COVID-19 Pandemic Made It Easier to Get Into These 200 Colleges (and the 200 Schools Where It Became Harder)
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive impact on higher education. Colleges and universities across the U.S. closed their campuses earlier in the crisis and switched to online learning — many without adjusting their price tags. As a result, many students changed their plans, delaying their enrollment or choosing online-only options.
“Before and during surges of the coronavirus, students were constantly reevaluating their college plans, and rightly so, yielding impactful and divergent consequences for their peers,” says Andrew Pentis, a certified student loan counselor and senior writer for Student Loan Hero.
To understand how the pandemic affected colleges, Student Loan Hero analyzed application and admissions data for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 academic years at four-year colleges across the U.S. In general, getting into colleges became easier during the crisis. Of the 1,225 colleges examined, 69.7% of schools’ acceptance rates increased. At the 200 schools with the biggest increases in acceptance rates, the jumps were between nine and 58 percentage points.
Key findings
- Getting accepted into college generally became easier during the coronavirus pandemic. Of the 1,225 four-year colleges for which Student Loan Hero had application and admissions data for 2019-2020 and 2020-2021, 854 — or 69.7% — schools saw their admission rate rise in this period.
- Compared to pre-pandemic levels, the admission rate spiked the most at the University of West Alabama. The Livingston school admitted 93.1% of the students who applied in 2020-2021 — a 58.2 percentage-point difference from its 34.9% acceptance rate the academic year before in 2019-2020.
- Across the colleges examined, very few saw acceptance rates drop by double digits between the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years. Just 54 schools fell in this range — 19 of which saw changes of more than 20 percentage points.
- The admission rate dropped the most at DeVry University. The Naperville, Ill., school — which typically offers online degrees — had one of the highest acceptance rates in 2019-2020 at 95.7%. But that percentage plummeted to 44.4% in 2020-2021 — a drop of 51.4 percentage points.
COVID-19 pandemic made it easier to get into these 200 colleges
According to the Student Loan Hero analysis, nearly 70% of the four-year schools for which data was available had higher acceptance rates during the pandemic than the school year before the crisis’s beginning.
To compare schools’ acceptance rates, researchers looked at the percentage-point difference in acceptance rates rather than the percentage change. This approach made it easier to see trends regardless of other variables that affected enrollment.
For example, Hampshire College in Amherst, Mass., is a small school that received just 1,202 applications in 2020 after getting 2,485 in 2019. To put those numbers in perspective, consider that the University of California-Los Angeles received more than 100,000 applications for both years.
Hampshire College accepted just 49 applicants in 2019, then 707 in 2020. By percentage increase, that would be a 2,840% jump. But it doesn’t reflect that the school accepted just 2% of students in 2019 because it faced significant financial issues before the pandemic.
The school’s board voted not to enroll new applicants for the fall 2019 or spring 2020 semesters. Instead, the school only accepted students that enrolled via early decision or were previously accepted but deferred admission to take advantage of a gap year.
After a significant fundraising campaign, the school began admitting new applicants again in fall 2020, resulting in a significantly higher acceptance rate.
Impact of applications on acceptance rates
Hampshire College is an outlier — more colleges received fewer applications in 2020 than in 2019, so their acceptance rates were correspondingly higher. Schools also had many students that transferred or dropped out due to the pandemic, so they may have accepted higher numbers to offset those losses.
5 schools that became easier to get into amid the COVID-19 pandemic | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | School | City | State | 2019-2020 acceptance rate | 2020-2021 acceptance rate | Percentage-point difference |
1 | University of West Alabama | Livingston | AL | 34.9% | 93.1% | 58.2 |
2 | Hampshire College | Amherst | MA | 2.0% | 58.8% | 56.8 |
3 | Ottawa University | Ottawa | KS | 14.5% | 70.3% | 55.8 |
4 | University of North Texas at Dallas | Dallas | TX | 46.8% | 93.0% | 46.2 |
5 | Culver-Stockton College | Canton | MO | 52.2% | 98.3% | 46.1 |
Source: Student Loan Hero analysis of Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) data. Note: The figures are displayed with one decimal, though complete numbers were used in the calculations. |
“If large numbers of students decided to stay closer to home for school or not enroll at all because of the pandemic, some schools on their college lists might have seen fewer applicants than anticipated, making it easier for students who did apply to gain admittance,” Pentis says.
Some examples that illustrate this phenomenon include:
- The University of West Alabama: The University of West Alabama in Livingston received just 1,834 applications in 2020. It accepted 1,708 of those applications, giving it a 93.1% acceptance rate — a remarkably high rate. In 2019, the school received 7,569 applications and accepted just 2,644 of them, so its acceptance rate was just 34.9%.
- Culver-Stockton College: After having to shut down its campus and eliminate its major athletics programs during the pandemic, the Canton, Mo., school struggled to maintain its total enrollment number. It ended up accepting 98.3% of its applicants in 2020, up from 52.2% in 2019.
