100 Easiest Colleges to Get Into in 2024

August 9, 2024

easiest colleges to get into

For students building their college list, it鈥檚 always a good idea to have a solid mix of reach, target, and safety schools. But sometimes knowing the right place to look for these universities can be a challenge. Especially if you鈥檙e looking for schools with higher chances of acceptance, you might be wondering what is the easiest college to get into?

Simply, the easiest colleges to get into are defined as such because of their acceptance rate. At schools with high acceptance rates, the admissions process is less selective. This means that to determine your acceptance, a committee will not put as much emphasis on your high school or prior academic performance as a highly selective school.

In fact, some colleges have a 100% acceptance rate. In this case, students don鈥檛 have to worry about an intensive applicant pool or competitive test scores. Their admittance is all but guaranteed.

However, just because you think a university鈥檚 acceptance rate is ideal, that doesn鈥檛 necessarily mean the school will be a right fit for you. While the easiest colleges to get into can be beneficial additions to your college list, it doesn鈥檛 necessarily mean their academic offerings align with your interests. Conducting your own research before application is always a good idea.

In addition to considering colleges with high acceptance rates, you might also consider colleges with guaranteed admission policies. Guaranteed admission policies mean that if you meet the college鈥檚 minimum requirements, full admission will be granted. This could be a good option for college freshman looking for another safety option. But more on that later.

First, let鈥檚 take a look at some of the easiest colleges to get into鈥攂ased on acceptance rate.

Easiest Colleges to Get Into

University Location Acceptance Rate
1.      Academy of Art University San Francisco, California 100%

is a mid-sized private school with about 5,300 undergraduate students. Curriculum at this institution has great emphasis on fine and liberal arts education. Popular programs include acting, advertising, fashion design, graphic design, jewelry & metal arts, and photography. This university does not offer STEM-based majors.

2.      Art Academy of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio 100%

Another fine arts-focused school, might be a good option if you鈥檙e looking for a small-campus feel. With 235 undergraduate students, this university makes the time for personalized student support. Here, students can learn more about creative writing, digital arts and animation, film & video, sculpture, and other liberal arts fields.

3.      Benedictine College Atchison, Kansas 100%

A mid-size school with 2,261 undergraduates, is a private liberal arts school. Students on this campus have the option to partake in the college鈥檚 vibrant scene, with offerings of baseball, basketball, cross country, football, lacrosse, soccer, track & field, and wrestling. Plus, students can also sign up for the athletic band, cheer, and dance teams. This college is also rooted in with a focus on mission and spiritual direction.

Easy Colleges to Get Into (Continued)

4.      Broward College Fort Lauderdale, Florida 100%

For students looking for a large campus feel, this institution may be a good fit. With over 30,000 undergraduate students, offers many undergraduate pathways in the Health Sciences, Education, Business, Arts & Humanities, Public Safety, STEM and more. Students can also earn other in their chosen field.

5.      Cameron University Lawton, Oklahoma 100%

A mid-sized school with over 3,100 undergraduate students, offers over 30 sports teams and even Greek life for students looking to get involved. Students can register for baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, tennis, track & field, softball, volleyball, or spirit teams. Plus, the campus even offers an Esports team which competes regularly.

6.      Criswell College Dallas, Texas 100%

is a private Baptist Christian college. At this institution, education is influenced by a biblical perspective. Students can choose to major in Education, Psychology, Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, as well as Biblical Studies and Christian Ministry.

Easy Colleges to Get Into (Continued)

7.      Central Christian College of Kansas McPherson, Kansas 100%

A small, private school, is home to 536 undergraduate students. With a focus on a Christ-centered education, students can choose from both on campus and online programs. Examples of undergraduate majors include Accounting, Applied Ministry, Biology, Criminal Justice, Education, Exercise Science, Music, Pre-Dental and more.

8.      Design Institute of San Diego San Diego, California 100%

A small program with 119 undergraduate students, allows for one-on-one learning. This college is experienced in and focused solely on interior design. Because of its singular focus, students have the ability to experience the profession first hand and up close from professional faculty.

