Many Colleges Still Have Open Seats
Still looking? More than a few colleges are still accepting students for Fall 2025.
It is late May—but that doesn’t mean your college options are closed.
A surprising number of colleges and universities, including some big names, still have space in their incoming class.
Why do colleges still have open spots?
Colleges are facing unpredictable enrollment numbers.
As students apply to more schools, yield rates have dropped. Yield is the % of accepted students who chose to enroll.
Between 2001 and 2023, college applications rose 211%, while enrollment increased just 43% (source). In other words, students are applying - and getting accepted to - more colleges and universities, but they can still attend only one. The result is more uncertainty and more open seats.
Think of it like this: if you invite 10 friends to a birthday party and only 3 show up, next time you’ll probably send 20 invites just to be safe. That’s what colleges are doing—admitting more students because fewer are saying yes.
Colleges try to predict their yield rates, but it is an imperfect science. Hence, there are still openings for students in the fall.
Where can I find colleges still accepting applications?
Start with the Common App’s Explore tool, which is found on the College Search tab.
You can filter by application deadline and availability. Use the location fields to find colleges near you, or in a state where you’d like to attend college.
A quick search for colleges still accepting applications for students in Washington state (where I live) shows openings at really great schools such as Washington State University and Evergreen State College.
Tips for applying now
Prioritize schools with rolling admissions—they admit students until classes fill.
Contact admissions offices directly to confirm availability and show interest.
Take the time to submit a strong application. A rushed app helps no one.
Bottom Line: If you want to go to college, you haven’t missed your chance. But, be thoughtful—and be quick. Fall is closer than it looks.