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Excelsior University

#2226 in US ranking Albany, NY
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Tuition & fees
$28,230
Avg. aid
$3,085

Outcomes

Median salary
$70,951
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Excelsior University?

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.

What are the admission requirements at Excelsior University?

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.

What are the application fees and waivers at Excelsior University?

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.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Excelsior University?

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.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Excelsior University?

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.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Excelsior University?

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.

Excelsior University First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 72
Out-of-state: 123
International: 7

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 205
Transfer: 839

Excelsior University Admission Requirements

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

Yes

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

No

Open admission policy

Yes

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

Yes

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Disabilities services

Yes

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

No

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

No

Excelsior University Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Data 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.