BURLINGTON, Vt. - Champlain College's Division of Continuing Professional Studies (CPS) online degree programs are ranked in the top three nationally according to a new survey of colleges and universities by Online Education Database (OEDb).

Champlain College moved up to the third spot from eighth last year in the survey based on the metrics: acceptance rate, financial aid, graduation rate, peer web citations, retention rate, scholarly citations, student-faculty ratio, and years accredited.

Nova Southeastern University in Florida topped the rankings, released in early January, followed by

Regent University in Virginia. The full list of the 44 colleges and universities surveyed and the eight metrics used in determining the rankings are available at http://oedb.org/rankings.

 "Our annual Online College rankings are a valuable asset to students considering online education," explained Ashley Merusi of OEDb. "During these challenging financial times, it is more important than ever that students make sure they are getting a valuable education for their tuition dollar. Champlain College's placement among the top three demonstrates its commitment to transparency and academic excellence." This is the Texas-based organization's third annual ranking.

According to Lynne Ballard, dean of the Champlain College's Division of Continuing Professional Studies (CPS), which houses Champlain's online programs provide the full realm of educational and professional development choices for adults.

"We are truly a college within Champlain College that caters specifically to the professional development requirements of the adult learner.  We understand them; we know their economic and life challenges and we're constantly assessing the workplace to ensure that we offer the most up-to- date knowledge in emerging and high growth areas."  she said. CPS offers 20 degree programs ranging from accounting to paralegal to software development and network security and computer forensics and digital investigation. Consistent with their career-oriented degrees, the next program launch is health care management.

Online education is growing in popularity and practicality for several reasons, according to Ballard. "The benefits are many, ranging from access to national experts and the opportunity to meet and learn with adults from across the country. And from a budget and environmental perspective, online learning cuts down on commuting and gas costs."

According to U.S Department of Labor, the addition of an Associate's degree to a high school diploma can add $297,000 in to a person's lifetime earnings and a Bachelor's degree can increase lifetime earnings by $834,000 or more.

Champlain College was founded in 1878, and at its core is a bricks and mortar school, offering traditional, career-oriented  classes. It has 2,000 campus-based undergraduate students on campus and is ranked 12th in the top tier of Best Baccalaureate Colleges in the North by 2009 America's Best Colleges, published by U.S. News & World Report.

In 1993, Champlain offered its first online course, followed in 1996 by its first entirely online bachelor's degree. Currently, Champlain is the only college in Vermont to offer bachelor's degrees 100 percent online in business, writing, technology, paralegal and allied health careers. Non-credit online business seminars are also offered through the Workforce Development Center at the CPS Division at Champlain College

"Champlain has worked hard to be on top of advances in online educational technology, and that has allowed us to continually build upon and enhance the online learning experience we provide our students. Our online students benefit from the same challenging and interactive educational opportunities they would find in our traditional classroom environment. This ranking acknowledges Champlain's ongoing efforts to integrate the best advances in online learning into our programs," noted Mika Nash, associate dean for Academic Programs at CPS.        

According to the New York Times, almost four million students were enrolled in online education last year and even more are expected to head back to school in response to the suffering economy. Experts say that while online education is growing in popularity due to its flexible, portable and cost-effective nature, it is important to have the information to make the right choice.

The Chronicle of Higher Education noted that two of the metrics OEDb uses - retention rate and graduation rate - are the same as the ones used by U.S. News and World Report to formulate its yearly ranking of traditional colleges and universities. Champlain College ranked first in graduation rates with 84 percent and is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

According to the 2008 Sloan Survey of Online Learning, private colleges like Champlain can expect a bump in enrollment in the months ahead because of high unemployment and job uncertainties. "Whether you live in Vermont or Arizona, online delivery allows you to benefit from Champlain's tradition of giving adults the tools to advance professionally."  Ballard noted.

" There has never been a more important time in our economic history than now to shore up your professional credentials, or move your career where there will be sustained growth." Ballard said.

Champlain College offers a full range of tuition payment program, including installment plans, employer-reimbursement programs and need-based scholarships. Financial aid is available to those who qualify, including full-time working adults. Expenses for continuing professional studies to maintain or improve professional skills are generally tax deductible.

For more information Champlain College's Division of Continuing Professional Studies, contact them at (888) 545-3459 or online at www.cps.champlain.edu. To learn more about Champlain College, visit www.champlain.edu.