Colleges That Accept Unofficial Transcripts 2025

In general, U.S. universities and colleges have pretty standard admissions requirements. Most need to see official transcripts, and some may require test scores, letters of recommendation, essays, or application fees.

Transcripts list the classes you've taken and the grades you've earned. Some colleges are willing to accept unofficial transcripts. This helps speed up the admissions process, even if the college requires official transcripts later. Keep reading to learn more about colleges that accept unofficial transcripts.

What Is an Unofficial Transcript?

Transcripts are a record of a student's academic performance. They're used by colleges and universities as part of the admissions process for students as well as to assess transfer credit eligibility.

Official transcripts are certified by the college or university; they come in sealed envelopes or are delivered through a secure online portal. They usually include a registrar's seal, and an official transcript request usually costs money.

Unofficial transcripts are available online or printed on plain paper. They allow students to see their grades, but do not have a college seal or registrar's signature. These types of transcripts usually don't cost anything to obtain.

Although many colleges prefer the official documents, several in-person and online colleges accept unofficial transcripts. This allows students to apply faster and is more flexible for those with limited funds.

Traditional Colleges That Accept Unofficial Transcripts

There are a few colleges and universities that accept unofficial transcripts as part of the application process, and we've broken down our top picks below. Note that some schools still require official transcripts prior to enrollment.

Additionally, specific programs within these schools may have stricter admissions requirements, so thoroughly research your intended program before applying.

University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota is a public research institution spanning the Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. It's accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The university allows undergraduate students to self-report their academic record for their application, which can include uploading an unofficial high school transcript. Additionally, graduate students can submit unofficial transcripts. However, the university retains the right to request official transcripts, and specific degree programs may require official transcripts.

Through the University of Minnesota, students can earn degrees in fields like business, computer science, healthcare, and social sciences. Average tuition for undergraduate Minnesota residents is $16,488 per year, while nonresidents pay $36,402 per year.

Old Dominion University

At Old Dominion University, students can apply to the graduate school with their unofficial transcripts. Students are, however, required to submit their official transcripts before they can register for classes.

Graduate programs at ODU are available in fields like education, engineering, and healthcare. Tuition is $620 per credit hour for Virginia residents and $1,486 per credit for non-residents.

ODU, a public research university, is based in Norfolk, VA. It's accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

University of Colorado Boulder

The University of Colorado Boulder accepts unofficial transcripts for freshman and transfer applicants, and many graduate programs accept unofficial transcripts as well. However, students are required to submit official transcripts prior to registration.

CU Boulder is a public research institution in Boulder, CO. Areas of study include biological and biomedical sciences, business, engineering, and social sciences.

The university is accredited by the HLC. Average tuition for undergraduate Colorado residents is $16,430 per year, while non-residents pay $41,943. The average tuition for graduate residents is $15,849 per year, and for non-residents is $36,407 per year.

University of Texas at Arlington

First-year students can self-report their high school academic record when applying to the University of Texas at Arlington, and students can submit their unofficial college transcripts for their grad school application. All students will need to provide official transcripts before they register for classes.

Degrees at UT Arlington are available in fields like business, computer science, healthcare, and engineering. In-state students pay an average of $12,208 per year for undergraduate programs and $11,044 per year for graduate programs.

UTA, located in Arlington, TX, is a public research university. It's accredited by the SACSCOC.

University of Oregon

The University of Oregon is a public research institution in Eugene, OR. It's accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

It allows students to submit unofficial transcripts for their college application, but requires an official copy before course registration. Transfer students will need their official transcript for a proper transcript evaluation.

Through the University of Oregon, students can earn degrees in areas of study such as biological and biomedical sciences, business, communication, and social sciences. Undergraduate Oregon residents pay an average of $16,137 per year, while nonresidents pay $44,598 per year. Tuition for graduate residents averages $19,473 per year, and for graduate non-residents, tuition averages $33,378 per year.

Oklahoma State University

Students at Oklahoma State University can submit unofficial transcripts if their official transcripts are not available yet. Official transcripts are required for registration, and the university accepts electronic transcripts to make the process easier.

