100 Best High Acceptance Rate Colleges and Universities 2025
Colleges with a 100% acceptance rate are known as open-admission institutions, meaning they generally admit all applicants who meet basic qualifications, such as holding a high school diploma. These schools often include community colleges, public universities, and certain specialized institutions.
Schools with high acceptance rates offer accessible pathways to higher education for students with weaker academic credentials or low test scores, alleviating the stress of potential rejection.
By admitting a larger proportion of both domestic and international applicants, these institutions provide greater opportunities for all students to pursue their academic goals without the anxiety associated with competitive admissions.
Even for those with Ivy League-level grades, high acceptance rate colleges can serve as excellent safe schools and may actually rank among the best colleges. These universities focus on providing broader access to education rather than exclusively selecting top-performing students, without compromising academic quality. Therefore, it is wise for every aspiring student to include high-acceptance universities in their applications, ensuring options are available should other schools not accept them.
Top 100 Colleges with High Acceptance Rates 2025
| School | Location | Acceptance Rate |
| Art Academy of Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH | 100% |
| Blue Mountain Christian University | Blue Mountain, MS | 100% |
| Cameron University | Lawton, OK | 100% |
| Delta State University | Cleveland, MS | 100% |
| Design Institute of San Diego | San Diego, CA | 100% |
| Emmaus Bible College | Dubuque, IA | 100% |
| Escuela de Artes Plasticas de Puerto Rico | San Juan, PR | 100% |
| Florida National University | Hialeah, FL | 100% |
| Grace Christian University | Grand Rapids, MI | 100% |
| Lakeland University | Plymouth, WI | 100% |
| LeMoyne-Owen College | Memphis, TN | 100% |
| Middle Georgia State University | Macon, GA | 100% |
| Mississippi University for Women | Columbus, MS | 100% |
| Montana State University Billings | Billings, MT | 100% |
| Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico--Mayaguez | PR | 100% |
| Sacred Heart Major Seminary | Detroit, MI | 100% |
| Southwest Baptist University | Bolivar, MO | 100% |
| Southwestern Oklahoma State University | Weatherford, OK | 100% |
| University of Guam | Mangilao, GU | 100% |
| University of Holy Cross | New Orleans, LA | 100% |
| University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg | Greensburg, PA | 100% |
| The University of Texas--El Paso | El Paso, TX | 100% |
| Utah Tech University | Saint George, UT | 100% |
| Utah Valley University | Orem, UT | 100% |
| Washburn University | Topeka, KS | 100% |
| Weber State University | Ogden, UT | 100% |
| Western New Mexico University | Silver City, NM | 100% |
| Wright State University--Lake Campus | OH | 100% |
| Alaska Pacific University | Anchorage, AK | 99% |
| Bethel University (IN) | Mishawaka, IN | 99% |
| Bethune-Cookman University | Daytona Beach, FL | 99% |
| College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick, GA | 99% |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 99% |
| Columbus State University | Columbus, GA | 99% |
| Davenport University | Grand Rapids, MI | 99% |
| Eastern Mennonite University | Harrisonburg, VA | 99% |
| Eastern Oregon University | La Grande, OR | 99% |
| Edgewood College | Madison, WI | 99% |
| Fairmont State University | Fairmont, WV | 99% |
| Liberty University | Lynchburg, VA | 99% |
| Missouri Western State University | St. Joseph, MO | 99% |
| Northeastern State University | Tahlequah, OK | 99% |
| Oral Roberts University | Tulsa, OK | 99% |
| South Dakota State University | Brookings, SD | 99% |
| Southern Virginia University | Buena Vista, VA | 99% |
| South Georgia State College | Douglas, GA | 99% |
| St. Thomas University | Miami Gardens, FL | 99% |
| University of Maine--Fort Kent | Fort Kent, ME | 99% |
| University of South Dakota | Vermillion, SD | 99% |
| University of Southern Mississippi | Hattiesburg, MS | 99% |
| Wartburg College | Waverly, IA | 99% |
| Chestnut Hill College | Philadelphia, PA | 98% |
| The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina | Charleston, SC | 98% |
| Colegio Universitario de San Juan | San Juan, PR | 98% |
| Culver-Stockton College | Canton, MO | 98% |
| Dakota State University | Madison, SD | 98% |
| Emporia State University | Emporia, KS | 98% |
| Grand View University | Des Moines, IA | 98% |
| Limestone University | Gaffney, SC | 98% |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 98% |
| Oklahoma Panhandle State University | Goodwell, OK | 98% |
| Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico--Arecibo | Arecibo, PR | 98% |
| Prescott College | Prescott, AZ | 98% |
| University of Arkansas -- Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 98% |
| University of Maine at Farmington | Farmington, ME | 98% |
| University of Mississippi | University, MS | 98% |
| University of Wisconsin--Stout | Menomonie, WI | 98% |
| Virginia Union University | Richmond, VA | 98% |
| Bard College at Simon's Rock | Great Barrington, MA | 97% |
| Belmont Abbey College | Belmont, NC | 97% |
| Berkeley College (NJ) | Woodland Park, NJ | 97% |
| Berkeley College (NY) | New York, NY | 97% |
| Bluefield State University | Bluefield, WV | 97% |
| California State University--Stanislaus | Turlock, CA | 97% |
| Centenary University | Hackettstown, NJ | 97% |
| Cottey College | Nevada, MO | 97% |
| Eastern Kentucky University | Richmond, KY | 97% |
| Emory & Henry University | Emory, VA | 97% |
| Fresno Pacific University | Fresno, CA | 97% |
| Hardin-Simmons University | Abilene, TX | 97% |
| Keiser University | Ft. Lauderdale, FL | 97% |
| Lancaster Bible College | Lancaster, PA | 97% |
| Missouri Southern State University | Joplin, MO | 97% |
| Oklahoma Christian University | Oklahoma City, OK | 97% |
| Pennsylvania State University--Berks | PA | 97% |
| Shorter University | Rome, GA | 97% |
| Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | Edwardsville, IL | 97% |
| Spalding University | Louisville, KY | 97% |
| Thomas College | Waterville, ME | 97% |
| Trinity Washington University | Washington, DC | 97% |
| University of Colorado--Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 97% |
| University of Maine--Presque Isle | Presque Isle, ME | 97% |
| University of Saint Francis | Fort Wayne, IN | 97% |
| University of the Virgin Islands | St. Thomas, VI | 97% |
| University of Wyoming | Laramie, WY | 97% |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 97% |
| Western Kentucky University | Bowling Green, KY | 97% |
| West Texas A&M University | Canyon, TX | 97% |
| William Peace University | Raleigh, NC | 97% |
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | 96% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What colleges are 100% acceptance rate?
“100% acceptance” usually indicates open-admission institutions (many community colleges and a few four-year schools) that admit all applicants meeting basic requirements (e.g., diploma/GED).
Use EDsmart’s list of high-acceptance-rate colleges and confirm a college’s official admission rate and policy in NCES College Navigator.
What college has a 90% acceptance rate?
Dozens of accredited colleges report acceptance rates at or above 90% in recent years. Start with EDsmart’s high-acceptance ranking, then verify each school’s current figure on its profile in NCES College Navigator.
What is an 80% acceptance rate—and how is acceptance rate calculated?
Acceptance rate is typically the number of applicants admitted divided by the number of applicants for a given cycle. An 80% rate means 8 out of 10 applicants were admitted. See definitions and data at NCES.
What’s the easiest college to get into?
“Easiest” commonly refers to open-admission or very high-acceptance colleges. These schools admit most qualified applicants and may not require test scores.
Compare options on EDsmart: colleges with the highest acceptance rates, then check each college’s admissions page (.edu) and its NCES profile for current requirements and rates.
What college accepts the lowest GPA?
Do colleges prefer ACT or SAT?
Most accredited U.S. colleges that require testing accept either ACT or SAT with no preference; many are also test-optional or test-free. Always confirm on the institution’s admissions page (.edu) and its NCES entry for current policy details.
What’s the easiest Ivy League to get into?
Admission rates at Ivy League schools fluctuate annually and are extremely competitive across the board. For the most accurate, current rates, review each university’s Common Data Set or admissions statistics on its .edu site and cross-reference in NCES.
Are high-acceptance-rate colleges accredited and respected?
How do I find high-acceptance colleges in my state or major?
Start with EDsmart’s high-acceptance list. Then filter by state, level, and programs in NCES College Navigator to see each school’s latest acceptance rate and requirements.
What’s the lowest acceptance-rate college—and why does it matter here?
The lowest acceptance rates are typically at highly selective institutions and change year-to-year. Our guide focuses on the opposite: accredited colleges with higher odds of admission. For official acceptance data, check each campus in NCES.
Further Reading: Most Affordable Online Colleges