Enter the total number of applicants and the number accepted to calculate the acceptance rate as a percentage. Whether you're evaluating a college, job opening, or any application process, this Acceptance Rate Calculator gives you the exact probability of acceptance — plus a clear visual breakdown of accepted vs. rejected applicants.
Acceptance Rate
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Rejection Rate
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Accepted Applicants
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Selectivity Level
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The acceptance rate is the percentage of applicants who are admitted out of the total number who applied. It reflects how selective a program, institution, or employer is. A lower acceptance rate indicates higher selectivity and more competition among applicants.
To calculate the acceptance rate, divide the number of accepted applicants by the total number of applicants, then multiply by 100. The formula is: Acceptance Rate = (Accepted Applicants ÷ Total Applicants) × 100. For example, if 500 out of 2,000 applicants are accepted, the acceptance rate is 25%.
Acceptance rate is a key metric used to gauge how competitive an application process is. For universities, it helps prospective students understand their chances of admission. For employers, it reflects hiring selectivity. It also helps institutions benchmark themselves against peers and manage applicant expectations.
Harvard University is one of the most selective schools in the world, with an acceptance rate typically around 3–4%. This means fewer than 4 out of every 100 applicants receive an offer of admission, reflecting extremely high academic and extracurricular standards.
New York University (NYU) has an acceptance rate of approximately 12–16%, varying slightly by year and program. It is considered a highly selective university, particularly for programs in business, arts, and law.
No, acceptance rate cannot be negative. It is always a value between 0% and 100%, since it represents the proportion of accepted applicants relative to total applicants. A 0% rate would mean no one was accepted, while 100% would mean every applicant was admitted.
If 500 out of 2,000 applicants are accepted, the acceptance rate is 25%. This is calculated as (500 ÷ 2,000) × 100 = 25%. The rejection rate in this case would be 75%.
A 'good' acceptance rate depends on context. For highly competitive universities, an acceptance rate below 20% is considered very selective. For community colleges or open-enrollment programs, rates above 80% are common. In job applications, industry norms vary widely. Generally, the lower the acceptance rate, the more selective and prestigious the institution or role.