Full rankings: 200 schools where acceptance rate jumped the most
Schools that became easier to get into amid the COVID-19 pandemic | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | School | City | State | 2019-2020 acceptance rate | 2020-2021 acceptance rate | Percentage-point difference |
1 | University of West Alabama | Livingston | AL | 34.9% | 93.1% | 58.2 |
2 | Hampshire College | Amherst | MA | 2.0% | 58.8% | 56.8 |
3 | Ottawa University | Ottawa | KS | 14.5% | 70.3% | 55.8 |
4 | University of North Texas at Dallas | Dallas | TX | 46.8% | 93.0% | 46.2 |
5 | Culver-Stockton College | Canton | MO | 52.2% | 98.3% | 46.1 |
6 | Georgia Southern University | Statesboro | GA | 54.5% | 91.2% | 36.7 |
7 | Washington Adventist University | Takoma Park | MD | 58.8% | 94.0% | 35.2 |
8 | Brenau University | Gainesville | GA | 57.5% | 92.2% | 34.7 |
9 | University of Tulsa | Tulsa | OK | 35.8% | 69.2% | 33.4 |
10 | Hiram College | Hiram | OH | 59.7% | 92.8% | 33.1 |
11 | East Texas Baptist University | Marshall | TX | 59.4% | 92.1% | 32.6 |
12 | California State University-Fresno | Fresno | CA | 57.9% | 90.1% | 32.2 |
13 | University of Florida-Online | Gainesville | FL | 32.0% | 62.4% | 30.4 |
14 | California State University-Los Angeles | Los Angeles | CA | 47.8% | 76.5% | 28.7 |
15 | South Carolina State University | Orangeburg | SC | 66.4% | 94.1% | 27.6 |
16 | University of New Orleans | New Orleans | LA | 55.5% | 82.9% | 27.4 |
17 | The University of West Florida | Pensacola | FL | 31.0% | 57.6% | 26.6 |
18 | Dillard University | New Orleans | LA | 38.8% | 65.3% | 26.5 |
19 | SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill | Cobleskill | NY | 53.7% | 80.0% | 26.3 |
20 | Mississippi State University | Mississippi State | MS | 53.9% | 80.0% | 26.2 |
21 | Azusa Pacific University | Azusa | CA | 67.5% | 93.6% | 26.1 |
22 | Maryland Institute College of Art | Baltimore | MD | 63.9% | 89.8% | 25.9 |
23 | Holy Names University | Oakland | CA | 63.3% | 89.1% | 25.9 |
24 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | Carbondale | IL | 66.4% | 91.8% | 25.4 |
25 | University of Hawaii at Manoa | Honolulu | HI | 58.5% | 83.7% | 25.2 |
26 | Oklahoma Wesleyan University | Bartlesville | OK | 57.5% | 82.7% | 25.1 |
27 | Wentworth Institute of Technology | Boston | MA | 68.6% | 93.5% | 25.0 |
28 | Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion | Marion | IN | 67.0% | 91.5% | 24.5 |
29 | Syracuse University | Syracuse | NY | 44.4% | 68.7% | 24.3 |
30 | Oakwood University | Huntsville | AL | 64.7% | 88.8% | 24.1 |
31 | The University of Virginia’s College at Wise | Wise | VA | 59.4% | 82.6% | 23.2 |
32 | Baylor University | Waco | TX | 45.3% | 68.5% | 23.1 |
33 | Stillman College | Tuscaloosa | AL | 33.0% | 55.5% | 22.6 |
34 | Wilberforce University | Wilberforce | OH | 39.1% | 61.6% | 22.5 |
35 | Jackson State University | Jackson | MS | 67.5% | 90.0% | 22.5 |
36 | University of Hawaii at Hilo | Hilo | HI | 51.6% | 73.8% | 22.2 |
37 | SUNY at Purchase College | Purchase | NY | 51.5% | 73.7% | 22.2 |
38 | Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver | CO | 61.3% | 83.3% | 22.0 |
39 | University of La Verne | La Verne | CA | 54.8% | 76.3% | 21.4 |
40 | Valdosta State University | Valdosta | GA | 57.2% | 78.4% | 21.3 |
41 | University of Mobile | Mobile | AL | 45.7% | 66.6% | 20.9 |
42 | School of the Art Institute of Chicago | Chicago | IL | 57.0% | 77.8% | 20.7 |
43 | Xavier University of Louisiana | New Orleans | LA | 60.0% | 80.6% | 20.6 |
44 | Cornell College | Mount Vernon | IA | 61.8% | 82.4% | 20.6 |
45 | Fort Valley State University | Fort Valley | GA | 51.8% | 72.3% | 20.5 |
46 | University of Holy Cross | New Orleans | LA | 32.4% | 52.7% | 20.3 |
47 | Geneva College | Beaver Falls | PA | 53.2% | 73.1% | 19.9 |
48 | North Carolina Central University | Durham | NC | 68.0% | 87.4% | 19.4 |
49 | Keuka College | Keuka Park | NY | 72.0% | 90.9% | 19.0 |
50 | Lincoln Memorial University | Harrogate | TN | 49.6% | 68.5% | 18.9 |
51 | Livingstone College | Salisbury | NC | 50.1% | 69.0% | 18.9 |
52 | Edgewood College | Madison | WI | 72.4% | 91.2% | 18.8 |
53 | Lees-McRae College | Banner Elk | NC | 54.8% | 73.3% | 18.5 |
54 | University of West Georgia | Carrollton | GA | 59.3% | 77.6% | 18.3 |
55 | Franklin Pierce University | Rindge | NH | 66.5% | 84.7% | 18.2 |
56 | Neumann University | Aston | PA | 62.3% | 80.3% | 18.0 |
57 | Centenary University | Hackettstown | NJ | 75.0% | 93.0% | 18.0 |
58 | California State University-Chico | Chico | CA | 72.3% | 90.2% | 17.8 |
59 | California State University-San Marcos | San Marcos | CA | 61.7% | 79.4% | 17.8 |
60 | Mississippi Valley State University | Itta Bena | MS | 65.1% | 82.7% | 17.7 |
61 | Lehigh University | Bethlehem | PA | 32.1% | 49.5% | 17.4 |
62 | Clayton State University | Morrow | GA | 51.1% | 68.5% | 17.4 |
63 | Limestone University | Gaffney | SC | 50.9% | 68.3% | 17.4 |
64 | University of Utah | Salt Lake City | UT | 62.1% | 79.4% | 17.3 |
65 | Texas A&M University-Commerce | Commerce | TX | 43.1% | 60.1% | 16.9 |
66 | State University of New York at New Paltz | New Paltz | NY | 45.2% | 62.0% | 16.8 |
67 | San Francisco State University | San Francisco | CA | 67.3% | 84.1% | 16.8 |
