Dec. 1, 2025
Contact: Janese Heavin, heavinj@missouri.edu
Photo courtesy of Brittany Page
The University of Missouri is the No. 1 online college in the nation according to Niche, a leading college search platform.
Drawing on student reviews and data from the U.S. Department of Education, the 2026 Best Online Colleges ranking highlights the exceptional quality, flexibility and student experiences that define Mizzou Online, which offers more than 185 online degree programs and certificates.
For students such as Brittany Page, a working mom from Hannibal, Missouri, Mizzou’s top ranking comes as no surprise. She started an online bachelor’s degree in social work through the College of Health Sciences this fall and has been impressed not only with the coursework, but also with the support and resources Mizzou offers to keep her on track.
“Getting started can be confusing, but everyone I’ve worked with at Mizzou has been wonderful,” Page said. “Everyone has gone above and beyond to explain things to me and walk me through what I need to do.”
After years of balancing work and family, Page completed two years of community college before enrolling at Mizzou. For her, in-person coursework wasn’t an option.
“I work two jobs and have a 15-year-old, so when I was looking to transfer to a bachelor’s program, having an online option was mandatory,” Page said. “I have to be able to fit school in between everything else I have going on.”
Today, Page isn’t just fitting school into her life — she’s using what she learns every day in her work at an inpatient drug rehabilitation center. For her, classes around human behavior and social environments feel less like degree requirements and more like hands-on training.
“I love the courses,” she said. “The classes feel so relevant to where I want to go with my profession and what I want to do. They feel like job training which makes them engaging — and makes it easy for me to stay motivated.”
Whether students are returning to school, advancing their career or starting fresh, Mizzou Online provides nationally recognized degrees designed for today’s workforce. With supportive faculty, flexible learning and a community that supports students every step of the way, it’s easy to see why students across the country are choosing Mizzou.
About Mizzou Online
The University of Missouri (Mizzou) has invested heavily in online education since launching its online learning platform in 2012. Mizzou Online has since become a leader in online education, delivering the same world-class education students expect. Students have access to an ever-growing catalog of degree and certificate programs. Each of these programs opens doors for the curious to explore opportunities and experiences that will elevate their careers and empower them to excel.
