College Requirements by State (Your Guide to State School Criteria)
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Disclaimer: College entrance requirements vary by state and by school. Penn Foster High School is a nationally and regionally accredited high school program, but acceptance into a specific college with a Penn Foster diploma is never a guarantee. Visiting a particular school’s website or contacting their admissions department can give you the most accurate requirement information.
For many people, college is the right next step after graduating from high school. Getting into college, however, can be confusing. Different states and even different schools have their own requirements for acceptance. In this blog post we dive into the requirements several US states have to get into college.
What does college mean?
When people think of college, they often think of a four-year brick and mortar school. While this is one type of college, typically with a bachelor’s degree at the end, it’s not the only one. Here are the different types of colleges for your consideration:
- Private four-year. These schools are not funded by the state and therefore do not need to follow state acceptance requirements.
- Public college/university. These are state schools that receive federal funding and therefore follow state acceptance requirements, if any.
- Online college. Degree programs don’t need to be earned in a classroom. Online college is a convenient, flexible option for many.
- Community college. Local colleges that often offer two-year degrees.
Read more: High School Diploma Requirements by State
Associate degrees vs bachelor’s degrees vs undergraduate certificates
The type of degree or credential you can earn in college can vary.
- Associate degrees. Often two-year degrees that may be a more cost effective and efficient option.
- Bachelor’s degrees. Often four-year degrees that require more credits, more time, and often more money but are considered a higher credential.
- Undergraduate certificates. Short college programs that can better prepare students for an associate or bachelor’s degree program.
Read more: What’s the Difference Between Associate and Bachelor’s Degrees?
State College vs Private College
You may think college is college, but there is actually a big difference between a state run college or university and a private one. State colleges are federally and state funded, but private colleges and universities do not receive government funding and therefore often have higher tuition. Attending a public college within your state is usually a smarter financial move than seeking admission to a college out of state. Public colleges often have larger student bodies than private colleges as well, since they are often more affordable.
Why consider going to college?
College isn’t the right choice for everyone. Some people find a trade school or even entering straight into the workforce after high school the best option for them. Some career paths require a college education, however. It may even be worth it if you’re unsure what you want to ultimately do with your life, since you can take many different classes to see what your interests are and have a leg up in the job market with a degree. Completing a college degree can be an incredibly meaningful personal achievement for many. Hear first-hand from a Penn Foster college graduate what it meant to her in this podcast episode.
Read more: How to Apply to College After High School (Guide)
College admissions requirements
Every state and often every individual school will have different admissions requirements. Some items to be aware of include:
- GPA
- Transcript
- Standardized Test Scores
- Class Rank
- AP or IB Classes
- Extracurricular Activities
- Essays
- Letters of Recommendation
Some public state schools, depending on the state, have automatic admission policies based on GPA or class rank, and some schools don’t require standardized test scores at all. It’s always best to check out any specific school of interest’s criteria for admission rather than going off a general list since requirements can vary.
Read more: How to Prepare for College in High School (A Checklist for Online Students)
College requirements in the state of Florida
To be accepted to a state school in Florida, you must have earned a high school diploma or equivalent, such as the GED, but you may be accepted if you demonstrate success in college coursework. There are other opportunities if you don’t meet these minimum requirements, however. There’s a program called The Talented Twenty (T20) that may be able to help. You can be guaranteed admission to a state university if you:
- Graduate with a standard diploma from a Florida public high school
- Rank in the top 20% of your graduating class
- Complete all 18 college prep credits required for state university admission
- Take the ACT or SAT, no minimum score required
- Be eligible for college-level coursework in all areas (i.e., Meet Board of Governors college level competency per Board Regulation 6.008)
While admission may not be to the college of your choosing, this is a great option. You can learn more about the requirements for acceptance into a state school in Florida by visiting FloridaShines.
It’s always best to check out any specific school of interest’s criteria for admission rather than going off a general list since requirements can vary.
Read more: Does Education Make a Difference in Salary? (How Learning More May Help You Earn More)
College requirements in the state of Georgia
The University System of Georgia has many requirements for admission. The required high school curriculum (RHSC) is a large requirement for students to gain admission to these state colleges. Students must complete 17 units:
- 4 units of English
- 4 units of mathematics
- 4 units of science
- 3 units of social science
- 2 units of the same foreign language, or 2 units of American Sign Language, or 2 units of computer science
The University System of Georgia also uses the Freshman Index (FI) which is calculated by combining a student’s GPA with their SAT or ACT scores. In terms of the required SAT or ACT scores, that can vary by school.