List Continued

9.      Adams State University Alamosa, Colorado 99%

is a small institution, with 1,835 undergraduate students. The university offers a variety of undergraduate degrees in many fields, including Agriculture programs, Business, Computer Science, Food Studies, Music, and more. The campus has a great focus on fusing student education with the community-at-large.

10.  Grand View University Des Moines, Iowa 98%

A small, private university, offers over 35 undergraduate programs and over 20 online programs for maximum flexibility. Students can choose to enroll as a full-time student or on an online & evening schedule. For students looking to attend on campus, there are many options for , with six residence halls to choose from.

Easiest Colleges to Get Into 鈥 100% Acceptance Rate

Colleges with 100% acceptance rates use a system called 鈥渙pen admissions.鈥 This process is used to let prospective applicants know that the college is nonselective. In most cases, the only qualification for acceptance is a high school diploma or GED. These schools are great options for students looking for options with minimal application stress.

11.  California (six locations) 100%
12.  Miami, Florida 100%
13.  Epworth, Iowa 100%
14.  Grand Rapids, Michigan 100%
15.  Georgia (five locations) 100%
16.  St. Joseph, Missouri 100%
17.  Billings, Montana 100%
18.  Boulder, Colorado 100%
19.  Madison, Florida 100%
20.  Chili, New York 100%
21.  Detroit, Michigan 100%
22.  Ephraim, Utah 100%
23.  Avon Park, Florida 100%
24.  Bolivar, Missouri 100%
25.  Mangilao, Guam 100%
26.  El Paso, Texas 100%
27.  Wayne, Nebraska 100%
28.  Ogden, Utah 100%
29.  Silver City, New Mexico 100%
30.  Memphis, Tennessee 100%
 

31. 

Quincy, California 100%
32.  Florida (multiple campuses) 100%
33.  Kirkland, Washington 100%

Near 100% Acceptance Rate

34.  Buena Vista, Virginia 99%
35.  Pueblo, Colorado 99%
36.  Columbus, Georgia 99%
37.  Grand Rapids, Michigan 99%
38.  Cleveland, Mississippi 99%
39.  La Grande, Oregon 99%
40.  Dubuque, Iowa 99%
41.  Hialeah, Florida 99%
42.  Lynchburg, Virginia 99%
43.  Columbus, Mississippi 99%
44.  Joplin, Missouri 99%
45.  Tahlequah, Oklahoma 99%
46.  Hammond, Louisiana 99%
47.  Douglas, Georgia 99%
48.  Fort Kent, Maine 99%
49.  Vermillion, South Dakota 99%
50.  Hattiesburg, Mississippi 99%
51.  Glenville, West Virginia 99%

 Easiest Colleges to Get Into (Continued)

52.  Hackettstown, New Jersey 98%
53.  Bluefield, West Virginia 97%
54.  Fayetteville, Missouri 98%
55.  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 98%

Colleges with Guaranteed Admissions Policies

At this point, let鈥檚 take a quick break to look at the easiest college to get into based on its guaranteed admissions policies. These colleges do not have 100% acceptance rates, but if students meet certain requirements, then they will be offered full admittance. These requirements usually involve the student鈥檚 GPA, standardized test scores, and class ranking.

  1. 鈥 Starkville, Mississippi

Non-Mississippi residents who meet the following criteria will be offered full admission if they have:

  • A minimum 2.50 GPA
  • Composite score of 20 or higher on the ACT or equivalent SAT score
  1. 鈥 Springfield, Missouri
  • Student has 24+ transferable credit hours post-high school
  • GPA of 2.0+

Easy Colleges to Get Into (Continued)

  1. 鈥 New Orleans, Louisiana

Before you say, “What the heck is Tulane doing on THIS list?”. We fully understand that Tulane has a sub-15% acceptance rate. We’re including Tulane because, if you meet the following steep requirements, you’re in!

