2025 Most Affordable UUֱs with Open Admissions

Open admissions, or open enrollment, is a policy where colleges accept all applicants who have a high school diploma or equivalent, typically without regard to standardized test scores, GPA, or other academic qualifications. Our list of cheap open admission colleges highlights the best options based on the lowest verified tuition rates, making it easier to find quality education that fits your budget.
To identify the best online schools with open admissions, we applied a set of criteria focused on accessibility, scale, and academic credibility. Eligible accredited schools with open admissions policies must offer at least 10 fully online bachelor's degrees and have at least 25% of undergraduates enrolled fully online, signaling a strong institutional investment in online learning.
Key Takeaways:
- Thomas Edison State University has the best salary outcomes (median of $73,358).
- Charter Oak State College achieves a perfect graduation rate of 100%.
- National American University Online offers a personalized educational experience with a student-to-faculty ratio of 6:1.
- The University of Phoenix is the most popular school on our list, with over 69,800 distance learners.
2025 Most Affordable UUֱs with Open Admissions
Rank | School | Location | Annual Tuition |
---|---|---|---|
National University | La Jolla (CA) | $4,162 | |
Athens State University | Athens (AL) | $7,680 | |
Columbia Southern University | Orange Beach (AL) | $8,100 | |
Mayville State University | Mayville (ND) | $8,145 | |
SUNY Empire State University | Saratoga Springs (NY) | $8,480 | |
University of Alaska Fairbanks | Fairbanks (AK) (and 1 other) | $8,670 | |
Thomas Edison State University | Trenton (NJ) | $8,856 | |
University of Arkansas Grantham | Kansas City (KS) | $9,150 | |
Charter Oak State College | New Britain (CT) | $9,870 | |
American Public University System | Charles Town (WV) | $10,500 | |
Purdue Global | Indianapolis (IN) | $11,130 | |
Columbia College | Columbia (MO) | $11,250 | |
University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies | Concord (NH) | $11,370 | |
National American University Online | Rapid City (SD) (and 1 other) | $11,400 | |
St. Petersburg College | Clearwater (FL) | $11,607 | |
University of Maine at Augusta | Augusta (ME) | $11,700 | |
University of Phoenix | Nationwide | $11,940 | |
Franklin University | Columbus (OH) | $11,940 | |
Indian River State College | Fort Pierce (FL) (and 4 others) | $12,000 | |
Wilmington University | New Castle (DE) | $12,570 | |
Bellevue University | Bellevue (NE) | $13,470 | |
Ohio Christian University | Circleville (OH) | $13,500 | |
South University Online | Multiple Locations | $14,250 | |
Colorado Christian University | Lakewood (CO) | $14,820 | |
University of Maryland Global Campus | Adelphi (MD) | $14,970 | |
UMass Global | Multiple Locations | $15,000 | |
Excelsior University | Albany (NY) | $15,300 | |
Park University | Parkville (MO) | $17,250 | |
Bryant & Stratton College Online | Orchard Park (NY) | $20,460 | |
Berkeley College | Multiple Locations | $27,900 |
What We Can Learn From the Top UUֱs With Open Admissions
In a higher education landscape often defined by exclusivity, a growing number of accredited institutions are flipping the script — welcoming students through open admissions policies and offering fully online degrees.
Our analysis of the top online colleges with open admissions reveals more than just who has the lowest tuition or highest earnings. It tells a broader story about equity in education and how certain institutions are reshaping what it means to be “college-ready.”
The Quiet Power of Open Admissions
Open admissions policies, where students are accepted based primarily on having a high school diploma or equivalent, remove traditional academic gatekeeping. But when paired with strong student support services and well-developed online infrastructures, this approach becomes a viable first choice for working adults, military-affiliated students, first-generation learners, and anyone whose life path didn’t follow a straight line.
Schools like Thomas Edison State University, with median earnings of $73,358, and Charter Oak State College, boasting a 100% graduation rate, prove that open access and high-quality outcomes are not mutually exclusive.
