UWM’s online bachelor’s program is ranked No. 37 among more than 350 universities nationwide by U.S. News & World Report, a jump from last year’s ranking at 48.
In addition, the 2021 rankings place UWM as the 24th best online bachelor’s program for veterans, up from No. 31 last year.
The rankings consider factors including the amount of engagement between instructors and students; faculty credentials and training; and the services and technology provided for online students. A final factor influencing ratings is a survey of academic officials and employers.
Universities with strong online programs were better suited to handle the sudden shift last year to online learning during the pandemic, U.S. News noted.
“Online learning offered students continuity, a chance to finish the semester wherever they were as colleges closed dorms and emptied campuses. Such disruptions, however, were likely limited for online programs, such as those ranked in the 2021 U.S. News Best Online Programs, where the vast majority of coursework is delivered in an online format.”
The only other UW System university that made the rankings is UW-River Falls, which landed at No. 256.
UWM has offered online bachelor’s programs for over two decades. It offers 40 fully online degrees and certificates, including programs in nursing, information science and technology, diagnostic imaging and health sciences. UWM educates more online students in Wisconsin than any other university.
