1. State of College Admission
2015 Report

2. Data Sources NACAC annual surveys External Data
Counseling Trends Survey
Admission Trends Survey
External Data
US Department of Education IPEDS data
Other education organizations

3. Methodology 2014 Admission Trends Survey
Surveyed 1,253 NACAC member colleges
NACAC member colleges represent 66% of all accredited, 4-yr, nonprofit, Title-IV participating colleges in the US that grant bachelors degrees
Received 335 responses (27% response rate)
2015 Admission Trends Survey
Two surveys: 1) university admission offices 2) IR representatives
Surveyed 1,380 NACAC member colleges
Received 687 responses overall (208 institutions submitted both sections, 131 submitted only the admission office sections, and 348 submitted only the IR portion)
50% response rate

4. Methodology (con’t) 2014 Counseling Trends Survey
Surveyed NACAC member secondary schools plus random sample of all public high schools (10,000 total)
1,360 usable responses
Survey respondents over-representative of public and private, non-parochial schools; under-representative of private, parochial institutions. NACAC respondents also had a smaller proportion of students eligible for free-or-reduced priced lunch, and they reported larger enrollments compared to all secondary schools

5. College Applications

6. Number of High School Graduates: Actual and Projected, 1990 to 2025
Note: Includes both public and private high school graduates.
Source: US Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics (2014). Digest of Education Statistics. Table Washington DC: NCES

7. Actual and Projected Numbers of Public High School Graduates, by Region: 1999–00, 2009–10 and 2024–25 (in thousands)
Source: US Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (2014). Digest of Education Statistics. Table Washington DC: NCES.

8. Increases in Student Application Submission: 1990 to 2015 (First-Time Freshmen)
Source: Eagan, M.K., Stolzenberg, E.B., Ramirez, J.J., Aragon, M.C., Suchard, M.R., and Rios-Aguilar, C. (2016). The American Freshman: Fifty-Year Trends, Los Angeles: Higher Education Research Institute, UCLA.

9. Applications per Admission Officer (First-Time Freshmen)
Mean
Type
Public
914
Private
411
Enrollment
Fewer than 3,000 students
316
3,000 to 9,999
661
10,000 or more
1,241
Selectivity
Accept fewer than 50 percent of applicants
923
50 to 70 percent
593
71 to 85 percent
480
More than 85 percent
327
Note: Both admission counselors and mid/senior level admission officials were included in the analyses.
Source: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2015

10. Applications and Enrollment, by Selectivity: Fall 2014 (First-Time Freshmen)
Average Acceptance Rate for Four-Year Colleges: 65.8 percent
Selectivity
National share of institutions
Average number of applications
per institution
National share of applications
National share of full-time, freshmen undergraduates
Accept fewer than 50 percent of applicants
19.7%
10,678
35.2%
19.8%
50 to 70 percent
36.0%
5,860
35.3%
36.8%
71 to 85 percent
28.9%
4,969
24.0%
32.4%
More than 85 percent
15.4%
2,129
5.5%
11.0%
Note: Of the 1,871 total institutions, 1,557 provided selectivity data for Fall 2014.
Source: US Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. ( ). Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) Data Center. Washington, DC: NCES.

11. Growth in Applications Fall 2013 to Fall 2014
Percent Change
First-Time Freshmen 6%
Transfer Students 4%
International Students
23%
Source: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2015

12. Acceptance Rates for Transfer and International Applicants
Mean
TRANSFER
Number of Transfer Applications Received
1,379
Transfer Selectivity Rate
61.0%
Freshman Selectivity Rate for Institutions with Transfer Students
65.3%
INTERNATIONAL
Number of International Applications Received
863
International Selectivity Rate
33.9%
Overall Freshman Selectivity Rate for Institutions with International Students
64.9%
Source: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2015

13. College Application Fees (First-Time Freshmen)
Percentage
with Fees
Mean Fee
83.4
$43.50
Type
Public
93.7
$43.40
Private
78.4
$43.55
Enrollment
Fewer than 3,000 students
78.2
$41.69
3,000 to 9,999
89.1
$43.74
10,000 or more
96.0
$49.36
Selectivity
Accept fewer than 50 percent of applicants
87.4
$52.19
50 to 70 percent
80.5
$40.41
71 to 85 percent
86.1
$41.05
More than 85 percent
79.6
$39.76
Source: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2015

14. Recruitment and Yield Strategies

15. Importance of Prospective Student Populations in Meeting Institutional Enrollment Goals
Source: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2015

16. Average Yield Rates, by Prospective Student Group
Average Yield Rate for Four-Year Colleges: 36.2 percent
Mean
TRANSFER
Number of Transfer Applicants Accepted
851
Transfer Yield Rate
54.7%
Freshman Yield Rate for Institutions with Transfer Students
28.8%
INTERNATIONAL
Number of International Applicants Accepted
306
International Yield Rate
52.0%
Overall Freshman Yield Rate for Institutions with International Students
28.9%
Note: Of the 1,871 total institutions, 1,557 provided selectivity data for Fall 2014.
Sources: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2015; US Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. ( ). Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) Data Center. Washington, DC: NCES.

