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)

Which US college has the highest rate of applicants each year?

I'm exploring some colleges and I've been wondering - which US colleges receive the highest number of applications every year? It might give me an idea of the acceptance rates and competitiveness of some schools on my potential list.

6 months ago

As of recent data, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) holds the record for the highest number of applications, receiving over 130,000 undergraduate applications annually. This makes the admission at UCLA extremely competitive—with an acceptance rate often in the single digits.

Another similar school on the West Coast is the University of Southern California (USC) which also tends to receive a high volume of applications each year, picking up competitiveness at an accelerated rate.

On the East Coast, schools like New York University (NYU) and Boston University (BU) often report high application numbers, thereby contributing to their competitive nature.

Keep in mind that a high volume of applications could result in a lower acceptance rate, which might denote a higher level of competitiveness, but it does not always correlate with academic rigor or reputation. When choosing a college, consider factors such as the program of study you're interested in, campus culture, location, and financial aid opportunities, among others.

While this gives you an idea, remember to choose a variety of reach, match, and safety schools on your potential list and not rely solely on application volume or acceptance rates. Do research specific to your academic interests, career objectives, and personal fit for the best results.

6 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.