Several of Troy University’s online degree programs have been recognized by U.S. News and World Report in its “2021 Best Online Programs” rankings, which were released on Tuesday.

U.S. News remains the only publication to comprehensively evaluate online degrees at the program level rather than the school level. The rankings are based on indicators such as student services and technology, faculty credentials, and student engagement, using data collected directly from each institution. Only degree-granting programs that are offered primarily online by regionally accredited institutions were considered, and the programs that score the highest are those applying educational best practices specific for distance learners.  

TROY ranked 75^th overall in the publication’s “Best Online Bachelor’s Programs” and 50^th in the “Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans.”

TROY’s program rankings were led by their master’s degree program in criminal justice, which was ranked 15^th in the best for veterans list and 26^th in the overall best master’s degree program rankings.

Programs within the University’s Sorrell College of Business also were recognized in several categories. TROY ranked 31^st in the country in the “Best Online Master’s in Business Programs for Veterans (Excluding MBA),” and ranked 68^th overall for its online master’s in business. The college’s online bachelor’s program in business ranked 46^th best.

Sorrell College’s online Master of Business Administration programs made the rankings in both the best for veterans and the best overall categories.

The University’s online master’s program in nursing was ranked 32^nd in the nation, while the master’s in education was also recognized among the best in the country.  

“Troy University is a pioneer in online education, as we opened our Distance Learning Center in 1995, and this recognition is a strong testimony to our longstanding commitment to those who study with us at a distance,” said Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor. “As 2020 clearly demonstrated, the importance of online learning is greater than ever before. TROY will continue to offer quality-driven programs regardless of the mode of delivery.”

Interest in online degree programs continues to grow, which makes identifying and recognizing those colleges and universities who excel in online education even more important, according to Anita Narayan, managing editor of Education at U.S. News.

“As in-person gatherings remain limited, we might see more interest in online degrees than in pre-pandemic years,” Narayan said. “But online degrees aren’t only practical in the short term – distance education can also be conducive to a schedule that includes full-time work or other commitments.”