University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class, unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlight the best masters programs.
Some careers require a graduate degree for advancement, regardless of work experience. Advanced degrees provide the specialized knowledge and training needed for certain professions or to gain access to high-paying jobs. To accommodate working professionals, many colleges offer flexible online master’s programs and courses. Not all master’s degrees are equal. Students must choose an accredited program aligned with their career goals to ensure it benefits their path and earning potential. Consider whether to study full-time or part-time and whether to take courses online or on-campus.
Students who recently earned an associate or bachelor's degree might focus on gaining experience, but a master’s degree can boost a resume and open doors to dream careers. Fields like business often value advanced degrees, such as an MBA, which provide in-depth knowledge, certifications, and skills to accelerate promotions and apply analytics and communication effectively.
Are Master's Degrees Worth It?
Master's degrees can be a valuable investment, especially in fields like business, healthcare, and technology, where they can enhance skills, increase earning potential, and open doors to leadership roles. Many employers still view a master's degree as a sign of expertise and readiness for higher responsibilities.
However, it’s important to weigh the cost, time, and alignment with career goals. Some industries value hands-on experience and skills over advanced education, making a master’s degree less crucial. With the rise of online learning, certifications, and boot camps, professionals can gain relevant expertise without a full graduate program.
Ultimately, the decision should be based on your career goals, field requirements, and potential return on investment. In some cases, gaining experience or earning certifications may be a better option.
Top 50 Online Master's Programs
Georgia Institute of Technology
Score: 90.43
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,764
- Out-of-State:$32,876
- Net Price: $17,402
- Acceptance Rate: 17%
- Retention Rate: 98%
- Graduation Rate: 93%
- Total Enrollment: 45,296
- Undergrad Students: 18,415
- Graduate Students: 26,881
- Grads Salary: $95,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Johns Hopkins University
Score: 88.85
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $63,340
- Out-of-State:$63,340
- Net Price: $24,034
- Acceptance Rate: 7%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 94%
- Total Enrollment: 31,275
- Undergrad Students: 6,044
- Graduate Students: 25,231
- Grads Salary: $94,000
- Student-to-faculty: 6:1
Northwestern University
Score: 88.47
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $65,997
- Out-of-State:$65,997
- Net Price: $22,095
- Acceptance Rate: 7%
- Retention Rate: 98%
- Graduation Rate: 97%
- Total Enrollment: 23,161
- Undergrad Students: 8,993
- Graduate Students: 14,168
- Grads Salary: $89,000
- Student-to-faculty: 6:1
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Score: 87.11
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,228
- Out-of-State:$58,072
- Net Price: $19,318
- Acceptance Rate: 18%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 93%
- Total Enrollment: 51,225
- Undergrad Students: 32,695
- Graduate Students: 18,530
- Grads Salary: $88,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
University of Virginia
Score: 85.79
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $20,986
- Out-of-State:$58,014
- Net Price: $19,469
- Acceptance Rate: 19%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 95%
- Total Enrollment: 26,082
- Undergrad Students: 17,444
- Graduate Students: 8,638
- Grads Salary: $84,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
University of Washington
Score: 85.32
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,643
- Out-of-State:$41,997
- Net Price: $10,603
- Acceptance Rate: 48%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Total Enrollment: 52,319
- Undergrad Students: 36,213
- Graduate Students: 16,106
- Grads Salary: $87,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Score: 85.21
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,989
- Out-of-State:$39,330
- Net Price: $10,614
- Acceptance Rate: 17%
- Retention Rate: 96%
- Graduation Rate: 91%
- Total Enrollment: 31,705
- Undergrad Students: 20,029
- Graduate Students: 11,676
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
The University of Texas at Austin
Score: 83.37
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,678
- Out-of-State:$42,778
- Net Price: $17,434
- Acceptance Rate: 31%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 88%
- Total Enrollment: 52,384
- Undergrad Students: 41,309
- Graduate Students: 11,075
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Score: 82.98
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,004
- Out-of-State:$34,501
- Net Price: $14,544
- Acceptance Rate: 45%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 56,916
- Undergrad Students: 35,120
- Graduate Students: 21,796
- Grads Salary: $84,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Score: 82.88
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,205
- Out-of-State:$40,603
- Net Price: $13,376
- Acceptance Rate: 49%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 89%
- Total Enrollment: 48,956
- Undergrad Students: 36,306
- Graduate Students: 12,650
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Purdue University
Score: 82.39
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,992
- Out-of-State:$28,794
- Net Price: $12,576
- Acceptance Rate: 53%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 51,528
- Undergrad Students: 38,593
- Graduate Students: 12,935
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Score: 82.29
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,895
- Out-of-State:$31,767
- Net Price: $14,852
- Acceptance Rate: 47%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 36,700
- Undergrad Students: 26,254
- Graduate Students: 10,446
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Boston University
Score: 81.68
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $65,168
- Out-of-State:$65,168
- Net Price: $27,829
- Acceptance Rate: 14%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 89%
- Total Enrollment: 36,714
- Undergrad Students: 18,459
- Graduate Students: 18,255
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Virginia Tech
Score: 80.4
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,478
- Out-of-State:$36,694
- Net Price: $19,301
- Acceptance Rate: 57%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 86%
- Total Enrollment: 38,170
- Undergrad Students: 30,434
- Graduate Students: 7,736
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Score: 79.46