Where Open Access Meets Online Excellence
To ensure our rankings reflected true online commitment, we focused on schools where at least 25% of undergraduates study fully online in order to highlight institutions that prioritize digital learning as a core mission.
Schools like SUNY Empire, University of Phoenix, and UMass Global stand out for their massive virtual ecosystems, offering rolling admissions, year-round start dates, and personalized mentorship for remote learners.
What makes these open admission schools especially compelling is how they blend accessibility with intentional student support. For example, UMass Global’s “Academic Fresh Start” policy gives learners with past academic setbacks a chance to reset, while Charter Oak accepts students without a high school diploma if they have prior college-level learning.
Others go further to remove common barriers: Purdue Global offers a free trial period before tuition kicks in, Columbia Southern (the third most affordable option on our list) calls schools to request transcripts on behalf of students, and UA Grantham provides a complimentary laptop. Combined with career-centered formats, employer partnerships, and strong post-grad earnings — often reaching $60,000 to $70,000 within four years — these schools prove that open access and academic quality are not mutually exclusive.
Affordability Through Transfer Credit and Prior Learning
When it comes to affordability, transfer credit can make all the difference, especially for adult learners and degree completers.
Our list of the most affordable online colleges with open admissions may prioritize schools with low tuition (which we manually collect and verify), but we also want to highlight how you can save time and money through generous credit policies:
Charter Oak, TESU, Excelsior, and UMass Global all let students apply up to 75% of their degree from prior coursework, military training, certifications, or real-world experience.
The University of Arkansas Grantham lowers costs even further with a free laptop for enrollees and proactive credit evaluations for nontraditional learning.
Franklin University partners with more than 6,000 employers to streamline tuition reimbursement and maximize transfer opportunities.
Columbia Southern goes a step further by retrieving transcripts for students at no cost.
If low tuition remains your top concern, start here: Our list of the most affordable online colleges are also based on manually collected tuition and offer quality online degrees.
Advice on Stretching Your Education Budget: Tips from an UUֱ Alum

UC Berkeley Alum, CEO
How do you save money without compromising on quality from balancing work and studies?
The biggest game changer? Employer tuition assistance – I negotiated 70% coverage before moving to full time entrepreneurship. Many go unnoticed because they require essays or are targeting niche groups, but scholarships were another lifesaver.
Unexpected costs like software subscriptions and tech upgrades added up quickly. I rented textbooks instead of buying them, shared resources with classmates, and used free tools like Google Workspace. If I could redo it, I’d start with community college credits to cut costs further.
Your degree is more than education, it’s an investment that requires smart decisions every step of the way, my advice? Don’t focus just on tuition, plan for hidden fees, bundle certifications with coursework and make value, not prestige.
One unique tip: Build a network of peers to share resources. Collaborative learning not only saves money but also boosts retention rates. If I could redo it, I’d start with community college credits to cut costs further; renting textbooks instead of buying them, sharing resources with classmates, and using free tools like Google Workspace.
Affordability Is Just the Start — See Which Schools Deliver Results
For students seeking open admissions, understanding outcomes like graduation and retention rates is crucial, especially when affordability is top of mind.
These metrics help signal whether an institution not only welcomes students in but supports them through to completion. High retention rates suggest strong student engagement and services, while solid graduation rates indicate follow-through and academic support.
- Retention = % of students who stay enrolled after their first year
- Graduation = % of students who earned their degrees
For students exploring online colleges with open admissions, it's not just about getting in — it's about getting through. While open admissions removes barriers at the entry point, success metrics like graduation and retention rates tell a fuller story about student support, course quality, and program structure.
The reason I included this data here to help you identify schools where you're not only welcome, but more likely to thrive and complete your degree.
I also want to be sure and include earning potential after graduation. This also plays a crucial role in long-term value.
