20 Best Online Colleges and Universities With Open Admissions
Online colleges with open enrollment or open admissions accept all learners who hold a high school diploma or GED credential. Some schools also accept passing HiSET scores. Schools with open admissions do not require applicants to submit additional materials, such as standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, or a resume.
Online bachelor's programs require approximately 120 credits. Full-time and accelerated degree-seekers can graduate in four years or fewer. Part-time students may need longer. Online learning often provides more scheduling flexibility than on-campus programs. For example, online students in asynchronous courses can view lectures and complete assignments at their convenience.
Featured Online Schools
| Rank | University | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | National University | San Diego, CA |
| 2 | Walden University | Minneapolis, MN |
| 3 | Florida National University | Miami, FL |
| 4 | Liberty University | Lynchburg, VA |
| 5 | Sullivan University | Louisville, KY |
| 6 | Granite State College | Concord, NH |
| 7 | Bryant and Stratton College | Buffalo, NY |
| 8 | Salem International University | Salem, WY |
| 9 | Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ |
| 10 | Bellevue University | Bellevue, NE |
What is Open Admissions?
The application process for a school with open admissions takes only a few minutes. Applicants submit high school transcripts or GED scores. Some of these colleges and universities also use rolling admissions. Schools with rolling admissions accept applications throughout the year and generally offer additional start dates.
Not all online colleges with rolling admissions also offer open admissions. These institutions may require applicants to submit materials such as standardized test scores and letters of recommendation. Students should fully understand each prospective school's admission policies before applying.
Why Get a Degree Online?
Academic Flexibility Asynchronous online programs allow learners to complete coursework at convenient times. This scheduling flexibility is ideal for busy students who may otherwise not have time to earn a degree.
Geographic Flexibility Regardless of location, students can access online colleges with open enrollment throughout the country. Because online students do not need to relocate, they often save money on living expenses.
Lower Cost Students who attend an online college with open enrollment can save money on tuition, fees, and housing. Distance learning also reduces or eliminates transportation costs.
Ability to Work Degree-seekers in online asynchronous programs often work full time, since courses have no set meeting times. The ability to work while earning a degree can help learners finance their education and avoid debt.
Transferable Skills Online learners develop practical, transferable skills related to technology and communication. Onlinst students gain experience communicating through discussion boards, using a management system, and videoconferencing.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What does open admissions mean? | Open admissions colleges accept all applicants who graduated high school or passed the GED or a similar test. They have no other requirements. |
| Do you need to take the SAT or ACT for open admissions? | Although open enrollment online colleges do not require SAT or ACT scores, learners may need to submit test results to qualify for merit-based financial aid packages. |
| Are there academic requirements for open admissions? | Online colleges with open enrollment require applicants to possess a high school diploma or GED. These schools do not require supplementary application materials. |
| How do I find schools with open admissions? | Many state schools offer open admissions. Additionally, prospective students can search the internet for the top open enrollment online colleges by state. |
| Is there a minimum GPA for open admissions? | Online colleges with open enrollment do not consider GPA when admitting students. However, excellent grades may exempt learners from foundational college courses. |
| Do all online colleges have open admissions? | Private four-year universities and colleges do not typically offer open admissions. Prospective students interested in open enrollment should focus on state schools. |
Accreditation for an Online Program
To ensure they receive a quality education, students should look for online colleges with regional accreditation. The U.S Department of Education charters six regional accreditation agencies and sets standards for the accreditation process. Many institutions and employers only recognize degrees and credits earned from regionally accredited schools.
In addition to regional accreditation, prospective online students can look for accreditation from the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). DEAC is a national accreditation agency that evaluates online programs to ensure their curricula meet acceptable levels of rigor. To receive DEAC accreditation, institutions must offer at least 51% of available programs online.
A school's academic programs may feature programmatic accreditation from field-specific agencies. These agencies evaluate programs in a certain academic subject to determine whether they follow best practices and adequately train learners for careers in the field. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation provides an online list of recognized programmatic accreditation agencies.
Courses in an Online Program
Courses in an online bachelor's program vary by major. However, most programs include general education courses in the humanities, social sciences, and physical sciences. These courses comprise approximately one-third of the academic requirements for a bachelor's degree. Of the remaining credit requirements, undergraduate students typically fulfill half through major coursework and half through electives.
Below are some general education courses that undergraduate students commonly complete. Because course offerings vary among open enrollment online colleges, students should contact their prospective institution to confirm course availability and requirements.
Many online colleges with open enrollment require students to take a written communication course during their first year of study. Learners in this class typically complete short academic essays and pieces of creative writing. Coursework helps students prepare for writing requirements in other courses, which may include lab reports and research essays. Some schools require students to take a writing remediation course before enrolling in written communication.
