Ranking Methodology
Every student deserves reliable, transparent information when choosing a college or degree program. To support that goal, Learn.org’s rankings are built to make that process easier by highlighting schools that balance affordability, accessibility, and academic quality.
We use trusted data from national education and labor sources to identify institutions that meet clear standards of excellence. Each ranking reflects Learn.org’s mission to make higher education affordable and achievable for all learners and is regularly reviewed to ensure it remains accurate and relevant.
This methodology explains how Learn.org evaluates and ranks colleges to help students find affordable, accredited, and high-quality education options that fit their goals.
How We Gather Data
We use only trusted, reputable sources to gather information about the top colleges and universities featured on Learn.org. These sources include:
- The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
- The U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Note: Some data may reflect the most recent reporting year available from NCES or BLS at the time of publication.
Factors We Consider When Ranking Schools
The schools we feature in our rankings are vetted based on several key factors. Keep reading to explore a few of our top criteria for selecting featured degree programs.
Affordability
Our mission is to connect people with affordable and accessible higher education opportunities. We believe that any person seeking higher education should have the means to pursue their goals, regardless of their background or financial situation.
We prioritize schools that keep tuition reasonable, provide strong financial aid packages, and offer scholarships or grants to reduce student debt. Every ranked college must demonstrate a commitment to affordability and access for students from all backgrounds.
Accreditation
Our rankings only include high-quality, accredited degree programs, colleges, and universities. There are two types of accreditation: institutional accreditation and programmatic accreditation.
Institutional Accreditation
Institutional accreditation looks at an entire school, considering all academic departments, in-person classes, and online courses. At the institutional level, a college or university may be regionally accredited (which accredits schools within a designated region in the United States) or nationally accredited (which accredits colleges and universities across the United States).
The most common institutional accrediting bodies include:
- Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- Higher Learning Commission
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- New England Commission of Higher Education
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- WASC Senior College and University Commission
Specialized or Programmatic Accreditation
The U.S. Department of Education also recognizes specialized or programmatic accreditation, which looks at specific programs, departments, or schools at a college or university. This may include a specialized college or school within a university or a specific program or curriculum within a discipline. This type of accreditation is typically awarded by regional accrediting bodies.
Diversity and Inclusion
We highlight colleges and universities that foster inclusive, supportive learning environments for students of all identities and backgrounds. This includes schools that prioritize equitable access, representation, and community support for learners of different races, ethnicities, genders, orientations, socioeconomic statuses, and abilities.
Degree Types
We select colleges and universities that offer a wide range of degree programs. Though requirements vary by ranking type, each traditional college or university must offer at least 10 unique bachelor’s programs, and each online college or university must offer at least 5 unique bachelor’s programs.
Acceptance Rates
With the goal of connecting people with accessible higher education options, we primarily feature colleges and universities with an acceptance rate of at least 60%, based on the ratio of applicants to students accepted.
While acceptance rates may vary from year to year, depending on the number of applicants, we strive to highlight schools with higher acceptance rates.
Graduation Rates
Graduation rates are one key indicator of the quality of the education provided by a college or university. Typically, schools with higher graduation rates reflect better education and higher student success. At Learn.org, we factor in the graduation rates from each college or university in our rankings to give prospective students the best chance for success.
Overall Reputation
We ensure each college or university in our rankings is a reputable, respected institution of higher learning. The schools featured on Learn.org have been evaluated based on the following key indicators:
- Academic quality and accreditation
- Graduation and retention rates
- Faculty credentials and student support services
- Student satisfaction and outcomes
- Commitment to diversity, accessibility, and affordability
Online Degree Programs
We believe online education is a great option for students from all walks of life — those just starting college, people going back to finish a degree, working adults, parents, and others.
Online degree programs can often be more affordable, accessible, and flexible than in-person degree programs. Learn.org provides resources on both traditional and online programs, with a focus on online degrees. With the mission of connecting students to degree programs that work within their budgets and schedules, we provide information about online or hybrid degree options whenever possible.
