New England is home to some of the world’s most prominent and hard to get into colleges, including Harvard University, MIT, Yale University, and Brown University. However, the region is also home to some schools with less stringent requirements for admission. If you’re interested in finding the easiest colleges to get into in New England, then you’ve come to the right place.
This article will provide a list of colleges with high acceptance rates in New England to help ease the stress of your college application process. Read on to find the top ten universities with high acceptance rates and online colleges based in New England.
What Are the Easiest Colleges to Get Into in New England?
The easiest colleges to get into in New England include Goodwin University, University of Maine at Augusta, and Southern New Hampshire University. Roger Williams University and University of New England also made it to our top list. We discuss these schools further in the next sections.
Colleges in New England With Open Admissions
Colleges in New England with open admissions allow any prospective students with a high school degree or a GED diploma to enroll in their programs. This is applicable to undergraduate students looking for guaranteed acceptance into associate’s or bachelor’s degree programs. We list below some of the colleges in New England with open admissions.
Open Admissions Colleges in New England
- Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology
- Greenfield Community College
- University of Maine at Augusta
- Manchester Community College-Connecticut
- Community College of Rhode Island
Are There Good Universities With High Acceptance Rates in New England?
Yes, there are good universities in New England with high acceptance rates. They include Southern New Hampshire University, Westfield State University, and the University of Maine Orono. These universities have a high percentage of admitted students and offer lenient admissions criteria.
However, although universities with high acceptance rates have an easier application process, they still might require most of the common admissions requirements. These include an application form, a minimum GPA, recommendation letters, standardized test scores, and personal statements. There may be an interview process, but this is unlikely.
Common Admissions Requirements for Colleges With High Acceptance Rates in New England
The common admissions requirements for colleges with high acceptance rates in New England generally follow similar requirements as other universities. Your chances of admission will be dependent on the school’s admissions committee, their admission rates, and their minimum requirements. Below are the common admission requirements of New England colleges.
- High school diploma or GED certificate. A high school degree or a GED certificate is a mandatory requirement for every college’s primary application criteria. Securing any of these two ensures that you have the fundamental education needed to advance to a higher education.
- Minimum GPA. Colleges will typically require undergraduate students with high school degrees to have a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA. However, the minimum GPA requirements can vary, depending on the school and program. Computer science, engineering, math, and physics majors tend to require a higher GPA.
- Recommendation letters. Letters of recommendation are a common requirement for both undergraduate and graduate programs. You can ask for a letter of recommendation from your high school/college counselor, teachers, or extracurricular supervisors. Schools can ask for anywhere between two to three letters of recommendation.
- SAT or ACT test scores. Be it a public institution or a private university, most schools typically require SAT or ACT test scores. The minimum test score requirements will depend on the school and their degree options. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, several universities have waived their standardized test score requirements for 2022 to 2023 academic year.
- Financial form. Schools also require their applicants to fill out a financial form declaring whether they can pay their average tuition costs or not. Students are also asked to fill out a FAFSA form for federal financial aid to help them settle their tuition fees.
The Best Colleges With High Acceptance Rates in New England
| School | Acceptance Rate | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Goodwin University | 100% | $21,198 |
| University of Maine at Augusta | 100% | $8,378 |
| Southern New Hampshire University | 92% | $15,380 |
| Roger Williams University | 91% | $39,594 |
| University of New England | 90% | $39,820 |
| Franklin Pierce University | 89% | $42,100 |
| Castleton University | 87% | $13,078 |
| Norwich University | 87% | $44,020 |
| Southern Connecticut State University | 83% | $11,882 |
| Salve Regina University | 73% | $44,200 |
Easiest Colleges to Get Into in New England: A Closer Look
Below are the easiest colleges to get into in New England. Our list will cover top public schools and private schools that offer a great student life and a wide variety of academic focus and hands-on experience. You can choose degree options from Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and other top New England locations.
Goodwin University
- Location: East Hartford, CT
- Number of applicant per year: N/A
- Percent admitted: 100%
- Admissions requirements: N/A
Goodwin University is an accredited career college that offers undergraduate programs, certificates, and master’s programs. They teach nursing, business, manufacturing, and education fields. It’s best known for its healthcare and medical school programs, making it a strong option if you hope to work in the medical field.
University of Maine at Augusta
- Location: Augusta, ME
- Number of applicant per year: N/A
- Percent admitted: 100%
- Admissions requirements: N/A
University of Maine at Augusta is part of a well-recognized public University of Maine system. You can easily enroll in the school’s online or in-person programs under its open admission policies. The university system has over 42 college campuses and more than 30 years of distance education experience.
The Augusta location offers 41 degree programs and 15 certificates. Eligible students can also apply for its Pine Tree State Pledge educational assistance fund to get a tuition guarantee program at the school.
Southern New Hampshire University
- Location: Manchester, NH
- Number of applicant per year: 27,953
- Percent admitted: 92%
- Admissions requirements: Secondary school GPA, secondary school record, completion of college-preparatory program, recommendations, TOEFL
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) offers online and in-person programs with high admission rates and a straightforward application process. The US News & World Report ranks SNHU as number one in the country’s most innovative schools. It’s best recognized for its programs in information technology, data science, education, healthcare, and business fields.
Roger Williams University
- Location: Bristol, RI
- Number of applicant per year: 8,163
- Percent admitted: 91%
- Admissions requirements: Secondary school GPA, secondary school record, completion of college-preparatory program, recommendations
If you want a highly regarded business program in New England, Roger Williams University is worth looking into. The undergraduate admissions process at this school is simple. It only requires an online application, official transcripts, recommendations, and a personal essay. SAT or ACT scores aren’t mandatory, allowing students who didn’t meet the minimum scores to still apply.
