The open science movement is reshaping the global scientific ecology and promoting knowledge innovation. Colleges and universities have become key stakeholders in the implementation of the philosophy. Based on the case study method and content analysis method, this study demonstrates the characteristics and results, and summarizes the enlightenments of open access practice of U.S. colleges and universities. With the evolution of open science philosophy, the governance system of open access has been initially formed through shaping philosophy, improving organizations, issuing policies, optimizing infrastructure and strengthening exchanges. While making some progress in providing access, enabling usage and providing matching infrastructure, they also face challenges including insufficient governance efficiency, difficulty in balancing multi-stakeholder interests, and inadequate depth of openness. The practice of U.S. colleges and universities indicates that colleges and universities should actively create open scientific environment, give full play to the functions of interest groups, and learn from the lessons and experiences of open access.