Special Report

Colleges Where Applications Are on the Rise

Samuel Stebbins

Published: October 19, 2017 10:16 am

Last Updated: January 12, 2020 7:01 am

The U.S. job market is becoming increasingly competitive, and a college degree may be more necessary today than ever before. Rising educational attainment among American adults partially reflects the changing demands of the workplace. The share of the U.S. adult population with at least a four-year college degree climbed from 27.5% to 31.3% over the last 10 years.

As more Americans are seeking higher education, some colleges and universities are reporting tremendous spikes in the number of undergraduate applicants. Dozens of four-year schools across the country are reporting that applications have more than doubled in the last decade.

24/7 Wall St. reviewed 10-year changes in the number of applications in over 1,500 postsecondary schools to identify the 100 colleges where applications rose the most. Applications at the vast majority of schools on this list increased by over 150% from 2006 to 2016.

Click here to see the colleges where applications are on the rise.
Click here to see our detailed findings and methodology.

Source: John Phelan / Wikimedia Commons

100. University of Maine, Maine
> 10-year increase in applications: 127.1%
> 2015-16 applications: 12,952
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 12,488
> Acceptance rate: 90%

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Source: Daderot / Wikimedia Commons

99. Shaw University, North Carolina
> 10-year increase in applications: 127.4%
> 2015-16 applications: 9,608
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 1,847
> Acceptance rate: 49%

Source: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

98. Quinnipiac University, Connecticut
> 10-year increase in applications: 127.8%
> 2015-16 applications: 23,492
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 10,962
> Acceptance rate: 76%

Source: Bev Sykes-Wikimedia Commons

97. University of California-Davis, California
> 10-year increase in applications: 128.0%
> 2015-16 applications: 68,553
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 37,381
> Acceptance rate: 42%

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96. West Virginia State University, West Virginia
> 10-year increase in applications: 128.5%
> 2015-16 applications: 3,462
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 4,040
> Acceptance rate: 96%

Source: Wikimedia Commons

95. University of California-Los Angeles, California
> 10-year increase in applications: 130.0%
> 2015-16 applications: 97,112
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 44,794
> Acceptance rate: 18%

Source: Richie D / Wikimedia Commons

94. DePaul University, Illinois
> 10-year increase in applications: 130.1%
> 2015-16 applications: 22,502
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 27,943
> Acceptance rate: 70%

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Source: Action Sports Photography / Shutterstock.com

93. Texas Christian University, Texas
> 10-year increase in applications: 130.2%
> 2015-16 applications: 19,972
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 10,910
> Acceptance rate: 38%

Source: Cheryl Casey / Shutterstock.com

92. The University of West Florida, Florida
> 10-year increase in applications: 130.9%
> 2015-16 applications: 7,475
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 16,163
> Acceptance rate: 41%

Source: Rossrover / Wikimedia Commons

91. William Paterson University of New Jersey, New Jersey
> 10-year increase in applications: 132.0%
> 2015-16 applications: 10,791
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 13,156
> Acceptance rate: 76%

Source: Burkeanwhig / Wikimedia Commons

90. University of North Alabama, Alabama
> 10-year increase in applications: 134.7%
> 2015-16 applications: 4,408
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 8,050
> Acceptance rate: 56%

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Source: Wikimedia Commons

89. Ohio State University-Main Campus, Ohio
> 10-year increase in applications: 135.7%
> 2015-16 applications: 44,845
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 63,735
> Acceptance rate: 54%

Source: StudioOneNine / Shutterstock.com

88. Nova Southeastern University, Florida
> 10-year increase in applications: 136.2%
> 2015-16 applications: 6,532
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 27,202
> Acceptance rate: 53%

Source: Michael Barera / Wikimedia Commons

87. Texas Woman’s University, Texas
> 10-year increase in applications: 138.4%
> 2015-16 applications: 5,412
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 18,160
> Acceptance rate: 86%

