If you’re researching colleges, or you’ve spent any time talking to students who are, you know that getting into college has become a competitive sport, and there’s no sign the competition will ease up any time soon.
Applying to college can be a stressful, sometimes years-long process, with preparations often beginning before students even enter high school. As early as middle or even elementary school, kids start building their résumé: a curated a collection of extracurricular activities and educational enrichment, AP and IB classes, academic tutoring and test prep meant to make them stand out in a competitive applicant pool.
But what if you don’t have a gold-plated résumé? Or what if you do, but you’re worried it won’t be enough to get you into a highly selective school?
Don’t despair! There are more than 2,600 four-year colleges and universities in the United States, and most of them are not highly selective. And if you look closer, you’ll find many good colleges with high acceptance rates.
Why Choose a College with a High Acceptance Rate?
With more students every year vying for a relative handful of spots at elite and highly selective colleges, it’s easy to get caught up in the idea that those are the only schools worth focusing on (and that not getting into one of them means failure). But there are benefits to attending a good college with a high acceptance rate:
- Less stress: Colleges with high acceptance rates often have an easier application process (usually with few, if any, supplemental essays), and many offer rolling admissions, which means you could get a decision within a few weeks.
- Academic quality: Just because it’s easier to get accepted doesn’t mean you’ll sacrifice quality. Many of these colleges offer excellent programs and esteemed faculty, and some are even “Public Ivies.”
- Diverse community: Colleges with high acceptance rates are often more inclusive, offering a community of students from diverse cultural, racial, economic, and social backgrounds.
- Lower cost: Many of these schools are public universities, which usually means lower tuition, even for out-of-state students; some also offer competitive scholarships to bring the cost down further.
What Makes a College “Good”?
While selectivity and rankings are often top of mind when determining the quality of a school—and we referenced U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 College Rankings for this guide—the numbers don’t tell the whole story.
Factors to consider beyond acceptance rates include a school’s accreditation and reputation, the availability of student support services, placement outcomes for career and graduate school, and campus culture and involvement in the larger community. It’s also important to think about your academic interests: Schools with high overall acceptance rates often feature more-competitive standout academic and research programs in particular fields.
14 Good Colleges with High Acceptance Rates
1. Arizona State University
Acceptance rate: 90%
Founded in 1855 as a teacher’s college, ASU has grown far beyond its roots, with campuses and regional learning centers throughout Arizona and facilities in California, Hawaii, and Washington, D.C. A trailblazer in online and hybrid education, ASU has a robust online presence, enrolling more than 80,000 digital immersion undergraduates.
What Makes It Good?
- Ranked #1 in Most Innovative Schools (National)
- R1 research university, NASA-designated national space-grant institute, and member of the Association of American Universities
- Offers strong support for first-generation students
2. Butler University
Acceptance rate: 85%
A small private school in Indianapolis, Indiana, Butler leans into its small-school culture, emphasizing service, leadership, and experiential learning. Undergrads can build on the school’s liberal arts foundation with career preparation in one of 60 majors and 8 pre-professional programs.
What Makes It Good?
- Ranked #1 in Regional Universities (Midwest)
- Small undergraduate enrollment of around 4,500 and low student-faculty ratio ensures students don’t get lost in the crowd
- Excellent placement outcomes: 98% of graduates are employed or in grad school within 6 months
3. Coastal Carolina University
Acceptance rate: 75%
Located in Conway, South Carolina, CCU offers nearly 11,000 undergrad students the best of coastal college life on its vibrant campus near Myrtle Beach. Undergrads choose among more than 100 college majors, all with a student-centered philosophy that emphasizes research and hands-on learning.
What Makes It Good?
- Ranked #4 in Most Innovative Schools (South) and #15 in Top Public Schools (South)
- Offers standout programs in marine science, business, and education
- Lively student culture and traditions connect members of Teal Nation from their first steps on campus until years after graduation
George Mason University
Acceptance rate: 87%
Originally a branch of the University of Virginia serving working professionals and non-traditional students, GMU retains a focus on practical professional education combined with a strong liberal arts foundation. Its location in Fairfax, Virginia, is ideal for students interested in law, government, and policy, with top internship opportunities available in nearby Washington, D.C.
What Makes It Good?
- Ranked #57 in Top Public Schools (National, tie)
- R1 research university with affiliations that include the National Sea Grant College Program, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Transatlantic Policy Consortium, and Washington Research Library Consortium
- Inclusive campus offers accessibility resources and support for adult learners
Iowa State University
Acceptance rate: 89%
Named one of the first land-grant colleges in the United States in 1862, Iowa State is now a leading research university with strong programs in agriculture and engineering. True to its roots as an agricultural college and model farm, the college’s 100 majors across 8 colleges and schools emphasize practical problem-solving, hands-on research, and innovation.
What Makes It Good?
- Ranked #57 in Top Public Schools (National, tie)
- R1 research university, NASA-designated national space-grant institution, and home to the Ames National Laboratory, the only US Department of Energy research lab located on a university campus
- Strong campus community featuring more than 800 student organizations
Miami University
Acceptance rate: 75%
One of the original schools described as “Public Ivies” in 1985, Miami of Ohio offers world-class educational opportunities with a liberal arts foundation in more than 100 majors, all at public university prices.