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,239
- Out-of-State:$36,001
- Net Price: $17,535
- Acceptance Rate: 66%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Total Enrollment: 50,637
- Undergrad Students: 36,344
- Graduate Students: 14,293
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Florida State University
Score: 79.39
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,656
- Out-of-State:$18,786
- Net Price: $14,003
- Acceptance Rate: 25%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 44,161
- Undergrad Students: 32,936
- Graduate Students: 11,225
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Clarkson College
Score: 78.91
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,168
- Out-of-State:$15,168
- Net Price: $14,506
- Acceptance Rate: 56%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Total Enrollment: 1,133
- Undergrad Students: 631
- Graduate Students: 502
- Grads Salary: $88,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Score: 78.9
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,488
- Out-of-State:$36,402
- Net Price: $16,018
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Total Enrollment: 54,955
- Undergrad Students: 39,248
- Graduate Students: 15,707
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Ohio State University
Score: 78.85
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,859
- Out-of-State:$38,365
- Net Price: $19,582
- Acceptance Rate: 53%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 88%
- Total Enrollment: 60,540
- Undergrad Students: 46,123
- Graduate Students: 14,417
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Texas A&M University-College Station
Score: 78.33
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,099
- Out-of-State:$40,328
- Net Price: $20,375
- Acceptance Rate: 63%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Total Enrollment: 74,014
- Undergrad Students: 57,512
- Graduate Students: 16,502
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
University of Florida-Online
Score: 78.16
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,876
- Out-of-State:$16,579
- Net Price: $10,791
- Acceptance Rate: 65%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 79%
- Total Enrollment: 5,356
- Undergrad Students: 5,356
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 54:1
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Score: 77.6
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,357
- Out-of-State:$39,293
- Net Price: $22,291
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 32,229
- Undergrad Students: 24,391
- Graduate Students: 7,838
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
University of South Florida
Score: 76.82
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,410
- Out-of-State:$17,324
- Net Price: $11,004
- Acceptance Rate: 44%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- Total Enrollment: 49,600
- Undergrad Students: 38,047
- Graduate Students: 11,553
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
Clemson University
Score: 76.31
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,554
- Out-of-State:$39,498
- Net Price: $24,577
- Acceptance Rate: 43%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 28,466
- Undergrad Students: 22,566
- Graduate Students: 5,900
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Indiana University-Bloomington
Score: 76.04
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,790
- Out-of-State:$40,482
- Net Price: $16,234
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 81%
- Total Enrollment: 47,005
- Undergrad Students: 35,660
- Graduate Students: 11,345
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
University of Central Florida
Score: 75.89
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,368
- Out-of-State:$22,467
- Net Price: $13,108
- Acceptance Rate: 41%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Total Enrollment: 68,346
- Undergrad Students: 58,662
- Graduate Students: 9,684
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 29:1
Kettering College
Score: 75.23
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,672
- Out-of-State:$15,672
- Net Price: $16,398
- Acceptance Rate: 34%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Total Enrollment: 832
- Undergrad Students: 645
- Graduate Students: 187
- Grads Salary: $91,000
- Student-to-faculty: 8:1
Auburn University
Score: 74.88
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,536
- Out-of-State:$33,944
- Net Price: $25,271
- Acceptance Rate: 44%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 81%
- Total Enrollment: 31,764
- Undergrad Students: 25,379
- Graduate Students: 6,385
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
George Mason University
Score: 74.12
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,815
- Out-of-State:$39,397
- Net Price: $18,479
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 71%
- Total Enrollment: 39,049
- Undergrad Students: 27,014
- Graduate Students: 12,035
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Florida International University
Score: 74.09
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,565
- Out-of-State:$18,963
- Net Price: $9,881
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 55,609
- Undergrad Students: 45,688
- Graduate Students: 9,921
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
University of Utah
Score: 74.01
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,315
- Out-of-State:$29,837
- Net Price: $12,399
- Acceptance Rate: 89%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 34,734
- Undergrad Students: 26,355
- Graduate Students: 8,379
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
University of Illinois Chicago
Score: 73.83
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,338
- Out-of-State:$29,360
- Net Price: $10,384
- Acceptance Rate: 79%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 33,747
- Undergrad Students: 21,807
- Graduate Students: 11,940
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
University at Buffalo
Score: 73.77
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,782
- Out-of-State:$30,572
- Net Price: $18,524
- Acceptance Rate: 68%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- Total Enrollment: 32,099
- Undergrad Students: 20,761
- Graduate Students: 11,338
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Saint Peter's University
Score: 73.68
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $41,054
- Out-of-State:$41,054
- Net Price: $11,996
- Acceptance Rate: 89%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 3,430
- Undergrad Students: 2,071
- Graduate Students: 1,359
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
LeTourneau University
Score: 73.44
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $35,500
- Out-of-State:$35,500
- Net Price: $26,974
