Prospective college students have used U.S. News & World Report universities and colleges ranking system to help compare various higher learning institutions. While some colleges do not look favorably on this poll, the ranking system does help students compare their top college choices with other schools around the nation. Until this year, all of the ranking focused on traditional schools, but now the U.S. News & World Report will offer a ranking system for online programs as well. According to an article in The Chronicle for Higher Education, U.S. News & World Report is in the beginning process of ranking online college programs.

In the article, the new online college program ranking survey has been met with mixed reviews. For some college officials, they believe online programs cannot be surveyed or ranked based upon the criteria set up for traditional colleges. When students choose to enroll in an online program, the entire degree program may not be strictly online since many programs offer hybrid courses, blended online learning, and in class time. Others believe the new online college rankings could give online education the needed validation from the higher education community.

You can read more at The Chronicle for Higher Education.