68 | New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology | Socorro | NM | 79.8% | 96.6% | 16.8 |
69 | Southwest Minnesota State University | Marshall | MN | 63.9% | 80.6% | 16.7 |
70 | Coe College | Cedar Rapids | IA | 63.3% | 79.9% | 16.5 |
71 | University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport | CT | 54.6% | 70.9% | 16.4 |
72 | Saginaw Valley State University | University Center | MI | 73.1% | 89.5% | 16.3 |
73 | Bellarmine University | Louisville | KY | 66.2% | 82.4% | 16.1 |
74 | Piedmont University | Demorest | GA | 54.0% | 70.1% | 16.1 |
75 | Texas A&M University-San Antonio | San Antonio | TX | 43.9% | 59.9% | 16.0 |
76 | Wesleyan College | Macon | GA | 43.8% | 59.8% | 16.0 |
77 | University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | Pine Bluff | AR | 43.9% | 59.7% | 15.7 |
78 | St. Andrews University | Laurinburg | NC | 45.3% | 60.9% | 15.5 |
79 | Whittier College | Whittier | CA | 57.1% | 72.3% | 15.2 |
80 | Worcester State University | Worcester | MA | 65.9% | 81.0% | 15.1 |
81 | Georgia Southwestern State University | Americus | GA | 58.3% | 73.4% | 15.1 |
82 | California State University-Fullerton | Fullerton | CA | 52.7% | 67.6% | 14.9 |
83 | SUNY College at Oswego | Oswego | NY | 54.1% | 68.9% | 14.8 |
84 | Ohio State University-Main Campus | Columbus | OH | 53.7% | 68.5% | 14.8 |
85 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte | NC | 65.0% | 79.5% | 14.5 |
86 | University of St Francis | Joliet | IL | 45.6% | 60.1% | 14.5 |
87 | Mount Holyoke College | South Hadley | MA | 38.2% | 52.5% | 14.3 |
88 | Manchester University | North Manchester | IN | 56.1% | 70.4% | 14.3 |
89 | Barry University | Miami | FL | 51.0% | 65.3% | 14.3 |
90 | Bloomfield College | Bloomfield | NJ | 70.6% | 84.6% | 14.0 |
91 | Upper Iowa University | Fayette | IA | 51.3% | 65.3% | 14.0 |
92 | Bennett College | Greensboro | NC | 59.0% | 72.9% | 13.9 |
93 | Lander University | Greenwood | SC | 43.2% | 57.0% | 13.9 |
94 | University of Washington-Bothell Campus | Bothell | WA | 74.1% | 87.9% | 13.8 |
95 | University of Minnesota-Rochester | Rochester | MN | 60.1% | 73.8% | 13.6 |
96 | Midway University | Midway | KY | 59.6% | 73.1% | 13.4 |
97 | University of California-Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz | CA | 51.3% | 64.7% | 13.4 |
98 | Black Hills State University | Spearfish | SD | 83.9% | 97.1% | 13.2 |
99 | Wilkes University | Wilkes-Barre | PA | 78.6% | 91.8% | 13.1 |
100 | Stevens Institute of Technology | Hoboken | NJ | 40.0% | 53.1% | 13.1 |
101 | Becker College | Worcester | MA | 69.9% | 83.0% | 13.1 |
102 | SUNY Buffalo State | Buffalo | NY | 67.0% | 80.1% | 13.1 |
103 | Warner University | Lake Wales | FL | 41.1% | 54.1% | 13.0 |
104 | Hartwick College | Oneonta | NY | 80.2% | 93.1% | 12.9 |
105 | Savannah State University | Savannah | GA | 33.2% | 46.1% | 12.9 |
106 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | Minneapolis | MN | 56.7% | 69.6% | 12.9 |
107 | Iowa Wesleyan University | Mount Pleasant | IA | 58.3% | 71.2% | 12.9 |
108 | Methodist University | Fayetteville | NC | 63.0% | 75.9% | 12.9 |
109 | Northwestern State University of Louisiana | Natchitoches | LA | 82.0% | 94.8% | 12.9 |
110 | University of California-Merced | Merced | CA | 72.0% | 84.8% | 12.8 |
111 | Massachusetts College of Art and Design | Boston | MA | 57.8% | 70.3% | 12.4 |
112 | Lake Superior State University | Sault Ste Marie | MI | 57.2% | 69.5% | 12.3 |
113 | Quinnipiac University | Hamden | CT | 70.1% | 82.4% | 12.3 |
114 | Virginia Union University | Richmond | VA | 63.1% | 75.4% | 12.3 |
115 | Southern Oregon University | Ashland | OR | 78.2% | 90.4% | 12.2 |
116 | Coppin State University | Baltimore | MD | 28.0% | 40.2% | 12.2 |
117 | Dominican University | River Forest | IL | 64.3% | 76.5% | 12.1 |
118 | Pfeiffer University | Misenheimer | NC | 63.8% | 75.8% | 12.1 |
119 | Yeshiva University | New York | NY | 55.4% | 67.4% | 12.0 |
120 | Anna Maria College | Paxton | MA | 74.1% | 86.1% | 12.0 |
121 | Maryville University of Saint Louis | Saint Louis | MO | 82.9% | 94.9% | 12.0 |
122 | Rocky Mountain College | Billings | MT | 59.2% | 71.2% | 12.0 |
123 | Concordia University-Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor | MI | 49.1% | 61.0% | 11.9 |
124 | The New School | New York | NY | 57.3% | 69.1% | 11.8 |
125 | Friends University | Wichita | KS | 45.8% | 57.5% | 11.7 |
126 | Southern University at New Orleans | New Orleans | LA | 60.3% | 72.0% | 11.7 |
127 | LeTourneau University | Longview | TX | 44.5% | 56.1% | 11.6 |
128 | College for Creative Studies | Detroit | MI | 43.8% | 55.4% | 11.6 |
129 | Dickinson College | Carlisle | PA | 40.1% | 51.6% | 11.6 |
130 | Miami University-Oxford | Oxford | OH | 80.4% | 92.0% | 11.6 |
131 | University of Houston-Victoria | Victoria | TX | 55.5% | 67.1% | 11.5 |
132 | Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton | FL | 63.3% | 74.8% | 11.5 |
133 | University of Michigan-Flint | Flint | MI | 66.0% | 77.4% | 11.5 |
134 | University of Charleston | Charleston | WV | 50.0% | 61.5% | 11.4 |
135 | Temple University | Philadelphia | PA | 60.0% | 71.4% | 11.4 |