Degrees at OSU are available in fields like agriculture, business, engineering, and psychology. Undergraduate in-state students pay an average of $13,920 per year in tuition, while out-of-state students pay an average of $29,440. For graduates, tuition averages $7,550 per year for residents and $17,890 per year for nonresidents.

Oklahoma State, a public research university, is located in Stillwater, OK. It's accredited by the HLC.

Online Colleges That Accept Unofficial Transcripts

While many of the colleges and universities above offer online programs, there are also institutions that primarily offer online programs and also accept unofficial transcripts. We've highlighted some online colleges that accept unofficial transcripts below.

Antioch University Online

Antioch University Online allows students to submit unofficial transcripts with their application, although students will still need to submit official transcripts before registration. Transfer students can also submit their unofficial transcript to the university for a transfer equivalency evaluation.

Antioch University is a private, nonprofit school with campuses across the country, including the online campus. Areas of study for online programs include education, environmental studies, healthcare, and management.

All campuses of Antioch University are accredited by the HLC. Tuition for online bachelor's degrees is $468 per credit hour, while graduate tuition varies by program.

Liberty University Online

Students taking classes through Liberty University Online apply for admission and take up to 12 credit hours using their unofficial transcripts. However, they will need to submit their official transcripts before they complete the 12 credit hours.

Online degrees at Liberty University are available in fields like business, criminal justice, engineering, and religion. Tuition for online programs is $390 per credit for undergraduate degrees, $565 per credit for master's degrees, and $595 per credit for doctoral degrees.

Liberty University, a private, nonprofit Christian institution, is headquartered in Lynchburg, VA. It's accredited through the SACSCOC.

University of Phoenix

The University of Phoenix is a for-profit online university based in Phoenix, AZ. It's accredited by the HLC.

The university does not require official transcripts for first-time students. Transfer and graduate students will need to submit their college transcripts before they can enroll.

The University of Phoenix offers degrees in areas of study such as behavioral science, business, criminal justice, and healthcare. Tuition is $398 per credit for undergrad degrees, $698 per credit for master's degrees, and $810 per credit for doctoral degrees.

Strayer University

Similar to the University of Phoenix, Strayer University does not require official transcripts for first-time students. Those with previous college experience, however, will need to submit official college transcripts.

Online programs at Strayer University are available in fields like business, criminal justice, education, and healthcare. Undergraduate degrees have a tuition rate of $1,525 per course, while graduate tuition varies by program.

Strayer University, a for-profit institution, is based in Washington, D.C. but has several campuses across the country. It's accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

How We Rank Schools

To choose the colleges that accept unofficial transcripts above, we focused on the following criteria while reference information provided by the National Center for Education Statistics:

• Accreditation: All schools on this list hold regional accreditation.
• Unofficial transcript policy: Each school accepts unofficial transcripts for admission for at least a portion of their degree programs.
• Degree offerings: We chose schools that offer a wide variety of degree programs, both on campus and online.
• Reputation: Every college and university is well-known in addition to being accredited.

FAQs About Colleges Accepting Unofficial Transcripts

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions to help you better understand unofficial transcript policies.

Why Do Some Colleges Accept Unofficial Transcripts?

Colleges are willing to accept unofficial transcripts because it helps expedite the application process. Unofficial transcripts still give the admissions office a good idea of the courses you've taken and your overall GPA, even if they aren't official documents.

Additionally, some colleges are open admissions and don't require a specific GPA, just proof of a high school diploma. These universities still typically require transfer students and grad students to submit their transcripts, however.

How Do I Submit Unofficial Transcripts?

The method for submitting unofficial transcripts varies between schools. Some allow you to upload a PDF or other document, while some have you manually enter your grades and classes into the application.

If your college requires you to submit an official transcript after admissions, reach out to your registrar's office. They may be able to put in a transcript order free of charge. Keep in mind that it usually takes a few business days for transcripts to be sent.

Can I Enroll With Only an Unofficial Transcript?

Some schools will allow you to enroll with an unofficial transcript, but many require you to eventually send in your official transcript. You may have other admissions requirements as well, such as an application fee or test scores.

Graduate students sometimes have to send in Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, depending on their program. Requirements for international students can vary; non-native English speakers often need to submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores or other proof that they can read and write in English.

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