Rankings & Designations

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University Recognition


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  • Recipient of the Campus Prevention Network Seal of Prevention™ (2023)
  • Tied for No. 34 among Top Public Schools in the South by US News & World Report (2023)
  • Tied for No. 74 among Best Regional Universities in the South by US News & World Report (2023)
  • Ranked No. 90 in the South among Top Performers on Social Mobility by US News & World Report (2023)
  • Tied for No. 38 among Top Public Schools in the South by US News & World Report (2022)
  • Tied for No. 77 among Best Regional Universities in the South by US News & World Report (2022)
  • Ranked No. 91 in the South among Top Performers on Social Mobility by US News & World Report (2022)
  • Ranked No. 8 among “Best Colleges in Alabama” by Niche.com for (2022)
  • Ranked No. 10 in "Best Colleges in Alabama" Out of All Public and Private Colleges and Universities by Intelligent.com (2021)
  • Ranked No. 21 in "Most Affordable Master's Degree Programs" by Intelligent.com (2021)
  • Ranked No. 50 in "Best Master's Degree Programs" by Intelligent.com (2021)
  • Ranked No. 62 in the "Best Regional Universities" by US News & World Report (2020)
  • Ranked No. 27 in the "Top Public Schools Among Regional Universities in the South" by US News & World Report (2020)
  • Ranked No. 80 in the "Top Performers on Social Mobility Among Regional Universities in the South" by US News & World Report (2020)
  • Ranked No. 7 in the "Best Online Colleges in Alabama" by ValueColleges.com (2020)
  • Ranked No. 107 in the "Best Colleges for Veterans" by College Consensus (2019)
  • Ranked No. 6 in the "Best Online Colleges in Alabama" by College Consensus (2019)
  • Ranked No. 172 in the "Best Public Colleges and Universities" by College Consensus (2019)
  • Ranked No. 62 in the "Best Regional Universities: South" by College Consensus (2019)
  • Ranked No. 13 in the "Best Colleges and Universities in Alabama" by College Consensus (2019)
  • Ranked No. 14 in the "Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees" by OnlineU.org (2019)
  • Ranked No. 25 in the "Most Affordable Online Graduate Programs" by GreatValueColleges.com (2019)
  • Ranked No. 7 in the "Top Public Universities in Alabama" by Niche.com (2019)
  • Named in the "Best Value Schools in Alabama" by OnlineSchoolsCenter.com (2019)
  • Ranked No. 15 in the "Most Affordable Bachelor's Degrees in Alabama" by AffordableSchools.net (2019)
  • Named in the "Best Southern Universities" by College Choice (2018)
  • Ranked No. 8 in the "Best 4-Year Colleges in Alabama" by Schools.com (2018)
  • Ranked No. 8 in the "Alabama's Top Affordable Online Colleges" by AffordableCollegesOnline.org (2018)

Academic College Rankings

  • Ranked No. 45 in the US, Best Online Master's in Information Systems Security, Intelligent.com (2024)
  • Ranked No. 2, Most Affordable Online Master’s Degrees in English, OnlineU (2023)
  • Ranked No. 6, Most Affordable Online Master’s Degrees in History, Online U (2023)
  • Ranked No. 8, Most Affordable Online Master’s in Computer Science, OnlineU.com (2023)
  • Ranked No. 6 in "Best Master's in Internet Security Degree Programs" for Computer Systems and Software Design by Intelligent.com (2021)
  • Ranked No. 9 in "Best Cyber Security Degree Programs" for Computer Systems and Software Design by Intelligent.com (2021)
  • Ranked No. 10 in "Best Master's in Security Degree Programs" for Computer Systems and Software Design by Intelligent.com (2021)
  • Ranked No. 5 in the "19 Most Affordable Online Master’s in English" by GetEducated (2020)
  • Ranked No. 6 in the "16 Most Affordable Online Master’s in History" by GetEducated (2020)
  • Ranked No. 5 in the "17 Most Affordable Master of Liberal Arts Online" by GetEducated (2020)
  • Ranked No. 12 in the "Most Affordable Online Master's in Cyber Security" by ValueColleges.com (2019)
  • Named in the "Best Online Master's in Cyber Security" by CyberSecurityMastersDegree.org (2018)
  • Ranked No. 6 in the "Most Affordable Online Master's in Cyber Security" by CyberSecurityMastersDegree.org (2018)
  • Ranked No. 10 in the "Best Online Bachelor's in Liberal Studies" by GuidetoOnlineSchools.com (2018)
  • Ranked No. 4 in the "The Top Ten Most Underrated College Theatre Programs for 2017 - South East Region" by Onstage Blog (2017)
  • Ranked No. 48 in the "Best Online Master's in Computer Science & IT Programs" by SuperScholar.org (2017)

