The Future is Female: Top 20 Online Colleges for Women

• Women’s admission rate: 99%
• Percentage of female graduate students: 61%
• Women’s graduation rate: 69%
• Institution Type: Private not-for-profit

Liberty University is known for providing affordable and high-quality education to online students. What is less well-known is that they also offer support resources for female master’s students, including student clubs for women in STEM, business, and aviation. On top of female-specific resources, Liberty offers an affordable tuition rate (about $565 per hour for full-time students) and plenty of scholarships. The university’s range of master’s degrees and disciplines is also impressive, including everything from from MBAs to programs in nursing or creative writing.

• Women’s admission rate: 86%
• Percentage of female graduate students: 62%
• Women’s graduation rate: 56%
• Institution Type: Public

With over 150 graduate programs, Western Michigan University is worth a look for many potential graduate students. Throw in that many of these degrees are offered in an online or hybrid format, and you may find that this is the perfect online graduate program for you. The university also offers generous financial aid packages and in-state tuition for all online learners. Perhaps best of all, Western Michigan University is a leader in researching how to make grad schools more female-friendly.

• Women’s admission rate: 93%
• Percentage of female graduate students: 69%
• Women’s graduation rate: 69%
• Institution Type: Public

Eastern Carolina University is a leader in diversity, and its support for female graduate students is no exception. The school has over 210 graduate programs, many of which are offered online. If working while getting your degree, ECU aims to ensure class times fit into your schedule and helps students balance both.

• Women’s admission rate: 97%
• Percentage of female graduate students: 69%
• Women’s graduation rate: 42%
• Institution Type: Private not-for-profit

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a leader in online education, with over 100 virtual master’s degrees available. Plus, online classes are asynchronous, making it an excellent option for those with a job or who are single parents. Along with academic flexibility and excellence, the school also has a robust Office of Diversity Programs that offers resources and events to promote inclusion on campus.

• Women’s admission rate: 88%
• Percentage of female graduate students: 59%
• Women’s graduation rate: 67%
• Institution Type: Public

Ohio University offers high-quality online and hybrid master’s degrees. The Scripps College of Communication alone offers seven fully online graduate certificates and two online master’s degrees. Thanks to the school’s reputation in the communications field, the school attracts many looking to work in these industries and provides ample scholarships for communication professionals. Ohio University also offers professional development resources for all students, including students who identify as female.

• Women’s admission rate: 80%
• Percentage of female graduate students: 79%
• Women’s graduation rate: 48%
• Institution Type: Private for-profit

Grand Canyon University provides high-quality education in an online or hybrid format. The school offers over 124 online master’s degrees, including some for those interested in pursuing a career rooted in the Christian faith. However, there are no religious requirements for degrees, and the university has an office dedicated to diversity and inclusion. Plus, the university offers many scholarships and works with students to balance coursework with full-time jobs.

• Women’s admission rate: 65%
• Percentage of female graduate students: 61%
• Women’s graduation rate: 74%
• Institution Type: Public

Florida International University offers top-ranked master’s degrees, multiple learning formats, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Students at the university can choose from 106 master’s programs, 33 of which are entirely online. FIU’s online master’s degrees are offered in many disciplines, including business, STEM, and education. The school also provides online support resources, including a career readiness program. The school is devoted to empowering all students, regardless of gender, and it even has an active women’s center.

• Women’s admission rate: 92%
• Percentage of female graduate students: 58%
• Women’s graduation rate: 74%
• Institution Type: Public

Anyone balancing a degree and career should consider the flexible online programs from George Mason University. The school offers over 132 graduate, doctoral, or professional degrees, many of which are fully online or hybrid. Plus, the faculty is well-trained in working with students with external professional or personal obligations.

• Women’s admission rate: 81%
• Percentage of female graduate students: 64%
• Women’s graduation rate: 82%
• Institution Type: Private not-for-profit

With over 120 graduate programs, Drexel University has a master’s degree or graduate certificate that fits most professional fields. Programs are typically offered in an online or hybrid format and designed with the working professional in mind. Thanks to Drexel’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion, they also provide many female-friendly support resources, including a diversity and inclusion office on campus and professional development resources. Drexel also offers ample scholarships and financial aid specifically for graduate students.

• Women’s admission rate: 12%
• Percentage of female graduate students: 55%
• Women’s graduation rate: 94%
• Institution Type: Private not-for-profit

The University of Southern California offers over 65 master’s degrees, many of which can be completed online. The school’s offerings will suit various interests, including business, fine arts, education, veteran’s affairs, urban planning, visual anthropology, and more. Plus, the university is devoted to creating collaborative learning environments and support systems for students, making it a great choice for female master’s students. On top of baking inclusion and support into individual programs, the university has a diversity and inclusion office, and diversity is one of the university’s four guiding principles.

