Aishwarya
Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on Sep 13, 2024 11:28 IST

International students aiming to study in the USA have two options - one apply to highly selective universities and two apply to high acceptance rate universities in the USA. Those who choose the first option may or may not be selected but those going with the second option can get admission in one single go.

High Acceptance Rate Universities in USA

US universities with highest acceptance rates are mostly tier-2 universities which rank lower than the highly selective universities. Students aiming for a sure-shot admission to study in the USA can apply to these universities in the US which have a high acceptance rate. 

What is high acceptance rate in USA?

A high acceptance rate in USA or US universities means a maximum number of students getting admission to a particular US university. The highest acceptance rate is 100% for a given university in the USA. The universities that have 100% acceptance rates are those which are easy to get in. 

It's not that admissions at these universities are not competitive, but these universities have certain criteria for selection. Thus, only after fulfilling the criteria can applicants get admission into these US universities with high acceptance rates. 

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Why Choose High Acceptance Rate Universities in USA?

As an international student getting selected at a good US university can be a herculean task. The acceptance rates at US universities can go as low as 3-4% in an intake. Thus, applicants can aim for a high acceptance rate in universities in USA. Apart from this, there are other reasons too which should be considered and they are as follows:








  • Students from all backgrounds irrespective of their economic backgrounds can apply and expect to get selected.
  • Highest acceptance rate universities in USA help competitive students stand out and get merit-based scholarships.
  • There is a higher diversity of students accepted at large at these US universities where the acceptance rates are high.
  • Tuition fees are also slightly lower at the high acceptance rate universities of the US in comparison to those who are very selective.
  • The high acceptance rate universities of USA offer students both internship and placement opportunities which can be beneficial for the applicants. 
  • Marshall University is one of the highest visa acceptance universities in USA, apart from other high acceptance rate universities. 

Thus, there may be other reasons as well which can be considered by the applicants for choosing a high acceptance rate university in the USA. Check out the scholarships available for international students in the USA at Scholarships in USA.







Top Universities in USA with High Acceptance Rate 

Around 32+ US universities recorded a high acceptance rate for the previous years of 2022 and 2023. The data for the year 2024 is yet to be released for high acceptance rate universities of the USA. Check out the following US universities which recorded the highest acceptance rate in 2022 and 2023:

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Highest Acceptance Rate US Universities

Acceptance Rate 2022-23

Acceptance Rate 2023-24

Marshall University

91%

97%

University of Toledo

92.3%

90%

Colorado State University

90%

87%

Pace University

83%

77%

Kent State University

88%

84%

University of Texas at Dallas

85%

79%

University of Cincinnati

86.2%

76%

Indiana University (Bloomington)

82.4%

83%

University of Colorado Boulder

79%

84%

University of Massachusetts

81%

58%

University of Kansas

88%

91%

University of Texas at Arlington

32%

88%

For some universities, the data has not been released for the previous years, hence, comparisons cannot be made. Thus, the above-given universities recorded the highest acceptance rates in the country on an overall basis for their main admission intake. 

US Universities with 100% Acceptance Rate 2022

The following US universities recorded a 100% acceptance rate in the year 2022: 

US Universities with 100% Acceptance Rate

Adams State University

Albizu University--Miami

Alliance University

Alliant International University

Cameron University

Southwest Baptist University

University of Guam

University of Maine--Presque Isle

University of Providence

The University of Texas at El Paso

Weber State University

Grace Christian University

Grand View University

Southern Virginia University

Middle Georgia State University

Missouri Western State University

Montana State University--Billings

Naropa University

100 acceptance rate universities in USA also exist, thus, students who feel these 100% acceptance rate universities are worth giving a shot, they can submit their applications.  

Apart from these universities, several US colleges have recorded a 100% acceptance rate in the year 2022. To name a few they include:

  • Broward College
  • Benedictine College
  • Criswell College
  • Goddard College
  • Lewis-Clark State College
  • Roberts Wesleyan College
  • Snow College

Data for 2023 is still awaited, universities like these update their data later in the year. 

Applicants can go to the above-mentioned universities and colleges that have high acceptance rates because there is scope for better learning and high hands-on experience for them. Moreover, these universities help students get quality education even if these universities rank lower in the hierarchy. 

Students seeking admission-related help can sign up for free counselling at Shiksha Abroad Counselling or write to us in the comments below and we’ll get back to you.

