Sophia Learning has been recognized for the fourth year in a row by Newsweek as one of America’s Top Online Learning Providers for 2026. This recognition reflects Sophia’s continued focus on accessible, transfer-friendly courses for college students. Built to serve both degree seekers and those pursuing career development, Sophia’s inclusion on this list underscores its commitment to quality, affordability, and flexible online education.
What Is Newsweek’s “Top Colleges and Top Online Learning Providers” Award?
The “Top Colleges and Top Online Learning Providers” award is a collaborative effort between Newsweek and Statista to evaluate and rank the top online learning providers in the United States. The publication, which has been running for over 80 years, is a trusted resource for independent rankings to help students plan for higher education.
The award is in its fifth consecutive year and compiles data from a survey of over 9,000 online learners and internal research to develop comprehensive rankings of online learning institutions and platforms. Like the previous year, the 2026 rankings include 200 colleges and universities that offer online undergraduate and graduate programs, assigning each a star rating.
“Top Learning Providers” are ranked as well. For 2026, Newsweek evaluated and selected 50 organizations that offer online courses and certificate and non-certificate educational programs for continuing education. Similarly, these organizations are given a star rating to compare options.
The rankings and ratings are based on a range of criteria, including the organization itself, the cost for education, its reputation, the support it provides for students, and its relevance in the current job climate. Survey participants are also asked to share their success, satisfaction, and likelihood of recommending the institution to others.
Start a free trial no credit card required!
Try a Sophia course for free. Your free trial work is applied toward course credit when you become a member.
A Message from Our CEO
Being recognized among the nation’s top online learning providers reflects the trust learners and institutions place in Sophia’s approach to developing and offering 70+ college-level courses. In a competitive online learning landscape, this recognition underscores Sophia’s emphasis on affordability, transfer alignment, and innovative course design that meets the needs of students across different backgrounds and experiences.
Commenting on the recognition, Hunter Davis, CEO of Sophia, said:
“Being recognized by Newsweek is a proud moment for Sophia. Our transfer-friendly courses provide flexible options for students, and our impact is made possible through strong partnerships with more than 100 colleges and universities. This acknowledgment inspires us to keep expanding access to high-quality, innovative online learning.”
About Sophia Learning
Sophia is an innovative online learning platform designed to support students at all stages of their educational journey.
Whether you’re just starting college, looking to take courses designed to transfer, or seeking professional development opportunities for career advancement or a career change, Sophia offers affordable and flexible general education courses that are ACE®-recommended for college credit. Nearly 3,000 colleges and universities have reviewed Sophia Learning transcripts.
To date, Sophia learners have saved more than $1B in tuition dollars*, completed more than 1M courses, and have been awarded more than 2.9M transfer credits.
*Savings based on average annual tuition at public four-year in-state institutions; Source: College Board Trends in College Pricing Report (2024)
See Where Sophia Can Take You
If you want to see for yourself why Sophia has been named one of the top online learning providers for four consecutive years, sign up for a free trial today – no credit card required!
