Jan 11, 2017 09:28 AM EST By Julio Cachila, UniversityHerald Reporter

Online colleges offer flexible ways to study and achieve that much-desired college degree. People from almost any age group after high school can be an online student - whether fresh out of high school, working in that company for several years, taking care of a family while running a business, or perhaps simply someone who wants to study more after receiving a bachelor's degree.

Looking for the best online college to enroll in this year? Look no further. U.S. News has released its list of the top online colleges offering undergraduate and graduate degrees. This simply means you can now study, learn, and get that college degree from the best online institutions, all while staying in the comforts of your home.

U.S. News arrived at the findings through a ranking of more than 1,300 online programs, noted USA Today. The ranking involved various factors including student engagement, faculty credentials, and technology, among others. U.S. News was able to determine top programs for undergraduate and graduate degrees including business and education, as well as engineering and nursing.

Following is a list of U.S. News' top picks for the best online programs. If ever you're thinking of enrolling in one of these online colleges, here are some questions to help you decide.

Best Online bachelor's programs:

1. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide (FL)
2. Temple University (PA)
3. University of Oklahoma (OK)

Best Online MBA programs:

1. Temple University (PA)
2. Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
3. Indiana University-Bloomington (IN)

Best Non-MBA online business programs:

1. Indiana University-Bloomington (IN)
2. University of Texas-Dallas (TX)
3. Arizona State University (AZ)

Best Online Criminal Justice Programs:

1. Sam Houston University (TX)
2. University of Nebraska-Omaha (NE)
3. University of California-Irvine (CA)

Best Online Education Programs:

1. University of Florida (FL)
2. University of Houston (TX)
3. Florida State University (FL)

Best Online Engineering Programs:

1. University of California-Los Angeles (CA) (tie)
2. University of Southern California (CA) (tie)
3. Columbia University (NY)

Best Online Information Technology Programs:

1. University of Southern California (CA)
2. Virginia Tech (VA)
3. New York University (NY)

Best Online Nursing Programs:

1. St. Xavier University (IL)
2. Medical University of South Carolina (SC)
3. Duke UniversIty (NC) (tie)
4. Ohio State University (OH) (tie)

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