More information on Georgia college requirements can be found in the University System of Georgia’s Freshman Admissions document.
It’s always best to check out any specific school of interest’s criteria for admission rather than going off a general list since requirements can vary.
College requirements in the state of Illinois
The requirements for admission to an Illinois state college or university vary by school. Many have a minimum high school GPA requirement for automatic admission, though some schools may have other requirements for auto admission. Furthermore, there are plenty of test-optional state colleges in Illinois, so if you struggle with standardized tests, you’re in luck.
To learn more about the requirements for entrance into an Illinois state college, check out this high-level overview or visit the Illinois State Board of Education website.
It’s always best to check out any specific school of interest’s criteria for admission rather than going off a general list since requirements can vary.
Read more: 10 Alternatives to College (Guide)
College requirements in the state of Kentucky
Kentucky has a council that determines admission criteria for its public institutions. A minimum high school GPA of 2.5 on a 4-point scale is required, though those with a lower GPA may still be able to gain admittance if they enter a learning contract. This contract is signed upon enrollment and includes the following:
- Support services expectations (advising, mentoring, tutoring, etc.) for both the student and the institution.
- Student learning goals and expectations.
- Required student participation in a financial literacy program.
- How student progress is monitored.
- The specified length of the learning contract.
For students looking to enroll in a specific degree program, there may be more requirements, such as an ACT score or certain coursework. These requirements vary by school.
For more information, visit the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
It’s always best to check out any specific school of interest’s criteria for admission rather than going off a general list since requirements can vary.
College requirements in the state of North Carolina
In North Carolina, students looking to gain acceptance to a state college must have a minimum weighted high school GPA of 2.5. If their GPA is between 2.5 and 2.8, they are also required to submit ACT or SAT scores. The ACT score must be a minimum of 17 and the SAT score a minimum of 930.
In terms of curriculum, students must complete the Future-Ready Core in mathematics sequence of Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Math I, II, III or Integrated Math I, II, III, as well as a fourth mathematics course aligned with the students’ post-secondary plans. The fourth math course must meet University of North Carolina system Minimum Admission Requirements or be acceptable for earning placement in a credit-bearing college math class under the North Carolina Community College System’s Multiple Measures Placement policy. They should also earn at least the benchmark reading score established by a nationally norm-referenced college admissions test, which they are able to retake in order to achieve this score. A norm-referenced test compares a student’s performance to that of other peers in their group. In college admissions, these tests are often used to predict potential success in higher education and help colleges rank applicants.
To learn more about the process of entering a state college in North Carolina, check out College for North Carolina and The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
It’s always best to check out any specific school of interest’s criteria for admission rather than going off a general list since requirements can vary.
College requirements in the state of New York
Students in New York state must earn the 22 credits required to graduate high school in New York to be able to gain admittance to a state university or college. New York state universities, or SUNY schools, don’t currently require SAT or ACT test scores, but this is only a temporary suspension so it may be in your best interest to still take one of these standardized tests if you’re interested in a SUNY school. They do, however, look at essays, recommendation letters, and extracurricular activities in their holistic review for admission.
It’s important to note that since virtual or online high schools are usually not registered by the New York State Board of Regents, they may not be recognized in the state of New York. To learn more about SUNY schools and their requirements, visit The State University of New York.
It’s always best to check out any specific school of interest’s criteria for admission rather than going off a general list since requirements can vary.
College requirements in the state of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania state school entrance criteria varies. Penn State University, for example, has categories for admission based on completed units in high school. However, some colleges and majors may require more or less units in subjects such as math or world language, so it’s always best to check with the admissions department of any school you are interested in. For students who earned a GED or equivalent rather than a high school diploma, they must submit their high school transcripts through the last year they completed as well as their GED/equivalency transcript. There may be additional requirements depending on the program you’re interested in.
Learn more about Penn State’s requirements or about other PA state schools to have a better idea how to gain admission.
