Top 20 Homeschool Friendly Colleges

Many colleges accept homeschool students, but there are some colleges where homeschooled students can really thrive. We reviewed past Homeschooling Teen articles and also checked with outside sources to compile a list of the twenty best colleges and universities for homeschool graduates. Here they are in alphabetical order:

Arizona Christian University, Phoenix, AZ (Christian)

Home educated students are highly valued at Arizona Christian University, where faculty and staff recognize the qualities that homeschoolers bring to campus – like initiative, independent learning, and critical thinking. ACU Presdent Len Munsil and his wife Tracy are huge fans and advocates of home education, having homeschooled their own children from 1991 through 2005. This year’s incoming freshman class was made up of 16% homeschool graduates. ACU is the only accredited, evangelical Christian university or college in Arizona where all trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, and students declare that they are followers of Jesus Christ.

Ashland University, Ashland, OH (Anabaptist)

Ashland University is a great place for homeschoolers, since it offers an individualized approach that many homeschool students seek in a college education. Homeschoolers who attend Ashland University will find: an admissions office that is happy to work with homeschoolers and will not treat them like second-class students; a very personalized education, much like they are accustomed to at home; a personal relationship with professors; and a strong track record with homeschooled students, with many faculty and staff associated with the homeschool community.

Ave Maria University, Ave Maria, FL (Catholic)

Ave Maria University offers a special welcome to homeschool students. A university spokesman states, “nearly 30% of our students homeschooled through high school. Many of our most successful students come from a home education background. Homeschool students have the same application process and the same opportunity to receive scholarships and financial aid as any applicant.” AMU will build on the values that parents have instilled at home, not tear them down. “Parents appreciate that the moral climate on our campus respects and supports [family] values…. Our pro-family culture is welcoming, and it’s not uncommon for siblings to attend university side by side or one after another.”

Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA (Christian)

Azusa Pacific University has several campuses located throughout Southern California. While each location hosts different programs, they all have an open, relaxed, and personal atmosphere. APU emphasizes a commitment to partner with the local community, so a service-learning component is included in many courses. APU is generally known for being a relatively easy school to be accepted into and is actually very lenient in regards to homeschooled applicants. Homeschool graduates who don’t have an official high school transcript are not required to take a GED test or the California High School Proficiency Examination. If no transcript is available, the student will be sent a transcript evaluation form to be completed by the parent.

Bennington College, Bennington, VT (Secular)

A Bennington education, like a homeschool education, is one driven by student passion and curiosity. Unlike a traditional degree system in which requirements are pre-determined, Bennington has no majors to choose from. Instead, students develop a personalized program of study called “The Plan” based on their individual interests, in close collaboration with faculty members who advise and challenge them.

Bob Jones University, Greenville, SC (Evangelical Christian)

Bob Jones University is a top-ranked, Christian, liberal arts university that incorporates the standards and quality important to homeschool families. BJU Press was among the first to adapt their Christian school textbooks for homeschoolers. With a homeschool-friendly application process and a large number of homeschool graduates already in attendance, BJU offers a warm welcome to incoming homeschoolers each year and you might even say it has the appearance of a homeschool extension campus.

Bryan College, Dayton, TN (Christian)

Many homeschoolers find the close-knit Christian community at Bryan College to be a great fit for them. The college is very homeschool friendly, since approximately one-third of the student body is made up of homeschool graduates. Homeschool Admission Specialist Pat Wesolowski has been homeschooling for more than 29 years, and two of her children are students at Bryan College. To help guide other families through this process, she and the college developed The Journey, a free e-book specifically for homeschoolers. This resource offers helpful information about testing, dual enrollment, transcripts, and more. In addition, you’ll find tips and advice from Mrs.  Wesolowski based on her personal experiences.

Dallas Baptist University, Dallas, TX (Baptist)

According to DBU’s homeschool admissions page, “DBU seeks to produce servant leaders who have the ability to integrate faith and learning through their respective callings. We believe that homeschooled students bring unique qualities to our campus, and we are excited to welcome you to our DBU family!” DBU has a Director of Homeschool Relations, her name is Debbie Dooley and she is a homeschool mom of seven children, six of whom have attended and graduated from DBU. Mrs. Dooley’s goal is to answer your questions and make your transition into college as smooth as possible.

Grand Canyon University, Glendale, AZ (Christian)

Grand Canyon University (GCU) is a non-denominational Christian university that is popular with homeschoolers. GCU is committed to reaching out to homeschoolers, as the faculty and admissions personnel recognize the merits of homeschooled students. Applicants who cannot provide official copies of their secondary transcripts from an accredited high school or homeschool program, do not have a GED, and do not have any post-secondary transferable credits may be admitted based on self-certification of completion of High School Diploma.

Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, MI (Nonsectarian Judeo-Christian)

Hillsdale is America’s premier college that teaches students and educates citizens about the blessings of liberty and about our nation’s founding principles. Jeffrey Lantis, Director of Admissions, said, “We tend to look very favorably upon homeschoolers applying to our college. Homeschoolers are consistently among our top students.” He offers the following advice for homeschool students interested in attending Hillsdale: “We look to extracurricular activities, and community involvement to see leadership development in our applicants. Volunteer work in outreach organizations, employment, community music groups, and sports teams all provide the opportunity for homeschooled students to show us the leadership skills they’ve gained.”

