UNH Online Programs Rise in U.S. News Rankings
UNH had multiple online programs rise notably in the 2026 U.S. News Rankings for Best Online Programs released this week, with several earning recognition among the best in the state and region.
Among those climbing in the rankings, the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics online MBA program landed among the top three in New England and moved up 13 positions nationally from last year to No. 42.
UNH’s College of Professional Studies had its online bachelor’s program ranked No. 1 in New Hampshire for the 14th consecutive year and also cracked the top 50 nationally, moving up three positions to No. 48. CPS also moved up seven spots to No. 30 in the country for best online bachelor’s programs for veterans.
UNH’s School of Nursing saw its online graduate nursing program leap nearly 70 positions, moving from No. 123 last year to No. 56 in the country this year.
“These rankings reflect UNH’s focus on meeting learners where they are,” says UNH Provost Jeannette E. Riley. “We know a traditional, in-person classroom does not work for everyone, particularly working adults balancing jobs and families. Our top-tier online programs provide the flexibility people need to complete degrees, upskill, and advance their careers.”
Paul College’s online MBA tied nationally with Babson, Bryant, Case Western, Colorado State, Creighton, North Carolina State, and the University of Kentucky. The college also earned a No. 28 ranking in the Best Online MBA Programs for Veterans category, tied with Colorado State University and up 16 spots from last year. The veteran ranking also placed UNH among the top three programs in New England.
Students at UNH can pursue a general MBA or specialize in one or more of seven options: finance, analytics, sustainable global business, growth and innovation, marketing, healthcare industry, and human resource management.
“Our Online/Hybrid MBA reflects the strengths of UNH Paul graduate education — academically rigorous, AACSB-accredited, and built to meet the needs of today’s professionals,” says Victoria Parker, associate dean for graduate education and faculty administration. “We’ve intentionally designed the program to be flexible without sacrificing engagement, with small classes, accomplished faculty, optional opportunities for on-campus intensive courses, and a curriculum that emphasizes applied learning and strategic problem-solving.”
CPS’s online bachelor’s program was tied with University of Illinois-Springfield, University of Memphis, and West Texas A&M University at No. 48, and also tied with West Texas A&M in the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans category.
"We are proud that UNH College of Professional Studies has again been recognized among the best online bachelor’s programs in the nation,” says Mike Decelle, dean of CPS. “UNH has a well-deserved reputation as a leading, adult-serving, access-focused public institution."
The strength of the UNH School of Nursing’s online graduate master’s program is its ability to blend flexibility with real-world clinical preparation, according to Interim Director of Nursing Rhonda Board.
“Our online coursework provides the flexibility students need, without compromising the hands‑on experiences essential to health sciences,” Board says. “Students engage in high‑fidelity simulation and supervised clinical placements, supported closely by full‑time faculty who teach most of our courses and serve as academic advisers. We also offer multiple online program options so students can shape their education around their career goals.”
Graduate nursing students at UNH can pursue distance-based tracks in adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, psychiatric mental-health nurse practitioner, clinical nurse leader, evidence-based practice, and primary care family nurse practitioner.