Campbell University’s online bachelor’s programs made a significant jump in this year’s U.S. News & World Report list of “Best Online Programs,” moving up 50 spots to rank 87th overall in the nation (out of 361 eligible schools).
For the third consecutive year, Campbell’s Adult & Online Education program is the highest ranking North Carolina private school on the list, and this year, fourth among all North Carolina colleges and universities on the list. Campbell also ranks 51st in the nation in online programs for military veterans and 98th for online programs for business students.
Dr. Beth Rubin, dean of Adult & Online Education at Campbell, credited the “continuous improvement” of the program and its more than 30 bachelor’s degrees offered (in addition to several associate, certificate, professional development and graduate programs).
“Still the highest ranked private university in the state of North Carolina, we have moved up over several large state-funded schools by dint of our outstanding personal support for our students, our excellent faculty and our innovative programs,” Rubin said. “For example, our new Well-Being Initiative provides students with resources and support to enhance their overall lives. New and growing scholarships provide adult learners with the opportunity to obtain financial support to further their education.
“We never stop looking for ways to help our students succeed while offering the best education, and the U.S. News & World Report rankings recognize this.”
Dr. Mark Hammond, vice president for academic affairs and provost, said the new rankings are a testament to the high quality of learning experiences offered by Campbell Online across the state and country.
“Whether a student needs a single course or a complete undergraduate or graduate degree program online, Campbell offers something of interest to everyone regardless of geography,” he said.
Adult & Online Education has introduced several new programs in the past two years, including an RN to BSN nursing program and the University’s first fully online doctoral program — the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences’ Doctor of Health Sciences program, which has now grown to 50 enrolled students.
In 2021, AOE also introduced a botanical and holistic health graduate certificate — a 12-credit hour program designed to equip post-professionals with the skills and knowledge to positively impact patients’ well-being through integrative/holistic health. In August, AOE graduated its first class from its two-year Prison Teaching Initiative at Sampson Correctional Facility. Those students are now working toward a four-year bachelor’s degree in the program.
U.S. News & World Report’s annual list takes into account several categories for its rankings. They include:
- Engagement (35%): The program allows students opportunities to readily interact with instructors and classmates.
- Services and Technologies (25%): The program incorporates diverse online learning technologies that allow greater flexibility for students to take classes from a distance.
- Faculty Credentials and Training (20%): The program employs instructors with academic credentials that mirror those of instructors for campus-based programs, and they have the resources to train these instructors to teach distance learners.
- Expert Opinion (20%): A survey of high-ranking academic officials helps account for intangible factors affecting program quality that are not captured by statistics.