Sortable Headings

Admission Zone: These are grouped by current selectivity rates. The two ranges at the ends of the spectrum, Ultraviolet and Infrared, are new additions to the spectrum. All of the included colleges have been selected from a national landscape of 6,500 colleges, including over 2,800 four year degree-granting institutions, plus a few intentionally selected international universities.

*Where possible, public institutions are categorized according to the admit rates for out-of-state applicants. Many institutions do not publish that data. In the cases of some very popular universities, out-of-state admit rates are lower. In the case of the University of California system, some campuses are actually marginally less selective for out-of-state applicants.

​

See the Guide to Using the Zones to see how the Color Zones equate to GPA and test scores.​​​​

Hot: Schools with this designation are experiencing rapid growth in their applicant pool/ decreasing admission rates, OR they tend to be admitting students with stronger academic profiles than their admission percentage would suggest. This can be a product of "self-selection," meaning that most of the applicants are good fits, attracted to the school by specific strengths or programs--this is often true at tech-oriented institutions and those with distinctive curricula. Always check the actual admitted student profiles for colleges of interest!

Region and State

• New England

• Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, PA, NY, NJ)

• Southwest (TX, OK, NM, AR)

• South

• Midwest

• West

• Other (International)

​​

Public/ Private

 

Size Category

• Undergraduate-focused <2,500 undergraduate students

  • These institutions focus on educating students directly out of high school (undergraduate.) They measure their success by student growth and outcomes in hiring and graduate school (Master's, PhD, Law and Medical School, etc) placement on graduation. Classes typically are taught by PhD-holding experts in an intimate, discussion-oriented setting. Most of these college also require a curriculum that will expose students to high-level courses in a range of disciplines alongside their major.

• UG Plus 2,500 to 5,000 undergraduate students

  • These institutions typically are much like the undergraduate-focused group, but may have small graduate programs that don't compete with undergrad resources. This group is more likely to offer pre-professional degrees in a teaching-focused setting.

• Medium UG Focus 5,000 to 15,000 undergraduate students

  • These institutions are the true "mid-size." In these colleges, there will usually be more of a graduate student presence. Class sizes will vary more, and may not all be taught by PhD holding, full-time faculty. These colleges may have high profile athletic programs and visibly active campuses.

• Large 15,000 to 25,000 undergraduate students

  • Some colleges in this range feel more like the Medium group; others more like the Very Large group. They will typically be comprehensive universities with many graduate students and a large campus community. Some of these are public flagship and land-grant universities, as are many of the Very Large universities.

• Very Large with Graduate Students-- over 25,000 undergraduate students

  • These are  typically comprehensive universities. They offer a wide range of activities in large, diverse communities surrounded by college-serving businesses. The trade-off can be a lack of undergraduate teaching focus, advising, and hands-on research opportunities.  Look for honors programs that create a smaller teaching and learning community within the context of the larger institution.

 

Approximate Undergraduate Population: The actual size of this university's bachelor's degree-seeking enrollment.

Program:  These colleges are notable for a special curriculum (for example Great Books at St John's College, or Block Plan scheduling at Cornell College and Colorado College.)

Honors College: These universities contain an an honors program that creates special opportunities and a smaller student cohort.

 

Standardized Testing Required:  These colleges are currently requesting that students submit SAT or ACT for 2025 or 2026 entry.

​

Supplement 24/25: If checked, this college requires a supplemental essay for ALL applicants. Certain programs or majors, honors colleges, or fine arts programs may require supplemental materials.

​

Demonstrated Interest:  If colleges have indicated that DI is "considered" or "important/ very important" in their admission review, that is reflected here. A "no" indicates that they explicitly don't consider or did not answer. 

***Don't make yourself crazy. You should treat any college on your application list with the same attention-- don't let your application be your first point of contact. Understand that communications from the college may be tracking your engagement. Here's a reasonable explanation of what to do.
 

Women's College:  These colleges only admit students who identify as female gender.

​

Men's College: These colleges only admit students who identify as male gender.

 

HBCU: Historically Black Colleges and Universities

STEM: These colleges are especially strong in and/ or focused on STEM fields

Known for generous need-based financial aid: These colleges meet all or most of an admitted student's demonstrated financial need for a significant percentage of students.

Known for a generous merit scholarship program: These colleges offer significant tuition discounts to a large number of students. Typically the students receiving discount are full-pay or low financial need, with academic statistics that place them in the upper 25% of students admitted.

ED Preference: A notable preference for or boost to Early Decision applicants, or a significant percentage of the class (around 50%+) is filled through Early Decision. Students admitted in ED are typically within the Target range for that college, unless they are a special case, like an athletic recruit.

Major Matters: Admission to this college is especially dependent upon the intended area of study. Business, Computer Science, Engineering, Architecture are typically among the most selective majors.

ENGR: These colleges offer an undergraduate engineering  degree program.

Religious: Most private colleges have a church affiliation in their history. These colleges have an explicitly religious mission that shapes life there today.