Does early decision make it harder to get into schools compared to regular?

I've been reading about early decision options and I'm confused. Is early decision harder in terms of admissions standards, or does it make the process easier? How does it really compare to regular decision?

In general, early decision (ED) can actually increase your chances of getting accepted into a college compared to regular decision, assuming that you remember to put significant effort into your early application. Applying ED shows a strong interest in the university, since it's a binding agreement — if you're admitted, you'll attend that college. This interest is something colleges value, since they want students who are likely to enroll if admitted, hence it improves your odds.

According to data, applying ED can increase your admission chances by 1.6x (or a 60% increase) on average at super selective schools. But this does vary widely depending on the institution. For instance, if your chance of admission with a regular application was 4%, ED could potentially bump your chances up to about 6.4%.

However, there are crucial considerations you should keep in mind before choosing to apply ED. It's essential that you're confident about your choice of school because if you are admitted, you're expected to attend unless the financial aid package isn't sufficient to meet your needs. It's also worth noting that because ED decisions come in early, you'll have less time to complete other applications if you aren't accepted. Always make sure your ED school is your top choice and is financially realistic based on the school's net price calculator before you submit that application.

So, to answer your question, the process isn't exactly easier or harder in terms of what you'll need to submit for your application, but the implications are considerable and can affect your admission chances.