Newsweek names CMU among America’s Top Online Colleges for 2025

Newsweek has named Central Michigan University to its list of America’s Top Online Colleges for 2025.

CMU ranks second among all Michigan public universities and is one of only five Michigan schools to receive a five-star award. Of the 250 schools ranked by Newsweek, CMU sits at #110 overall – up 42 spots from the 2024 rankings, and up 61 spots from 2023.

“CMU’s rise in Newsweek’s online rankings over the past three years is a direct reflection of our commitment to supporting online students,” said Kaleb Patrick, interim vice president for Innovation and Online. “In 2022, CMU established Innovation and Online as a dedicated unit to serve students choosing to pursue their education online. That commitment and investment are paying off for our students. I could not be prouder of the incredible work our team does in helping students achieve their dreams, no matter where they reside.”

The rankings are based on a survey of more than 10,000 online students across the country, as well as Newsweek’s own research into colleges and universities that offer undergraduate or graduate degrees online. User reviews and additional institutional indicators including graduation statistics, re-enrollment rates, students per instructor, and expenditures per student were transformed into score values and aggregated towards a final score. 

Central Michigan University Online offers a variety of flexible and convenient programs designed to meet the needs of today’s diverse student population. With a commitment to academic excellence and student success, CMU Online provides an engaging learning experience that prepares students for career advancement and lifelong learning.