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86. Austin Peay State University, Tennessee
> 10-year increase in applications: 138.5%
> 2015-16 applications: 6,220
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 11,853
> Acceptance rate: 89%

Source: Michael Reaves/Getty Images

85. Xavier University, Ohio
> 10-year increase in applications: 140.1%
> 2015-16 applications: 13,213
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 7,361
> Acceptance rate: 69%

Source: Jeffrey Beall / Wikimedia Commons

84. Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma
> 10-year increase in applications: 140.7%
> 2015-16 applications: 3,131
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,074
> Acceptance rate: 91%

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Source: Rob Foldy/Getty Images

83. Florida International University, Florida
> 10-year increase in applications: 142.2%
> 2015-16 applications: 21,809
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 66,721
> Acceptance rate: 50%

Source: Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

82. Mississippi State University, Mississippi
> 10-year increase in applications: 142.5%
> 2015-16 applications: 14,012
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 23,317
> Acceptance rate: 56%

Source: Jimmy Baikovicius / Flickr

81. University of Indianapolis, Indiana
> 10-year increase in applications: 143.0%
> 2015-16 applications: 7,301
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,484
> Acceptance rate: 86%

Source: Cdbrice00 / Wikimedia Commons

80. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus, Arkansas
> 10-year increase in applications: 144.2%
> 2015-16 applications: 3,460
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 5,025
> Acceptance rate: 69%

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Source: Howchou / Wikimedia Commons

79. Fordham University, New York
> 10-year increase in applications: 146.8%
> 2015-16 applications: 44,816
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 17,624
> Acceptance rate: 45%

Source: Daderot / Wikimedia Commons

78. University of Massachusetts-Lowell, Massachusetts
> 10-year increase in applications: 149.0%
> 2015-16 applications: 11,321
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 21,519
> Acceptance rate: 61%

Source: Thinkstock

77. Washington State University, Washington
> 10-year increase in applications: 149.3%
> 2015-16 applications: 23,223
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 33,328
> Acceptance rate: 72%

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76. Boise State University, Idaho
> 10-year increase in applications: 149.4%
> 2015-16 applications: 8,330
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 28,888
> Acceptance rate: 82%

Source: Romer Jed Medina / Flickr

75. New Jersey Institute of Technology, New Jersey
> 10-year increase in applications: 149.8%
> 2015-16 applications: 7,222
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 12,914
> Acceptance rate: 59%

Source: RIP Dr. GP / Wikimedia Commons

74. University of Alabama in Huntsville, Alabama
> 10-year increase in applications: 151.2%
> 2015-16 applications: 4,545
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 9,206
> Acceptance rate: 76%

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Source: Philip Arno Photography / Shutterstock.com

73. Saint Edward’s University, Texas
> 10-year increase in applications: 152.2%
> 2015-16 applications: 6,046
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 5,045
> Acceptance rate: 74%

Source: Natalia Bratslavsky / Shutterstock.com

72. University of Arkansas, Arkansas
> 10-year increase in applications: 155.1%
> 2015-16 applications: 21,539
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 29,612
> Acceptance rate: 63%

Source: CSU Monterey Bay / Flickr

71. California State University-Monterey Bay, California
> 10-year increase in applications: 155.3%
> 2015-16 applications: 16,258
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 7,808
> Acceptance rate: 35%

Source: Stephen B. Goodwin / Shutterstock.com

70. Butler University, Indiana
> 10-year increase in applications: 156.1%
> 2015-16 applications: 12,937
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 5,056
> Acceptance rate: 73%

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Source: Tim Evanson / Wikimedia Commons

69. Montana State University, Montana
> 10-year increase in applications: 158.1%
> 2015-16 applications: 15,996
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 17,390
> Acceptance rate: 83%

Source: Los Angeles / Wikimedia Commons

68. Azusa Pacific University, California
> 10-year increase in applications: 158.5%
> 2015-16 applications: 8,030
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 11,631
> Acceptance rate: 61%