Ivy Tech Community College, IN (Secular)

Ivy Tech Community College has an open admissions policy and offers credit for life experiences. The school is also very homeschool-friendly. According to Ivy Tech’s website, “As the parent of a homeschooled child, it’s clear that your family values education and student success. We share your commitment to student success and strive to provide students with an affordable, career-focused education and the attention they need to be successful in the classroom.”

Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA (Southern Baptist)

Homeschool students can make an easy transition into college life at Liberty University. With its large size, thriving online program, and wide variety of options, Liberty offers a Christian education combined with more than 500 unique programs of study. As a homeschool student, you can customize your college career to fit your needs. Liberty University is committed to providing both residential and online students with a quality education taught from a biblical worldview. Get a world-class education with the solid Christian foundation you’re looking for at Liberty University.

Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, IL (Christian)

MBI recognizes home schooling as a viable educational alternative and welcomes applications from qualified homeschooled students who desire to pursue training for full-time Christian ministry. In the assessment of homeschooled candidates, the Institute looks for the same scholastic and spiritual qualifications sought in any applicant.

New Saint Andrews College, Moscow, ID (Christian)

Students love their stay at New Saint Andrews College because they find their classmates to be so like-minded. They all come from Christian families committed to Christian education in either a classically-oriented homeschool experience or a private Christian high school. About 40-50% of the college’s students are homeschool graduates.

Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, OK (Christian)

ORU was one of the first universities to accept homeschoolers in the 1990s. Over 80% of these homeschoolers were active in all areas of college life, debunking the myth of homeschoolers being unsocialized! Oral Roberts’ son Richard (second president of the university) and his wife homeschooled their own three daughters. ORU has been rated in the top 5% of U.S. universities, and ranks in the top five healthiest universities in America. A major distinction of ORU is its high number of specialized program accreditations, especially for a university of its size. The university is named after its late founder, charismatic evangelist Oral Roberts.

Pensacola Christian College, Pensacola, FL (Independent Baptist)

Thousands of homeschool students have chosen to attend Pensacola Christian College. That’s because PCC offers the friendly atmosphere of a smaller college and the academic opportunities of a large college. PCC has always been homeschool-friendly and there are no extra admissions requirements for homeschoolers. PCC’s in-house publisher, A Beka Book, produces a K-12 curriculum used by many homeschooling families.

Patrick Henry College, Purcellville, VA (Christian)

Patrick Henry College was established in 2000 with an emphasis on law and government, speech and debate, and classical liberal arts. The mission of Patrick Henry College is to prepare Christian men and women who will lead our nation and shape our culture with timeless biblical values and fidelity to the spirit of the American founding. The college was founded by constitutional attorney and homeschooling pioneer Dr. Michael Farris, founder of the Home School Legal Defense Association. About 75 percent of the students who enroll in Patrick Henry College are homeschoolers. The fall of 2018 had the largest incoming degree-seeking class in the history of the college!

Spartanburg Methodist College, Spartanburg, SC (Methodist)

At Spartanburg Methodist College, homeschool students thrive in small classes and enjoy personal attention from professors invested in helping them succeed. You won’t be left on your own to sink or swim. You will work directly with a professor to plan your courses and ensure that you are on track to meet your goals. The first two years of SMC courses will allow you to explore your interests and then identify the right college to finish your degree, or you can choose to stay at SMC all four years. Students love the supportive, comfortable, close-knit community.

Thomas Edison State University, Trenton, NJ (Secular)

Thomas Edison provides a distinctive undergraduate and graduate education for self-directed learners through flexible, high-quality collegiate learning and assessment opportunities. You can even earn credit for what you already know! Founded in 1972, Thomas Edison State College was a pioneer in distance learning. Now known as Thomas Edison State University, the school offers interactive online courses, self-directed online courses, e-pack courses, guided study courses, portfolio assessment, and credit-by-exam programs. “Whether you live in a home in Princeton, on a houseboat on the Mississippi River, in an apartment in Manhattan, or on a military base in the Middle East, we deliver your courses to you!”

University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK (Secular)

UAF recognizes that education is an individual process that’s different for each person. Individualism and diversity are Alaska traditions, and many UAF students are nontraditional. At UAF there is not only a broad mix of cultures and ages, but also a climate of respect for individual rights and preferences. In that spirit, UAF has admitted hundreds of home-educated students in the last several years, and probably thousands over the last decade. Charlie Armstrong, UAF Admissions Outreach Coordinator, said, “We intend to make UAF the obvious choice for homeschool students in Alaska.”

William Carey University, Hattiesburg, MS (Southern Baptist)

William Carey University is very homeschool-friendly and does not require homeschoolers to take the GED. An accredited or notarized homeschool transcript is perfectly acceptable. Homeschool students choose Carey because of its Christian environment, quality educational programs, caring faculty and staff, strong campus life opportunities, and its affordability. The nurturing environment is appreciated by students of all backgrounds and especially Christian homeschooled students.

Do you think YOUR college should be listed here? Please tell us about it! Leave a comment.

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