Get into a college you couldn't get into as a freshman.

How it works: A student not admitted to ASU enrolls in online ASU Universal Learner Courses (pay-to-keep credits only after completion), and after finishing the required courses with the minimum GPA earns admission to ASU, qualifying for 100+ degree programs (online and on-campus). Demonstrates readiness regardless of prior transcripts.

Requirements: High school diploma or GED; complete the required Earned Admission courses (8 courses if under 22; 4 if 22 or older) with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper at the start: low-cost per-course enrollment and you only pay to bank credits you want, before paying full ASU tuition.

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How it works: Streamlined transfer pathway (effective March 2025) for Trident Technical College AAS graduates in Accounting, Business Administration, or Management to transfer to College of Charleston and complete the fully online Bachelor of Professional Studies (B.P.S.) with gen-ed and prerequisite requirements largely satisfied.

Requirements: Complete an eligible TTC AAS degree (Accounting, Business Administration, or Management); transfer without losing credits into the online B.P.S.

The cost angle: Cheaper: associate at TTC tuition plus a 20% B.P.S. tuition discount and a financial grant, cutting overall bachelor's time and cost.

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How it works: BRCC students who want an LSU flagship-system degree complete coursework at BRCC and then finish a bachelor's degree online through LSU Online, using the state Transfer Degree Guarantee; a Student Success Coach supports registration, scheduling, and financial aid through completion.

Requirements: Earn the Louisiana Transfer associate degree (C or better each course), OR complete 30+ transferable academic credit hours with a 2.5 academic GPA on all transferable work; meet LSU Online program admission requirements.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: BRCC tuition first, then LSU Online (no out-of-state online fee), avoiding lost credits.

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How it works: A student not admitted to LSU as a freshman starts 100% online through LSUE, completing either a 30-credit Certificate of General Studies or an online LSUE associate degree (for those with 22+ transferable credits); with a 2.5 GPA they transfer into a participating LSU online bachelor's program without reapplying or paying an application fee.

Requirements: Complete the LSUE Certificate of General Studies or online associate degree; maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA; meet LSU transfer requirements.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: lower-cost LSUE online credits for the first ~30-60 hours before LSU online tuition; no out-of-state online fee.

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How it works: Early-admission coordinated pathway with partner community colleges (in IL plus some TX/MO/KY). Students apply in their first community-college year, secure a predetermined SIU online degree track (select programs are completed online), get a dedicated admissions coordinator, and an $8,000 scholarship (subject to funding). Many tracks are completed fully online after the associate degree.

Requirements: Attend a partner community college; graduate with an AA/AS/AAS (minimum 2.0 GPA); enroll in one of the available SIU programs; maintain full-time enrollment for full scholarship; meet standard transfer requirements.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: community-college tuition first, then a defined SIU track plus an $8,000 transfer scholarship (funding permitting).

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How it works: A student earns an associate degree at a partner SUNY/CUNY community college, then transfers under a guaranteed-admissions agreement to SUNY Empire (the SUNY system's primarily-online university) to finish the bachelor's degree; the full associate degree transfers (up to ~79 credits) and the student enters with junior standing. Empire's model is online/distance and flexible rather than a traditional residential campus, so this is the NY analog of an online-completion pathway rather than a true 'admitted online then move on-campus' program.

Requirements: Complete an AA, AS, or AAS degree (at a partner community college with a guaranteed-admissions agreement) with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: full associate-degree credit transfer (up to ~79 credits) avoids credit loss, and the bachelor's is completed at in-state SUNY tuition through flexible online study.

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How it works: A NJ community-college student earns the associate degree (0-60 credits), takes a further year of TESU-advised coursework at the community college (60-90 credits), then completes the final 30 credits (90-120) as a degree-completion student at TESU. Students apply during their final community-college semester and select the TESU/NJ 3+1 option. TESU is a predominantly online/adult-completion institution rather than a residential campus.

Requirements: Be a NJ community-college student; complete TESU 3+1 advising forms each term during the 60-90 credit phase to keep courses aligned; 3-year enrollment window; full transfer of the associate degree under the statewide agreement.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: three of four years at community-college tuition (only the final ~30 credits at TESU), with a community-college financial-aid consortium agreement and application-fee waiver.

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How it works: A student can be admitted to UAF as a fully online (eCampus) student and complete 100+ online GER courses plus 50+ fully online associate/bachelor's programs, then optionally take classes on campus or transition to in-person study at the Fairbanks campus, since eCampus admission is admission to UAF itself (one institution, one record).

Requirements: HS diploma/GED; certificate/associate applicants submit EdReady (or ACT/SAT) placement and ALEKS math placement; baccalaureate transfer/continuation requires ~2.0 GPA. UAF is largely open-enrollment.

The cost angle: Same UAF tuition online vs. on campus (no separate online discount at full rate ~$234/credit), but living at home while studying online avoids relocation/housing costs until/unless the student moves to campus.

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How it works: A fully online University of Delaware associate degree (approximately half of a UD bachelor of arts) that students can begin before formal admission. It is distinct from the in-person AAP and is positioned for students whose schedule or location prevents on-campus attendance, with the option to continue toward a UD bachelor's degree afterward.

Requirements: Complete a minimum of 60 credits across arts and humanities, social sciences, and sciences and technology. Students may begin coursework prior to formal admission and are advised to plan bachelor's continuation with an advisor.

The cost angle: Same price tier as other UD coursework on a per-credit basis (no special discount stated); savings come from completing lower-division credits before a bachelor's, not from a reduced tuition rate.

