Best Online Degree Programs in Public Service

Online degrees remain one of the fastest-growing learning options out there. Thousands of colleges across the U.S. have added both fully online and hybrid programs to their catalogues, making them commonplace in just about every subject. Online programs in social work, education, criminal justice, and more than a dozen other disciplines have made it easier for students to earn degrees and start careers focused on public service and community impact. But which schools offer the best combinations of flexibility, availability, and cost? Follow STEPS as we rank schools with the top online degrees in public service disciplines, using meticulous data collection and analysis from talented data scientists. Select a ranking below, read the methodology, and see who stands out in 2025.

Best Online Degrees by Subject

• Community Colleges: Best Overall
• Criminal Justice: Best Overall; Associate; Master’s; Doctorate; Most Affordable
• Cyber Security: Best Overall; Master’s; Doctorate; Most Affordable
• Education & Teaching: Best Overall; Master’s; Doctorate (EdD); PhD; Early Childhood Education (ECE); Elementary; Secondary; Physical Education; Special Education
• Environmental Science: Best Overall; Master’s
• Emergency Management: Best Overall; Master’s
• Law Enforcement: Best Overall
• Library Science: Master’s
• Fire Science: Best Overall
• Forestry: Best Overall
• Paralegal: Associate; Certificate
• Political Science: Bachelor’s; Master’s
• Public Policy: MPP
• Occupational Health and Safety: Best Overall
• Homeland Security: Best Overall; Master’s
• Psychology: Best Overall; Master’s; PsyD; PhD; Clinical Psychology Master’s; Counseling Psychology Master’s; Forensic Psychology; Forensic Psychology Master’s; School Psychology; School Psychology Master’s; Most Affordable Overall; Most Affordable Master’s
• Public Administration: Best Overall; MPA; Most Affordable MPA
• Public Health: Best Overall; MPH; MPH Epidemiology; DrPH
• Social Work: Best Overall; MSW; DSW; PhD; Most Affordable

Best Online Degrees in Public Service – Overall Winners

Featured Online Public Service Degree

Social Work. An online degree in social work gives students a flexible way to enter a career as a social worker. At the bachelor’s level, coursework focuses on ethical principles of social work, diversity training, human rights and social justice, human behavior, socioeconomic well-being, engagement and intervention techniques, and more. A Master of Social Work (MSW) often moves into more research-based and policy study and crafting innovative strategies to foster community and global change.

Online Degrees in Public Service by Subject

Public service is loosely defined as a service rendered for the public good. Here at STEPS, we focus on careers and educational pathways that make the community safer, healthier, smarter, and stronger. But when it comes to higher education, it can be difficult to identify which public service areas have online learning opportunities, who offers them, and how many programs actually exist. Here’s a look at the most popular online degrees in public service with links to pages that breakdown flexible learning options across criminal justice, education, social work, and more.

Schools & Online Degree Programs in Public Service

Source: Data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
Only schools with verified programs were included in this table.

Online Degrees in Public Service by State

Although you can work, study, and participate in fully online programs from just about anywhere, it’s nice to explore online schools and degrees near you. Click on a state below to see which schools have online degrees in public service.

Source: Data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
Only schools with verified programs were included in this map.

Online Public Service Degrees by Level

One of the best things about public service? You can learn and work at every level. Whether you have just a high school diploma and want a certificate, or you have a master’s and want a doctorate, a wide range of higher educational options exist. Here’s how today’s online certificates and degrees in public service break down by level.

Source: Data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Only schools with verified programs were included in this map.

Online Degrees at Community Colleges

Community colleges and junior colleges represent some of the most affordable higher education options for students. They also focus on making education more accessible to all types of students, no matter their circumstances or career interests. Over the past decade, more and more community colleges have made online degrees a primary learning option, with fully-online and hybrid options across a wide range of subjects. Learn how online community colleges are changing the online learning landscape, and if one could be right for you.

9 Benefits of an Online Degree Program

For years, online learning was considered supplemental (and inferior) to face-to-face education. Professors would create a course that relied mostly on in-person lecture and participation, with elements of remote work sprinkled in. But for many students, these online components offered a number of benefits that made completing courses and earning degrees far more convenient. Both colleges and professors began to make online learning a featured element of their programs and courses, attracting a wider range of students who now could make their higher education goals a reality. Here are 10 of the biggest benefits of online degree programs.

Achieving Online School Success

Whether you’re a student or a teacher, online programs can be tough — at least at first. There’s new technology, new ways to communicate, and new ways of actually learning. And many of these challenges require solutions, especially insight and ideas from experts who have extensive training and experience when it comes to the digital classroom. Use the following resource to start your online learning journey.

Teacher’s Guide to Online School Success: Learn the importance of digital access, organization, having the right tech, and insight from online learning insiders.

Netiquette in the Online Classroom: How you communicate with others can be critical to your success as an online student (or teacher). Learn the do’s and don’ts of online classroom communication and discover key tips to maximize your academic relationships with others.

How to Avoid Cheating & Plagiarism in Online School: Whether you’re a teacher or a student, know the signs and learn what to avoid when you’re taking your lessons, assignments, and quizzes to the virtual classroom.

Organization & Note-Taking in Online School: The online classroom experience poses unique advantages and challenges. Learn what you can do to stay organized and on top of your note-taking as an online student with techniques, hacks, and resources.

How to Transfer Online College Credits: The idea of transferring online college credits can be daunting, but by following a few crucial steps, you can make it happen. Learn how to transfer your online college credits without losing any along the way and get answers to some of your most common questions.

Online School Tech: Resources for Students & Parents: From Canvas and Blackboard to Google Meet and Zoom, there’s a lot of tech to become familiar with as an online student. Whether you’re a student yourself or the parent of an online learner, get the resources your need to make the transition to the digital classroom smooth sailing.