Can You Go to College With a GED?

Nearly 98% of U.S. colleges accept applicants who have a GED diploma, according to the GED testing service. In addition to qualifying for college credits, having high GED test scores may also help you get out of taking some college placement tests.

With a General Education Development (GED) diploma — sometimes referred to more simply as a General Education Diploma — you can apply to most colleges and universities in the U.S. A GED doesn’t necessarily make it harder to gain acceptance, but there are things you can do to enhance your college application. Also, school admission requirements vary, so do some research and find out what information you’ll need to submit, such as letters of recommendation, transcripts, and other documents.

To earn your GED diploma, which is equivalent to a high school diploma, you’ll need to sit for and pass a series of GED tests. Some states offer GED exams for free, while others charge $30-$40 for each subject exam.

GED tests consist of four subject area tests: reasoning through language arts, mathematical reasoning, science, and social studies. To earn your GED, you must get a minimum score of 145 in each subject area.

In many ways, the process of applying to college with a GED diploma is similar to how students do it with a high school diploma. Unlike high school graduates, however, some people with GEDs don’t have a record of standardized test scores or extracurricular activities — these are things that many colleges request from applicants.

You can do several things to enhance your college application if you have a GED diploma. For example, if you haven’t attended school for a while or have a low grade point average (GPA), you might enroll in a community college to improve your GPA and accumulate transferable credit hours.

Additionally, if you earned a GED, you may have missed some extracurricular activities commonly available to high school students. If this applies to you, mention your work history, volunteer opportunities, internships or apprenticeships, training, workshops, or other activities that speak to your work ethic, personality, skills, and interests.

Finally, consider retaking any or all of your GED exams to boost your scores. Although a score of 145 is considered passing, many colleges consider scores between 165-174 indicative of readiness for postsecondary study. Additionally, if you have exceptionally high scores, you may be able to qualify for some college credit.

Below, see what else you’ll likely need to submit when applying to college with a GED diploma.

For many aspiring college students, earning a GED diploma can provide a path to higher education, which can help increase your earning potential. For example, May 2022 data reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that workers with an associate degree earn almost 18% more than those with a high school diploma or the equivalent. A postsecondary education can also qualify you for more challenging careers with greater advancement opportunities.

If you have a GED, don’t let the lack of a high school diploma discourage you from pursuing a college degree. Most accredited schools in the U.S. accept applicants with GEDs who fulfill other admission requirements..