Online Colleges You Can Start Anytime

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Online associates degree, online bachelor’s degree, and online master’s degree programs offer plenty of flexibility and affordability for students with diverse needs. A big part of this comes down to scheduling. After all, if you don’t have to go to campus to attend classes, why should your classes be tied to the campus schedule? Online college programs that you can start anytime of year are becoming more and more common, with convenient online college courses giving you educational access without turning your schedule upside down. If you are considering online college, but don’t want to wait until next semester to get started, check out our list of online colleges that you can start anytime, and get on your path to a degree right away!

Can I start online college anytime?

There are plenty of online colleges you can start anytime. These come in a few varieties, which can meet the needs of even the most demanding schedules:

Rolling Admissions: The most flexible online universities offer programs that start on a “rolling” basis, usually every month, with extended terms that can be completed as quickly or as slowly as you need. These programs, sometimes known as self-paced programs, usually stipulate a period of time, such as six or nine months, in which students can complete their requirements.

Multiple Start Dates: Other online colleges offer programs with up to six start dates annually, or around every two months, with accelerated seven or eight week terms.

Independent Course Schedules: Some online classes may start anytime, independent from a degree program calendar. This can allow for flexible enrollment in, and completion of, individual courses in addition to or separate from a more formal course schedule.

Whatever your situation, there are flexible online degree programs that are designed to work within your unique schedule and educational needs.

The online colleges featured below offer a variety of flexible start date options including multiple start dates year-round, individual courses that start anytime, and online degree programs that can be completed entirely on your own schedule. Some schools listed may offer a combination of these options.

Arizona State University - ASU Online

Tempe, Arizona

Founded in 1885, well before Arizona gained statehood, Arizona State University is now one of the largest universities in the country, enrolling over 51,000 students at its main campus in Tempe in a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. The university also offers numerous online degree programs through its ASU Online platform. ASU Online offers plenty of start date options, with two 7.5 week sessions and one 15 week session per fall, spring, and summer semesters.

Arizona State University - ASU Online appears on several of our ranking lists, including:

Arizona State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

For more information, check out the Arizona State University - ASU Online profile page.

Colorado State University Global

Greenwood Village, Colorado

Since 2007, Colorado State University Global has offered a variety of entirely online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. Founded as the distance education wing of Colorado State University, the Global Campus enrolls over 12,000 students from all over the country, and even internationally. CSU Global’s programs utilize eight-week accelerated courses that start every four weeks, allowing for plenty of scheduling flexibility.

Colorado State University Global appears on several of our ranking lists, including:

Colorado State University Global is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

For more information, check out the Colorado State University Global profile page.

Columbia College

Columbia, Missouri

Columbia College, a private, liberal arts college established in 1851, enrolls over 13,000 students in a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Though non-sectarian, it remains connected to the Disciples of Christ. Columbia College’s online degree programs utilize eight-week accelerated sessions, with six start dates per year.

Columbia College appears on several of our ranking lists, including:

Columbia College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

For more information, check out the Columbia College profile page.

Eastern Kentucky University Online

Richmond, Kentucky

Eastern Kentucky University enrolls over 16,000 students in a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs. Its online bachelor's degree and online master's degree programs serve the needs of busy students locally and abroad. Founded in 1874 as Central University, the institution went through numerous changes before becoming EKU in 1966. Most online degree programs at Eastern Kentucky University Online utilize eight-week sessions and offer six start dates per year.

Eastern Kentucky University Online appears on several of our ranking lists, including:

Eastern Kentucky University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

For more information, check out the Eastern Kentucky University Online profile page.

Liberty University Online

Lynchurg, Virginia

Founded in 1971 by Evangelist Jerry Falwell, Liberty University enrolls a massive student population of over 75,000 in a full array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, with many online degree programs among them. The private, Christian university is especially well known for its connection with American conservative politics and Evangelism. Liberty University Online offers numerous start dates throughout the year, with fall, spring, and summer semesters each divided into three eight-week long sub-terms and one semester-long sub-term.

Liberty University Online appears on several of our ranking lists, including:

Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

For more information, check out the Liberty University Online profile page.

Regis University Online

Denver, Colorado

Regis University, a private Roman Catholic university established in 1877, enrolls over 8,000 students in a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs. Dating back to a small college founded by exiled Italian Jesuits in 1877, the institution has seen major growth and change over its history. Depending on the program, Regis University Online offers six start dates per year.

Regis University Online appears on several of our ranking lists, including:

Regis University Online is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

For more information, check out the Regis University Online profile page.

Robert Morris University – RMU Online

Moon, Pennsylvania

Robert Morris University enrolls a tight-knit student population of around 5,000 in a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs, including online degree programs through its RMU Online platform. Founded in 1921, the private research university got its start as the Pittsburgh School of Accountancy. The university’s calendar offers five start dates every year.

Robert Morris University - RMU Online appears on several of our ranking lists, including:

Robert Morris University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

For more information, check out the Robert Morris University - RMU Online profile page.

Rochester Institute of Technology - RIT Online

Rochester, New York

Rochester Institute of Technology, a private non-profit university established in 1829, enrolls over 16,000 students through its RIT Online platform in a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs, with numerous online degree programs among them. The university offers five seven-week sessions per year.

Rochester Institute of Technology - RIT Online appears on several of our ranking lists, including:

Rochester Institute of Technology is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

For more information, check out the Rochester Institute of Technology - RIT Online profile page.

