2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate – Division III Independents

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Division III Independents

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The acceptance rate of an institution measures how many students are accepted as a percentage of the number who apply. Colleges and universities that are more selective are generally seen as more prestigious as it is harder to gain acceptance and enroll. But, there are many factors that influence overall acceptance rate, including the overall number of applicants and the strength of applications received.

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Rank	Institution	Undergraduates	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Maine Maritime Academy	945	56.06	1,100 – 1,260	21433	93944	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate – Division III Independents Maine Maritime Academy Castine, ME Located on a peninsula on the Bagaduce River and Penobscot Bay, the Maine Maritime Academy is a non-federal maritime training school. Students aren’t required to join the military after graduation. Many study Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer. A fairly selective school, 30% of those accepted enroll. Undergraduates 945 Acceptance Rate 56.1 % 10.6% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,260 Avg. Net Price $21,433 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $93,944
2	Albertus Magnus College	892	64.37	830 – 1,160	30179	47153	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate – Division III Independents Albertus Magnus College New Haven, CT Found in New Haven, Albertus Magnus College’s acceptance rate is 64%. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications and $50 for graduate applications. About 97% of students attending Albertus Magnus College currently receive institutional grant aid. At Albertus Magnus College, there is a 74% first year retention rate and......Read more Undergraduates 892 Acceptance Rate 64.4 % SAT Score 830 – 1,160 Avg. Net Price $30,179 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,153
3	Lyon College	584	65.54	1,080 – 1,240	22675	37629	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate – Division III Independents Lyon College Batesville, AR Found in Batesville, Lyon College accepts 66% of applicants. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications and . About 100% of students at Lyon College currently receive institutional grant aid. At Lyon College, there is a 50% first year retention rate and a 37% four year graduation rate....Read more Undergraduates 584 Acceptance Rate 65.5 % 9.5% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $22,675 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,629
4	University of California-Santa Cruz	17940	65.57	1,180 – 1,390	16526	49716	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate – Division III Independents University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA Found in Santa Cruz, the University of California-Santa Cruz accepts 66% of applicants and requests $80 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 57% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. 88% of students decide to stay at the University of California-Santa Cruz after completing their first year....Read more Undergraduates 17,940 Acceptance Rate 65.6 % 7.0% SAT Score 1,180 – 1,390 Avg. Net Price $16,526 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,716
5	Pacific Lutheran University	2446	78	1,070 – 1,290	23841	52212	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate – Division III Independents Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, WA Pacific Lutheran University’s motto is “Education for Lives of Thoughtful Inquiry, Service, Leadership, and Care.” Many students study Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Business Administration and Management, and General. The school opened in 1894, where tuition was $1 per week....Read more Undergraduates 2,446 Acceptance Rate 78.0 % 3.2% SAT Score 1,070 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $23,841 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,212
6	Cairn University-Langhorne	846	88.17	1,000 – 1,160	27603	37077	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate – Division III Independents Cairn University-Langhorne Langhorne, PA Based in Langhorne, Cairn University-Langhorne accepted 88% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges $25 for undergraduate applications. About 62% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid....Read more Undergraduates 846 Acceptance Rate 88.2 % 8.9% SAT Score 1,000 – 1,160 Avg. Net Price $27,603 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,077
7	King's College	1568	93.05	1,080 – 1,280	25608	51734	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate – Division III Independents King's College Wilkes-Barre, PA King's College, founded in 1946, began as a college for men however today men make up 54% of the student population and 45% of enrolled students are women. Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other, Physician Assistant, Business Administration and Management, and General are popular majors and 59% of students will......Read more Undergraduates 1,568 Acceptance Rate 93.1 % 0.2% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $25,608 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,734
8	Hilbert College	939	98	970 – 1,240	22224	45369	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate – Division III Independents Hilbert College Hamburg, NY Found in Hamburg, Hilbert College accepts 98% of applicants. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications and $25 for graduate applications. Approximately 96% of students attending Hilbert College will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 71% of students continued their studies at......Read more Undergraduates 939 Acceptance Rate 98.0 % 2.6% SAT Score 970 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $22,224 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,369

School data is from 2022–2023 (top 500 results shown) for schools with at least 100 undergraduate students.

2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate – Division III Independents

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2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate – Division III Independents

945

56.1 % 10.6%

1,100 – 1,260

$21,433

$93,944

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate – Division III Independents

892

64.4 %

830 – 1,160

$30,179

$47,153

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate – Division III Independents

584

65.5 % 9.5%

1,080 – 1,240

$22,675

$37,629

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate – Division III Independents

17,940

65.6 % 7.0%

1,180 – 1,390

$16,526

$49,716

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate – Division III Independents

2,446

78.0 % 3.2%

1,070 – 1,290

$23,841

$52,212

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate – Division III Independents

846

88.2 % 8.9%

1,000 – 1,160

$27,603

$37,077

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate – Division III Independents

1,568

93.1 % 0.2%

1,080 – 1,280

$25,608

$51,734

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate – Division III Independents

939

98.0 % 2.6%

970 – 1,240

$22,224

$45,369

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56.1 %
10.6%

65.5 %
9.5%

65.6 %
7.0%

78.0 %
3.2%

88.2 %
8.9%

93.1 %
0.2%

98.0 %
2.6%