136 | Gardner-Webb University | Boiling Springs | NC | 66.7% | 78.0% | 11.2 |
137 | Nazareth College | Rochester | NY | 64.5% | 75.7% | 11.2 |
138 | Gonzaga University | Spokane | WA | 61.7% | 72.9% | 11.2 |
139 | Finlandia University | Hancock | MI | 71.9% | 83.0% | 11.1 |
140 | Bentley University | Waltham | MA | 46.7% | 57.8% | 11.1 |
141 | Allegheny College | Meadville | PA | 62.2% | 73.2% | 11.0 |
142 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania | West Chester | PA | 75.3% | 86.3% | 10.9 |
143 | William Peace University | Raleigh | NC | 50.5% | 61.4% | 10.9 |
144 | Northern Illinois University | Dekalb | IL | 48.4% | 59.2% | 10.9 |
145 | Fayetteville State University | Fayetteville | NC | 68.5% | 79.4% | 10.9 |
146 | LaGrange College | Lagrange | GA | 48.8% | 59.7% | 10.9 |
147 | Florida Gulf Coast University | Fort Myers | FL | 66.7% | 77.5% | 10.8 |
148 | The University of Tampa | Tampa | FL | 44.7% | 55.5% | 10.8 |
149 | Asbury University | Wilmore | KY | 64.4% | 75.2% | 10.7 |
150 | Clemson University | Clemson | SC | 51.3% | 61.9% | 10.7 |
151 | Texas A&M University-Kingsville | Kingsville | TX | 77.3% | 87.9% | 10.7 |
152 | The College of Wooster | Wooster | OH | 54.7% | 65.3% | 10.6 |
153 | Davenport University | Grand Rapids | MI | 81.9% | 92.6% | 10.6 |
154 | Shorter University | Rome | GA | 60.3% | 70.9% | 10.6 |
155 | Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge | AR | 58.8% | 69.3% | 10.5 |
156 | Pratt Institute | Brooklyn | NY | 55.5% | 65.9% | 10.4 |
157 | University of North Texas | Denton | TX | 73.6% | 84.0% | 10.4 |
158 | California State University-Monterey Bay | Seaside | CA | 75.3% | 85.6% | 10.3 |
159 | Ball State University | Muncie | IN | 76.7% | 87.0% | 10.3 |
160 | Southern Connecticut State University | New Haven | CT | 69.4% | 79.7% | 10.3 |
161 | Western Illinois University | Macomb | IL | 56.7% | 67.0% | 10.3 |
162 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | Pomona | CA | 54.6% | 64.8% | 10.2 |
163 | Mount Mercy University | Cedar Rapids | IA | 66.0% | 76.2% | 10.2 |
164 | Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi | Corpus Christi | TX | 80.0% | 90.1% | 10.1 |
165 | Pepperdine University | Malibu | CA | 31.7% | 41.9% | 10.1 |
166 | Oral Roberts University | Tulsa | OK | 68.3% | 78.4% | 10.1 |
167 | Carson-Newman University | Jefferson City | TN | 69.2% | 79.3% | 10.1 |
168 | Paine College | Augusta | GA | 64.9% | 75.0% | 10.1 |
169 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo | CA | 28.4% | 38.4% | 10.0 |
170 | University of San Diego | San Diego | CA | 48.7% | 58.7% | 10.0 |
171 | Westminster College | New Wilmington | PA | 66.5% | 76.5% | 10.0 |
172 | Graceland University-Lamoni | Lamoni | IA | 58.1% | 68.1% | 10.0 |
173 | Claflin University | Orangeburg | SC | 55.2% | 65.1% | 9.9 |
174 | Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego | CA | 73.7% | 83.6% | 9.9 |
175 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Troy | NY | 47.4% | 57.3% | 9.8 |
176 | Georgian Court University | Lakewood | NJ | 71.2% | 80.9% | 9.7 |
177 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute | Worcester | MA | 49.4% | 59.0% | 9.7 |
178 | California State University-San Bernardino | San Bernardino | CA | 68.6% | 78.1% | 9.6 |
179 | Hollins University | Roanoke | VA | 71.2% | 80.8% | 9.6 |
180 | Truman State University | Kirksville | MO | 62.6% | 72.1% | 9.5 |
181 | Kean University | Union | NJ | 68.6% | 78.1% | 9.5 |
182 | Missouri Valley College | Marshall | MO | 52.7% | 62.2% | 9.5 |
183 | Concord University | Athens | WV | 81.9% | 91.4% | 9.5 |
184 | Medaille College | Buffalo | NY | 62.3% | 71.8% | 9.5 |
185 | Simmons University | Boston | MA | 73.1% | 82.5% | 9.4 |
186 | Tuskegee University | Tuskegee | AL | 51.7% | 61.1% | 9.4 |
187 | Cornerstone University | Grand Rapids | MI | 77.6% | 87.0% | 9.4 |
188 | University of California-Riverside | Riverside | CA | 56.5% | 65.8% | 9.3 |
189 | Roberts Wesleyan College | Rochester | NY | 66.6% | 75.8% | 9.2 |
190 | CUNY Lehman College | Bronx | NY | 37.8% | 47.0% | 9.2 |
191 | Roosevelt University | Chicago | IL | 67.3% | 76.5% | 9.2 |
192 | Rockhurst University | Kansas City | MO | 63.7% | 72.9% | 9.2 |
193 | East Carolina University | Greenville | NC | 78.7% | 87.9% | 9.2 |
194 | Elizabeth City State University | Elizabeth City | NC | 65.6% | 74.8% | 9.2 |
195 | Indiana University-South Bend | South Bend | IN | 77.7% | 86.9% | 9.2 |
196 | Stetson University | DeLand | FL | 72.4% | 81.5% | 9.1 |
197 | Lesley University | Cambridge | MA | 74.7% | 83.8% | 9.1 |
198 | Spelman College | Atlanta | GA | 43.4% | 52.6% | 9.1 |
199 | MidAmerica Nazarene University | Olathe | KS | 54.6% | 63.8% | 9.1 |
200 | Sam Houston State University | Huntsville | TX | 83.4% | 92.5% | 9.1 |
Source: Student Loan Hero analysis of Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) data. Note: The figures are displayed with one decimal, though complete numbers were used in the calculations. |
COVID-19 pandemic made it harder to get into these 200 colleges
Interestingly, the pandemic didn’t make it easier to get into all schools. At a limited number, the acceptance rate dropped, meaning it was more difficult to get in than before.
