50 Most Applied-To Colleges 鈥 2025
January 31, 2025
The class of 2027 saw a tremendous number of talented and impressive applicants. While college admissions have always been competitive, the most recent data suggests that this trend will continue. Surprisingly, some institutions saw a record number of applicants. With 6 schools on this list topping over 100,000 applicants, it鈥檚 safe to say that records were within reach. Overall, the schools that top the list for the most applied-to universities vary both in location and selectivity. Interestingly, a few institutions saw changes in acceptance rates that both challenge and solidify recent trends. Let鈥檚 take a look at a few key trends and updates that stand out for the most applied-to colleges in 2025.
Notable Trends for the Most Applied-To Universities 鈥 Class of 2027
- UCLA continues to top the list of the most applied-to colleges.
- NYU released its lowest acceptance rate to date.
- The University of Michigan continued to lower its acceptance rate for a fourth consecutive year, staying below 20%.
- Boston University鈥檚 acceptance rate dropped 3%.
- California was the state with the most concentrated amount of applications.
There are a vast number of wonderful colleges full of opportunities for prospective students. For some, looking to see which school could be right based on the numbers is the best approach. Let鈥檚 take a look at the 50 most applied-to universities for the class of 2027 to see how your college list stacks up.
50 Most Applied-To Colleges – 2025
| 1) | 145,904 applicants | 11.6% acceptance rate |
Topping the list of the most applied-to colleges, UCLA saw a huge number of applicants in its last admissions cycle. However, with a competitive acceptance rate, this means only about 12,000 incoming students were admitted. This trend is in keeping with previous years, as the college has gradually become more selective over time.
| 2) | 130,841 applicants
| 25% acceptance rate
|
Another of the most applied-to colleges, UC San Diego is known for its ideal location, challenging academics, and value. With just over 40,000 students in 2023, UC San Diego is a massive campus. It is one of the most applied-to colleges in 2025, and usually earns a top spot on this list. Additionally, certain GPA requirements for both California-based and non-California-based students are required for admission.
Most Applied-To Universities (Continued)
| 3) | 125,910 applicants | 11.6% acceptance rate |
A highly selective institution, UC Berkeley admitted roughly 14,500 incoming students for the class of 2027. Interestingly, admissions statistics also reveal that UC Berkeley admitted more California-based students than in previous years by several hundred. In keeping with recent trends, UC Berkeley is usually one of most applied-to universities in the country.
| 4) | 121,095 applicants | 25.7% acceptance rate |
Overall, UC Irvine earns high rankings for academics, student life, and diversity. Another of the most applied-to colleges, UC Irvine looks for strength of academic record, GPA, and extracurriculars to help make decisions about admission.
Most Applied-To Universities (Continued)
| 5) | 113,578 applicants | 9.4% acceptance rate |
With so many applications for the class of 2027, this year marks one of the most selective admissions cycles for NYU. Additionally, it was also one of the largest admissions cycles for the university, making it one of the most applied-to colleges this year. To put this number into perspective, the acceptance rate for the class of 2026 was 12.2%.
| 6) | 110,876 applicants | 27.9% acceptance rate |
For the class of 2027, UC Santa Barbara saw admissions trends that showed that more out-of-state students were accepted than in previous years. Additionally, the overall admissions rate rose slightly, up from 25.9% for the class of 2026. This trend may indicate that the institution鈥檚 acceptance rate may increase over time. This institution is one of the most applied-to colleges in 2025.
| 7) | 96,631 applicants | 5.6% acceptance rate |
An increasingly difficult school to get into, 狈辞谤迟丑别补蝉迟别谤苍鈥檚 acceptance rate dropped again this year — from 6.1% for the class of 2026. This number is also down significantly from its 18% overall acceptance rate for the class of 2025. Northeastern is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and is one of the most applied-to universities.
Most Applied-To Universities (Continued)
| 8) | 94,635 applicants | 41.8% acceptance rate |
Out of the impressive candidate pool, only 39,601 new students were admitted to UC Davis for the class of 2027. Along with most of the other universities on this list, UC Davis is a large campus, with over 5,300 acres to explore. Additionally, UC Davis earned high ratings for its professors, diversity, and academics.
| 9) | 87,605 applicants | 18% acceptance rate |
With a slightly lower acceptance rate than for the class of 2026, this year proved to be more selective. The University of Michigan is known for its rigorous academics and increased standards for admission and is quickly becoming one of the most applied-to colleges. For example, the acceptance rate for the class of 2024 was 26%.
