
Rasmussen University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Institutional accreditation applies to the university as a whole; it is distinct from any professional accreditation attached to a particular nursing, education, or other program.
For students, institutional accreditation is relevant to eligibility for federal financial aid and may matter when pursuing further study. It does not guarantee that another college will accept a course in transfer. Likewise, institutional accreditation alone does not establish that a particular program meets every state licensing requirement. Applicants entering a regulated profession should check the current program-specific accreditation and licensure disclosures for their intended credential and state.
Rasmussen reports an open-admission policy for general entry, but applicants still need to meet the requirements of their chosen program. A high school diploma or recognized equivalent, such as a GED, is an important baseline for degree-seeking admission.
Applicants should expect to complete the university's application and provide records needed to establish prior education. Open admission should not be confused with automatic entry into a selective or capacity-limited program: nursing and other hands-on fields may have separate academic, testing, background-check, health, or placement requirements. Applicants with education completed outside the United States should ask how transcripts and English-language proficiency are evaluated.
Before applying, check the current catalog or admissions instructions for the intended program's start dates and any program-specific requirements. General admission policies, financial aid eligibility, and professional-program admission are separate decisions.
Applicants should verify any current application charge in the Rasmussen application process before submitting it. An application fee, if charged, is separate from tuition, required course charges, and any enrollment-related payment.
Anyone for whom a fee would be a barrier should ask admissions about waiver eligibility and the required request process before paying. Requirements may differ by applicant category or program, so a general university fee description should not be assumed to cover every application.
Students should not assume Rasmussen's Saint Cloud location operates an Army, Air Force, or Navy ROTC unit. ROTC participation through another college would require a verified cross-enrollment arrangement, compatible course scheduling, and approval from the host unit.
ROTC is different from using veterans' or military education benefits. A student interested in commissioning should speak directly with the ROTC unit at a potential host institution about eligibility, scholarships, enrollment procedures, and any service obligation before treating cross-enrollment as part of an academic plan.
Transfer applicants should submit their previous college coursework for an official evaluation rather than assume that admission means every credit will count toward a Rasmussen degree. The evaluation must determine both whether a course is accepted and how it applies to the specific program.
Applicants should request official transcripts from every college attended and ask about the treatment of general education courses, technical coursework, grades, and prior learning. Rasmussen reports that it may award credit for life experience and accepts Advanced Placement credit, but those routes have their own documentation and program rules. A transferable course can still leave a student with additional prerequisites or a minimum number of credits to complete at Rasmussen.
Before enrolling, obtain a written program plan showing accepted credits, remaining requirements, and an estimated sequence of courses. This is especially important for nursing and other programs with ordered courses or clinical requirements.
Study abroad should not be assumed to be a standard part of a Rasmussen program. Its career-focused curricula, which may include required clinical or other in-person work, make advance academic approval particularly important for any international study a student hopes to undertake.
A student considering an outside or third-party program should obtain written confirmation of how its courses would transfer, whether participation would affect the program schedule, and how financial aid would apply. Approval for academic credit and approval for aid are separate questions.
Early Decision
NoEarly Action
NoHigh school completions
General Educational Development (GED) requiredComputer 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
NoOff-campus study
NoStudy abroad
NoWeekend/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
NoData 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.