17. Importance of Various Recruitment Strategies First-Time Freshmen
Percentage of Colleges Rating As:
Considerably Important
Moderately Important
Limited Importance
Not Important
Website
84.4
12.4
2.5
0.7
82.7
14.8
2.1
0.4
Hosted Campus Visit
77.0
17.0
4.6
1.4
High School Counselor
60.8
33.9
3.9
High School Visit
58.5
32.6
8.5
Direct Mail
54.6
31.7
12.0
1.8
College Fairs
52.5
35.6
10.2
Social Media
38.2
42.0
17.7
Community Based Organizations
16.9
36.7
38.8
7.6
Test-Optional Policy
13.9
8.9
5.0
72.2
Alumni
12.5
31.2
47.3
9.0
Conditional/Provisional Admission Program
5.1
18.4
30.5
46.0
Source: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2015

18. Importance of Various Recruitment Strategies Transfer Students
Percentage of Colleges Rating As:
Considerably Important
Moderately Important
Limited Importance
Not Important
Direct Mail
29.2
32.4
28.1
10.3
Website
81.9
15.6
2.1
0.4
77.3
14.9
5.7
Community College Outreach/Partnership
57.7
23.9
14.4
3.9
Articulation Agreements with Community Colleges
50.7
25.5
8.9
Hosted Campus Visit
49.6
31.0
14.1
5.3
College Fairs
29.9
8.5
Social Media
26.6
41.8
27.3
4.3
High School Counselor
13.8
10.7
31.8
43.7
High School Visit
9.5
12.6
16.4
61.5
Alumni
9.4
20.9
53.1
16.6
Community Based Organizations
8.6
22.3
48.7
20.4
Test-Optional Policy
8.3
6.7
8.7
76.4
Conditional/Provisional Admission Program
3.8
14.3
24.5
57.4
Source: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2015

19. Importance of Various Recruitment Strategies International Students
Percentage of Colleges Rating As:
Considerably Important
Moderately Important
Limited Importance
Not Important
Website
87.7
10.4
1.1
0.7
79.0
15.4
4.1
1.5
High School Counselor
35.3
20.9
24.4
19.4
Social Media
30.7
39.3
25.1
4.9
Hosted Campus Visit
26.3
17.2
36.6
19.8
Overseas High School Visit
23.8
21.1
21.9
33.2
College Fairs
20.5
27.3
25.8
26.5
US High School Visit
13.0
12.6
48.2
Alumni
10.7
46.9
17.9
Conditional/Provisional Admission Program
9.6
15.7
21.3
53.4
Test-Optional Policy
9.7
8.1
6.5
75.7
Direct Mail
9.4
13.9
40.4
36.3
Community Based Organizations
6.4
14.0
35.2
44.4
Utilize Agents
15.9
21.0
50.0
Partnerships with Overseas Colleges
15.3
24.7
27.6
32.4
State or Regional Recruitment Consortium
8.0
22.2
30.2
39.6
Federal Government Support
24.8
31.4
29.9
Source: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2015

20. Key Statistics for Early Decision (ED) Colleges
Mean
Applications Received through Early Decision
6.1%
Early Decision Selectivity Rate
61.8%
Overall Selectivity Rate for Institutions with Early Decision Policies
51.4%
Early Decision Yield Rate
86.5%
Overall Yield Rate for Institutions with Early Decision Policies
26.2%
Source: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2015

21. Key Statistics for Early Action (EA) Colleges
Mean
Applications Received through Early Action
6.1%
Early Action Selectivity Rate
61.8%
Overall Selectivity Rate for Institutions with Early Action Policies
51.4%
Early Action Yield Rate
86.5%
Overall Yield Rate for Institutions with Early Action Policies
26.2%
Source: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2015

