10 Online Colleges That Accept the CLT in 2026

Students seeking alternatives to the SAT or ACT may find growing opportunities through colleges that accept the Classical Learning Test (CLT). Many online colleges with broad admissions policies accept the CLT and use the exam as part of undergraduate admissions, scholarship evaluations, or honors program applications.

The CLT emphasizes reading comprehension, logic, and classical academic reasoning. As more universities recognize the exam, students interested in online learning and flexible degree pathways may find additional admissions options through schools that officially accept CLT scores.

What Is the CLT?

The Classical Learning Test (CLT) is a standardized college admissions exam designed as an alternative to the SAT and ACT requirements. The test focuses heavily on verbal reasoning, grammar, logic, and reading analysis using classical and historical texts.

Some colleges use CLT scores for undergraduate admissions, scholarship consideration, honors programs, or placement purposes. The exam has become especially popular among private universities, classical education programs, homeschool students, and certain public universities in states recognizing the CLT for admissions.

10 Online Colleges That Accept the CLT

Several online colleges and universities now recognize CLT scores as part of the admissions process. The schools below are known for accepting the CLT for undergraduate admissions, scholarship consideration, or online degree pathways.

1. Florida State University Online

Florida State University (FSU) Online offers bachelor's degree programs in computer science, criminology, psychology, interdisciplinary social science, and public safety administration. The university provides flexible online learning options through one of Florida's leading public university systems.

FSU accepts the CLT for undergraduate admissions following policy changes approved by the Florida Board of Governors. Students applying to online bachelor's degree programs may use CLT scores alongside other admissions materials.

2. University of South Florida Online

The University of South Florida (USF) offers online bachelor's degree programs in business, public health, criminology, information studies, and healthcare-related fields. The university serves online learners through flexible course scheduling and transfer-friendly pathways.

USF recognizes the CLT for undergraduate admissions into eligible programs. Students pursuing online degree pathways may also benefit from the university's growing online learning infrastructure and student support services.

3. University of Florida Online

University of Florida (UF) Online provides fully online bachelor's degree programs through the University of Florida, one of the nation's top-ranked public universities. Students can pursue online studies in business administration, biology, sociology, communication sciences, and education.

The university now accepts CLT scores for undergraduate admissions consideration. Students seeking flexible online learning opportunities may benefit from access to a nationally recognized public university while using alternative standardized testing pathways.

4. Abilene Christian University Online

Abilene Christian University (ACU) offers online bachelor's degree programs in business, psychology, criminal justice, healthcare administration, and education. The university is known for integrating faith-based learning with flexible online academic pathways.

ACU is an established CLT partner institution and values the exam's emphasis on logic, critical thinking, and classical academic skills. Students applying to online undergraduate programs may submit CLT scores as part of the admissions process.

5. Dallas Baptist University Online

Dallas Baptist University (DBU) offers online bachelor's degree programs in business, communication, psychology, management, and Christian ministry. The university serves working adults and online learners through flexible course scheduling and faith-centered academic programs.

DBU has long recognized the CLT as part of its admissions process and maintains a strong partnership with classical education initiatives. Students interested in Christ-centered online education may find flexible admissions opportunities through CLT score submission.

6. Colorado Christian University Online

Colorado Christian University (CCU) Online offers bachelor's degree programs in business, psychology, criminal justice, healthcare administration, and organizational leadership. The university serves online learners and adult students through flexible scheduling and accelerated course formats.

CCU accepts CLT scores for admissions and may also consider them for merit-based scholarship opportunities. Students interested in faith-based online education may benefit from the university's flexible admissions policies and transfer-friendly pathways.

7. Samford University

Samford University offers online and degree completion programs in healthcare, business, liberal studies, and professional education fields. The university is known for combining strong academic standards with faith-based learning opportunities.

Samford recognizes CLT scores for admissions into eligible undergraduate and adult degree pathways. Students pursuing online or flexible learning formats may also benefit from smaller class sizes and personalized academic support services.

8. Biola University

Biola University offers online bachelor's degree programs in psychology, business management, biblical studies, and interdisciplinary studies. The university emphasizes faith-based education and critical thinking within its online learning environment.

Biola accepts CLT scores for undergraduate admissions and supports students interested in classical education models. Certain academic pathways, including honors-oriented programs, may especially appeal to students pursuing alternative testing options.

9. Azusa Pacific University Online

Azusa Pacific University (APU) provides online bachelor's degree programs in business, psychology, healthcare management, criminal justice, and liberal studies. The university serves online learners through flexible scheduling and transfer-friendly degree pathways.

APU recognizes CLT scores as part of undergraduate admissions consideration. Students may also benefit from flexible online learning formats designed for working adults and transfer students.

