Best Online Colleges to Start Anytime

There’s a lot to consider when you apply for college. Should you enroll online or attend in person? How much can you reasonably afford to pay for school right now? When do you need to apply to start the following semester?

Online colleges that start anytime help you check the last question off your list. These schools have flexible start dates — often monthly or quarterly — so you have more control over when you apply and begin. For example, schools with monthly start dates may let you apply in January to start your first class in February.

Schools design their online programs for flexibility, and open enrollment is another way they give students more wiggle room to create their ideal educational environment. Explore this guide to learn what to expect from online colleges with start-anytime programs.

Imagine finding the college program of your dreams, only to find out that the deadline has passed to enroll for the fall semester. You’ll now need to wait to apply until enrollment opens for the spring semester — or possibly the following year.

An online college with start-anytime programs offers more start dates throughout the year, allowing you to apply and begin when you’re ready. Many of these colleges also offer open enrollment, creating a simpler and more accessible application process.

Below are a few top benefits of online colleges with start-anytime programs.

Are you ready to attend college now and dive into your career faster? Start-anytime programs allow you to enroll outside of the traditional semester or quarter system to begin your degree on your own time.

Although not always the case, programs with flexible start dates often have shorter term lengths than traditional courses, making courses 4-8 weeks long.

A start-anytime college can give you time to budget for your degree or wait for your financial aid determination.

For example, say you apply in July to start the fall semester in August, but your school can only finalize your financial aid package in September. A program with monthly start dates lets you begin in September or October after receiving your financial aid instead of waiting until the spring semester.

You may be wondering: When do online classes start? Well, you’re in luck — most online colleges offer flexible start dates. However, they do so within a clear scheduling structure. Some online schools use a traditional semester system, while others use quarter or trimester systems.

You can typically begin taking online courses at the start of any term. However, schools without start anytime programs may require you to start in the fall. Online Colleges with Start Anytime programs offer several options, such as monthly start dates and self-paced programs.

Many online college courses have multiple start dates. Individual departments or programs usually set these dates at various times within the academic year. Accelerated courses often use these start dates to accommodate the varying needs of busy learners, but some traditional and self-paced classes also offer them.

Online colleges with weekly start dates are rare — usually only for certificate or vocational degrees. It’s more common to see monthly or quarterly start dates.

Self-paced programs let you move through your coursework on your own schedule. Although there’s usually a completion deadline for each course or program, you can decide how fast you finish. You’ll have 24/7 access to your assignments, so you have complete control over when you study and flexibility to work around a busy schedule.

Online and correspondence courses offer lots of flexibility for students. Still, deciding which fits your scheduling needs and learning preferences better before enrolling in a program is important.

Compare each option below.

Online colleges that start anytime may offer synchronous or asynchronous courses. While asynchronous classes usually work best for learners with busy schedules, synchronous classes are often a better fit for students who want more structure.

Here’s what to consider.