When it comes to college applications, timing is everything. If you’re feeling the pressure of deadlines looming, rolling admissions is your saving grace. Unlike regular decision deadlines that force you to submit all your applications by a specific date, rolling admissions offer flexibility, allowing you to apply to colleges at your own pace. The catch? The sooner you apply, the better your chances of getting accepted.
Why does this matter? Rolling admissions gives you more time to perfect your application and often provides faster response times, meaning you could have that acceptance letter in hand sooner than expected. This flexibility can significantly reduce the stress and anxiety associated with the college application process, giving you peace of mind as you plan your future.
In this blog, we’ll guide you through the top 88 colleges in the US that offer rolling admissions, helping you discover the schools that fit your academic goals, preferred locations, and ideal campus culture. Whether you want to stay close to home or venture across the country, a rolling admissions college awaits you. Let’s dive in!
What are Rolling Admissions?
Most people have heard of regular admission and early decision admissions deadlines when applying for admission, but one that may benefit students is rolling admissions. Rolling admissions is a college application process where institutions evaluate applications as received rather than waiting until a specific deadline to review all applications together. This approach allows students to apply over a more extended period, typically starting in the fall and continuing until the program or school fills its class.
Colleges with rolling admissions often provide decisions on a rolling basis, meaning applicants receive their acceptance, rejection, or waitlist notification shortly after submitting their application. This method offers flexibility for students and can reduce the stress of waiting for responses, as they can secure a spot earlier in the application cycle.
What are some of the benefits?
Flexibility in Application Timeline
Rolling admissions provide a unique advantage in terms of flexibility. Unlike traditional admissions with a strict deadline, rolling admissions allow students to apply at any time within a broad window, often extending from the fall until spring or until the program reaches capacity. This flexibility can be particularly beneficial for students needing more time to refine their applications, improve test scores, or make essential college choices. By accommodating varying timelines, rolling admissions cater to students with different circumstances, making it easier to plan and submit a robust application without the pressure of a hard deadline.
Faster Response Times
One of the most appealing aspects of rolling admissions is the faster response times. Since colleges review applications as they come in, students can expect to receive a decision much sooner than they would through regular admissions. Applicants often hear back within a few weeks of submission rather than waiting months, and this quick turnaround can significantly reduce the stress and anxiety associated with the college application process. Additionally, early acceptance can provide peace of mind, allowing students to finalize their college plans well before the traditional admissions cycle ends. Additionally, utilizing rolling admissions can help you with early financial aid planning, making the college planning process a bit less stressful (and helping you save money in the long run, too!).
Potential for Increased Chances of Acceptance
Applying early in the rolling admissions process can increase a student’s chances of acceptance. Since spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, those who submit their applications sooner have a better shot at securing a place before the program reaches capacity. This is especially true for competitive programs or schools where spots can fill quickly. By getting ahead of the crowd, early applicants may benefit from a less crowded pool, making their applications stand out more.
Key Considerations: Applying Early is Crucial
While rolling admissions offer considerable flexibility, it’s important to remember that applying early is crucial due to limited spots. As the application window progresses, available spaces in the program may dwindle, making it more challenging for later applicants to secure admission. Financial aid and housing options may also become limited as the academic year approaches, so submitting your application early in the rolling admissions period is advisable to maximize your chances. Doing so increases your chances of acceptance and ensures access to all available resources and opportunities at the college!
Now that we know what rolling admissions is, here are 88 colleges and universities that utilize a rolling admissions process.
Top 88 Colleges with Rolling Admissions
| School | Location | Acceptance Rate | Average GPA | Average SAT | Average ACT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Acceptance Rate | Average GPA | Average SAT | Average ACT | |
| University of Alaska Anchorage | Anchorage, AK | 65% | 3.4 | 1030-1250 | 18-25 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, Alabama | 30% | 3.3 | 960-1220 | 18-24 |
