Our rankings are independent, using public data sources and a systematic methodology to fulfill AffordableCollegesOnline.org's mission to help students find cost-effective, accessible education paths through transparency and data-driven rankings.
As part of our commitment to independent, high-quality rankings, ACO doesn't consider advertisers. Instead, as part of our commitment to quality assurance, our team of editors, writers, and Integrity Network reviewers vet the best programs available.
How We Rank Schools
1. Data Collection
We gather publicly available data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard to ensure accurate and up-to-date information and update all pages with each new data release.
2. Eligibility Filtering
We screen schools to ensure they meet inclusion criteria and remove those that do not. We also filter schools with fewer than 10 online bachelor's or master's degree programs to provide solid, equitable options.
3. Ranking Score Calculation
We evaluate colleges using the ranking model, objectively weighing key factors to get a final score. ACO uses different methodologies and percentages depending on the list type to give you the most accurate information for your search. For example, a "most affordable" page will weigh affordability more than a general "best" list, although all of ACO's lists factor in affordability.
4. Quality Assurance and Review
Our experienced team carefully vets each program for quality, accuracy, and accreditation. ACO's independent Integrity Network reviews each ranking for accuracy and fairness.
5. Final Adjustments and Publication
Finally, we refine our lists based on student-focused ranking criteria before publishing, emphasizing scholarships, financial aid, student support, graduation rates, free technology, tutoring, and other benefits that can help you earn an affordable degree.
Data Sources and Quality Assurance
Trusted Data Sources
IPEDS: IPEDS provides publicly available information based on federal aid surveys from colleges released by the U.S. Department of Education (ED). To locate the best schools across metrics, ACO leverages IPEDS data from two academic years prior, including information on degrees, student success, financial aid, admissions, enrollment, and other institutional characteristics.
College Scorecard: College Scorecard is an ED resource that uses IPEDS surveys, federal financial aid data, and individual tax records to provide helpful college comparison information. College Scorecard populates cost and student outcomes ranking information.
Peterson's Data: Peterson's performs objective annual, voluntary surveys and releases datasets on undergraduate and graduate programs and financial aid. ACO uses Peterson's research, updated quarterly, to verify full-time retention rates, graduation rates, the percentage of graduates who secure a job within six months, and other relevant data to recommend the schools with the greatest value.
How We Ensure Accuracy and Integrity
QA Process: ACO's intensive internal QA process ensures that the rankings you see are credible and fair.
The datasets create objective, relevant, and actionable college rankings. Only the best affordable online colleges earn a spot in the rankings; schools cannot buy a better ranking or pay for a place on the list.
Integrity Network Review: Our Integrity Network, composed of higher education professionals, provides an independent review to confirm that rankings are accurate, unbiased, and student-focused.
Key Factors in Our Ranking Process
AffordableCollegesOnline.org considers many factors when assessing online schools and programs. Our ranking factors include:
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Academic Quality
Our rankings consider academic quality criteria such as student retention rates, graduation rates, and the number of full-time faculty. Low student-to-faculty ratios correlate with high academic quality, so ACO considers this data when ranking schools.
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School Affordability
Since our site serves users seeking affordable higher education options, school affordability is weighted at 60% in our ranking system. We assess affordability based on many factors, including the number of financial aid recipients, the average amount of financial aid received per student, and the median student debt.
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School Reputation
Since school reputation often correlates with student success, we incorporate reputation into our rankings decisions. Graduates of reputable schools and programs often earn high salaries, so we consider graduate earnings when ranking a school's reputation. Prestigious schools also typically admit only their top applicants, so we consider admission and enrollment rates as well.
We aim to align our college rankings with our commitment to supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in higher education — and our belief that people of all identities and backgrounds deserve to learn in a safe environment.
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Program Offerings
AffordableCollegesOnline.org only ranks schools that offer at least 10 online bachelor's or master's programs. High numbers of online programs tend to indicate established, successful online education systems with better resources for online students.
