50 Best Value Colleges for Homeschoolers

Updated November 15, 2022

While most students enter public and private high schools without any thought of the alternatives, a small, unique segment of the population experiences a nontraditional education. Whether it's the parents' choice or kids see it as the preferred option, there are plenty of benefits to being homeschooled. There's no accurate way to generalize families who ...

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While most students enter public and private high schools without any thought of the alternatives, a small, unique segment of the population experiences a nontraditional education. Whether it's the parents' choice or kids see it as the preferred option, there are plenty of benefits to being homeschooled. There's no accurate way to generalize families who homeschool, and so coming up with a list of colleges and universities that are best for them is difficult. However, our research suggests that there is a group of qualities that, in some combination or another, can capture the values and interests of homeschooled students. These include being religious, moving through school at an accelerated pace, valuing programs that allow for a high degree of customization/personalization, and looking for unique programs that cater to significant talents and hobbies.

The 50 best, most affordable schools are listed below in order from most expensive to least expensive. Of course, you will still need to read through the descriptions and visit the websites to learn which school is the best for you.

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Top 50 Value Colleges for Homeschoolers

  1. University of Washington
    Location

    Seattle, WA

    Tuition

    $9559

    As one of the least expensive universities in the country, UW is a great choice for in-state and out-of-state students alike. It is also considered a “public Ivy,” making it a value that’s hard to beat. Students can participate in numerous unique programs, such as Interdisciplinary majors in Arctic Science, Climate Studies, Marine Biology, Paleobiology, and Values in Society. In addition, the prestigious Honors Program fosters experiential learning, foreign exchanges, and independent study for high-achieving and free-spirited learners. For homeschooled students to attend UW, they should submit as many standardized test scores as possible, including SAT’s or ACT’s, AP’s, and/or UW proficiency exams. Students should also create a transcript that details both curriculum and grades.

  2. University of North Carolina at Asheville
    Location

    Asheville, NC

    Tuition

    $11263

    UNC Asheville might just hit the proverbial “sweet spot” for homeschooled students. It’s the only dedicated liberal arts college in the public North Carolina system, provides an intellectually stimulating learning environment, and (thanks to smaller student enrollment) offers beneficially small class sizes. Students are also encouraged to become “doers” rather than just thinkers, and so nearly every individual’s experience will include some combination of research, internships, international travel, and service learning. Homeschooled students who are used to learning outside the classroom will likely appreciate this perspective. The application process is exactly the same as for traditionally educated students, with the exception that they need to submit their registration with the NC Department of Non-Public Education.

  3. University of South Florida
    Location

    Tampa, FL

    Tuition

    $11355

    USF sees homeschooled students as an integral part of its community, and admits that some of its best students have come from the home study environment. Students must supply a transcript and can use the university’s convenient transcript template to generate an acceptable document, as well as standardized test scores and potentially a portfolio. The university also looks at a variety of miscellaneous factors, such as curriculum strength and your personal statement. Homeschooled students may be attracted to the variety of interdisciplinary majors or the Honors College, which offers smaller classes and a more supportive residential life.

  4. Indiana University Bloomington
    Location

    Bloomington, IN

    Tuition

    $11361

    Another one of the “public Ivies” on this list, IU Bloomington has a long history of providing students with a high-quality education. IU is also known for providing a wealth of activities outside of the classroom as well, including an active Greek system, NCAA Division I athletic teams, and hundreds of student organizations. Homeschooled students who have developed a particular talent or interest in high school, such as sports or music, will fine plenty to occupy their time. Indiana encourages homeschooled students to apply and seeks to evaluate them along the same standards as applicants from public and private schools. In order to do so, the university requests as much information as possible, including a description of curriculum, transcripts or another assessment of performance, a list of courses completed, and standardized test scores.

  5. Georgia Institute of Technology
    Location

    Atlanta, GA

    Tuition

    $11864

    Students who are interested in pursuing a career in science or technology, especially one that will require research, should take their time to research the Georgia Institute of Technology, or “Georgia Tech.” When it comes to academics, the university places a priority on hands-on, multidisciplinary, research-based learning that enables students to solve problems and make discoveries. Homeschoolers who had a similar experience during high school will feel right at home here. The university has a strong tradition of accepting homeschooled students and makes the process fairly simple: those who completed an accredited program at home don’t have to do anything different from traditional applicants, while those who completed less structured programs can choose to submit a variety of materials from a list of recommended supplements.

