Colleges Where Applying Early Makes a Difference

With the number of college applications rising, applying early can, in some cases, improve your chances of getting in.

Early applicants at the following 10 ranked schools, listed based on the difference in early and regular acceptance rates, see the greatest boost, according to 2016 U.S. News Best Colleges data. The data combines early decision and early action programs at colleges that have both. Some early applicants may be deferred to the regular pool, where they have another chance — which means the percentage of early applicants who are eventually accepted may be higher.

10. Wofford College (SC)

U.S. News rank: 82 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges

Percent of early applicants admitted early: 92.1 percent

Percent of regular applicants admitted: 55.7 percent

Difference in acceptance rates: 36.4 percent

Learn more about Wofford College.

9. Sewanee–University of the South (TN)

U.S. News rank: 48 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges

Percent of early applicants admitted early: 77.2 percent

Percent of regular applicants admitted: 37.8 percent

Difference in acceptance rates: 39.4 percent

Learn more about Sewanee–University of the South.

8. Kalamazoo College (MI)

U.S. News rank: 66, National Liberal Arts Colleges

Percent of early applicants admitted early: 93.6 percent

Percent of regular applicants admitted: 53.6 percent

Difference in acceptance rates: 39.9 percent

Learn more about Kalamazoo College.

7. Meredith College (NC)

U.S. News rank: 5, Regional Colleges (South)

Percent of early applicants admitted early: 100 percent

Percent of regular applicants admitted: 59.7 percent

Difference in acceptance rates: 40.3 percent

Learn more about Meredith College.

6. Butler University (IN)

U.S. News rank: 2, Regional Universities (Midwest)

Percent of early applicants admitted early: 83.1 percent

Percent of regular applicants admitted: 41.2 percent

Difference in acceptance rates: 41.9 percent

Learn more about Butler University.

5. Hillsdale College (MI)

U.S. News rank: 67 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges

Percent of early applicants admitted early: 71.4 percent

Percent of regular applicants admitted: 21.5 percent

Difference in acceptance rates: 49.8 percent

Learn more about Hillsdale College.

4. Our Lady of the Lake University (TX)

U.S. News rank: Rank Not Published, National Universities

Percent of early applicants admitted early: 97.8 percent

Percent of regular applicants admitted: 45.5 percent

Difference in acceptance rates: 52.3 percent

Learn more about Our Lady of the Lake University.

3. University of Arkansas

U.S. News rank: 129 (tie), National Universities

Percent of early applicants admitted early: 88.4 percent

Percent of regular applicants admitted: 30.5 percent

Difference in acceptance rates: 57.9 percent

Learn more about the University of Arkansas.

2. University of Tulsa (OK)

U.S. News rank: 86 (tie), National Universities

Percent of early applicants admitted early: 93.5 percent

Percent of regular applicants admitted: 29.2 percent

Difference in acceptance rates: 64.4 percent

Learn more about the University of Tulsa.

1. Florida Memorial University

U.S. News rank: RNP, Regional Universities (South)