How to compare college acceptance rates

OPEN ADMIT · ASSERTION LABS

Compare college acceptance rates fairly: match reporting years and admission rounds, distinguish open admission, and avoid treating rates as personal odds.

Start with the same cohort

An overall admission rate divides admitted first-time applicants by all applicants in that cohort. If a college admitted 2,000 of 10,000 applicants, its rate is 20%. It does not mean every applicant had a 20% chance.

Keep years and rounds separate

Compare the same reporting year where possible. Early-decision and overall figures can describe different cohorts. Open Admit labels federal and Common Data Set years separately and does not subtract mismatched counts to invent regular-decision rates.

Use rates to organize research

A rate helps describe selectivity. It does not account for your program, academic record, residency, or other context. Start with the admissions distribution, then examine each college’s requirements and official admissions information.

Missing does not mean zero

Open-admission institutions and colleges with missing counts need separate treatment. Open Admit excludes unavailable rates from medians and shows the number of reporting schools.

Sources: NCES IPEDS survey definitions and Common Data Set Initiative. Read our data methodology.