  • Ranked No. 43 in the US, Best One-Year MBA Degree Programs, Intelligent.com (2024)
  • Ranked No. 2, Most Affordable Online Master’s Degrees in Systems Engineering for the MS in Manufacturing Systems Technology, OnlineU.com (2023)
  • Ranked No. 10 Best MBA Programs by Intelligent.com (2021)
  • Ranked No. 20 in the "Best Online MBA" by Intelligent.com (2020)
  • Ranked No. 2 in the "Most Affordable Online MBA Program: Accounting" by DiscoverBusiness.us (2019)
  • Ranked No. 147 in the "Best Online MBA Programs" by US News & World Report (2019)
  • Ranked No. 10 in the "Most Affordable Online MBA Program" by OnlineU.org (2018)

  • Ranked No. 10 in the US, Best Online Master's in Early Childhood Education, Intelligent.com (2024)
  • Ranked No. 15 in the US, Best Online Master's in Coaching for the Master of Science in Education: Physical Education, Intelligent.com (2024)
  • Ranked No. 1, Best Online Human Services Degrees for the BS in Family and Consumer Sciences, OnlineU.com (2023)
  • Ranked No. 5, Most Affordable Master’s Degrees in Nutrition for the MS in Physical Education, OnlineU.com (2023)
  • Ranked No. 7, Most Affordable Online Child Development Degrees for BS in Family and Consumer Sciences: Child Development, OnlineU (2023)
  • Ranked No. 7, Most Affordable Online Master’s Degrees in Library Science, OnlineU.com (2023)
  • Ranked No 8, Best Online Master’s Degrees in Education, OnlineU.com (2023)
  • Ranked No. 9, Most Affordable Online Master’s Degrees in Elementary Education, OnlineU.com (2023)
  • Ranked No. 1 in "Best Master's in Educational Technology" by Intelligent.com (2021)
  • Ranked No. 2 in "Best Child Development Degree Programs" by Intelligent.com (2021)
  • Ranked No. 2 in "Best Master's in Elementary Education Degree Programs" by Intelligent.com (2021)
  • Ranked. No. 4 in "Best Master's in Special Education Degree Programs" by Intelligent.com (2021)
  • Ranked No. 7 in "Best Master's in Early Childhood Education" by Intelligent.com (2021)
  • Ranked No. 44 in the "Best Online Master's in Special Education" by Intelligent.com (2020)
  • Ranked No. 44 in the "Best Online Master's in Early Childhood Education" by Intelligent.com (2020)
  • Ranked No. 23 in the "Best Child Development Degree Programs" by Intelligent.com (2020)
  • Ranked No. 21 in the "Best Online Master's in Elementary Education" by Intelligent.com (2020)
  • Ranked No. 23 in "Best Online Master’s in Educational and Instructional Technology” by Online Schools Report (2020)
  • Ranked No. 22 in "2020 Most Affordable Child Development Degrees Online” by OnlineU (2020)
  • Ranked No. 11 in the "Best Online Master's in Early Childhood Education" by College Choice (2018)
  • Ranked No. 49 in the "Affordable Online Master's in Education Technology" by BestValueSchools.com (2018)
  • Ranked No. 3 in the "Most Affordable Online Master's in Teaching" by GradSchoolHub.com (2018)

  • Tied for No. 141-186 in the US, Best Online Master's in Nursing, US News & World Report (2024)
  • Ranked No. 3, Best Online Nursing Programs in Alabama, by EduMed (2024)
  • Ranked No. 31, Most Affordable Online Nursing Programs, by EduMed (2024)
  • Ranked No. 18 in US, Best Online Respiratory Therapy Degree Programs, Intelligent.com (2024)
  • Ranked No. 33 in the US, Best Online Master's in Sports Management, Intelligent.com (2024)
  • Ranked No. 35 in the US, Best Online Sports Management Degree Programs, Intelligent.com (2024)
  • Tied for No. 402 in the US among best Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs, US News & World Report (2024)
  • Tied for No. 141-185 among Best Online Master’s in Nursing programs, US News & World Report (2023)
  • Tied for No. 167-184 in nation, Best Nursing Schools: Masters Programs, US News & World Report (2023)
  • Tied for No. 153-169 in nation, Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice Programs, US News & World Report (2023)
  • Ranked No. 7, Most Affordable Online Master’s Degrees in Sports Management, OnlineU.com (2023)
  • Ranked No. 8, Most Affordable Online DNP Programs, OnlineU.com (2023)
  • Listed in the "Best Online Nursing School Master's Programs" by Princeton Review (2023)
  • Ranked No. 1, “Best Master of Science in Public Health Nursing” by RegisteredNursing.org (2023).
  • Ranked No. 1 in the "Best MSN Public Health Nurse Programs" by RegisteredNursing.org (2022)
  • Ranked No. 413 among Best Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs by US News & World Report among accredited, four-year nursing programs (2023)
  • Ranked No. 332 among Best Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs by US News & World Report among accredited, four-year degree programs (2022)
  • Ranked No. 2 in the state among online RN to BSN programs by RegisteredNursing.org (2022)
  • Ranked No. 6 in the "Best Online Master's in Sport Management" by Intelligent.com (2022)
  • Ranked No. 10 in "Best Online Master’s in Sports Management Programs" by BestColleges.com (2021)
  • Ranked No. 4 in "Best Master's in Coaching Degree Programs" for Sport Management by Intelligent.com (2021)
  • Ranked No. 10 in "Best Online Master’s in Sports Management Programs" by BestColleges.com (2021)
  • Ranked No. 1 in "Best Public Health Nurse Programs" by RegisteredNursing.org (2021)
  • Ranked No. 4 in "Best Master's in Coaching Degree Programs" for Sport Management by Intelligent.com (2021)
  • Ranked No. 4 in "Best Master's in Sport Management Degree Program" by Intelligent.com (2021)
  • Ranked No. 4 in "Best Respiratory Therapy Degree Programs" by Intelligent.com (2021)
  • Ranked No. 6 in "Best Homeland Security Degree Programs" for Emergency Management by Intelligent.com (2021)
  • Ranked No. 15 in "Best Nursing Programs" by Intelligent.com (2021)
  • Named a Best Online Nursing School Master's Program" by The Princeton Review (2021)
  • Ranked No. 3 in the "Best Online Master's in Sport Management" by Intelligent.com (2020)
  • Ranked No. 13 in the "Best Online Bachelor's in Respiratory Therapy" by Intelligent.com (2020)
  • Ranked No. 2 in the "Best Alabama RN to BSN Programs" by RegisteredNursing.org (2020)
  • Ranked No. 1 in the "Best MSN Public Health Nurse Programs" by RegisteredNursing.org (2019)
  • Ranked No. 18 in the "Best Online Master's in Coaching" in the by GradSchoolHub.com (2019)
  • Ranked No. 23 in the "Best Online Master's in Sport Management" by BestColleges.com (2018)
  • Ranked No. 6 in the "Most Affordable Online Master's in Coaching" by BestColleges.com (2018)
  • Ranked No. 9 in the "Best Online Master's in Sport Management" by OnlineMasters.com (2018)

