4-Year Colleges with Open Admission

College acceptance (or rejection) letters can be a source of stress for many applicants. For other students, they may not have achieved the grades needed to get into selective schools and don’t necessarily want to start out at a community college. But have you heard of “open admission colleges?” 

Open admission colleges are schools that accept every single student who applies as long as they have a high school diploma or GED (and there is space left in the school)! So if you don’t receive an acceptance letter to one of your selected 4-year colleges or universities or you aren’t applying to selective schools, they are great options to consider.

Here are the almost 600, 4-year colleges that currently have open admissions. Plus, we learn all you need to know about open admissions colleges and how you can apply. 

4-year Colleges That Offer Open Admission to Students

You can use this chart to filter by school type (public/private/not-for-profit) and your preferred Carnegie classification (are you looking for a school that offers BA and Masters programs, religious affiliations, etc).

Source: IPEDS

What is an Open Admissions College?

Open admissions refers to an admissions process of a college that accepts all students who have a high school diploma or GED and apply. There are both community colleges and 4-year universities that offer this option. In this article, however, we are going to focus on 4-year colleges.

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Why Should You Attend an Open Admission College?

There are quite a few reasons you’d want to attend an open admissions school – here are some:

1. Guaranteed Admission

One of the major reasons students apply to an open admission college is the fact that they are guaranteed an acceptance letter. For those who didn’t do as well as they hoped in high school, these colleges and universities can be a great way to get a fresh start and work on obtaining a bachelor’s degree.

If you received a rejection letter from your first choice schools or you didn’t apply before deadlines due to unforeseen circumstances (or you simply forgot), you might be worried that you won’t be able to start your college education in the fall.

However, some open admission schools will not only accept your petition for admission, they will accept your application at any time! New Mexico Highlands University, for instance, offers open admission on a rolling basis, meaning they don’t have a deadline for applications.

2. You Can Always Transfer Later

You’re not stuck at one school for all four years of your journey towards your bachelor’s degree if you don’t want to be. An open admissions college may be one of your top choices, but if it’s a fallback for you, you might be eyeing other schools that are a better fit for your goals. But at least for now, you can work on your general education courses and transfer schools at a later time. 

Some reasons to transfer include:

• You wanted an opportunity to increase your grades to deliver well-rounded applications to more selective colleges
• You forgot to submit your college applications before the deadlines in your senior year of high school
• You want to reapply to your top choice schools
• You found other colleges that better align with your needs, wants, and goals
• You don’t like the college

3. Potential to Earn Higher Grades

Since open admissions colleges accept everyone regardless of grades, it can be easier for top students to excel in these schools, especially in difficult subjects. This can translate to a higher GPA that looks amazing on applications to other colleges, master’s programs, or job opportunities. 

4. Lower Cost

Open admission colleges also tend to have lower costs compared to selective schools. The University of the Potomac – Washington DC tuition cost is $21,271. However, nearby George Washington University which has an acceptance rate of 49% costs $80,990. This is not a hard and fast rule, of course, but in most cases, these colleges will be more affordable for students. 

How Do You Apply to a College With Open Admissions?

All open admissions colleges require an application as well as proof of your high school diploma or GED. Other requirements depend on the school, Some may include:

1. SAT/ACT 

Not all of these colleges require SAT or ACT, but some do. It’s a good idea to take the exam even if you don’t think any of the schools on your college list require them. You could find another school down the line that does ask for them, and, if you waited too long, it could be too late to sit for one of the tests. And if you’re applying to any selective colleges, taking the SAT or ACT could give you the edge over other applicants even if it’s not required!

2. Placement Tests

Some open admission colleges use the SAT or ACT to place their students in the appropriate classes, but not all. These schools will instead offer placement tests for things like English, math, and foreign language. If a student does well on these exams, they may be placed in a higher-difficulty course. The school may also recommend remedial courses based on these results.

3. Deadlines

A majority of open admission colleges offer a rolling admission cycle, meaning that you can apply at any time. It’s important to look on the college’s website or reach out to their admission department to determine when you need to submit your application. You should note important deadlines for:

• Early Action: typically November 1st or November 15th
• Early Decision: typically November 1st or November 15th
• Regular Decision: Typically January 1st
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Schools that offer financial aid packages will need your FAFSA by a certain date to determine your eligibility. Money can and will run out: Opens October 
• Priority rolling admissions. Students who submit their applications before this deadline will receive priority consideration before students who submit after the listed date.

In addition, there will be a deadline for the upcoming semester. If you are hoping to attend in Fall 2024, for instance, you will want to be sure you get your application in before it’s too late to attend those classes!

4. Fees

A majority of colleges with open admission do not charge application fees, but this is not a hard and fast rule. Always be sure to double-check with your school before submitting your paperwork. Even colleges that have fees may offer a fee waiver.

5. Other Documentation

The college may also ask for documentation such as:

• High school transcripts
• GED scores
• HiSET scores
• Proof of English proficiency if an international applicant

Open admissions can give students the opportunity to attend college even if their high school grades weren’t the best or if they didn’t get into any of their first choice schools. With many offering rolling admissions, it’s never too late to apply.

Do you want to see if any of these open admissions colleges and universities are a good fit for your needs, wants, budget, and goals? College Raptor’s College Match tool can help you! Simply input your information and get started for free right here.