10 Online Colleges Without Admissions Requirements 2025

Many colleges have strict admissions requirements, which can make the thought of going to school overwhelming for many prospective students. However, some schools, especially those with online learning opportunities, make the process much simpler.

If you're wondering about easy online colleges to get into, keep reading. Below, we'll explore our top 10 list of online colleges without admission requirements and answer some common questions you may have.

What Is an Online College Without Admissions Requirements?

Online colleges without admission requirements are schools that offer online degree programs and have open admissions policies. These policies, also known as open enrollment, make it easy for online students to be accepted by requiring few academic standards.

It's important to note that even online colleges with open admissions rarely have no admission requirements at all. These schools typically require students to have a high school diploma or GED and to submit official transcripts as part of the enrollment process.

That said, these schools rarely require other common admission necessities, such as letters of recommendation, test scores, or resumes. They accept all students who meet the basic entry standards as outlined in their admissions policies.

Best Online Colleges Without Admission Requirements

If you're ready to learn more about the best online colleges with open admissions policies, you're in the right place. Keep reading as we explore some of the top easy online colleges to get into.

1. Western Governors University

Western Governors University is a popular nonprofit online school with an enrollment of more than 150,000 students. It offers a simple open admissions process that allows students to complete an online application, submit their official transcripts, and begin taking classes whenever they want.

The school features a competency-based learning model where tuition is charged per six-month term instead of per credit hour. Tuition costs $8,300 to $8,302 per year on average. Degrees offered include educational studies, business administration, and software engineering.

2. Thomas Edison State University

Thomas Edison State University is a public school in New Jersey. It provides an array of online graduate and undergraduate programs, including computer science, criminal justice, and foreign language.

The school's open admissions policy caters to nontraditional adults, as students should be at least 20 years old or 16 years old meeting demonstrated self-direction requirements. A high school diploma, GED, or homeschool diploma is also required. Average tuition costs range from $6,638 to $12,150 per year.

3. University of Maryland Global Campus

The University of Maryland Global Campus is a public online school affiliated with the University of Maryland System. Students are admitted into the school's bachelor's degree and certificate programs as long as they have a high school diploma or GED.

A variety of online degrees are available to choose from, such as accounting, political science, and graphic communications. Students pay $7,992 to $12,336 in average annual tuition as they work toward their bachelor's or master's degrees.

4. Bellevue University

Bellevue University is a private school in Nebraska offering many online bachelor's and master's programs for nontraditional learners. Its affordable tuition rates range from $8,886 to $11,682 per year on average.

Students can earn degrees in fields ranging from hospitality management to legal studies to public health. The school accepts all students who have a high school diploma or equivalent knowledge.

5. American Public University System

The American Public University System, headquartered in West Virginia, offers many online education opportunities. Students can pursue an array of career goals through college degree offerings such as space studies, entrepreneurship, and esports. Undergraduate and graduate degrees at every program level are available.

Students must have a high school diploma or equivalent to enroll, though transfer students with at least 60 credit hours may have this requirement waived. The school features monthly start dates and flexible course sessions. It is also a top private school for affordability, costing about $7,650 to $8,400 in average yearly tuition.

6. University of Massachusetts Global

The University of Massachusetts Global is an online, for-profit school headquartered in California. It offers a range of bachelor's degree programs, along with associate degrees and master's and doctoral programs. Areas of study include legal studies, social work, and cybersecurity.

Tuition typically costs $12,520 to $12,762 per year. This high-quality online education provider has no institutional admission requirements aside from a high school diploma or equivalent.

7. National University

National University is a private four-year school costing about $13,320 to $15,912 per year in tuition. Located in California, it provides both online and on-campus degree programs in many subjects, such as nursing, forensic science, and digital media design.

Students complete a free online application and must submit official transcripts, but the school has no other admission requirements. Flexible online coursework is available in four-week sessions, enabling students to focus on one subject at a time and progress at accelerated rates.

8. Bryant & Stratton College

Bryant & Stratton College is a private college system with several campuses and an online division. Students at this school can apply online for free, and everyone meeting basic admission standards are accepted.

The school offers online and in-person associate and bachelor's programs along with certificates and diplomas. Popular online areas of study include human resources, digital marketing, and accounting.

9. Columbia Southern University

Columbia Southern University is a private school headquartered in Alabama. All of its degree programs are completed online, with areas of study including organizational leadership, fire administration, and military studies.

Students must be high school graduates or have equivalent levels of education. Coursework is flexible and highly affordable, with average tuition ranging from $3,640 to $5,808 per year.

10. Capella University

Capella University is a private online school featuring both traditional online and competency-based degree programs. Students complete flexible coursework on schedules that work for them to earn degrees in fields like healthcare administration, information technology, and psychology

Bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees are all available. Students must submit a free application, meet minimum GPA requirements, and provide official transcripts, but all students meeting these basic requirements are accepted into the school. Tuition costs $14,436 to $15,066 per year.

How We Rank Schools

By referencing the National Center for Education Statistics and researching each school, we endeavor to choose the best schools when creating our rank lists. The following criteria were used in selecting the institutions of higher education above:

• Accreditation: All of the schools maintain accreditation from a nationally recognized accrediting body like the Higher Learning Commission.
• Open admissions: Each school features a flexible open admissions policy and enrolls 100% of qualifying applicants.
• Accessibility: The schools provide accessibility and flexibility in their online programs, often letting students set their own study schedules, transfer credits, and save time and money through competency-based options.

FAQs About the Best Open Admissions Colleges

If you still have questions about becoming an online student in a school with no admission requirements, keep reading. Below, we'll answer some frequently asked questions you may be curious about.

What Is the Easiest Online College To Get Into?

There is no one college or university that can be definitively called the easiest to get into. However, many schools throughout the U.S. provide open admissions policies and have 100% acceptance rates of applicants who meet basic eligibility requirements. These schools are generally considered some of the easiest institutions to get into.

What Do I Need To Apply to Online College?

Each college has a different application process and requirements. In many cases, learners will need to submit college applications and application fees, along with high school transcripts and any other required documents, to the college admissions department. Check with any school to which you plan to apply to learn more about that college's specific admissions process.

What Is the Cost of Open-Enrollment Colleges?

Tuition rates, along with total costs of attendance, can vary widely from school to school. Average annual rates for each of the schools above are listed in each school section. Generally speaking, students who attend online colleges that accept FAFSA and other forms of financial aid often save big on their out-of-pocket expenses.

Explore Online Degree Programs

If you're ready to begin taking online courses at schools with no admission requirements, explore the colleges featured here on Learn.org. Reach out to any of the schools to learn more about their undergraduate and graduate programs and to choose the right one for you.