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The University of Massachusetts Amherst’s online education programs are recognized as among the best in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 rankings released today. For the fourth consecutive year, the university continues to place in the Top 20 public and private colleges and universities for its undergraduate and graduate online degree programs.

Three UMass Amherst Isenberg School of Management bachelor’s and master’s online business programs placed in the Top 5 in their respective categories, including master’s business programs supporting military veterans and active-duty service members that do not award an MBA.

UMass Amherst online bachelor’s degree programs moved up one spot to No. 19 out of 350 public and private colleges and universities, and the university remains the only New England institution in the Top 20. Among UMass Amherst’s online bachelor’s degree programs represented are degree completion through the University Without Walls Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, business administration, nursing, sociology and sustainable food and farming.

“We are proud to be recognized for the rigor and excellence of our online offerings in so many categories,” said Fouad Abd-El-Khalick, provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs. “These rankings reflect our commitment to expanding access for all students who seek UMass Amherst programs to further their education as they negotiate professional and personal obligations.”

This year’s edition of U.S. News Best Online Programs assessed approximately 1,780 online degree programs and ranked more than 1,600 online bachelor's and master's degree programs using metrics specific to online learning. The rankings only include degree-granting programs offered primarily online by regionally accredited institutions.

The Isenberg School of Management bachelor’s degree in business program ranks No. 5 out of 218 institutions and was the only New England university—public or private—to place in the Top 20.

In online master’s business programs, UMass Amherst also placed at No. 5 out of 206 institutions. In other graduate degree programs, Isenberg’s MBA program ranks at No. 16, and the university placed No. 13 in MBA general management, a new category this year.

“These latest rankings reflect the innovations we've been making to our online business programs over the past several years,” said Anne Massey, dean of the Isenberg School of Management. “In particular, our MS in accounting and MS in business analytics degree programs now have advanced data analytics tracks and courses. Our online MBA program provides students with skills and experiences tailored to specific industries such as healthcare and finance. In an incredibly competitive market, we're continuously making these programs more relevant to the career needs of our students.” 

UMass Amherst online programs also ranked in the Top 15 for their support of veterans and active-duty service members. The non-MBA master’s business program improved to No.2 in the nation, and its bachelor’s program climbed two spots to No. 11 while the online MBA ranks at No. 14. 

In other U.S. News online graduate program recognitions, the Elaine Marieb School of Nursing placed at No. 30, and the master’s education program climbed 12 spots from last year. 

According to U.S. News & World Report’s methodology, highly ranked programs are evaluated and based on a variety of factors, such as student engagement, faculty credentials and training, and services and technologies. Master’s business and MBA degree programs, in addition to these criteria, are also ranked based on peer assessment and student excellence.