Top Colleges Where “B” Students Are Accepted

High school students facing the college application process typically stress about the record low admission statistics at many of the most prestigious universities.  While institutions including Harvard, Columbia, MIT, Stanford, Brown, University of Chicago, and Yale all have acceptance rates at or below 5%, there are a multitude of universities offering academically vigorous programs in particular majors.  At these schools, “B” students are more than welcome. 

High school students passionate about pursuing a major in Engineering may find MIT, and even Georgia Tech, beyond their reach. But there are other “Top 5” schools in the U.S. for specific engineering specialties, according to statistics by U.S. News & World Report’s Best College guide. 

 

The University of Delaware, with an overall acceptance rate of 74%, is ranked 5^th in the country for Chemical Engineering. Virginia Tech, with an acceptance rate of 57%, is ranked 3^rd in the country for Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Daytona Beach, with an acceptance rate of 65%, is ranked 4^th in the country for Aerospace/Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering. 

 

Purdue University (West Lafayette, Indiana), with an acceptance rate of 53%, is ranked first in the country for Biological/Agricultural Engineering, second for Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering, third for Aerospace/Aeronautical/ Astronautical Engineering, and fourth for Civil Engineering.  This provides the ideal environment for college bound students who have not yet identified the specific field of engineering for their major and future career.

 

Another school with several “Top 5” recognitions in various fields of engineering is University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with an acceptance rate of 45%.  Its highly ranked specialties include Civil, Computer, Electrical, Biological/Agricultural, Mechanical, and Materials Engineering.

 

This same strategy holds true for specialties in Business, as well as in many other fields.  The Kelley School of Business at Indiana University – Bloomington ranked in the Top 5 for several majors: Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Management, and Marketing. The University’s overall acceptance rate is 82%.

 

The “Top 2” universities for Supply Chain Management/Logistics are Michigan State and Arizona State, with acceptance rates, respectively, of 88% and 90%.

Acceptance rate statistics are based on data from Niche.com and reflect the overall admission rate for the university. Statistics may vary for specific colleges and majors within each school.

 

The best strategy for students to identify their ideal college is to determine the field they would like to pursue and then research the schools that offer the strongest program in that major. On their applications, students should let each college know why it’s the “best-fit” institution for their career goals.  Colleges favor students who are excited to attend and demonstrate that they will likely enroll, if accepted.   

Susan Alaimo is the founder & director of Collegebound Review, offering PSAT/SAT^® preparation & private college advising by Ivy League educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.com or call 908-369-5362