US News rankings place Texas A&M online programs among best in nation

Online programs for professional and graduate students at Texas A&M University are among the best in the nation, according to the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings released today. Programs in business, engineering, education and nursing all placed in the Top 20, leading the state, nation and Southeastern Conference.

Mays Business School’s master’s in business program for veterans led the rankings at No. 1 for the second straight year. The College of Engineering’s industrial engineering program rose eight spots to No. 2 nationwide, and its master’s in information technology program for veterans ranked at No. 2. College of Education programs also excelled, cracking the Top 10 in three categories.

The annual rankings evaluate a number of factors to determine the best online programs in the country. The publication’s editors consider engagement, graduation rates, faculty credentials and training, support services and technologies and peer assessment, among other criteria.

Texas A&M has a total of 14 online graduate programs ranked No. 1 in the state.

Overall, the College of Engineering had eight programs in the publication’s Top 20. The College of Education and Human Development had four Top 20 mentions and Mays Business School had two programs on the list, both in the Top 10. The College of Nursing also made the list at No. 11 nationally and leading the state for its bachelor’s degree program.

Texas A&M had four programs for veterans make this year’s list, at Mays Business School (No. 1), the College of Education and Human Development (No. 3), and the College of Engineering (No. 2 and No. 7).

Several programs showed improvement over last year. Two programs — master’s in information technology and master’s in information technology for veterans — made the list for the first time, at No. 3 and No. 2, respectively.

Texas A&M’s Best Online Programs Rankings 2026:

Top 10 Programs

Mays Business School

Master’s in Business Programs for Veterans (non-MBA): No. 1
Master’s in Business (non-MBA): No. 3 (No. 1 public, No. 1 in Texas, No. 1 in the SEC)

College of Education and Human Development

Master’s in Education for Veterans: No. 3 (No. 1 in Texas, No. 1 in the SEC)
Master’s in Education: No. 8 (up 1 spot)
Master’s in Educational Administration and Supervision: No. 9 (No. 1 in Texas)

College of Engineering

Master’s in Industrial Engineering: No. 2 (up 8 spots) (No. 1 in Texas, No. 1 in the SEC)
Master’s in Information Technology for Veterans: No. 2 (No. 1 public, No. 1 in Texas, No. 1 in the SEC)
Master’s in Information Technology: No. 3 (No. 1 public, No. 1 in SEC)
Master’s in Mechanical Engineering: No. 6 (No. 1 in Texas, No. 1 in the SEC)
Master’s in Engineering for Veterans: No. 7 (No. 1 in Texas, No. 1 in the SEC)
Master’s in Electrical Engineering: No. 8 (No. 1 in Texas, No. 1 in the SEC)
Master’s in Engineering: No. 9 (No. 1 in Texas, No. 1 in the SEC)

Top 20 Programs

College of Nursing

Overall Bachelor’s: No. 11 (No. 1 in Texas)

College of Engineering

Master’s in Engineering Management: No. 15 (No. 1 in Texas)

College of Education and Human Development

Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction: No. 15 (No. 1 in Texas)

Dr. Alan Sams, provost and executive vice president at Texas A&M, said the rankings are a reflection of the university’s commitment to providing high-quality programs for students around the world.

“Whether it’s supporting veterans, advancing engineering, or providing excellence in business and education, Texas A&M’s commitment to student success continues to set us apart nationally,” Sams said. “We are continually investing in outstanding faculty, technology and support services to ensure our online students receive the same world-class education and sense of community as those on campus. These recognitions affirm our efforts to meet the needs of learners everywhere.”

The rankings are just one of many recent recognitions for Texas A&M. Last month, the university was named by Fast Company Magazine as a Brand That Matters, the only university on the list alongside brands such as Coca-Cola, Netflix, McDonald’s and Nike. Texas A&M is also ranked by the Wall Street Journal as the best public university in Texas and the No. 11 public institution in the U.S.

View the full U.S. News Best Online Programs rankings.

Learn more about Texas A&M’s academic programs at tamu.edu/admissions.