10. Liberty University

Liberty University offers online bachelor's degree programs in business, criminal justice, psychology, healthcare, education, and theology. The university serves a large population of online learners through year-round scheduling and flexible academic pathways.

While some programs are test optional, Liberty officially accepts CLT scores for admissions and financial aid consideration. Students interested in faith-based online education may also benefit from transfer-friendly policies and extensive online program availability.

How We Rank Schools

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university.

For this ranking, we focused on colleges that officially recognize CLT scores for undergraduate admissions, scholarships, or online degree pathways. We also considered online learning availability, transfer flexibility, and support services for online students.

• CLT acceptance policies: Schools were evaluated based on official recognition of CLT scores for admissions, scholarships, or placement purposes.
• Accreditation: We prioritize institutions holding accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to help support academic quality and financial aid eligibility.
• Online availability: We considered whether schools offer flexible online degree programs suitable for adult learners and online students.
• Student support services: Online advising, transfer support, and flexible scheduling options were reviewed to identify schools supporting student success.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

Is the CLT Accepted Instead of the SAT or ACT?

Some colleges accept the CLT as an alternative to the SAT or ACT for undergraduate admissions. Policies vary by institution, and some universities may use CLT scores for scholarship eligibility or placement purposes in addition to admissions review.

Public universities in certain states, including Florida, have expanded recognition of the CLT in recent years. Private universities, faith-based institutions, and schools serving homeschool students have also been among the earliest adopters of CLT admissions policies.

How To Apply to Online Colleges Using CLT Scores

Students applying to online colleges with CLT scores should review each university's admissions policies carefully before submitting applications. While many schools now recognize the CLT, score requirements and scholarship policies may vary by institution and academic program.

Verify CLT Admissions Policies

Some colleges accept the CLT for undergraduate admissions, while others may only use scores for scholarship consideration or placement purposes. Reviewing official admissions requirements can help students understand how CLT scores apply within specific degree programs.

Submit Supporting Application Materials

In addition to CLT scores, colleges may require transcripts, transfer credit evaluations, recommendation letters, or personal statements. Some universities also use holistic admissions reviews that consider academic history and extracurricular experience alongside test scores.

Explore Scholarship Opportunities

Certain colleges use CLT scores for merit-based scholarships and honors program eligibility. Students with strong CLT performance may qualify for additional financial aid opportunities depending on institutional scholarship policies.

Consider Test-Optional Schools

Many online colleges now maintain test-optional admissions policies alongside CLT acceptance. Students can compare whether submitting CLT scores strengthens their application or whether applying without standardized test scores may be more beneficial.

FAQs About Online Colleges That Accept the CLT

Students researching colleges that accept the Classical Learning Test often have questions about admissions requirements, scholarship opportunities, and online degree pathways. The FAQs below address common concerns about using CLT scores for college admissions.

What Colleges Accept the CLT?

A growing number of colleges and universities accept the CLT for undergraduate admissions, including public universities, private institutions, and faith-based colleges. Schools such as UF Online, FSU Online, Liberty University, and Colorado Christian University officially recognize CLT scores.

Is the CLT Easier Than the SAT or ACT?

The difficulty of the CLT depends on a student's academic background and testing strengths. The CLT places a stronger emphasis on reading comprehension, logic, grammar, and analysis of classical texts compared to some sections of the SAT or ACT.

Can You Use the CLT for Scholarships?

Yes, some colleges use CLT scores for merit-based scholarships and honors program eligibility. Scholarship requirements vary by institution, and students should review financial aid policies directly with each university.

Are Online Colleges Test Optional?

Many online colleges maintain test-optional admissions policies, meaning students may not need to submit SAT, ACT, or CLT scores for undergraduate admissions. However, strong CLT scores may still strengthen applications or improve scholarship opportunities at some schools.

Do Homeschool Students Use the CLT?

Yes, the CLT is especially popular among homeschool students and students from classical education backgrounds. Many colleges familiar with homeschool admissions recognize the CLT as a valid standardized testing option.

Can Transfer Students Submit CLT Scores?

Some transfer-friendly colleges allow students to submit CLT scores as part of the admissions process, especially students with limited completed college coursework. However, transfer admissions decisions are often based more heavily on college transcripts and GPA once students complete additional credits.

Explore Online Colleges That Accept the CLT

Online colleges that accept the CLT can provide flexible admissions pathways for students seeking alternatives to traditional standardized testing. Many universities also offer online learning formats, transfer-friendly policies, and scholarship opportunities for students using CLT scores in the admissions process. Explore online degree programs on Learn.org to compare colleges, review admissions requirements, and learn more about flexible bachelor's degree pathways.