ERAU, UF tied for 1st in last year's US News online rankings. How did they do this year?

The University of Florida, which tied Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for first in last year's US News & World Report "Best Online Programs" for bachelors degrees, stands alone atop this year's ranking.

The ranking is based on measures of engagement, services and technology, faculty credentials and training and expert opinions.

UF's education master's program also finished in a tie for first with Clemson University, while the school's MBA degree program was fourth.

Embry-Riddle Worldwide has six first-place finishes in the last eight years. But in 2023, it scored a 99, one point shy of the Gainesville university.

"I'm happy and delighted with where we stand, because remember this is eight years in a row we've been either No. 1 or No. 2," John Watret, chancellor of ERAU Worldwide, said. "We're the only private, not-for-profit four-year college in the Top 25 rankings."

The University of Central Florida finished in a tie for eighth, while its psychology online degree was first and nursing master's was 10th.

Some students find the online rankings useful, including Dorothea Ballai, a 27-year-old registered nurse from Stuart. She found UCF's program flexible, allowing her to study while working full time.

"The faculty are extremely phenomenal and so supportive. You can tell they want everyone to succeed," Ballai said in a UCF news release. "Even at a distance, I’ve always felt supported as an online student.”

Also, Daytona State College ranked in a tie for 35th, the highest among the Florida State College system.

Six other Florida schools made the Top 100, including the University of North Florida, University of West Florida, Florida International University, Florida Atlantic University, Pensacola State College and St. Petersburg College.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: University of Florida, Embry-Riddle are 1-2 in US News online rankings