22. Percentage of Colleges Using Early Decision, Early Action, and Wait Lists
All Survey Respondents
20.8%
33.8%
38.5%
Type
Public
7.2
28.2
30.5
Private
28.6
37.2
43.1
Enrollment
Fewer than 3,000 students
27.3
29.9
37.1
3,000 to 9,999
22.1
36.6
40.9
10,000 or more
4.4
37.4
49.5
Selectivity
Accept fewer than 50 percent of applicants
49.0
29.0
77.0
50 to 70 percent
20.3
35.6
37.9
71 to 85 percent
15.1
33.7
More than 85 percent
3.0
24.2
9.1
Yield
Enroll fewer than 30 percent of admitted students
25.1
40.8
44.4
30 to 45 percent
18.0
22.9
33.5
46 to 60 percent
17.9
32.1
More than 60 percent --
20.0
50.0
Note: - = No institutions in category. Source: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2015

23. Mean Percentage of Students Admitted From a Wait List
These acceptance rates are based on the group of students who opt to remain on a wait list, which is only 41 percent, on average.
Mean Percentage
All Survey Respondents
31.9
Selectivity
Accept fewer than 50 percent of applicants
12.3
50 to 70 percent
45.0
71 to 100 percent
58.6
Source: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2015

24. Factors in the Admission Decision

25. Percentage of Colleges Rating As: Considerably Important
Importance of Various Factors in the Admission Decision: First-Time Freshmen
Percentage of Colleges Rating As:
Considerably Important
Moderately Important
Limited Importance
Not Important
Grades in College Prep Courses
79.2
13.0
6.9
0.9
Grades in All Courses
60.3
31.0
8.7 --
Strength of Curriculum
60.2
26.8
10.0
3.0
Admission Test Scores (SAT, ACT)
55.7
32.5
7.9
3.9
Essay or Writing Sample
22.1
39.0
21.6
17.3
Counselor Recommendation
42.4
27.3
Student’s Demonstrated Interest
16.9
33.3
22.9
Teacher Recommendation
15.2
43.5
27.8
13.5
Class Rank
14.0
37.7
32.0
16.2
Subject Test Scores (AP, IB)
7.0
35.2
32.6
25.1
Portfolio
6.6
30.6
52.8
Extracurricular Activities
5.6
43.3
34.6
16.5
SAT II Scores
5.3
8.4
23.0
63.3
Interview
3.5
23.1
28.4
45.0
State Graduation Exam Scores
11.0
25.4
60.1
Work
21.3
44.8
33.0
Note: -- = No institutions in category. Source: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2014

26. Grades in College Prep Courses Strength of Curriculum
Correlation Matrix: Institutional Characteristics and Importance of Admission Decision Factor (First-time Freshmen)
Grades in College Prep Courses
Strength of Curriculum
Grades in All Courses
Admission Test Scores
Essay/ Writing Sample
Private Institution
.04
-.02
-.15*
.23**
Enrollment
.10
.19**
.12
Selectivity
-.08
-.12
.005
-.04
Yield
-.21**
-.06
-.05
Notes: N = 209, Spearman’s Rho correlation coefficients were calculated. * p < .05, ** p < .01, *** p < .001
Source: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2014

27. Differences in Admission Factor Ratings by Institution Type (First-Time Freshmen)
Institution Type Private: More importance on essay/writing samples Public: More importance on admission test scores Enrollment Size Larger: More importance on strength of curriculum
Source: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2014

28. Percentage of College Rating As: Considerably Important
Importance of Various Factors in the Admission Decision: Transfer Students
Percentage of College Rating As:
Considerably Important
Moderately Important
Limited Importance
Not Important
Overall GPA at Prior Postsecondary Institution(s)
83.4
11.1
3.7
1.7
Average Grades in Transferable Courses
70.9
20.6
6.4
2.0
High School Grade Point Average
22.8
27.5
35.2
14.4
Strength of High School Curriculum
20.4
37.7 --
41.9
Essay or Writing Sample
19.8
28.9
21.8
29.5
Articulation with Prior Postsecondary Institution
19.3
24.1
27.2
29.3
Grades in College Prep Courses in high school
18.0
23.7
35.9
22.4
Teacher Recommendation
16.0
28.6
26.9
Student’s Demonstrated Interest
14.7
18.1
28.0
39.2
Quality of Postsecondary Institution
14.1
32.6
28.5
24.7
Counselor Recommendation
12.6
25.9
25.3
36.2
Admission Test Scores (SAT, ACT)
6.1
22.0
41.0
30.8
Extracurricular Activities
5.4
41.8
Portfolio
5.2
7.3
19.4
68.1
Interview
4.1
15.4
29.4
51.2
State Graduation Exam Scores
2.1
2.8
18.7
76.5
Work
1.4
17.9
41.2
39.5
High School Class rank
1.0
10.5
31.3
57.1
SAT II scores
0.7
3.4
14.2
81.7
Subject Test Scores (AP, IB)
0.3
36.1
52.4
Note: -- = No institutions in category; Source: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2015