Source: Farragutful / Wikimedia Commons

67. Saint Ambrose University, Iowa
> 10-year increase in applications: 159.0%
> 2015-16 applications: 4,426
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 3,666
> Acceptance rate: 64%

Source: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

66. North Carolina Central University, North Carolina
> 10-year increase in applications: 159.3%
> 2015-16 applications: 8,613
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 9,346
> Acceptance rate: 67%

Source: Wcbpolish / Wikimedia Commons

65. Cornerstone University, Michigan
> 10-year increase in applications: 161.0%
> 2015-16 applications: 2,895
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 3,260
> Acceptance rate: 63%

Source: TrueWolverine87 / Wikimedia Commons

64. University of Michigan-Flint, Michigan
> 10-year increase in applications: 161.5%
> 2015-16 applications: 4,033
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 9,914
> Acceptance rate: 65%

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Source: Pixachi / Shutterstock.com

63. The University of Tampa, Florida
> 10-year increase in applications: 163.7%
> 2015-16 applications: 19,947
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 9,067
> Acceptance rate: 48%

Source: Paul Marotta/Getty Images

62. Berklee College of Music, Massachusetts
> 10-year increase in applications: 163.8%
> 2015-16 applications: 9,224
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 7,035
> Acceptance rate: 34%

Source: Michael Chang/Getty Images

61. University of Mississippi, Mississippi
> 10-year increase in applications: 164.9%
> 2015-16 applications: 17,918
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 25,966
> Acceptance rate: 78%

Source: Mark Baldwin / Shutterstock.com

60. Lewis University, Illinois
> 10-year increase in applications: 166.6%
> 2015-16 applications: 6,199
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 8,258
> Acceptance rate: 59%

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Source: Andrea Catenaro / Shutterstock.com

59. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York
> 10-year increase in applications: 169.4%
> 2015-16 applications: 18,524
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 7,064
> Acceptance rate: 44%

Source: Daderot / Wikimedia commons

58. University of Massachusetts-Boston, Massachusetts
> 10-year increase in applications: 169.7%
> 2015-16 applications: 9,886
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 21,391
> Acceptance rate: 69%

Source: Brian Ach/Getty Images for Nolcha

57. Stevenson University, Maryland
> 10-year increase in applications: 170.4%
> 2015-16 applications: 5,856
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 4,912
> Acceptance rate: 61%

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Source: Balaji810 / Wikimedia Commons

56. Cleveland State University, Ohio
> 10-year increase in applications: 170.9%
> 2015-16 applications: 8,528
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 20,452
> Acceptance rate: 87%

Source: Jon Bilous / Shutterstock.com

55. Robert Morris University, Pennsylvania
> 10-year increase in applications: 173.2%
> 2015-16 applications: 7,164
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,110
> Acceptance rate: 80%

Source: Thinkstock

54. University of Washington-Seattle Campus, Washington
> 10-year increase in applications: 173.3%
> 2015-16 applications: 43,517
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 50,374
> Acceptance rate: 45%

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Source: Stan9999 / Wikimedia Commons

53. The University of Texas at Dallas, Texas
> 10-year increase in applications: 174.0%
> 2015-16 applications: 12,686
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 27,579
> Acceptance rate: 68%

Source: Wikimedia Commons

52. West Texas A & M University, Texas
> 10-year increase in applications: 177.1%
> 2015-16 applications: 6,163
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 11,386
> Acceptance rate: 60%

Source: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

51. Vanderbilt University, Tennessee
> 10-year increase in applications: 178.2%
> 2015-16 applications: 32,442
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 13,389
> Acceptance rate: 11%

Source: United States Air Force Academy

50. Abilene Christian University, Texas
> 10-year increase in applications: 180.0%
> 2015-16 applications: 10,252
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 5,131
> Acceptance rate: 51%

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Source: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

49. Seton Hall University, New Jersey
> 10-year increase in applications: 187.5%
> 2015-16 applications: 15,427
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 11,015
> Acceptance rate: 67%

