Best online master's programs: Our top picks for 2022
A master's degree builds on your existing education and experience to give you advanced understanding of your field. With a master's degree, you have opportunities to move into leadership and managerial roles in your current profession. Having a master's degree can lead to career advancement, and certain roles require a master's degree.
Online master's degrees have similar curricula and requirements to on-campus programs. And an online program allows you to earn a degree on a timeline that suits your personal and professional needs. Online master's programs may also be more affordable than a brick-and-mortar option.
If you want to build up your credentials first, consider pursuing an education from the best online colleges. However, if you're already qualified for an online master's program, or if you're just curious, we've identified our top picks for 2022 below.
Top 5 online master's degrees: Quick facts
College | Program stats | How much? |
University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA |
| Per credit hour: $1,400 Application fee: $120 |
Columbus, OH |
| Per credit hour: $1,595 resident $1,795 nonresident Application fee: $60 |
Gainesville, FL |
| Per credit hour: $525-$1,500 Application fee: $30 |
Durham, NC |
| Per credit hour: $3,346 Application fee: $95 |
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC |
| Per credit hour: $586.23 resident $1,602 nonresident Application fee: $95 |
Checklist for applying to graduate school
Applying to graduate schools is an involved process, but advanced planning can help it go more smoothly.
Departments and programs may have deadlines differing from institutional deadlines. Make sure to check deadlines for programs you're interested in and give yourself plenty of time to finish applying.
You should also gather documentation, note admission requirements, explore tuition and funding options, and contact admissions offices with any questions you have.
- Here's a checklist of what you need to do to prepare for and apply to graduate school.
- Decide on a type of program
- Choose the schools to which you plan to apply
- Review admission criteria
- Take the GRE, the GMAT, or other admissions exam
- Complete the FAFSA to quality for federal student aid
- Send transcripts from your undergraduate degree and any previous graduate coursework
- Contact potential writers for letters of recommendation
- Research funding options like assistantships and stipends
- Apply for private, departmental, and field-specific scholarships.
The best online master's programs
To produce this list, we started by collecting federally reported data, programmatic and professional outcomes, and insights from industry experts. Then we applied ZDNet's ranking methodology to find the best of the best. We've broken down the details to help you decide which college is right for you.
Unless otherwise indicated, data is drawn from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Scorecard. Note that for public colleges, the average annual net price given is for in-state students.
1. University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
About the school: With more than 14,000 graduate and professional students, UCLA's online master's degrees include one in healthcare administration and 15 engineering programs.
- Acceptance rate: 14%
- Graduation rate: 92%
- Avg. annual net price: $15,023
- Time to completion: Two to three years
- Minimum GRE score: No minimum
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Enrollment periods per year: Two
- Course delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: The University of California, Los Angeles is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
2. Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
About the school: OSU offers 20 online master's degrees. The online MBA is designed specifically for working professionals.
- Acceptance rate: 68%
- Graduation rate: 77%
- Avg. annual net price: $16,845
- Time to completion: Two years
- Minimum GRE score: No minimum
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Enrollment periods per year: Three
- Course delivery method: Synchronous and asynchronous
The Ohio State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
3. University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida
About the school: With more than 80 online master's degrees available, UF also offers academic programs at dozens of locations statewide.
- Acceptance rate: 31%
- Graduation rate: 88%
- Avg. annual net price: $5,135
- Time to completion: Two years
- Minimum GRE score: Varies
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Enrollment periods per year: Three
- Course delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: The University of Florida is accredited by the Southern Commission on Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
4. Duke University
Durham, North Carolina
About the school: Affiliated with the United Methodist Church, Duke hosts nearly 10,000 graduate students annually, including those enrolled in the institution's 10 online master's programs.
- Acceptance rate: 8%
- Graduation rate: 96%
- Avg. annual net price: $32,459
- Time to completion: One to two years
- Minimum GRE score: Required in some departments; no set minimum
- Minimum GPA: N/A
- Enrollment periods per year: Three
- Course delivery method: Asynchronous, synchronous, and hybrid
Accreditation: Duke University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
About the school: Alongside online doctoral, undergraduate, and certificate programs, UNC-Chapel Hill offers 12 online master's degrees.
- Acceptance rate: 25%
- Graduation rate: 90%
- Avg. annual net price: $12,469
- Time to completion: Two years
- Minimum GRE score: 50th percentile or better recommended
- Minimum GPA: 3.0 recommended
- Enrollment periods per year: Four
- Course delivery method: Asynchronous and synchronous programs available
Accreditation: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
6. University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
About the school: With 19 schools and colleges, U-M offers 15 online master's degrees among its over 275 online programs through Michigan Online. Through U-M, students can earn an online master's in health infrastructures and learning systems.
- Acceptance rate: 26%
- Graduation rate: 92%
- Avg. annual net price: $14,878
- Time to completion: One to two years
- Minimum GRE score: No minimum; average is 80th-90th percentile
- Minimum GPA: Varies
- Enrollment periods per year: One
- Course delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: The University of Michigan is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
7. Stanford University
Stanford, California
About the school: Stanford offers 13 online master's degrees. Alongside extensive engineering options, programs include education, statistics, physics, and informatics master's degrees.
- Acceptance rate: 5%
- Graduation rate: 96%
- Avg. annual net price: $12,894
- Time to completion: Two to five years
- Minimum GRE score: Varies
- Minimum GPA: N/A
- Enrollment periods per year: Four
- Course delivery method: Asynchronous and synchronous programs
Accreditation: Stanford University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
8. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland
About the school: Established in 1876, Johns Hopkins houses nine academic divisions. Johns Hopkins accommodates part-time and full-time students alike with more than 50 online master's degrees.
- Acceptance rate: 11%
- Graduation rate: 93%
- Avg. annual net price: $23,428
- Time to completion: Two to five years
- Minimum GRE score: Varies
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Enrollment periods per year: Three
- Course delivery method: Asynchronous and synchronous programs available
Accreditation: Johns Hopkins University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
9. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
About the school: Through Penn's online learning initiative, students can complete one of four online master's degrees. Programs include nonprofit leadership, computer and information technology, animal welfare and behavior, and healthcare innovation.
- Acceptance rate: 9%
- Graduation rate: 97%
- Avg. annual net price: $25,046
- Time to completion: Two to five years
- Minimum GRE score: Varies
- Minimum GPA: Varies
- Enrollment periods per year: Varies
- Course delivery method: Asynchronous and synchronous
Accreditation: The University of Pennsylvania is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
10. New York University
New York, New York
About the school: With three campuses and 11 academic centers and research programs worldwide, NYU offers 24 online master's degrees through nine of its academic schools.
- Acceptance rate: 21%
- Graduation rate: 84%
- Avg. annual net price: $38,569
- Time to completion: Two to five years
- Minimum GRE score: Varies
- Minimum GPA: Varies
- Enrollment periods per year: Varies
- Course delivery method: Asynchronous and synchronous
Accreditation: New York University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).