2026 Rankings Underscore University’s Decades-Long Commitment to Distance Education
Image by UMass Lowell file photo
01/30/2026
Media Contacts: David Joyner, executive director of communications and digital media, David_Joyner@uml.edu and Nancy Cicco, associate director of media relations, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu
LOWELL, Mass. – More than 13 of UMass Lowell’s online graduate and professional programs are once again among the best in the nation, according to 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings released this week.
The recognition reinforces the university’s pioneering role as a top-tier provider of distance education, as UMass Lowell this year marks its 30th anniversary providing online programs.
“We are honored to once again be recognized as a national leader in online education,” said Graduate, Online and Professional Studies Division Executive Dean Nancy Ludwig. “These rankings reflect the strength, breadth and quality of our programs – designed to meet the evolving needs of learners and the industries they serve. 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.”
The rankings announced Tuesday reflect the affordable, accessible and relevant coursework UMass Lowell provides to members of the public as well as programs for military-connected students and veterans.
U.S. News & World Report singles out the following outstanding UMass Lowell programs:
- Online master’s degree programs in criminal justice rank No. 3 in the U.S., No. 2 for veterans and No. 1 in Massachusetts
- Online master’s programs in education are No. 18 in the country, No. 8 for veterans and No. 1 in New England
- Online bachelor’s degree programs are No. 20 in the U.S. and No. 13 for veterans.
- UMass Lowell’s online MBA program is ranked No. 26, up from No. 33 last year, and the top-ranked program in Greater Boston. For enrolled veterans, the program is ranked No. 22 in the U.S.
- Online graduate business programs (excluding the MBA) are ranked No. 23 and No. 12 for veterans.
- The university’s online master’s in information technology program is ranked No. 30 in the country and No. 16 for veterans.
Military-connected students attend UMass Lowell both on campus and online and include many who are deployed around the world. The university’s commitments to affordability and accessibility are reflected in the high rankings for veterans that UMass Lowell consistently earns.
A trailblazer in online learning long before the words “Google” or “Amazon” were household names, UMass Lowell launched its online programs in 1996 with just seven online courses and 87 online enrollments. Today the division offers 156 programs – accessible online, on campus or as a mix of both – including four associate degrees, 18 bachelor’s degrees, 12 undergraduate certificates, 61 master’s degrees, 59 graduate certificates and two post-master’s programs, with more than 46,000 enrollments annually.
UMass Lowell is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, a designation that includes the university’s online programs. Other national and international organizations, including the Online Learning Consortium and the University Professional and Continuing Education Association, recognize UMass Lowell’s quality in programs, teaching and more. For more about UMass Lowell’s graduate, online and professional studies programs, visit https://gps.uml.edu.