“If COVID-19 influenced students to attend their local public university, instead of perhaps a private school on an opposite coast, then that local university may have seen greater amounts of applications than expected and, therefore, more competition for spots in its student body,” Pentis says.
5 schools that became harder to get into amid the COVID-19 pandemic | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | School | City | State | 2019-2020 acceptance rate | 2020-2021 acceptance rate | Percentage-point difference |
1 | DeVry University | Naperville | IL | 95.7% | 44.4% | -51.4 |
2 | Corban University | Salem | OR | 85.1% | 48.3% | -36.8 |
3 | Regent University | Virginia Beach | VA | 85.5% | 50.4% | -35.1 |
4 | Ohio Dominican University | Columbus | OH | 83.9% | 49.5% | -34.4 |
5 | La Roche University | Pittsburgh | PA | 99.4% | 68.9% | -30.5 |
Source: Student Loan Hero analysis of Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) data. Note: The figures are displayed with one decimal, though complete numbers were used in the calculations. |
Naperville, Ill.-based DeVry University highlighted the impact of the pandemic on enrollment. The school utilizes an online or hybrid model, specializing in remote learning. As a result, it received 900-plus applications more in 2020 than the year before. It admitted about 500 fewer students than the school year before, resulting in a substantially lower acceptance rate.
Corban University in Salem, Ore., is similar, despite offering in-person instruction. It’s a smaller school where most students commute or live off campus, so as more students looked for local colleges, the number of applicants in 2020 spiked. It received more than double the number of applications it received in 2019, causing it to have a much lower acceptance rate.
Full rankings: 200 schools where acceptance rate dropped the most
Schools that became harder to get into amid the COVID-19 pandemic | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | School | City | State | 2019-2020 acceptance rate | 2020-2021 acceptance rate | Percentage-point difference |
1 | DeVry University | Naperville | IL | 95.7% | 44.4% | -51.4 |
2 | Corban University | Salem | OR | 85.1% | 48.3% | -36.8 |
3 | Regent University | Virginia Beach | VA | 85.5% | 50.4% | -35.1 |
4 | Ohio Dominican University | Columbus | OH | 83.9% | 49.5% | -34.4 |
5 | La Roche University | Pittsburgh | PA | 99.4% | 68.9% | -30.5 |
6 | Concordia University-Saint Paul | Saint Paul | MN | 98.1% | 68.6% | -29.5 |
7 | University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma | Chickasha | OK | 64.5% | 35.7% | -28.7 |
8 | Fisk University | Nashville | TN | 93.4% | 66.5% | -26.9 |
9 | SUNY College at Old Westbury | Old Westbury | NY | 77.8% | 53.1% | -24.7 |
10 | Texas Southern University | Houston | TX | 90.9% | 66.4% | -24.5 |
11 | University of Saint Mary | Leavenworth | KS | 84.0% | 59.6% | -24.4 |
12 | Rosemont College | Rosemont | PA | 92.1% | 69.1% | -23.0 |
13 | Morehouse College | Atlanta | GA | 99.8% | 77.1% | -22.7 |
14 | Brigham Young University-Hawaii | Laie | HI | 97.3% | 75.0% | -22.3 |
15 | Cazenovia College | Cazenovia | NY | 93.7% | 72.2% | -21.5 |
16 | Rust College | Holly Springs | MS | 50.2% | 29.5% | -20.8 |
17 | Alcorn State University | Alcorn State | MS | 58.2% | 37.7% | -20.5 |
18 | Western Carolina University | Cullowhee | NC | 68.7% | 48.5% | -20.2 |
19 | CUNY York College | Jamaica | NY | 72.8% | 52.8% | -20.1 |
20 | Cedarville University | Cedarville | OH | 78.8% | 59.3% | -19.5 |
21 | Wells College | Aurora | NY | 83.2% | 64.4% | -18.8 |
22 | Sul Ross State University | Alpine | TX | 99.6% | 80.8% | -18.8 |
23 | Andrews University | Berrien Springs | MI | 67.0% | 48.8% | -18.3 |
24 | Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah | GA | 95.9% | 77.9% | -18.0 |
25 | McNeese State University | Lake Charles | LA | 80.7% | 63.3% | -17.4 |
26 | Paul Quinn College | Dallas | TX | 79.2% | 61.9% | -17.3 |
27 | Loras College | Dubuque | IA | 75.3% | 58.4% | -16.9 |
28 | Chicago State University | Chicago | IL | 63.3% | 46.4% | -16.9 |
29 | John Brown University | Siloam Springs | AR | 75.8% | 58.9% | -16.9 |
30 | Saint Cloud State University | Saint Cloud | MN | 90.0% | 73.2% | -16.8 |
31 | Eastern Washington University | Cheney | WA | 95.7% | 78.9% | -16.8 |
32 | Wingate University | Wingate | NC | 88.7% | 73.3% | -15.5 |
33 | University of Missouri-St Louis | Saint Louis | MO | 73.0% | 57.6% | -15.4 |
34 | Saint Francis University | Loretto | PA | 74.5% | 59.3% | -15.2 |
35 | North Carolina Wesleyan College | Rocky Mount | NC | 62.3% | 47.6% | -14.7 |
36 | Cabrini University | Radnor | PA | 75.8% | 61.7% | -14.2 |
37 | Bethel University | McKenzie | TN | 90.3% | 76.1% | -14.1 |
38 | Jacksonville University | Jacksonville | FL | 91.7% | 77.7% | -14.0 |
39 | Brevard College | Brevard | NC | 58.8% | 45.2% | -13.5 |
40 | Delaware State University | Dover | DE | 52.8% | 39.3% | -13.4 |
41 | Mississippi College | Clinton | MS | 42.0% | 28.8% | -13.3 |
42 | Arkansas State University | Jonesboro | AR | 79.9% | 67.2% | -12.7 |
43 | Washington College | Chestertown | MD | 92.4% | 80.3% | -12.1 |
44 | Kentucky Christian University | Grayson | KY | 40.4% | 28.3% | -12.1 |
45 | Wichita State University | Wichita | KS | 91.7% | 79.6% | -12.1 |
46 | CUNY Medgar Evers College | Brooklyn | NY | 90.3% | 78.5% | -11.8 |