Source: Billy Hathorn / Wikimedia Commons

48. Tarleton State University, Texas
> 10-year increase in applications: 188.1%
> 2015-16 applications: 9,583
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 14,293
> Acceptance rate: 50%

Source: Stephen and Helen Jones / Flickr

47. Limestone College, South Carolina
> 10-year increase in applications: 191.7%
> 2015-16 applications: 3,060
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 3,527
> Acceptance rate: 48%

Source: Sam Wagner / Shutterstock.com

46. Augsburg College, Minnesota
> 10-year increase in applications: 192.5%
> 2015-16 applications: 3,487
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 4,170
> Acceptance rate: 45%

Source: Arina P Habich / Shutterstock.com

45. University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado
> 10-year increase in applications: 192.5%
> 2015-16 applications: 9,695
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 16,339
> Acceptance rate: 93%

Source: Aeypix / Shutterstock.com

44. Purdue University-North Central Campus, Indiana
> 10-year increase in applications: 193.1%
> 2015-16 applications: 2,975
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 7,430
> Acceptance rate: 50%

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Source: Philip Lange / Shutterstock.com

43. Dallas Baptist University, Texas
> 10-year increase in applications: 193.6%
> 2015-16 applications: 3,259
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,407
> Acceptance rate: 43%

Source: mwp_42 / Flickr

42. Bemidji State University, Minnesota
> 10-year increase in applications: 193.8%
> 2015-16 applications: 4,137
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,396
> Acceptance rate: 64%

Source: Thinkstock

41. University of Tulsa, Oklahoma
> 10-year increase in applications: 197.4%
> 2015-16 applications: 8,089
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 5,065
> Acceptance rate: 37%

Source: Jim Feliciano / Shutterstock.com

40. Chapman University, California
> 10-year increase in applications: 200.5%
> 2015-16 applications: 12,821
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 8,833
> Acceptance rate: 54%

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Source: Troy Johnson / Wikimedia Commons

39. Creighton University, Nebraska
> 10-year increase in applications: 201.4%
> 2015-16 applications: 10,352
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 10,192
> Acceptance rate: 71%

Source: Bob Levey / Getty Images

38. Prairie View A & M University, Texas
> 10-year increase in applications: 201.5%
> 2015-16 applications: 5,660
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 9,435
> Acceptance rate: 85%

Source: Warconstruction.com

37. The University of Alabama, Alabama
> 10-year increase in applications: 205.4%
> 2015-16 applications: 38,237
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 41,507
> Acceptance rate: 53%

Source: Kenneth Sponsler / Shutterstock.com

36. Case Western Reserve University, Ohio
> 10-year increase in applications: 207.9%
> 2015-16 applications: 23,115
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 12,178
> Acceptance rate: 35%

Source: mercy.edu

35. Mercy College, New York
> 10-year increase in applications: 213.6%
> 2015-16 applications: 6,617
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 14,763
> Acceptance rate: 78%

Source: Simiprof / Wikimedia Commons

34. Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi, Texas
> 10-year increase in applications: 215.4%
> 2015-16 applications: 12,909
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 13,629
> Acceptance rate: 65%

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Source: Jillian Cain Photography / Shutterstock.com

33. Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida
> 10-year increase in applications: 216.8%
> 2015-16 applications: 15,153
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 16,674
> Acceptance rate: 56%

Source: EVula / Wikimedia Commons

32. Belmont University, Tennessee
> 10-year increase in applications: 220.5%
> 2015-16 applications: 7,263
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 7,880
> Acceptance rate: 81%

Source: Wikimedia Commons

31. Monroe College, New York
> 10-year increase in applications: 221.3%
> 2015-16 applications: 5,153
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 11,985
> Acceptance rate: 53%

Source: DanTD / Wikimedia Commons

30. Molloy College, New York
> 10-year increase in applications: 223.7%
> 2015-16 applications: 4,030
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 8,674
> Acceptance rate: 77%

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Source: William F. Yurasko / Flickr