A School May Be Excluded If It …
- Has a graduation rate of <10%
- Has a retention rate of <10%
- Has a four-year completion rate for low-income students of <10%
- Doesn't provide any of the above data to our trusted sources
Ranking Formulas
Ranking Metrics Explained
Affordability Metrics
Average Net Price for Students Awarded Financial Aid
This measure indicates the total tuition a student pays after receiving financial aid. By factoring in both tuition and financial aid, the average net price serves as a strong affordability indicator. The lowest net prices typically appear at the most affordable schools.
Average Loan Default Rate
A program's loan default rate measures how many graduates were able to repay their loans after completing the program. A high loan default rate indicates that many graduates cannot repay their loans, which often points to a lack of employment opportunities or student outcomes.
A low loan default rate indicates strong job prospects after graduation. Our methodology factors in the loan default rate as a measure of a degree's affordability and ability to prepare graduates for the workforce.
Percent of Undergraduate Students Awarded Federal Student Loans
Federal loans make education more affordable by offering lower interest rates than private loans and allowing students adequate time for repayment. At affordable schools, a high percentage of the student body may receive federal student loans.
Average Amount of Federal Student Loans Awarded to Undergraduate Students
This ranking factor measures the average loan amount the federal government awards to a school's enrollees. Federal loans typically have lower interest rates than private loans, and a high federal loan average can indicate a more affordable school.
Percent of Full-Time, First-Time Undergraduates Awarded Any Financial Aid
This number indicates the percentage of full-time, first-time undergraduates who receive any financial aid. A high percentage of financial aid recipients indicates that a school supports students in securing financial aid.
Average Amount of Grant and Scholarship Aid Awarded
This figure measures the average grant and scholarship funding students receive. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not require repayment. Therefore, high scholarship and grant award amounts may correlate with less student debt.
Median Debt for Students
This measure indicates the median debt that students owe six years after starting at a school. Schools with lower median debt accruals typically prove more affordable than schools with high median debt.
Academic Quality Metrics
Graduation Rate
This measure indicates the percentage of students who finish their degrees in six years or less. A high graduation rate indicates that a school offers adequate student support.
Retention Rate
This measure indicates the percentage of first-year students who return to the same school for a second year. Since dissatisfied students may drop out or transfer to other schools, a high retention rate usually reflects a high satisfaction rate.
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
This ratio indicates the average number of students per faculty member. Low student-to-faculty ratios often appear at smaller schools and elite schools. A low ratio typically means that students receive abundant personalized attention from faculty.
Proportion of Full-Time Faculty Ratio
This ratio indicates the percentage of full-time faculty at an institution. A higher percentage often indicates higher-quality academics because full-time faculty typically boast more competitive credentials and professional experience than part-time faculty.
Reputation Indicators
Admission Rate
This statistic measures the percentage of applicants that a school admits. Elite schools often admit a small percentage of applicants, and schools with lower admission rates typically boast strong reputations.
Enrollment Rate
This measure indicates the proportion of admitted applicants who actually enroll. A high enrollment percentage indicates desirability and positively correlates with school prestige.
Average Earnings of Students Working
Average earnings measures how much graduates make annually. Measured six years from first enrollment, a high earnings figure often suggests that the school's offerings make profitable careers accessible to graduates.
Program Offerings and Online Access
Percentage of Degrees Offered
When ranking online programs, schools with a higher percentage of online degrees score better than schools with fewer online offerings. A high number suggests that a school significantly invests in organizing, developing, and improving online education.
Percentage of Students Enrolled in Online (Degree-Level) Programs*
Measuring the number of distance learners in relation to the school's total enrollment, this percentage highlights the prevalence of the school's online degree programs. *We only consider this subfactor for our online program rankings, not our on-campus rankings.
Overall Online Enrollment*
Overall enrollment numbers include learners who take courses both on campus and online. This figure communicates the general popularity of online learning at a given school. A high online enrollee rate positively correlates with strong online programs. *We only use overall online enrollment as a subfactor in our online program rankings, not our on-campus rankings.
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