Most Applied-To Universities (Continued)
| 10) | 80,808 applicants | 10% acceptance rate |
Located in Los Angeles, USC is known for its athletics, academics, and impressive campus. Its acceptance rate has become increasingly selective over the years. For the class of 2026, the acceptance rate was 12%.
| 11) | 80,490 applicants | 11% acceptance rate |
One of the most applied-to universities, Boston University鈥檚 acceptance rate has dropped significantly this year. For example, for the class of 2026, the overall acceptance rate was 14%. This institution typically requires competitive test scores and GPA for admission.
| 12) | 79,657 applicants | 47% acceptance rate |
This institution is one of the most applied-to colleges because of high ratings for the campus, athletics, and student life. Interestingly, the acceptance rate has increased from previous years. For example, the class of 2025 saw an overall acceptance rate of 31.2%.
| 13) | 74,038 applicants | 25% acceptance rate |
Known for its athletics and quality of student life, Florida State is one of the most applied-to colleges. For the class of 2027, the acceptance rate increased 2% from the previous year.
Most Applied-To Universities (Continued)
| 14) | 67,846 applicants | 7.9% acceptance rate |
One of the most applied-to colleges, Cornell has a long tradition of high academic standards. Interestingly, the acceptance rate for the class of 2027 increased almost 1% from the previous year.
| 15) | 63,537 applicants | 43% acceptance rate |
Wisconsin is a moderately selective university known for its athletics, student life, and academics. Overall, applications are up from the class of 2026, with an increase of about 3,000 applicants. This recent trend could move the institution up the list as one of the most applied-to colleges. However, the acceptance rate has also become more selective compared to previous years.
Most Applied-To Colleges 2025 鈥 Continued
| Institution | Total Applicants | Acceptance Rate |
| 16) University of Pennsylvania | 59,465 | 5.8% |
| 17) Columbia University | 57,129 | 3.9% |
| 18) Harvard University | 56,937 | 3.4% |
| 19) University of Virginia | 56,528 | 17% |
| 20) Georgia Institute of Technology | 52,377 | 16% |
| 21) Yale | 51,803 | 4.5% |
| 22) Northwestern University | 51,769 | 7.2% |
| 23) Brown University | 51,316 | 5.2% |
| 24) Duke University | 49,476 | 6.3% |
| 25) Virginia Tech | 47,207 | 54% |
Most Applied-To Colleges 2025 鈥 Continued
| 26) University of Connecticut (UConn) | 46,645 | 57% |
| 27) Vanderbilt University | 45,313 | 6.2% |
| 28) Fordham University | 43,663 | 56% |
| 29) Syracuse University | 42,089 | 42% |
| 30) Johns Hopkins University | 38,926 | 7.6% |
| 31) Boston College | 36,525 | 15.1% |
| 32) Tufts University | 34,003 | 10.1% |
| 33) Emory University | 33,534 | 16% |
| 34) Rice University | 31,059 | 7.9% |
| 35) Dartmouth College | 28,841 | 14.5% |
| 36) University of Notre Dame | 28,353 | 6.2% |
Most Applied-To Universities (Continued)
| 37) Tulane University | 27,936 | 12% |
| 38) MIT | 26,914 | 4.8% |
| 39) Villanova University | 23,721 | 20.5% |
| 40) Colgate University | 21,130 | 12% |
| 41) Santa Clara University | 18,839 | 47% |
| 42) Lehigh University | 18,415 | 44% |
| 43) College of William and Mary | 18,087 | 29% |
| 44) Colby College | 17,787 | 7% |
| 45) American University | 17,786 | 33% |
| 46) University of Richmond | 15,121 | 23% |
| 47) Wesleyan University | 14,500 | 17% |
| 48) Swarthmore College | 14,287 | 6.9% |
| 49) Middlebury College | 13,297 | 10% |
| 50) Amherst College | 12,727 | 9.8% |
| 51) Providence College | 12,469 | 48.7% |
Most Applied-To Colleges 2025 鈥 In Review
Overall, it is apparent that some institutions require a high standard for admission. Thus, their acceptance rates continue to fall. With increased selectivity, some students may be worried about their chances. But, what can they do to prepare?
It is important to note that strong grades are still the most critical piece of information at most schools. Ensuring that your academic record is consistent and impressive, in terms of GPA and rigor of classes, can help make the difference between an acceptance or not. Strong SAT or ACT scores are often needle-moving as well. Even though policies continue to fluctuate from year to year, with some schools reinstating their standardized testing requirement and others remaining test-optional, scoring highly on the SAT or ACT is always in your best interest.
Additionally, schools that focus on a holistic admissions process look for an application that showcases your personality, work ethic, and aspirations. Highlighting these qualities will help differentiate your application. More weight may also be placed on one’s extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and essays. Ensuring that you submit polished and unique essays can help your application stand out among thousands.
For even more tips on how to make your application stand out, you can check out these related articles:
