Worried that you can't get into graduate school? Don't fret - there exist Grad Schools With High Acceptance Rates.
If you weren’t quite as successful as you wanted to be as an undergrad, there might be plenty of top reasons why.
Maybe you attended a very challenging program. Maybe you had a lot going on in your life outside of class. Or maybe you just didn’t quite get into the swing of student life until near the end.
Whatever it was, you know that you’re capable, so don’t let it hold you back from your dreams. By applying to universities with more lenient graduate school acceptance rates, you could find the second chance you want and pursue the best education you need.
Consider Grad Schools With High Acceptance Rates
Earning a graduate degree isn’t easy—and the application process isn’t always a cake walk, either. After all, you have to identify what degree you want, find schools offering that degree and subject area. Then you need to make sure they work with your schedule and learning style. And you can’t forget one of the most important steps: comparing their application prerequisites with your own profile. Part of that process is comparing graduate school acceptance rates.
A Diverse Bunch to Choose From
Luckily, just like students are diverse, so are graduate schools. That means even if you’re not picture-perfect, getting into graduate school may still be in the cards. So while Harvard or Yale might be a little too competitive for some B-students, there are plenty of other potential options that might welcome a student like you.
But how do you find them?
Map Your Strategy
One strategy, if you’re just getting started, is to look for schools that have shown themselves to be a little less selective in certain areas than the others. That's because universities with more lenient graduate school acceptance rates may value important traits other than your previous GPA, while still offering the education you want.
However, bear in mind that just because a university as a whole has a relatively high acceptance rate doesn’t mean the specific graduate program you’re applying to will be the same—and it might be a different story for transfer students.
Conduct Your Future Follow-Up
Acceptance rates and other prerequisites may vary by program and subject area. Graduate school acceptance rates may also fluctuate from year to year, influenced by things like level of demand, available funding, faculty, etc. So while this is a good starting point, make sure you follow up for more information.
List of 8 Graduate Schools with High Acceptance Rates
1. Academy of Art University
Graduate School Acceptance Rate: 100%
Academy of Art University is a private art school in San Francisco, CA. It was founded in 1929 by Richard S. Stephens, as the Academy of Advertising Art. It has also been known as Academy of Art College before gaining university status.
Academy of Art University offers associates, bachelors, and masters degree programs in 22 different subjects.
They also offer both online and campus-based learning opportunities, though not all programs are available in both formats. Additionally, they pride themselves on having faculty with professional experience, many of whom are still active in their fields in addition to teaching.
Their programs uphold the university’s values of ethics and professional integrity, community citizenship, and inclusion. To that end, they have an open or no-barrier admissions policy, with admissions requirements that include:
- Completed application
- Official transcripts
- Statement of intent (one page essay)
- Resume
- Portfolio
- Additional materials may be required
2. New England College
Graduate School Acceptance Rate: 96%
New England College is located in Henniker, New Hampshire. It’s a private non-profit school that offers both undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as continuing education for teachers and professionals. NEC was established in 1946 to help men and women returning home to New England from World War II pursue an education.
Today, New England College offers programs housed in four subject-area divisions. Students could pursue degrees in the arts and humanities, education, management, and natural and social sciences. Here are a few examples of graduate programs offered at NEC.
- Online MBA in Digital and Social Media
- Online Mental Health Counseling and Human Services Programs
- Online Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) Programs
A few campus based options include:
- MS in Healthcare Administration Management
- Low Residency MFA in Creative Writing
- Master of Arts in Public Policy
New England College has a rural campus. If you choose to study in person, you might find numerous opportunities to explore the outdoors, through environmental education, wilderness excursions, and more.
NEC has also dedicated itself to fostering an open and inclusive campus environment, welcoming of students from all cultures and backgrounds. They seek not only to educate a diverse student body, but also to equip each student with cross-cultural competence and uphold values of social justice.
The admissions requirements for graduate programs at NEC include:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Completed application
- Official transcripts
- Resume
- Personal statement
- Two letters of recommendation
Keep in mind that different degrees may have additional requirements.
3. Walden University
Graduate School Acceptance Rate: 93% (some programs may be different)
Through programs that reflect current market trends and promote positive social change, Walden University is committed to helping you achieve your goals so that you can make a difference in your career.
While the admissions requirements vary depending on which graduate degree you pursue, some of the admissions requirements include:
- Official transcripts
- Resume
- Employment history and educational history
Some of the master’s degrees available at Walden include:
4. Boston Architectural College
Graduate School Acceptance Rate: 92%
Established in 1899 as Boston Architectural Club, The Boston Architectural College is one of the largest private schools of spatial design in New England. They’re also known as The BAC. They offer students professional bachelors and masters programs in several areas of architecture and design. A few example degree programs include:
The BAC also offers several online masters programs, designed to help students continue their education alongside their careers. These programs do incorporate week-long campus residencies despite otherwise being online. This is to help students gain guided hands-on experience while still having the benefit of a flexible online program.
