Skip to main content
What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

What's the usual college acceptance rate?

Been amidst the whole college application chaos, realizing I should probably get a sense of how tough admissions can be. Can someone fill me in on the average acceptance rate for colleges in general?

4 months ago

Acceptance rates for colleges and universities in the United States cover a wide range. Some highly selective schools may have acceptance rates as low as 3%, while others may have much higher acceptance rates, even as high as 100%.

However, when looking at the overall average, according to the latest available data from the National Center for Education Statistics, the average acceptance rate for all four-year colleges and universities in the United States is around 66%.

But it is crucial to note that acceptance rates can significantly vary by institution type. For instance, selective private colleges often have lower acceptance rates than public state schools.

While the average can give you a general sense of the landscape, it's essential when looking at colleges to consider each individual school's acceptance rate, as they will vary widely based on factors such as academic rigor, selectivity, size, location, and more. A college's acceptance rate can be found on their website or debated collection sites like CollegeVine.

Remember, the acceptance rate is just one factor to consider in your college search. What's actually important is finding a school that fits your academic and personal needs, and where you feel you can thrive.

4 months ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.