GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

College Application Statistics

College application statistics vary widely among institutions, with general trends showing an increase in the number of applications submitted each year.

Last Updated: June 20, 2024

Written & Summarized by: Jannik Lindner

How we write

In the following post, we examine key statistics surrounding college applications in the United States, shedding light on trends such as the number of applications per student, acceptance rates, demographic shifts, and the use of technology in the application process. These insights provide a comprehensive overview of the competitive landscape students face when applying to higher education institutions.

Statistic 1

"85% of US students apply to at least 3 colleges."

Statistic 2

"36% college applicants apply to 7 or more institutions."

Statistic 3

"Over 20 million students apply to college each year in the U.S."

Statistic 4

"47% of colleges reported an increase in the use of agents to recruit international students."

Statistic 5

"On average, high school students apply to 7.1 colleges."

Statistic 6

"About 35% of college applicants get accepted into their dream school."

Statistic 7

"53% of students complete their college applications online."

Statistic 8

"Approximately 57% of college applications in 2021 were from females."

Statistic 9

"There was an 8.2% increase in the total number of college applications during the 2020-2021 admissions cycle."

Statistic 10

"The Ivy League received nearly 320,000 applications for the class of 2025, a 33% increase."

Statistic 11

"Only 58% of students who start college finish within six years."

Statistic 12

"African American applicants increased by 2% while Hispanic applicants increased by 9% for the 2020 application season."

Statistic 13

"82% of colleges use social media to recruit students."

Statistic 14

"College applications from low-income students dropped by 5% in 2021."

Statistic 15

"Approximately 39% of first-time freshmen were enrolled in out-of-state institutions in fall 2016."

Statistic 16

"Of students applying to at least one HBCU, 62% identified as female, and the average age was 20 for the 2020-2021 admissions cycle."

Statistic 17

"Each year about 15 million students apply to undergraduate and graduate programs in the U.S."

Statistic 18

"About 10% of U.S. undergraduate students study abroad during their college years."

Statistic 19

"77% of students consider financial aid when deciding where to apply."

The college application process in the U.S. is dynamic and complex, with a significant number of students applying to multiple institutions to increase their chances of acceptance. The use of recruitment agents, social media, and online applications is on the rise, reflecting the evolving landscape of higher education. Despite the increasing number of applications, the acceptance rate remains competitive, with only about a third of applicants gaining admission to their dream school. Disparities in enrollment persist, with fluctuations in application rates among different demographic groups and income levels. Overall, students are considering various factors such as financial aid and out-of-state opportunities when making their college decisions, highlighting the importance of a holistic approach to the application process.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik is the Co-Founder of Gitnux and has been working in the digital space since 2016. He is specialized in content and tech.

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