| University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | 80% | 3.8 | 1130-1410 | 23-31 |
| Hendrix College | Conway, Arkansas | 60% | 3.9 | 1130-1340 | 23-31 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, Arkansas | 79% | 3.8 | 1030-1220 | 21-29 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, Arizona | 87% | 3.5 | 1140-1370 | 21-29 |
| Arizona State University | Tempe, Arizona | 90% | 3.5 | 1120-1370 | 19-27 |
| Loyola Marymount University | Los Angeles, California | 41% | 3.9 | 1300-1460 | 29-32 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, California | 75% | 3.5 | 970-1303 | 18-25 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, California | 82% | 3.8 | 1113-1278 | 25-30 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, California | 93% | 3.6 | 1120-1423 | 25-33 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, Colorado | 79% | 3.7 | 1160-1390 | 26-31 |
| Colorado State University | Fort Collins, Colorado | 91% | 3.7 | 1070-1290 | 23-29 |
| Delaware State University | Dover, Delaware | 55% | 3.2 | 830-1050 | 20-24 |
| University of Tampa | Tampa, Florida | 26% | 3.5 | 1080-1280 | 22-28 |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, Florida | 41% | 3.9 | 1200-1360 | 25-29 |
| Florida International University | Miami, Florida | 64% | 3.9 | 1060-1250 | 21-26 |
| Drake University | Des Moines, Iowa | 67% | 3.7 | 1110-1340 | 25-30 |
| Wartburg College | Waverly, Iowa | 97% | 3.6 | 970-1120 | 19-25 |
| Knox College | Galesburg, Illinois | 73% | N/A | 1163-1396 | 27-32 |
| Loyola University Chicago | Chicago, Illinois | 79% | 3.8 | 1190-1370 | 27-32 |
| Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | Edwardsville, IL | 98% | 3.6 | 930-1160 | 19-26 |
| Indiana University Bloomington | Bloomington, Indiana | 82% | 3.8 | 1180-1400 | 27-32 |
| Butler University | Indianapolis, Indiana | 82% | 3.9 | 1110-1320 | 24-30 |
| Valparaiso University | Valparaiso, Indiana | 94% | 3.7 | 1140-1360 | 27-30 |
| Wichita State University | Wichita, Kansas | 68% | 3.5 | 953-1260 | 19-26 |
| University of Kentucky | Lexington, Kentucky | 95% | 3.6 | 1070-1290 | 21-28 |
| Transylvania University | Lexington, KY | 91% | 3.7 | 1120-1360 | 23-29 |
| University of Massachusetts Amherst | Amherst, Massachusetts | 64% | N/A | 1260-1480 | 29-33 |
| Merrimack College | North Andover, Massachusetts | 75% | 3.5 | 1020-1260 | 22-28 |
| Western New England University | Springfield, Massachusetts | 88% | 3.5 | 1090-1280 | 24-29 |
| Towson University | Towson, Maryland | 79% | 3.8 | 1010-1230 | 19-25 |
| Mount St. Mary’s University | Emmitsburg, Maryland | 80% | 3.5 | 1040-1250 | 19-25 |
| Goucher College | Baltimore, Maryland | 81% | 3.3 | 1110-1370 | 24-33 |
| Morgan State University | Baltimore, Maryland | 85% | 3.1 | 880-1060 | 16-21 |
| Bowie State University | Bowie, Maryland | 87% | 3.2 | 800-1050 | 15-20 |
| University of Maine | Orono, Maine | 94% | 3.4 | 1060-1280 | 22-30 |
| University of Michigan-Dearborn | Dearborn, Michigan | 54% | 3.7 | 1010-1290 | 22-28 |
| Madonna University | Livonia, MI | 65% | 3.5 | 870-1130 | 14-15 |
| Western Michigan University | Kalamazoo, Michigan | 85% | 3.5 | 990-1220 | 19-27 |
| Michigan State University | East Lansing, Michigan | 88% | 3.8 | 1100-1340 | 24-30 |
| Gustavus Adolphus College | St. Peter, Minnesota | 74% | 3.6 | N/A | 25-31 |
| University of Missouri | Columbia, Missouri | 79% | N/A | 1140-1340 | 23-30 |
| Saint Louis University | St. Louis, Missouri | 85% | 3.9 | 1210-1400 | 26-31 |
| University of Montana | Missoula, Montana | 95% | 3.3 | 1080-1278 | 19-26 |
| North Carolina A&T State University | Greensboro, North Carolina | 56% | 3.8 | 960-1140 | 17-23 |
| Creighton University | Omaha, Nebraska | 76% | 3.9 | 1208-1420 | 24-31 |
| Rutgers University | New Brunswick, New Jersey | 66% | N/A | 1270-1480 | 28-33 |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University | Teaneck, New Jersey | 87% | 3.2 | 980-1280 | 20-27 |
| Montclair State University | Montclair, New Jersey | 91% | 3.3 | 950-1200 | N/A |
| University of New Mexico | Albuquerque, New Mexico | 96% | 3.4 | N/A | 18-25 |
| Hofstra University | Hempstead, New York | 69% | 3.8 | 1190-1370 | 26-31 |
| New York Institute of Technology | Old Westbury, New York | 76% | 3.6 | 1118-1360 | 24-31 |
| Le Moyne College | Syracuse, New York | 78% | 3.6 | 1130-1290 | 26-31 |
| Alfred State College | Alfred, NY | 82%% | 3 | 960-1180 | 19-25 |
| St. John’s University (NY) | Queens, New York | 85% | N/A | 1110-1310 | 24-29 |
| University of Iowa | Iowa City, Iowa | 86% | 3.8 | 1130-1340 | 22-28 |
| Denison University | Granville, Ohio | 22% | N/A | 1270-1460 | 29-32 |
| Xavier University | Cincinnati, Ohio | 84% | 3.7 | 1120-1310 | 23-30 |
| University of Cincinnati | Cincinnati, Ohio | 86% | 3.7 | 1160-1360 | 24-29 |
| Ohio University | Athens, Ohio | 87% | 3.8 | 1080-1270 | 22-27 |
| University of Tulsa | Tulsa, Oklahoma | 69% | 3.6 | 1070-1350 | 21-30 |
| University of Oklahoma | Norman, Oklahoma | 73% | 3.7 | 1130-1330 | 23-29 |
| University of Oregon | Eugene, Oregon | 86% | 3.8 | 1140-1370 | 24-30 |
| Pacific University | Forest Grove, Oregon | 92% | 3.7 | 1010-1350 | 20-26 |
| Lafayette College | Easton, Pennsylvania | 34% | 3.6 | 1330-1480 | 30-33 |
| University of Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | 49% | 3.9 | 1280-1470 | 29-33 |
| Penn State University | University Park, Pennsylvania | 55% | 3.7 | 1210-1390 | 26-31 |
| Temple University | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 80% | 3.4 | 1120-1370 | 24-31 |
| Duquesne University | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | 87% | 3.9 | 1160-1330 | 25-31 |
| Widener University | Chester, Pennsylvania | 88% | 3.4 | 1105-1290 | N/A |
| Saint Joseph’s University | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 89% | N/A | 1130-1320 | 26-31 |
| York College of Pennsylvania | York, Pennsylvania | 96% | 3.5 | 1010-1220 | 22-27 |
| Kutztown University | Kutztown, Pennsylvania | 96% | 3.3 | 1040-1260 | 19-26 |
| University of South Carolina | Columbia, South Carolina | 64% | 3.6 | 1180-1380 | 27-32 |
| University of Tennessee | Knoxville, Tennessee | 68% | 3.7 | 1170-1330 | 25-31 |
| University of Tennessee – Chattanooga | San Antonio, Texas | 31% | 3.8 | 1310-1470 | 29-33 |
| Texas A&M University | College Station, Texas | 63% | N/A | 1150-1390 | 25-31 |
| University of Houston | Houston, Texas | 66% | 3.5 | 1160-1330 | 23-29 |
| Prairie View A&M University | Prairie View, Texas | 77% | N/A | 840-1050 | 18-20 |
| University of Utah | Salt Lake City, Utah | 89% | 3.7 | 1190-1390 | 22-29 |
| Hampton University | Hampton, Virginia | 45% | 3.3 | 840-1220 | 17-27 |
| Washington State University | Pullman, Washington | 83% | 3.5 | N/A | N/A |
| Whitworth University | Spokane, Washington | 91% | 3.7 | 1110-1350 | 19-27 |
| Ripon College | Ripon, Wisconsin | 81% | 3.4 | 990-1170 | 19-27 |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | 95% | 3.2 | N/A | 18-25 |
| West Virginia University | Morgantown, West Virginia | 77% | 3.7 | 1000-1220 | 20-26 |
| University of Wyoming | Laramie, Wyoming | 96% | 3.5 | 1030-1240 | 20-27 |
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying to Rolling Admissions Colleges
Don’t Procrastinate!
One of the most common mistakes students make when applying to colleges with rolling admissions is waiting too long to submit their applications. While rolling admissions offer flexibility, many programs still have limited spots available.
As spots fill up, your chances of acceptance decrease! Applying early will give you a significant advantage, so don’t let procrastination cost you a seat at your dream college. Keep a calendar or planner with all relevant dates and critical information, and make sure to build a well-rounded application early on to have the best chance of admission.
Make Sure You Research
Another pitfall is failing to thoroughly research each college’s programs, admission requirements, and deadlines. Just because a school offers rolling admissions doesn’t mean it will be the right fit for your academic goals or personal preferences. Always take the time to explore course offerings, campus life, and other essential factors before applying.
Questions to ask yourself:
- How far do I want to go from home?
- Do I want to go to school somewhere more rural or more in a city-like environment?
- Can I keep up with a faster calendar system (like the quarter system) or do I want to spend more time in each class per year (semester system)?
- Does the university offer the major or academic programs I’m interested in?
- How strong is the department or program in my field of interest?
- Are there opportunities for research, internships, or hands-on experience in my field?
- How great is the career center?
- What is the student-to-faculty ratio, and will I have access to professors?
- How diverse is the student body, and is there a sense of inclusivity?
- What are the campus traditions and student organizations available?
- How much will it cost to attend, and can I afford it with or without loans?
- What scholarships, financial aid, or work-study options are available?
- Are there companies in the major I’m interested in that recruit here?
- Are the job prospects good?
Asking yourself these questions will allow you to thoroughly consider the different aspects needed when building a strong college list, making applying to the best-fit university a priority!
Final thoughts
Rolling admissions can provide significant benefits for students, offering flexibility and the opportunity to apply later in the admissions cycle. However, it’s crucial to remember that applying early maximizes your chances of acceptance and ensures access to more financial aid opportunities. If you’re considering applying to a school with rolling admissions, start your application process as soon as possible. Don’t wait until the last minute—early applications give you an edge in a competitive pool, especially as spots fill.
If you want to continue the conversation, you can always talk to Empowerly. Our team, on average, spends 25 times more time with students than the average high school counselor, and our college counselors are the best-rated in the country, proven to improve college admission rates by 11x. We are here to help walk you through every step of the way, so schedule a FREE consultation with our team today!
Madeleine Karydes
Julia de Raadt