The US colleges have long been known for the outstanding quality of their curriculum. From Harvard to Ivy League, it’s the cream of the crop of modern education that attracts a myriad of students from every corner of the globe. The only problem is, that colleges like these are known to be very selective when it comes to the candidates they let in, prompting people to search for the lowest college SAT requirements and opt for a less competitive alternative.
To many people’s surprise, there are several good colleges with high acceptance rates, meaning that you don’t have to give up on your dreams of securing a high-quality academic education even with a slightly lower SAT or GPA score. The colleges that we’re about to recommend have several competitive advantages, including presenting a multicultural environment for learning, giving you access to research facilities, student organizations, extracurricular activities, internships, and the list goes on.
So today, we’re going to list the best colleges with high acceptance rates, describe them, briefly list their benefits, and throw in some nuggets of wisdom along the way.
The benefits of opting for good colleges with high acceptance rates
Even if your SAT or GPA doesn’t measure up with your peers, don’t throw in the towel quite yet! Did you know that a 2019 Pew Research study suggests that most colleges admit over 66% of their applicants? Pursuing good colleges with high acceptance rates can tip the scales in your favor even more. Apart from that, pursuing these kinds of schools yields notable advantages compared to going all in on their more competitive counterparts.
- Not only are you more likely to be accepted, but you also stand a far greater chance of securing a scholarship or other forms of financial aid.
- You’re making a less risky decision compared to enrolling in colleges with stricter admission requirements, allowing for extra peace of mind.
- Enjoy interacting with a more economically diverse student body and watch how a great educational background can transform low-income families into middle class or better.
- Alleviating the pressure to spend every waking minute on getting your GPA as high as it can leave you with more time to enjoy other hobbies and pursue your life passions.
- Reach your academic and professional goals even if you’re from a low-income household that cannot afford tutoring services under normal circumstances.
With this out of the way, let’s jump straight into the best colleges with high acceptance rates and what they bring to the table!
The best colleges with high acceptance rates
Here’s the list you’ve been waiting for:
Kansas State University (acceptance rate: 96%)
By signing up, you’re almost guaranteed to be accepted. Being established in 1863, Kansas State University has quite a history. On top of that, you’re free to choose from 92 bachelor’s degree programs. In terms of QS World University Rankings, the college ranks between 851 and 900.
University of Oregon (acceptance rate: 93%)
Another one of the best colleges with high acceptance rates. Statistically speaking, 93% of applicants get in. Based in Eugene, Oregon, it’s a public research university that gives you plenty of opportunities for development and growth. Fun fact: Phil Knight, co-founder of Nike, is a former student.
University of Kentucky (acceptance rate: 92%)
With an overall acceptance rate of 92%, you’re almost guaranteed to get in. Established in 1865, the university is a public land-grant research institution with plenty of educational programs on offer. Among its alumni, you’ll find two Nobel Prize winners.
University of Kansas (acceptance rate: 92%)
This university officially makes the list of the top 500 universities on a global scale. Ever since 1864, it has kept on attracting students of various backgrounds. Nowadays, you’re free to choose from a total of 370 degree programs.
Virginia Commonwealth University (acceptance rate: 91%)
Apart from being a university, it’s also a public research facility. Its history goes way back to the year of 1838 when it began operating as a medical department of Hampden-Sydney College. With a history of 150 years, it’s one of the oldest institutes in the city. It’s interesting to note that this is quite a culturally diverse college that attracts students from more than 100 countries, notably Kuwait, China and India. Apart from 200 academic programs, you can also enroll in 68 of its undergraduate courses, 70 graduate courses, and obtain one of its 46 online certifications.
Iowa State University (acceptance rate: 91%)
Easily being one of the best colleges with high acceptance rates, it’s also a public land-grant research institution, which presents several opportunities for those who are interested in science and technology. It’s also known to be very student-focused, with university professors that are committed to helping their students succeed.
Colorado State University (acceptance rate: 90%)
Another university with a history that dates back to the year of 1870, this one is also a notable public land-grant research facility. Surely you’ve heard of Jon Rubenstein, a famous iPod and iMac developer? He happens to be one of the university’s graduates.
University of Mississippi (acceptance rate: 90%)
A world-class public research institution with a history that dates back to 1844. It’s particularly strong in the fields of engineering and scientific agriculture.
West Virginia University (acceptance rate: 90%)
A well-known public land-grant research institution that also happens to be one of the best colleges with high acceptance rates. Numerous international students enroll on a yearly basis, especially those who are interested in the fields of neurology, astronomy, physics, rural health, forensic science, and energy. Its researchers are also working on coming up with ways to fight against the opioid crisis.
University of Alabama at Birmingham (acceptance rate: 89%)
If you’re into good colleges with high acceptance rates that also place a high level of emphasis on holistic teaching, this is a good option to consider. Apart from being a research facility, it also serves as an academic medical center. Established in 1969, nowadays, the university employs more than 24,000 academic staff members as well as 53,000 additional workers.
Oregon State University (acceptance rate: 89%)
Another notable public land-grant research institution with a number of undergraduate, graduate and doctorate degree programs. The university is focused on research that has to do with topics of global concern, such as food supply, climate change, renewable energy and advanced technology.
Arizona State University (acceptance rate: 88%)
A public research university that ranks among the leading colleges when it comes to student enrollment. Established in 1885, it was originally known as the Territorial Normal School.
