Admission Rates of US Colleges and Universities

Choosing a university is one of the most important—and often most difficult—decisions an international student makes when planning to study abroad. Because you may spend several years at your chosen institution, look for a university that supports your academic goals, budget, preferred location, and long-term plans.

Students planning to study in the US may already know that many internationally recognized schools are highly selective. However, numerous US institutions admit more than half of their applicants, while some follow an open-admission policy.

With thousands of US colleges and universities, it can be difficult to decide which institution is the best fit. The table below provides the latest available overall undergraduate acceptance rates for a broad selection of US institutions.

Data note: These are overall undergraduate institutional acceptance rates, not international-student-specific acceptance rates. Figures have been rounded to the nearest whole percentage and are based primarily on the latest available U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and institution-supplied College Board data checked in July 2026. Institutions report on different schedules, rates change annually, and some schools report separate campus-level data. Applicants should confirm current admissions information directly with each institution before applying.

The US has thousands of higher education institutions, giving students a wide range of options. Compare academic programs, total costs, location, student support, campus environment, and admission requirements, not acceptance rates alone, before choosing a university. No institution can guarantee the same educational experience for every student, so review current information and decide which school best fits your needs.