Open enrollment lets students who haven’t done well in school get into community colleges and even four-year schools. Some students are unable to enroll in the course due to strict entrance standards. Open enrollment makes it easier for kids who don’t have a strong academic background to get an education and gives college applicants more “possible institutions and programs” to choose from.
This article explains how open enrollment works and recommends the finest online institutions that offer it. It also contains vital information for those who desire to go to college, such as answers to frequently asked questions.
What Is Open Enrollment?
Many online institutions employ “open enrollment” rather than more selective or competitive admissions procedures. Open enrollment, which was first used in the 1970s to decrease prejudice, promotes access to education by eliminating barriers that may prohibit certain students from attending school. Community colleges and other two-year schools often provide open enrollment.
In reality, open enrollment sometimes entails removing most qualifying limitations, including as standardized test results and minimum GPA requirements. For entrance, most open enrollment online universities just demand a high school diploma or GED.
Open enrollment at an online college
BEST ONLINE COLLEGES WITH OPEN ENROLLMENT
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
The University of North Dakota, a public research university established in 1883, is the state’s oldest institution, having reigned over the state for six years. On site and online, the institution enrolls about 14,000 students in undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. UND Online provides a comprehensive range of online college courses that students may start and finish at their own speed.
Average Tuition:
In-state: $8,540
Out-of-state: $12,810
Retention Rate: 81%
Admission Rate: 87%
Students Enrolled: 13,615
Institution Type: Public
Percent Online Enrollment: 83%
Accreditation: Yes
Southern New Hampshire University
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Southern New Hampshire University, established in 1932, enrolls over 90,000 students in a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. The university’s enormous student body is owing to its extensive online degree programs. Only 8% of undergraduate students take courses on campus. SNHU has six meetings every year, starting around every two months.
Average Tuition
In-state: $5,090
Out-of-state: $15,272
Retention Rate: 66%
Admission Rate: Not provided
Students Enrolled: 29,596
Institution Type: Public
Percent Online Enrollment: 60%
Accreditation: Yes
Weber State University
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Weber State University, established in 1889, has roughly 28,000 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs. Although the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints created the institution, Wyoming purchased it from the Church in 1931. Weber State University provides a selection of self-paced courses that may be started at any time and finished on your own timetable.
Average Tuition
In-state: $5,090
Out-of-state: $15,272
Retention Rate: 66%
Admission Rate: Not provided
Students Enrolled: 29,596
Institution Type: Public
Percent Online Enrollment: 60%
Accreditation: Yes
Upper Iowa University
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Upper Iowa Institution, a private university established in 1857, with over 5,000 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs. Upper Iowa University is currently nondenominational, despite its origins in the Methodist Church. The university’s self-directed degree programs enable students to complete academic requirements on their own timetable.
Average Tuition
In-state: $31,950
Out-of-state: $31,950
Retention Rate: 74%
Admission Rate: 65%
Students Enrolled: 3,610
Institution Type: Private
Percent Online Enrollment: 74%
Accreditation: Yes
University of Maryland Global Campus
- 4 years
- Online
The University of Maryland Global Campus, the University of Maryland’s distant learning division, enrolls around 60,000 students in a range of online bachelor’s, master’s, and professional programs. Since its inception in 1947, the university has provided evening and distant learning courses. With rotational enrollment and online degree programs that begin practically every month of the year, UMGC serves the demands of busy, non-traditional students.
Average Tuition
In-state: $7,200
Out-of-state: $11,976
Retention Rate: 55%
Admission Rate: Not provided
Students Enrolled: 58,526
Institution Type: Public
Percent Online Enrollment: 92%
Accreditation: Yes
Who Should Apply Through Open Enrollment?
Open enrollment benefits students who do not have a good academic foundation or who do not have access to higher education the most. Colleges and universities with open enrollment, like institutions with higher admissions standards, provide students with the opportunity to advance in their professions and further their education.
Other Ways To Sign Up for Colleges Classes
In addition to open enrollment, colleges and universities may offer a number of admissions procedures, such as normal admissions, rotating admissions, and early admissions. The sections that follow detail these and other general registration rules.
Rolling Admissions
Roll-on schools accept applications year-round. This is a popular choice among online colleges. Specific procedures differ every institution, but in most instances, prospective candidates may apply at any time within a particular time frame and will be notified within a few weeks after their application.
Open Door Policy
There are no rigid admissions standards for open-door institutions, such as standardized test scores or minimum grade point averages. Reference requirements are also removed in certain versions of the policy. Eligible students just need a high school diploma or equivalent.
Early Action
While traditional admissions procedures normally require applicants to submit their application materials by January 1, early-action policies have earlier deadlines—usually in October or November. Early-entry candidates are also notified of choices considerably sooner than ordinary applicants. Learners who have a defined goal in mind will gain the most from this approach.
Early Decision
Early choice is related to early action in that it needs definite commitments to attend the university from individuals seeking a recognized degree. This implies that candidates will be unable to apply to other universities. Many major, prestigious universities, such as the Ivy League, adopt this method to attract and keep students with a clear top selection.
Regular Decision
Most schools and universities, especially those with open enrollment, employ common sense. Online colleges that follow this principle do not restrict the number of schools to which a student may apply. Most students adopt this strategy because it boosts their chances of receiving financial aid. The majority of decision deadlines come in January, with admissions decisions coming in late April.
Can I Start Online College Anytime?
Future students may be asking when the online classes will begin. Most online institutions have variable start dates but a tight timetable structure. Some online schools operate on a semester basis, while others operate on a quarterly or three-month basis.
The semester system is typically divided into two semesters of 15-16 weeks in the fall and spring. The four-semester system has four 10-week semesters in the autumn, winter, spring, and summer, while the three-month system has three 12- to 13-week semesters in the fall, winter, and summer.
Learners may often begin online courses at the start of each semester. Some institutions, however, require students to begin in the autumn, whilst others provide a monthly start date. There are also self-paced online institutions where students may access and finish content on their own time. These are rather uncommon.
Multiple Start Dates
Many online college courses begin on different dates. Individual departments or programs often select these dates at various periods during the academic year. Accelerated courses sometimes employ several start dates to meet the different demands of busy learners, but these courses are also available in some regular, self-paced courses.
Online universities with weekly start dates are uncommon, although some do exist, often for certificates or professional degrees. Monthly or quarterly launch dates are increasingly typical.
Independent Study Course Schedules
Independent courses enable students to explore areas of interest that are not formally included in the curriculum catalog. The topic of these courses is often chosen by the applicant and the professor; you will arrive at a mutually agreed-upon study plan. This is the greatest alternative for candidates whose demands are not covered by standard curriculum. These classes are often scheduled to begin at a time that is convenient for both the student and the teacher.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Open Enrollment
What Four-Year Degree Pays the Most?
According to PayScale, four-year engineering and computer science degrees have the highest average wages in the nation.
When Should You Enroll in College?
The best timing to start college varies on each student’s requirements and interests. Some apprentices begin immediately after high school, while others want to get job experience before beginning their studies.
When Do Online Classes Start?
Depending on the institution, online courses begin at various times. Some online institutions only have one or two open days each year, whilst others have monthly or rotating open dates.
What Are Self-Paced College Courses?
Self-paced tuition enables students to attend and finish the course at their own speed, giving them the greatest amount of freedom. These courses vary from asynchronous classes in that students may access course material on their own time but must complete it by a certain date.
Are All Community Colleges Open Admission?
Some community colleges and two-year institutions practice open enrollment, but not all. Some four-year colleges and universities may also have an open admissions policy.
