Is Your College Closing? Finishing your Undergraduate Degree Online in 2024

Have you been blindsided by your college closing?

You wouldn’t be the first to experience this in your higher education. While many universities are growing and getting stronger than ever, there are college closures for various reasons—sometimes even without much of a closure announcement. That puts students like you in a tricky position. How do you find another program? How to transfer credits from one college to another? Where do you find your transcripts?

There are certainly challenges to overcome when your school shuts down. But we also want to encourage you that there are many amazing options where you can finish your degree online without hardly missing a step. Keep reading to learn the answers to some of your most pressing questions and to get a list of some of the best online colleges that accept the most transfer credits and allow you to complete your education.

Why are Colleges Closing Permanently?

In 2022 the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center published a comprehensive research report on closed colleges through the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO). The report studied higher education closures from the period of July 1, 2004 to June 20th, 2020. The following information is a condensed summary of their findings.

Article Navigation: General Findings | Reasons for College Closing | Back to School – Online Vs. In-Person | Transfer-Friendly Religious Colleges Online | Secular Colleges Online That are Transfer-Friendly | How to Get Transcripts from a Closed School | When You Can’t Transfer Credits from Closed Colleges | Colleges Close…Find Your Degree Online with GetEducated

General Findings of College Closing

During the 16 year period of the study, SHEEO observed 467 colleges closed. Private college, for-profit two year colleges made up 49.9% of those schools. The next most common type of school closure was private, for-profit four year schools, followed by private, nonprofit colleges.

There didn’t appear to be any specific pattern as far as where these schools were geographically located. Most of these colleges closed in a manner that the report deemed “an orderly process” with “teach-out agreements and record retention policies.” However, 31.5% of closed schools did not have orderly, planned closings.

Reasons for College Closing

There are many reasons for-profit and nonprofit colleges might need to shut its doors. It’s often hard to attribute only one sole factor, as many of these factors are related and compound on each other. But that said, here are the most common contributing factors as of 2024:

• Loss of accreditation – One of the biggest reasons for a college closing was the loss of accreditation. As a general rule, schools are not considered reputable without it. Losing accreditation is a devastating blow.
• Declining enrollment in private & public schools – Reduced enrollment is also playing into school closures. Part of this is due to students questioning the value of a college education in general. With high tuition rates, students are wondering if the investment is worth it. Particularly when they see alternative options (like trade schools or apprenticeships) offered at lower prices.
• Financial Challenges for higher education – When it all comes down to it, what do loss of accreditation, and reduced enrollment all have in common? They result in financial challenges. In the vast majority of cases, schools close due to financial reasons.
• Repercussions of Covid-19 Pandemic – For colleges that were already struggling financially, the financial strains that occurred during the pandemic served as the straw that broke the camel’s back. It should be noted, however, that schools that were healthy financially pre-pandemic were usually able to weather the storms.

In the case of accreditation—they don’t have the funds to re-secure accreditation. In the case of enrollment—they don’t have enough students paying tuition to cover expenses. And lost revenue due to Covid-19 served as the final blow to already struggling institutions. While there are some exceptions to this rule—such as intentional mergers or other natural transitions—the underlying cause of most college closures is financial struggles.

Schools that Closed

Here is just a small list of colleges closed permanently from Higher Ed Dive. As can be seen, this group represents a wide-variety of colleges from all over the country:

• Oak Point University in Illinois
• Magdalen College of the Liberal Arts in New Hampshire
• Lincoln Christian University in Illinois
• Salus University in Pennsylvania
• Cardinal Stritch University in Wisconsin
• Presentation College in South Dakota
• Bloomfield College in New Jersey
• Mills College in California
• Becker College in Massachusetts
• Concordia University-Portland in Oregon

Why Should I Finish My Degree Online After My College Closing?

First and foremost, you should finish your degree because you’ve already invested a lot of time and money! Just because the college you were attending had to shut down, doesn’t mean you need to shut down your goals and dreams.

We know it can be discouraging or scary to think about finding other colleges that fit your path, figuring out how to transfer college credits, and finishing at a different program. But don’t let this challenge interfere with your goals. As you’ll see in just a minute, there are still many wonderful options left for you, even if your college closed.

Related Article: Online Education – A Student’s Reference Guide

Back to School – Online Vs. In-Person

While you definitely could transfer to a different in-person school, we personally think finishing your degree online after your college closing is a fantastic option. Transitioning to a new institution is a big enough change in and of itself. But if you go to a different campus, that usually involves a big move.

