If you have a GED, you may worry if you’ll ever get into the perfect college for you, but there are many colleges that accept GED certificates. These schools have a variety of other admissions requirements and many offer the best variety of degrees for you to choose from.
Did You Know?
According the GED Testing Service, over 95% of universities and colleges accept the GED transcript in lieu of a high school diploma for admission.
10 Colleges That Accept GED Certificates
Nearly all universities and colleges accept the GED as an equivalent to a high school diploma. Therefore, the 11 schools listed below are just a sample list of some of the colleges that accept GED.
In addition, each school has a brief description, some of the undergraduate admissions requirements, and some of the degrees offered at the school. Keep in mind that the school may change these requirements or degrees at any time, so be sure to check with your favorite schools before applying.
1. American Intercontinental University
One of the colleges that accept GED certificates is American Intercontinental University, which has designed their degrees to be flexible and supportive to help career-oriented students achieve their goals. AIU maintains its mission of encouraging global understanding, promoting an environment of cultural diversity, and providing opportunities for international education.
The application process at AIU includes:
- Contacting admissions counselor
- Completing online application
- Submitting proof of GED or high school diploma
- Applying for financial aid
American Intercontinental University offers associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees. Some of the available degrees include those listed below.
2. University of Southern California
Founded in 1880, the University of Southern California strives to develop human beings and society by cultivating and enriching the human mind and spirit.
USC combines a number of different factors for undergraduate admissions, some of which are:
- Academic expectations
- Standardized test scores
- Activities summary
- Personal interview
Some of the online degrees offered at the University of Southern California include:
- Master of Aging Services Management
- Master of Communication Management
- Executive Master of Health Administration
- EdD in Organizational Change and Leadership
3. Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a nonprofit higher education school that offers certificates, as well as a number of associates, bachelors, masters, and doctorates degrees.
The undergraduate admissions requirements are:
- Complete application
- GED or high school transcript
- SAT or ACT scores (optional)
- Letter of recommendation from counselor or teacher
Some of the master's degrees offered at SNHU are:
4. Kaplan University
Kaplan University is one of the colleges that accept GED students. The school has been redefining the future of education for 75 years by evaluating tomorrow’s technology so that students can be better prepared.
Some of the admissions requirements include those listed here.
- Completed application
- Completed Enrollment Agreement
- Informational interview (may not apply to all students)
- Complete financial arrangements before starting class
Kaplan University offer associates, bachelors, and masters degrees, as well as a number of certificates. Some of these degrees include:
- AAS in Business Administration
- BS in Nursing RN to BSN
- BS in Criminal Justice
- MBA in Project Management
5. DePaul University
As the largest Catholic university in the United States, DePaul University has two priorities: teaching and learning. Their goal is to provide an educational experience that weaves together mind, place, people, and heart.
The undergraduate admissions requirements include:
- Completed application
- Official GED or high school transcripts
- SAT or ACT scores (optional)
- Letter of recommendation (more than one is optional)
Some of the degree programs are:
- Animation
- Communication Studies
- Game Design
- Secondary Education
6. Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University has a 65-year track record of providing their students with the support they need to get ahead and educating them towards that goal. In order to do that, they offer more than 200 degree programs and a vibrant, family-oriented culture.
As one of the colleges that accept GEDs, Grand Canyon University’s other admissions requirements include:
- Completed application
- GED or high school transcripts
- Visit campus
- Work with admissions counselor
Some of the degrees offered at Grand Canyon University include:
7. Ashford University
Experience a new way of learning at Ashford University, as now, college comes to you. Ashford strives to combine relevance, technology, prestige, community, and tradition in every class.
The undergraduate admissions requirements include:
- GED or high school diploma
- Transcripts
- Computer that meets minimum technology requirements
- Complete Student Success Orientation
Ashford University offers programs including associates, bachelors, and masters degrees, some of which include:
8. New York University
New York University, commonly referred to as NYU, is one of the most well-known colleges in New York City. Since 1831, NYU has been dedicated to providing its students with a practical and relevant education in a diverse setting.
Some of the admissions requirements include:
- Complete Common Application
- ACT or SAT scores
- Letter of recommendation
- Official GED or high school transcripts
Some of the masters degrees offered at NYU are:
- Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance
- Master of Arts in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness
- Master of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
9. University of Phoenix
John Sperling founded the University of Phoenix in 1976 so that working men and women could go to college and earn their degree. The programs at the University of Phoenix are designed for students just like you, who can’t put life on hold while earning a degree.
Some of the undergraduate admissions requirements include:
- GED or high school diploma
- Completion of all required forms
- Be a citizen, permanent resident, or have an approved visa in the United States
- Not have been expelled from another institution
Some of the degrees offered at the University of Phoenix are:
- English
- Criminal Justice Administration
- Information Technology
- Health Administration
10. Capella University
Capella University is an online, accredited university that offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, as well as certificate programs. The school offers competency-based curriculum that aims to deliver both foundational knowledge and real-world skills.
The admissions requirements at Capella include:
- Completed application
- Acknowledgement agreement
- Fluency in English
- Minimum GPA as defined by your program
Some of the degrees offered at Capella are:
- Healthcare Administration
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Master of Science in Analytics
- Master of Public Health
What Is a GED?
The GED is short of General Education Diploma and is designed for students who never finished high school or earned a high school diploma. The test is broken into four parts, which can be taken individually or as a complete unit.
The four parts are:
- Science
- Social Studies
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Reasoning Through Language Arts (Reading and Writing)
The GED Testing Program is used to certify that those who pass the test have high school level skills and knowledge in each field. This equivalency is one of the reasons why there are so many colleges that accept GED certificates.
GED vs. High School Diploma
The GED and a high school diploma are academically equivalent. In fact, in addition to the vast majority of colleges and universities accepting a GED, roughly 96% of employers accept the GED as equivalent.
The main difference between a GED and a high school diploma is that the GED is designed for students 16 years or older who didn’t complete high school for one reason or another.
While earning your high school diploma provides unique opportunities that a test never will, such as life experience and the camaraderie of friends, earning a GED won’t provide any academic hurdles to pursuing your college degree, which is why there are so many colleges that accept GED certificates.
What Is a Nontraditional Student?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), there are seven characteristics that are common for nontraditional students. Nontraditional students:
- Do not immediately continue your education after you graduate from high school
- Attend college only part time
- Work full time (35 hours a week or more)
- Are financially independent
- Have children or dependents other than your spouse
- Are single parents
- Have a GED, not a high school diploma
Over the years nontraditional students have become more common. This is thanks to the freedom and flexibility that online degrees offer. In fact, 75% of all undergraduate students have at least one of the seven characteristics listed above, making them nontraditional students.
Many colleges that accept GED certificates are designed for nontraditional students, as well as traditional students. This may help you in your search for the perfect school for you.
Can You Get Into College With a GED?
Nearly all colleges and universities in the United States accept a GED as a high school diploma equivalent. However, many schools have additional admissions requirements besides a GED or high school diploma.
Some of the admissions requirements are mentioned for each of the schools listed below. Often, this includes taking the SAT or ACT. The GED Testing Service recommends that all students who have a GED also take one of the standardized tests before applying to college.
Use Your GED and Apply for College Today
Because there are so many colleges that accept GED certificates, your GED is just as valuable as a high school diploma. Keep that in mind while applying to colleges.
Click on any of the sponsored listings on this page, including those on the list above to learn more about each school. You can even reach out to your favorites and apply today.