So, you waited till the last minute and missed the application deadline for your dream college, huh? Maybe you're at a university that's just not cutting it and need to find an escape. Or perhaps you took some time off and want to jump back into academia ASAP.
We're also here to help high school leavers. If you didn't get the test scores or rankings you wanted during senior year and only applied to the best colleges, you might be scrambling for time to apply to other universities.
Whatever the reason, don't freak out! Plenty of options are available for latecomers like yourself who fall outside the regular admission process. Case in point: rolling admissions - a glorious policy where colleges accept applications until they run out of seats. Rolling admissions is also great if you want to apply early and hear back from a college earlier than normal.
What is this magical policy we speak of? How does it work? And which colleges offer such leniency? Buckle up as we dive into the world of top colleges with rolling admissions in 2023.
What is rolling admission, and how does it work?
In a nutshell, rolling college admissions is a college application policy where colleges accept applications until they've filled every last seat for the academic year. So if you missed the early action, you may still have a shot at getting in!
Once admitted, students usually get an acceptance offer within one to three months (not too shabby). You don't often hear of this loophole when learning about the typical college application process - but it's an enormous help to students applying outside the application window.
After being accepted to one of these forgiving universities, you'll typically have some extra time to decide whether to commit. Acceptance rates for rolling admission policies can vary depending on which schools and programs applicants choose.
Some schools might be more competitive than others, but hey - none of the Ivy League schools have rolling admissions, and anyway, you miss 100% of the shots you don't take. With rolling admissions, everyone has a chance at redemption.
10 top rolling admissions colleges
The college admissions process can be tricky, especially if you miss those high-priority deadlines. If you're trying to get into an undergraduate program and need some extra time, we've got your back.
These national universities are all rolling admissions schools, so they'll still make admissions decisions after the deadline. Apply any time before or during the academic year.
Penn State University
Acceptance rate: 92%
In-state tuition: $18,898
Out-of-state tuition: $36,476
Interested in business or engineering? Pennsylvania State University in University Park, PA, is a HUGE public research university with 20 on-campus locations in Pennsylvania.
Though its base tuition is definitely on the pricier side, Penn State still makes an effort to make higher education more financially accessible for its students.
University of Pittsburgh
Acceptance rate: 67%
In-state tuition: $20,362
Out-of-state tuition: $35,394
If you're looking for a college with rolling admissions and an urban vibe, check out the University of Pittsburgh (aka "Pitt") in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Alongside its top-tier research programs, the college is known for its business, law, and medicine departments.
Michigan State University
Acceptance rate: 83%
In-state tuition: $14,750
Out-of-state tuition: $40,562
Michigan State University offers excellent undergraduate and graduate programs in engineering, business, anthropology, and more with a high acceptance rate AND forgiving rolling admissions.
University of Iowa
Acceptance rate: 86%
In-state tuition: $9,942
Out-of-state tuition: $31,905
If you're into top-notch liberal arts programs, the University of Iowa (not to be confused with Iowa State University) has your back.
The school offers rolling admissions for undergraduates and graduates alike and is known for dishing out generous financial aid packages - which can be a lifesaver if you're struggling to pay the big bucks for school.
Michigan Technological University
Acceptance rate: 86%
In-state tuition: $16,966
Out-of-state tuition: $38,112
Don't let the name fool ya. Michigan Technological University (MTU) offers more than just tech - but yes, it's really known for its engineering (especially mechanical) and technology programs. With an above-average acceptance rate of 70%, MTU could be your golden ticket through rolling admissions.
Arizona State University - Main Campus
Acceptance rate: 88%
In-state tuition: $11,348
Out-of-state tuition: $29,438
Don't dismiss Arizona State University just because it has a high acceptance rate - this Tempe, AZ, school offers some pretty sweet undergraduate and graduate programs.
ASU is known for its business and marketing prowess; plus, its rolling admissions process means it's still possible if you missed those pesky traditional application deadlines.
Saint Louis University
Acceptance rate: 70%
In-state tuition: $48,824
Out-of-state tuition: $48,824
Saint Louis University (SLU) is a Jesuit-affiliated university in St. Louis known to review applications on a rolling basis for both undergraduates and graduates. There's no specific deadline.
SLU ranks annually among one of the best research universities in the world, and the best part? SLU matches its in-state and out-of-state tuition cost (just pay attention to that price tag).
University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)
Acceptance rate: 90%
In-state tuition: $9,044
Out-of-state tuition: $25,886
Fancy yourself a liberal arts, education, or law aficionado? The University of Mississippi (UM) in Oxford has rolling admissions for both undergrads and grads. With its high acceptance rate, you'll likely get accepted even if applying late to the party.
University of Minnesota
Acceptance rate: 73%
In-state tuition: $15,254
Out-of-state tuition: $33,818
The University of Minnesota is not just any old research university - it's been around for over 157 years. Located in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis and Saint Paul), the school offers rolling admissions, no matter your field.
Indiana University Bloomington
Acceptance rate: 85%
In-state tuition: $11,333
Out-of-state tuition: $38,352
If liberal arts programs float your boat, Indiana University is where it's at. The school has more than 550 academic programs AND rolling admissions - plus an estimated enrollment of about 43,000 students this year.
Other colleges with rolling admissions
- University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, Alabama)
- University of Kansas (Lawrence, Kansas)
- Rutgers University (New Brunswick, New Jersey)
- Loyola University Chicago (Chicago, Illinois)
- Creighton University (Omaha, Nebraska)
- Clemson University (Clemson, South Carolina)
- University of Houston (Houston, Texas)
- Milwaukee School of Engineering (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
- University of Nebraska (Lincoln, Nebraska)
- University of North Carolina (Asheville, North Carolina)
- University of Tampa (Tampa, Florida)
- University of Redlands (Redlands, California)
Need help finding the best school? Use College Rover
Missed your dream school's application deadline? Don't sweat it. You still have plenty of opportunities to snag a higher education, even if an early decision is off the table.
Now that you know so many schools offer admissions on a rolling basis, take some time to see if your first choice does, too. Be sure to reach out to admissions counselors for specific advice.
You can search for more information right here on College Rover, or explore other universities until you find the perfect fit. Keep in mind that some colleges operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so get out there and start searching - you've got this!
College Rover gets the majority of its data directly from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). The DOE publishing schedule "lags" the most current data which some colleges post on their official websites. This may cause there to be a difference in the data you see on College Rover and an individual college website. College Rover's website is updated as the DOE data becomes available and is configured for the College Rover website.
