10 Online Colleges That Don't Require SAT or ACT Scores

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it became very difficult for students to take the ACT and SAT. As a result, some schools paused their requirement on standardized test scores, including Ivy League schools like Harvard and Yale. While both those schools have resumed testing requirements, some, like New York University and Northwestern University, have remained test-flexible.

In recent years, there has been a push by organizations like Fairtest to reduce the requirements for standardized tests in college applications. As a result, several online colleges in the U.S. either don't require test scores at all (test-blind) or are test-optional. Below, we've highlighted some of the best colleges for online students that don't require test scores.

Test-Optional Online Colleges That Don't Need SAT/ACT Scores

Many online colleges and universities don't require students to submit test scores for admissions. We've highlighted some test-blind and test-optional colleges below.

1. Charter Oak State College

Charter Oak State College is a public online school in New Britain, CT. It offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees online in fields like business administration, criminal justice, early childhood education, and healthcare.

The Connecticut college has open admissions, meaning that all students who are over 16, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and can speak and write standard English are admitted. The only other requirement is a $50 application fee; there are no testing requirements and no letters of recommendation or anything extra required.

2. Empire State University

At Empire State University, students can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees online. Areas of study include business, education, liberal arts, and social sciences.

This school is located in Saratoga Springs, NY, and it's part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. It has an open admissions policy, requiring only a high school diploma or equivalent and transcripts from any previous college experience.

The bachelor's degree in early childhood education is one exception � the application process also requires an associate degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5, a 500-word essay, and a letter of recommendation.

3. Excelsior University

Excelsior University offers online associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees in fields like business, healthcare, liberal arts, and technology. The private online college is headquartered in Albany, NY.

The university has an open admissions process, meaning there are no SAT or ACT requirements. The only online program at the bachelor's level that has additional requirements is the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which requires a nursing degree and a registered nursing license.

4. Franklin University

Undergraduate and graduate programs are available online at Franklin University. Areas of study include business, communications, information technology, and social sciences.

The university, based in Columbus, OH, is geared toward adult learners and has open admissions. It does not require SAT or ACT scores but may require students to take placement exams before they enroll. College applications are accepted and admissions decisions are made year-round.

5. Montana State University Billings

Montana State University Billings is a public institution in Billings, MT. It offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees online in fields like business administration, healthcare, liberal arts, and nursing.

MSUB has a test-optional policy. They do not require test scores for admissions but request that if students have taken these exams, they send them in to help determine English and math placement.

6. National University

Students at National University can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees online. Areas of study include business, education, engineering, and humanities.

The nonprofit private institution, located in San Diego, has an open admissions policy. Standardized test scores are not required, but students may need to take the ACCUPLACER math and English evaluation as part of the admissions process.

7. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees online in fields like computer science, engineering, liberal arts, and social sciences. The private nonprofit is based in Manchester, NH.

The application process is simple and quick, with no test scores required. Undergraduate programs do not have a minimum GPA requirement, but graduate programs require a GPA of at least 2.0.

8. University of Maryland Global Campus

Undergraduate and graduate programs are available online at the University of Maryland Global Campus. Areas of study include business, cybersecurity, education, and public safety.

UMGC is the online campus of the public University System of Maryland. It has open admissions and does not require the ACT or SAT, just a high school diploma or equivalent.

9. University of Massachusetts Global

The University of Massachusetts Global is a private, nonprofit online affiliate of the public University of Massachusetts System. It's based in Aliso Viejo, CA, and offers associate through doctoral degrees online in fields like business, education, liberal arts, and technology.

Because UMass Global has open admissions, there is no SAT or ACT requirement. However, students will generally need at least a 2.0 GPA.

10. University of Texas El Paso

Through the University of Texas El Paso, students can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees online. Areas of study include business administration, criminal justice, education, and nursing.

The university does not require test scores for students who graduated in the top 25% of their high school class. However, UTEP strongly recommends that students submit test scores, as it can help ensure eligibility for some types of financial aid.

Our Selection Criteria

To select the test-blind and test-optional schools for this list, we looked at:

• Accreditation: All schools on this list hold regional accreditation.
• Type: We selected only four-year public and private nonprofit schools.
• Online programs: We looked for schools that offer a range of online program options.
• No SAT or ACT requirements: We chose schools with test-blind or test-optional admissions for at least some students.

How To Choose an Online College That Doesn't Require ACT or SAT Scores

When you decide to pursue higher education, it can be hard to determine what online college is right for you � not all students have a dream college. Below, we've highlighted a few things to consider when choosing a college:

• Accreditation: Whatever school you choose, it needs to be accredited. Regional accreditation is held in higher regard than national.
• Major: Make sure your college offers degree programs that you want to pursue; not all schools offer all majors online.
• Other admissions requirements: Even if your school doesn't require standardized test scores, it may require a minimum GPA or other things.
• Schedule: Online programs may run on a typical full-time schedule, or may run on an accelerated schedule. The schedule of programs can also affect the admissions cycle.
• Price tag: Tuition costs can vary wildly by school, as can financial aid opportunities.

Pros and Cons of Test-Free Colleges

There are both upsides and downsides to choosing a test-free college. The upside is, that if you've been out of high school for a while, you don't need to try to schedule yourself for the ACT or SAT. Even if you're still a student, choosing a test-free college means you don't have to spend time studying for and taking the exam.

Additionally, schools that are test-flexible generally have reduced admissions requirements overall. This means the application process is often similar and the schools are easy to get into.

However, sometimes schools with high admissions rates have a poor reputation � although it depends on the program you're taking and your chosen career field. Additionally, if you decide not to take standardized tests because your school doesn't require them, you could have a hard time receiving merit-based aid or transferring schools.

Should I Still Take the SAT or ACT Test?

While taking the SAT and/or ACT can be a challenge, there are certain benefits, even if your school doesn't require you to take them.

First, taking these exams can exempt you from having to take placement tests before enrolling in college programs. Additionally, some types of scholarships require you to have a certain ACT or SAT score, meaning if you don't take these standardized tests, you won't qualify.

Finally, you may transfer to another school during your education, and you might find that you can't get accepted to your dream college without the SAT or ACT.

Other Admission Requirements for Online Students To Consider

Some colleges, like several mentioned above, only require a high school diploma or equivalent, like a GED. However, some schools have additional college admissions requirements, which may include:

• minimum GPA
• personal essays
• letters of recommendation
• extracurricular activities

Additionally, specific programs or majors may have other requirements students need to meet. Reach out to the admissions officers at your intended college if you have questions about these requirements.

Explore Accredited Online Colleges Today

Find the perfect online program for you by exploring the online colleges featured on Learn.org. Contact individual schools to learn more about admissions requirements and enrollment today.