Online Colleges With High Acceptance Rates

Admissions experts recommend that students apply to 4-12 schools. But unless you can get a fee waiver, the cost of applying to colleges can add up. And applying doesn't guarantee you will get into a school.

Since colleges have varying acceptance rates, you can save time and money by applying to online colleges with high acceptance rates. While you're not guaranteed to get into these schools, you can at least boost your chances.

5 Popular Colleges With High Acceptance Rates

When it comes to choosing a college with a high acceptance rate, other factors matter, too. We kept that in mind when creating this list of five easy-to-get-into schools. Each was chosen using our ranking methodology, which considers factors like cost, student enrollment, and reputability.

1. Colorado State University Global

• Avg. Annual Net Price: $14,826
• Acceptance Rate: 97%
• Total Student Enrollment: 9,565

Colorado State University Global (CSU Global) is the nation's first fully online, accredited public college. Tuition costs have not risen in 10 years, making CSU Global an affordable and popular option for most students. Likewise, CSU Global touts no additional or hidden fees.

For first-time standard admission, you must have at least a 2.8 GPA and hold a high school diploma or equivalent. You should also have scored at least an 18 on the ACT or at least 980 on the SAT. Applicants who don't meet these requirements can gain provisional acceptance.

CSU Global operates on a rolling admissions system, so you can apply and begin classes throughout the academic year.

What Makes a College Easy to Get Into?

A high acceptance rate can make a college easy to get into. Acceptance rates vary by school. Typically, a larger public school will have more spots available for students so that those schools may accept a higher number of students.

Online colleges also tend to have a higher acceptance rate since the colleges don't have to house the students or meet their needs in person.

When determining if a college is easy to get into, you can look at:

• Minimum GPA requirements
• Test-optional schools
• Minimum test scores
• Acceptance rate

Just because a college is easy to get into, doesn't mean your education won't be top-notch or rigorous. Some colleges take pride in giving a high number of applicants a chance to excel at their school.

Frequently Asked Questions About Colleges With High Acceptance Rates

What is an open enrollment college?

An open enrollment college — also called an open admissions college — is a school that accepts all applicants who are high school graduates or hold a diploma equivalent (like a GED certificate). Most open enrollment schools only require you to complete an application and submit proof of a high school or GED diploma.

What online colleges have 100% acceptance rates?

There are three fully online colleges that have a 100% acceptance rate: Martinsburg College, United States Sports Academy, and Veritas Baptist College. There are over 120 colleges that have a 100% acceptance rate, many of which offer online degree programs.

What online colleges are easy to get into?

Loads of colleges have an acceptance rate of 90% or higher. Many state universities — like California State University, Los Angeles, Mississippi State University, and Pennsylvania State University — have acceptance rates of at least 90% and provide online options.

Page last reviewed November 8, 2023. All rankings and school descriptions on this page were created and reviewed independently by the ACO Rankings Team.