UT San Antonio continues to rise as one of the nation’s strongest providers of fully online education, as recognized by U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Online Bachelor’s Programs.
The university ranked No. 69 (tie) overall out of nearly 350 institutions reviewed, improving two spots from the 2025 rankings. UT San Antonio has remained in the top 100 for four consecutive years.
UT San Antonio Online ranks No. 1 in the UT System, No. 1 in San Antonio and No. 7 in Texas, reinforcing the university’s leadership in flexible, high-quality online learning.
The university also was recognized for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans, again claiming the No. 1 spot for both the UT System and San Antonio, No. 4 in Texas and No. 45 overall.
“Our online programs are designed with the same rigor, quality and student support that define UT San Antonio’s academic experience,” said Provost and Senior Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Heather Shipley. “This recognition affirms the innovative work of our faculty and academic teams to expand access, meet learners where they are and ensure our graduates are prepared to succeed in a rapidly evolving workforce.”
Sustained trajectory of growth and impact
Since the university launched its first fully online program in 2017, enrollment in UT San Antonio Online has grown from fewer than 100 students to more than 1,300 students who were enrolled in undergraduate and master’s degree and certificate programs for Fall 2025.
To date, more than 1,000 Roadrunner students have earned their degrees fully online, reflecting the university’s commitment to access and alignment with San Antonio’s workforce initiatives.
“The sustained growth of UT San Antonio Online shows there is a continued demand for flexible, high-quality programs,” said Suzana Diaz Rosencrans, assistant vice provost for academic innovation and director of online enrollment, marketing and advising. “Being ranked No. 1 in the UT System — one of the most prominent and competitive public university systems in the U.S. — underscores our ability to meet that demand, with student success and persistence at the heart of our mission. Our goal has been and always will be producing high-quality graduates.”
One of those is Curtiz Muniz, who completed the university’s online cybersecurity degree program in December 2025. Already a college graduate, Muniz enrolled in UT San Antonio Online in Fall 2021 to pursue a career change, while also working full-time and caring for his family.
“I wanted to do something I have a deep passion for, something that is cutting-edge and would have a constant need for skilled professionals,” Muniz said. “If it was not for an online program, I don’t know how I would have been able to do it.”
Strategic expansion to meet emerging needs
The university’s online bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, the first online program in 2017, remains one of its most popular, with more than 560 students enrolled for Fall 2025.
Since then, the university has continued to expand its online offerings. Last fall, UT San Antonio Online introduced fully online versions of two of the university’s residential degree programs: the online BA in geography and environmental sustainability and the online MA/MS in multidisciplinary studies.
UT San Antonio Online’s program development process — anchored in evidence-based market research, instructional design, faculty development and personalized academic support — continues to expand opportunities for lifelong learning in high-demand fields.
“The Best Online Programs recognition and our enrollment growth underscore the momentum we have to further expand and innovate our online programs,” said Melissa Vito, vice provost for academic innovation.
“Our collaborative academic ecosystem continues to be a driving force, and this year we are especially excited about potential new avenues for partnership stemming from our integration with UT Health San Antonio,” she added. “We will continue to explore thoughtful opportunities to design interdisciplinary online offerings in health, data and technology, always with student success at the center.”
