Do Colleges Require the COVID-19 Vaccine?

By: OnlineU Staff | Updated: 1/9/2023

Now that coronavirus vaccines are widely available in the United States, schools across the country have adopted a wide range of vaccine policies based on CDC and public health guidance, state laws, religious beliefs, and other factors.

According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, more than 1,100 campuses require the COVID vaccine for either students, employees, or the entire campus community. The recent spike in COVID-19 cases has led many colleges to update their policies from the fall semester to require vaccination or booster shots in light of the Omicron variant.

We've identified 424 four-year colleges that don't currently require college students to provide proof of vaccination as a condition for enrollment. This number excludes states where a ban on vaccine mandates is in effect.

While none of these schools have mandated the vaccine, many strongly encourage students to get vaccinated and require a negative COVID-19 test to attend in-person classes or live on campus.

Schools that are requiring the vaccine may be offering regular COVID-19 testing alternatives for some students, and typically allow for medical or religious exemptions. Vaccine policies are frequently changing based on the legal status of different bans or mandates, including Biden's federal vaccine mandate for employees.

Has your school updated its vaccine policy to require vaccinations? Email taylor@optimal.com to notify us of a change to school requirements.

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Colleges Not Requiring the COVID-19 Vaccine By State

Note: Schools in areas where state laws ban vaccine mandates were not independently verified.

Alabama

Statewide Ban on Student COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates

Alaska

Alaska Pacific University
- Vaccination or testing may be required for some university activities.
University of Alaska System
- Anchorage
- Fairbanks
- Southeast

Arizona

Arizona Christian University
Aspen University
Brookline College - Phoenix
Bryan University
DeVry University - Arizona
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott
Grand Canyon University
International Baptist College and Seminary
Pima Medical Institute - Tucson
Northern Arizona University
University of Advancing Technology
University of Arizona

Arkansas

Statewide Ban on Student COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates
Ecclesia College
Harding University
John Brown University
Ouachita Baptist University
Strayer University - Arkansas
Williams Baptist University

California

Academy of Art University
Alliant International University
America Evangelical University
American University of Health Sciences
Angeles College
Azusa Pacific University
Bethesda University
Biola University
California Aeronautical University
California Baptist University
California Intercontinental University
Concordia University - Irvine
California Miramar University
Chapman University
DeVry University - California
Epic Bible College & Graduate School
Fremont University
Fresno Pacific University
Grace Mission University
Homestead Schools
Hope International University
Hussian College - Los Angeles
Humphreys University
Life Pacific University
Los Angeles Pacific University
Loyola Marymount University
Marymount California University
Minerva University
NewSchool of Architecture and Design
Pacific College
Pacific College of Health and Science
Pacific Oaks College
Pacific Union College
Point Loma Nazarene University
Providence Christian College
San Diego Christian College
San Diego Global Knowledge University
Shasta Bible College and Graduate School
Simpson University
Requires testing in place of vaccine
Sofia University
Southern California Seminary
Southern California University of Health Sciences
Southern States University
Stanbridge University
SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary
The Master's University
United States University
University of Saint Katherine
University of the People
Vanguard University of Southern California
West Coast University - Orange County
Westcliff University
Westmont College
World Mission University

Colleges That Require Testing in Place of Vaccines

Simpson University
- Requires testing in place of vaccines for some students
University of Antelope Valley
- Requires testing in place of vaccines for residential students

Colorado

Adams State University
Aspen University
Colorado Christian University
Colorado Technical University
Colorado Mesa University
Denver College of Nursing
DeVry University - Colorado
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Regis University
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design
University of Northern Colorado
Western Colorado University

Connecticut

Albertus Magnus College
Eastern Connecticut State University
Fairfield University
Goodwin University
Holy Apostles College and Seminary
Paier College
Sacred Heart University
Southern Connecticut State University
University of Bridgeport
University of Hartford

Delaware

Goldey-Beacom College
Strayer University - District of Columbia
Wilmington University

District of Columbia

Gallaudet University
Strayer University - District of Columbia
The Catholic University of America
University of the District of Columbia
University of the Potomac - Washington DC Campus

Florida

Statewide Ban on Student COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates

Georgia

Statewide Ban on Student COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates at Public Schools
American InterContinental University - Atlanta
Beulah Heights University
Berry College
DeVry University - Georgia
Herzing University - Atlanta
Life University
Luther Rice College & Seminary
Piedmont University
Point University
Mercer University
Reformed University
Reinhardt University
Savannah College of Art and Design
Shorter University
South University - Savannah
Strayer University - Georgia
Thomas University
Toccoa Falls College
Truett McConnell University
Wesleyan College
Young Harris College