29. Coastal Carolina University, South Carolina
> 10-year increase in applications: 227.3%
> 2015-16 applications: 17,768
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 11,743
> Acceptance rate: 61%

Source: Keeton Gale / Shutterstock.com

28. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Arkansas
> 10-year increase in applications: 228.7%
> 2015-16 applications: 6,353
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 2,952
> Acceptance rate: 42%

Source: Rob Hainer / Shutterstock.com

27. Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus, Georgia
> 10-year increase in applications: 230.0%
> 2015-16 applications: 30,528
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 28,743
> Acceptance rate: 26%

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Source: Zoramite / Getty Images

26. Utah State University, Utah
> 10-year increase in applications: 230.1%
> 2015-16 applications: 15,401
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 35,164
> Acceptance rate: 90%

Source: Thomas Barrat / Shutterstock.com

25. University of Chicago, Illinois
> 10-year increase in applications: 249.2%
> 2015-16 applications: 31,484
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 17,229
> Acceptance rate: 8%

Source: Zrosen88 / Wikimedia Commons

24. University of New Haven, Connecticut
> 10-year increase in applications: 251.4%
> 2015-16 applications: 10,720
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 7,774
> Acceptance rate: 81%

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Source: William Johns / Flickr

23. University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Maryland
> 10-year increase in applications: 262.0%
> 2015-16 applications: 10,231
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 4,861
> Acceptance rate: 38%

Source: dashingstock / Shutterstock.com

22. Western Carolina University, North Carolina
> 10-year increase in applications: 268.6%
> 2015-16 applications: 18,297
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 11,795
> Acceptance rate: 41%

Source: sxu.edu

21. Saint Xavier University, Illinois
> 10-year increase in applications: 272.9%
> 2015-16 applications: 8,315
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 4,580
> Acceptance rate: 75%

Source: tamuc.edu

20. Texas A & M University-Commerce, Texas
> 10-year increase in applications: 281.3%
> 2015-16 applications: 7,805
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 15,587
> Acceptance rate: 46%

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Source: Brian Wolski / Shutterstock.com

19. Colorado School of Mines, Colorado
> 10-year increase in applications: 282.1%
> 2015-16 applications: 12,284
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,992
> Acceptance rate: 40%

Source: Bill Smith / Flickr

18. ECPI University, Virginia
> 10-year increase in applications: 288.7%
> 2015-16 applications: 4,812
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 17,942
> Acceptance rate: 71%

Source: Tom Byrne / Flickr

17. Regis University, Colorado
> 10-year increase in applications: 298.3%
> 2015-16 applications: 6,756
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 11,390
> Acceptance rate: 57%

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Source: Rcmcom / Wikimedia Commons

16. Texas A & M International University, Texas
> 10-year increase in applications: 301.0%
> 2015-16 applications: 6,176
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 9,062
> Acceptance rate: 53%

Source: Tim Roberts Photography / Shutterstock.com

15. Northern Arizona University, Arizona
> 10-year increase in applications: 302.2%
> 2015-16 applications: 36,511
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 33,186
> Acceptance rate: 78%

Source: mese.berg / Shutterstock.com

14. Colorado State University-Pueblo, Colorado
> 10-year increase in applications: 302.7%
> 2015-16 applications: 7,131
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 16,565
> Acceptance rate: 96%

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Source: Aspen Photo / Shutterstock.com

13. University of Memphis, Tennessee
> 10-year increase in applications: 308.7%
> 2015-16 applications: 21,392
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 24,106
> Acceptance rate: 57%

Source: Andrevruas / Wikimedia Commons

12. New York Institute of Technology, New York
> 10-year increase in applications: 310.9%
> 2015-16 applications: 10,084
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 9,111
> Acceptance rate: 73%

Source: Mccallk69 / Shutterstock.com

11. Auburn University at Montgomery, Alabama
> 10-year increase in applications: 313.8%
> 2015-16 applications: 2,905
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 5,996
> Acceptance rate: 77%

