2027 Best Online Degree Programs With No SAT or ACT Requirement
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Can you earn an online degree without submitting SAT or ACT scores? Often, yes - but the policy must apply to the specific program and applicant type you choose. That distinction matters if you are a first-time student, a transfer applicant, or returning to school. Career fit matters, too: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 15% employment growth for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers from 2024 to 2034. This guide compares degree fields, explains what may replace test scores, and shows you how to check cost, accreditation, and career requirements before applying.
Key Things You Should Know
- "No SAT or ACT required" must be confirmed for your specific online program and applicant category; a test-optional policy is different from a test-free one.
- Choose the credential for your goal: a bachelor's degree may prepare you for entry-level work, while nursing, teaching, social work, and other regulated careers can require additional approvals or licenses.
- Compare total cost and remaining requirements, not tuition alone; transfer credit can help only when accepted courses apply to your degree.
Top 10 Best Online Degree Programs With No SAT or ACT Requirement
Business Programs
An online bachelor's in business administration can provide broad preparation in accounting, management, marketing, and operations. It suits students who want several career directions rather than one licensed occupation. Check whether the school requires SAT or ACT scores from first-time applicants; transfer applicants may follow a different policy. An online MBA or specialized business master's is a later option, usually requiring a bachelor's degree. SAT and ACT scores are not normally the relevant graduate admissions tests, but a master's program may have its own requirements.
Healthcare Programs
Online bachelor's programs in healthcare administration or health information management generally focus on organizations, records, policy, and operations - not direct patient care. They can fit students interested in healthcare without seeking a clinical license. Confirm the undergraduate SAT or ACT policy and whether internships or other local experiences are required. A related master's may support advancement, but admission usually depends on prior college study and program-specific criteria rather than SAT or ACT scores.
Information Technology Programs
An online bachelor's in information technology often combines networking, systems administration, cybersecurity, and applied projects. Compare curricula against the work you want: a broad IT program may be less suitable than a specialized one for a particular technical role. Ask whether the major is fully online and whether first-time applicants must submit SAT or ACT scores. An IT master's is a separate, later credential; its admissions process may consider prior coursework or experience instead.
Computer Science Programs
Online computer science bachelor's programs typically emphasize programming, algorithms, mathematics, and software development. Choose this route if you want a stronger computing-theory foundation; compare prerequisite math courses before assuming two programs will take the same time. Confirm the applicable undergraduate testing policy and any live or proctored requirements. A computer science master's may require specific undergraduate preparation even when it does not ask for SAT or ACT scores.
Nursing Programs
Nursing requires more scrutiny than a general online major. A prelicensure bachelor of science in nursing includes supervised clinical training and must meet applicable state approval requirements; online coursework does not eliminate in-person practice. An online RN-to-BSN program instead serves students who already hold an RN license. Verify the testing policy for the particular pathway, along with clinical placement and state eligibility. Graduate nursing programs have separate licensure, experience, and admissions requirements; SAT and ACT scores are not the key issue.
Psychology Programs
An online psychology bachelor's introduces research methods, development, behavior, and statistics. It can support varied entry-level paths or preparation for graduate study, but it does not itself qualify someone to practice as a psychologist. Compare research opportunities and graduate-school prerequisites alongside the undergraduate SAT or ACT policy. Psychology master's programs have separate admissions rules, and professional practice may require further education and state licensure.
Education Programs
An online education bachelor's may prepare students for teaching or for non-licensure roles; the distinction is essential. Teacher-preparation tracks commonly require supervised student teaching and must meet state requirements where you intend to work. Check whether SAT or ACT scores are required for university admission and whether the teacher-preparation program has a separate application. Education master's programs often serve existing teachers, although eligibility and licensing outcomes vary by program and state.
Criminal Justice Programs
An online criminal justice bachelor's commonly covers courts, corrections, policing, and research or policy. It may fit public-service interests, but agency hiring standards can include background checks and training that a degree cannot replace. Verify the SAT or ACT rule for your undergraduate applicant category. A criminal justice master's may serve experienced professionals or students pursuing policy and leadership work; it has its own admissions criteria and does not guarantee employment or promotion.
Engineering Programs
Online engineering options vary substantially. An engineering technology bachelor's is not interchangeable with an engineering bachelor's designed around professional engineer licensure. Laboratory access, accreditation, and state licensing rules deserve attention before you apply, as does the specific SAT or ACT policy. Graduate engineering programs generally evaluate college preparation rather than undergraduate admissions tests, but an online master's cannot automatically remedy a bachelor's pathway that does not meet your intended licensing requirements.
Social Work Programs
An online bachelor of social work can prepare students for entry-level social-service roles and, in some cases, an advanced-standing master of social work pathway. Check programmatic accreditation, field-placement expectations, state rules, and the undergraduate SAT or ACT policy. A master of social work is a distinct graduate credential with its own admissions and field requirements. Neither an online format nor a test-free application removes supervised-practice or examination requirements for clinical licensure.
What are the best online degree programs that do not require SAT or ACT scores?
The best choice is an online program that confirms it does not require SAT or ACT scores from applicants like you, offers the credential your goal requires, and has manageable total costs and completion requirements. No degree field is universally "best," and a field name alone cannot establish a school's admissions policy.
The comparison below identifies useful starting points. Treat each as a program type to verify, not a claim that every school offering it is test-free or entirely online.
| Program type | Best fit | Most important check |
| Business or healthcare administration bachelor's | Broad organizational or operations interests | Career focus and any internship |
| IT or computer science bachelor's | Technical work and continued skill development | Curriculum, math prerequisites, and projects |
| RN-to-BSN | Already-licensed registered nurses | RN eligibility and clinical or practice requirements |
| Education, engineering, or social work bachelor's | A defined professional pathway | Program accreditation and state eligibility |
Start with official online program and admissions pages, then request written confirmation of the policy for your entry term and applicant category. If institutional mission matters to you, compare non profit online universities, but still verify the exact program rather than relying on an institution-wide description.
