UHD Ranked for Adults Going Back To School
Named One of The 20 Best Online Colleges
By Mark Kramer
The University of Houston-Downtown has earned national recognition for its programs once again.
UHD ranked seventh in the nation by OnlineColleges in a new study titled the “20 Best Online Colleges for Adults Going Back to School.” In the review, the publication rated 1,607 accredited colleges based on government data from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics.
Specific points that were analyzed in the study included the number of programs offered through distance education, total enrollment in the 25-64 age range and average in-state tuition.
The study mentioned how UHD strives to make it easy for returning students to transfer previous credits. In addition, the report praised the efforts of the university’s Accelerated Transfer Academy program that assigns a success coach to eligible students in order to guide them through the transfer process.
Through UHD’s programs, some recent non-traditional graduates are success stories that are showing that earning a college degree is possible, no matter their stage of life.
“You can do it,” said Linda McCullum, 67, who recently received her master’s degree in criminal justice recently. “Don’t let age stop you. The same opportunities that are available for young people are available for older people too.”
McCullum, an in-class support teacher at Cypress Creek High School, plans to use her degree to work helping at-risk juveniles.
Wayne Lake, 59, is also a recent graduate who earned his bachelor’s degree in history. He was born with aniridia (absence of the iris) and eventually lost all of his sight in 2014. He discovered UHD in 1992, took a break and returned to complete his degree.
“The atmosphere (at UHD) is friendly, the classrooms are small, and the professors are inspirational,” he said. “UHD has been there for myself and other students with disabilities. I am very grateful to this university for helping me complete my degree.”
Lake plans to pursue a master’s degree in nonprofit management with the goal of working for an organization that supports the deaf and blind. He wants to help others with disabilities realize their dreams of earning high school diplomas and college degrees, he said.
To view the complete list on rankings to the OnlineColleges.com website.
The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is the second-largest university in Houston and has served the educational needs of the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1974. As one of four distinct public universities in the University of Houston System, UHD is a comprehensive, four-year university led by President Loren J. Blanchard. Annually, UHD educates approximately 14,000 students, boasts more than 66,000 alumni, and offers 45 bachelor’s degrees, 12 master’s degrees, and 19 online programs within four colleges: Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and College of Sciences and Technology. UHD has one of the lowest tuition rates in Texas.
U.S. News and World Report ranked UHD among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Applied Administration and Best Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice, as well as a Top Performer in Social Mobility. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked UHD one of the best colleges in the U.S. for its 2024 rankings, with notable distinctions: No. 1 for diversity (tied) and No. 3 for student experience. The University is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Minority-Serving Institution, and a Military Friendly School. For more information on the University of Houston-Downtown, visit uhd.edu.