Source: -ted / Flickr

10. Southern Utah University, Utah
> 10-year increase in applications: 326.5%
> 2015-16 applications: 10,573
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 16,174
> Acceptance rate: 72%

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Source: Nagel Photography / Shutterstock.com

9. Roosevelt University, Illinois
> 10-year increase in applications: 331.2%
> 2015-16 applications: 5,994
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,020
> Acceptance rate: 73%

Source: highpoint.edu

8. High Point University, North Carolina
> 10-year increase in applications: 333.4%
> 2015-16 applications: 9,683
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 4,837
> Acceptance rate: 79%

Source: CW221 / Wikimedia Commons

7. University of Denver, Colorado
> 10-year increase in applications: 336.4%
> 2015-16 applications: 20,322
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 13,722
> Acceptance rate: 53%

Source: Darryl Brooks / Shutterstock.com

6. University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, Colorado
> 10-year increase in applications: 357.0%
> 2015-16 applications: 12,252
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 30,135
> Acceptance rate: 61%

Source: Jim Feliciano / Shutterstock.com

5. University of La Verne, California
> 10-year increase in applications: 392.8%
> 2015-16 applications: 8,072
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 10,150
> Acceptance rate: 48%

Source: Jeffrey M. Frank / Shutterstock.com

4. Tuskegee University, Alabama
> 10-year increase in applications: 426.3%
> 2015-16 applications: 10,342
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 3,172
> Acceptance rate: 50%

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Source: Edit32 / Wikimedia Commons

3. Park University, Missouri
> 10-year increase in applications: 686.4%
> 2015-16 applications: 4,152
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 16,660
> Acceptance rate: 85%

Source: stevegeer / Getty Images

2. National Louis University, Illinois
> 10-year increase in applications: 1667.4%
> 2015-16 applications: 1,520
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 7,110
> Acceptance rate: 76%

Source: Keeton Gale / Shutterstock.com

1. Grand Canyon University, Arizona
> 10-year increase in applications: 4210.5%
> 2015-16 applications: 34,096
> Total undergraduate enrollment: 111,211
> Acceptance rate: 57%

Detailed Findings and Methodology

The nationwide increase in applications is not solely a product of rising interest in higher education. Young Americans also appear to be applying to more schools.

The process of applying to multiple schools has become easier with the wider use of the Common Application — a standard form accepted by hundreds of higher education institutions. As more colleges and universities adopt the Common Application, it is not unusual for a single person to apply to more than a dozen schools.

The number of schools applied to per aspiring student has also likely increased as students have become more strategic in the application process. Today’s high school graduates are more likely to apply to both top-tier institutions and also hedge their bets by applying to schools with higher acceptance rates.

For many college applicants, getting into the best possible school is the most important consideration. Though there are no Ivy League schools on this list, there are a number of highly selective, top tier institutions — including Vanderbilt and the University of Chicago, which only accept 11% and 8% of applicants, respectively.

Other schools on this list, on the other hand, may be surging in popularity exactly because they are far less selective, accepting most applicants. Half a dozen of the schools on this list have acceptance rates of 90% or higher.

College can be very expensive, and for some prospective students, spending the least on tuition — or incurring the least amount of debt — is the most important consideration when deciding which schools to apply to. Over half of the schools on this list are public schools, many of which have steep tuition discounts for in-state students.

For other schools on this list, the application spike may be attributable to extra benefits and amenities not offered at competing institutions. For example, Seton Hall University in New Jersey recently started providing students with new, fully loaded laptops upon enrollment. The number of applications to Seton Hall was 188% higher in 2016 than it was in 2006.

In other cases, schools have added popular programs in recent years that largely account for the spike in applicants. One such school, National Louis University in Chicago, has reported one of the largest jumps in applicants since enacting Pathways, a program aimed at helping historically underserved populations obtain a college education.

Using data from the National Center for Education Statistics, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 100 colleges with the largest 10-year percentage increase in applicants from the 2006-2007 school year to the 2016-2017 year. Only schools with at least 3,000 undergraduates in 2006 were included.