7 Online Colleges Without Proctored Exams in 2026
Online colleges without proctored exams can be preferable for those who need flexibility, prefer to work at their own pace, and want to avoid set testing times.
Online college can be a great option for individuals who need to work through their degree programs at their own pace and those who need flexibility in their courses. If you are interested in accredited online colleges, you may also be wondering if it's possible to enroll in colleges without proctored exams. Below, we tell you more about online colleges without proctored exams and the alternate testing methods you may be required to use.
What Is a Proctored Exam?
A proctored exam is any exam that is overseen by a proctor. A proctor supervises test takers and ensures that the exam environment is secure to maintain academic integrity and assist students with any technology or testing materials as needed. Proctors can be individuals who attend an in-person and on-campus test, or they may be part of an online exam.
Sometimes, online courses may have software that acts as a proctor, limiting students' ability to navigate away from the exam webpage and putting timers on the exam. Colleges without proctored exams utilize other assessment methods to evaluate students' competency.
Alternative Assessment Methods at Online Colleges
Online colleges without proctored exams will provide alternate assessment methods to students. These methods allow instructors to evaluate the student's mastery of course information without needing to implement a physical proctor or online proctoring software during exams.
- Open-book exams: Open-book exams allow students to reference their notes and textbooks during regular tests, midterm exams, and final exams. Open-book exams reduce the need for proctors, as students can use any information available to them to complete a test.
- Essays and research papers: Essays and research papers do not need proctors, as students complete these assessments in their free time and turn their papers in to their instructor.
- Project-based assessments: A project-based assessment lets students utilize knowledge from their online classes and present these to an instructor. Most of the work is completed outside of class, avoiding the need for proctoring services.
- Portfolio submissions: Portfolio submissions are common in arts-based majors, but they may also apply to things like web design and coding. With this assessment, students work on their portfolio pieces outside of class and an instructor evaluates the portfolio when it is turned in.
- Video presentations and oral exams: Video presentations and oral exams are generally prerecorded, or they may take place live in front of the instructor, eliminating the need for a proctor.
- Competency-based evaluations: Competency-based evaluations utilize skill tests, real-world scenarios, homework assignments, and hands-on evaluations so an instructor can see the student's mastery of course material. These evaluations may be prerecorded or monitored by an instructor.
Online Colleges Without Proctored Exams
Enrolling in an online college that does not offer proctored exams or has very minimal proctored exams in courses can be helpful for students who wish to avoid set testing times and traditional assessment methods. In fact, some of the easiest degrees to get come from online colleges without proctored exams, as these degree programs are more likely to be self-paced and provide alternate assessment methods than formal proctored exams. We tell you more about online colleges without protected exams below.
1. Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University offers over 200 online degrees that students can complete on their own time, and undergraduate credits are $330 each. The courses in each degree are asynchronous, meaning there are no set class times.
Only a handful of degree programs have classes where proctored exams are utilized, with most courses opting to assess students through quizzes, hands-on projects, homework assignments, and open-book exams. SNHU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
2. Western Governors University
Western Governors University (WGU) is an online school that offers numerous self-paced and asynchronous degree programs, charging tuition by the semester instead of by credit hour. Semesters generally cost between $3,000 and $4,000, and you can take as many courses as possible during this time.
Students looking for convenience and flexibility in their education can choose from degrees in fields like business, technology, healthcare, and education, and all coursework can be completed on their own time. WGU, which is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), does not utilize proctored exams and instead allows students to complete homework assignments, quizzes, projects, and presentations as part of their assessments.
3. Liberty University Online
Liberty University, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), has robust online degree program offerings. Students can choose from bachelor's degrees in addition to master's degrees and doctoral degrees, and popular majors include aviation, nursing, communications, and human services.
Liberty University does not require students to take testing for placement in degree programs, and tests are not proctored. Instead, students are assessed using open-book exams, projects, and homework assignments. The college charges a reasonable tuition rate of $390 per credit hour.
4. Walden University
A completely online university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Walden University offers 12 different online bachelor's degree programs in addition to master's degree programs, doctoral programs, and certificate programs. Students can choose from degrees in fields like health sciences, communications, and criminal justice.
This college does not have proctored exams. Instead, students are generally required to write papers, complete assignments throughout their courses, and take open-book tests as assessments. Tuition at this college is charged by quarter credit hour at a price of between $256 and $350, depending on your degree.
5. Capella University
Assessments at Capella University are competency-based, which means that students are tested on their knowledge of the course material through hands-on projects, assignments throughout the course, and oral exams or presentations. Some courses have proctored exams, but these are usually more intensive doctoral programs. All degree programs are accredited by the HLC.
Students can utilize the FlexPath option for a degree that is totally self-paced, or they can enroll in the GuidedPath option for more structure. Popular degrees at Capella include bachelor's degrees in nursing, computer science, psychology, social work, and information technology, and tuition for undergraduate degrees ranges between $350 and $415 per credit hour.
6. University of Iowa
The University of Iowa offers seven different undergraduate degree programs in a fully online format, with programs accredited by the HLC. While many courses within these programs will not have proctored exams, instead testing students with open-book exams, routine assignments, and projects, some courses will have online proctored exams.
You can check your course's syllabus and ask your instructors for details for more information on potential proctored exams in your degree program. You can also find tuition information on your course registration page, and most degree programs charge $387 per credit hour.
7. University of Maryland Global Campus
The online learning programs at the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) are designed for working adults, non-traditional students, and working professionals who need to obtain a higher education with the utmost convenience. Courses in each degree program are made up of accelerated eight-week courses, and exams are either multiple choice tests you can take on your own time, research papers, or projects you can turn in for assessment.
More than 135 degrees and certifications are available from UMGC, giving you plenty of college degree options. All programs are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), and tuition is $324 per credit hour for in-state students.
FAQs About Online Colleges Without Proctored Exams
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, earning a college degree can almost double your weekly earnings. Therefore, earning an online degree can be a great decision for your future. But online colleges without protected exams can raise some questions. We answer the most frequently asked questions about these colleges without proctored exams below.
Does SNHU Have Proctored Exams?
Southern New Hampshire University offers very limited courses with protected exams, as the majority of the degree programs at this college are online and asynchronous. Students can work through their courses online without set meeting dates, and most courses in a degree program offer alternate assessment methods as opposed to a live, timed, and proctored exam.
Does Purdue Global Have Proctored Exams?
Purdue Global does offer degree programs with online courses that require proctored exams. However, not every course in a certain degree program will require an exam as an assessment, and not every exam is proctored. It's best to check with the courses you are enrolled in at Purdue Global to learn more about protected exams and potential assessment methods.
Does the University of Phoenix Have Proctored Exams?
The University of Phoenix does have protected exams, and some courses may require you to attend testing centers in person in order to take the exam. Online courses at this college may have live protected exams or exams monitored with protecting software. That being said, some courses may not utilize exams or protected exams, depending on the course content.
Can an Exam Be Proctored Without You Knowing?
Exams cannot be proctored without you knowing, as courses and instructors must give you the requirements of the test beforehand. You will know going into an in-person test or enrolling for an online exam whether or not the exam will be proctored. Schools cannot monitor your testing without informing you of a live proctor or proctoring software as part of your exam.
Explore Online Colleges and Universities
Online colleges and universities offer some of the most flexible and convenient ways to earn a higher education. If you wish to avoid proctored exams, it's worth reviewing the programs featured on Learn.org to find a degree program with alternate assessment methods that suit your educational needs.