Most colleges in the United States begin fall classes between mid-August and mid-September, and most four-year schools open in the final two weeks of August. For the 2026 fall term, the University of Texas at Austin begins classes on August 24, CT State on August 27, and the City University of New York on August 28.
Spring terms generally open in mid to late January, while summer sessions run from late May into August. Each institution publishes its own calendar, so exact dates shift by a week or two. The sections below break down each entry point, explain why the dates differ, and show how to confirm yours.