High Acceptance Rate Universities in USA FAQs

Q. Which universities in USA are selective for admissions?

A. All major top ranking US universities, Ivy Leagues and private universities in USA are highly selective for admissions. The lowest acceptance rate recorded for 2023 was 3.4% recorded for Harvard University. 

Q. Is it a good idea to apply to low ranking but selective colleges in USA?

A. Applying to low-ranking but selective colleges can be a good idea if they align with your academic and career goals. These institutions might offer specialized programs, smaller class sizes, or unique opportunities. However, consider factors like financial aid, campus culture, and location. Research each college thoroughly to ensure it meets your needs and that you’re genuinely interested in what they offer. Balancing your applications with a mix of reach, match, and safety schools is generally the best strategy.

Q. Will I get admission at US universities with good selectiviity rate?

A. Admissions in USA depend a lot on different factors. Factors like strong academic performance, high standardized test scores, compelling essays, and extracurricular achievements play a crucial role. Application should highlight unique qualities and experiences. Only meeting the minimum standards doesn’t guarantee admission, in fact presenting a well-rounded and genuine application can improve your chances. Thus, this is a myth that universities with good acceptance rates always offer admissions.

Q:   What GPA is required for the University of South Dakota?

A:

The University of South Dakota expects a GPA score of 2.5 from undergraduates and 3 from postgraduates on the 4-pointer scale. Along with the GPA scores, undergraduates must meet the basic eligibility and submit an ACT score of 21 or higher and an SAT score of 1070 or higher. In addition, they must submit the required documents, such as academic history, transcripts, letters of recommendation, English language scores, and more.

Q:   What GPA is needed to go to Ohio State?

A:

There is no minimum GPA score for UG admission at Ohio State. However, International students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for graduate admission. Applicants may submit a standardized test score (GRE or GMAT) if their cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for the last degree.

Q:   Is Texas A&M Commerce a good university?

A:

Texas A&M Commerce is regarded as one of the top public universities across the United States. Moreover, the Texas A&M Commerce ranking 2024 under the category of Best Colleges is National Universities is #369. Also, the acceptance rate of this university is 42%. Additionally, the university offers the best academic programs, expert faculty, job & placement, and more. Besides, Texas A&M University-Commerce also offers over 130 academic degrees for its students.

Q:   Is MIT costly for Indians?

A:

MIT is not costly for Indian students. Applicants can study BTech program at affordable tuition fees as compared to other BTech colleges in the USA. The MIT BTech fees is around INR 50 L to INR 52 L.

Q:   How long does it take to get admission to Iowa State?

A:

After submitting the application the Iowa State admission committee will review the application for admission on the basis of documents that applicants provide. A decision may require several weeks as it depends on the time of year the applicant submits the application (Applications submitted right before the deadline require a much longer processing time due to the volume of applications received then.). Applicants will receive an admission offer letter and the I-20 Form if admitted.

Q:   Is the University of South Dakota hard to get into?

A:

With a 99% acceptance rate, the University of South Dakota is easy to get into. The university follows an easy approach during admission. The university takes a simple admissions procedure. The high acceptance percentage does not mean that the university admits every applicant; rather, it suggests permissive admittance as compared to another university.

Students must prove themselves by scoring excellent academic scores, English proficiency requirements, and standardized test scores. Also, the university prioritizes factors, such as rigor of secondary school record, class rank, academic GPA, standardized test scores, application essays, recommendations, and more.

Q:   What GPA do you need to get into Iowa State?

A:

International students who wish to study at Iowa State must have at least GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 for UG and PG admission. International transfer applicants must have a minimum equivalent GPA of C+ on a scale of A to F or 2.25 on a 4.0 scale for all transferable courses.

Q:   Is it hard to get into the UTSA in San Antonio Texas?

A:

According to various sources, University of Texas San Antonio has an overall acceptance rate of around 87% which makes it somewhat selective for international student admissions. Some of the general requirements to be considered for admission are given as follows:

About the Author
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Written by
Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert

Aishwarya is a professional Writer currently working as a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. She has over 5 years of experience and is skilled at creating Online Content with leveraged knowledge i... Read Full Bio

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Kalyani
MBA Course in the US

Having Worked as an Academic Manager in Experiential Marketing earlier, Kalyani made her move to the study abroad vertical in 2017.Passionate about education and wanting to make a difference, Kalyani holds a B.Com d... Read Full Bio

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