What Makes It Good?
- Ranked #12 in Best Undergraduate Teaching (National)
- Offers a strong community culture, with an excellent orientation program, support services, and more than 600 student organizations
- Recognized as a top public school for internships and four-year graduation rates, and a top 10 Honors College
Michigan State University
Acceptance rate: 85%
From its founding in 1855 as an agricultural college, Michigan State has grown into a flagship “Public Ivy” with more than 200 undergraduate majors. Known for its top-ranked programs in education, agriculture, and hospitality, Michigan State pioneered study in areas as varied as horticulture, music therapy, and packaging.
What Makes It Good?
- Ranked #64 in National Universities and #29 in Top Public Schools (National)
- R1 research university with sea-grant and space-grant designations
- Boasts a large alumni network and 93% placement rate within 6 months of graduation
University of Alabama
Acceptance rate: 77%
If it seems like almost everyone is going to Alabama, there’s good reason: This flagship public school has seen its enrollment double over the last 20 years, with more than half its student body coming from out of state and a record 362 National Merit Scholars in the 2025 freshman class.
What Makes It Good?
- Ranked #92 in Top Public Schools (National)
- R1 research institute with sea-grant and space-grant designations, strong STEM programs, and one of the oldest engineering programs in the United States
- Offers a vibrant campus community with strong school spirit and a deep sense of tradition, especially around the school’s D1 football team
University of Colorado Boulder
Acceptance rate: 76%
With a campus nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, its no wonder that CU Boulder has a strong outdoor culture and an emphasis on sustainability. In fact, it’s home to the NCAA’s first D1 sustainable athletics program. Undergrads can explore more than 85 majors, including highly ranked programs in physics, aerospace, and environmental science.
What Makes It Good?
- Ranked #97 in National Universities and #46 in Top Public Schools (National)
- Features nationally ranked business programs in the Leeds School of Business
- Active student life with an emphasis on free expression, including one of the largest TEDx university programs in the United States
University of Iowa
Acceptance rate: 84%
Founded in 1847, U of I is both the oldest and the largest university in Iowa. Home to the prestigious Iowa Writers Workshop, the school offers nationally ranked undergraduate programs in writing and communication as well as strong programs in health sciences and business.
What Makes It Good?
- Ranked #49 in Top Public Schools (National)
- R1 research university and NASA-designated national space-grant institution, with one-third of undergraduates participating in research
- Features excellent support for first-generation, low-income, and disabled students and a strong focus on accessibility
University of Kansas
Acceptance rate: 93%
With five campuses and more than 190 undergraduate degree programs, KU offers something for everyone, with a growing focus on tech and renewable energy, a Center for Russian, East European, & Eurasian Studies that is a national leader in international area studies, and strong undergraduate programs in education and engineering.
What Makes It Good?
- Ranked #74 in Top Public Schools (National)
- R1 research university, NASA designated national space-grant institute, and member of the Association of American Universities
- Offers a robust alumni network and excellent placement outcomes, with 93% of graduates employed or in grad school within 6 months
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Acceptance rate: 80%
The flagship institution of the University of Minnesota system, the Twin Cities campus is one of the largest and most well-respected public research universities in the United States, offering more than 150 undergraduate degrees and outstanding programs in health, business, and engineering.
What Makes It Good?
- Ranked #59 in National Universities and #26 in Top Public Schools (National)
- R1 research university with a land-grant designation and a member of the Big Ten Academic Alliance and the Association of American Universities
- Vibrant campus culture, with more than 1,000 student organizations and opportunities to connect with the Twin Cities community
University of New Hampshire
Acceptance rate: 88%
Located near the New Hampshire coast just an hour from Boston, UNH’s beautiful campus features a large public university with an intimate, small-town New England feel. Notable among the more than 100 undergraduate majors offered across five schools are its excellent programs in environmental and marine science, engineering, and business.
What Makes It Good?
- Ranked #57 in Top Public Schools (National, tie)
- R1 research university; one of only three schools in the United States with a triple designation as a land-, sea-, and space-grant institution; and active undergraduate research
- High student satisfaction and a vibrant social life centered around on-campus sports and student organizations as well as outdoor activities and local spots in nearby Durham
University of Oregon
Acceptance rate: 88%
With a walkable, tree-lined campus on the Willamette River, two outdoor amphitheaters, and a college-sponsored Outdoor Program, UO is an ideal place for students who love being outside. It’s strong academically, too, with well-regarded programs in business, psychology, and journalism among the more than 80 majors it offers.
What Makes It Good?
- Ranked #54 in Top Public Schools (National)
- R1 research university, NASA designated national space-grant institute, and member of the Association of American Universities
- Robust student support services with a focus on diversity, mental health, and non-traditional students
Conclusion
By definition, most students don’t go to elite or highly selective schools, but remember that getting in easily doesn’t mean settling. When you consider factors beyond acceptance rate—a school’s location, standout programs, campus culture, student support, and career outcomes—you may discover that the school where you’ll thrive as a student and an individual isn’t hard to get into at all.
Ready to build a balanced college list with schools that fit your goals and give you great odds? HelloCollege can help you craft a strategic list that sets you up for success. To learn more, reach out today for your FREE 45-minute consultation.
