Tuesday, January 14, 2020

For the second consecutive year, the University of North Carolina Wilmington is ranked 8th on U.S. News & World Report’s list of 2020 Best Online Bachelor’s Programs, the university announced today. UNCW tied with Loyola University in Chicago and Pennsylvania State University-World Campus.

The university also ranked 6th, along with Penn State-World Campus, on the publication’s list of Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans for the second year in a row. Several graduate programs were also recognized among top online programs: Nursing; MBA Programs; Non-MBA Business Master’s Programs; and Education. This is the first year UNCW’s online graduate business programs were recognized by U.S. News. 

“UNCW’s online degree programs further strengthen the quality and accessibility for which the university is consistently recognized, and these rankings acknowledge our continuing commitment to distance education opportunities to support the academic needs of our students,” said Chancellor Jose V. Sartarelli. “These programs prepare students – many of whom are working full time or do not live near Wilmington – to graduate with critical workforce credentials that enhance their employment opportunities. 

U.S. News considers a variety of factors in developing its ranking of “Best Online Bachelor’s Programs,” which applies to undergraduate programs in which all required coursework is completed online. UNCW was recognized for its two qualifying programs, Nursing and Clinical Research. 

Guided by its Strategic Plan, UNCW continually develops and refines academic programs to prepare students for careers in emerging industries and high-demand fields. With several major military installations in eastern North Carolina, UNCW provides services to enhance educational opportunities for active-duty service members, veterans and their families. 

Elevated to “Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity” in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education in 2018, UNCW debuted at 92nd on the U.S. News list of Top Public National Universities for 2020. The change in status from a master’s-level institution came after years of recognition as a top-10 public regional university in the South by U.S. News.

UNCW has also been honored by other ranking organizations. The university is ranked 32nd nationally on Kiplinger’s Best Public College Values 2019 list, a 30-place jump over the 2018 ranking. In addition, UNCW was named a Best Southeastern School by The Princeton Review and was one of only four UNC System schools featured in the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2020, which highlights the nation’s “best and most interesting” colleges and universities. 

-- Tricia Vance

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