School:	Degrees:	Programs:	Alumni Statistics**:	Education Quality Rating**:	Job Placement Assistance Rating**:	Bottom Line:
Go to Site Read Full Review	Associate's; Bachelor's; Master's; Doctoral	Business; Criminal Justice; Education; Nursing; Healthcare; Technology	84% recommend; 59% graduate			Offers online and classroom flexibility; Many specialized degrees
Go to Site Read Full Review	Certificates; Bachelor's; Master's; PhD	Business; Public Administration; Education; Psychology; Health; Human Services; Engineering & IT; Counseling and Nursing	89% recommend			Best school for advanced degrees such as Master's or PhD's
Go to Site Read Full Review	Certificates; Bachelor's; MBA; Master's	Business; Criminal Justice; Information Technology and Paralegal Studies	90% recommend; 50% graduate			Top pick for Criminal Justice and Paralegal Studies
Go to Site Read Full Review	Associate; Bachelors; Masters	Business; Education; Healthcare; Management; Marketing; Accounting	86% recommend; 63% graduate; 83% employment			Great option for most students; Top pick for former military
Go to Site Read Full Review	Certificates; Bachelor's; MBA; Master's; PhD	Business; Computers; Health & Nursing and Social Sciences	88% recommend			Best mix of education quality and cost
Go to Site Read Full Review	Bachelor's only	Business; IT; Accounting; Management; Marketing; Technical Management	66% recommend; 83% employment			Dozens of specialized technology degree programs
Go to Site Read Full Review	Certificates; Bachelor's; MBA, Master's; PhD	Business; Education; Human Services; Psychology; Technology	93% recommend; 36% graduate; 80% employment			Best alumni support programs
Go to Site Read Full Review	Associate's; Bachelor's; Master's	Business; Criminal Justice; Healthcare; IT; Legal Studies; Nursing and Health	60% recommend; 24% graduate			Strong career oriented curriculum and small class size

UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX:Go to Site | Back to Chart

University of Phoenix is the largest for profit university in the United States with campuses in 40 states, a large online learning community and 103 different degree programs. Former students give University of Phoenix one of the highest overall ranks in education quality.

UoP's online learning experience focuses on leveraging several unique technology based tools which they call the 'resource online portal.' This toolset includes hundreds of ebooks, simulations, writing and mathematics tools and peer review, and a digital version of the university library.

In addition to a robust online only learning system, UoP is unique in that it offers the 'FlexNet' program that allows participants to receive traditional classroom instruction in addition to the online learning program. Given that UoP has several hundred campuses throughout the United States, it is highly likely that most students will have a local campus to leverage.

Overall, University of Phoenix is a great option for students that are looking for a high quality online education that can be supplemented with real world classroom learning. UoP is a particularly excellent option for students that are looking for very specific degree specializations in areas such as business, technology and education given their significant number of degree programs in these areas.

Transfer Credit Policy:, The University of Phoenix will transfer all college-level (not remedial or developmental) courses with a grade of C- or better from regionally and nationally accredited associate degree granting institutions. Depending on the upper division major chosen, 57 to 72 semester credits will transfer as either an elective, to satisfy University of Phoenix general education requirements or replace a required University of Phoenix course.

Degrees: Associate, Bachelors, Masters, Doctoral

Programs: Business, Criminal Justice, Education, Nursing, Healthcare, Technology

Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association

WALDEN REVIEW:Go to Site | Back to Chart

In addition to it's 35 year operating history, Walden University is part of the Laureate International Universities network which encompasses 35 campuses and a large online learning program that collectively serve over 270,000 students.

Walden University is focused on fostering 'scholar-practitioners', or graduates that not only have the academic knowledge to succeed in their chose field, but also the hands on experience to do so. Their goal is to give graduates the background that allows them to effectively apply their scholarly learning skills they develop during their education against real world problems and situations.

The breadth of advanced degree programs, such as PhD's and Master's degrees, offered by Walden are unmatched among the schools we reviewed. This is largely because Walden's primary focus is these types of advanced programs. They only offer a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration.

Walden also offers a wide variety of student support tools including faculty mentors, librarians and a unique student concierge service. The primary role of the concierge service is to provide support to the online learner throughout their degree program

Overall, Walden University is our top pick for advanced degrees such as Master's or PhD programs. In particular, Walden University offers strong programs in Education and Technology.

