TBS | Best Open Enrollment Colleges Online
College is stressful, but the application process doesn’t have to be. In fact, colleges with open enrollment accept most applicants who graduated high school or passed the GED test — regardless of GPA and test scores.
Open enrollment — also known as open admissions — reduces the barriers to higher education and allows students to more easily gain admission to community colleges and some four-year colleges. If you’re concerned about qualifying or want to bypass the competitive nature of college admissions, an online college with open enrollment may be for you.
Understanding Online Colleges With Open Enrollment
Many online colleges use open enrollment instead of more selective or competitive processes. First implemented in the 1970s to reduce discrimination, open enrollment increases educational access by removing restrictive measures that might prohibit some learners from attending school. Community colleges and other two-year institutions most often offer open enrollment.
In practice, open enrollment typically means eliminating most admission criteria, such as standardized test scores and minimum GPA requirements. Most online colleges with open enrollment require only a high school diploma or GED certificate for admission.
Benefits of Open Enrollment
Open enrollment provides college applicants with access to education by eliminating traditional admissions criteria they may not meet. For example, some prospective students don’t meet minimum GPA or standardized test score requirements at selective schools.
Other applicants face even greater barriers to higher education, which open enrollment can help them overcome. These include being in prison and lacking access to financial aid.
Once enrolled, students may find that open-enrollment colleges offer less competition and more support, giving them a chance to graduate with a higher GPA. Learners who choose an online open-enrollment college for their bachelor’s program could also increase their chances of graduating with a four-year degree.
Online Colleges With Open Enrollment
Miami Dade College
Miami, FL- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Comprising eight campuses with students from 167 countries, MDC is among the most diverse colleges in the country. Its distance learning campus, MDC Online, offers synchronous and asynchronous programs catering to each student's scheduling needs and preferences. The school's online bachelor's programs include supply chain management, public safety management, and information systems technology.
Every applicant must submit official transcripts and a $30 application fee. New students also attend an orientation before beginning classes, although online learners can participate virtually.
Credits to Earn Bachelors: 120-134
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $92
Out-of-State | $449
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- In-State$1,987
- Out-of-state$7,947
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled44,002
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment82%
- AccreditationYes
Florida International University
- Miami, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
FIU's online campus features more than 130 programs, including a bachelor of arts in Asian studies and a bachelor of science in crime science. With the Canvas platform, learners can interact with their peers and instructors through virtual discussion boards and classrooms. An online orientation introduces FIU Online students to virtual learning and provides helpful resources, like online career services and a digital library.
FIU Online's guaranteed admission policy automatically accepts students who have earned an associate of arts from a participating college, like Miami Dade College or Broward College, within three years.
Credits to Earn Bachelors: 120
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $206
Out-of-State | $619
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- In-State$6,168
- Out-of-state$18,566
- In-State$911
- Out-of-state$2,003
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled55,687
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment65%
- AccreditationYes
University of Maryland Global Campus
- Adelphi, MD
- 4 year
- Online
UMGC's online degrees span numerous disciplines, including healthcare science, education, data analytics, and computer science. To increase affordability, UMGC offers free digital textbooks for most courses, plus access to educational resources, like software and an online library. Students can also earn credit for prior learning, exams, and work experience, reducing their time and cost commitment.
UMGC requires each applicant to pay a $50 application fee and submit official high school or college transcripts. The school offers rolling admissions with multiple start dates per year.
Credits to Earn Bachelors: 120
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $318
Out-of-State | $499
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- In-State$7,344
- Out-of-state$11,976
- In-State$9,072
- Out-of-state$11,862
- Retention Rate52%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled55,323
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment93%
- AccreditationYes
Purdue University Global-Indianapolis
- West Lafayette, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Purdue Global's online programs are ideal for working adults and require no standardized test scores for admission to its undergraduate programs. Thanks to monthly start dates, students can begin their program on their schedules. Purdue Global provides credit for prior learning, life experiences, and work experience, potentially saving learners time and money.
Applicants must be 18 to apply to Purdue Global or, if younger, request dean approval. The application is free, and terms start every month.
Quarter Credits to Earn Bachelors: 180
Cost per Quarter Credit:
In-State | $280
Out-of-State | $371
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- In-State$10,080
- Out-of-state$13,356
- In-State$8,730
- Out-of-state$9,700
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled43,458
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment100%
- AccreditationYes
Utah Valley University
- Orem, UT
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Students can pursue 23 bachelor's degrees from UVU's online catalog, including aviation management, healthcare administration, marketing, and respiratory therapy. UVU's online programs use asynchronous delivery but require students to log in for at least four days and set aside up to 12 hours to work on assignments weekly.
UVU's open enrollment policy accepts over 44,000 students annually. Applicants must submit official high school and college transcripts, and some may need to complete math or English placement tests. Though in-state enrollees pay a higher per-credit rate, any course load higher than 12 credits carries the same cost, allowing these students to save on tuition.
Credits to Earn Bachelors: 120
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $442
Out-of-State | $260
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
- In-State$5,368
- Out-of-state$16,450
- In-State$8,773
- Out-of-state$21,461
- Retention Rate66%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled41,262
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment56%
- AccreditationYes
Florida State College at Jacksonville
- Jacksonville, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Many of FSCJ's bachelor's degrees have flexible learning formats for each student's scheduling needs and educational goals, including online classes, hybrid courses, and accelerated degrees. Learners can take advantage of FSCJ's career development center for career assessments, career counseling, and cover letter and resume assistance.
