Dr. Susana Rivera-Mills, Ball State’s provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “I am proud of our faculty and staff, who continue to ensure our online programs meet a high standard for excellence.”

Ball State offered its first online degree, a master’s in nursing, in 1999. Now the University has 106 online degree programs available to students, led by the same award-winning faculty who teach on campus.

Dr. Trudi Weyermann, assistant provost for learning initiatives, said more than 5,500 online-only graduate and undergraduate students are enrolled at Ball State each year. These students are offered specialized resources, including concierge services and attentive advisers that help them effectively and efficiently navigate their online college experience.

“We are grateful for the national recognition of our award-winning online programs, which offer our students both tremendous quality and value. Our adult learners view us as valuable partners in upskilling in place and future-proofing their careers,” Weyermann said. “Our commitment to lifelong learning prepares students for fulfilling careers and meaningful lives.”

The U.S. News & World Report rankings are compiled annually and take into account factors such as faculty credentials, student engagement (which includes retention and graduation rates), class size, peer reputation and the quality of the university’s student services and technology. Further details about the rankings and how they were determined are available at usnews.com/online.

For more information about Ball State’s online degree programs, visit bsu.edu/online.