Programs in both fields are highly rated for veterans in U.S. News’ 2025 rankings
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Four of Purdue University’s online master’s degrees in engineering are ranked No. 1 in the newest rankings of best online programs from U.S. News & World Report, and Purdue’s full array of online master’s programs in engineering ranked No. 2 nationally, up one spot from 2024.
Three of Purdue’s online master’s in education programs also moved into the top 10 in the annual U.S. News rankings of graduate programs delivered online throughout the country. The new rankings were released Tuesday (Jan. 21).
Purdue’s online master’s programs in electrical engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering and engineering management ranked No. 1. Electrical engineering rose from No. 3 in 2024, while industrial, mechanical and engineering management retained their top rankings.
In addition, Purdue’s online master’s in civil engineering ranked No. 2, and Purdue ranked No. 5 in online engineering master’s programs for veterans, the same as last year.
Collectively, Purdue’s online master’s programs in engineering placed among the nation’s elite, ranking only behind the University of California, Los Angeles, and tied in the No. 2 position with the University of Illinois.
Elsewhere in the top 10, Purdue ranked ahead of fellow Big Ten schools Pennsylvania State University at No. 4, University of Nebraska at No. 5, and University of Maryland and University of Michigan, tied at No. 9.
“With 13 years of overall excellence and six years of preeminence in specialty rankings, Purdue engineering is unparalleled in delivering online education to benefit students, industry and society,” said Arvind Raman, the John A. Edwardson Dean of the College of Engineering. “The new rankings underscore our remarkable success in expanding opportunities for students across disciplines, geographic regions and life stages as we near our goal of becoming the nation’s largest producer of engineering talent.”
In the online master’s in education rankings, Purdue again placed in the top 20 nationally overall. Purdue’s curriculum and instruction program ranked No. 3, tied with Michigan State University and up from No. 6 in 2024. Its educational administration and supervision program ranked No. 7, up from No. 11 and tied with Penn State and University of Florida.
Purdue also tied with North Carolina State University at No. 7 in education programs for veterans in the U.S. News rankings. Purdue was not ranked in the category in 2024. Meanwhile, Purdue’s online master’s programs in educational/instructional media design and special education placed in the top 20.
“These recent rankings reflect faculty expertise and commitment to offering exceptional online learning across a wide range of important education-related areas,” said Phillip VanFossen, interim dean of Purdue’s College of Education. “It’s also validation of our long-standing position among the leaders at Purdue in the university’s online space.”
Known for its emphasis on practical application, Purdue delivers high-quality online programs at scale aimed at serving a variety of students, working professionals and corporate partners. Constantly growing, Purdue’s online offerings range from doctorates to skills-based digital badges that address high-need, high-demand areas and are accessible, affordable and demonstrably beneficial.
“Purdue views online learning as a vital component of meeting the need for upskilling and reskilling in what is now, and promises to be even more so in the future, a skills-based economy,” said Dimitrios Peroulis, senior vice president for partnerships and online. “We will continue to add programs that address this need in our state, our country and, indeed, globally.”
Organizers of the annual U.S. News rankings analyze data on factors such as the quality of students entering a program and its legitimacy in the job market; faculty credentials versus on-campus instructors and training in teaching online learners; online teaching practices that help students stay enrolled and graduate in a timely fashion; the technologies employed to engage online students, connect them with faculty and peers, and allow them flexibility to fit coursework into professional and other commitments; and the quality of student support services, career guidance and financial aid resources.
In addition, U.S. News conducts a peer assessment survey of high-ranking academic officials, including deans and top online learning leaders, as an important element of its rankings.
About Purdue University
Purdue University is a public research institution demonstrating excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities and with two colleges in the top four in the United States, Purdue discovers and disseminates knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. More than 105,000 students study at Purdue across modalities and locations, including nearly 50,000 in person on the West Lafayette campus. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue’s main campus has frozen tuition 13 years in a row. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap — including its first comprehensive urban campus in Indianapolis, the Mitch Daniels School of Business, Purdue Computes and the One Health initiative — at https://www.purdue.edu/president/strategic-initiatives.