Below, I created a chart highlights the schools on our list with the highest median earnings just four years after graduation:
Schools like TESU, Excelsior, and UMGC show strong outcomes with graduate earnings well above the national average. These figures highlight institutions that not only prioritize accessibility through open admissions and online flexibility, but also deliver long-term financial value.
Final Thoughts
Open admissions doesn’t mean lower standards, it means broader opportunity. The best online colleges serve nontraditional learners without sacrificing quality. These students include (but are not limited to) nontraditional learners: working adults, transfer students, veterans, parents, and others whose paths to college may not follow the traditional model.
These schools offer rolling admissions, flexible start dates, and generous credit-for-prior-learning policies, but they are also institutionally accredited, which means they maintain rigorous curricula, support services, and solid student outcomes. Many institutions featured here boast high retention and graduation rates, as well as competitive median salaries for graduates, clear indicators that open access can still yield strong academic and career returns.
Student Reviews of Online Bachelor's Programs
Although I haven’t officially started school at Villanova yet, I begin my first year this Fall of 2024. Everything about this institution has been amazing throughout the admissions process. The administration is top notch and truly there to help you succeed. The technical support is second to none. I applied to a lot of schools and the warm welcome I received from the administration has been excellent. I’m confident I will succeed at Villanova and for the rest of my life. I love representing Villanova... Read More
Review Date: 2/21/2024
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Ii love AIU! I graduated with my BBA this Spring. I have made a big decision to continue and pursue my Masters Program.
The staff and faculty are very professional and personable.I appreciate all of their support and encouragement. Thank you so much.
Monica J Hall
Review Date: 6/20/2025
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
THE WORST SCHOOL... Students beware. I cannot stress this enough. I transferred from Generations College after getting my associate degree in business administration. I was a straight-A student and a member of Phi Theta Kappa. I graduated with a 3.98 GPA. I decided to go on to pursue my education further and try to get a bachelor's degree through National Louis University because of the articulation agreements they had with Generations College. The problems started two weeks before my first semester... Read More
Review Date: 10/24/2023
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
University of Phoenix changed my life. When I enrolled I had little to no support. Through my academic advisor and some amazing supportive professors, I found support throughout my studies. I went from being a high school drop out to a graduate with honors and a bachelor’s degree! Thank you for everything. #werise
Review Date: 4/21/2025
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Please think about your schooling options for at least a year before deciding to attend this university, because despite it being more affordable than most art schools out there, 90% of the cases I've seen it's not worth it. You don't even really need a degree for most art career paths, I would genuinely suggest teaching yourself through online tutorials on your own free time than to attend this school. It's extremely expensive, and for what you get in return I don't think I got my money's worth.... Read More
Review Date: 4/19/2025
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
Full Sail University has definitely given me the tools and knowledge to move forward in whatever career I choose. I myself am an independent artist (Ayinar) and found the courses to be of extreme help when I came to furthering my career. They also provide a great environment to further your knowledge after graduation. If you know you have the drive and wanna push yourself to grow more. I'd recommend Full Sail University.
Review Date: 4/18/2025
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Columbia Southern University is a wonderful online College. They make learning online as simple as possible. The teachers are always more then willing to help students who need extra help via email or phone .The easy enroll option has make registrating for classes easy. Columbia Southern University exceeded my expectations.
Review Date: 7/19/2019
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
My time at Full Sail University was filled with many experiences that helped me learn everything I need to know about computer animation. I highly recommend it to any up and coming artist. Another thing that I enjoyed was doing the classes online. I was able to fit my classes and work to align with my schedule which was very versatile and convenient.
Review Date: 8/23/2024
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Bryant & Stratton College has provided me with all the necessary tools and resources needed to further my career. Despite minor challenges such as being active duty and deployed, I was able to explain this to my instructors and they were more than willing to assist. It was a tremendous journey and I am extremely great full that Bryant & Stratton was there to help.