Hawaii

Hawai'i Pacific University
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Pacific Rim Christian University
University of Hawaii at Hilo
University of Hawaii at Manoa

Idaho

Statewide Ban on Student COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates at Public Schools
Provo College - Idaho Falls Campus
New Saint Andrews College
Northwest Nazarene University

Illinois

Aurora University
Benedictine University
Chicago State University
Concordia University - Chicago
DeVry University - Illinois
Eastern Illinois University
Governors State University
Greenville University
Judson University
Lewis University
Lincoln Christian University
Lincoln College
McKendree University
Moody Bible Institute
National Louis University
North Park University
Northeastern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University
Olivet Nazarene University
Pacific College of Health Science - Chicago
Quincy University
Rasmussen University - Illinois
Saint Xavier University
Trinity Christian College
Trinity International University - Illinois
University of St Francis
University of Illinois Chicago
University of Illinois Springfield
University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign
VanderCook College of Music

Colleges That Require Testing in Place of Vaccines:

American Islamic College
- Requires testing in place of vaccines
Millikin University
- Requires testing in place of vaccines
Southern Illinois University - Carbondale
- Requires testing in place of vaccines
Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville
- Requires testing in place of vaccines

Indiana

Statewide Ban on Student COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates at Public Schools
Anderson University
Bethel University
Calumet College of Saint Joseph
DeVry University - Indiana
Goshen College
Grace College and Theological Seminary
Horizon University
Huntington University
Indiana Wesleyan University - Marion
Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global
John Patrick University of Health and Applied Sciences
Indiana Institute of Technology
Manchester University
Marian University
Oakland City University
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Trine University
Trine University - Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses
University of Evansville
University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne
Veritas Baptist College

Iowa

Statewide Ban on Student COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates

Kansas

Statewide Ban on COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates at Public Schools
Baker University
Barclay College
Benedictine College
Bethany College
Central Christian College of Kansas
Cleveland University - Kansas City
Friends University
Kansas State University
Kansas Wesleyan University
Manhattan Christian College
McPherson College
MidAmerica Nazarene University
Newman University
Rasmussen University - Kansas
Southwestern College
Sterling College
University of Saint Mary
University of Arkansas Grantham

Colleges That Require Testing in Place of Vaccines:

Ottawa University
- Requires regular testing in place of vaccine
Tabor College
- Requires testing in place of vaccines

Kentucky

Alice Lloyd College
American National University - Pikeville
Asbury University
Brescia University
Campbellsville University
Clear Creek Baptist Bible College
Eastern Kentucky University
Galen College of Nursing - Louisville
Georgetown College
Kentucky Christian University
Kentucky State University
Lindsey Wilson College
Midway University
Morehead State University
Murray State University
Northern Kentucky University
Sullivan University
Spalding University
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Thomas More University
University of Kentucky
University of Louisville
University of Pikeville
University of the Cumberlands
Western Kentucky University

Colleges That Require Testing in Place of Vaccines:

Campbellsville University
- Requires testing in place of vaccines

Louisiana

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Herzing University - New Orleans
Louisiana College
Loyola University New Orleans
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Louisiana State University - Shreveport
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Maine

Beal University

Maryland

Capitol Technology University
Frostburg State University
Salisbury University
St Mary's College of Maryland
Strayer University - Maryland
Maple Springs Baptist Bible College and Seminary
Towson University
University of Baltimore
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
University of Maryland Global Campus
University of Maryland - Baltimore County
University of Maryland - College Park
Washington Adventist University

Massachusetts

Gordon College
Nichols College
Northpoint Bible College

Michigan

Spring Arbor University
Michigan Technological University
Northern Michigan University
Grace Christian University
Adrian College
Alma College
Andrews University
Aquinas College
Calvin University
Cleary University
Central Michigan University
Requires testing in place of vaccine
Cornerstone University
Compass College of Cinematic Arts
Concordia University Ann Arbor
Davenport University
Ferris State University
Finlandia University
Grace Christian University
Hope College
Kettering University
Kuyper College
Lake Superior State University
Lawrence Technological University
Madonna University
Olivet College
Northern Michigan University
Northwood University
Rochester University
Sacred Heart Major Seminary
Saginaw Valley State University
Requires testing in place of vaccine
Siena Heights University
Spring Arbor University
Walsh College
Western Michigan University

Colleges That Require Testing in Place of Vaccines:

Eastern Michigan University
- Requires testing in place of vaccines

Minnesota

Capella University
Concordia University - Saint Paul
Bethany Global University
Bethany Lutheran College
Bethel University
Bemidji State University
Bethany Lutheran College
College of Saint Benedict
Concordia University - Saint Paul
Crown College
Herzing University - Minneapolis
Martin Luther College
Metropolitan State University
Minnesota State University at Mankato
Minnesota State University - Moorhead
North Central University
Northwestern Health Sciences University
Rasmussen University - Minnesota
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Johns University
Southwest Minnesota State University
University of Northwestern - St. Paul
Winona State University

