February 3, 2023 | Combined Reports - UConn Communications

Online Graduate Programs Lauded in National Rankings

Programs in Accounting, Nursing, and Engineering rank high among top national peers

Drone views of the UConn entryway sign lit in green light.

(UConn photo/Tom Rettig)

The online master’s programs offered by the School of Nursing, School of Business, and School of Engineering are among the best in the country, according to new rankings by U.S. News & World Report.

“These placements are among very strong groups of national universities and, among that select company, UConn is serving an above-average number of students at a below-average cost per credit,” says UConn President Radenka Maric. “This is much deserved recognition for the outstanding work being done in our online graduate programs.”

According to the latest rankings:

  • The online Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program in the School of Business is No. 6 nationally, up from No. 7 last year and No. 11 two years ago.
  • The online Master of Science in Nursing program is No. 18 nationally, making it the highest ranked program among nursing schools in New England.
  • The online Master of Science in Engineering program is No. 37 nationally, 10 spots higher than last year, and 25 spots higher than two years ago.

U.S. News ranks programs according to their performance across a set of indicators of excellence, including faculty credentials, student engagement, reputation in both academic and industry circles, graduation rates, class size, online teaching best practices, support services, and more.

“The continued recognition of the program is satisfying, and reflects our faculty’s longstanding commitment to quality instruction,” says Professor George Plesko, head of the Accounting Department. “We’ve been online for 20 years, so we have a strong foundation and experience in how to provide effective online education.”

The annual rankings only include degree-granting programs that are offered primarily online by regionally accredited institutions.

“This prestigious ranking reflects students’ hard work in a competitive program and our faculty’s continued dedication to their students’ success.  I am delighted that for the first time all of our master’s tracks, not just our highly rated Neonatal Nurse Practitioner track, have contributed to our No. 18 ranking,” Deborah Chyun, Dean of the School of Nursing, says.

UConn Engineering’s 20-plus online masters, professional development, and certificate programs, housed under the School’s Professional Education department, range from certificates in contaminated site remediation to Master’s of Engineering in Data Science. The programs are designed to be flexible to the schedules of working professionals, while also helping to advance their careers.

“This recognition is clear proof that our online Master of Engineering program is making positive waves across the country,” says School of Engineering Professional Education Program Director Nora Sutton. “We’re thrilled to have jumped up 10 spots, especially when students are more selective than ever in their online program choices. Our quality faculty are carefully crafting classes for the next generation of Connecticut’s engineers. With the help of UConn’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, we’re proud to offer one of New England’s top five MEng programs.”