Early Decision acceptance rates at 51 colleges
At 48 of the 51 colleges here, Early Decision applicants were admitted at a higher rate than everyone else: a median 34.6% versus about 16.7%. Part of that gap is who applies early (recruited athletes and legacy applicants often use ED), so the round itself explains only some of it. ED is binding, so it fits only a clear first choice.
Early Decision vs everyone else, by college
Ranked by the ED advantage: the Early Decision admit rate divided by everyone else's. From each college's own Common Data Set; click a college for its full early-round numbers.
Which colleges have the biggest early decision advantage?
By the ratio of the ED admit rate to everyone else's, the largest is Northeastern University (43% vs about 3.8%, 11.3x), followed by Dartmouth College (5.7x), College of the Holy Cross (4x), Middlebury College (3.9x). Figures are from each college's own Common Data Set.
How much of the class is admitted early decision?
A median 17.6% of all first-year admits at these colleges came through Early Decision, which is why the regular round is smaller than the overall acceptance rate suggests.
Method: Early Decision applicants and admits are Common Data Set section C21; totals are C1. “Everyone else” is total admits minus ED admits over total applicants minus ED applicants; deferred ED applicants later admitted in Regular Decision stay in that figure, so it runs slightly high. Colleges that report Early Decision without counts are left out. Every count was checked against the source document. Also see waitlist acceptance rates.