Simpson College named a Best Online Program

Simpson’s fully online master’s in criminal justice program also factored prominently in the rankings, appearing at No. 43 nationally and No. 11 among private colleges. The program is the only one of its kind in Iowa to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report.

“The strength of our online programs is a direct result of the college’s mission to provide educational access to learners at all stages of their lives,” president Marsha Kelliher said. “Even before the pandemic, we made a commitment to offering quality, affordable education through our evening, online and hybrid programs. This year’s rankings reflect that commitment.”

The institutions featured in the list of best online bachelor’s degrees have the best online, baccalaureate-level programs, most of which are degree-completion oriented. U.S. News evaluated several factors to rank the best programs, including graduation rates, faculty credentials and support services available remotely.

Simpson’s online program also received high praise in a recent release by EDsmart. The scholastic rankings specialist featured Simpson at No. 15 on its list of Best Online Colleges for 2020, estimating a $151,000 return on investment for graduates.

The U.S. News & World Report 2021 Best Online Programs ranking assessed a record 1,641 programs. These rankings do not include degree programs that were delivered temporarily online in 2020 as many colleges shifted to remote instruction.