Newsweek Ranks Cornerstone University a Top Online College for 2026
Cornerstone University has again been recognized by Newsweek’s America’s Top Online Colleges 2026 among the top 50 institutions for the third consecutive year, ranking highly among the top 35 national schools out of 250 included. The achievement highlights Cornerstone’s commitment to providing greater access to professional degrees that help students advance their careers.
Newsweek developed the ranking in partnership with Statista, a global leader in data and industry analysis. The list is based on an independent nationwide survey of more than 10,000 learners. It evaluates online colleges across several key areas, including overall satisfaction, support and service, organization and accessibility, cost and value of the program, institutional reputation, expected student success, practical relevance of course content, and overall recommendation from current and former students. Schools featured in this ranking include AA School of Pharmacy; Cornell University — eCornell; University of California, Davis; and Yale University. Newsweek notes that the National Center for Education Statistics shows about 10 million college students took at least one online class in 2022, more than half of all college students.
Cornerstone was an early developer in online education in Michigan, recognizing the growing need for more flexible, career-focused education options. The university continues to expand its online programs to better serve West Michigan, with students now enrolled from across the country. Driven by a commitment to affordability and innovation, Cornerstone offers one of the most affordable online degrees in the nation, removing barriers, supporting busy schedules, and giving individuals practical ways to earn a degree — including through SOAR™, the nation’s first business degrees offered entirely through an easy-to-use smartphone app. All programs integrate Christian principles that support personal, professional, and spiritual growth.
Every degree reflects the Cornerstone Advantage™, bringing together morally grounded leadership and in-demand skills that employers value. Students receive comprehensive academic preparation and hands-on learning experiences in formats that work with their lives and tuition that better fits their budget.
This recognition comes alongside another national achievement: Cornerstone’s inclusion in The Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings, further affirming the university’s strong student outcomes.
Together, these distinctions show Cornerstone’s commitment to providing a highly valued learning experience across multiple platforms that is affordable, accessible, career-focused, and rooted in Christian values — equipping students for meaningful and lasting success.
Explore our 65-plus online, on-campus, and SOAR™ mobile-only degrees at admissions@cornerstone.edu.