  • Resident of Louisiana
  • Attend or have graduated from a Louisiana high school at the time of application
  • Achieve 31+ superscore on the ACT or 1450 on SAT
  • 60+ core GPA
  • Complete 4 years of English; 3 years of social sciences; 3 years of lab science; 3 years of mathematics; 2 years of foreign language
  • Have no prior college attendance
  • Have no suspensions or disciplinary violations
  1. 鈥 Austin, Texas

Same note as above re: Tulane. Highly-selective school that just happens to have a defined in-state guaranteed admissions criteria.

  • Freshman applicants must rank within the top 6% of their graduating class

List Continued

  1. 鈥 Stillwater, Oklahoma

Students must meet one of the following criteria:

  • 3.0 GPA or better unweighted AND top 33.3% rank in high school class
  • 3.0 GPA or better in 15-unit core AND 21 ACT/1060 ACT or better
  • 24 ACT/1160 SAT or better
  1. 鈥 Carbondale, Illinois

Applicants will be eligible for automatic admission if they are on track to complete the high school course pattern requirements and meet one of the following criteria:

  • Cumulative high school GPA of 2.75/4.0
  • Rank in the top 10% of their graduating class
  • 23 ACT or 1130 SAT
  1. Truman State University 鈥 Kirksville, Missouri

As part of the , students will have an automatic admission option if they have:

  • 27 ACT score/1260 SAT score
  • 7 GPA

Easiest Colleges to Get Into (Continued)

  1. 鈥 Lawrence, Kansas

First-year students will have automatic admission to KU鈥檚 College of Liberal Arts & Sciences if they meet at least one of these requirements:

  • Cumulative GPA (weighted or unweighted) of 3.25+
  • ACT of 21/SAT 1060 with a minimum GPA of 2.0
  1. 鈥 College Station, Texas

Students must be Texas residents and have attended a public or private high school in Texas and:

  • Rank in the top 10% of graduating class on or before application deadline
  1. 鈥 Ellensburg, Washington

First-year students must:

  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher

90% Acceptance Rate and Higher

66.  Hartsville, South Carolina 94%
67.  Brunswick, Georgia 98%
68.  White Plains, New York 98%
69.  Columbia, South Carolina 98%
70.  Hyde Park, New York 98%
71.  Fairmont, West Virginia 98%
72.  Marietta, Georgia 98%
73.  Denver, Colorado 98%
74.  Thibodaux, Louisiana 98%
75.  Portland, Oregon 94.5%
76.  Plymouth, New Hampshire 98%
77.  Domingo Ruiz, Puerto Rico 98%
78.  Prescott, Arizona 98%
79.  Edwardsville, Illinois 98%
80.  Louisville, Kentucky 98%
81.  Fort Wayne, Indiana 98%
82.  Topeka, Kansas 98%
83.  Montgomery, Alabama 97%
84.  Belmont, North Carolina 97%
85.  North Newton, Kansas 97%
86.  Spearfish, South Dakota 97%
87.  Rexburg, Idaho 96%
88.  Canton, Missouri 97%
89.  Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 96%
90.  Winona, Minnesota 97%
91.  Rome, Georgia 97%
92.  Alpine, Texas 97%
93.  Washington, DC 97%
94.  Lafayette County, Mississippi 97%
95.  Cambria County, Pennsylvania 97%
96.  Waverly, Iowa 97%
97.  Bowling Green, Kentucky 97%
98.  Milwaukee, Wisconsin 94%
99.  Fairfield, Iowa 94%
100.                      Saunton, Virginia 90%

Easiest Colleges to Get Into 鈥 In Review

Ultimately, a college may be selective because they are looking for a specific, specialized type of applicant. For example, colleges like Julliard or Berklee are looking for students with outstanding talent for the performing arts. Because the requirements are so rigorous, the applicant pool is more competitive, and therefore, the overall acceptance rate falls.

Colleges that are less selective are not necessarily looking for one type of student. Therefore, their acceptance rates are higher.

So, if you鈥檙e wondering what is the easiest college to get into, there is not a singular, definitive answer. There are many less selective colleges with high acceptance rates that may be a good fit for you.

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