Five University of Alabama at Birmingham online graduate programs improved their national rankings, and the institution’s online bachelor’s program ranked in the top 20 nationwide in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings, released today.
UAB’s undergraduate online bachelor’s ranking of No. 20 out of 328 ranked schools puts it in the top 6 percent in the United States. The online bachelor’s rankings are based on expert opinion about program quality and statistical indicators that measure the quality of a school’s faculty, research and students.
The Collat School of Business online MBA program gained 50 spots in the national rankings, moving from No. 90 to No. 40 to climb to the top 13 percent in the United States. Collat’s graduate business non-MBA accounting program improved 16 spots to reach No. 15 in the nation, making it among the top 10 percent in the nation.
The School of Education also saw significant gains for its online graduate program, moving from No. 84 to No. 55, placing it among the top 20 percent in the nation.
UAB’s online graduate computer information technology (MIS) degree program moved up four spots to No. 14 in the country, which is in the top 26 percent in the country.
| FIND YOUR PROGRAM: Explore all of UAB’s online graduate degree programs here. |
“We offer access to totally online and blended-format degree and certificate programs that are an extension of UAB’s dynamic traditional campus that has thrived on boldness and innovation,” said Lori McMahon, Ph.D., dean of UAB’s Graduate School and the Jarman F. Lowder Professor of Neuroscience. “Our university continues to push the frontiers in science, medicine, business, engineering, education, clinical care, the arts and the humanities — and has garnered national and international respect. Access to our online degree and certificate programs allows our students to be a part of this exciting university experience no matter where they are in the world.”
Highly ranked for veterans
U.S. News & World Report has recently started highlighting the best programs for veterans across all of their surveys, with rankings determined based on answers from the main survey.
UAB is the highest-ranked university in Alabama for military veterans in two areas — online graduate information technology and online bachelor’s degree programs. In fact, the university placed very high nationally in both rankings for veterans, tallying a No. 9 overall ranking for the online graduate information technology program and No. 15 for the online bachelor’s.
UAB also ranked No. 27 for veterans for its online MBA program after not being ranked in 2019.
“Considering these programs are ranked on qualities that include engagement, services and technology, faculty credentials and trainings, and expert opinion, it is no surprise they performed well in the prestigious U.S. News rankings,” said Pam Benoit, senior vice president of Academic Affairs and provost. “Our highly credentialed faculty strive to reach students where they are — whether it is in the classroom or through online degree programs — and our university recognizes that online learning is integral to all types of education.”
This marks the ninth year U.S. News has collected data from distance education master’s and bachelor’s degree completion programs. Each year, U.S. News has expanded the range and depth of its information. For the 2020 edition, it assessed more than 1,600 online degree programs — an all-time high. The rankings measure overall academic quality and are across varying disciplines.
U.S. News updated its methodology this year to give credit to schools that provide online help with course registration, admissions counseling and building a resume. Measures of student excellence — particularly acceptance rates — were de-emphasized across the rankings to focus more on services offered. Additionally, U.S. News significantly adjusted its formula for GRE and GMAT scores to account for the vast majority of programs not requiring these exams from applicants.
The complete list of U.S. News rankings can be found online here.