UMass Lowell Earns Top Spots in Rankings for Online Graduate Programs
More than a dozen of UMass Lowell’s online graduate and professional programs are once again ranked among the best in the nation, according to the 2026 U.S. News & World…
Press Photo: UMass Lowell
More than a dozen of UMass Lowell's online graduate and professional programs are once again ranked among the best in the nation, according to the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings.
The 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings come as the university celebrates its 30th anniversary of online education.
“These rankings reflect the strength, breadth, and quality of our programs — designed to meet the evolving needs of learners and the industries they serve,” said Graduate, Online, and Professional Studies Division Executive Dean Nancy Ludwig in a statement shared with The (Lowell) Sun. “Whether pursuing a degree to advance a career, change paths, or respond to workforce demands, our students know they're earning credentials that are respected by employers and make a real impact.”
According to U.S. News & World Report, UMass Lowell programs received the following recognition from the media source:
- Online master's degree programs in criminal justice rank No. 3 in the nation, No. 2 for veterans, and No. 1 in Massachusetts.
- Online master's programs in education rank No. 18 in the United States, No. 8 for veterans, and No. 1 in New England.
- Online bachelor's degree programs rank No. 20 in the country and No. 13 for veterans.
- UMass Lowell's online Master of Business Administration program ranked No. 26 and was the top-ranked program of its type in Greater Boston. For enrolled veterans, the program is ranked No. 22 in the country.
- The university's online master's degree in information technology program is ranked No. 30 in the United States and No. 16 for veterans.
According to The Sun, UMass Lowell began online education in 1996 with seven courses and 87 enrollments. The university has since expanded to 156 programs across online and hybrid formats, serving more than 46,000 students each year.
The institution holds accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education, with additional accreditation from bodies such as the Online Learning Consortium and the University Professional and Continuing Education Association.