University of New England
- Location: Biddeford, ME
- Number of applicant per year: 4,765
- Percent admitted: 90%
- Admissions requirements: Secondary school GPA, secondary school record, TOEFL
University of New England is a top-tier healthcare and medical school that offers both online and on-campus programs. Through the University of New England’s dental medicine school, you can land this lucrative job. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for dentists is $163,220. However, consider that its admissions process for medical students is significantly more difficult.
Franklin Pierce University
- Location: Rindge, NH
- Number of applicant per year: 3,305
- Percent admitted: 89%
- Admissions requirements: Secondary school GPA, secondary school record, recommendations, TOEFL
Franklin Pierce University is yet another good New England school with a high acceptance rate. It has a small class size with a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1. According to Grad Reports, Franklin Pierce University ranks 4th among the best colleges in New Hampshire by salary score. You can attend the school’s well-known business, information technology, or law schools.
Castleton University
- Location: Castleton, VT
- Number of applicant per year: 2,447
- Percent admitted: 87%
- Admissions requirements: Secondary school GPA, secondary school record, completion of college-preparatory program, recommendations, TOEFL
Castleton University is a public school founded in 1787 and became the first higher institution in Vermont. It has a high acceptance rate, which indicates a positive chance for prospective undergraduate students. It offers more than 75 academic programs, with registered nursing, criminal justice, healthcare, and sports management being its popular majors.
Norwich University
- Location: Northfield, VT
- Number of applicant per year: 3,280
- Percent admitted: 87%
- Admissions requirements: Secondary school GPA, secondary school record, TOEFL
Norwich University is a private military college that offers programs covering environmental science, computer engineering, design, and information assurance topics. This is a great school for veterans interested in tech fields. It offers both online and in-person programs that also suit non-military students.
Southern Connecticut State University
- Location: New Haven, CT
- Number of applicant per year: 7,294
- Percent admitted: 83%
- Admissions requirements: Secondary school GPA, secondary school record, TOEFL.
Southern Connecticut State University offers more than 225 academic programs and has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1. Its most popular majors cover anthropology, nursing, information technology, and business fields. In its admissions process, the school requires a minimum 2.7 cumulative GPA and reviews the applicant’s grades in STEM fields for admissions.
Salve Regina University
- Location: New Port, RI
- Number of applicant per year: 5,104
- Percent admitted: 73%
- Admissions requirements: Secondary school GPA, secondary school record, completion of college-preparatory program, recommendations, TOEFL
Salve Regina University is an accredited private school best known for its Center for Global Education and Fellowships program. It offers undergraduate majors in homeland security, behavioral analysis, biochemistry, business, cyber security, and data science fields.
Online Colleges Based in New England That Are Easy to Get Into
Online colleges offer a flexible and accredited education apt for busy individuals and full-time professionals. It is also a great choice for those who want a relatively affordable education. Read on to find the best online colleges based in New England that are easy to get into.
- University of New Hampshire. University of New Hampshire has admitted 87 percent of its Fall 2021 undergrad applicants. It’s best known for its Master of Business Administration online program. You can enroll in individual courses, master’s degree programs, or doctoral degree programs on its online platform.
- Western New England University. Western New England’s online school offers a robust online graduate degree program in business fields. It admitted 90 percent of Fall 2021 undergraduate applicants.
- Lesley University. If a career in design, technology, art, or business is your goal, then Lesley University’s online programs are for you. They offer flexible programs covering business management, psychology, and education subjects.
- Bay Path University. Bay Path University is a Massachusetts-based online, in-person, and hybrid school. It offers online undergraduate and graduate programs in cyber security, education, and information technology.
- Northern Vermont University. Northern Vermont University has a high acceptance rate and offers distance-based educational degrees and programs. You can get an online degree in childhood education, criminal justice, or digital media fields from this school.
Should I Attend Community College in New England and Then Transfer to University?
Yes, you should attend community college in New England and then transfer to university for a four-year degree. If you’re a student who wants a more affordable undergraduate education, it would help to attend a community college first. You can focus on your major’s foundational courses, which will be valuable later on in your advanced degree.
Easiest Community Colleges to Get Into in New England
Below are the easiest community colleges to get into in New England where you can get associate degrees, undergraduate certificates, or hands-on training. Many community colleges in the list below have an open admissions policy.
New England Community Colleges That Are Easy to Get Into
- Greenfield Community College
- Community College of Rhode Island
- North Shore Community College
- Mount Wachusett Community College
- Holyoke Community College
Should I Attend a University in New England With a High Acceptance Rate?
Yes, you should attend a university in New England with a high acceptance rate. New England is home to both hard to get into and easy to get into schools. Your education from an accredited, easy to get into university will prepare you for the same careers. At the end of the day, it doesn’t always matter where you get your degree, as long as you have developed a strong knowledge-base.
Popular New England universities that have a high acceptance rate are Southern New Hampshire University, University of New England, and Rogers Williams University. These universities offer tons of well regarded degree and certificate programs to help you in your career entry and growth.
Easiest Colleges to Get Into in New England FAQ
Some New England colleges that offer open admissions include Goodwin University, University of Maine at Augusta, and Holyoke Community College.
The common admissions requirements for New England’s easy to get into colleges are a high school diploma or a GED, minimum GPA, recommendation letters, and a personal statement.
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Some of the easiest schools to get into in New England are Goodwin University, Southern New Hampshire University, and University of Maine at Augusta.
Yes, you can get into New England college with a 2.0 cumulative GPA on your high school grades. You can get into schools with open admissions or no GPA requirements.
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