Biology/Natural Sciences major—transferring into the Big 3

[TwinMom]

I've been reading this forum for a while, but I finally have some questions I can't find the answers for, so here's my first post. Please be gentle.

Yes, it's a little long, so ... I'll put the questions first for people who don't want to read the whole post. You can get more context about the research I've already done if you keep reading after the questions.

Questions:
1. Has anyone here had Excelsior accept (or reject) study.com/straighterline science courses toward a natural sciences major?
2. Has anyone here successfully used PLAs to meet science degree requirements?
3. Does TESU offer any wiggle room on "two semesters of organic chemistry with lab" requirement? For example, could I take org chem without lab, but microbiology with lab? I'm having difficulty finding decent tuition on organic chemistry with lab. (I just moved to a new state, so don't qualify for in-state tuition anywhere.)


Background:
I have a BA in social sciences and am seeking a second BA in Natural Sciences or Biology. I am seeking this degree as a formality because having it on my resume would be useful in my field; I am not looking to go into lab work or medicine or any other field that would require lab-intensive coursework. I've talked to all three of the schools about this kind of transfer and they've explained the process (some allow me just to apply, at COSC I would need permission of the Director of Admissions).

I want to complete this degree for as little money as possible (around $5000), given that I went the traditional route with the first degree and blew a lot of money on it. The only natural sciences credits I can transfer from my previous degree would be 6 credits in physics (at COSC and TESU; Excelsior won't accept them because I took them over 10 years ago). However, I have taken A LOT of biology courses through Coursera, EdX, MIT OCW etc, and feel confident that I could get through any of the bio and chem courses on study.com and straighterline fairly efficiently. That's great for TESU (which, as a bonus, charges only $379/credit tuition to study.com members) and COSC (which gives 10% off tuition and fees to straighterline members).

But Excelsior is the sticking point. They don't list course equivalents on study.com for any of their bio or chem courses (TESU and COSC do). I called my admin rep today and, of course, she said I'd have to apply in order for them to tell me if any of those courses can be applied toward the natural sciences major requirements. From what I've read on these forums, that type of response is not uncommon from Excelsior.

If Excelsior is going to be difficult about allowing transfer credits to a natural sciences major (from study.com/straighterline, junior colleges, or CLEPs), it's not worth it to me to apply. The degree would end up costing more than an online biology degree from my state school, even factoring in the 20% study.com discount they offer.

Thanks for reading the post, and I appreciate your help!

P.S. I have read the thread on BA in Environmental Studies at TESU, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of crossover in the course plans for the two majors.

I'm sure there are others that will chime in with way more experience but...I looked into Excelsior awhile back for my boys and found that not that many Study courses transferred in. In fact, no computer classes at all. The list was pretty short which is why we decided against it. 

If TESU lists a specific course: Chemistry 1 with lab and Chemistry 2 with lab you have to take those classes.

I looked into the NSM Bachelors from TESU and couldn't find enough/any UL Science classes but Computer classes count in that category so you could do that. i think there have been others that have pieced together that degree with UL Math courses.