What is the hardest public university to get into?

UCLA is currently the hardest public university to get into, with an acceptance rate of just 9.41% for the Class of 2029. It received 173,374 freshman applications—the most of any college in the U.S.—and admitted only 13,659 students. UC Berkeley (11.43%), Georgia Tech (13.34%), and the University of Georgia (13.34%) are the next most selective public universities.

Do public universities offer Early Decision or Early Action?

Most top public universities do not offer Early Decision or Early Action programs. The entire University of California system, for example, accepts applications only during a single window in the fall with no early admissions option. Notable exceptions among public schools that offer some form of early admissions include William & Mary, Binghamton University–SUNY, and the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, though policies vary.

What is the difference between public and private universities in terms of acceptance rates?

Public universities generally have higher acceptance rates than comparable private universities because they are state-funded and mission-driven to serve larger populations, especially in-state residents. However, the most selective public schools—like UCLA (9.41%) and UC Berkeley (11.43%)—have acceptance rates that rival many elite private institutions. The Ivy League averaged 5.4% for the Class of 2029, while the most selective public schools sit in the 9–16% range.

How much does tuition cost at public universities vs. private universities?

On average, in-state tuition at a four-year public university is approximately $9,750 per year, compared to $38,421 at a private nonprofit four-year university—nearly four times the cost. Out-of-state students at public universities typically pay around $28,000 or more annually, which is closer to private school pricing, though merit scholarships and tuition reciprocity programs may help offset the difference.

How many public universities are there in the United States?

According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics (2020–2021), there are 1,892 public universities in the U.S. This includes a wide range of four-year institutions, from large flagship state universities with national reputations to smaller regional colleges that primarily serve local students.

Does residency status affect admission chances at public universities?

Yes, residency plays a significant role at many public universities. Most state flagship schools prioritize in-state applicants due to their public mission and state funding. UC campuses and schools like the University of Michigan, UNC–Chapel Hill, and the University of Virginia typically admit a substantial portion of in-state students. Out-of-state applicants often face more competitive admissions standards and higher tuition at these schools.

Are public universities academically comparable to private universities?

Yes. Many top public universities offer academic opportunities that rival or surpass those at elite private institutions. Schools like UC Berkeley, UCLA, Georgia Tech, and the University of Michigan are internationally recognized for research, faculty quality, and graduate outcomes. Public universities often have larger research budgets, more interdisciplinary programs, and broader alumni networks than many private institutions.

Resources

Liberal Arts Colleges Acceptance Rates

Liberal Arts Colleges Acceptance Rates 2026: Admissions Statistics

College admissions keep getting more competitive, with Ivy League schools most recently posting an average acceptance rate of just 5.4%. National universities like the Ivies get most of the spotlight, but liberal arts colleges are just as selective.

Bowdoin admitted just 6.53% of applicants for the Class of 2030, lower than Cornell’s most recent rate of 8.38%. If you’re building your college list, liberal arts colleges deserve the same close attention as top national universities.

To help you gauge the landscape, we’ve compiled the latest overall and early acceptance rates for the top 50 liberal arts colleges, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

Liberal Arts Colleges Latest Acceptance Rates

Below are the latest acceptance rates for each college, drawn from official school announcements, Common Data Sets, and other credible sources. Most figures reflect the Class of 2030, with Class of 2029 data used where newer numbers aren’t yet available.

