College Football Powerhouses Are Harder to Get Into Than Ever—Here’s Why

College football powerhouses like Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, and Clemson aren’t just known for their athletic success—they’ve also become much harder to get into. Over the past five years, these schools have seen big changes in their admissions process, making them more competitive than ever. Let’s take a look at what’s behind the shift and what it means for students applying.


Admissions Rates: A Steady Decline

Key Factors Driving the Shift

  • Winning Teams Attract More Applicants: Championship success drives up interest. Georgia saw a 68% increase in out-of-state applications, and Alabama’s applications rose 42%.
  • Universities Want More Committed Students: Schools like Michigan now defer many early applicants to see who stays engaged.
  • State Policies Favor In-State Students: Public universities like UNC and UVA allocate 82% of spots to in-state students, making it harder for out-of-state applicants to get in.

How This Plays Out at Specific Schools:

  • Alabama: Admit rate dropped from 80% to 45%. Honors College is even tougher, with just 12% acceptance.
  • Georgia: Admit rate fell from 48% to 29%, with a major surge in applications.
  • Clemson: Out-of-state acceptance rate decreased from 38% to 26%, despite a 30% rise in applications.



Testing Policies In 2025

  • Higher Scores Matter: Even test-optional schools report increased SAT/ACT averages because only top scorers submit results.
  • STEM & Business Majors Need Strong Math Scores: Many elite programs look for SAT Math 750+ or ACT Math 33+.
  • University of Florida: Still requires tests. STEM admits had an average SAT of 1450.
  • USC: Test-optional but 75% of admitted students still submitted scores. Mid-range SAT: 1420–1540.


Who’s Getting In? The New Student Profile

Academic Averages for Admitted Students (2025)



What It Takes to Get Into Popular Majors

  • Computer Science: Out-of-state admit rates at UT Austin and Washington are below 7%. Applicants need strong coding experience and high math scores.
  • Business: Schools like Michigan’s Ross and UT Austin’s McCombs seek leadership roles, high test scores, and relevant extracurriculars.
  • Engineering: Georgia Tech’s out-of-state admit rate is 6%, and nearly all admitted students took AP Physics.


Other Key Factors for Admission

  • Impressive Extracurriculars: Students who stand out have 2–3 major accomplishments, such as internships or leadership in community organizations.
  • STEM Competitions Boost Applications: 18% of admitted STEM students earned honors in competitions like Regeneron ISEF or USAMO.


How Students Can Improve Their Chances

  • Take Rigorous Courses: To stay competitive, students need 6+ AP/IB classes.
  • Plan Your Activities: Prioritize major-related activities, and go deep rather than padding your resume
  • Research Schools Offering Merit Aid: Some public universities, like Alabama, provide scholarships to strong out-of-state applicants.
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