Review Date: 3/24/2024
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
I see a lot of negative reviews about FullSail and I’m sure everyone has their own experiences but to me it is what you make it. On thing I can say about FullSail is it is hard work. But you are provided with everything you need to complete your assignments. The instructions won’t hold your hand early on in my classes an instructor told me if I only do what the school requires I would be doing a disservice to my self and I need to shoot and do research outside of the course curriculum. Now I’m a... Read More
Review Date: 8/30/2023
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
I keep seeing really sucky comments about my college, how everyone says it’s a scam and teachers don’t actually provide any real learning information etc etc. They say everyone is set up for failure and that no one graduates because they want you to keep paying. I have had nothing but phenomenal professors. The director of art history took time to basically just chill and talk to me about art for an hour last semester. She cares that much. I have been so impressed by how much I have grown at this... Read More
Review Date: 5/25/2021
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Even though I take online classes I have made many friends throughout my time at Post with both students and Professors. I have never had an issue with financial aid, Admissions or my ASC. I honestly feel 100% supported so I am confused about some of the other reviews. Whenever I have a question it is answered and if my ASC doesn’t have the answer she finds out and calls me back. I never have to chase anyone and the Professors actually set up time to work with you one on one of you don’t understand... Read More
Review Date: 6/7/2021
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I have to say that this is the best team of supporters in thus far. The dean emails me encouraging words ever since i dropped oit and re-enrolled. God i love this school. 5000 stars of you ask me. I love the curriculum. Its easy to maintain at least a B average.
Review Date: 11/21/2019
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
From the moment I showed interest in Purdue Univeristy-Global, I have been welcomed into a community who promotes education and works to assist student in achieving their goals. The teachers are helpful and extremely knowledgeable and conduct excellent seminars.
Review Date: 5/11/2022
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I earned my Bachelor's Degree with EU entirely online, which allowed me to work full time and take care of my family while studying and working on assignments. What I appreciate most at Everglades University (and I believe I have told this to just about everyone) is the one class a month curriculum, with this arrangement you are able to concentrate and fully immerse in one subject instead of having to juggle multiple classes at once. My online instructors where always available if I got stuck on... Read More
Review Date: 7/17/2022
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Summary: Attending UMGC is a solid career advancement move for working adults. You will not receive a premier Ivy League education, but a degree from UMGC does return solid value while preparing you for the workforce. The Bad: Most complaints about the school center on administration processes (academic advising, financial aid, etc). They're not wrong, the admin processes at the school can be slow and inefficient. But here's my take on it. If you're an adult you should be able to determine what classes... Read More
Review Date: 8/10/2022
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I have been employed in the healthcare industry for decades, and only needed the degree now because my company was acquired by an organization that requires it for me to advance any further. I already earn as much if not more than others with a degree because of my experience. Strayer is ok, but your experience will vary class to class depending upon the professor. Some just don't give a damn, others are awesome. I am in a class now that has quizzes each week, 4 major assignments, and tons of reading... Read More
Review Date: 4/25/2022
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
ASU "claims" to be an online school "for working adults" but it is not. As a "working adult" you are required to do the school work like a "100% student-only" - with no job, bills, commute, etc. That is fine if they just say it is 'college' but it's a money grab for adult students since the instructors could care less if you have adult responsibilities like a fulltime job, rent, and other bills to pay. I definitely do not recommend this school if you work a fulltime job. It is ok for student-only... Read More
Review Date: 10/12/2020
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
I am busy. I have a family and a successful career already. I have been able to advance through experience in the military and a lot of hard work even without a degree but that can only last so long. I have been to traditional colleges both private and state but never crossed the finish line. Fast -forward 10 years and I am regretting that I never completed my degree. I am been so thankful that SNHU has held my hand through the whole process. Most of my credits transferred in and my advisor, and... Read More
Review Date: 8/6/2021
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Strayer University online program is great, the classes are very interactive, the Professors are always there to help, and most important you feel like you are part of something big. If you are looking to get a degree in no time with great online classes that will help you to shape your future this is the rigth place to be.
Review Date: 12/6/2019
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No