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How it works: Freshmen admitted to UF start their degree fully online through UF Online for at least two semesters, then transition to the Gainesville campus after meeting credit and major-prerequisite requirements. Students do not apply separately; FTIC applicants to PaCE-eligible majors are automatically considered during standard freshman review.

Requirements: Reach 60 total credits (up to 45 from AP/IB/dual enrollment), complete at least 15 credits over two+ semesters via UF Online, and finish all major-specific prerequisite/transition requirements. ~60 eligible majors.

The cost angle: Cheaper early on: UF Online charges reduced tuition and fewer fees than residential enrollment for the online portion; same UF degree at the end.

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How it works: Students are admitted to UMass Amherst's University Without Walls and begin by taking UMass Amherst online courses (100+ courses taught by UMass Amherst faculty), completing gen-ed and first-year major requirements. Within two years they declare a degree path and may apply to continue in the on-campus undergraduate program. Currently active.

Requirements: No published GPA/credit threshold to enter; placement exams required. To move on-campus, students must meet UMass Amherst transfer-admission requirements (space permitting) - it is not automatic. Available degree tracks include UWW Interdisciplinary Studies, Isenberg Business Administration, and Stockbridge Sustainable Food & Farming.

The cost angle: Roughly same UMass Amherst per-credit pricing; main advantage is access/flexibility (online start, possible later campus move) rather than a clear discount. Financial aid may be available.

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How it works: Two pathways: (1) community college students at partner colleges enroll in a non-credit online course at UofM while working with transfer advisors; (2) recently DENIED first-year applicants enroll at a local community college (Shelby County residents get direct admission to Southwest Tennessee CC) for 1-2 semesters; both earn guaranteed UofM admission on completion.

Requirements: For the denied-applicant pathway: enroll and stay in good standing at Southwest (or a local CC) for 1-2 semesters, earning at least 15 transferable hours with a 2.5 GPA. Partner CCs include Dyersburg State, Jackson State, Northwest Mississippi, and Southwest Tennessee.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: the bridge semesters are taken at community-college tuition rates (the UofM-side course is non-credit/no extra tuition) before transferring to university.

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How it works: A statewide partnership for place-bound and adult learners: a student completes an associate degree at an Iowa community college (with on-site UNI support specialists at partner campuses such as DMACC, Indian Hills, Iowa Western, and Western Iowa Tech), then completes a UNI bachelor's degree ONLINE through UNI without relocating. 15+ bachelor's degrees in high-need workforce areas (education, business, human services, criminology, cybersecurity, etc.).

Requirements: Earn an associate degree from an Iowa community college; complete the FAFSA to be considered for the Future Ready Scholarship; meet UNI's admission/academic criteria for the online degree program.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: income/academically-eligible students receive the Future Ready Scholarship, which covers the difference between community-college and UNI tuition, so the bachelor's finish is effectively at community-college tuition rates.

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How it works: USD's Sioux Falls campus (formerly University Center-Sioux Falls; USD named sole academic provider by the Board of Regents in 2022) functions as an affordable entry point into the University of South Dakota. It offers associate degrees, certificates, and lower-division coursework via day, evening, online, and hybrid delivery that flow into USD bachelor's (and graduate) degrees at the same institution. Students follow the same USD admission steps; gen-ed and aligned credits transfer toward the bachelor's. To earn the USD bachelor's, students complete at least 30 hours of USD credit (15 of the final 30 at USD) and 50% of major coursework through USD.

Requirements: Standard USD admission; complete the associate/lower-division program then continue into the USD bachelor's. USD is near-open-admission for SD residents.

The cost angle: Cheaper: bachelor's tuition aligned with the Vermillion main campus at $354.75/credit hour (the Legislature removed a prior ~$100/credit-hour Sioux Falls premium), plus the needs-based Freedom Scholarship; associate-level entry lowers early cost.

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How it works: Applicants with a 2.0–2.79 high school GPA complete an online, self-paced 'Preparing for College Workshop' (meeting an Aggie Advocate, building college-success habits); upon completion they earn admission to USU in good standing and enroll on campus or online.

Requirements: Cumulative high school GPA between 2.0 and 2.79; domestic U.S. student; complete the online Preparing for College Workshop before enrolling.

The cost angle: Same price: it is an admission on-ramp to USU, not a tuition discount; the prep workshop is the only added step.

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How it works: Applicants below USU's standard high-school GPA enroll in BYU-Pathway Worldwide's three online PathwayConnect courses (PC 101/102/103); earning at least a 3.0 across them makes them eligible for a formal offer of admission to USU's four-year programs (Logan, statewide, or online).

Requirements: High school GPA below 2.8; first-time or transfer student with fewer than 24 college credits; applied to USU within the past year; earn 3.0+ in the three PathwayConnect courses; meet non-academic USU standards.

The cost angle: Roughly comparable/low-cost: BYU-Pathway courses are inexpensive and demonstrate readiness, but it adds a term before USU enrollment rather than replacing two years of tuition.

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How it works: Students enrolled at a WVU regional campus (Potomac State College, WVU Institute of Technology/Beckley) or in a fully online WVU degree program can move to the Morgantown campus as a 'Change of Campus' student. They submit the WVU application (no fee) and Admissions evaluates eligibility; credits move within the WVU System. Serves students not initially admitted to Morgantown who enter via online/regional first.

Requirements: At least a 2.0 GPA in all college work attempted. Students with fewer than 24 transferable credits must also meet freshman admission standards. Nursing, Biomedical Laboratory Science, and Dental Hygiene follow the standard transfer process instead.

The cost angle: Same price within the WVU System; main saving is the waived application fee and seamless credit/scholarship portability rather than tuition.

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