An online degree allows you to finish your program from the comfort of your own home. These programs are also usually extremely flexible. You’ll be able to get a job and complete your studies around your own schedule.

And no need to be concerned about reputability. These days, there are online degrees available from some of the top universities in the country, even Ivy League schools! All the schools we’ll suggest in the upcoming section are accredited and will confer the exact same degree as a residential program.

We also don’t want all of your hard work to go to waste. When compiling a list of good online schools, we made sure to suggest programs with generous transfer policies. This means that you can take most (or sometimes even all!) of your previously earned credits and transfer them over to your new school, instead of having to retake courses you’ve already mastered. You heard right! Depending on the school, your past experiences, and your program of choice, there many online colleges that accept all transfer credits!

For ease of transition, flexibility, and the least amount of interruption, we think continuing with an online degree is the way to go! Read on to see a list of three of the top religious online schools and three of the top online secular schools. This list will provide a great jumping off point in your search for your next step.

Related Article: Best Colleges for Military Credit Transfer

Colleges to Consider for Your Degree Completion Online

We know some students will need a faith-based school in order to complete their degrees, so we broke up our list into two different groups: religious colleges and secular colleges. Check out these great options to see what might be a good fit for you!

Transfer-Friendly Religious Colleges Online

1. Liberty University

   Liberty University is a Christian university in Virginia that offers over 600 programs that are entirely online. One of the things they are best known for is their low tuition rates that haven’t changed in nine years. They are guided by the three pillars of “affordability, accessibility, and academic quality” and are on a mission to “train champions for Christ.”

   This university works hard to make the transfer process as seamless as possible. In fact, they are well- versed in this process as over 80% of their online students are transfer students. An entire transfer enrollment office is available to assist students in the transfer process and to make sure they receive as many credits as possible.

   Liberty’s generous policy allows students to transfer up to 75% of a degree—that’s around 90 credits. In addition to getting credit for typical college coursework, Liberty also offers credit for certificate programs, military training, and on-the-job experience.

   Find Out More:
   Liberty University

    

2. Grand Canyon University

   With a home base in Arizona, Grand Canyon University is proud to offer a Christian education to over 117,000 students. Their online program is extremely robust with almost 80% of the total student population studying in an online program. Their mission is to be a “Christ-centered university with an innovative and adaptive spirit that addresses the world’s deep needs by cultivating a compassionate Christian community, empowering free and virtuous action and serving others in ways that promote human flourishing.”

   GCU’s Transfer Center can assist students in a three step process of transferring credits. The first step is completing a transfer credit evaluation. This is done through a complimentary online tool where students can input credits they’ve already earned to see how many will transfer.

   The second step in this process is to submit transcripts in order to confirm credits earned. The third step is to talk to a transfer specialist who will ensure that the transfer goes smoothly and who can answer any questions you might have. The university also offers some scholarship opportunities specifically for transfer students.

   Find Out More:
   Grand Canyon University

    

3. Campbellsville University

   Campbellsville University is another Christian college with a total enrollment of over 10,000 students. They are “dedicated to academic excellence solidly grounded in the liberal arts that fosters personal growth, integrity and professional preparation within a caring environment.” The university is based in Kentucky with several other on-campus extensions as well as their fully online program.

   For online undergraduate programs, Campbellsville allows students to transfer up to 72 credit hours— allowing some students to complete their degree in under two years. Transfer students are also eligible to receive a $1,500 special Transfer Scholarship. CU’s transfer department can work with students to provide a seamless transition and ensure the maximum number of credits get transferred.

   Students will need to provide transcripts as well as proof of high school graduation. It should be noted that any courses that resulted in grades below a D will not be transferred.

   Find Out More:
   Campbellsville University

    

Secular Colleges Online That are Transfer-Friendly

1. Western Governors University

   Western Governors University’s history is summarized in its name. In the late 90s, with the rise of the internet, 19 United States governors saw a need for accessible education for those who thought continuing education was out of their reach. They are determined to remove as many barriers as possible to create a flexible, cost-effective, private, and nonprofit university to reach students across the country. Their mission? To “bridge the gap between talent and opportunity.”

   Today, WGU offers what they call a comprehensive transfer policy. This policy is based on competency instead of course titles. What this means is that someone from their Transfer Evaluation Department will conduct a thorough review of a student’s transcripts and experiences to evaluate their competencies and then see how those competencies transfer to WGU’s programs. Transfer students may also apply for a special $1,000 micro scholarship to honor their academic achievements.

