High Marks Go to Bachelor’s Degrees, Graduate Programs

Student working at a laptop Image by Adrien Bisson for UMass Lowell
UMass Lowell offers more than 60 online programs and sees more than 25,000 enrollments annually.

01/15/2019

Contacts for media: Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu and Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944 or Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu

LOWELL, Mass. – UMass Lowell’s online education programs rank among the top in the nation, according to new rankings released today by U.S. News & World Report. 

UMass Lowell’s online graduate programs in criminal justice and information technology are ranked in the top 10 in the nation and are No. 1 among those offered by all public institutions in New England. 

The university’s online bachelor’s degrees also got high marks, coming in at No. 2 in New England and in the top 25 in the nation among the more than 200 public and private programs ranked. 

UMass Lowell’s online programs, launched more than 20 years ago under the direction of now-Chancellor Jacquie Moloney, see more than 25,000 enrollments annually. 

“These consistently high rankings nationally and regionally demonstrate that UMass Lowell is a proven leader in innovative, excellent online education. By offering students programs and support services that are geared to their needs and connect directly to our on-campus academic departments, we are able to provide them with a full learning experience,” said Moloney, an internationally recognized expert in online education. “In addition, we work directly with businesses to help advance employees’ skills through online degrees, certificates and specialized programs.”

Of the eight categories ranked by U.S. News & World Report, UMass Lowell was included among the top online programs in the nation in seven.

Ranked No. 5 in the nation, UMass Lowell’s criminal justice online programs include options in cybersecurity, homeland defense and international security.

The university ranks No. 10 in the nation in online information technology graduate programs, which include a range of options, from a master of science degree to graduate certificates in specializations within the field.

U.S. News & World Report also ranked UMass Lowell’s online graduate degrees in business, education and engineering.

Online graduate programs in education offered by UMass Lowell are the top-ranked in New England and in the top 20 in the nation. They include degrees in policy, leadership, administration, and curriculum and instruction, with options such as teaching individuals with autism and subjects such as science, technology, reading and language.

UMass Lowell’s online graduate degrees in engineering are the highest-ranked of any public program in Massachusetts. Online graduate options include a master’s degree in engineering management and certificates in plastics engineering and computer-assisted manufacturing. 

In business, UMass Lowell’s online MBA and programs in accounting, finance and new venture creation are among the top public programs in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.

In addition to the rankings by type of program, UMass Lowell also ranked highly in online options for veterans, including No. 20 in the nation for online bachelor’s degrees.

UMass Lowell offers more than 60 online programs, including associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as a range of undergraduate and graduate certificates. Programs include fully online options as well as those that blend classroom and online learning. For details, visit https://gps.uml.edu/online/.

The rankings were determined based on factors such as affordability, strength of academic programs and faculty, strong support services for students, financial aid and technology that provides flexibility and ease for students, according to U.S. News & World Report.

UMass Lowell is a national research university located on a high-energy campus in the heart of a global community. The university offers its more than 18,000 students bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in business, education, engineering, fine arts, health, humanities, sciences and social sciences. UMass Lowell delivers high-quality educational programs, vigorous hands-on learning and personal attention from leading faculty and staff, all of which prepare graduates to be leaders in their communities and around the globe. www.uml.edu