Surveys provide a good method in ranking the top colleges and universities if, for example, the measurement is top-of-mind awareness. A short review of surveys done in the past years show that while public acceptance of online degrees have risen fast, the numbers go up significantly higher if the college it was acquired from is immediately recognizable.

The trust and confidence in a learning institution increases with its age, as well as when it gains significant reputation in a community or area, or in a specific field of learning. Meanwhile, Internet-only universities seem to make people wary as they still have to prove themselves over the long run.

Online offerings tied to already well known educational institutions reap the benefit of confidence bestowed by the name. Therefore, the top online colleges are also those with conventional campuses that have nurtured their reputation and performance over the course of several academic generations. In a small group study, it was shown that distance education basically provides the same amount of learning as a conventional program but bestows advantages on explanatory and cognitive learning, while the conventional program improves social and procedural learning.

According to the State Handbook & Guide resources, some of the top online colleges and universities are Phoenix University, positioned as the top choice of working adults, which offers associate, bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees; Kaplan University, was recently ranked top in quality of education, benefits versus cost, and student recommendation rate; DeVry University, another rated school, where you have the option of fulfilling all your academic obligations 100% online or via a combination of classes in over 75 locations; Baker College, recently named as one of the best graduate schools, combines education with affordability as it offers over 20 online degree programs for you to choose from.

Penn Foster Career School, being one of the long-established distance education institutions with over 13 million graduates over the past century of existence, offers a choice of online or mail-based education. Their courses include mechanics, vocational studies, and design.

Regis University, another century-old institution that has made a name for itself as one of the top choices in graduate studies, now also offers their MBA program online. As an added bonus, they offer financial assistance for qualified individuals.

The Freeman School of Business of the Tulane University offers a certificate program which you can complete in as little as eight weeks online.