5 College Admissions Trends We're Following in 2026

A student asked me today if I was surprised by the college decisions my seniors are receiving this year. My answer was, “When looking at admissions decisions as a whole, there weren’t many surprises. However, if you look at admissions from a granular perspective, from any individual decision, it can feel surprising.” Overall, the outcomes have been positive, with students having many strong colleges to choose from. 

Part of this is because I encourage all my students to have a well-balanced list of 2-3 Reach, 3-4 Target, and 2-3 Likely colleges. With this tactic, my students generally have many good offers they are pleased with. I also spend a lot of time studying individual and aggregate admission data as well as trends, which helps me categorize colleges as reaches, targets, or likelies.

Here are five of the most important college admissions trends evident from this year’s admissions cycle.

1. Total applications increasing 

According to the Common App, Application volume through December 1 rose 9% from 2024–25 (5,717,566) to 2025–26 (6,237,325). The number of applications per student also increased (up 5% from 5.15 to 5.38 applications per applicant).

2. Standardized testing makes a comeback

While the vast majority of colleges were test-optional for 2025, the most selective colleges, as well as several flagship colleges, have returned to standardized testing. Recent colleges to require SAT/ACT again for admission include:

• University of Texas-Austin

• Cornell University

• Ohio State University (sorry, no “The” from this Wolverine!)

• Dartmouth College

• Purdue University

3. Applying early is no longer early– it's expected

Not so long ago, applying early to college felt strategic – almost optional. It was a way to signal enthusiasm, wrap up your plans a little sooner, and maybe enjoy a stress-free spring with an acceptance in hand.

Today? It’s a very different story.

Early Action and Early Decision aren’t just “nice to consider”. At many schools, they’re the main event. Applying early now often gives students their strongest shot at admission. It can also open the door to merit scholarships, which are frequently awarded in earlier rounds when more funding is available.

And here’s the part families don’t always realize: some colleges are filling a significant portion of their incoming class before Regular Decision even begins. Schools like Tulane University have filled as much as 60% of their class through Early Decision alone. Across the country, 50% or more of seats may be spoken for by the time January deadlines roll around, which means that waiting for Regular Decision often translates to more competition for fewer remaining spots.

4. Selective publics are becoming more selective than the Ivies 

As applications soar, the admission rates (particularly for nonresident students) are plummeting at some of the most competitive public universities. Don’t believe me? Check out some of the nonresident admit rates from 2025 compared to early admit rates at several Ivies: 

• University of Texas-Austin: 10% compared to Columbia Early Decision (13%)

• UNC-Chapel Hill: 7% compared to Cornell Early Decision (8%)

• University of California- Berkeley: 7% compared to Harvard Early Action (9%)

5. The southern schools are hot – in more ways than one

Since 2021, applications to Southern colleges from students in the Midwest and New England have jumped 30%, and honestly? I get it.

After a solid month of hovering under my happy light with subzero temperatures, even I start fantasizing about sunshine. At one point this winter, I swapped my desktop background for a glowing Sedona landscape and put a cactus on my desk just to cope. Desperate times.

So it’s not hard to understand the appeal. The idea of trading gray slush for blue skies and 65-degree January afternoons is powerful. Add in strong academics, big-time football Saturdays, vibrant Greek life, and campuses that feel alive year-round and suddenly “heading South” isn’t just about the weather. It’s about lifestyle.

States with the highest growth rate include Arizona, Mississippi, Texas, and Oklahoma. Here is a sampling of the total number of applications from 2025:

• University of Texas-Austin- 72,885

• Arizona State University- 70,928

• University of Arizona- 58,339

• University of Mississippi- 33,363

• University of Oklahoma- 24,893

I hope this gives you a clearer lens on today’s college landscape–because it’s shifting, and fast.

Next week, I’m diving deeper into bullet point #2: standardized testing. We’ll unpack what’s really happening, what colleges are saying (and not saying), and what it actually means for your student. Stay tuned–this is one you won’t want to miss!