Southern New Hampshire University

Hooksett, New Hampshire

Southern New Hampshire University, a private university established in 1932, enrolls over 90,000 students in a full array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs. The university’s massive student population can be attributed to its wide selection of online degree programs; only eight percent of the school’s undergraduate student population attends classes on campus. SNHU offers six sessions per year, starting roughly every two months.

Southern New Hampshire University appears on several of our ranking lists, including:

Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

For more information, check out the Southern New Hampshire University profile page.

Thomas Edison State University

Trenton, New Jersey

Thomas Edison State University, a public university established in 1972, enrolls approximately 16,200 students in a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs. The university is named in honor of the famous inventor who gained encyclopedic knowledge of many subject areas without attending college classes. Online associates degree and online bachelor's degree programs at Thomas Edison State University have course start dates every month of the year, and most online master's degree programs start four times per year, with the master’s degree programs in the business school offering six start dates.

Thomas Edison State University appears on several of our ranking lists, including:

Thomas Edison State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Tiffin University

Tiffin, Ohio

Tiffin University, a private university established in 1888, enrolls over 3,000 students in a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The university offers six start dates per year for its online degree programs, in January, March, May, July, August, and October.

Tiffin University appears on several of our ranking lists, including:

Tiffin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

University of Arkansas Global Campus

Fayetteville, Arkansas

The University of Arkansas, a public, land-grant, research university established in 1871, enrolls over 27,000 students in a full array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs. Its Global Campus allows students from all over the world to complete online degree programs entirely from their own homes. University of Arkansas Global Campus also offers a variety of self-paced courses that students can enroll in at anytime.

University of Arkansas Global Campus appears on several of our ranking lists, including:

The University of Arkansas Global Campus is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

For more information, check out the University of Arkansas Global Campus profile page.

University of Maryland University College

Adelphia, Maryland

University of Maryland University College, the distance-education wing of the University of Maryland, enrolls around 60,000 students in a variety of online degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. Established in 1947, the University College has offered distance and evening education programs for the better part of a century. The University College meets the needs of busy, nontraditional students through rolling admissions and online degree programs that start nearly every month of the year.

The University of Maryland University College appears on several of our ranking lists, including:

The University of Maryland University College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

For more information, check out the University of Maryland University College profile page.

University of North Dakota Online

Grand Forks, North Dakota

A public research university founded in 1883, the University of North Dakota is the oldest institution of its kind in the state, preceding the statehood of North Dakota by six years. The university enrolls over 14,000 students in a full array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional on-campus and online degree programs. UND Online offers a wide selection of online college courses that students can enroll in at anytime, and complete entirely at their own pace.

University of North Dakota Online appears on several of our ranking lists, including:

University of North Dakota Online is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

For more information, check out the University of North Dakota Online profile page.

Upper Iowa University Online

Fayette, Iowa

Upper Iowa University, a private university established in 1857, enrolls around 5,000 students in a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Though initially affiliated with the Methodist church, Upper Iowa University is now nonsectarian. The university’s self-paced degree programs allow students to earn their education on a schedule that meets their unique needs.

Upper Iowa University Online appears on several of our ranking lists, including:

Upper Iowa University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

For more information, check out the Upper Iowa University Online profile page.

Weber State University

Ogden, Utah

Weber State University, a public university established in 1889, enrolls around 28,000 students in a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Though initially established by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the state of Utah acquired the college from the church in 1931. Weber State University offers numerous independent study courses that can be started anytime and completed on a self-paced schedule.

Weber State University appears on several of our ranking lists, including:

Weber State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

Western Governors University

Salt Lake City, Utah

Western Governors University is a private university that enrolls nearly 100,000 students in a wide selection of undergraduate and graduate online degree programs. Founded in 1997 with the goal of competency-based learning, WGU serves non-traditional students with its entirely online education model. The university provides students with plenty of scheduling flexibility, with six month terms that can begin on the first day of any month.

Western Governors University appears on several of our ranking lists, including:

Western Governors University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

For more information, check out the Western Governors University profile page.

For-profit online colleges you can Start Anytime

The following schools offering open enrollment are for-profit online colleges. If you have any questions about for-profit colleges, here's our guide for understanding for-profit colleges and universities.

Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Capella University is a for-profit, entirely-online university that offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate online degree programs. Its enrollment of over 36,000 includes students from all over the country and the world. Capella’s FlexPath format allows students to start their education whenever they want and work at their own pace, in areas such as business, healthcare administration, information technology, nursing, psychology, and education.

Capella University appears on several of our ranking lists, including:

Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

For more information, check out the Capella University profile page.

Post University

Waterbury, Connecticut

Post University is a private, for-profit university that enrolls over 8,000 students in a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Founded in 1890 as Matoon Shorthand School, the institution was affiliated with Teikyo University from 1990-2004, during which it was known as Teikyo Post University. The university offers six start dates per year, in January, March, May, July, September, and November.

Post University appears on several of our ranking lists, including:

Post University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

For more information, check out the Post University profile page.

Rasmussen College

Bloomington, Minnesota

Rasmussen College is a for-profit college with numerous campuses and online degree programs that offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate options for study. Rasmussen College utilizes a quarter-based schedule, with two sessions per quarter, making for eight start dates per year. Additionally, the college offers credit for prior learning and self-assessment options, allowing you to bypass subjects you've already mastered on the fast-track to your degree.

Rasmussen College appears on several of our ranking lists, including:

Rasmussen College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

For more information, check out the Rasmussen College profile page.

The Best Online Degrees

Interested in attending an online college, but not sure what you want to study? Check out The Best Online Degrees to find the best degree program for you!