Newsweek magazine and Statista have named The University of Texas at San Antonio one of America’s Top Online Colleges for 2026, ranking the university 49th nationwide, fifth in Texas, second in the UT System and first in San Antonio.
The university climbed 44 spots from its #93 position in the 2025 rankings, reflecting its continued growth and commitment to accessible, high-quality online education.
“We’re proud to see UT San Antonio recognized among the nation’s leading institutions for online programs,” said Heather Shipley, provost and senior executive vice president for academic affairs. “This achievement affirms our role as a national model for delivering flexible, high-quality academic programs that meet students where they are. Our online students manage professional and personal responsibilities, and we remain committed to providing the exceptional education and support they need to achieve their goals.”
To create the annual rankings, Newsweek and Statista survey over 10,000 online learners across the country. Institutions are evaluated based on key indicators such as retention and graduation rates, student-to-faculty ratio and overall student satisfaction and recommendations.
Respondents also rated programs on organization and accessibility, level of support, affordability, reputation, relevance of course content, and how well the program contributed to their professional success.
“This ranking is especially meaningful because it is based on feedback from our own students and alumni,” said Suzana Diaz Rosencrans, assistant vice provost for academic innovation and director of online enrollment, marketing and advising at UT San Antonio. “Their experiences reflect the care, quality and support we strive to provide in every online course and program.”
UT San Antonio currently offers 11 fully online programs — including bachelor’s, master’s and certificate programs — to help busy adults advance their education on their own schedule. Online students are taught by the same world-class faculty who lead the university’s in-person courses, and students have access to comprehensive support services, including academic advising, tutoring, library resources and career services.
Enrollment in the university’s online programs — now at over 1,300 — has more than doubled in the last five years. Here are a few facts about our online students:
- 35% are parents
- 40% are seeking career changes or promotions
- 60% are employed full-time
- 90% live in Texas
- 40% live and work in San Antonio
In addition to this Newsweek recognition, UT San Antonio has, for three consecutive years, ranked among the top 100 fully online bachelor’s degree programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