Nearly all undergraduate curricula include one or more history courses. American history covers the time before Europeans colonized North America through the present day. Students examine primary sources and practice research skills by writing essays. The course instills essential analytical and critical-thinking skills, which students can apply to their academic and professional careers. Some colleges allow learners who earned a satisfactory AP exam score to skip this course.
Abnormal psychology courses introduce learners to the field and to various mental illnesses. Students analyze the history of abnormal psychology, learn about influential psychologists, and explore symptoms of various psychological disorders. Learners may also analyze case studies. Some open enrollment online colleges offer advanced abnormal psychology courses and classes in related topics.
This course is typically required for Spanish majors and satisfies language requirements for other students. Conversational Spanish covers common phrases, such as greetings and questions. Learners develop language skills through written and oral assignments. Students may also memorize vocabulary, give presentations in Spanish, and learn about cultural traditions of Spanish-speaking countries. This course can help students communicate with the growing Spanish-speaking U.S. population.
First-year college students often need to review high school-level mathematics. Many online colleges with open enrollment offer classes in mathematical concepts, which cover topics such as algebra and geometry. Learners demonstrate mathematical competencies through increasingly challenging assignments. Students with adequate standardized test scores or high school grades may be exempted from this course.
Scholarships for an Online Program
Undergraduate students pursuing online learning qualify for a variety of scholarships. The opportunities below offer funding for online students, and some awards renew annually as long as recipients maintain acceptable grades. Students should check each scholarship's requirements and application deadline.
Who Can Apply : College students who participated in the Boys and Girls Club can apply for this scholarship from the Illinois Real Estate Educational Foundation. Applicants can major in any subject and must reside in Illinois. This award is not renewable. Amount : $1,000
First Things First Scholarship
Who Can Apply : RentDeals.com awards this scholarship to first-generation college students who possess a minimum 3.0 high school GPA. Application materials include an essay and one recommendation letter from a high school teacher. RentDeals.com sponsors other similar scholarship opportunities. Amount : $1,000
Who Can Apply : This scholarship supports Hispanic high school seniors and college students. Applicants must meet GPA requirements and must submit FAFSA results. Amount : $500 to $1,500
Who Can Apply : The James Beard Foundation offers this scholarship to 10 exemplary college students majoring in culinary arts, hospitality management, or a similar subject. Applicants may be undergraduate or graduate students, and recipients can apply funding toward tuition and related expenses. Students may receive a tuition waiver or work-study grant instead of a scholarship. Amount : $20,000
Leo W. and Alberta V. Thomas Utz Scholarship
Who Can Apply : English majors who maintain a minimum 3.25 undergraduate GPA can apply for this award from the Daughters of the American Revolution. To renew the scholarship, recipients must provide an updated transcript each year. Amount : $4,000
SILA Foundation Postsecondary College Scholarship
Who Can Apply : The Securities and Insurance Licensing Association Foundation awards this scholarship to U.S. citizens and permanent residents who earn a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Applicants may be studying one of seven business-related topics, including education, information technology, or mathematics. Applicants may be enrolled full time or part time. Amount : $2,500
Ranking Methodology for the Best Online Colleges and Universities With Open Admissions
This list of the top online open enrollment colleges of 2020 includes only the highest-quality institutions. While each school offers open admissions, we considered additional factors when ranking schools.
Weighted equally, criteria for the rankings include student satisfaction measured by graduation and retention rates; peer and instructional quality measured by acceptance rate and student-to-teacher ratio; affordability measured by tuition costs and availability of financial aid; and credibility measured by years of accreditation, reputation, and awards.
All data was gathered from objective, independent sources, such as The National Center for Education Statistics and College Results Online , as well as from each school's website and its respective representatives.
20 Best Online Colleges and Universities With Open Admissions
19 Best Online Colleges & Universities With Open Admissions of 2020
California's second-largest private, nonprofit university, National is known for promoting diversity and inclusion through its year-round open enrollment admissions policy. The school maintains 27 campuses throughout California and one Nevada location. Students admitted to National can access an extensive virtual library and deep discounts on textbooks, as well as competitive buyback prices and free shipping, made possible through a partnership with the country's largest mail order textbook supplier.
Additional Information
Graduation rate: 33%
Students enrolled: 17,488
Student-to-faculty ratio: 20:1
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*The schools listed above are sponsored. Sponsored school listings are distinct paid advertisements and are clearly marked with a "SPONSORED" or "FEATURED" tag to distinguish them from editorially ranked schools. Learn more about how we rank schools or contact us with questions.