  6. Brigham Young University
    Location

    Provo, UT

    Tuition

    $12330

    Brigham Young University’s main campus in Utah (there are others in Idaho and Hawaii) is the largest religious university in the United States. Operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and offering highly affordable tuition, it is a popular choice for Mormon students, although some individuals outside the LDS church do attend as well. Homeschoolers and parents alike may be drawn to the emphasis on spiritual growth as well as the remarkably safe campus. BYU has the strictest Honor Code of any American university, as well as the lowest number of non-drinkers, most religious students, one of the safest campuses, and one of the most affordable college towns.

  7. Arizona State University
    Location

    Phoenix, AZ

    Tuition

    $12380

    Students frequently choose to attend ASU for its great value, large financial aid awards, and high degree of job placement. The university is well aware of the added element that homeschoolers contribute to a diverse community and encourages them to apply. Such students simply need to meet the general requirements, show evidence of completing laboratory sciences, submit SAT/ACT scores, and have a parent complete the Affidavit of Completion of Secondary School Education. Homeschooled students who are ahead of the curve might consider applying to Barrett, the Honors College, or The Scholar Academies.

  8. Bemidji State University
    Location

    Bemidji, MN

    Tuition

    $12749

    Students who are interested in attending a small suburban, Northern college might consider Bemidji State, which occupies a scene locale on the shores of Lake Bemidji. As one of the less selective schools on this list, homeschooled students will probably not have much difficulty meeting the admissions requirements, although you may be required to possess a passing GED score. Students who do not meet all the requirements are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Once accepted, you might choose to pursue a traditional major or join a cross-disciplinary Integrative Program. If your homeschool curriculum exceeds BSU’s requirements, you may be invited to join the Honors Program in order to continue your record of academic excellence.

  9. University of Georgia
    Location

    Athens, GA

    Tuition

    $12862

    Homeschooled students who wish to apply to the University of Georgia will be happy to hear that the institution has taken deliberate measures to make sure the admissions process is fair. Such students can submit a graded transcript if they have completed home study through a regional authority as well as a variety of standardized test scores (ACT, SAT, SAT II, AP/IB, etc.). Admitted students can join a number of undergraduate colleges, including unique options like the College of Environment and Design, the School of Ecology, and the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. The “First Year Odyssey” seminars, which allow students to explore a number of academic topics in a small class environment, offer discussion on everything from Bollywood to the CIA to Sherlock Holmes.

  10. Evergreen State College
    Location

    Olympia, WA

    Tuition

    $13147

    Although there is certainly a large population of homeschooled students who desire a conservative, religious environment, and equal number may also desire a more liberal experience that supports informal and experiential learning. Evergreen State College doesn’t even have grades – students receive narrative evaluations from faculty, and students aren’t confined to preprogrammed majors. This type of atmosphere may be perfect for homeschooled students who experienced a similar situation in high school. Homeschooled students should submit whatever materials they have available to them, as well as a personal statement along with their application.

Methodology: Here's How We Rank Schools

At Best Value Schools, we help students of all ages get the best possible value for their education. When choosing the best schools and programs, we prioritize tuition rates, student debt, financial aid opportunities, graduation rates, and the availability of online programs. We source unbiased data from government and educational databases like the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for 6,374 schools across the U.S. We organize that data into five weighted categories to compile our school rankings.
Metric Data Used Percentage
Academic Quality Full-time faculty percentage, student-to-faculty ratio, student retention and graduation rates 25%
Affordability Tuition rates, median student debt, and financial aid 35%
Reputation Admission and enrollment rates 15%
Program Offerings Number of program options 10%
Online Enrollment Score Portion of learners taking at least one online course 15%
You can read more about our comprehensive evaluation process on our methodology page.

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Angelica Leicht

SCHOOLS EDITOR

Angelica Leicht is the schools editor at Best Value Schools who oversees our college rankings, school profiles, and other higher education coverage. She previously served as an education reporter at Kearney Hub, and an editor at the Dallas Observer and Houston Press. Her writing has appeared in Affordable Colleges Online, Bankrate, The Simple Dollar, and elsewhere.

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