Explore University Acceptance Rates in 2025

Get insights into admission competitiveness across top universities.

University acceptance rates give you a snapshot of how competitive it is to get into a particular institution. Whether you're applying to the Ivy League or top public universities, understanding these rates can help you make smarter application choices.

At AcademicJobs.com, we’ve gathered the latest data and trends to help you plan your academic future.

University Acceptance Rates 2025

What Is a University Acceptance Rate?

A university’s acceptance rate is the percentage of applicants who are admitted. It is a key metric used to gauge a school’s selectivity. Lower rates often indicate higher competition and prestige, while higher rates may reflect broader admission criteria.

Acceptance Rates at Top Universities

Emory University
Emory University

10.60%

Northwestern University
Northwestern University

7.50%

University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame

11.90%

University of Miami
University of Miami

19.00%

Arizona State University
Arizona State University

88.00%

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

44.80%

Michigan State University
Michigan State University

88.00%

University of Minnesota Twin Cities
University of Minnesota Twin Cities

74.50%

University of Maryland at College Park
University of Maryland at College Park

44.60%

Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Institute of Technology

17.10%

Boston University
Boston University

10.70%

Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University

11.30%

Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis

11.50%

University of California Irvine
University of California Irvine

21.00%

University of California, Davis
University of California, Davis

37.50%

University of California, San Diego
University of California, San Diego

24.70%

Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University

5.10%

Rice University
Rice University

7.70%

Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College

5.30%

Brown University
Brown University

5.20%

Duke University
Duke University

5.10%

The University of Arizona
The University of Arizona

87.00%

University of Southern California
University of Southern California

9.90%

University of Rochester
University of Rochester

36.00%

University of Utah
University of Utah

89.10%

University of Florida
University of Florida

23.00%

University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh

49.10%

University of Washington
University of Washington

47.50%

University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin

31.00%

New York University
New York University

8.00%

University of Wisconsin - Madison
University of Wisconsin - Madison

43.00%

University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Los Angeles

8.80%

University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley

11.60%

Yale University
Yale University

4.50%

Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University

7.20%

University of Michigan
University of Michigan

17.90%

Columbia University
Columbia University

3.90%

Cornell University
Cornell University

7.50%

University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania

5.80%

Princeton University
Princeton University

5.50%

CalTech
CalTech

2.70%

University of Chicago
University of Chicago

5.40%

Harvard University
Harvard University

3.60%

Stanford University
Stanford University

3.70%

MIT
MIT

4.00%

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

17.00%

The Ohio State University
The Ohio State University

52.70%

Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana University Bloomington

82.50%

Acceptance Rate Comparison: Public vs Private Institutions

Public Universities

Typically have higher acceptance rates due to larger class sizes and state funding. Examples include the University of California system and large state schools like the University of Michigan.

Private Universities

Often more selective, with lower acceptance rates. Ivy League schools and elite institutions like Stanford and MIT fall into this category.

Keep in mind that selectivity doesn’t always correlate with program quality or student experience.

Tips for Navigating Competitive Admissions

Whether you're applying to a dream school or a safety, here’s how to stand out:

Start Early

Give yourself time to research, visit, and prepare strong applications.

Show Authenticity

Highlight your passions and what makes you unique.

Ace the Personal Statement

Write a compelling, honest story that connects to your goals.

Diversify Your List

Apply to a mix of reach, target, and safety schools.

Understand Holistic Review

Grades matter—but so do extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations.

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