FSCJ requires each applicant to submit official transcripts. New students must complete an orientation, which may be virtual for those who can't attend in person. Some applicants may need to complete placement tests before enrolling.
Credits to Earn Bachelors: 120
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $105
Out-of-State | $219
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- In-State$2,095
- Out-of-state$7,947
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled20,717
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment78%
- AccreditationYes
St Petersburg College
- St. Petersburg, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
SPC offers numerous online bachelor's degrees, including a bachelor of applied science in cybersecurity and a bachelor of applied science in sustainability management. SPC's reduced tuition for lower-level courses makes these degrees more affordable for undergraduate students.
SPC accepts candidates with high school diplomas or equivalent education. All applicants must submit an online application, official transcripts, and a $40 application fee. An online orientation is available for students who can't participate face-to-face.
Credits to Earn Bachelors: 120
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $112-$123
Out-of-State | $387-$426
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- In-State$1,943
- Out-of-state$7,774
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled24,543
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment76%
- AccreditationYes
Southern California University of Health Sciences
- Whittier, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
SCU's healthcare degrees span bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels to provide students with a comprehensive education in their area of interest. Some programs are entirely online, including the bachelor of health sciences and the master of science in human genetics and genomics.
Learners can apply for most SCU programs on a rolling basis if space is available in their chosen programs. In addition to submitting an essay and transcripts, some applicants may need to participate in admissions interviews.
Credits to Earn Bachelors: 120
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $450
Out-of-State | $450
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
- In-State$11,459
- Out-of-state$11,459
- In-State$34,498
- Out-of-state$34,498
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled1,564
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment95%
- AccreditationYes
Indian River State College
- Fort Pierce, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
The 10 online bachelor's degrees from IRSC include business administration, criminal justice, middle grades mathematics, and organizational management. IRSC delivers its online content via the Blackboard system, allowing 24/7 access to assignments and course resources. All IRSC students also receive free access to Adobe Creative Cloud, SmartDraw, and Wolfram.
Online IRSC students can access multiple resources to support their learning, including a tutoring center, free workshops and tutoring, and virtual proctoring.
Credits to Earn Bachelors: 120-121
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $117
Out-of-State | $400
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- In-State$2,496
- Out-of-state$9,360
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled14,461
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment66%
- AccreditationYes
National University
- San Diego, CA
- 4 year
- Online
NU offers numerous online bachelor's degrees, including a bachelor of science in cybersecurity and a bachelor of business administration. Each class lasts just four weeks, making scheduling convenient for learners working around outside obligations. A student can earn up to 22.5 quarter units for relevant work experience.
NU accepts applications throughout the year, allowing learners to apply as their schedules permit. Undergraduate applicants can apply online for free. Students who have not completed college-level English or math courses must complete the ACCUPLACER.
Quarter Units to Earn Bachelors: 180
Cost per Quarter Unit:
In-State | $370
Out-of-State | $370
Note: National University measures their credit hours using this formula
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
- In-State$13,320
- Out-of-state$13,320
- In-State$15,480
- Out-of-state$15,480
- Retention Rate64%
- Acceptance Rate55%
- Students Enrolled18,631
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment80%
- AccreditationYes
At TheBestSchools, we use trusted data from the U.S. Department of Education to evaluate schools without bias. Our ranking methodology helps prospective students from various backgrounds find the best fit. We consider key factors like academic quality, online offerings, and affordability so every type of student can find the best fit for them.
This ranking is from 2024. Learn more about how our formula works on our ranking methodology page.
What Are the Different Types of College Enrollment?
Colleges and universities may have various enrollment policies besides open enrollment, including regular, rolling admissions and early decisions. The following sections outline these and other common enrollment policies.
Rolling Admissions
Schools that practice rolling admissions accept applications at any time throughout the year. Many online colleges use this option. Individual policies vary by school, but in most cases, you can apply anytime within a specified window and receive a decision within several weeks.
Open-Door Policy
Schools with open-door policies do not have strict admission requirements, such as standardized test scores and minimum GPAs. Some versions of the policy also eliminate reference requirements — you only need a high school diploma or equivalent.
Early Evaluation
Like early action, early evaluation may require you to submit your application by November for the following year. The school reviews your application in advance and lets you know if your chances for acceptance are good, fair, or poor. You may benefit most from this policy if you have a clear sense of where you want to attend.
Early Action
While standard admission policies usually require you to submit application materials on or before Jan. 1, early action policies have earlier deadlines — usually sometime in October or November. You receive a decision much earlier than standard applicants, too. If you have a clear sense of where you want to attend, you may benefit most from this policy.
Early Decision
Early decision is similar to early action, but it requires a binding commitment from you to attend the institution. This means you cannot apply to other institutions. Many large, prestigious institutions, like those in the Ivy League, use this policy to attract and retain learners with a clear top choice.
Regular Decision
Most colleges and universities use regular decisions, including those with open enrollment. Online colleges that adhere to this policy place no restrictions on the number of other schools you can apply to. You can use this method to broaden your options and financial aid prospects. Most regular decision application deadlines are in January, with admission decisions following in late spring.
Deferred Admission
Deferred admission means you were accepted to the college but want to delay your enrollment for a year. You might choose this option if you want to travel, earn more money before going to college, or complete an internship. Also called a gap year, it gives you a break from the pressures of academics.
Frequently Asked Questions About Open Online Enrollment
The right time to enroll in college depends on your needs and interests. Some students enroll immediately after high school graduation, while others prefer to gain professional experience before attending college.
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