UNH Today

Several of UNH’s online programs were again ranked nationally and recognized among the best in New Hampshire and New England, according to the 2025 U.S. News Rankings for Best Online Programs announced Jan. 21.

Among the programs to receive rankings, UNH’s College of Professional Studies (CPS) was recognized for having the top ranked online bachelor’s program in New Hampshire for the 13th consecutive year, and the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics online MBA program was rop ranked in New Hampshire and in the top five in New England for the fourth consecutive year.

CPS received several noteworthy rankings. In addition to topping the New Hampshire rankings, the online bachelor’s program was ranked No. 51 nationally, and the college earned the No. 37 spot for Best Online Bachelor’s for Veterans. CPS also finished in the top 60 for best online program nationwide.

U.S. News evaluates schools in the best online bachelor’s category based on a variety of factors, such as student engagement, faculty credentials and services and technologies.

"We are proud that the UNH College of Professional Studies has again been recognized among the best online bachelor programs in the nation,” says Michael Decelle, dean of CPS. “UNH has a well-deserved reputation as a leading, adult-serving, access-focused public institution."

Siddartha Sosa Rodriguez, a CPS faculty member, earned his bachelor’s (2012) and master’s degree (2014) at the college while serving in the National Guard. 

“The scholarly support that the College of Professional Studies provides to students is invaluable. The faculty understand the demands and challenges of working adults and servicemembers, and they want to help you succeed,” says Rodriguez. “If you ever dreamed of completing your degree and becoming a better version of yourself, this is a place where you can do that.”

In addition to landing in the top spot in New Hampshire and top five in New England, the Paul College online MBA program was ranked No. 55 nationally, tied with Bentley University.

Students at UNH Paul can pursue a general MBA or add an option in one area: finance, analytics, marketing, sustainable global business, growth and innovation, or healthcare industry. A new option in human resources management is in the approval process for fall 2025. The U.S. News online MBA ranking is based on engagement (a combination of best practices, graduation rate, class size, retention rate and time to degree completion), peer assessment, faculty credentials and training, services and technology and student excellence.

“We are continuously assessing and improving the program to meet student and market needs, and recently streamlined the curriculum, enabling students to finish the degree in as little as 1.5 years, and at a lower cost than before, and with updated option choices,” says Victoria Parker, associate dean for graduate education and faculty administration in Paul College. “Our optional hybrid courses enable students to combine the flexibility of online coursework with intensive weekend in-person components, enabling students to fit some in-person learning into their programs.”

Paul also ranked No. 47 in the country and among the top four programs in New England for Best Online MBA for Veterans. The university participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which is available for students who are eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill at the 100% benefit level.