Overall online master’s program rankings climb five spots to #3 in 2021, affirming College’s unwavering commitment to providing high quality, innovative online learning opportunities and experiences.

The College of Education at Illinois’ Online Master’s in Education Programs have once again been named among the nation’s top-ranked, according to the 2021 Best Online Graduate Education Programs list from U.S. News & World Report. Education at Illinois was ranked No. 3 on the list, moving up five spots from last year, out of 296 institutions evaluated. The College’s overall programs ranking score was 96 of a possible 100.

Additionally, U.S. News ranked Education at Illinois #1 for Best Online Master’s Programs in Education for Veterans—a testament to flexible, responsive course offerings.

The College’s recently launched Online Master of Education (Ed.M.) degree in Curriculum & Instruction has been a successful addition to online degrees. Students may pursue a general degree program (Perspectives and Practices) or choose a concentration in Bilingual/Bi-Cultural Education or Digital Learning. In its second full year, U.S. News ranked the program No. 8 (tie) in the nation, up five spots from No. 13 in 2020.

“The challenges education faced in 2020 served to enhance and strengthen our online curricula,” said James Anderson, Dean of the College of Education. “The College has long been a pioneer in the science of education and online delivery of instruction, and the pandemic has emphasized the necessity for access to education and equitable opportunities for everyone. We will continue our tradition of innovation in order to train compassionate, leading-edge educators in this state and beyond,” Anderson said.

As one of the first colleges on the Urbana campus to provide an online degree program, Education at Illinois offers online graduate degrees, certificates, and endorsements for educators who work in both the public and private sector, from pre-kindergarten through post-secondary.

The College also offers online programs for trainers, developers, designers, and managers in human resource development and instructional technologies.

View all Education at Illinois Online and Off-Campus Programs.