UK University Rankings 2012

College ranking lists are a great way to learn about some of the best options for your education. Although this is just one of the factors you should consider when choosing a school, the rank a college gets on various lists can help you get started determining which colleges should be on your short list.

Colleges can be ranked in a number of ways. Some lists rank the schools by type of degree. Others rank specialty schools, like business programs or art schools. If you’re interested in staying in a certain area, however, you should look at lists that rank colleges within your country. There are a few lists that specifically rank colleges in the UK, if you choose to go to school in this country.

The most popular college ranking list for UK schools in the Times Good University Guide. This list ranks colleges based on eight different categories: student satisfaction, research quality, student-to-faulty ratio, spending on services and facilities, entry standards, competition, honors, and graduate prospects. The total score is 1000 points, which is awarded to the top school on the list, and all of the other schools are ranked in relative.

The Guardian University Guide is another great resource for researching schools in the UK. This list is compiled based on statistics from the Higher Education Statistics Agency, student satisfaction surveys, and other research. Along with a general list, they also publish rankings by subject, so you can check out the departments that matter most to you.

Times Higher Education also ranks colleges in the UK. This list ranks colleges not in a numbered list, but rather with a star rating, like you’d find with restaurant or movie reviews. The best universities get four stars and are at the top of this list. A four-star school is classified as world-leading, and a three-star school is “internationally recognized.” Two- and one-star schools are classified as “recognized internationally” and “recognized nationally,” respectively, and all schools that fall below these standards are listed as “unclassified.” They also have a second table of schools ranked by subject.

Lastly, you should check out 4 International Colleges and Universities. This website doesn’t rank colleges based on reputation or education value, but instead lists colleges in individual countries based on their popularity on the Internet with traffic, links, and more. This is a unique view on which colleges you should consider, since it gives you a perspective on what most interests other students.

Remember, college rankings are just the start. You need to visit college campuses and check out online programs, as well as talk to professors, learn about financial aid, and more to find the school that is best for you. The college that fits you best may not necessarily be the top school on a college rankings list, and that’s ok. Find the educational program that fits you, regardless of what the experts say.

The Top Online Universities in America

The Internet has revolutionized education so that now you can earn a degree entirely online from the comfort of your home. This is perfect for working professionals or anyone who wants to get ahead in a career without having to go to a physical campus everyday. Use the list of top schools below or the search form to find the right school for you.

	The University of Phoenix is world-renowned for being the largest online university. Phoenix boasts dozens of different degrees at all levels that students can choose from. In the last four years alone, the university produced 80,000 graduates in high-demand fields as nursing, health care, teaching and IT. In addition to its online access, the school has campus locations within 10 miles of 87 million Americans. Learn More About University of Phoenix
	In addition to a host of options for students needing to transfer existing bachelor's and master's coursework into one of its more-than three dozen degree programs, Post University also welcomes military personnel to join its student body. Post offers detailed opportunities for veterans, those participating in active duty, as well as military dependent students. Learn More About Post University
	Kaplan is organized into ten different academic schools, including Arts & Sciences, Business, Criminal Justice, Education, Health Sciences, IS & Technology, Legal Studies, Nursing, Continuing Education, and Concord Law School. All told, Kaplan offers more than 125 degrees and programs both off- and online, with more than 70 campus-based locations nationwide. Learn More About Kaplan University
	Ashford is a private liberal arts university based in Clinton, Iowa. But thanks to the World Wide Web, students from all over the world can access their online coursework. Originally founded in 1918 as Mount St. Clare College, Ashford has Catholic roots and today its NAIA-level athletic teams are known as The Saints, which compete in the Midwest Collegiate Conference in over a dozen sports. Learn More About Ashford University
	Liberty University has the reputation of being the largest online evangelical Christian university in the nation. Founded in 1971 by the late Reverend Jerry Falwell, Liberty's original name was Lynchburg Baptist College. Liberty obtained university status in 1984. In athletics, Liberty is a member of the Big South Conference for 18 sports, including football, hockey, and basketball. Academically, Liberty offers majors in over 70 subjects, including aeronautics, business, nursing, and more. Learn More About Liberty University
	For students looking for flexible and affordable online education, Walden University offers both. As a leading accredited online university for more than 40 years, Walden has more than 42,500 students, from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. Nearly 85 percent of Walden students are satisfied with their university, and would be likely to recommend Walden to others. Learn More About Walden University
	DeVry has dozens of campuses nationwide and delivers its coursework via the Web to thousands of online students studying for their degrees. At DeVry University, all degree programs are career-focused to ensure that proper training is given to students pursuing a specific job or career path. Learn More About DeVry University
	American InterContinental University, also known as AIU, is a private school accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. Founded in 1970 as the American College of Applied Arts, AIU today has seven campuses in the US and UK and runs its online program out of its Chicago offices. AIU offers degree programs in several subjects, including healthcare, business, education, criminal justice, and more. Learn More About American InterContinental University
	Founded in 1839, Boston University is one of the oldest and most trusted universities that offers online education. At Boston Online, students can study liberal arts, business, science, criminal justice, health, music, nursing, and more to become well-rounded and productive individuals. Moreover, online programs offer a better sense of flexibility and convenience. Learn More About Boston University
	Capella University was founded in 1991 by Stephen Shank, the former CEO of Tonka, who felt that working adults were underserved by traditional brick-and-mortar universities. While their offices are located in downtown Minneapolis, being an online university, the majority of learning takes place outside of campus and instead via the Internet. Their motto: "Knowledge is solving problems no one else can." Learn More About Capella University
	In 1892, S. Irving Strayer founded Strayer's Business College. Today, this is known as Strayer University and has over 70 non-residential campuses with more than 50,000 students nationwide. Strayer is highly regarded as producing as many students with computer science degrees as any other school in the country. Learn More About Strayer University
	Grand Canyon University was founded in 1949 as Grand Canyon College, an Arizona Southern Baptist school. (It reached university status in 1989.) Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, GCU is typically featured among the Top 10 online colleges as ranked by The Online Education Database (OEDb). Learn More About Grand Canyon University