What are the most applied-to colleges by US students?

I'm really curious to know, which colleges see the highest amount of applications each year in the United States? Is the number significantly different for public vs. private colleges?

In recent years, the list of most applied-to colleges has contained a mixture of public and private institutions, often with larger enrollments and well-known reputations.

As of the most recent data, several of the University of California system's institutions regularly receive the most applications. This includes UCLA, UC San Diego, and UC Berkeley. Other public colleges with very high application numbers include California State University, Long Beach and San Diego State University.

In the private sector, the University of Southern California, New York University, and Boston University consistently receive a high volume of applications. Ivy League schools like Harvard, Columbia, and Cornell also receive thousands of applications each year, but their smaller size and more exclusive admissions processes put them in a different category.

The large number of applications to public colleges, especially those in the UC and CSU system, can be partially attributed to the application process itself. The UC and CSU applications allow students to apply to multiple campuses with a single application, which might encourage students to apply to more campuses within the system.

Private institutions, especially prestigious ones, get many applications due to their well-known brand, reputation, and network opportunities. They often have more resources and provide comprehensive financial aid packages, which attract students from a wide socioeconomic spectrum.

In general, the schools with the most applications tend to be larger, have strong brand recognition, and are located in desirable locations. The exact rankings can vary from year to year, but those factors seem to stay consistent.