47 | Hillsdale College | Hillsdale | MI | 48.3% | 36.5% | -11.8 |
48 | McDaniel College | Westminster | MD | 91.8% | 81.1% | -10.7 |
49 | Russell Sage College | Troy | NY | 85.0% | 74.3% | -10.7 |
50 | West Texas A&M University | Canyon | TX | 68.9% | 58.3% | -10.7 |
51 | The University of the South | Sewanee | TN | 66.7% | 56.1% | -10.6 |
52 | Hampden-Sydney College | Hampden Sydney | VA | 57.4% | 47.0% | -10.4 |
53 | Concordia College at Moorhead | Moorhead | MN | 68.4% | 58.1% | -10.3 |
54 | Notre Dame College | Cleveland | OH | 97.5% | 87.4% | -10.1 |
55 | University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock | AR | 65.8% | 56.0% | -9.8 |
56 | Creighton University | Omaha | NE | 73.7% | 64.0% | -9.7 |
57 | William Jewell College | Liberty | MO | 46.1% | 36.4% | -9.7 |
58 | Erskine College | Due West | SC | 69.6% | 60.0% | -9.6 |
59 | Anderson University | Anderson | SC | 68.7% | 59.2% | -9.5 |
60 | Tabor College | Hillsboro | KS | 55.9% | 46.4% | -9.5 |
61 | SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry | Syracuse | NY | 69.5% | 60.2% | -9.4 |
62 | University of Alaska Fairbanks | Fairbanks | AK | 76.0% | 67.0% | -9.0 |
63 | Northwest Nazarene University | Nampa | ID | 85.5% | 76.8% | -8.7 |
64 | CUNY New York City College of Technology | Brooklyn | NY | 87.7% | 79.1% | -8.6 |
65 | Cedar Crest College | Allentown | PA | 60.9% | 52.5% | -8.4 |
66 | University of Indianapolis | Indianapolis | IN | 92.8% | 84.5% | -8.3 |
67 | Midwestern State University | Wichita Falls | TX | 79.3% | 71.0% | -8.3 |
68 | Flagler College | Saint Augustine | FL | 64.8% | 56.5% | -8.3 |
69 | Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota | Winona | MN | 92.0% | 84.1% | -7.9 |
70 | Hope College | Holland | MI | 85.7% | 77.8% | -7.8 |
71 | Bard College | Annandale-On-Hudson | NY | 64.8% | 57.0% | -7.8 |
72 | University of Redlands | Redlands | CA | 76.4% | 68.7% | -7.8 |
73 | Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus | Portales | NM | 58.3% | 50.6% | -7.7 |
74 | Freed-Hardeman University | Henderson | TN | 88.5% | 80.9% | -7.6 |
75 | East Tennessee State University | Johnson City | TN | 85.9% | 78.4% | -7.6 |
76 | Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus | Madison | NJ | 93.8% | 86.3% | -7.5 |
77 | Cumberland University | Lebanon | TN | 61.0% | 53.8% | -7.3 |
78 | The Master’s University and Seminary | Santa Clarita | CA | 67.1% | 59.9% | -7.2 |
79 | Gwynedd Mercy University | Gwynedd Valley | PA | 95.1% | 88.0% | -7.1 |
80 | Humboldt State University | Arcata | CA | 92.2% | 85.1% | -7.0 |
81 | Converse College | Spartanburg | SC | 89.3% | 82.4% | -6.9 |
82 | West Virginia State University | Institute | WV | 95.4% | 88.5% | -6.9 |
83 | Wofford College | Spartanburg | SC | 59.8% | 53.0% | -6.8 |
84 | New Jersey Institute of Technology | Newark | NJ | 72.8% | 66.0% | -6.8 |
85 | University of Advancing Technology | Tempe | AZ | 87.4% | 80.7% | -6.7 |
86 | Elon University | Elon | NC | 78.4% | 71.7% | -6.7 |
87 | Canisius College | Buffalo | NY | 82.7% | 76.0% | -6.7 |
88 | Huston-Tillotson University | Austin | TX | 62.5% | 56.0% | -6.5 |
89 | Frostburg State University | Frostburg | MD | 80.1% | 73.6% | -6.5 |
90 | Tiffin University | Tiffin | OH | 68.9% | 62.5% | -6.4 |
91 | University of Evansville | Evansville | IN | 70.7% | 64.3% | -6.4 |
92 | California State University-Channel Islands | Camarillo | CA | 85.8% | 79.4% | -6.4 |
93 | Harding University | Searcy | AR | 61.3% | 55.1% | -6.3 |
94 | Madonna University | Livonia | MI | 74.6% | 68.4% | -6.2 |
95 | Johnson & Wales University-Providence | Providence | RI | 92.7% | 86.5% | -6.2 |
96 | Newberry College | Newberry | SC | 62.8% | 56.6% | -6.2 |
97 | University of Alaska Anchorage | Anchorage | AK | 83.0% | 76.8% | -6.1 |
98 | University of North Alabama | Florence | AL | 88.8% | 82.7% | -6.1 |
99 | Saint Augustine’s University | Raleigh | NC | 73.4% | 67.3% | -6.1 |
100 | Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design | Milwaukee | WI | 68.0% | 61.9% | -6.0 |
101 | Gordon College | Wenham | MA | 74.0% | 68.3% | -5.8 |
102 | Northern State University | Aberdeen | SD | 84.5% | 78.7% | -5.7 |
103 | Chaminade University of Honolulu | Honolulu | HI | 94.7% | 89.0% | -5.7 |
104 | University of South Alabama | Mobile | AL | 78.7% | 73.0% | -5.7 |
105 | Clark University | Worcester | MA | 52.8% | 47.1% | -5.7 |
106 | Dominican University of California | San Rafael | CA | 91.3% | 85.7% | -5.6 |
107 | The College of Saint Rose | Albany | NY | 87.5% | 81.9% | -5.6 |
108 | Southeastern University | Lakeland | FL | 48.1% | 42.7% | -5.5 |
109 | Biola University | La Mirada | CA | 69.9% | 64.4% | -5.5 |
110 | Wilmington College | Wilmington | OH | 78.2% | 72.7% | -5.5 |
111 | University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville | AL | 82.6% | 77.1% | -5.5 |
112 | Western Oregon University | Monmouth | OR | 84.6% | 79.1% | -5.5 |
113 | University of Florida | Gainesville | FL | 36.6% | 31.1% | -5.4 |
114 | Alice Lloyd College | Pippa Passes | KY | 26.6% | 21.1% | -5.4 |
115 | Trinity Christian College | Palos Heights | IL | 69.1% | 63.7% | -5.4 |
116 | University of Delaware | Newark | DE | 71.4% | 66.0% | -5.4 |
117 | Murray State University | Murray | KY | 82.4% | 77.0% | -5.4 |
118 | Bridgewater State University | Bridgewater | MA | 87.7% | 82.3% | -5.4 |
119 | Oklahoma Christian University | Edmond | OK | 66.5% | 61.2% | -5.3 |
