The Ohio State University has once again demonstrated its prowess in online education with a top-tier ranking from U.S. News & World Report. In the publication's 2025 Best Online Programs Rankings, Ohio State's fully online bachelor's programs landed at No. 5 nationally, a position they've held within the top 10 for the 10th iteration since their inclusion in these rankings 12 years ago. This achievement punctuates the university's commitment to expanding educational accessibility and workforce development through the digital realm.
Several specialized degree programs contribute to Ohio State's stellar performance, notably from the College of Nursing and the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. According to Ohio State News, these include the RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, and the Bachelor of Science, Dental Hygiene programs. With this ranking, Ohio State maintains its status as the only Ohio-based institution within the top 50 for undergraduate online programs.
The university's online master’s degree offerings in nursing continue to earn recognition, tying for third place nationally with Duke University for online master's programs. Ohio State’s online Master of Science in Nursing supports specializations such as the Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, each achieving notable distinctions in their respective categories. "Continued online program growth and excellence is driven by our shared commitment to accessibility, workforce development, affordability, serving Ohio, and increasing options and opportunities for student success," Vice Provost and Dean for Online Learning Jason Lemon emphasized in an announcement obtained by Ohio State News.
Ohio State's burgeoning reputation extends to its support of military veterans. The university's Fisher College of Business was acknowledged for its online business programs, climbing to a No. 3 position for veterans; this marks the first year Ohio State was eligible for this accolade due to rising military and veteran enrolments. Additionally, the university's graduate business and engineering master's degree programs made significant leaps forward in the national rankings.
U.S. News & World Report's ratings stand on affordability and instructional quality pillars. Ohio State Online has met these standards while expanding its offerings to nearly 90 degrees and certificates, a testament to the university's concerted effort. "Ohio State has expanded and supported its fully online degree options and increased their quality simultaneously. This has been possible through strong partnerships between Ohio State Online, the academic colleges, and senior university administration," said Lemon, echoing a commitment to quality and collaborative growth in higher education.
For those interested in delving deeper into the specifics of these rankings, the full list of 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings is available for review.
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