Vassar Acceptance Rate: Class of 2030 Admissions Statistics

Vassar College’s most recent overall acceptance rate is 20.93% for the Class of 2029. The college received 11,118 applications and admitted 2,327 students.

For the Class of 2030, Vassar has officially welcomed the incoming class, but complete admissions data will not be available until later in 2026.

This guide covers Vassar’s acceptance rates (overall, Early Decision, Regular Decision, transfer, and waitlist) along with historical trends to put the numbers in context.

• Vassar Acceptance Rates
• Vassar Early Decision Acceptance Rate
• Vassar Regular Decision Acceptance Rate
• Vassar Transfer Acceptance Rate
• Vassar Waitlist Acceptance Rate
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

Vassar Acceptance Rates

Vassar’s acceptance rate for the Class of 2029 came in at 20.93%, a notable increase from 18.57% for the Class of 2028. This shift reflects a drop in total applications from 12,447 to 11,118, while the number of admitted students held relatively steady at around 2,300.

Zooming out, though, the overall trend has moved toward greater selectivity. Here is the full historical picture:

Note: Data compiled from Vassar College’s Common Data Set.

Applications grew steadily from 7,746 for the Class of 2021 to a peak of 12,447 for the Class of 2028, a 61% increase over that span. The number of admitted students, however, stayed in a narrow band between roughly 1,842 and 2,327. That gap between rising applications and a fixed admit pool drove Vassar’s acceptance rate from the mid-20s down to the high teens before the recent pullback.

Vassar Early Decision Acceptance Rate

The most recent Early Decision (ED) acceptance rate comes from the Class of 2029: Vassar received 1,046 ED applications and admitted 402 students, for an acceptance rate of 38.43%, up from 31.23% for the Class of 2028.

Vassar offers ED I and II. If Vassar is your clear first choice, applying ED gives you a statistically meaningful advantage: the Class of 2029 saw a 38.43% ED acceptance rate compared to 19.11% for Regular Decision (RD). Keep in mind, though, that ED applicants also tend to be among the most prepared and committed candidates in the pool.

Vassar Early Decision acceptance rate trends

Vassar’s ED acceptance rates have trended downward over the past several years, dropping from the mid-40s to the high 30s. Here is how the numbers have shifted:

Note: Data compiled from Vassar College’s Common Data Set.

ED applications have grown from 657 for the Class of 2021 to 1,046 for the Class of 2029, a 59% increase. Despite that growth in the applicant pool, Vassar has admitted roughly 300 to 400 ED students each year. That combination pushed the acceptance rate from a high of 46.67% for the Class of 2024 to a low of 31.23% for the Class of 2028, before recovering to 38.43% for the Class of 2029.

Vassar Regular Decision Acceptance Rate

For the Class of 2029, Vassar received 10,072 RD applications and admitted 1,925 students, yielding an RD acceptance rate of 19.11%, a slight increase from 17.46% for the Class of 2028.

Vassar Regular Decision acceptance rate trends

Vassar’s RD rates have stayed consistently lower than the ED rate over the past several years, generally ranging between 16% and 23%. Here is the full breakdown:

Note: RD figures are derived by subtracting ED data from overall totals in Vassar’s Common Data Set.

RD applications climbed from 7,089 for the Class of 2021 to a peak of 11,448 for the Class of 2028, while admitted students held steady in the 1,500 to 2,000 range. That pushed the RD acceptance rate from around 22% down to a low of 16.29% for the Class of 2027 before a modest recovery to 19.11% for the Class of 2029.

Vassar Transfer Acceptance Rate

Vassar’s most recent transfer acceptance rate comes from Fall 2025. Here is the breakdown:

Note: Fall 2025 transfer data is from Vassar’s Common Data Set for 2025-2026, the same reporting year that includes Class of 2029 first-year admissions data.

Out of 365 applicants, Vassar admitted just 54 students for a 14.79% transfer acceptance rate, lower than that year’s first-year rate of 20.93%. That makes the transfer pathway more selective than first-year admissions.

If you are planning to transfer, a strong academic record at your current institution and a clear articulation of why Vassar fits your goals will be essential components of your application.

Vassar Waitlist Acceptance Rate

For the Class of 2029, Vassar College’s waitlist acceptance rate was 5.88%. Here is the full breakdown:

Note: Waitlist statistics come from Vassar’s Common Data Set for 2025-2026. 

Of the 918 students placed on the waitlist for the Class of 2029, 510 chose to remain on it, and only 30 were ultimately admitted. This resulted in a waitlist acceptance rate of 5.88%, a sharp decline from the 32.70% recorded for the Class of 2028.

That swing illustrates just how much waitlist outcomes depend on enrollment yield and institutional needs in any given year, and why you should treat a waitlist offer as a backup rather than a reliable path to admission.

If Vassar is your top choice and you accept a spot on the waitlist, a well-written letter of continued interest, sent promptly and focused on what you would contribute to the campus community, can strengthen your position.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the most recent Vassar acceptance rate?

The most recently confirmed Vassar College’s acceptance rate is 20.93% for the Class of 2029. Vassar received 11,118 applications and admitted 2,327 students.

2. Does applying Early Decision improve your chances at Vassar?

Yes, statistically. For the Class of 2029, the ED acceptance rate was 38.43% compared to RD’s 19.11%, roughly twice the rate. ED applicants are also among the most motivated and qualified candidates, so the advantage reflects both institutional preference and applicant quality.

3. Does Vassar offer Early Action?

No. Vassar offers ED only, which is a binding commitment plan.

4. How competitive is Vassar transfer admissions?

Moderately competitive. For Fall 2025, Vassar admitted 54 out of 365 transfer applicants, a 14.79% acceptance rate. While higher than some elite institutions, the process is still selective and requires a thoughtful application.

5. What are the chances of getting off Vassar’s waitlist?

It varies significantly by year. The Class of 2029 saw a 5.88% waitlist rate, while the Class of 2028 came in at 32.70%. Enrollment yield drives that gap, so outcomes are hard to predict from one cycle to the next.

Takeaways

• Vassar’s acceptance rate has become more competitive over the past decade, dropping from 23.78% for the Class of 2021 to a low of 17.73% for the Class of 2027, before rising to 20.93% for the Class of 2029 as application volume pulled back.
• ED offers a clear statistical advantage. For the Class of 2029, the ED rate was 38.43% compared to 19.11% for RD. If Vassar is genuinely your first choice and your application is ready, ED is worth serious consideration.
• Transfer and waitlist pathways exist but are selective. The 14.79% transfer rate and 5.88% waitlist rate both require a targeted, well-prepared approach to maximize your chances.
• Understanding the data is one part of the process. Building a strong, focused application is the other. If you want support navigating Vassar’s admissions process, working with an experienced college counselor can help you present the most competitive version of your candidacy.