Dalton State College is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, commonly called SACSCOC, to award associate and bachelor's degrees. Institutional accreditation evaluates the college as a whole; it is distinct from any accreditation or approval held by an individual program.
Accreditation is an important condition of eligibility for federal student aid, but individual aid awards also depend on student eligibility and program rules. It can matter when transferring credit, although another college decides which courses it will accept and how they apply to a degree. Students entering a licensed profession should also check the current approval and accreditation status of their specific program and the requirements of the state where they expect to work.
First-time applicants generally apply through Dalton State's undergraduate application process and document high school completion or an accepted equivalent, such as a GED. Official academic records are part of the review; additional requirements can depend on the applicant's preparation, residency, and intended program.
Dalton State is classified as having an open-admission policy, but that does not mean an applicant can enroll in any course or selective major without meeting other conditions. University System of Georgia academic requirements, placement rules, and program-specific admission standards may still apply. Applicants should follow the current instructions for their category - first-year, transfer, dual-enrollment, or international - rather than assume that one checklist covers everyone.
SAT and ACT policies warrant particular attention because test-score submission and test requirements are not the same thing. Published enrollment data show that some entering students submitted scores, but that alone does not establish a universal testing requirement. The current admissions checklist is the appropriate place to confirm test, transcript, English-proficiency, and term-deadline rules before submitting an application.
Dalton State's reported standard undergraduate application fee is $30. This is an application charge, not an enrollment deposit or a payment toward tuition.
Applicants who may qualify for a fee waiver should check the current application instructions before submitting or paying; waiver eligibility and the method for requesting one can vary by applicant category or application route. A waiver should not be assumed to apply automatically, and paying first may not be the same as obtaining approval in advance.
Students considering ROTC should verify a current cross-enrollment arrangement before treating Dalton State as an ROTC option. Enrollment at the college alone does not establish participation in an Army, Air Force, or Navy ROTC unit.
If participation through another institution is possible, practical questions include travel to training, timetable compatibility, eligibility, scholarship application procedures, and any eventual service obligation. ROTC scholarships and military commitments are governed by the relevant branch and host program, not by ordinary admission to Dalton State.
Dalton State admits transfer students and generally considers college credit from accredited institutions. Transfer applicants should submit an application and arrange for official transcripts from each college attended; admission and the award of usable degree credit are separate decisions.
Students may enter in fall, spring, or summer, subject to the applicable deadlines and program capacity. The college also recognizes some examination-based credit, including CLEP, under its credit-award rules. A course that transfers as elective credit will not necessarily satisfy a specific major requirement, so students should request an official evaluation and compare the results with their intended degree plan before committing to a schedule.
Transfer applicants to programs such as nursing or teacher education should check for additional prerequisites and separate selection processes. They should also confirm any minimum credits that must be completed at Dalton State to earn its degree.
Dalton State students interested in study abroad should start with the college's current international education offerings and the University System of Georgia's study-abroad opportunities. Program availability, destinations, and formats can change from year to year.
Before applying to a faculty-led or partner program, students should obtain academic approval for the courses they intend to take. They should also compare the program price with ordinary semester costs and ask financial aid staff whether their particular grants, scholarships, or loans can be used. Participation through another institution does not automatically mean its courses will meet Dalton State degree requirements.
Regular application deadline
July 1Application fee
$30Early Decision
NoEarly Action
NoPercent of students submitting ACT scores
62%Percent of students submitting SAT scores
47%High school completions
General Educational Development (GED) requiredComputer required
NoComputer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution
NoOpen admission policy
YesDual credit
NoCredit for life experiences
YesAdvanced placement (AP) credits
YesOrientation program
YesDisabilities services
YesOff-campus study
YesStudy abroad
YesStudent can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization
YesPreparation at another institution required
NoApproved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher
YesGenerally accepts credits
YesAccept ACE recommendation for credit
YesPossible transfer
Fall, Spring, SummerData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.