Top 10 Accredited Online Universities
Top 10 Accredited Online Universities
1. Georgia Tech (OMSCS)
Program: Online Master of Science in Computer Science
Tuition: ~ $7,000 total, one of the most affordable elite CS programs reddit.com+2coursera.org+2reddit.com+2en.wikipedia.org
Highlights: Top‑10 ranking, offered in partnership with Udacity, recognized globally, strong admission to further graduate study.
2. Arizona State University Online (ASU Online)
Programs: 150+ online undergraduate & graduate degrees
Accreditation: Same as on-campus; Top‑4 ranked for online bachelor’s degrees ctinsider.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2en.wikipedia.org+2snhu.edu+1en.wikipedia.org+1
Highlights: Fully online, recognized diplomas, clear path to ASU master’s programs.
3. Western Governors University (WGU)
Programs: Competency-based bachelor’s & master’s degrees in IT, business, education, healthcare usnews.com+15asuonline.asu.edu+15reddit.com+15umgc.edu+2en.wikipedia.org+2wgu.edu+2
Accreditation: Regionally accredited (NWCCU); affordable and flexible.
4. University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC)
Programs: 135+ undergrad and graduate online degrees en.wikipedia.org+1en.wikipedia.org+1en.wikipedia.org
Accreditation: MSCHE; popular with working & military students, direct pathway to master’s.
5. Penn State World Campus
Programs: 200+ undergrad, graduate, and certificate online programs reddit.com+15en.wikipedia.org+15online.ua.edu+15
Highlights: Multiple programs ranked top‑5/10 by U.S. News for online graduate degrees; direct Penn State progression.
6. Oregon State University Ecampus
Programs: Online bachelor’s degree programs in top 10 national ranking en.wikipedia.org+1nypost.com+1en.wikipedia.org+12en.wikipedia.org+12ctinsider.com+12
Accreditation: Northwest Commission; strong foundation for advanced study.
7. San Diego State University Online
Programs: Highly ranked online master's programs (e.g., Education—#5 overall)
Highlights: Recognized by U.S. News; reliable stepping stone to PhD or further graduate work.
8. University of Central Florida Online (UCF Online)
Programs: Bachelor's, master's, doctorates, and certificates ucf.edu
Highlights: Strong student support system; easy progression from bachelor’s to grad levels.
9. Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU Online)
Programs: 150+ accredited bachelor's and flexible master’s programs forbes.com+10degreeforum.net+10reddit.com+10axios.com+2snhu.edu+2en.wikipedia.org+2
Highlights: Affordable, career-aligned, popular among working adults.
10. Coursera Degree Partners
Programs: Online bachelor’s & master’s from top institutions (e.g., Univ. of Illinois, Colorado Boulder) wgu.edu+1snhu.edu+1coursera.org
Highlights: Recognized degrees, flexible schedules, opportunity to earn fully online Master’s.
Summary Table
Top 10 Online Universities with Estimated Total Cost
Top 10 Online Universities with Valid Graduate Pathways
Top Recognized Online & Distance Universities in India
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
Type: National Open University (UGC, AICTE, AIU, NAAC A++) shiksha.com+15ignou.distanceeducationschool.com+15collegevidya.com+15reddit.com+8en.wikipedia.org+8collegevidya.com+8
Programs: UG, PG, Diploma, Certificate
Total Fees: ₹8,100 (~US $100) for B.Com; B.A. ~₹7,820 per year shiksha.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2timesofindia.indiatimes.com+2
Duration: 3–6 years (flexible delivery)
Pros: Widely accepted, highly affordable, vast support network
Cons: First-class employment often needs supplementation with skills or experience farakdekho.com+15reddit.com+15mzuonline.in+15
Delhi University – School of Open Learning (DU SOL)
Type: UGC‑recognized, constituent college of DU amityonline.com+14collegevidya.com+14timesofindia.indiatimes.com+14
Programs: B.A., B.Com, BMS, BBA, etc.
Fees: ₹7,000–25,000 (~US $90–330) total classcentral.com+15collegevidya.com+15iulonline.in+15
Netaji Subhas Open University (NSOU)
Type: UGC‑DEB, NAAC A, NIRF‑2 ranked timesofindia.indiatimes.com+11collegevidya.com+11ignou.distanceeducationschool.com+11
Programs: UG, PG, PhD
Fees: ₹10,000–30,000 (~US $130–400) total timesofindia.indiatimes.com+2collegevidya.com+2shiksha.com+2
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University (BAOU)
Type: NAAC A++, UGC‑DEB, AIU ignou.distanceeducationschool.com+2collegevidya.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2
Programs: UG, PG, Diplomas
Fees: ₹10,000–40,000 (~US $130–530) total timesofindia.indiatimes.com+15collegevidya.com+15iop.ignouonline.ac.in+15collegevidya.com+5amityonline.com+5onlinecu.in+5
NMIMS (SVKM) Distance Education
Type: UGC‑recognised
Programs: BBA, B.Com, PGDM, etc. Available through distance/online ignou.ac.in+15collegevidya.com+15en.wikipedia.org+15
Fees: Not specified but typically higher than other open universities
Amity University Online
Type: India’s first UGC‑approved fully online university en.wikipedia.orgtimesofindia.indiatimes.com+9amityonline.com+9classcentral.com+9
Programs: UG/PG (BCA, BBA, MBA)
Fees: Estimated ₹50,000–150,000 (~US $650–2,000+) depending on program
Chandigarh University Online
Type: UGC‑entitled, NAAC‑accredited mzuonline.in+2onlinecu.in+2ignou.distanceeducationschool.com+2
Programs: UG & PG (e.g., BBA, MA English, MBA Digital Marketing)
Fees: Approx. ₹1,00,000–2,00,000 (~US $1,300–2,600) total
Mizoram University (MZU Online)
Type: UGC‑approved state university onlinecu.inmzuonline.in
Programs: Various UG degrees
Fees: Likely ₹30,000–60,000 (~US $400–800), typical for state open universities
Amrita University – Amrita AHEAD
Type: UGC‑entitled programs en.wikipedia.org
Programs: B.Com, BBA, BCA, MBA, MCA
Fees: Estimated ₹1,00,000–3,00,000 (~US $1,300–4,000), premium tier
Tamil Nadu Open University (TNOU)
Type: UGC‑recognized state open university en.wikipedia.org
Programs: Certificate to PG
Fees: ₹10,000–30,000 (~US $130–400), comparable to other state universities
Cost Comparison Table
Key Takeaways
Budget-Friendly Options: IGNOU, DU SOL, NSOU, BAOU, TNOU offer low-cost UG programs (₹8K–40K total).
Moderate Cost & Quality: MZU strikes a middle ground (~₹30K–60K), UGC‑approved and accessible.
Premium Fully Online Universities: Amity, Chandigarh, NMIMS, Amrita offer structured online degrees (~₹1–3 L), better support, and modern tech platforms.
