Forbes ranks Purdue University’s online master’s programs as most accessible in nation

Forbes recently ranked Purdue University’s online master’s programs as being among the most accessible in the nation. In their justification article, Forbes cited Purdue’s wide variety of online programs, extensive online student resources and general affordability as reasons for the ranking.

The ranking was included in Forbes’ 2026 list of best affordable online master’s programs. Other institutions included in the ranking are Georgia Tech, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and University of Illinois Urbana-Champagne.

For the ranking, Forbes evaluated over 3,600 accredited, nonprofit colleges and universities and weighted institutions based on overall affordability, student outcomes, student experience and credibility. Purdue University was named the institution with the most accessible online programs on the list.

To support accessibility for online students, Purdue has championed keeping online programs affordable with competitive pricing, emphasizing return-on-investment and removing barriers like GRE testing requirements for most online programs.

This ranking follows Forbes naming Purdue’s online Master of Science in Communication and communication graduate certificates as No. 4 in the nation. In June of 2025, Forbes also named Purdue’s online Master of Science in Computer and Information Technology as best in the nation for research opportunities.

According to Dimitrios Peroulis, Purdue University’s vice president for partnerships and online, these rankings from Forbes reflect the intentional effort Purdue has put into supporting online students and creating online programs that are identical in quality and rigor to their on-campus counterparts.

“Being recognized by Forbes as offering some of the nation’s most accessible online master’s programs reflects Purdue’s commitment to expanding opportunity without compromising excellence,” said Peroulis.

“We have intentionally built a portfolio of high-quality programs, robust student support services and flexible learning experiences that help working professionals achieve their goals.”

About Purdue University’s online Master of Science in Computer and Information Technology

Offered by Purdue Polytechnic Institute, the online Master of Science in Computer and Information Technology teaches students marketable skills they can use to succeed in the technology field. The program offers three concentrations in project management, business analysis and data analysis. Students can further customize their plan of study by adding graduate certificates in applied data analytics in technology, information technology business analysis or managing information technology projects to their degree.

About Purdue University’s online programs

Purdue offers over 150 online master’s programs, graduate certificates and professional development courses that are designed and delivered from Purdue’s flagship campus in West Lafayette, Indiana. Identical in quality and rigor to Purdue’s on-campus programs, our online degrees, courses and certificates are built for working professionals and optimized for convenient, streamlined career advancement.

Learn more at Purdue’s online program webpage.