EMU Today

YPSILANTI --  Eastern Michigan University has been ranked as one of the year’s best schools for earning a master’s degree online by website OnlineMastersDegrees.org. EMU was recognized for excellence in the following subject areas:

• Best Online Master's Degrees in Education – https://www.onlinemastersdegrees.org/best-programs/education/
   
• Best Online Master's Degrees in Computer Science – https://www.onlinemastersdegrees.org/best-programs/computer-science/
   
• Best Engineering Management Online Master's Degrees - https://www.onlinemastersdegrees.org/best-programs/engineering/engineering-management/
   
• Best Online Master's in Dietetics - https://www.onlinemastersdegrees.org/best-programs/nutrition/dietetics/
   
• Best Online Master's in Communications - https://www.onlinemastersdegrees.org/best-programs/communications/

EMU’s recognition comes at a time when enrollment in master’s degree programs is on the rise. In October of 2021, the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) reported a 7.3 percent increase in first-time graduate student enrollment in Fall 2020. First-time, part-time student enrollment rose by 13.5 percent. The CGS report cites the growth of online and hybrid learning options as a primary driver of these trends.

“As enrollment in master’s degree programs expands, it’s important to showcase colleges and universities with a clear focus on flexible learning and affordable tuition,” said Kyle Darland, co-founder of OnlineMastersDegrees.org. “Each school in our rankings offers partially or fully-online master’s degree options and a price tag that works for students.”

OnlineMastersDegrees.org analyzed more than 7,700 schools using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Their data science team then created an algorithm to rank these schools in 70 unique master’s degree subjects. To qualify, a school must hold active regional accreditation and have both academic counseling and career placement services available to students. Primary data points applied to the ranking algorithm include the following:

• Number of online programs in subject area
• Number of online students
• Online program tuition and fees
• Percentage of students offered institutional aid
• Amount of institutional aid awarded per student

In addition to ranking online master’s programs in each subject overall, OnlineMastersDegrees.org developed individual category rankings. Schools can see how they stack up against their peers in each ranking metric. This also helps prospective students identify which schools excel in the areas that matter the most to them.

“Each student has different professional and academic priorities,” said Darland. “For example, one student might need a school with multiple online program options in their subject area, while another needs a school that offers generous student aid packages. These category rankings help students target institutions based on their specific wants and needs.”

About OnlineMastersDegrees.org

OnlineMastersDegrees.org began in 2020 to support online learning at the master’s level. Our user-friendly, research-backed content helps students find scholarships, resources, financial aid, and connect with accredited colleges and universities across the country. 

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 16,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.