Inside the University Scholars Program 

Managed by the Center for Undergraduate Research, the University Scholars Program is one of UF’s most prestigious opportunities for undergraduate research.  

“The University Scholars Program allows undergraduates to receive funding to conduct research under the guidance of a UF faculty member,” said Anne Donnelly, director of the Center for Undergraduate Research. “It is a capstone program for students to become involved in undergraduate research.” 

Applications for the program are typically accepted in February each year. Accepted students receive a $1,750 research stipend, one-on-one faculty mentorship and the chance to present at the Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium. They may also submit their work for publication in the UF Journal of Undergraduate Research, gaining hands-on experience in communicating findings to a scholarly audience. Online students have full access to these benefits, including hybrid workshops, remote poster presentation options and Zoom peer advising. 

Tara Perreault, who graduated with her psychology degree via ���������� in May 2025, credits USP’s flexibility for allowing her to thrive as a fully online student while balancing motherhood. 

“The online program provided me with the flexibility I needed to pursue higher education and academic research,” she said. The program’s structure empowered her to concentrate on her project while staying on top of coursework, reinforcing the idea that distance learning does not limit meaningful research experiences. 

Where Mentorship Meets Possibility 

Mentorship is at the heart of USP. Dr. Donnelly noted that ���������� students bring a fresh perspective to research, and the program pairs them with dedicated faculty mentors who provide the same rigorous guidance, support and professional insight as they do for on-campus students. 

For Price, faculty mentorship was transformative as she explored protein–protein interactions within a genetic signaling pathway, generating and validating 3D structural models to examine how specific mutations affect immune regulation and autoimmune disease. Weekly guidance from her mentors, Dr. Raquel Dias and Dr. Joseph Larkin III, helped her troubleshoot computational challenges, explore new tools and connect her findings to larger scientific questions. 

“They created an environment where I felt both challenged and supported. What I appreciated most was that they treated me as a collaborator,” she said. 

Price’s work contributed to one of  using AI modeling and other techniques to forecast mutations in proteins, which can help develop better medical treatments. 

Perreault’s mentor, Dr. Marina Klimenko, provided support at every stage of her research project examining how antiheroes in films display a mix of Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy to operate in morally gray areas while retaining audience empathy.  

“Most importantly, she helped me find my academic writing voice, encouraged me to trust my ideas, and gave me the confidence to propose new directions for the research,” Perrault said. 

Why Research Matters for Online Students 

Engaging in undergraduate research equips students with critical thinking skills, practical experience and clarity in their academic and career goals. “All UF students deserve the same benefits and access to undergraduate research,” Donnelly said. 

For Price, participating in USP solidified her commitment to computational biology at the graduate level. Perreault also found the program to be a launching point for her own research career, helping her gain acceptance into a PhD program in Social Psychology. Both students emphasized that USP builds confidence, fosters independence and creates opportunities to make meaningful contributions to their fields while studying online. 

���������� students can explore research opportunities beyond the USP program, including the , travel awards for national conference presentations and collaborations with partner institutions like  in England. Peer Advisors offer help in finding a research project both on Zoom and in person throughout the semester. Current UF students should join the CUR canvas page to stay up to date with advising hours and research opportunities. 

Price encourages fellow online students to seize research opportunities, even in the face of doubt. 

“Apply even if you’re unsure if you’d meet every expectation. Research has shown me that it is built on curiosity, not perfection,” she said.  

“Online students shouldn’t have to choose between access, affordability and quality,” said Melissa Allen, director of ����������. “Our students entrust us with their time, their goals and their futures, and these rankings affirm that we take that responsibility seriously.”

“Today, we celebrate these remarkable achievements and the extraordinary talent across the university community that makes it possible for our online students to thrive, launch successful careers and lead meaningful lives with a UF degree,” Allen said.

The 2026 rankings reflect the University of Florida’s innovative approach to providing the same exceptional education fully online at an affordable cost to students in Florida and around the world. The accolades mark ����������’s third time topping the list of online bachelor’s programs in the nation since 2022 and eighth year in a row among the top five overall online undergraduate programs. ����������’s psychology bachelor’s degree maintains its No. 3 ranking for the third consecutive year.

“���������� has improved the lives of thousands of Floridians and students from around the country over the past 12 years,” said Dr. Brian Harfe, associate provost for the Office of Teaching and Technology. “This would not have been possible without the support of our state legislators and UF Board of Trustees, whose vision of a fully online bachelor’s degree-granting program led to the birth of ���������� in 2014. While our rankings are impressive, ���������� is defined by the impact we have on our students — past, present and future Florida Gators.”

���������� was founded in January 2014 in accordance with the Florida Legislature’s directive for the Preeminent State Research University Institute for Online Learning to offer high-quality, fully online bachelor’s degree programs at an affordable cost. Since ����������’s founding, nearly 8,000 students have graduated with UF bachelor’s degrees, and students from 90 countries have enrolled in the program. Students earn the same UF degree, save about 40 percent on tuition and fees compared to on-campus students, and more than 70 percent of ���������� learners graduate without taking out loans.

The rankings recognize ����������’s dedication to providing an outstanding experience for military-affiliated students, including participating in the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon programs to provide tuition assistance among other benefits, with coordinated support from a variety of departments including UF’s .  

The news also highlights UF’s Warrington College of Business’ dynamic online business administration bachelor’s degree program, which offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree and Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration degree with multiple specialization options.  

����������’s cutting-edge online education attracts a robust student body that includes aspiring Olympians, working parents, and first-generation college students. In the Fall 2025 term, ���������� enrolled students from 47 U.S. states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and 22 countries.

���������� students can access a host of student success resources, including OneStop enrollment services, personalized advising, faculty mentorship, career coaching and alumni networking. Additionally, students can participate in experiential learning opportunities, including study abroad, leadership development, immersive service opportunities and undergraduate research awards. ���������� graduates are invited to join commencement ceremonies and walk across the same stage in the Swamp alongside graduates who earned their degrees on campus.

“We hear again and again from our students that they need the flexibility of online learning, but they also want a degree they can truly be proud of,” said Allen. “���������� makes it possible to have both with one of the most affordable programs in the nation. At the end of the day, how you learn matters less than what you learn and, more importantly, how you carry that knowledge forward into your future to make an impact.”

The evaluated online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs across the country using metrics specific to online learning, including remote services and course delivery best practices. According to U.S. News & World Report, the rankings evaluate how well online degree programs meet the same academic standards as in-person programs while applying online learning pedagogy. The rankings only include programs administered by regionally accredited institutions.