The University of Texas at Arlington (acceptance rate: 88%)
Ever since the year of 1895 when it was originally established, this public research university has kept on attracting students. Nowadays, more than 40,000 students are actively enrolled in its undergraduate and graduate programs. Here, you have the freedom to choose between as many as 180 programs.
University of Iowa (acceptance rate: 86%)
This public research institution has been operational since 1847. Nowadays, you can take your pick from any of its 200+ academic programs. This university is known for creating a space physics powerhouse and is a key NASA collaborator. On top of that, it ranks among the state’s top comprehensive medical facilities, specializing in audiology and speech pathology.
Washington State University (acceptance rate: 86%)
Founded in the year of 1861, it’s one of the good colleges with high acceptance rates. More than 60,000 students apply every year. Generally speaking, it’s known as a hub for innovative research and offers plenty of academic opportunities for those interested in the fields of medicine, aeronautics, public affairs, education and business.
Kent State University (acceptance rate: 84%)
Whether you’re a graduate or an undergraduate student, take your pick from its 300 degree courses. A great choice for those who are drawn to research and related projects, especially those that have to do with information science.
Michigan State University (acceptance rate: 83%)
Ever since 1855, Michigan State University has had a reputation of being a public university. Apart from being very research-focused, it’s also one of the good colleges with high acceptance rates.
University of Nebraska (acceptance rate: 81%)
The university has a total of four campuses and happens to be the only public university system in the state that meets the criteria. Each of them is devoted to a different mission and objective. The college boasts more than 50,000 students and 16,000 academic staff members and is devoted to the kind of research that will make the world a better place.
University of Colorado Boulder (acceptance rate: 80%)
This accredited public academic university has been around since 1876 (fun fact: it started operating 5 months before Colorado became a state). It’s a prestigious option for those with a thirst for education that also happens to have one of the highest acceptance rates.
University of Utah (acceptance rate: 79%)
A public research university that was founded in the year of 1850. In fact, it’s Utah’s oldest higher education school (it changed its moniker in 1892 and was relocated later on the year of 1900). Here, you can choose from more than 100 academic disciplines and fields of study.
The University of Texas at Dallas (acceptance rate: 79%)
A public research university with more than 146 education programs to choose from, both graduate and undergraduate alike. It’s known for its audiology, business, engineering, and technology programs. University attendees often report they get personalized support from faculty members.
University of Cincinnati (acceptance rate: 76%)
Many students describe this university as one of the most visually pleasing. Apart from that, it’s Ohio’s second-largest institution that welcomes upwards of 44,000 students on a yearly basis. It’s also quite a culturally diverse environment. Take your pick from 400 degree programs and enjoy the extra support you get in the form of resources and assistance to adjust to university life.
Loyola University Chicago (acceptance rate: 71%)
Ever since 1870, students have had the privilege of being able to participate in a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. In addition, this university also lets you choose from its numerous online programs which are a nice alternative for those who can’t physically attend. It’s one of the top choices for international students who are looking to continue their studies in the US.
The key point to remember: the best colleges with high acceptance rates can be just as good as (if not better than) their stricter counterparts
It’s easy to assume that just because a certain university is hard to get into it’s automatically better than the rest. However, that may not necessarily be the case. To determine where it stands in terms of academic quality, you’d do well to take other factors into account. A good way to do that is to examine the school’s graduates. How successful are they in the job market? Do they have any notable achievements in their field? Then, you should also consider the vibe you’re getting from the school and evaluate whether their premises suit your liking.
Don’t forget to take into account the simple fact that you’re a unique individual with unique tastes and preferences. Even though a university of high acclaim might seem like a good fit on paper, you have to do a deep introspective dive and ask yourself whether its values resonate with yours. At the end of the day, being accepted into any gives university does not guarantee career or academic success – you’re going to have to put in the work either way. Examining its graduation rates might be the closest relevant metric in this regard, but even then, it all comes down to your character and discipline.
Tips for applying to college
Before we wrap it up, a couple of words about the best practices for applying to college are in order.
- Start early. Ideally, your college research process should start in your junior high school years, although it can be later. Technically speaking, you could even take the SAT exam as a senior, although that’s generally not the recommended path to take.
- Visit the colleges in person. This may not always be an option due to budget restrictions or physical distance, but it certainly is a nice bonus if it’s feasible in your particular case. Imagine yourself living there and don’t forget to factor in the costs and other objective criteria.
- Look up what you need to prepare your college application. This includes test scores, transcripts, and letters of recommendation. You should also learn how to write a college essay that will convince the college officials.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. At Novel Prep, we offer high school tutoring services as well as SAT prep services. Although your SAT score is not going to be that crucial of a factor when applying to these colleges with lower requirements, it’s better to play it safe and allow yourself the best shot you can get. You can even take it a step further by enrolling in credit recovery programs for high school students if you feel like you’re falling behind.
Conclusion
If you didn’t perform well on the SAT exam or if your GPA leaves something to be desired, you’re going to want to give priority to schools with the lowest college SAT requirements. What we’ve recommended are some of the best colleges with high acceptance rates that allow students from various academic backgrounds to get in and demonstrate their intellectual prowess. Now, it’s up to you to research these even further to see whether they align with your goals in life.
If you feel like you need a helping hand to reach your academic goals, come visit our tutoring center or get in touch with us online. We’d love to hear from you!
