08/31/11 ks

HAYS, Kan. -- A consumer group that compiles rankings for the affordability of online college courses has recognized nine Fort Hays State University programs as among the best in the country.

Two FHSU programs are No. 1 in the country in the GetEducated.com rankings. They are the Master of Liberal Studies with a concentration in Justice Studies and the Bachelor of Science in Information Networking & Telecommunications/Computer Networking.

The other FHSU programs that are highly ranked by GetEducated.com:

· Second most affordable in the country -- the Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies; the Bachelor of Science in Technology Leadership; the Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership; and the Bachelor of General Management.

· Third most affordable in the country -- the Bachelor of Business Administration and the Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.

· 18th most affordable in the country -- the Master of Business Administration in Organizational Leadership.

According to GetEducated.com, the rankings indicate that the online learning programs have been independently reviewed and found to offer credible, high quality distance degrees at a cost well below the national average. The rankings are done every two or three years.

"GetEducated does its own research from university websites to compile the rankings," said Dennis King, director of the Virtual College and Learning Technologies. "The universities provide no information directly and are not permitted to make a sales pitch."

He explained that the degrees are ranked on lowest price. If a university's in-state rate is lower than another university's out-of-state rate, the university with the lower in-state rate is ranked higher. "This lowered our ranking in a couple of instances," King said. "We had the lower rate overall but received a No. 2 ranking because another university had a lower rate within its home state."

King noted that FHSU has consistently rated high in both affordability and quality.

"FHSU and the Virtual College achieved regional accreditation, which is the highest accreditation possible, we were recognized as a top leadership school, we were recognized as military friendly, and we received numerous awards, including an Award of Excellence for campus-wide online programming," King said. "Those various recognitions, combined with the GetEducated rankings, confirm FHSU as a national leader in online education."

King said the previous awards, recognitions and rankings highlight the outstanding faculty, staff and students at FHSU and the Virtual College. "It takes all of FHSU's stakeholders to create a successful online educational community, and we all should be proud of what we have contributed and accomplished."

GetEducated.com

GetEducated is a consumer group that publishes online college rankings and online university ratings along the dimensions that matter most to online students themselves: affordability and credibility. Founded in 1989 by Vicky Phillips, a psychologist and educator, GetEducated -- in partnership with America Online and the Electronic University Network -- developed America's very first online counseling center for adult distance learners. GetEducated remains the only consumer group in the United States dedicated to assisting students in comparing and rating accredited online colleges and universities.