It’s always best to check out any specific school of interest’s criteria for admission rather than going off a general list since requirements can vary.
Read more: New Year, New Career: 10 Tips for Changing Careers in 2024
College requirements in the state of South Carolina
In South Carolina, the Commission on Higher Education has established the minimum course requirements for attending public four-year colleges within the state. Students must complete the following units:
- English: 4 units
- Math: 4 units
- Laboratory science: 3 units
- World language: 2 units
- Social science: 3.5 units
- Fine arts: 1 unit
- Physical education or JROTC: 1 unit
- Electives: 2 units
Some colleges may require additional courses for admission in South Carolina. The Kershaw County School District is a great resource for additional information.
It’s always best to check out any specific school of interest’s criteria for admission rather than going off a general list since requirements can vary.
College requirements in the state of Tennessee
The state of Tennessee has many state schools, each with their own criteria for admission. The College System of Tennessee will likely ask for any transcripts you have as well as test scores for any schools that aren’t test-optional. They also may ask for any health forms you may have.
More information can be found at the College System of Tennessee.
It’s always best to check out any specific school of interest’s criteria for admission rather than going off a general list since requirements can vary.
Read more: What Jobs Can You Get With an Associate Degree?
College requirements in the state of Virginia
Like most states, requirements for admission to Virginia colleges varies depending on the school. For community colleges in Virginia, the requirements are consistent:
- Earned a high school diploma/equivalent or be 18 years of age or older
- Identity verification
- Demonstrate a proficiency in reading, writing, and mathematics
For state universities and colleges, you can learn individual school’s criteria through the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.
It’s always best to check out any specific school of interest’s criteria for admission rather than going off a general list since requirements can vary.
College requirements in the state of New Jersey
For state colleges in New Jersey, it’s best to check out a school’s website or call the admissions office to learn the admission requirements. Each school has different criteria to attend. The College of New Jersey, for example, has a holistic approach to reviewing applications. There are no minimum transcript requirements, though typically accepted students are within the top 30% of their high school class. ACT or SAT scores are also not required when applying to the College of New Jersey, but other schools may look at these scores as part of their criteria.
It’s always best to check out any specific school of interest’s criteria for admission rather than going off a general list since requirements can vary.
College requirements in the state of Texas
Some states, like Texas, have automatic college admission policies. In this state, the policy’s criteria includes if the applicant graduated with a GPA in the top 10% of their class in one of the two preceding years of the academic year they are applying for as well as
- graduated from a public or private high school in this state accredited by a generally recognized accrediting organization or from a high school operated by the United States Department of Defense or
- completed a nontraditional secondary education as defined by Section 51.9241
Information on the curriculum requirements can be found in the TEC §51.803 document on the Texas Education Agency website.
It’s always best to check out any specific school of interest’s criteria for admission rather than going off a general list since requirements can vary.
Read more: Do I Need to Go to College to Get a Good Job?
Do state colleges accept Penn Foster High School diplomas?
The state of New York may give you some trouble if you try to apply to a SUNY school with an out of state online high school diploma like that of Penn Foster, but many state colleges and universities across the United States have accepted high school diplomas earned from Penn Foster High School. The best thing to do is check out the admissions section of a school’s website or even call their admissions office if you have an online high school diploma and are concerned you may not be accepted to a specific school as a result.
Consider a college education online
While some states may have stricter guidelines than others, earning a degree online is a widely recognized and oftentimes more convenient way to earn a credential and get ahead in the job market. A legitimate school like Penn Foster is a great option for anyone who needs flexibility as they embark on their higher education journey. Dr. Andy Shean, Chief Learning Officer at Penn Foster Group, shares, “Today, people recognize online degrees as comparable to a traditional campus-based program."
Whether you’re interested in an associate, bachelor’s, or even simply a career program, Penn Foster has plenty of options. Request more info to see if an online program is best for you and get enrolled easily on the website.
Disclaimer: College admission requirements vary by state and by school. However, Penn Foster High School is regionally and nationally accredited, ensuring its diploma is recognized by many colleges, universities, and employers across the U.S. Prospective students should always research specific requirements for their state or intended college by visiting the website or calling the admissions to ensure alignment with their educational goals. It’s best practice to visit any school of interest’s website or contact the admissions office to learn specific requirements.
