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Online Program Insights

Celebrating Our Achievement: SHSU’s Distinguished Recognition in Online Education

logos for SHSU, US News & World Report, and intellegent.com

As members of the Sam Houston State University community, we share with immense pride the remarkable accomplishments our institution has achieved in the realm of online education. These accolades not only reflect our collective dedication to excellence but also highlight the impactful contributions we've made to the broader educational landscape.

Honors from U.S. News & World Report

In the 2024 Best Online Programs rankings by U.S. News & World Report, our university has once again been distinguished for its outstanding online degree programs. This prestigious ranking, which assesses metrics such as graduation rates, faculty credentials, and the availability of remote support services, serves as a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing accessible and high-quality education.

Among the many achievements, it is especially noteworthy that our Criminal Justice program has continued to place in the top three for more than seven years, showcasing SHSU's unwavering dedication to our students.

Among the 1,800 programs surveyed by U.S. News, our rankings included:

  • No. 2 in Best Online Criminal Justice Programs for Veterans
  • No. 3 in Best Online Criminal Justice Programs
  • No. 12 and No. 13 for Best Online Master's in Education and Information Technology Programs for Veterans
  • No. 23 Best Online Master's in Computer Information Technology
  • No. 35 Best Online Master's in Education

On top of these honors, Sam Houston State University has ranked No. 21 for Social Mobility for the second year in a row. Since 2019, U.S. News has factored in a school's success at promoting social mobility by measuring the success of students who received federal Pell Grants, among other factors. Students who receive federal Pell Grants typically come from households with annual family incomes less than $50,000.

image of graduates turning tassles

Sam Houston State is committed to facilitating social mobility and student success through academic excellence. These honors are a direct result of the shared efforts of that commitment.

Accolades from Intelligent.com

In addition, Intelligent.com, renowned for its comprehensive ranking of educational programs, has recognized SHSU Online in 31 distinct categories for the year 2024.  

Best Online Bachelor's Degree Programs:

  • No. 11 in Business Administration  
  • No. 17 in Criminology
  • No. 33 in Political Science

Best Online Master's Degree Program

  • No. 2 in Law Enforcement Administration
  • No. 2 in Political Science
  • No. 4 Sociology
  • No. 8 in Homeland Security
  • No. 8 in Sports Medicine
  • No. 12 in Higher Education
  • No. 13 in Assessment and Measurement (Curriculum and Instruction)
  • No. 13 in History
  • No. 14 in Computer Forensics
  • No. 15 English Language Learning
  • No. 15 in R.N. to BSN (No. 34 Most Affordable)
  • No. 16 in Information Systems and Technology
  • No. 17 in Public Relations
  • No. 18 in Criminal Justice
  • No. 20 in Emergency Management
  • No. 21 in Criminology
  • No. 21 in Educational Administration
  • No. 22 in Project Management
  • No. 24 in Information Systems Security
  • No. 24 in Library Science
  • No. 33 in Education
  • No. 44 in Reading and Literacy
  • No. 49 in Internet Security
  • Best Online Doctoral Degree Programs
  • No. 16 in Educational Administration

Additional accolades:

  • No. 16 Most Affordable Online Colleges and Universities
  • No. 40 for Most Affordable Online Master's Degree Programs
  • No. 47 for Best Online Master's Programs

Intelligent.com pulls data from several reputable sources and aggregates the data to create a list of the top 50 programs in the nation. This acknowledgment by Intelligent.com is particularly significant as it emphasizes our online offerings' academic quality, graduation rates, affordability, and student resources.

A Moment of Reflection and Gratitude

As we celebrate these achievements, let us also take a moment to acknowledge the hard work, creativity, and resilience that each one of you brings to our university. It is through our collective efforts that SHSU continues to thrive as a pioneer in online education, making a lasting impact on the lives of our students and the communities we serve.

We encourage you to continue your outstanding work, knowing that it contributes to the rich tapestry of SHSU's legacy. Together, we are not only shaping the future of education but also enriching the lives of countless individuals who seek knowledge and opportunity through our programs.

In unity and celebration, we recognize and applaud our collective achievements in setting a standard of excellence in online education. This recognition is a testament to our shared vision and the transformative power of our educational endeavors.