Transfer Credit Policy: Transfer of credit from other institutions is encouraged. Applicants may request an unofficial evaluation of transfer of credit prior to admission. This can be completed with unofficial or official transcripts. Official notification of credits that have been accepted for transfer to a program normally occurs at the time an offer of admission is made or during the student's first term of enrollment.

Degrees: Certificates, Bachelor's, Master's, PhD

Programs: Business, Public Administration, Education, Psychology, Health, Human Services, Engineering & IT, Counseling and Nursing

Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association

KAPLAN UNIVERSITY REVIEW:Go to Site | Back to Chart

Kaplan University is one of the oldest institutions we reviewed with over 27,000 predominantly online students and roots back to 1837 when it was originally founded as The American Institute of Commerce.

With over 150 degree programs, Kaplan has the most areas of specialization of any of the schools we reviewed. Additionally, Kaplan has one of the highest alumni satisfaction ratings with 90% of their graduates reporting that they would recommend Kaplan to a friend or colleague.

Kaplan University is part of the Kaplan family of companies which includes the well known test preparation service. As such, Kaplan offers many unique and innovative learning techniques leveraging their refined methodology such as online quizzes following most class sessions that give you immediate feedback on what you have just learned as well as how well you have retained the information. Kaplan also offers one of the largest web based research centers of any of the schools we reviewed with over 325,000 volumes, 20,000 periodicals and other research materials available to their students.

Overall, Kaplan is an excellent web based option for students that are looking for a wide variety of specialized programs, particularly in criminal justice or paralegal studies. In addition, Kaplan's tuition fees are competitive, particularly when you consider that all text books and course materials are included in the cost.

Transfer Credit Policy: Transfer credits are evaluated and accepted on a case-by-case basis.

Degrees: Certificates, Bachelor's, MBA, Master's

Programs: Business, Criminal Justice, Information Technology and Paralegal Studies

Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association

AIU ONLINE REVIEW:Go to Site | Back to Chart

AIU Online is the online arm of American InterContinental University, an international university with campuses in the United States, England and the United Arab Emirates. AIU has one of the highest quality educational programs and the best graduation rate of any of all the colleges and universities that we reviewed at 63%.

AIU has an excellent post graduate employment rate with 83% of alumni finding employment in their chosen field. Graduates are given both traditional job placement assistance as well as real world coaching in every aspect of the interview process that is tailored to their chose profession. Employers of AIU alumni give them very high marks in areas such reasoning and problem solving, communication skills and technical knowledge.

AIU offers excellent benefits to active duty or vetrans of the armed forces. Over 3,000 of AIU's current students are active duty military in the US or abroad.

Overall, AIU's high graduation rate and impressive employment and employer satisfaction rates make it a great option for most students across most specializations. They are our top pick for members of the armed forces that are continuing their education either during or following their active duty service.

Transfer Credit Policy: Transfer credit may be awarded by AIU for course work completed by a student at a postsecondary, degree-granting institution that is accredited by an institutional accrediting organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. In accordance with AIU's residency requirement, students transferring to AIU under established articulation agreements may transfer in a maximum of 50% of the required program credits.

Degrees: Associate, Bachelors, Masters

Programs: Business, Education, Healthcare, Management, Marketing, Accounting

Accreditation: American InterContinental University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award Associate, Bachelor's and Master's degrees.

CAPELLA UNIVERSITY REVIEW:Go to Site | Back to Chart

Capella University is an online only educational institution that offers the best overall cost to education quality ratio of any of the schools we reviewed.

In addition to offering one of the highest quality overall educational programs based off of alumni feedback, Capella University also offers one of the most technologically advanced online learning programs. They offer online libraries of research materials to existing students as well as an advanced but easy to use online classroom system that makes it easy to interact with classmates and instructors.

Alumni are supported by Capella University's job placement program, which ranked the highest of any of the online education providers we reviewed. In addition, Capella offers an online networking community for its alumni. Over 94% of Capella alumni reported that their degree has increased their overall career options leading to upward mobility and salary increases.

Capella offers a range of financial options. In particular, they offer discounts and other benefits to former members of the armed forces and employees of over 120 corporations including Walmart, Wells Fargo, Johnson & Johnson, US Bank and Xerox.

Overall, Capella University's high rankings in both job placement assistance and quality of education make it a great option for potential students that are looking to leverage a degree to get a new job in a new industry or make a significant advancement in their current field of employment.

Transfer Credit Policy: Many Capella students save substantial time and money by transferring previous academic course work into their Capella degree program. Credits from regionally accredited or internationally recognized institutions may transfer into Capella's degree programs. Up to 75% of the required credits for a particular degree may be transferred from previous academic work.