Weighting of Factors
While specific weightings may vary by ranking type, we consistently prioritize affordability, accreditation, and accessibility as the most influential factors in our rankings. Other criteria, such as diversity, degree variety, and reputation, are evaluated to ensure each list reflects both educational quality and real-world value for students.
Minimum Requirements
To qualify for inclusion, every college, university, or program must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Accredited: Must be accredited by regional and/or specialized accrediting organizations.
- Degree Offerings: Must offer a range of degree programs or certifications, depending on the degree type and level.
- Reputable: Must be a respected, reputable higher learning institution, considering factors such as acceptance rate, graduation rate, and student outcomes.
- NCES-Verified: Must submit an annual report to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Below is a breakdown of the specific requirements for each ranking type.
Best Colleges
✅ Be an accredited institution
✅ Submit an annual report to NCES
✅ Be a four-year college offering a range of bachelor's and master's degrees
✅ Must offer a degree program in the given subject at the given level
Best Online Colleges
✅ Be an accredited institution
✅ Submit an annual report to NCES
✅ Be a four-year college offering a range of online bachelor's and online master's degrees
✅ Must offer an online degree program in the given subject at the given level
Affordable Colleges
✅ Be an accredited institution
✅ Submit an annual report to NCES
✅ Be a four-year college offering a range of bachelor's and master's degrees
✅ Must offer a degree program in the given subject at the given level
✅ Must offer affordable tuition rates, accept financial aid, or offer scholarships/grants to reduce costs
Affordable Online Colleges
✅ Be an accredited institution
✅Submit an annual report to NCES
✅ Be a four-year college offering a range of online bachelor's degrees
✅ Must offer an online degree program in the given subject at the given level
✅ Must offer affordable tuition rates, accept financial aid, or offer scholarships/grants to reduce costs
Free & Low-Cost Colleges
✅ Be an accredited institution
✅ Submit an annual report to NCES
✅ Be a four-year college offering at least one free or low-cost bachelor's degree or master's degree
✅ Must offer a degree program in the given subject at the given level
✅ Must charge no tuition or offer very affordable rates after applying financial aid, scholarships, and grants
Free & Low-Cost Online Colleges
✅ Be an accredited institution
✅ Submit an annual report to NCES
✅ Be a four-year college offering at least one free or low-cost online bachelor's degree or online master's degree
✅ Must offer an online degree program in the given subject at the given level
✅ Must charge no tuition or offer very affordable rates after applying financial aid, scholarships, and grants
Accelerated Degrees
✅ Be an accredited institution
✅ Submit an annual report to NCES
✅ Be a four-year college offering at least one accelerated degree program
✅ Must offer a degree program in the given subject at the given level
✅ Must offer an accelerated path to earning a degree at the given level. This includes:
- Degree completion programs
- Fast-track degree programs
- Flexible, self-paced courses
- Schools that accept credits for the following:
- CLEP (College-Level Examination Program)
- DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests)
- Prior Learning Assessments (PLAs)
- Schools that accept work, life, or military experience for college credit
- Schools with a generous transfer credit policy
Accelerated Online Degrees
✅ Be an accredited institution
✅ Submit an annual report to NCES
✅ Be a four-year college offering at least one accelerated online degree program
✅ Must offer an online degree program in the given subject at the given level
✅ Must offer an accelerated path to earning a degree at the given level. This includes:
- Degree completion programs
- Fast-track degree programs
- Flexible, self-paced courses
- Schools that accept credits for the following:
- CLEP (College-Level Examination Program)
- DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests)
- Prior Learning Assessments (PLAs)
- Schools that accept work, life, or military experience for college credit
- Schools with a generous transfer credit policy
Review and Updates
Our rankings and methodology are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect the most current data from NCES, BLS, and other trusted sources. Our editorial team evaluates all ranking criteria annually to ensure continued accuracy, fairness, and relevance. If significant changes occur in data sources or industry standards, our rankings are revised to maintain transparency and reliability.
Learn.org’s ranking process is part of our broader commitment to transparency and accuracy in education reporting.