Some of America’s almost-best publics still have high acceptance rates!

[Anonymous]

Has anyone noticed that some of the best (but not “very best”) public universities still have high acceptance rates in 2025?

Two of the most shocking are Illinois and Washington, some of the best research stem schools with global brands, but the acceptance rate is 40%.

UT Austin’s acceptance rate is 30%, and had many great departments across the board, most of which match or surpass UVa/UNC

Wisconsin is the most shocking of all, with a 40% acceptance rate, despite a distinguished history.

If you put any of these “A-“ publics up against privates such as Vanderbilt or Washu, they are academically competitive but the acceptance rate for the ladder two are much lower.

[Anonymous]

Jesus Christ

[Anonymous]

These are artificially high for DMV ppl because in state rates are much higher than oos (most of us).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone noticed that some of the best (but not “very best”) public universities still have high acceptance rates in 2025?

Two of the most shocking are Illinois and Washington, some of the best research stem schools with global brands, but the acceptance rate is 40%.

UT Austin’s acceptance rate is 30%, and had many great departments across the board, most of which match or surpass UVa/UNC

Wisconsin is the most shocking of all, with a 40% acceptance rate, despite a distinguished history.

If you put any of these “A-“ publics up against privates such as Vanderbilt or Washu, they are academically competitive but the acceptance rate for the ladder two are much lower.

All of these schools (except Wisconsin) are in economically desirable locations and will continue to grow. Wisconsin is in the worst positions relative to its peers: a ton of state flagships have caught up with it and there’s been no real progresses to the school for 50 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone noticed that some of the best (but not “very best”) public universities still have high acceptance rates in 2025?

Two of the most shocking are Illinois and Washington, some of the best research stem schools with global brands, but the acceptance rate is 40%.

UT Austin’s acceptance rate is 30%, and had many great departments across the board, most of which match or surpass UVa/UNC

Wisconsin is the most shocking of all, with a 40% acceptance rate, despite a distinguished history.

If you put any of these “A-“ publics up against privates such as Vanderbilt or Washu, they are academically competitive but the acceptance rate for the ladder two are much lower.

Shouldnt this be a good thing and celebrated? Why put so much value on exclusivity? If these universities are really as good as they claim to be, they should be able open their doors to a wider range of people and elevate them socially.

[Anonymous]

They all reject more than they accept. STFU. Seriously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone noticed that some of the best (but not “very best”) public universities still have high acceptance rates in 2025?

Two of the most shocking are Illinois and Washington, some of the best research stem schools with global brands, but the acceptance rate is 40%.

UT Austin’s acceptance rate is 30%, and had many great departments across the board, most of which match or surpass UVa/UNC

Wisconsin is the most shocking of all, with a 40% acceptance rate, despite a distinguished history.

If you put any of these “A-“ publics up against privates such as Vanderbilt or Washu, they are academically competitive but the acceptance rate for the ladder two are much lower.

Washington may have a 40% acceptance rate, but not for the majors that most people want. CS is single digits, Engineering is less, so is business and most impacted majors. Good luck switching majors there if you want to choose a different path.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone noticed that some of the best (but not “very best”) public universities still have high acceptance rates in 2025?

Two of the most shocking are Illinois and Washington, some of the best research stem schools with global brands, but the acceptance rate is 40%.

UT Austin’s acceptance rate is 30%, and had many great departments across the board, most of which match or surpass UVa/UNC

Wisconsin is the most shocking of all, with a 40% acceptance rate, despite a distinguished history.

If you put any of these “A-“ publics up against privates such as Vanderbilt or Washu, they are academically competitive but the acceptance rate for the ladder two are much lower.

Good luck applying out-of-state to the most popular/competitive majors with anything but a stellar record.

[Anonymous]

Those aren't high acceptance rates. LOL.

Ole Miss - 98%
Kentucky - 92%
ASU - 90%
Colorado State - 91%
Kansas State - 82%

Closer to home
East Carolina - 90%
VCU - 93%

[Anonymous]

These are for in-state residents, why do you want to make it difficult for your in-state kids. Do publics also want to play the ED game? The yield rate?

[Anonymous]

OOS acceptances are not half those numbers .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Those aren't high acceptance rates. LOL.

Ole Miss - 98%
Kentucky - 92%
ASU - 90%
Colorado State - 91%
Kansas State - 82%

Closer to home
East Carolina - 90%
VCU - 93%

Exactly. OP, these are PUBLIC schools designed to serve the citizens of the state. Each public system is different. Some have become very desirable and competitive. Others decide to serve a greater percentage of the student population in the state. California cannot be compared to Colorado State. The systems are different, the funding is different, the populations are different, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone noticed that some of the best (but not “very best”) public universities still have high acceptance rates in 2025?

Two of the most shocking are Illinois and Washington, some of the best research stem schools with global brands, but the acceptance rate is 40%.

UT Austin’s acceptance rate is 30%, and had many great departments across the board, most of which match or surpass UVa/UNC

Wisconsin is the most shocking of all, with a 40% acceptance rate, despite a distinguished history.

If you put any of these “A-“ publics up against privates such as Vanderbilt or Washu, they are academically competitive but the acceptance rate for the ladder two are much lower.

Not relevant for impacted majors. I know in-state kids at Rice, MIT, Princeton who were denied their major at UT McCombs or engineering. And, of course not impressive to the DCUM crowd, Emory, Rhodes, Tulane, and Vanderbilt.

On the other hand, it seems pretty easy to transfer into UT as a sophomore. Know a handful of kids outside of the auto admit who are in at UT from community college, Clemson, DePaul as a sophomore this year. Can't speak to major or school.

[Anonymous]

They have high acceptance rates because they are required by law to take certain in state students. For example, in 2026 - by law - UT Austin will be required to admit any Texas resident in a Texas high school in the top 5% of their class. By law, 75% of UT students must be admitted this way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone noticed that some of the best (but not “very best”) public universities still have high acceptance rates in 2025?

Two of the most shocking are Illinois and Washington, some of the best research stem schools with global brands, but the acceptance rate is 40%.

UT Austin’s acceptance rate is 30%, and had many great departments across the board, most of which match or surpass UVa/UNC

Wisconsin is the most shocking of all, with a 40% acceptance rate, despite a distinguished history.

If you put any of these “A-“ publics up against privates such as Vanderbilt or Washu, they are academically competitive but the acceptance rate for the ladder two are much lower.

Not relevant for impacted majors. I know in-state kids at Rice, MIT, Princeton who were denied their major at UT McCombs or engineering. And, of course not impressive to the DCUM crowd, Emory, Rhodes, Tulane, and Vanderbilt.

On the other hand, it seems pretty easy to transfer into UT as a sophomore. Know a handful of kids outside of the auto admit who are in at UT from community college, Clemson, DePaul as a sophomore this year. Can't speak to major or school.

Two of those schools are not like the others.