Mississippi

Statewide Ban on Student COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates

Missouri

Avila University
Baptist Bible College and Graduate School
Calvary University
Central Christian College of the Bible
Central Methodist University
City Vision University
College of the Ozarks
Columbia College
Cox College
Culver-Stockton College
DeVry University - Missouri
Drury University
Evangel University
Fontbonne University
Hannibal-LaGrange University
Harris-Stowe State University
Kansas City Art Institute
Lincoln University
Lindenwood University
Logan University
Maryville University of Saint Louis
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Missouri Baptist University
Missouri Southern State University
Missouri State University
Missouri Valley College
Missouri Western State University
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Northwest Missouri State University
Ozark Christian College
Park University
Rockhurst University
Saint Louis Christian College
Southeast Missouri State University
Southwest Baptist University
St Louis College of Health Careers - Fenton
Stephens College
Stevens Institute of Business & Arts
Truman State University
University of Central Missouri
University of Missouri - Columbia
University of Missouri - Kansas City
University of Missouri - St Louis
Webster University
Westminster College
William Woods University

Montana

Temporary Statewide Ban on Student COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates

Nebraska

Bellevue University
Bryan College of Health Sciences
Requires testing in place of vaccine
Chadron State College
Clarkson College
Concordia University - Nebraska
Doane University
Hastings College
Midland University
Peru State College
Union College
University of Nebraska at Kearney
University of Nebraska at Omaha
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Wayne State College
York College

Nevada

DeVry University - Nevada
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
University of Nevada - Reno
Roseman University
Sierra Nevada College

New Hampshire

Statewide Ban on Student COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates at Public Schools
Colby-Sawyer College
Rivier University

New Jersey

Berkeley College - Woodland Park
DeVry University - New Jersey
Pillar College - Newark
Rider University
Strayer University - New Jersey
Thomas Edison State University

Colleges That Require Testing in Place of Vaccines:

Bloomfield College
- Required for residential students

New Mexico

Eastern New Mexico University
Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development
University of the Southwest

New York

Alfred University
D'Youville College
Daemen University
DeVry College of New York
Five Towns College
Houghton College
Iona College
Medaille College
Monroe College
Pacific College of Health and Science
Roberts Wesleyan College
St Lawrence University
St. Thomas Aquinas College

North Carolina

Appalachian State University
Barton College
Belmont Abbey College
Campbell University
Carolina College of Biblical Studies
Carolina University
Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary
Chowan University
DeVry University - North Carolina
East Carolina University
Elizabeth City State University
Fayetteville State University
Gardner-Webb University
High Point University
Lenoir - Rhyne University
Manna University
Mars Hill University
Mid-Atlantic Christian University
Montreat College
North Carolina A&T State University
North Carolina State University
North Carolina Wesleyan College
Pfeiffer University
South University - High Point
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
St. Andrews University
Strayer University - North Carolina
University of Mount Olive
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
University of North Carolina Wilmington
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Western Carolina University
William Peace University
Wingate University
Winston-Salem State University

North Dakota

Dickinson State University
North Dakota State University
Mayville State University
Minot State University
Rasmussen University - North Dakota
Sitting Bull College
Trinity Bible College
University of Jamestown
University of Mary
University of North Dakota
Valley City State University

Ohio

Statewide Ban on Student COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates at Public Schools
Ashland University
Baldwin Wallace University
Bluffton University
Cedarville University
Central State University
Cleveland Institute of Music
Defiance College
DeVry University - Ohio
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Franklin University
Gods Bible School and College
John Carroll University
Lake Erie College
Lakewood University
Lourdes University
Malone University
Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Muskingum University
Notre Dame College
Ohio Christian University
Ohio Dominican University
Ohio Northern University
Pontifical College Josephinum
Shawnee State University
The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences
The University of Findlay
Tiffin University
Tri-State Bible College
Union Institute & University
University of Dayton
University of Mount Union
University of Northwestern Ohio
University of Rio Grande
Ursuline College
The North Coast College
Walsh University
Wilberforce University
Wittenberg University
Xavier University
Youngstown State University

Oklahoma

Statewide Ban on Student COVID-19 Vaccines Mandates

Oregon

American College of Healthcare Sciences
Bushnell University
Corban University
Eastern Oregon University
George Fox University
Multnomah University
National College of Natural Medicine
Northwest Christian University
Oregon Institute of Technology
Sumner College
Warner Pacific College

