The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) allows you to earn college credit by examination.
It's a great way to save time and money earning your degree, but what schools accept this kind of credit?
More than 2,900 colleges and universities in the U.S. do and many of them have online degree programs.
With an online accelerated degree program plus CLEP credits, you could earn a four-year degree in as little as two years of full-time study.
Top Online Schools that Accept CLEP Transfer Credit
Read on for more details about the best schools with online degree programs that accept CLEP transfer credit.
1. Arizona State University
Arizona State University (ASU) accepts up to 60 credit hours of CLEP transfer credit toward your online or in-person bachelor's degree.
Most courses are eligible for up to three credit hours, but some advanced courses are eligible for more.
Use your CLEP transfer credits to shorten the time it takes you to earn a bachelor's degree through the ASU online degree programs.
ASU offers more than 150 online undergraduate degree programs, many with accelerated options so you can graduate faster.
2. Excelsior University
Excelsior University accepts CLEP transfer credits and has no maximum limit on the credits they'll accept.
Although you do have to take some courses through Excelsior directly to get your degree, you can transfer as many as 90 credits.
With such a generous transfer program, plus accelerated online degree programs, you could earn your bachelor's degree in just one year.
Excelsior University offers online degrees in the following areas of study:
- Business
- Health Sciences
- Liberal Arts
- Nursing
- Public Service
- Technology
3. Kansas State University
Kansas State University accepts credit by exam from CLEP. If you haven't already taken an exam, you can also take it on campus.
Each college at Kansas State sets its own policies regarding how CLEP credits are accepted. They are not included in your GPA regardless.
Kansas State offers more than 20 online bachelor's degrees, many of which can be completed in as little as three years of full-time study.
Online bachelor's degrees available at Kansas State include:
- Social Science
- Integrated Computer Science
- Organizational Management
- Food Science and Industry
- Hospitality Management
- Elementary Education
4. Liberty University
Liberty University is another university with generous transfer policies, especially regarding CLEP exam credits.
For most CLEP exams, Liberty requires a minimum test score of 50, although advanced courses might require higher scores.
Many of Liberty's online degree programs also feature accelerated classes so you can earn your degree even faster.
Online degree programs available at Liberty fall into the following areas of study:
- Arts and Sciences
- Education with Licensure
- Aeronautics
- Engineering
- Government
- Behavioral Sciences
- Business
- Health Sciences
- Information Technology
- Communication and Digital Content
- Law
- Music
- Nursing
- Sports Management
- Divinity
- Visual Arts
5. Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma State University (OSU) accepts many CLEP exams as transfer credit for freshman and advanced level courses.
To be eligible for transfer credit, you must score a minimum of 50 on the exams that you want to use.
OSU evaluates the transfer credit of each student so even if your exam isn't listed as eligible, the university still might take it.
OSU offers bachelor's degrees online in a number of different fields of study, including:
- Education
- Nursing
- Finance
- Business
- Psychology
- Sociology
6. Thomas Edison State University
Thomas Edison State University (TESU) has one of the most generous transfer credit policies in the country.
You're only required to take two courses to fulfill your requirements for graduation and you could practically earn your degree with CLEP.
TESU is designed with the working adult student in mind and offers a wide variety of online bachelor's degree programs, including:
- Communications
- Computer Science
- Criminal Justice
- Psychology
- Nursing
- Information Technology
- Finance
With enough CLEP transfer credits, you could complete a bachelor's degree in as little as one year at TESU.
7. University of Maryland Global Campus
The University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) is an accredited institution that accepts CLEP transfer credits towards an online degree.
While the Global Campus is entirely online, it offers many of the same degree programs available on-campus.
UMGC accepts CLEP transfer credits in the following areas:
- General Examinations
- Composition and Literature
- Science and Math
- Foreign Languages
- History and Social Sciences
- Business
UMGC allows students to transfer a total of up to 90 credits, which means you could complete a bachelor's degree in just one year.
FAQs about Schools that Accept CLEP Transfer Credit
Keep reading for answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about CLEP transfer credit and schools that accept it.
Do Most Universities Accept CLEP?
There are thousands of universities in the U.S. that accept CLEP transfer credits, but some only take a limited number.
Each university has its own policies regarding transfer credits, with different minimum acceptable scores.
Can You Get an Entire Bachelor's Degree with Just CLEP Credits?
Technically, no. All schools require you to take at least a few courses from the school before they'll grant you a degree.
Some schools don't require a lot, though. For example, Thomas Edison State University only requires you to take two classes (six credit hours).
How Long Are CLEP Credits Good For?
CLEP credits technically don't expire. However, the College Board only keeps your scores for 20 years.
If the College Board doesn't have your scores, you can't submit them to a college or university for credit.
Find the Right School that Accepts CLEP Transfer Credit Today
Many accredited online colleges and universities accept CLEP transfer credit.
This is a great way for you to reduce the time and money you spend getting your degree.
