50+ US Colleges with the Highest Acceptance Rates
What’s Covered:
- US Colleges with the Highest Acceptance Rates
- How Can I Increase My Admissions Chances?
- What Are My Odds of College Admission?
You might be feeling like college admissions is a hopeless game of chance, but CollegeVine knows that there’s a school for everyone. Whether your SAT scores fell short of expectations or you’re just looking for an extra safety school or two, here’s a list of 50+ U.S. Colleges with the highest acceptance rates to help you out.
Want to know your chances at the schools you’re applying for? Calculate your admissions chances right now and understand your odds before applying.
US Colleges with the Highest Acceptance Rates
|
School Name |
State |
Acceptance Rate |
Approximate Out-of-State Tuition |
|
Vermont |
100% |
$19,000 |
|
|
Idaho |
100% |
$28,000 |
|
|
Vermont |
100% |
$50,000 |
|
|
Texas |
100% |
$30,000 |
|
|
Montana |
100% |
$37,000 |
|
|
Georgia |
100% |
$40,000 |
|
|
New Hampshire |
100% |
$57,000 |
|
|
Texas |
100% |
$35,000 |
|
|
Maine |
100% |
$22,000 |
|
|
Maine |
100% |
$22,000 |
|
|
Florida |
100% |
$25,000 |
|
|
Colorado |
100% |
$27,000 |
|
|
Mississippi |
100% |
$16,000 |
|
|
New York |
100% |
$42,000 |
|
|
Iowa |
100% |
$41,000 |
|
|
Virginia |
100% |
$27,000 |
|
|
Washington |
99% |
$42,000 |
|
|
Oklahoma |
99% |
$24,000 |
|
|
Indiana |
99% |
$44,000 |
|
|
Georgia |
99% |
$20,000 |
|
|
North Dakota |
99% |
$17,000 |
|
|
Texas |
99% |
$41,000 |
|
|
Arizona |
99% |
$44,000 |
|
|
Ohio |
99% |
$31,000 |
|
|
Mississippi |
99% |
$16,000 |
|
|
Virginia |
99% |
$34,000 |
|
|
Pennsylvania |
99% |
$29,000 |
|
|
Colorado |
99% |
$27,000 |
|
|
Mississippi |
99% |
$26,000 |
|
|
Kansas |
99% |
$41,000 |
|
|
Minnesota |
99% |
$35,000 |
|
|
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences |
Missouri |
99% |
$35,000 |
|
Louisiana |
99% |
$30,000 |
|
|
North Carolina |
99% |
$30,000 |
|
|
West Virginia |
99% |
$27,000 |
|
|
North Carolina |
99% |
$44,000 |
|
|
South Carolina |
99% |
$29,000 |
|
|
Kansas |
98% |
$45,000 |
|
|
Kentucky |
98% |
$38,000 |
|
|
Nebraska |
98% |
$33,000 |
|
|
Oregon |
98% |
$43,000 |
|
|
Texas |
98% |
$41,000 |
|
|
Kentucky |
98% |
$29,000 |
|
|
Pennsylvania |
98% |
$44,000 |
|
|
Michigan |
98% |
$35,000 |
|
|
Illinois |
98% |
$22,000 |
|
|
Wisconsin |
98% |
$44,000 |
|
|
Alabama |
98% |
$25,000 |
|
|
Indiana |
98% |
$40,000 |
|
|
Pennsylvania |
98% |
$50,000 |
|
|
Tennessee |
98% |
$18,000 |
|
|
West Virginia |
98% |
$31,000 |
|
|
New York |
98% |
$22,000 |
|
|
Minnesota |
98% |
$49,000 |
|
|
Oregon |
98% |
$33,000 |
|
|
Illinois |
98% |
$26,000 |
|
|
South Carolina |
98% |
$41,000 |
|
|
New Jersey |
98% |
$46,000 |
How Can I Increase My Admissions Chances?
Although the colleges and universities above accept the majority of applicants, there are some steps you can take to improve your odds of college admissions and broaden the pool of schools that are open to you.
Earn Good Grades
One of the single best strategies for improving your chances of getting into college is to raise your grades. GPA is a major consideration at an overwhelming majority of colleges. Many schools use a tool known as an Academic Index to expedite the decision-making process and screen out applicants who don’t meet their academic qualifications—this is particularly true at highly selective schools.
The Academic Index is calculated using two primary metrics: your grades and your standardized test scores. The better your grades, the higher your Academic Index, and the better your chances that your application receives serious consideration.
Take Rigorous Courses
In addition to receiving good grades, colleges want to see that you’ve challenged yourself academically. Taking rigorous courses, such as AP and IB, demonstrates that you’re prepared for college classes. Rigorous coursework can also boost your weighted GPA, improve your Academic Index, and ultimately increase your odds of college admission.
If you don’t want to overload yourself with higher level classes, start with a subject you are interested in and look for an honors or AP class in that subject.
Pursue Top-Tier Extracurricular Activities
Many colleges are also interested in what you’ve done outside of the classroom. Your extracurricular activities show colleges your interests and passions outside of school. They also allow you to stand out from other applicants. Not all extracurricular activities are created equal, with some being more impressive to colleges than others.
The four tiers of extracurricular activities provide a good guideline for understanding how colleges view your activities outside of the classroom. Top-tier activities (tiers 1 and 2) demonstrate outstanding achievement or leadership, are rarely seen by admissions officers, and are the most influential on college admissions. Lower-tier activities (tiers 3 and 4) more commonly appear on college applications, are less impressive, and hold limited sway with admissions officers.
Write Stellar Essays
Most colleges require applicants to write at least one essay, while more selective schools commonly ask that applicants compose supplemental essays as well. A strong college essay, or essays, allow admissions officers to get to know you beyond your GPA and test scores. Essays also provide a chance to spotlight why you want to attend that school, show how you’ll fit in on campus, and make a case for why the college should accept you.
Get Great Recommendations
Admissions officers also use letters of recommendation from counselors and teachers to learn about applicants. Letters of recommendation provide colleges with insight into everything from what kind of student you are to your unique skills to your attitude about learning.
When asking for a letter of recommendation, make sure to ask a counselor or teacher who knows you well and can speak to your individual qualities—and be sure to give them enough time to write a thoughtful recommendation.
What Are My Odds of College Admission?
CollegeVine can help you better understand your chances of getting into college. Our free chancing engine uses data points like your grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities to estimate your odds at hundreds of colleges and universities nationwide. This valuable tool can also highlight areas in your profile in need of improvement to help further bolster your odds of college admission.
