The class of 2027 had a lot of talented applicants. Admissions in Colleges with Most Applications are always competitive, but it’s even more so now. If you applied for the class of 2027 or are curious about acceptance rates at your favorite schools, here are some interesting facts.
Most colleges kept their acceptance rates about the same, but there were some changes worth noting. Some schools saw a record number of applicants, with six getting over 100,000 applications each. This shows just how competitive things are.
The most popular colleges vary in location and how hard they are to get into. Some schools had changes in their acceptance rates that either followed or went against recent trends. Here are some key points and updates about the Colleges with Most Applications.
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Colleges with Most Applicants 2024
Here are the fifty colleges with the most applicants in 2024, along with their acceptance rates and total number of applicants:
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
- Applicants: 149,700
- Acceptance Rate: 9%
- University of California, San Diego (UCSD)
- Applicants: 140,500
- Acceptance Rate: 22%
- University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
- Applicants: 128,200
- Acceptance Rate: 15%
- University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)
- Applicants: 116,200
- Acceptance Rate: 21%
- University of California, Santa Barbara (UC Santa Barbara)
- Applicants: 110,200
- Acceptance Rate: 29%
- University of California, Davis (UC Davis)
- Applicants: 98,373
- Acceptance Rate: 41.8%
- New York University (NYU)
- Applicants: 96,000
- Acceptance Rate: 12.2%
- University of Southern California (USC)
- Applicants: 80,790
- Acceptance Rate: 10%
- University of Florida
- Applicants: 78,800
- Acceptance Rate: 29%
- Boston University (BU)
- Applicants: 80,484
- Acceptance Rate: 11%
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- Applicants: 87,066
- Acceptance Rate: 17%
- University of Texas at Austin
- Applicants: 66,077
- Acceptance Rate: 29%
- Northeastern University
- Applicants: 98,373
- Acceptance Rate: 6.7%
- University of Washington
- Applicants: 57,000
- Acceptance Rate: 51.8%
- Florida State University
- Applicants: 71,788
- Acceptance Rate: 24%
- University of Virginia (UVA)
- Applicants: 56,439
- Acceptance Rate: 16.3%
- Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
- Applicants: 52,500
- Acceptance Rate: 16%
- University of Connecticut (UConn)
- Applicants: 56,700
- Acceptance Rate: 56%
- University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)
- Applicants: 59,000
- Acceptance Rate: 5.5%
- Columbia University
- Applicants: 57,129
- Acceptance Rate: 3.9%
- Harvard University
- Applicants: 56,937
- Acceptance Rate: 3.4%
- Yale University
- Applicants: 52,250
- Acceptance Rate: 4.4%
- Northwestern University
- Applicants: 52,225
- Acceptance Rate: 7.0%
- Brown University
- Applicants: 51,302
- Acceptance Rate: 5.1%
- Duke University
- Applicants: 49,469
- Acceptance Rate: 6%
- Cornell University
- Applicants: ~68,000
- Acceptance Rate: 7.3%
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Applicants: 65,000
- Acceptance Rate: 54.4%
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Applicants: 47,593
- Acceptance Rate: 59%
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Applicants: 53,775
- Acceptance Rate: 21%
- University of Georgia
- Applicants: 39,500
- Acceptance Rate: 42%
- Indiana University Bloomington
- Applicants: 44,500
- Acceptance Rate: 77%
- Ohio State University
- Applicants: 47,703
- Acceptance Rate: 54%
- Pennsylvania State University
- Applicants: 95,970
- Acceptance Rate: 56%
- Purdue University
- Applicants: 60,742
- Acceptance Rate: 69%
- University of Maryland
- Applicants: 45,066
- Acceptance Rate: 44%
- Michigan State University
- Applicants: 50,629
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- University of Miami
- Applicants: 42,000
- Acceptance Rate: 33%
- University of Pittsburgh
- Applicants: 34,800
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- Rutgers University-New Brunswick
- Applicants: 41,000
- Acceptance Rate: 61%
- University of Minnesota Twin Cities
- Applicants: 44,160
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- University of Colorado Boulder
- Applicants: 43,171
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- University of Arizona
- Applicants: 47,517
- Acceptance Rate: 85%
- University of South Carolina
- Applicants: 36,000
- Acceptance Rate: 68%
- University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Applicants: 41,612
- Acceptance Rate: 65%
- University of Delaware
- Applicants: 33,500
- Acceptance Rate: 66%
- University of Tennessee
- Applicants: 36,365
- Acceptance Rate: 79%
- University of Kentucky
- Applicants: 20,718
- Acceptance Rate: 96%
- University of Alabama
- Applicants: 40,000
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Louisiana State University
- Applicants: 24,501
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Clemson University
- Applicants: 29,070
- Acceptance Rate: 49%
These numbers highlight the competitive nature of college admissions and the popularity of these institutions among students (Northeastern Global News) (UC Davis) (UConn Today).
Top 50 Most Applied to Colleges 2024 – Conclusion
In 2024, college admissions remain fiercely competitive, with top universities like UCLA, UCSD, and UC Berkeley leading in applicant numbers, each exceeding 100,000 applications. Notable institutions such as NYU, USC, and BU also see substantial applicant pools, reflecting their continued appeal. Acceptance rates range widely, from elite universities with single-digit rates to more accessible public universities. These trends highlight the importance of strategic planning and preparation for prospective students aiming to enhance their chances of acceptance in an increasingly competitive environment.