Clemson, USC top 2020 rankings of online degrees, U.S. News & World Report says

South Carolina’s largest schools locked down top rankings on U.S. News and World Report’s list of best online degrees.

Clemson University held on to its No. 1 online masters education program ranking nationally for the third straight year. The University of South Carolina’s program tied for No. 23. Other S.C. colleges, such as Anderson University, The Citadel, Coker University and USC Aiken, all ranked between Nos. 100 and 200, rankings show.

USC ranked No. 2 nationwide in online master’s nursing programs, finishing just ahead of Johns Hopkins University. The Medical University of South Carolina ranked No. 14 and Anderson University ranked No. 66.

Each category was evaluated on several methodologies. Key criteria included how involved professors were in online classes, the availability of career and financial aid resources, quality and diversity of technologies used to facilitate classes, course rigor, faculty qualifications and expert opinions on each college.

Clemson’s online masters in engineering program tied for No. 48 in the country while USC’s program tied for No. 60.

The Citadel, Charleston Southern University, Limestone College and Anderson University all ranked within the top 200 online Masters in Business Administration degrees in the country. None of those programs, however, broke the top 100.

Columbia College tied for No. 37 in its online criminal justice program.

Charleston Southern ranked No. 8 nationwide for online bachelors programs for veterans. The Citadel ranked No. 75 and Limestone College ranked No. 94 in the same program, according to the rankings.

Best online bachelor’s programs

1. Charleston Southern University (No. 11 nationwide)
2. USC Aiken (No. 66 nationwide)
3. Anderson University (No. 80 nationwide)
4. The Citadel (No. 123 nationwide)
5. Limestone College (No. 166 nationwide)
6. North Greenville University (No. 183 nationwide)
7. Columbia College (No. 223 nationwide)
8. Coastal Carolina University (No. 240 nationwide)
9. Newberry College (No. 251 nationwide)