For the fourth consecutive year, the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering has been ranked as having the best online master’s degree program in engineering by U.S. News & World Report. This recognition marks the eighth time in twelve years that the program has achieved the top position, underscoring its consistent quality and commitment to education.
The Master of Science in Engineering Online (MSOL) program excelled in the 2026 U.S. News “Best Online Programs” rankings, thanks to high student engagement and innovative teaching methods. Since the rankings’ inception in 2014, UCLA Samueli has consistently placed within the top two positions.
One of the program’s standout features is its teaching faculty, who are the same instructors leading on-campus master’s classes. Students benefit from livestreamed lectures and recorded sessions conducted in both classrooms and specialized studios. Professors and teaching assistants hold office hours via Zoom, providing support on weeknights and weekends. This flexibility enables mid-career professionals to pursue an advanced degree in just over two years while maintaining their full-time jobs.
Since its launch in 2007, more than 1,800 students have graduated from the MSOL program, including nearly 200 graduates in the past academic year alone. The current enrollment for the fall 2025 semester reached record levels, with over 600 students registered.
Ah-Hyung “Alissa” Park, the Ronald and Valerie Sugar Dean of UCLA Samueli, attributed the program’s recognition to the exceptional teaching by dedicated faculty and the commitment of its students. “We take great pride in offering a comprehensive engineering program that meets both industry and student demand, with a rigorous and technically relevant curriculum that best serves working professionals,” she stated.
The MSOL program features a robust curriculum with 17 specialized areas of study, covering high-demand fields such as data science engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science, and engineering management. Additionally, students can pursue certificates in three specializations or opt for a hybrid model that allows them to take up to four courses on campus.
Song Li, the faculty director of MSOL and associate dean for graduate and professional education at UCLA Samueli, emphasized the program’s commitment to continuous improvement. “Working with feedback from students, alumni, and industry partners, our faculty regularly refine our curriculum to ensure it’s up to date and relevant,” he remarked.
The 2026 U.S. News survey evaluated 111 schools offering online engineering master’s programs, using specific metrics tailored to online learning. The rankings considered five categories: engagement, faculty credentials and training, peer assessments from senior academic officials, services and technologies, and student excellence. Each of the first three categories contributed 25% to the total score, while services and student excellence each accounted for 12.5%.
In conclusion, the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering’s continued success in online education reflects its strong commitment to providing quality learning opportunities for students worldwide.