29. Percentage of Colleges Rating As: Considerably Important
Importance of Various Factors in the Admission Decision: International Students
Percentage of Colleges Rating As:
Considerably Important
Moderately Important
Limited Importance
Not Important
English Proficiency Exam Scores
84.8%
14.1%
1.1% --
Grades in College Prep Courses
77.0
16.4
4.9
1.6
Grades in All Courses
64.1
30.4
3.8
Strength of Curriculum
56.8
28.4
9.8
Admission Test Scores (SAT, ACT)
41.0
31.7
18.6
8.7
Essay or Writing Sample
37.2
31.1
18.0
13.7
National School Leaving or Graduation Certificate
25.6
30.0
23.3
21.1
Counselor Recommendation
19.8
34.6
27.5
18.1
Teacher Recommendation
19.1
30.1
19.7
Subject Test Scores (AP, IB)
14.4
27.1
34.3
24.3
Student’s Demonstrated Interest
25.8
30.2
Class Rank
7.7
22.7
34.8
Interview
42.6
Portfolio
6.6
25.7
60.1
Extracurricular Activities
5.0
26.1
39.4
29.4
SAT II Scores
5.5
28.0
62.6
Work
2.2
10.9
33.9
53.0
Note: -- = No institutions in category; Source: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2014

30. International Students
Percentage of Colleges Attributing “Considerable Importance” to Factors in the Admission Decision: Comparison of Prospective Student Groups
First-Time Freshmen
Transfer Students
International Students
Grades in College Prep Courses Taken in High School
79.2%
18.0%
77.0%
Grades in All High School Courses
60.3
22.8
64.1
Strength of High School Curriculum
60.2
20.4
56.8
Admission Test Scores (SAT, ACT)
55.7
6.1
41.0
Essay or Writing Sample
22.1
19.8
37.2
Counselor Recommendation
17.3
12.6
Student’s Demonstrated Interest
16.9
14.7
13.7
Teacher Recommendation
15.2
16.0
19.1
Class Rank
14.0 --
7.7
Subject Test Scores (AP, IB)
7.0
14.4
Portfolio
6.6
5.2
Extracurricular Activities
5.6
5.4
5.0
SAT II Scores
5.3
0.7
3.8
Interview
3.5
4.1
State Graduation Exam Scores
2.1 NA
Work
0.9
1.4
2.2
Note: -- = No institutions in category; Source: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2014

31. Student Contextual Factors
Student characteristics that may influence how the main factors in admission decisions are interpreted include:
High school attended
Race/ethnicity
State or county of residence
First-generation college student
Ability to pay
Gender
Alumni relationship

32. Considerable Importance
Importance of Student Characteristics as Contextual Factors in Application Review: First-Time Freshmen
Considerable Importance
Moderate Importance
Limited Importance
No Importance
High School Attended
2.0
20.2
34.3
43.4
Race/Ethnicity
3.4
11.1
18.5
67.1
State or County of Residence
7.4
22.9
67.7
First-Generation Status
2.4
13.9
31.8
52.0
Ability to Pay
0.7
4.7
12.5
52.1
Gender
12.8
82.8
Alumni Relations
1.0
8.1
41.6
49.3
Source: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2015

33. Correlation Matrix: Institutional Characteristics
and Importance of Student Contextual Factors (First-time Freshmen)
High School Attended
Race/
Ethnicity
State or County of Residence
First-Generation
Ability to Pay
Gender
Alumni Relations
Private
.20***
.16*
-.08
-.02
.34***
.23***
.36***
Enrollment
.05
.22***
.14
-.19*
-.01
-.18*
Selectivity
-.05
-.26***
-.32***
-.23***
-.34***
-.21***
Yield
.01
.06
-.25***
.07
Notes: N = 173. Spearman’s Rho correlation coefficients were calculated.. *** p < .001, ** p < .01, * p < .05
Source: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2014

34. Considerable Importance
Importance of Student Characteristics as Contextual Factors in Application Review: Transfer Students
Considerable Importance
Moderate Importance
Limited Importance
No Importance
High School Attended
1.4
5.1
25.7
67.8
Race/Ethnicity
2.7
9.2
16.7
71.4
State or County of Residence
1.7
5.5
18.8
74.1
First-Generation Status
11.4
27.2
59.7
Ability to Pay
1.0
7.5
40.3
51.2
Gender
2.4
10.6
85.7
Alumni Relations
11.3
82.3
Source: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2015