- Acceptance Rate: 49%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 3,536
- Undergrad Students: 3,350
- Graduate Students: 186
- Grads Salary: $87,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
North Carolina A&T State University
Score: 73.38
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,748
- Out-of-State:$20,408
- Net Price: $9,189
- Acceptance Rate: 56%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 57%
- Total Enrollment: 13,487
- Undergrad Students: 11,833
- Graduate Students: 1,654
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
University of Arizona
Score: 73.3
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,626
- Out-of-State:$41,095
- Net Price: $17,075
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 68%
- Total Enrollment: 49,403
- Undergrad Students: 38,751
- Graduate Students: 10,652
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Thomas Jefferson University
Score: 73.21
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $45,683
- Out-of-State:$45,683
- Net Price: $28,110
- Acceptance Rate: 89%
- Retention Rate: 82%
- Graduation Rate: 68%
- Total Enrollment: 8,286
- Undergrad Students: 3,771
- Graduate Students: 4,515
- Grads Salary: $91,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
University of Vermont
Score: 72.95
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $18,890
- Out-of-State:$43,890
- Net Price: $21,849
- Acceptance Rate: 60%
- Retention Rate: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Total Enrollment: 14,088
- Undergrad Students: 11,898
- Graduate Students: 2,190
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Iowa State University
Score: 72.92
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,497
- Out-of-State:$27,683
- Net Price: $15,310
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- Total Enrollment: 29,969
- Undergrad Students: 25,241
- Graduate Students: 4,728
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Ramapo College of New Jersey
Score: 72.89
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,978
- Out-of-State:$26,388
- Net Price: $16,262
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 70%
- Total Enrollment: 5,478
- Undergrad Students: 4,932
- Graduate Students: 546
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
George Washington University
Score: 72.76
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $64,990
- Out-of-State:$64,990
- Net Price: $42,723
- Acceptance Rate: 49%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 25,939
- Undergrad Students: 11,482
- Graduate Students: 14,457
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Score: 72.72
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,578
- Out-of-State:$20,228
- Net Price: $13,799
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 2,842
- Undergrad Students: 1,982
- Graduate Students: 860
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Regis University
Score: 72.69
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $43,980
- Out-of-State:$43,980
- Net Price: $26,377
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 4,668
- Undergrad Students: 2,398
- Graduate Students: 2,270
- Grads Salary: $89,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Score: 72.64
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,214
- Out-of-State:$21,876
- Net Price: $13,951
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 70%
- Total Enrollment: 29,551
- Undergrad Students: 23,461
- Graduate Students: 6,090
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Mercer University
Score: 72.61
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $40,890
- Out-of-State:$40,890
- Net Price: $22,087
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- Total Enrollment: 8,889
- Undergrad Students: 4,859
- Graduate Students: 4,030
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
University of Alabama in Huntsville
Score: 72.51
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,770
- Out-of-State:$24,662
- Net Price: $18,588
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 63%
- Total Enrollment: 9,237
- Undergrad Students: 7,169
- Graduate Students: 2,068
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Oregon State University
Score: 72.51
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,494
- Out-of-State:$35,664
- Net Price: $21,163
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Retention Rate: 87%
- Graduation Rate: 70%
- Total Enrollment: 34,292
- Undergrad Students: 28,905
- Graduate Students: 5,387
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Marquette University
Score: 72.45
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $48,700
- Out-of-State:$48,700
- Net Price: $33,136
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 11,167
- Undergrad Students: 7,528
- Graduate Students: 3,639
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
University of Houston
Score: 72.39
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,711
- Out-of-State:$22,191
- Net Price: $14,056
- Acceptance Rate: 66%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 63%
- Total Enrollment: 46,700
- Undergrad Students: 37,943
- Graduate Students: 8,757
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
Professional Organizations
APA
American Psychological Association
The APA has the most extensive membership base in all of the scientific and professional psychology organizations in the US and the world. The overall goal and vision of the APA is to advance research-based knowledge through application, communication, and creation in the industry to improve the lives of all. Members can have varied professional backgrounds, such as clinicians, consultants, educators, students, and researchers. Members receive access to the latest trends and discounts on professional materials.
AAAI
Association of the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence
The Association of the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence is a non-profit organization that focuses on the advancement of intelligent behavior and their actions within machines. The society and its members are dedicated to responsible uses of AI and AI research. It is also a platform on which both funders and researchers can unite to work on groundbreaking projects. The organization as a whole also hosts seminars, conferences, and workshops for all members to connect and share information and research.
EO
The Entrepreneurs’ Organization
The EO brings together entrepreneurs of all kinds to ensure greater success in both the personal and business lives of each member. It is an extensive global organization that encourages all members to share in their experiences so that all members can learn from each other and develop as business leaders. The platform hosts online forums, c-level education opportunities, leadership development, and more. EO places significant emphasis on both professional and personal growth to be successful.