Best of all, they use an open admissions policy, opening their doors to any student who—like you—are dedicated to honing their design skills, learning all they can, and gaining hands-on experience. Plus, 97% of classes have under 20 students, meaning you could access the personal attention you need to thrive.
The graduate admissions requirements at The BAC include:
- Completed application
- Portfolio
- Official transcripts
- Resume
- Admissions essay
- One letter of recommendation
5. Benedictine University
Graduate School Acceptance Rate: 87%
Inspired by the Catholic intellectual tradition and the social teaching of the Church, Benedictine University is an inclusive academic community dedicated to teaching and learning.
Before applying, the university recommends that you schedule an appointment with an Admissions Counselor to review your application. However, some of the admissions requirements for graduate programs at Benedictine are:
- Personal statement
- Letter of reference by an academic or professional contact
- Transcripts
Some of the master’s degrees are:
6. Bob Jones University
Graduate School Acceptance Rate: 86%
Bob Jones University is committed to broadening your horizons through liberal arts and fine arts while learning to view everything through the lens of a biblical worldview.
The admissions requirements for graduate programs at BJU include:
- Bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university
- Undergraduate major or equivalent in graduate field of study
- Undergraduate program substantially equal to course of study at BJU
Some of the master’s degrees at Bob Jones University are:
7. Golden Gate University
Graduate School Acceptance Rate: 75% (some programs may be lower)
Golden Gate University caters to the needs of professionals entering or advancing their careers through flexible scheduling and personalized academic and career advising. In fact, 80% of the students at GGU attend on a part-time basis, which is why the school offers a variety of programs and formats.
The graduate admissions at Golden Gate University are:
- Bachelor’s degree from regionally accredited institution
- Completed application and fee
- Official transcripts
- GRE or GMAT scores
- Personal statement (optional)
GGU offers a number of master’s degrees, including:
Some of the available Graduate Certificates at GCU are:
8. Loyola University Chicago
Graduate School Acceptance Rate: 60% (some programs may be different)
Founded in 1870, Loyola University of Chicago is one of the nation’s largest Jesuit, Catholic Universities and the only one located in Chicago. Plus, the school has an alumni network of more than 150,000 and over 85,000 located in Chicago.
Some of the admissions requirements for graduate programs at Loyola include:
- Completed application
- Official transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
- Resume
- Interview (not all programs)
Some of the more than 170 graduate, professional, and graduate-level certificate programs include:
Tips to Boost Your Grad School Application
Need to give your graduate school application that extra “oomph?” You might have a lot to offer potential schools, so spend some time thinking about your life experience, passions, and talents when putting your applications together.
4 Key Tips You Need to Remember
- Do Your Research. Each school and program is different, so it follows that there’s no single answer regarding how best to present yourself to them. Look at their requirements, the school’s values, and the types of experiences they offer, and, if possible, tailor your application to emphasize the things they value most.
- Get Experience Outside the Classroom. While your studies are crucial, the classroom isn’t the only place you’re able to learn. If you can, enhance your grad school application with volunteer, internship, or other work experience related to your area of study. This applies outside your discipline as well. Community service and volunteer opportunities could help you show how well-rounded you are.
- Rock Those Tests. While grad school entrance exams aren’t always required—and aren’t necessarily emphasized by admissions departments when they are—they could still be an opportunity to demonstrate your academic skills. Study and practice hard, even if it’s not a requirement, because strong performance on these tests could be an asset.
- Go the Extra Mile. Don’t be afraid to sell yourself to your dream schools in other ways. Make sure you schedule those interviews—and thoroughly prepare for them before you go. Spend extra time writing and polishing your personal essays and other writing samples, too. Demonstrate your personality, dedication and professionalism, and show the admissions what a great fit you’d be!
In the table below are a few ideas from partner universities to get you started.
List of Graduate Schools With High Acceptance Rates
| Graduate School | Example Graduate Degrees Awarded | 2015 Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Academy of Art University | MSN, DNP | 100% |
| 2. New England College | MA in Public Policy, | 96% |
| 3. Walden University | M.S. in Criminal Justice, MSN, MBA | 93% |
| 4. Boston Architectural College | Graduate Degrees in Architecture | 92% |
| 5. Benedictine University | MSN, MPH, MBA, MeD | 87% |
| 6. Bob Jones University | MA Biblical Studies, Theological Studies PhD | 86% |
| 7. Golden Gate University | Master of Accountancy, DBA, MS in Business Analytics | 75% |
| 8. Loyola University Chicago | MPH, LLM in Health Law, MA in Health Policy | 60% |
Search for Graduate School Acceptance Rates & Grad Schools With High Acceptance Rates
If any of the schools described above sound like they might be a perfect fit for you, reach out to them to find out more!
Then you can ask more questions about the type of education they offer, graduate school acceptance rates, and other details. Other programs may also be offered in addition to the ones listed in each section.
Need some other options? Browse by subject area, degree level, or format to find programs of interest right here, and then request more information about them!