Pennsylvania

Albright College
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
Cairn University
California University of Pennsylvania
Cedar Crest College
Central Penn College
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
Clarks Summit University
Clarion University of Pennsylvania
DeSales University
DeVry University - Pennsylvania
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Eastern University
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Elizabethtown College
Gannon University
Geneva College
Grove City College
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Hussian School of Art
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Keystone College
King's College
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
La Roche University
Lancaster Bible College
Lebanon Valley College
Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
Lock Haven University
Lycoming College
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
Marywood University
Mercyhurst University
Messiah University
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Misericordia University
Moravian University
Moore College of Art and Design
Moravian College and Moravian Theological Seminary
Mount Aloysius College
Peirce College
Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences
Pennsylvania College of Technology
Saint Francis University
Saint Vincent College
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Strayer University - Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania State University
Thiel College
University of Pittsburgh
University of Valley Forge
Waynesburg University
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Wilkes University
Wilson College
York College of Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

Johnson & Wales University - Online
New England Institute of Technology

South Carolina

Statewide Ban on Student COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates at Public Schools
Allen University
Anderson University
Bob Jones University
Charleston Southern University
Claflin University
Columbia College
Columbia International University
Erskine College
Limestone University
Newberry College
North Greenville University
Presbyterian College
South University-Columbia
Strayer University-South Carolina
Southern Wesleyan University

South Dakota

Statewide Ban on Student COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates at Public Schools
Augustana University
Dakota Wesleyan University
Institute of Lutheran Theology
Kairos University
Mount Marty University
National American University - Rapid City
Presentation College
University of Sioux Falls

Tennessee

Statewide Ban on Student COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates at Public Schools
Belmont University
Bethel University
Bryan College - Dayton
Carson-Newman University
Christian Brothers University
Cumberland University
DeVry University-Tennessee
Freed-Hardeman University
Huntington University of Health Sciences
Johnson University
King University
Lee University
Lincoln Memorial University
Lipscomb University
Milligan University
South College
Strayer University-Tennessee
Southern Adventist University
Tennessee Wesleyan University
The University of Tennessee Southern
Trevecca Nazarene University
Tusculum University
Union University
Visible Music College
Welch College
Williamson College

Texas

Statewide Ban on Student COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates

Utah

Statewide Ban on Student COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates at Public Schools
Eagle Gate College
Brigham Young University
Careers Unlimited Utah College of Dental Hygiene
Neumont College of Computer Science
Provo College
Southern Utah University
Western Governors University

Vermont

All Colleges Require the COVID-19 Vaccine

Virginia

Public Colleges Restricted From Mandating Covid Vaccines
American National University
Averett University
Bluefield College
Eastern Mennonite University
ECPI University
Ferrum College
George Mason University
Hampden-Sydney College
IGlobal University
James Madison University
Liberty University
Longwood University
Norfolk State University
Old Dominion University
Radford University
Regent University
Sentara College of Health Sciences
Shenandoah University
South University - Richmond
South University - Virginia Beach
Southern Virginia University
Stratford University
Strayer University - Virginia
The University of Virginia's College at Wise
University of Lynchburg
University of Mary Washington
University of Management and Technology
University of the Potomac - VA Campus
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Virginia State University
Virginia Union University
Virginia University of Lynchburg
William & Mary

Colleges That Require Testing in Place of Vaccines:

Hampton University
- Requires testing in place of vaccines

Washington

Saint Martin's University

West Virginia

Statewide Ban on Student COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates at Public Schools
Alderson Broaddus University
American Public University System
Appalachian Bible College
Catholic Distance University
Ohio Valley University
Salem University
Strayer University - West Virginia
West Virginia Wesleyan College
Wheeling University

Wisconsin

Bellin College
Cardinal Stritch University
Carroll University
Concordia University - Wisconsin
Edgewood College
Herzing University - Brookfield
Herzing University - Kenosha
Herzing University - Madison
Lakeland University
Madison Area Technical College
Maranatha Baptist University
Marian University
Marquette University
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Milwaukee School of Engineering
Mount Mary University
Northland College
Rasmussen University - Wisconsin
Ripon College
Saint Norbert College
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
University of Wisconsin - Madison
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
University of Wisconsin - Parkside
University of Wisconsin - Platteville
University of Wisconsin - River Falls
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
University of Wisconsin - Stout
University of Wisconsin - Superior
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
Wisconsin Lutheran College

Wyoming

University of Wyoming

Methodology

This list includes four-year colleges that primarily graduate students at the bachelor's level or above. Vaccine policies at schools on this list were independently verified by our data collection team.

Schools that "strongly recommended" getting vaccinated but did not mention requiring the vaccine on their website were considered to not require the vaccine. Schools that do not have information about the vaccine or vaccine requirements on their website, but have guidance for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, were also assumed to not require the vaccine.

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