University earns ranking for online learning

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The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is one of the best online colleges, a ranking released Thursday shows.

Affordable Colleges Online designated the University No. 39 in its “Best Online Colleges for 2014-15” ranking. The ranking included a total of 83 schools selected from hundreds of U.S. accredited post-secondary institutions that offer online programs.

It examined two primary factors: quality and cost. Quality is measured by accreditation, graduation rates and a University’s reputations with employers. ACF also considers the number of online programs a school offers and its student-faculty ratio.

ACO notes that UL Lafayette offers bachelor’s degrees in health services administration and kinesiology. The University also has an accelerated online program that enables registered nurses to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

“Master’s degree students can choose from programs in curriculum and instruction, nursing, and systems technology,” it states, adding that a doctor of nursing practice is offered online. Students can also earn graduate certificates in a variety of fields.

ACO cites a 22-to-1 student teacher ratio at UL Lafayette.

ACO was created in 2012 as a resource that can help students and parents identify universities, degree programs and scholarship opportunities. It is also intended to emphasize the importance of accreditation.