• Women’s admission rate: 7%
• Percentage of female graduate students: 53%
• Women’s graduation rate: 95%
• Institution Type: Private not-for-profit

Johns Hopkins University is a leader in providing inclusive graduate school education. It offers online and in-person master’s degrees through various schools, including its schools of public health, education, arts & sciences, business, engineering, nursing, medicine, and law. The school also has over 24 diversity goals, which include helping pregnant students on campus and empowering students who identify as female. Specific resources available include helping with costs related to childcare (and even backup adult care!) and offering workshops and online resources through the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

• Women’s admission rate: 87%
• Percentage of female graduate students: 63%
• Women’s graduation rate: 66%
• Institution Type: Public

The University of North Dakota offers over 160 graduate degrees and certificates, with options to take some or all coursework online. The university’s graduate programs are devoted to diversity and inclusion. As a result, they offer flexible learning formats and online support resources for students. These resources include inclusive workshops to prepare students for academic and professional success. The school also hosts multiple diversity and inclusion offices on campus, which provide additional programming and resources for students who identify as women. Recent diversity events on campus include vision board parties and LGBTQ+ scholarship information sessions.

• Women’s admission rate: 68%
• Percentage of female graduate students: 56%
• Women’s graduation rate: 65%
• Institution Type: Public

Texas Tech University offers over 120 master’s degrees, many of which can be completed online. The school’s graduate programs are designed for working professionals or those with other responsibilities, such as caring for family members. As a result, classes are asynchronous or at flexible times. Plus, with a 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio, students get more one-on-one time with faculty and customized support.

• Women’s admission rate: 78%
• Percentage of female graduate students: 76%
• Women’s graduation rate: 53%
• Institution Type: Private not-for-profit

Fresno Pacific University offers more than 45 graduate programs, 16 of which can be completed online. The university offers various types of institutional aid and can help learners find external scholarships, including those specifically for female graduate students. Fresno also created and developed a GRAD Connect program, which hosts events and offers one-on-one meetings with academic counselors. Plus, students can access GRAD Connect one-on-ones before applying, creating a chance to ask personalized questions about the school.

• Women’s admission rate: 47%
• Percentage of female graduate students: 61%
• Women’s graduation rate: 87%
• Institution Type: Private not-for-profit

George Washington University offers over 240 graduate programs through its schools for business, arts & sciences, design, education, engineering, international affairs, nursing, medicine, public affairs, political management, public health, professional studies, and law. Around 100 of these master’s degrees or graduate certificate programs are available online or in a hybrid format. A hallmark of GWU is its commitment to diversity and inclusion, with programs designed for students from various educational backgrounds.

• Women’s admission rate: 33%
• Percentage of female graduate students: 65%
• Women’s graduation rate: 56%
• Institution Type: Private not-for-profit

Regent University is committed to affordability, academics, and inclusion. Of Regent’s 162 graduate degrees, most are offered online, making the school one of the most varied options for virtual learning. Plus, the university offers ample financial aid opportunities, including scholarships. To ensure everyone feels welcome on their virtual and in-person campuses, Regent has a Center for Student Happiness where learners can receive individualized professional, academic, and life coaching.

• Women’s admission rate: 94%
• Percentage of female graduate students: 68%
• Women’s graduation rate: 53%
• Institution Type: Private not-for-profit

Concordia University offers master’s degrees in online, hybrid, and in-person formats through its schools of business, education, arts & humanities, and science & technology. The university also provides various support resources and campus groups to create closer ties between students, their peers, and the university. Concordia University emphasizes an inclusive learning environment, making it a great choice for female master’s students.

• Women’s admission rate: 86%
• Percentage of female graduate students: 62%
• Women’s graduation rate: 76%
• Institution Type: Public

The University of Cincinnati offers one of the largest selections of graduate degrees. With over 390 graduate degrees and certificates offered online or in a hybrid format, there’s a program for almost any professional interest. Plus, the school is known for providing ample scholarships, including some program-specific funding opportunities. Every student also has the opportunity to create an individual development plan. For these, professional development experts work with each graduate student to tailor their career plan to their interests and outside responsibilities.

• Women’s admission rate: 96%
• Percentage of female graduate students: 69%
• Women’s graduation rate: 58%
• Institution Type: Private not-for-profit

Keiser University has a student-first philosophy—and that’s why its online programs can be taken anytime, anywhere. The school allows students complete as few as one class at a time, too, to help ensure students can stay on track at their own pace. And to further help students succeed, English language learners may benefit from a KU online master’s program that’s available in Spanish.

Note: KU’s tuition is on a sliding scale. The more credits you take in a semester, the less each one costs.

• Women’s admission rate: 81%
• Percentage of female graduate students: 65%
• Women’s graduation rate: 63%
• Institution Type: Public

Though Northern Arizona University is proud of its community. Whether you’re on-campus or online, the school strives to ensure every person—regardless of background, culture, or gender—can succeed personally, professionally, and academically. Add to that its commitment to tuition transparency, allowing you to see at a glance whether this school fits your budget, and you’ve found a school that knows what its students need.