Sul Ross State University’s Homeland Security program has been ranked first in online learning at the master’s level by OnlineMastersDegrees.org, while the Criminal Justice program was ranked tenth.
They are ranked by overall quality, affordability and commitment to student success.
“This year, we focused on the schools making it easier for students to compete in today’s increasingly difficult job market,” said Kyle Darland, co-founder of OMD. “Each ranked school offers a fully or partially online master’s at a time when earning a master’s has become a minimum barrier to entry for many.”
Darland was referencing a recent survey from CareerBuilder, which found that “thirty-three percent of employers are hiring workers with master’s degrees for positions that had been primarily held by those with four-year degrees.” These employers cited an evolution of the skills needed to perform the jobs as the cause of the shift, and an increase in work quality, productivity and employee retention as the result.
“Providing students with opportunities to get a master’s online is only part of our rankings,” said Darland. “Top-ranked schools also had competitive tuition rates and/or scholarships to help drive costs down. And with grocery, gas and other expenses on everyone’s mind right now, an affordable master’s is key.”
OnlineMastersDegrees.org analyzed more than 7,700 accredited universities by using data pulled from the schools themselves and from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). After the data was compiled, OMD’s data science team then applied a proprietary algorithm to rank all qualifying schools for each of the different master’s degrees specialties. Primary data points include:
- Academic counseling services
- Career placement services
- Student/faculty ratio
- Tuition
- Percent of students receiving school-based aid
- Amount of school-based aid per student
To be eligible for ranking, a university must hold active regional accreditation and have at least one partially online master’s program in the ranking subject. Just eight percent of U.S. postsecondary institutions earned a ranking position.
OnlineMastersDegrees.org began in 2020 to support online learning at the master’s level. Our user-friendly, research-backed content helps students find scholarships, resources, financial aid, and connect with accredited colleges and universities across the country.
Full rankings can be found at https://www.onlinemastersdegrees.org/best-programs/homeland-security/ and https://www.onlinemastersdegrees.org/best-programs/criminal-justice/.