120 | Howard Payne University | Brownwood | TX | 53.9% | 48.5% | -5.3 |
121 | College of Our Lady of the Elms | Chicopee | MA | 75.1% | 69.8% | -5.3 |
122 | Grace College and Theological Seminary | Winona Lake | IN | 79.9% | 74.6% | -5.2 |
123 | St. Mary’s College of Maryland | St. Mary’s City | MD | 84.3% | 79.0% | -5.2 |
124 | Franklin College | Franklin | IN | 81.3% | 76.1% | -5.2 |
125 | Tusculum University | Greeneville | TN | 72.4% | 67.2% | -5.2 |
126 | Waldorf University | Forest City | IA | 66.1% | 61.1% | -5.1 |
127 | D’Youville College | Buffalo | NY | 88.0% | 83.1% | -5.0 |
128 | Ohio Northern University | Ada | OH | 70.1% | 65.2% | -4.9 |
129 | Huntingdon College | Montgomery | AL | 59.3% | 54.4% | -4.9 |
130 | Pittsburg State University | Pittsburg | KS | 95.6% | 90.7% | -4.9 |
131 | Mount Mary University | Milwaukee | WI | 57.9% | 53.0% | -4.9 |
132 | Winthrop University | Rock Hill | SC | 68.8% | 63.9% | -4.8 |
133 | Clarke University | Dubuque | IA | 93.9% | 89.2% | -4.7 |
134 | Springfield College | Springfield | MA | 68.1% | 63.4% | -4.6 |
135 | Presbyterian College | Clinton | SC | 75.5% | 70.8% | -4.6 |
136 | University of North Carolina at Asheville | Asheville | NC | 84.0% | 79.4% | -4.6 |
137 | Webber International University | Babson Park | FL | 42.2% | 37.8% | -4.5 |
138 | Westminster College | Salt Lake City | UT | 91.8% | 87.5% | -4.4 |
139 | Centre College | Danville | KY | 76.4% | 72.1% | -4.4 |
140 | Earlham College | Richmond | IN | 63.4% | 59.1% | -4.3 |
141 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Blacksburg | VA | 70.0% | 65.8% | -4.3 |
142 | Hobart William Smith Colleges | Geneva | NY | 66.1% | 61.8% | -4.2 |
143 | Ferris State University | Big Rapids | MI | 86.6% | 82.5% | -4.2 |
144 | University of Louisville | Louisville | KY | 69.3% | 65.1% | -4.2 |
145 | Wayne State University | Detroit | MI | 73.1% | 69.0% | -4.1 |
146 | SUNY College at Geneseo | Geneseo | NY | 65.5% | 61.4% | -4.1 |
147 | Edward Waters College | Jacksonville | FL | 61.1% | 57.0% | -4.1 |
148 | Otterbein University | Westerville | OH | 80.1% | 76.1% | -4.1 |
149 | Muhlenberg College | Allentown | PA | 66.2% | 62.2% | -4.1 |
150 | Grambling State University | Grambling | LA | 97.2% | 93.2% | -4.0 |
151 | College of Charleston | Charleston | SC | 78.3% | 74.3% | -4.0 |
152 | Michigan Technological University | Houghton | MI | 74.3% | 70.4% | -3.9 |
153 | Illinois Wesleyan University | Bloomington | IL | 60.8% | 56.9% | -3.9 |
154 | Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale | FL | 80.1% | 76.2% | -3.9 |
155 | Mitchell College | New London | CT | 78.1% | 74.2% | -3.8 |
156 | Austin Peay State University | Clarksville | TN | 95.0% | 91.2% | -3.8 |
157 | Grinnell College | Grinnell | IA | 23.1% | 19.2% | -3.8 |
158 | Molloy College | Rockville Centre | NY | 78.0% | 74.1% | -3.8 |
159 | Webster University | Saint Louis | MO | 56.9% | 53.1% | -3.8 |
160 | New England College | Henniker | NH | 100.0% | 96.3% | -3.7 |
161 | Prairie View A&M University | Prairie View | TX | 80.1% | 76.4% | -3.7 |
162 | Palm Beach Atlantic University | West Palm Beach | FL | 95.4% | 91.7% | -3.7 |
163 | Beloit College | Beloit | WI | 62.0% | 58.3% | -3.7 |
164 | Calvin University | Grand Rapids | MI | 76.9% | 73.2% | -3.7 |
165 | Saint Mary’s College of California | Moraga | CA | 81.0% | 77.3% | -3.7 |
166 | North Park University | Chicago | IL | 47.6% | 44.0% | -3.7 |
167 | Franciscan University of Steubenville | Steubenville | OH | 76.6% | 73.0% | -3.6 |
168 | Mount Saint Mary College | Newburgh | NY | 93.8% | 90.2% | -3.6 |
169 | Iowa State University | Ames | IA | 92.1% | 88.4% | -3.6 |
170 | Dordt University | Sioux Center | IA | 75.5% | 71.8% | -3.6 |
171 | University of Central Oklahoma | Edmond | OK | 84.1% | 80.5% | -3.6 |
172 | Point Park University | Pittsburgh | PA | 73.1% | 69.5% | -3.6 |
173 | Florida State University | Tallahassee | FL | 36.0% | 32.5% | -3.5 |
174 | Bethany College | Bethany | WV | 95.3% | 91.8% | -3.5 |
175 | Rockford University | Rockford | IL | 54.2% | 50.8% | -3.4 |
176 | Wartburg College | Waverly | IA | 75.1% | 71.7% | -3.4 |
177 | United States Military Academy | West Point | NY | 12.0% | 8.6% | -3.4 |
178 | Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus | Teaneck | NJ | 92.2% | 88.9% | -3.4 |
179 | University of Wisconsin-Platteville | Platteville | WI | 84.8% | 81.5% | -3.4 |
180 | University of Idaho | Moscow | ID | 77.8% | 74.4% | -3.3 |
181 | Juniata College | Huntingdon | PA | 70.8% | 67.5% | -3.3 |
182 | Northern Arizona University | Flagstaff | AZ | 84.9% | 81.6% | -3.2 |
183 | William Penn University | Oskaloosa | IA | 58.2% | 55.0% | -3.2 |
184 | Dominican College of Blauvelt | Orangeburg | NY | 77.8% | 74.6% | -3.2 |
185 | Northern Kentucky University | Highland Heights | KY | 90.2% | 87.0% | -3.1 |
186 | University of Northern Colorado | Greeley | CO | 90.8% | 87.7% | -3.1 |
187 | The Catholic University of America | Washington | DC | 85.4% | 82.2% | -3.1 |
188 | New College of Florida | Sarasota | FL | 73.1% | 70.0% | -3.1 |
189 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice | New York | NY | 40.5% | 37.4% | -3.1 |
190 | The College of Saint Scholastica | Duluth | MN | 76.4% | 73.3% | -3.1 |
191 | Albright College | Reading | PA | 85.2% | 82.1% | -3.1 |
192 | Augsburg University | Minneapolis | MN | 76.2% | 73.1% | -3.0 |