Online bachelor's programs that do not require SAT or ACT scores may instead evaluate a high school diploma or equivalent, prior college transcripts, completed prerequisite courses, or other application materials. Some use test-optional admission, meaning you may choose whether to submit scores; others do not consider them. These are different policies.
Ask admissions which rule applies to first-time, transfer, returning, and international applicants. Then check the major separately: nursing and teacher-preparation programs, for example, may have selective entry after university admission. A placement assessment can also affect which course you take first without being an SAT or ACT admission requirement. For a master's degree, ask about graduate-specific criteria rather than assuming an undergraduate testing policy applies.
Check institutional accreditation first, then any programmatic accreditation your intended career requires. Accreditation belongs to the institution or designated program - not to an online course simply because it appears on a school website.
Use this sequence before paying an enrollment deposit:
- Find the institution's current accreditor in the U.S. Department of Education's accreditation database or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation directory.
- For a regulated field, check the relevant programmatic accreditor and your state licensing board for the specific degree and delivery pathway.
- Ask the program to confirm whether students in your state may enroll, complete required placements, and pursue the intended license.
A common mistake is to confirm that a university is accredited but never check its nursing, social work, engineering, or teacher-preparation program. State authorization to enroll and eligibility for professional licensure are also separate questions.
IT and computer science can offer paths into growing technical work; healthcare and education respond to continuing service needs. But field-level demand does not tell you whether a particular degree is required - or whether entry-level positions in your area are readily available.
Match the program to a target occupation before comparing schools. For software development, examine programming depth and a portfolio of work. For registered nursing or licensed teaching, prioritize approved preparation and placements. For business roles, look for relevant projects, internships, and skills. AI tools are changing some workflows, making demonstrable skills and the ability to keep learning especially important; a degree title alone is a weak substitute for examining the actual coursework.
Most online bachelor's programs combine general education, major courses, electives, and a final project or other culminating requirement. What you learn in the major - and what must be completed in person - varies considerably.
Business students may study accounting and operations; IT students may configure systems; computer science students may build software and study algorithms. Psychology programs usually include research methods and statistics, while social work and teacher-preparation paths can include supervised fieldwork. Compare required courses, not just concentration names. If you already have college credit, request a degree-specific evaluation: a school may accept a course as an elective without letting it satisfy a prerequisite or major requirement.
A bachelor's degree commonly takes several years from a first-time student's starting point, but there is no single online completion timeline. Required credits, enrollment intensity, course sequencing, accepted transfer credit, and placements all affect your finish date. Master's timelines vary separately by program and prior preparation.
Ask for a plan showing your remaining courses by term. An advertised fast track may assume prior credits or full-time enrollment, while short classes can still add up to a lengthy degree. If speed is a priority, compare accelerated online degrees against standard schedules - but confirm the SAT or ACT policy, credit assumptions, and availability of every required course before treating a projected finish date as realistic.
No-SAT-or-ACT admission does not imply lower tuition. Your useful comparison is the estimated cost to finish your specific degree, not the advertised cost per credit. Include remaining credits, mandatory and program fees, books or software, and any travel or placement expenses. Request a written cost estimate after the school evaluates your transfer work.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and review each school's aid offer, including what is grant aid versus borrowing. Federal aid eligibility depends on factors beyond whether a school asks for test scores. If you work, ask about employer assistance; if you study part-time, check how that changes aid and time to completion. Avoid assuming the lowest published tuition produces the lowest final bill.
Career outcomes depend on the occupation, location, experience, and required credentials - not simply on finishing an online degree. BLS reports a 2024 median annual wage of $93,600 for registered nurses. That is an occupational wage, not an expected salary for RN-to-BSN graduates; RN licensure and qualifying nursing education are essential distinctions.
Before enrolling, compare BLS occupational entry requirements and outlook with a program's curriculum and your local job postings. Ask what graduates can reasonably apply for immediately and what needs further training or experience. If a criminal record could affect your options, investigate employer and licensing rules early; guidance on degrees for felons can help frame questions, but it cannot determine an individual board's decision.
Do online degree graduates need licenses or professional certifications?
Some careers require a license beyond the degree. Registered nurses must meet state board requirements and pass a licensing examination; public-school teaching commonly requires state certification; clinical social work typically requires graduate education, supervised practice, and licensure. Professional engineer and psychologist pathways also have requirements beyond an undergraduate diploma. Requirements differ by state and role.
Check the state board for where you intend to work before choosing an online program, particularly if you live elsewhere from the institution. A bachelor's degree is not automatically a substitute for a required master's, and an easiest online masters degree comparison should not replace checking licensure eligibility. Certifications in fields such as IT may help demonstrate skills, but employer expectations vary and certification is not the same as a state license.
Other Things You Should Know About
Not necessarily. Test-optional generally means scores are not required but may be considered if submitted. Confirm the current policy for your program and applicant category.
Sometimes. Online courses may still involve live meetings or proctored work, while nursing, teaching, and social work commonly require in-person placements. Check the complete program requirements.
Many schools use a separate transfer admissions process, but policies vary. Ask whether your completed college coursework qualifies you for that process and how accepted credits apply to the degree.
The absence of those scores does not by itself determine federal aid eligibility. Submit the FAFSA and review the school's current aid requirements and offer.
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- DAPIP | Homepage - ed http://ope.ed.gov/dapip/
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- Program Registration Guidance Documents | nysed.gov https://www.nysed.gov/book/export/html/3735
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