U.S. News Ranks WSU Global Campus Online Degrees Among Nation’s Best for 2020
By Jeff Willadsen, WSU Global Campus Senior Writer
PULLMAN, Wash. – Three online programs at Washington State University have been ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
The university’s Global Campus ranked 23rd nationally for all undergraduate online degree programs, WSU’s online MBA program through the Carson College of Business ranked 18th, and the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture’s online graduate engineering program ranked 21st. WSU’s online MBA and undergraduate degrees were also named among the nation’s best for veterans, ranking 13th and 18th, respectively.
The magazine’s 2020 rankings of best online educational programs were released today.
“We are pleased to be recognized among the country’s top 25 online programs. It is truly emblematic of the excellence and hard work displayed by our faculty, staff and students here at WSU,” said Dave Cillay, WSU Global Campus chancellor. “We take great pride in our ongoing effort to provide engaging, flexible, and high‑quality learning opportunities for students across the globe.”
WSU is the only university in Washington State to rank in the top 25 of U.S. News’ Best Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs.
WSU’s Global Campus offers 20 undergraduate and 12 graduate degrees in many disciplines, as well as numerous minors and certificates. New degrees this year include a BA in Anthropology, BS in Biology, BA in English, BS in Earth and Environmental Sciences, and BA in Political Science. Additional degree programs are currently in development.
“The Carson College of Business online MBA programs enable students across the globe to acquire the necessary tools, skills and behaviors that lend to leadership success,” said Cheryl Oliver, Carson College associate dean for professional programs. “We focus on delivering on our mission to be the program of choice for those seeking an affordable, quality, online business education from a Pacific Northwest university.”
“We are proud to consistently be recognized among the top 20 best online MBA programs in the nation, especially since there are new entrants every year,” said Chip Hunter, Carson College dean.
In engineering, WSU was the only university in Washington State to rank in the top 25 of U.S. News’ Best Online Engineering Degree Programs. The program rose nine places from 30th in 2019 to 21st in the 2020 rankings.
The online Engineering and Technology Management master’s degree and certificate program serves engineers and technical professionals who aspire to advance their careers by rapidly gaining the leadership skills to effectively manage projects, people, organizations, and technology, all while working full time.
The professional science master’s degree in Electrical Power Engineering provides technical education in power systems analysis, transmission and distribution systems, power system economics, and electricity markets, as well as management course options in areas such as law, finance, and project management.
“When I travel and meet alumni, I often hear about the practical and real-world value of our online graduate engineering programs,” said Mary Rezac, dean of the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture. “We produce graduates who not only have a thorough knowledge of electric power or engineering systems but also of the professional management skills needed to advance in the industry.”
To calculate rankings for online bachelor’s programs, the magazine evaluated data collected from 353 schools in four categories: engagement, student services and technologies, faculty credentials and training, and expert opinion. For the online MBA and engineering program rankings, the magazine evaluated five categories: engagement, expert opinion, faculty credentials and training, student excellence, and student services and technologies.