HILLSBORO, Kan. – Affordable Colleges Online has ranked Tabor College fifth overall on its list of the Best Online Colleges in Kansas for 2015-2016. Tabor ranks high on the list because of its superior record of delivering online instruction and student support. Tabor is the only Mennonite school to be recognized on the list.
“We are honored to be recognized as a college that provides a quality educational experience to students that need the convenience of an online delivery,” said Jules Glanzer, President of Tabor College.
Ranked schools meet a number of criteria and metrics, including:
- Must offer a bachelor’s degree or higher
- Must be a public or private, not-for-profit institution
- Must offer at least one fully-online bachelor’s degree program
“Tabor’s online programs are dedicated to providing an educational experience that is both academically excellent and thoroughly integrated with the Christian faith,” said Brett Andrews, executive vice president of Tabor College in Wichita. “Additionally, we offer our students exceptional customer service and individualized attention.”
Affordable Colleges Online is a leading resource for online learning and college affordability information. According to a recent study by the Babson Survey Research Group, the online student population in the country is now over 7 million, not to mention, 15.3 percent of Kansas students are enrolled exclusively in distance education courses. ACO has distinguished its ranking scale by the use of Peer-Based Value. The PBV score compares the cost of each program to the cost of similar programs with the same qualitative score.
“We wanted to highlight the schools in each state that are driving innovative learning and meeting demands of students,” said Dan Schuessler, CEO and Founder of ACO. “These schools are not only offering great programs, but they have expanded their program excellence to the much-desired online environment.”
Vice President for Academics Frank Johnson said the future for Tabor’s online curriculum is bright. 
“Tabor is committed to a quality, affordable, Christ-centered education regardless of modality,” Johnson said. “Tabor is authorized to offer 100 percent of current programs online, a critical measure of recognition of our quality.”
In 2011, ACO began providing quality data and information about pursuing an affordable higher education. Their free community resource materials and tools span topics such as financial aid, college savings, opportunities for veterans and people with disabilities. ACO features higher education institutions that have developed online learning environments that include highly trained faculty, new technology, resources and online support services to help students achieve educational and career success.
“We want anyone, anywhere to have the opportunity to receive a quality education,” Glanzer added. “It is important for us to make our curriculum available to those wanting to pursue higher education.”
Tabor is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities —an association of global, nonprofit Christian colleges and universities offering baccalaureate programs in the arts/sciences, plus professional studies from a biblical worldview.
To learn more about Tabor’s ranking, visit ACO’s website.