Founded in 1958 as the Residence Education Center Program, Brandman University
started out as a satellite campus or extension center offered by Chapman University. The
university has accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and
has a strong reputation as a college that is friendly to military students, including both
veterans and those currently enrolled. It has an enrollment of more than 11,000 students
between its main campus and online system. The online programs designed for adult students available through
Brandman include those in education, arts and sciences, business and professional studies, and nursing and health
professions. Some of the available majors and degree programs include those in early childhood education, nursing,
marketing, and criminal justice.
9. Northcentral University
Based out of San Diego, California, Northcentral University is a for-profit university that
offers degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels as well as some specialist
degree programs. Since opening in 1996, the university saw its enrollment grow to reach
more than 10,000 students. Northcentral University is unique because the university
operates entirely online and helps students living in cities all around the world reach their
education goals. It offers bachelor completion programs designed for those who previously took college classes.
They can transfer in credits and work on earning a degree in psychology, education, or business administration.
Northcentral University has a rolling admissions policy and allows new students to start any program at the beginning
of any week of the year.
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7. Regis University
The Society of Jesuits founded Regis University in 1877 because that religious
organization wanted to create a college that would train students for working in different
fields but also help them learn more about the Roman Catholic faith. It is both a nationally
ranked university as well as a top tier college. Regis University offers a number of
different undergrad degree programs that are suitable for online adult students, including
those in criminal justice, social sciences, applied psychology, business administration,
health information management, and accounting. Certificate programs available from the
university in subjects like critical care and database development can help students go
further in their current careers without completing an entire degree program.
6. Keiser University
Established in 1977 as a career college that offered training programs specifically
designed for helping students launch their careers, Keiser University is now an
accredited college that offers traditional programs as well as online options. In addition to
bachelor’s degree programs and graduate degree programs, it also has some associate’s
degree programs available online like those in nursing, golf management, and hospitality.
Bachelor programs include multiple business administration programs with
concentrations in automotive dealership management and certain foreign languages,
cyber forensics, legal studies, and public safety administration. Keiser offers several MBA programs and an online
RN to BSN program that allows currently active nurses to go back to school and earn a BSN.
5. Post University
Post University is the name used by an online college, a flagship campus in Connecticut,
and several satellite centers. Founded in 1890, Post University offers both bachelor’s and
master’s programs for online students and can help adults with financial aid, tuition
reimbursement, and with choosing the right program of study. Associate’s programs let
students study marketing, legal studies, criminal justice, or early childhood education and
develop a strong foundation that can help when they decide to enroll in a bachelor
program. The online MBA program offered by the university is popular, but students can
also study higher education administration, accounting, public administration, human
services, and general education at the graduate level.
4. University of Maryland University College
Though the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) started as a satellite
campus and a branch of the University of Maryland, it now meets the needs of more than
80,000 students, many of whom take classes on one of its satellite campuses or online.
As a college that caters to adult students, it offers adults credit for the work that they do in
the field and offers exams that students can take, which will earn them credits and reduce
the number of courses they need to take. UMUC also awards college credit to veterans
for the work they did in the past. Information technology, public safety, management, and health care are among the
more popular programs offered by the university.
3. Thomas Edison State University
Once called a state college, Thomas Edison State University is now a full university that
has approval from the state of New Jersey and accreditation from the Middle States
Commission on Higher Education. Founded in 1977, it offers degrees through five
colleges on its campus. The John S. Watson School of Public Service and Continuing
Studies is one of its colleges that offers programs designed for working adults. Online
associate’s programs include those in computer and information technology, criminal
justice, nuclear engineering technology and business administration. Bachelor’s degree
programs are available in energy systems technology, accounting, general management,
operations management and professional studies among others. Thomas Edison State University also offers
graduate degrees and both graduate and undergrad certificate programs.
2. Charter Oak State College
Named after a historic tree that once stood in the area, Charter Oak State College is a
public college in Connecticut that emphasizes the liberal arts. COSC allows students to
transfer credits from another college and graduate with a degree after completing just six
credits of work and doing a senior capstone project at the undergrad level. Online
undergrad programs include those in psychology, health information management,
cybersecurity, and business management. Charter Oak State College also offers a
graduate program in organizational effectiveness and leadership. It will award students course credit for their military
service and some types of corporate training. Students can also do independent learning projects for course credit.
1. Excelsior College
Excelsior College has a history that dates back to the early 1970s and served as both a branch of the University of
the State of New York and Regents College before earning a charter that allowed the college to operate on its own. It
is now a private college with an enrollment of more than 36,000 students. Online programs are available in six areas
of study: nursing, business, health sciences, liberal arts, technology, and public service. Excelsior offers programs at
the associate’s, bachelor’s and graduate levels. Students can also enroll in one of its non-credit programs to
complete a certificate in lieu of a degree. Certificates are available in subjects like fundraising essentials, event
management, and design and cybersecurity.
