U.S. News & World Report names Cal State Fullerton’s online engineering and non-MBA business graduate programs among the top 5 in California and top 50 in the nation of its 2026 Best Online Programs.
The online engineering and computer science graduate programs — Master of Science in Software Engineering and Master of Science in Environmental Engineering — are No. 4 in California, and rank ahead of online engineering programs at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
The CSUF online graduate programs rank No. 38 nationally, and are tied with engineering programs at Florida A&M University/Florida State University, Stevens Institute of Technology, University of Arkansas, University of Massachusetts-Lowell and Washington State University.
“All credit goes to the department chairs, program coordinators, and faculty teaching in the two online graduate programs,” said Sang June Oh, dean of CSUF’s College of Engineering and Computer Science. “They have consistently sought ways to improve the programs over many years, and I sincerely appreciate their continued dedication and efforts for sustained excellence.”
CSUF’s online Master of Science in Information Technology program ranks No. 45 nationally, tied with online business graduate programs at Colorado State University, Creighton University, Mississippi State University, Northern Kentucky University, Rutgers University-Camden, University of Cincinnati and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
The graduate business program is ranked No. 3 in California, and ranks ahead of online programs at the University of San Diego, Pepperdine University and California Baptist University.
“Our focus on innovative curriculum and enhanced student experience is reflected in this updated ranking of our graduate programs,” said Sridhar Sundaram, dean of CSUF’s College of Business and Economics.
This year’s list evaluates online degree programs at nearly 1,850 colleges and universities using metrics specific to online learning. U.S. News evaluated schools based on such factors as student engagement, peer assessment, faculty credentials and training, student excellence, and services and technologies. The rankings only include degree-granting programs offered primarily online by regionally accredited institutions.