35. Correlation Matrix: Institutional Characteristics and
Importance of Student Contextual Factors (Transfer Students)
High School Attended
Race/
Ethnicity
State or County of Residence
First-Generation
Ability to Pay
Gender
Alumni Relations
Private
.14
.13
-.13
.04
.38***
.20*
.42***
Enrollment
.09
.21***
.11
-.22**
-.03
-.25***
Selectivity
-.06
-.28***
-.26***
-.31***
-.10
-.30***
-.22***
Yield
-.09
-.04
.02
-.20**
.05
-.21***
Note: N = 167. Spearman’s Rho correlation coefficients were calculated.. *** p < .001, ** p < .01, * p < .05
Source: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2014

36. Considerable Importance
Importance of Student Characteristics as Contextual Factors in Application Review: International Students
Considerable Importance
Moderate Importance
Limited Importance
No Importance
High School Attended
3.6
17.4
30.4
48.6
Race/Ethnicity
2.5
7.2
14.4
75.9
State or County of Residence
2.2
10.1
23.7
64.0
First-Generation Status
1.8
9.1
22.1
67.0
Ability to Pay
20.6
10.3
8.9
60.1
Gender
2.9
12.2
83.1
Alumni Relations
1.5
8.0
41.1
49.5
Source: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2015

37. Correlation Matrix: Institutional Characteristics and
Importance of Student Contextual Factors (International Students)
High School Attended
Race/
Ethnicity
State or County of Residence
First-Generation
Ability to Pay
Gender
Alumni Relations
Private
.19*
.10
.07
-.03
.37***
.23***
Enrollment
.06
.13
.16*
-.18*
-.01
-.19*
Selectivity
-.09
-.26***
-.23***
-.37***
-.02
-.35***
-.24***
Yield
.01
-.08
.09
-.17*
Note: N = 167. Spearman’s Rho correlation coefficients were calculated.. *** p < .001, ** p < .01, * p < .05
Source: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2014

38. All 3 Groups‒Freshmen, Transfer, and International Students
Student Contextual Factors: Differences in Ratings by Institutional Characteristics and Prospective Student Population
All 3 Groups‒Freshmen, Transfer, and International Students
Private: ability to pay, gender, and alumni relations
Smaller: ability to pay and alumni relations
More Selective: race/ethnicity, state or county of residence, first-generation status, gender, and alumni relations
Lower yield: ability to pay and alumni relations
Freshmen and Transfer Students
Larger: state or county of residence
First-Time Freshmen
Private: race/ethnicity
Source: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2015

39. Student Contextual Factors: Highlights by Prospective Student Group
Ability to Pay (Percent Rating as Moderately or Considerably Important)
31 percent for international students
5 percent for domestic freshmen
9 percent for transfer students
High School Attended (Percent Rating as Moderately or Considerably Important)
21 percent for international students
22 percent for domestic freshmen
7 percent for transfer
Alumni Relations (Percent Rating as Not Important)
83 percent for transfer students
50 percent for freshmen (domestic and international)
Source: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2015

40. College Counseling in Secondary Schools

41. Student-to-Counselor Ratios
American School Counselors Association (ASCA) recommends a maximum of 250 students per counselor.
National average at public schools is 476 students
Only 3 states with ratios below ASCA’s recommendation: New Hampshire, Vermont, and Wyoming.
Five states with ratios higher than 700: Arizona, California, Minnesota, Michigan, and Illinois
Sources: American School Counselors Association (ASCA). Retrieved 9/29/2016 from ;
US Department of Education (2015) Common Core of Data State Nonfiscal Survey Public Elementary/Secondary Education: School Year, Version 1a. Washington, DC: NCES..

42. Rankings of Counseling Department Priorities
Private Schools
Public Schools
College Preparation and Planning 1 2
Academic Achievement in High School
Personal Growth and Development 3
Preparation and Planning for Work 4
Source: Counseling Trends Survey, 2014

43. Percentage of Time on College Counseling
Private Schools
Public Schools
Source: NACAC Counseling Trends Survey, 2014

44. Professional Development for College Counselors in Secondary Schools
At 37 percent of high schools, counselors were required to participate in professional development (PD); only 41 percent of these schools covered all associated costs.
Some schools more likely to require likely to require PD and to cover all associated costs:
Private
Lower student-to-counselor ratios

45. More Information Read the full report
Contact NACAC Research Department