US News Ranking	School	Overall Acceptance Rate	Early Acceptance Rate
1	Williams College	7.48%	25.22%
2	Amherst College	6.78%	22.25%
3	United States Naval Academy	8.81%	N/A
4	Swarthmore College	7.44%	18.49%
5	Bowdoin College	6.53%	13.08%
5	United States Air Force Academy	11.21%	N/A
7	Claremont McKenna College	9.44%	22.09%
7	Pomona College	7.14%	13.71%
7	Wellesley College	14.79%	29.42%
10	Carleton College	21.78%	34.61%
10	Harvey Mudd College	12.33%	18.35%
10	United States Military Academy at West Point	9.08%	N/A
13	Barnard College	10.05%	33.12%
13	Davidson College	14.20%	32.24%
13	Grinnell College	14.00%	34.18%
13	Hamilton College	14.30%	28.13%
13	Middlebury College	18.00%	39.02%
13	Smith College	19.43%	33.51%
13	Vassar College	20.93%	38.43%
13	Wesleyan University	15.78%	42.79%
21	Washington and Lee University	13.39%	27.58%
22	Colgate University	20.36%	29.99%
22	University of Richmond	20.85%	36.48% (ED), 23.00% (EA)
24	Bates College	16.00%	33.51%
24	Colby College	8.00%	N/A
24	Haverford College	15.44%	32.62%
27	College of the Holy Cross	17.00%	N/A
28	Macalester College	26.43%	41.96%
29	Mount Holyoke College	36.00%	46.00%
30	Bryn Mawr College	33.22%	41.28%
30	Bucknell University	32.20%	54.67%
30	Colorado College	25.70%	33.00% (ED), 32.00 (EA)
30	Lafayette College	32.27%	37.99%
34	Denison University	22.00%	27.00%
35	Franklin & Marshall College	31.63%	29.53%
35	Occidental College	44.85%	42.96%
37	Pitzer College	33.90%	43.38%
37	Scripps College	39.88%	51.27%
37	Skidmore College	23.77%	62.33% (ED I), 20.20% (ED II)
37	Soka University of America	44.00%	35.70%
37	Spelman College	25.00%	32.10%
37	Trinity College	29.53%	46.46%
37	Trinity University	28.00%	52.63%
44	Union College	44.00%	53.10%
45	Berea College	19.00%	N/A
45	Dickinson College	41.49%	56.83%
45	Furman University	46.40%	73.28%
45	Kenyon College	30.15%	34.84%
45	The University of the South	57.00%	80.40%
50	Connecticut College	39.18%	40.66%
50	Hillsdale College	21.00%	N/A
50	St. Olaf College	48.00%	64.10%
50	Wabash College	63.00%	61.50%
50	Wheaton College	87.00%	93.90%

The lowest acceptance rate on this list is 6.53% (Bowdoin), and the highest reaches 87% (Wheaton). Most schools fall somewhere between 10% and 35%, and a good number sit below 20%.

Early admission rates are usually higher than overall rates. Many colleges admit a large share of their incoming class through Early Decision or Early Action, which gives an edge to students who apply early. These applicants tend to be stronger academically and help schools manage yield and shape their class more predictably.

What Is the Hardest Liberal Arts College to Get Into?

Bowdoin, Amherst, and Pomona are the hardest liberal arts colleges to get into right now. All three admit fewer than 8% of applicants, which puts them on par with most Ivy League schools in terms of selectivity.

Here are the 10 hardest liberal arts colleges to get into:

Bowdoin College (6.53%)
Amherst College (6.78%)
Pomona College (7.14%)
Swarthmore College (7.44%)
Williams College (7.48%)
Colby College (8.00%)
United States Naval Academy (8.81%)
United States Military Academy at West Point (9.08%)
Claremont McKenna College (9.44%)
Barnard College (10.05%)

While schools like Swarthmore and Pomona have long been known for their selectivity, others have climbed the ranks quickly. Bowdoin and the United States Military Academy at West Point, for example, have dropped into single-digit territory thanks to need-blind financial aid, test-optional policies, and admissions strategies that have drawn record-high applicant pools.

College Admissions Chances Calculator

Curious how your stats stack up at top liberal arts colleges? Our College Admissions Chances Calculator is a great place to start. It gives you a ballpark idea of your chances based on key parts of your application, your GPA, SAT or ACT scores, and extracurriculars. The tool is super helpful when you’re building your college list and figuring out reach, match, and safety schools.

Private Consulting Program

If you’re looking for more personalized support, check out our Private Consulting Program. This one-on-one service pairs you with an expert who’ll guide you through the entire admissions process, from picking schools to perfecting your essays and preparing for interviews. We’ll help you craft a standout application that highlights your unique strengths, especially if you’re aiming for top-tier liberal arts colleges.

You can even book a free consultation to get started. We’ll review your current academic and extracurricular profile and help you figure out the best next steps.

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