Looking for the Most Competitive Public Universities by Admission Rate

Hello! I am starting my college search and am focusing on public or state universities. I'm curious, which ones are the most competitive to get into? I understand some of these might have lower acceptance rates due to a large number of applications.

A number of public universities are known to be highly selective with comparably low acceptance rates. Here are a few:

1. The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA): These UC schools are nationally recognized and often have acceptance rates under 15%. They attract large numbers of applications due to their reputation and location.

2. The University of Michigan (UMich), Ann Arbor: This is another prestigious public university known for its specific programs and schools, such as Ross School of Business and Michigan Engineering. Their acceptance rate tends to hover around 18%.

3. University of Virginia (UVA): UVA's overall acceptance rate is around 17%, but it could be lower for out-of-state students.

4. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill): Acceptance rate for UNC Chapel Hill is around 18%. The university is extremely selective, especially for out-of-state applicants.

5. University of California, San Diego (UCSD): UCSD's acceptance rate varies year to year but tends to be around 25%.

6. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC): UIUC has an acceptance rate of around 44%, but this could be lower for certain competitive majors like Computer Science.

7. University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin): This school has an acceptance rate around 30%. That said, the school has automatic acceptance in place for Texas high school students who rank highly in their graduating class, which can make the process more competitive for those who don't meet these qualifications.

Please remember, though, that a low acceptance rate doesn't inherently make a college better. It's more important to focus on if the university is a good fit for you academically, socially, and financially, and if it has the programs and resources to help you reach your goals. Remember to consider a range of college options during your college search, including reach, match, and safety schools.