For students seeking an affordable online college education with minimal barriers to entry, open enrollment colleges that waive application fees can provide an excellent option. This post explores several such institutions, analyzing their key offerings and requirements. By maintaining open admission policies and limiting up-front costs, these schools aim to welcome all students interested in furthering their education. Let’s examine some top choices for online learners seeking open access to college with no application fee.
Online Colleges with Open Enrollment and no Application Fee
Chadron State College
- Acceptance Rate – 100%
- Application Fee – $0
- Undergraduate Enrollment – 1,444
Located in Chadron, Nebraska, Chadron State College is a public institution that maintains open enrollment for its online degree programs. Students can apply for admission at any time without needing to meet specific academic criteria. Chadron State also waives application fees for all applicants, keeping the door fully open financially.
The school offers over 30 online associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees that students can complete entirely through distance learning. Popular options include degrees in business administration, criminal justice, psychology, and healthcare administration. Chadron State designed its programs for working professionals by delivering courses asynchronously so students can access lectures and complete coursework on their own schedule.
While Chadron State has an open admissions policy, students must still meet certain baseline requirements like having a high school diploma or GED. Online degree-seekers also need regular access to a computer and high-speed internet connection to participate in virtual classes. Overall, Chadron State provides a flexible, affordable pathway to higher education for self-motivated students.
Columbia College
- Acceptance Rate – 100%
- Application Fee – $0
- Undergraduate Enrollment – 2,683
Columbia College upholds a tradition of open enrollment dating back to its founding in 1851. Both its ground campus in Columbia, Missouri and fully online options maintain a policy welcoming all applicants, regardless of prior academic history. Like Chadron State, Columbia College waives application fees for all students, with no barriers imposed upfront.
Online learners can choose from over 100 associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs delivered asynchronously. Popular online majors include business administration, criminal justice, psychology, and healthcare management.
Instruction takes place through a learning management system where students access multimedia course content, participate in discussions, and submit assignments. Columbia College aims to foster success through personalized academic advising and career counseling.
Although Columbia College has open enrollment, online degree-seekers must be at least 16 years old with a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. Staying enrolled also requires maintaining satisfactory academic progress by passing courses and keeping a minimum GPA. Overall, the school provides affordable access to higher education supported by student services and flexible scheduling.
Franklin University
- Acceptance Rate – 100%
- Application Fee – $0
- Undergraduation Enrollment – 1,430
Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio maintains an open admissions policy welcomed by working adult learners. The university waives application fees for all students pursing associates, bachelors, masters or doctoral degrees fully online or on-campus.
Franklin University offers over 70 online programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Popular choices include majors in business administration, accounting, communication, and information technology.
Courses utilize a consistent learning interface and run on accelerated 5-6 week terms, allowing motivated students to complete degrees more quickly. Academic support is provided through one-on-one tutoring, library resources, and dissertation advising for graduate programs.
While open to all applicants, online degree-seekers should have a high school diploma or GED and access to basic computer literacy skills. Active duty military members, veterans and their families may qualify for additional financial assistance. By maintaining open enrollment, Franklin University aims to increase access to career-relevant education supported by student-centered services.
Hodges University
- Acceptance Rate – 100%
- Application Fee – $0
- Undergraduate Enrollment – 211
Hodges University in Naples, Florida extends its open admissions policy to fully online students. The nonprofit, private university waives all application fees for degree programs delivered remotely.
Hodges University offers over 30 online associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Popular options include business administration, criminal justice, healthcare administration, psychology and IT fields. Courses run on 8-week accelerated terms and utilize a consistent learning management interface. Academic support is provided through one-on-one tutoring, 24/7 online library access, and success coaching.
While open to any applicant, online degree-seekers should have a high school diploma or GED. Hodges University aims to provide a flexible, affordable path for working adults to upskill their careers. By maintaining no application fee, the school welcomes students from all backgrounds interested in furthering their education online.
Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion
- Acceptance Rate – 92%
- Application Fee – $0
- Undergraduate Enrollment – 2,222
Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion extends the admissions policies of its parent campus to fully online students. The private, Christian university upholds open enrollment and waives all application fees for online degree programs.
Indiana Wesleyan University offers over 50 online associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Popular choices include programs in business, healthcare, criminal justice, IT, education and theology. Courses utilize a consistent online classroom interface and run on accelerated 5-8 week terms. Academic support is provided through one-on-one success coaching, library databases, writing centers and career advising.
While maintaining an inclusive admissions approach, online degree-seekers should have a high school diploma or GED. The university also seeks students who fit with its Christian principles and mission. For working adults balancing jobs and families, Indiana Wesleyan’s flexible online programs aim to increase accessibility to affordable higher education.
Other Schools include;
Southern New Hampshire University (Online)
- Regional Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
- No Application, Testing Requirements or Minimums
- 100+ Online Degree Programs, Accelerated Pace
- Recognized by White House for College Affordability
Colorado Technical University (Online)
- Regional Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- No Application, High School Records Not Required
- Engineering, IT, Nursing, Business Specializations
- Transfer up to 90 Credits, 8 Week Classes
Norwich University (Online)
- Regional Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
- No Application Fee, No Test Scores/GPA Minimum
- Military Science, Criminal Justice, Business Majors
- Founded in 1819, Over 200 Online Programs
Loyola University Chicago (Online)
- Regional Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Jesuit Values, No Application Fee or Minimum Standards
- Theology, Psychology, Social Work Online Degrees
- Transfer up to 90 Credits, 3 Start Dates Per Year
American Sentinel College (Online)
- Regional Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission
- 100% Online, No Application Fee, No Prior College Needed
- Accelerated Programs in Business, Health Informatics
- Low Student to Faculty Ratio, Five Week Courses
Johnson & Wales University (Online)
- Regional Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
- No HS Records Evaluation, No Application Fee Required
- Culinary, Hospitality, Business, Design Degrees Online
- Transfer up to 90 Credits, One Year Completion Pace
Chadron State College (Online)
- Regional Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- 100% Online Undergrad Degrees, No Application Necessary
- Teacher Education, Business, Criminal Justice Majors
- Small Class Sizes, Personalized Academic Advising Online
This sampling provides a diverse range of fields, locations, class structures and specializations. All aim to remove barriers through open enrollment and lack of fees. Their regional accreditation ensures credits transferability and career legitimacy as well.
Defining Relevant Technical Concepts
Open enrollment
An admissions approach that does not restrict entry based on prior academic metrics like GPA or standardized test scores. Students can apply with a high school diploma/GED.
Waived application fees
The institution does not charge an administrative cost for submitting an application for admission. This removes financial barriers to starting the enrollment process.
Asynchronous online courses
Classes are flexible and self-paced within a schedule. Students access pre-recorded video lectures and course materials on their own instead of live streaming.
Learning management system (LMS)
A software platform like Blackboard or Canvas that centralizes the online classroom. The LMS hosts multimedia course content, assignments, quizzes, discussions and grades.
Satisfactory academic progress
Institutional standards students must meet like maintaining a minimum GPA and passing a threshold of attempted credits to remain enrolled in good academic standing.
Conclusion on Online Colleges with Open Enrollment and no Application Fee
For students seeking affordable, accessible pathways into online higher education, open enrollment colleges that have no application fees provide a valuable option. While maintaining admission for all, these schools still aim to set students up for success through structured programs, academic support services and motivating learning environments.
By researching factors like offerings, costs over time, transferability and student support match, individuals can identify the best open enrollment online college to meet their unique goals and situation. With commitment to the process, these types of inclusive schools seek to welcome all with potential to benefit from further education.