  • Ranked No. 36 in the US, Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice, US News & World Report (2024)
  • Named Top 10 Among Best Online Emergency Management Degree Programs by Forbes (2023)
  • Ranked No. 3 in the US, Best Online Master's in Emergency Management, Intelligent.com (2024)
  • Ranked No. 34 in the US, Best Online Master's in Public Administration, Intelligent.com (2024)
  • Tied for No. 59 among Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice, US News & World Report (2023)
  • Tied for No. 182 in the nation, Best Public Affairs Programs, US News & World Report (2023)
  • Tied for No. 196 in the nation, Best Schools for Social Work, US News & World Report (2023)
  • Ranked No. 5, Most Affordable Online Master’s Degrees in Political Science for the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program, OnlineU (2023)
  • Ranked No. 8, Most Affordable Online Master’s Programs in Emergency Management, OnlineU.com (2023)
  • Ranked No. 213 in the nation among Best Public Affairs Programs by US News & World Report (2023)
  • Ranked No. 196 in the nation among Best Social Work Programs by US News & World Report (2023)
  • Ranked No. 6 among "Best Online MPA Programs" by Online Master's Degrees (2022)
  • Ranked No. 33 among "Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice" by Online Master's Degrees (2022)
  • Ranked No. 9 among "Best Online Master's in Public Administration Programs" by Online Master's Degrees (2022)
  • Ranked No. 46 in the nation for Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs by US News & World Report (2022)
  • Tied for No. 218 in the nation among Best Public Affairs Programs by US News & World Report (2022)
  • Ranked No. 1 in "Best Master's in Emergency Management Degree Program" by Intelligent.com (2021)
  • Ranked No. 3 in "Best Emergency Management Programs" by Intelligent.com (2021)
  • Ranked No. 16 in the "Best Online Master's in Emergency Management" by Intelligent.com (2020)
  • Ranked No. 4 in the "Best Master's Degrees in Emergency Management" by College Rank.net (2020)
  • Ranked No. 43 in the "Best Online Emergency Management Degree Programs" by Intelligent.com (2020)
  • Ranked No. 216 in the "Best Public Affairs Programs" by US News & World Report (2019)
  • Ranked No. 39 in the "Best Online Graduate Programs in Criminal Justice" by US News & World Report (2019)
  • Ranked No. 27 in the "Best Online Master's in Emergency Management" by OnlineMasters.com (2019)
  • Ranked No. 1 in the "Best Online Master's in Emergency Management" by CollegeRank.net (2019)
  • Ranked No. 24 in the "Best Homeland Security Degrees" by College Choice (2018)
  • Ranked No. 1 in the "Most Affordable Doctorate in Emergency Management" by BestValueSchools.com (2018)
  • Named in the "Top Program, Top Online Program, Most Affordable" by BestColleges.com
  • Ranked No. 4 in the "Best Online Master's in Emergency Management" by TheBestSchools.org (2018)
  • Ranked No. 6 in the "Most Affordable Online Master's in Emergency Management" by GradSchoolHub.com (2018)
  • Ranked No. 10 in the "Best Online Master's in Emergency Management" by MastersProgramGuide.com (2018)