Oakland Community College (OCC) received a five-star rating and named among the best
colleges and universities on America’s Top Online Colleges 2025. OCC ranked an enviable seventh in the nation and was first on the list for Michigan’s
higher education institutions with online undergraduate and graduate education programs.
Schools were ranked on organization, support, price, reputation, success, recommendation, practical relevance and overall satisfaction. Newsweek and data research partner Statista surveyed more than 10,000 individuals in the U.S. who have used online courses to obtain an academic degree or acquire knowledge and skills for their jobs or hobbies.
“In a little more than five years, Oakland Community College has gone from having very few online courses and services for students to being ranked in America’s top 10 online colleges and universities. It’s incredible,” said OCC Chancellor Peter Provenzano. “Our students are reaching their academic goals with greater success as we meet them where they need us. We are honored to be recognized in this work, and I congratulate our faculty and staff on this distinguished ranking.”
OCC is one of just three community colleges in Michigan on Newsweek’s top 250.
Demand for Online Learning
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, OCC only offered two fully online programs. Responding to the growing demand for distant learning options, OCC now offers 21 fully online degrees and certificates, including mental health/social work, software engineering and business administration.
According to OCC’s Chief of Staff and Strategy Steve Simpson, online learning at OCC has dramatically changed over the past five years.
“In the year immediately preceding the pandemic, OCC offered online components in just 5.9% of its courses and 5.5% of its total sections. In the 2024-2025 academic year, these figures surged to 38% of courses and 45% of all sections,” Simpson said.
He added that the popularity of OCC’s online programs and classes is evident during registration. They fill up faster than in-person courses and often have waitlists. Online sections with the highest number of students include courses in English, computer information systems and business.
OCC student Thomas Lavaud is among those enrolled in online classes.
"I have been studying computer science at OCC,” said the Oakland Early Technical College student. "It has been convenient as I balanced high school classes and work responsibilities,” he said. “It also made sense for my curriculum since computer science classes are mostly online anyways."
“Online classes offer flexibility and allow students to complete their coursework at their own pace. This increased flexibility helps students finish faster and boosts their chances of earning their degrees and certificates,” added Simpson.
He noted that today’s students lead increasingly complex lives, balancing work, family and other responsibilities, which can make attending classes on campus challenging.
“Many students arrive at OCC already familiar with online learning and expect us to provide those options. We are committed to understanding our students' needs while being aware of market demands, and we strive to meet the needs of our community effectively.”
Teaching Online
Krishna Stilianos, OCC Faculty Psychology, believes successful online teaching includes flexibility, precise communication of course expectations, interactive course content to promote learning, and opportunities for students to engage with one another.
She has incorporated technology to create an inclusive learning experience and uses the accessibility features of D2L (including Ally and Intelligent Agents) and AI as a tutor. She also uses discussion forums to create a sense of belonging and encourage critical thinking.
“Online course content can be delivered in many ways—asynchronous (pre-recorded) lectures, live virtual or Zoom lectures, interactive simulations, and breakout rooms. These options give students a personalized learning experience and can promote persistence, retention and completion,” she said.
“Online learning is not learning in isolation. Online does not mean alone!” she added.
Learn more about OCC’s online degrees and certificates on the College’s website.