
Excelsior University is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole; it does not mean that every program has a separate professional accreditation or satisfies every state's licensing rules.
Institutional accreditation is relevant to eligibility for federal student aid and can matter when another college reviews credits for transfer. Neither federal aid eligibility nor transfer acceptance is automatic for every student or course. Applicants to nursing and other regulated professions should separately check their specific program's current accreditation, their state licensing board's requirements, and any restrictions on clinical education in their location.
Excelsior University uses an open-admission approach for general undergraduate entry, but applicants still need to meet the requirements of their chosen degree. A high school diploma or recognized equivalent, such as a GED, is relevant to degree-seeking admission; applicants with previous college work should arrange for official transcripts to be evaluated.
Open admission should not be read as automatic entry to every program. Nursing, graduate, and other specialized programs can set additional requirements, including prior credentials, prerequisite coursework, or professional licensure. Applicants should use the admissions instructions for their specific program rather than assume that a university-wide policy covers it.
Excelsior serves students entering at different points in their education, so a first-time applicant and an experienced transfer student may have different documentation to submit. Before applying, check the current program page for its testing, English-language proficiency, and start-date requirements.
Excelsior University applicants should check the charge shown in the current application before submitting it. An application charge, if applicable, is distinct from later enrollment, tuition, transcript, or credit-evaluation costs.
Fee policies can differ by program or applicant category. Anyone seeking a waiver should ask admissions whether one applies to their circumstances and obtain the instructions before payment; a tuition discount or military benefit does not necessarily waive an application charge.
Excelsior University does not operate as a conventional campus-based ROTC destination. Prospective students should not assume that online enrollment gives them access to an Army, Air Force, or Navy ROTC unit or a cross-enrollment arrangement.
ROTC generally requires participation through a host institution and includes physical training, eligibility rules, and, for some participants, a service obligation. Students considering both Excelsior and ROTC should ask the ROTC unit they hope to join whether it can enroll a student pursuing an Excelsior degree before building an academic or scholarship plan around that possibility.
Excelsior University accepts transfer credit from other accredited institutions and is structured to serve students who have already completed college-level learning. Transfer students can enter in fall, winter, spring, or summer, subject to the start dates and requirements of their program.
Potential credit sources include college transcripts, qualifying Advanced Placement work, CLEP and DSST examinations, and learning with applicable American Council on Education credit recommendations. Credit for prior learning may also be possible. Acceptance into the university and acceptance of a particular credit toward a degree are different decisions: a course might transfer as an elective without meeting a required major course.
For a useful transfer estimate, request an official evaluation of all prior transcripts and ask how many credits will satisfy the specific degree you intend to complete. Confirm any minimum number of credits that must be earned through Excelsior, as well as restrictions for nursing, graduate, or other specialized programs, before assuming a projected graduation date.
Students should not assume that a semester abroad is a standard part of an Excelsior University degree. Its primarily online model differs from a residential university with a regular exchange-program calendar.
A student planning independent overseas study would need advance confirmation that the courses will count toward an Excelsior degree. International travel also raises separate questions about course delivery, clinical or placement requirements, and financial aid eligibility. Approval for transfer credit should come before paying a third-party provider or enrolling at another institution.
High school completions
General Educational Development (GED) requiredComputer required
YesComputer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution
NoOpen admission policy
YesDual credit
NoCredit for life experiences
YesAdvanced placement (AP) credits
YesDisabilities services
YesStudy abroad
YesWeekend/evening college
YesStudent can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization
NoPreparation at another institution required
NoApproved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher
NoGenerally accepts credits
YesAccept ACE recommendation for credit
YesPossible transfer
Fall, Winter, Spring, SummerData last updated on November 2, 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.