College Application Trends: 2023
Overall enrollment is down in college admissions, yet application numbers at top schools are increasing. In fact, as we’ve shown in past blog posts, several of the Ivy League schools received record numbers of applications during the past two application cycles. Take Harvard, for example. For the Class of 2026, they received 61,220 applications. For the Class of 2025, they received 57,435. The growing number of applications is expected to continue when they release the figures for the Class of 2027.
But while the number of applications are increasing, the rates of acceptance are falling lower. It seems as though it’s harder than ever to get into a top college. And like the trend of growing application numbers, the trend of lower admissions rates is also expected to continue.
But what is driving these trends? Basically, the rise of college tuition is outpacing the rate of inflation. What this means is that state and public schools, generally known for their affordability, are no longer as affordable. For example, look at the cost of tuition and housing at Penn State: for residents the cost is approximately $32,500 per year. For non-residents, the price is almost double at approximately $51,000 per year. Compare that price to the University of Pennsylvania and you can see that the cost of tuition and housing is approximately $68,000 per year. Though the cost is higher, it is not so much higher, especially when you factor in financial aid packages.
Many of the top schools, especially the Ivies, tend to offer excellent financial aid packages to the students that they admit. A great example of financial aid comes from Harvard. If a student’s parents make less than $75,000 a year, their tuition is guaranteed. If their parents make less than $150,000 combined, the parents are only asked to contribute a percentage of their student’s education cost. So a student who comes from a lower-income background who has worked hard to build a strong academic portfolio is more likely to apply to the Ivies than a state school because they will pay less to attend an Ivy League school than a state school once the financial aid is factored in.
Historically, many of the state schools have seen many applications from students applying as safeties. But now, students are often applying to other top schools as safeties. This makes these schools much more competitive than in previous application cycles. And again, this is a trend that is likely to continue as state and local schools continue to raise their tuition prices.
The growing number of applications to top schools is just one trend that we have noticed. We will continue to update you on more trends in the coming weeks. Check back for more information.
If your student is interested in applying to a top school and needs some help along the way, reach out to Ivy Link below. Our advisors will work with your student to create a compelling profile through strategic extra-curricular and academic development in grades 9 through 11, and to complete the application and essays starting the summer before grade 12.
