Top Schools with Favourable International Acceptance Rates
Here’s a list of the top U.S. universities and colleges that combine strong reputations with notably favorable acceptance rates for international students.
These are great options to consider if you're looking for solid academic quality with comparatively higher chances of admission:
Top-Tier Public Research Universities (Strong Brand + High International Acceptance)
Arizona State University (ASU) – ~86% overall admit rate; among top public universities for international enrollment
University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign – ~59% acceptance; popular with internationals
University of California, Irvine (UCI) – ~43% international admit rate (Fall 2024)
University of California, San Diego (UCSD) – ~30% overall; welcoming international community
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor – ~20%, with thousands of international admits
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) – ~8.4% international acceptance (2019)
Mid-Ranked Public Universities (70–99% International Acceptance)
These schools offer strong programs and far better admission odds for international students:
University of Texas – Arlington: 93%
University of Kansas: ~91–95%
Virginia Commonwealth University: ~91%
University of Toledo: ~90–92%
Colorado State University: ~90%+
University of Texas – Dallas: ~79–85%
University of Colorado Boulder: ~79–84%
University of Cincinnati: ~79–80%
University of Utah: ~79–95%
Indiana University Bloomington: ~82%
Long Island University: ~81%
Seton Hall University (NJ): ~81%
University of Wyoming: ~96%
Utah State University: ~94%
University of Northern Colorado: ~90%
Michigan State, Wichita State, Penn State–Behrend, Wright State, South Dakota State, St. Cloud State, South Dakota: 90%+
Regional & Small Institutions (Higher International Acceptance)
These schools are especially accessible, though they vary in academic prestige:
Cameron University, Adams State U, Liberty U, Delta State, Walden U, Marshall U, New Mexico, Kansas State, Maine, North Dakota State, Memphis, Montana State, UNC–Pembroke, Missouri Southern State, Albizu U–Miami, Alliant International, Broward College, Grand View, Lewis‑Clark State, Middle Georgia State, Montana State Billings, Naropa, Roberts Wesleyan, Snow College, South Florida State, Southwestern Bap. Univ, Sterling (VT)
Ivy League & Select Privates (More Competitive)
While extremely prestigious, these remain highly selective:
Cornell University – ~8.7% overall; likely lower for internationals
Columbia University – ~5.8% overall
Northeastern University – ~18% overall (international friendly)
Boston University – ~19% overall
NYU – ~13% overall
What This Means for You
High acceptance (70–100%): Best chance of admission, with varied program quality.
Mid-tier (40–70%): Good programs and solid chances, especially if well-prepared.
Top-tier (≤30%): Prestigious options—but highly competitive and require strong credentials.
Next Steps
Identify your criteria: Majors, research focus, location, price, and support services.
Balance prestige vs accessibility: Reach beyond a few mid-selective options.
Assess finances: Private and top publics can be expensive; state schools often offer in-state tuition only to residents.
Target 3 to 5 strong-fit schools: Across these tiers to maximize your chances.
If you'd like personalized help matching your profile to these schools, contact Full Score Education and we’ll be glad to help!