193 | Sterling College | Sterling | KS | 39.9% | 36.9% | -3.0 |
194 | Saint Ambrose University | Davenport | IA | 76.8% | 73.8% | -2.9 |
195 | Rutgers University-Camden | Camden | NJ | 79.2% | 76.3% | -2.9 |
196 | California State University-East Bay | Hayward | CA | 76.2% | 73.3% | -2.9 |
197 | Oklahoma State University-Main Campus | Stillwater | OK | 70.0% | 67.1% | -2.9 |
198 | Baldwin Wallace University | Berea | OH | 72.7% | 69.8% | -2.9 |
199 | Virginia Wesleyan University | Virginia Beach | VA | 76.8% | 74.0% | -2.9 |
200 | Barton College | Wilson | NC | 45.3% | 42.4% | -2.8 |
Source: Student Loan Hero analysis of Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) data. Note: The figures are displayed with one decimal, though complete numbers were used in the calculations. |
How COVID-19 pandemic has changed college admissions
“Trends that sprung directly from COVID-19 are likely to at least dissipate in 2022, as the country and college campuses overcome the omicron variant and learn to live with COVID-19 in our shared, new normal,” Pentis says. “That’s because more and more families are more likely to feel more confident about sending their students to college, while more and more colleges have had time to update their administrative processes to reflect a pandemic world.”
However, some aspects may continue well beyond the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic made features like remote learning and online universities more widespread and accepted, and many students are opting for targeted programs rather than four-year degrees.
“More and more students are opting for nontraditional higher education options over the typical, even cliched, four-year college experience,” Pentis says. “Many teens and 20-somethings are choosing to attend shorter training programs specific to their desired career. Technology-related jobs are a prime example of this, where you can attend a bootcamp for months to receive a certificate, if not diploma, to enter the workforce faster at a time when technologists are in demand. With such students eschewing bachelor’s degrees from traditional colleges and universities, it’s inevitable that those schools will see a decrease in applications.”
Schools may have to take additional measures to appeal to students, such as reducing tuition and fees, offering compressed programs or introducing new perks or campus features.
“The direction remains to be seen, and it’ll be very interesting to see the steps taken by colleges and universities to account for students who don’t value the four-year, in-person degree program and families who are tired of borrowing student loans to finance it,” Pentis says.
5 college applications tips students and parents should know
Applying to college can be a daunting process, but with a little preparation and organization, you can make it through with flying colors. Here are a few tips to help you stand out from the competition and make the most of your application:
- Research the schools: Colleges are rapidly changing to adapt to the current education environment. Make sure you check out college websites to see what announcements have been made about their campuses, tuition, housing and athletic programs since those factors can greatly impact your decision. You can also use the College Scorecard to look up graduation rates and typical salaries after graduation.
- Prioritize what’s important: Make a list of what is most important to you in a college. That list may include remote learning, program options, housing, athletics or extracurriculars. Keep that list of priorities in mind when looking at colleges and deciding where to apply and attend.
- Consider applying via early action or early decision: If you’re on the cusp of your dream school’s admissions criteria for test scores or GPA, it may be worth applying as an early action or early decision student. Being willing to commit early on can increase your chances of getting in.
- Keep an open mind: While private colleges are more expensive than public universities, they may also offer larger financial aid packages. Depending on your application and the school, you could qualify for more scholarships or grants and reduce the need for student loans. Consider applying to private schools even if their sticker price is out of your budget. After accounting for financial aid, a private school may be a better financial choice.
- Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): The FAFSA for the upcoming academic year became available on Oct. 1. Some financial aid is granted on a first-come, first-served basis, so it pays to apply as soon as possible. The results of your FAFSA impact college financial aid packages — and could impact your decision.
Student Loan Hero researchers analyzed Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) application and admissions data for the four-year schools for which data was available. Specifically, researchers estimated the acceptance rate for each school in the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 academic years.
Researchers ranked based on which schools became easier to get into amid the COVID-19 pandemic — schools that saw the biggest percentage-point difference jumps in acceptance rates between 2019-2020 and 2020-2021. They also ranked based on which schools became harder to get into, using a reverse calculation.
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