Cleveland State University has strengthened its position as a national leader in online education, earning multiple Top 100 rankings in U.S. News and World Report’s 2026 Best Online Programs.

“It’s always gratifying to be recognized, even though that’s never our goal,” said Vice Provost and Dean of CSU Online Sajit Zachariah. “Our focus is simple: do what’s best for students. When we stay true to that, the recognition follows.”

Zachariah said the university has been intentional about enhancing the online student experience, and that faculty and staff have worked to make courses more engaging and academically rigorous.

Ultimately, students are responding.

“We’ve seen extraordinary growth,” Zachariah added. “In fall 2022, we had about 150 online students. Today, we’re approaching 2,200 — and our retention rates match those of our on-campus programs.”

Flexibility has been a game-changer to the program, enabling students to balance work, family and other responsibilities. 

“The online learning environment gives students access without forcing a decision between education and the rest of their lives,” he said.

To further strengthen the experience, CSU is adding short on-campus residencies to select programs.

“These brief residencies set us apart,” Zachariah said. “They give students the chance to connect face-to-face, build community, and deepen their learning — while keeping the convenience of an online program. The structure varies by program, and in some cases, it’s optional, but the impact is real.”

Check out the programs CSU offers online by visiting its online programs page.