UAlbany Online Graduate Education, Bachelor’s Programs Receive Top Marks in U.S. News Rankings
By Bethany Bump
ALBANY, N.Y. (Jan. 27, 2026) — The University at Albany has ranked #4 in the nation for best online master’s in education programs and #89 for best online bachelor’s programs by U.S. News & World Report.
UAlbany’s School of Education moved up to the #4 spot from #7 last year for its online master’s programs, marking the 10th year in a row the school has landed in the top 10 nationwide for its online graduate education programs. In New York, it is the highest ranked such program among both public and private institutions.
“As leaders in online education with more than 25 years of experience, the School of Education community is proud to be in the top 10 for 10 years straight. We offer students high-quality, flexible programs to advance their careers with a community of committed faculty who bring expertise and care to their teaching, leadership and research,” said Virginia Goatley, dean of the School of Education.
U.S. News ranked 333 online master’s in education programs based on five categories: engagement, faculty credentials and training, peer assessment, services and technologies, and student excellence. Engagement was given the greatest weight at 30 percent, with programs judged for their ability to grant aspiring teachers and educational administrators opportunities to readily interact with instructors and classmates, and to create an experience that is rewarding enough that students stay enrolled and complete their degrees within a reasonable time.
UAlbany’s School of Education offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees as well as graduate certificates in a wide range of education and mental health fields. At the graduate level, programs range from teacher education to literacy, mental health counseling and school psychology, to global education, educational policy and instructional design. Many of these programs are fully online, allowing for flexibility and a personalized learning experience.
The University also received top marks from U.S. News for its online bachelor’s programs, moving up to the #89 spot in the 2025-26 academic year from #113 last year.
Most undergraduate programs assessed in the Best Online Programs rankings are degree completion programs — meaning few, if any, new entrants are first-time, full-time students. Rather, they are more likely to be working professionals in their 20s to 40s looking to advance or change their careers.
“The rise in the national rankings for UAlbany Online reflects our continued commitment to expanding high-quality online degree pathways that provide flexibility without sacrificing academic rigor,” said JoAnne Malatesta, dean of Undergraduate Education and vice provost for Academic Innovation and Student Success. “Providing the same academic excellence as our on-campus offerings, online students benefit from experienced faculty and curriculum aligned with student demand and workforce needs. This combined with our deep commitment to student success ensures that online students have the tools and support they need to complete a four-year degree while balancing work, family and other responsibilities.”
The rankings measured whether online degree programs housed in regionally accredited institutions had academic standards commensurate with quality brick-and-mortar programs, with schools assessed based on four categories: engagement, services and technologies, faculty credentials and training, and peer assessment. Engagement was given the greatest weight at 35 percent.
UAlbany’s diverse portfolio of fully online bachelor’s degree programs span high-demand fields including business, criminal justice, psychology, history, emergency preparedness, game design and development, and communication, among others.