Degrees: Certificates, Bachelor's, MBA, Master's, PhD

Programs: Business, Computers, Health & Nursing and Social Sciences

Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association

DEVRY UNIVERSITY REVIEW:Go to Site | Back to Chart

DeVry University offers a wide range of degree programs, but is particularly well known for their excellence in information technology related fields. In fact, 5 out of 10 of the top producers of information technology degree graduates are Devry campuses in the United States.

DeVry's educational focus is largely on experiential learning through real world simulations and hands on projects versus focusing on theory. This method is particularly well suited for many of their unique new technology degree programs in areas game and simulation programming, education technology, systems administration and general technology management. DeVry also offers unique specialized degrees in technology that focus on specific areas such as education and healthcare.

While DeVry's job placement assistance programs didn't rate as high as some of the other schools we reviewed, they do have one of the best post graduation employment rates with 83% of graduates finding work in their chosen field.

Overall, DeVry has a great employment rate and wide breadth of cutting edge technology degrees. They are our top choice for students looking a degree in a specialized technology related field.

Transfer Credit Policy: If you have your associate degree or course credits from a community college and want to increase your earning potential and advance your career, now is the time to pursue a degree at DeVry. Avoid duplicating college credits you already have and start taking courses that apply directly toward your degree.

Degrees: Bachelors only

Programs: Business, IT, Accounting, Management, Marketing, Technical Management

Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association

WESTWOOD COLLEGE REVIEW:Go to Site | Back to Chart

Westwood College Online is the online arm of Alta Colleges which operates 34 campus nationwide and is affiliated with the Princeton Review test preparation service.

Westwood is differentiated by its very strong commitment to its alumni. They offer several support services post graduation such as a tuition free retraining program that allows qualified graduates to stay up to date on the latest advancements in their field. Westwood also has business relationships with companies nationwide to provide internships and jobs to graduates. These alumni services are likely a main reason why Westwood has the highest overall alumni recommendation rate of any of the schools we reviewed at 93%.

Westwood's students benefit from a hands on curriculum that is taught by teachers who are typically current or former professionals in the given field of study. Over 93% of Westwood students say they would recommend their teacher to a fellow student.

Overall, Westwood College is a great option for students that want strong post graduate support and the ongoing resources that come with it, such as alumni retraining programs. Westwood is also our top pick for degrees in design such as animation and graphic design.

Transfer Credit Policy: If you have any previous college experience and credits, you may be able to achieve Advanced Standing at Westwood College Online. Transfer credit limitations vary by program and specific information is only available after the prospective student completes an admissions application.

Degrees: Certificates, Bachelor's, MBA, Master's, PhD

Programs: Business, Education, Human Services, Psychology, Technology

Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology

SOUTH UNIVERSITY REVIEW:Go to Site | Back to Chart

South University has over 100 years of history and five offline campuses in addition to their online programs.

South University offers a very career focused cirriculum. Over 60% of the classes that students will take in their degree program will be specifically focused on skills and knowledge that can be directly to the chosen post graduate career. Additionally, most classes are under 15 students which allows for significant student teacher and student to student interaction than other.

South University also offers extremely flexible course structure with options to complete a Bachelor's degree in under three years or to take the process more slowly as a part time student if it is more realistic for the student's schedule. The accelerated degree program consists of 5.5 week classes that are shorter but more intensive and don't sacrifice any of the benefits or quality of standard class schedules. South University also offers an online and campus learning program that allows students to take advantage of the ease of online degree programs while still having access to traditional classroom learning options.

At just 60%, the alumni recommendation rate was lower than many of the schools we reviewed. However, South University has a long established academic history and positive reputation as both an offline and, more recently, online educational institution

Overall, South University is an excellent option for potential students that have the need or desire to earn a bachelors degree very quickly as possible without giving up academic quality. It is also recommended for those students that find a smaller class size to be an important requirement in selecting a college or university.

Transfer Credit Policy: Transfer of credit will be given if the courses were taken at an accredited collegiate institution, the course was equivalent to courses offered at South University or compatible with South University's distribution requirements, and the course carries a grade of C or better. Acceptance of credits earned at other institutions and/or through examination is limited to 60% of the total hours required for an undergraduate degree. No more than half the major area course requirements can be earned through transfer and/or exemption credit.

Degrees: Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's

Programs: Business, Criminal Justice, Healthcare, IT, Legal Studies, Nursing and Health

Accreditation: The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools