Many schools admit most or nearly all international applicants.
It’s easier for prospective international students to gain admission to some U.S. colleges than others. Among the 360 ranked universities that received at least 500 international applicants and reported this data to U.S. News, the average acceptance rate for international students was 39.1% for fall 2023. But at some institutions, the acceptance rate was significantly higher — nearly 99% in one case. For prospective international students interested in studying in the U.S. and curious about where they might have a good chance of getting in, here are the 15 ranked universities with the highest acceptance rates for international undergraduate applicants. Schools on the list are in order from lowest acceptance rates to highest. Schools that received fewer than 500 international applications weren’t considered for this list.
University of Massachusetts–Dartmouth
U.S. News rank: 244 (tie), National Universities
International applicants for fall 2023: 509
International applicants accepted for fall 2023: 459
Acceptance rate for international students for fall 2023: 90.18%
More about University of Massachusetts–Dartmouth.
Murray State University (KY)
U.S. News rank: 20 (tie), Regional Universities (South)
International applicants for fall 2023: 1,505
International applicants accepted for fall 2023: 1,360
Acceptance rate for international students for fall 2023: 90.37%
More about Murray State University.
Kent State University (OH)
U.S. News rank: 231 (tie), National Universities
International applicants for fall 2023: 2,055
International applicants accepted for fall 2023: 1,861
Acceptance rate for international students for fall 2023: 90.56%
More about Kent State University.
Pennsylvania State University–Behrend
U.S. News rank: 138, Regional Universities (North)
International applicants for fall 2023: 568
International applicants accepted for fall 2023: 517
Acceptance rate for international students for fall 2023: 91.02%
More about Pennsylvania State University–Behrend.
Wright State University (OH)
U.S. News rank: 392-434, National Universities
International applicants for fall 2023: 2,397
International applicants accepted for fall 2023: 2,201
Acceptance rate for international students for fall 2023: 91.82%
More about Wright State University.
School of Visual Arts (NY)
U.S. News rank: 120 (tie), Regional Universities (North)
International applicants for fall 2023: 1,408
International applicants accepted for fall 2023: 1,309
Acceptance rate for international students for fall 2023: 92.97%
More about the School of Visual Arts.
South Dakota State University
U.S. News rank: 266 (tie), National Universities
International applicants for fall 2023: 734
International applicants accepted for fall 2023: 687
Acceptance rate for international students for fall 2023: 93.60%
More about South Dakota State University.
Northern Arizona University
U.S. News rank: 244 (tie), National Universities
International applicants for fall 2023: 579
International applicants accepted for fall 2023: 551
Acceptance rate for international students for fall 2023: 95.16%
More about Northern Arizona University.
University of Kansas
U.S. News rank: 152 (tie), National Universities
International applicants for fall 2023: 614
International applicants accepted for fall 2023: 585
Acceptance rate for international students for fall 2023: 95.28%
More about University of Kansas.
University of South Dakota
U.S. News rank: 273 (tie), National Universities
International applicants for fall 2023: 917
International applicants accepted for fall 2023: 881
Acceptance rate for international students for fall 2023: 96.07%
More about University of South Dakota.
St. Cloud State University (MN)
U.S. News rank: 98 (tie), Regional Universities (Midwest)
International applicants for fall 2023: 1,525
International applicants accepted for fall 2023: 1,474
Acceptance rate for international students for fall 2023: 96.66%
More about St. Cloud State University.
Kansas State University
U.S. News rank: 165 (tie), National Universities
International applicants for fall 2023: 603
International applicants accepted for fall 2023: 591
Acceptance rate for international students for fall 2023: 98.01%
More about Kansas State University.
University of North Carolina–Pembroke
U.S. News rank: 41 (tie), Regional Universities (South)
International applicants for fall 2023: 1,030
International applicants accepted for fall 2023: 1,011
Acceptance rate for international students for fall 2023: 98.16%
More about University of North Carolina–Pembroke.
Missouri Southern State University
U.S. News rank: 131 (tie), Regional Universities (Midwest)
International applicants for fall 2023: 515
International applicants accepted for fall 2023: 507
Acceptance rate for international students for fall 2023: 98.45%
More about Missouri Southern State University.
University of Mississippi
U.S. News rank: 171 (tie), National Universities
International applicants for fall 2023: 769
International applicants accepted for fall 2023: 761
Acceptance rate for international students for fall 2023: 98.96%
More about University of Mississippi.
Learn more about studying in the U.S.
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Schools That Accept the Most International Students originally appeared on usnews.com
Update 10/24/24: This story has been updated to reflect ranks and data from the 2025 U.S. News Best Colleges rankings.