   Find Out More:
   Western Governors University

2. Southern New Hampshire University

   Southern New Hampshire University has been around for just shy of 100 years now—since 1932. From its humble beginnings as an accounting and secretary school, the university now offers a wide variety of degree programs and boasts over 173,000 students. Of those students, the vast majority take their classes entirely online. SNHU’s online program is a well-oiled machine and is dedicated to the same mission as its on-campus counterparts: to “transform the lives of learners.”

   SNHU also has a very generous transfer policy. In some cases, allowing students to transfer their entire associate’s degree and finish their bachelor’s program in just one year. They allow students to transfer 90 credits—which is about 75% of a full degree program. In addition to earning transfer credits from transcripts, students may also have an opportunity to earn credits based on their work and life experiences through a “Prior Learning Assessment.”

   Find Out More:
   Southern New Hampshire University

    

How to Get Transcripts from a Closed School

According to the Federal Student Aid website, schools are legally required to provide indefinite access to your transcripts. If you are currently attending a college closing, they should be communicating with their students about how to receive transcripts both now and at a later date. Make sure to save this information somewhere where you can come back to it whenever you need it. You never know when you might want to get another degree!

If your school closed awhile ago and you’re not sure where to get started, don’t panic. Transcripts are legally not able to be “lost.” The college you attended stored them somewhere. The Federal Student Aid government website has a list of closed schools where past students can find information about how to secure their transcripts. Simply find your school, click on the link for the data sheet, and follow the included instructions.

We know doing all of this might seem like a pain, but it’s truly not as difficult as it might seem. Securing your transcripts is a very important part of being about to transfer to a new college to finish your degree online. Don’t let this step stop you!

Related Articles:
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Types of Scholarships for Online College & How to Apply
Online College Scholarships & Grants – Pay for Your Education

When You Can’t Transfer Credits from Closed Colleges

Does Accreditation Matter for College Closures?

Absolutely! A lot of college closings are due to not having enough funding to secure accreditation. A university simply cannot compete with other universities for very long without having accreditation. And you definitely don’t want to have to transfer again after already transferring!

To begin with, many schools will not accept credits from a school that is not regionally or nationally accredited. Make sure the credits you initially earn are from an institution that holds one of these accreditations school-wide.

When searching for a way to finish your degree online, you should be on the lookout for school-wide accreditation as well as programmatic accreditation. School-wide accreditation is an absolute must.

Programmatic accreditation may or may not be as important, depending on the degree program you are pursuing.

GPA Requirements

Most schools will have minimum GPA requirements for transferable credits. This will vary among schools and can also vary based on the specific courses. For example, a school might allow you to transfer credit for a general education course where you earned a D. However, that same school might require a C or above in courses that fall within your specific major.

Because this varies so much, it can be quite helpful to talk with a transfer admission counselor in order to find out specifics about each school’s requirements.

Minimum/Maximum Number of Credits Able to be Transferred

We found that most online programs try to prioritize very generous transfer policies. They want to welcome students from all backgrounds and from schools that have closed. That being said, however, each school will have slightly different allowances and policies. Again, it’s helpful to speak with an enrollment counselor to see how many of your credits will transfer.

Effect of Changing Majors With College Closing

What if along with changing schools, you also want to change your major? This is one of many common enrollment challenges. Sometimes transferring colleges provides a nice natural time for other transitions. We have some good news and some bad news for you.

First the bad news. You may not be able to receive as many transfer credits. This is because of lack of overlap in course material. For example, if you are currently a communications major and want to switch to a psychology major, the credits you earned in communications probably won’t be able to cover many or any of the required courses for your new psychology major.

The good news is that it is likely that some of your credits will still transfer. There’s a very good chance your general education course credits will be transferable. Also, using the same example as above, you may be able to use some of your communications credits as elective courses toward your total credit requirements for your new degree.

All that to say, you might not get all of your courses transferred…but it also might be more than you think! Transfer admission counselors will help you get the most bang for your buck.

Is Your College Closing? Find Your Degree Online with GetEducated

We know having to change colleges in the middle of a degree is no picnic. Especially when that change comes as a result of your college closing. But we hope that prospective students don’t let this challenge get in the way of their long-term goals and success.

As you can see, there are so many good options that will honor the courses and experiences you’ve already had and work hard to make the transition as easy as possible. You’ve got this, friend!

If you want to learn more about this and other online degrees, check out GetEducated to read all about the amazing online options that are available for you!