2025 List of Online Colleges with Regional Accreditation

Choosing the right college or university can be stressful, but finding one for an online degree can be even harder. How do you choose a legitimate institution that isn't a scam?

One of the best ways to find a good online college is to choose one that's regionally accredited. Keep reading to learn more about regional accreditation and discover the best online colleges with regional accreditation.

What Is Regional Accreditation?

Colleges and universities in the United States can either be regionally accredited or nationally accredited. Most colleges and universities in the U.S. are regionally accredited.

There are six regional accreditation agencies in the U.S. Each is assigned a group of states and manages the accreditation for institutions within those states. The six agencies are:

• Higher Learning Commission
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges

National accreditation is typically for for-profit institutions, career colleges, and technical schools. They can be less expensive and have more relaxed admissions standards.

However, when you earn credits from a nationally accredited school, you can typically only transfer those credits to another nationally accredited school. Credits from regionally accredited institutions are usually accepted anywhere.

Regionally accredited institutions are all expected to meet specific requirements as set by the accreditation agency. National accreditation compares institutions against other similar institutions.

As a result, most students prefer to choose a school that is regionally accredited.

10 Best Online Colleges with Regional Accreditation

There are many, many excellent regionally accredited colleges and universities in the United States that offer online programs.

Below, we've listed our top picks for online colleges with regional accreditation in alphabetical order.

1. Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a public research university in Tempe, Arizona. It offers over 300 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, doctoral degrees, and certificates.

These online programs are available in a variety of areas of interest, including:

• business
• education
• health and nursing
• law and public service

Arizona State University Online is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

2. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a private university based in Daytona Beach, Florida. It offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees, as well as certificates, online.

The majority of Embry-Riddle's programs focus on aviation and aerospace, but they also offer programs in areas such as:

• business
• computers and technology
• engineering
• security, intelligence, and safety

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

3. National University

National University is a private university out of San Diego, California. It offers online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, doctoral degrees, certificates, and credentials.

Over 150 online programs are available in various areas of study, including:

• business and marketing
• engineering and technology
• healthcare and nursing
• teaching and education

National University is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

4. Penn State World Campus

Penn State World Campus is the online campus of Pennsylvania State University, a public research university. It offers associate through doctoral degrees online, as well as certificates.

Students can choose from over 175 online programs in topics like:

• business
• education
• liberal arts and communications
• nursing

Pennsylvania State University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

5. Purdue Global

Purdue Global is the online campus of Purdue University, a public research university in Indiana. It offers online degrees from the associate to doctoral level as well as online certificates.

Areas of study at Purdue Global include:

• education
• health sciences and nursing
• human services and psychology
• information technology

Programs are available in a traditional format, and many are also available in the self-paced ExcelTrack format. Purdue Global also offers special military programs.

Purdue Global is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

6. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a private university outside of Manchester, New Hampshire. It offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees online as well as certificates.

More than 300 programs are available in categories like:

• accounting, business, and finance
• art and design
• healthcare and nursing
• social sciences

Southern New Hampshire University is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

7. UMass Global

UMass Global is a private affiliate of the University of Massachusetts. It offers online degrees from the associate to doctoral levels as well as online certifications and credentials.

Students can choose from over 80 programs in fields like:

• arts and sciences
• business and professional studies
• education
• nursing and health professions

UMass Global is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

8. University of Central Florida

The University of Central Florida is a public research university in Orlando. It offers over 100 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, doctoral degrees, and certificates.

Programs are available in many areas of interest, including:

• criminal justice
• education
• engineering
• healthcare

The University of Central Florida is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

9. University of Florida

The University of Florida is a public research university in Gainesville, Florida. It offers online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees as well as online certificates.

Over 200 programs are available online in fields like:

• education
• health sciences
• liberal arts and sciences
• social sciences

The University of Florida is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

10. University of Maryland Global Campus

The University of Maryland Global Campus is the online campus of the public University of Maryland. It offers associate through doctoral degrees online as well as certificates.

Students can choose from over 125 programs in areas like:

• business and management
• education and teaching
• healthcare and science
• IT and computer science

The University of Maryland Global Campus is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

FAQs About the Best Online Colleges with Regional Accreditation

Below, you'll find the answers to frequently asked questions about online colleges with regional accreditation.

Is Regional Accreditation Better than National Accreditation?

While this can vary depending on your career goals, regional accreditation is generally preferred as these schools are set to higher standards and the credits transfer more easily.

How Do I Find Out if an Online College Is Accredited?

You can find out a school's accreditation by checking their website or doing a quick online search.

Are Regionally Accredited Online Colleges Expensive?

Regionally accredited schools can sometimes cost more than nationally accredited ones, but many offer low-cost tuition.

Additionally, it's often easier to get financial aid when you're attending a regionally accredited school.

Find the Best Online Colleges With Regional Accreditation

There are many regionally accredited online colleges and universities in the United States. Check out the ones above to find the right program for you today.