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Best Early Action Schools

ANNUAL COST
ACCEPTANCE RATE
ACT
SAT
Do you want to apply to college early, but without the commitment of early decision? Early action can improve your chances of admission by getting ahead of the crowd. Our educational experts examined every single school in the nation and couldn't be more elated to put on the map our quintessential 2022 Best Colleges with Early Action list. We wish you the best of luck during this exciting new phase of your life! New England leads the nation in producing superior quality colleges with early action, accounting for 3 of the top 10 schools. Next is the South Atlantic, with 2 of the top 10. The 10 highest ranked colleges with early action have an average enrollment of 8,924 full-time undergraduates. They have an average acceptance rate of 10.5%, and their accepted students have a mean SAT score of 1493 and ACT score of 34. On average, they end up costing close to $21,210 a year, after accounting for financial aid and scholarships, and their students are awarded $43,125 on average in aid per year. Furthermore, they have a median of 6.5 undergrads for every professor, and their average School Authority score for academics is 10.
#1
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA

MIT is an elite private college located in Cambridge, Massachusetts in the Boston Area. It is a small institution with an enrollment of 4,510 undergraduate students. Admissions is extremely competitive as the MIT acceptance rate is only 7%. Popular majors include Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Mathematics. Graduating 94% of students, MIT alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $82,200.

Tuition
$51,832
Acceptance
7%
SAT Score
1500-1570
ACT Score
34-36
#2
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University In Stanford, CA, Stanford University is one of the most renowned private universities in the world, second overall in the USA. Admission is fiercely competitive. It is a mid-sized university with 6,710 full-time undergrads in attendance. Stanford provides 50 available majors across three academic disciplines. The most often desired focuses are Computer Science, Biology, and Engineering, with 18% of graduates receiving a Bachelor's in Computer Science. 11% and 11% of students study Biology and Engineering, respectively. Its psychology and environmental science programs are both ranked first in America. Furthermore, Stanford is 1st in CA for best colleges and hardest to get in to. Tuition costs $53,921 a year at full sticker price. Before you rule out applying because of the cost, be aware that 69% of Stanford undergrads acquire some scholarship or grant funding. 95% of Stanford University students wind up their studies with a degree, hopeful and equipped to move into the employment market. On average, alumni earn an annual income of $70,400 two years after college. After 4 more years on the job, the graduate's average earnings rises 33.5% to $94,000, which is 2.34 times the national median wage. Applying students may also like to know that your high school rank is neither required nor recommended to apply. Furthermore, 16% of available classes are on the small side, with 20 to 39 students, and Stanford does not offer evening degree programs. With regard for your cash flow, be aware that the average amount of Pell grant aid awarded is $5,197 and students awarded federal grants receive $5,889 in monetary aid on average. Overall, Stanford received a 10 and our team of researchers rated Stanford a 9.46 out of 10 for athletics. With regard for life on campus, on average, undergraduates spend $5,860 on meal plans. Finally, six years after college, 10% of Stanford alumni do not have a job and below 1 in 20 alumni fail to repay their student loans.

Tuition
$51,354
#3
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University is one of the most highly respected universities in the world, ranking third overall in the US. It is located on a stunning campus in New Haven, CT, and only admits 6% of applicants. It has a medium-sized student body with full-time enrollment of 5,455 undergrads. 12% of its graduates get a Bachelor's degree in Economics. Additional favored options include Political Science and Government, Cellular Biology, and Liberal Arts and Humanities, but there are 57 focuses to choose from. Its history, global studies, and anthropology programs are all ranked #1 in America. Additionally, Yale University placed 1st in Connecticut for top private universities. At sticker price, tuition is $52,725 annually. That being said, just above 3 out of 5 students procure monetary support. 96% of Yale University students wind up their education with a diploma in hand, equipped to begin the next phase of their lives: full-time employment. On average, alumni earn an annual salary of $56,600 two years after receiving their diplomas. After four additional years in the job market, the alumni's median yearly wage grows 47% to $83,200, which is higher than double the national median for individuals. Many of you may want to hear that it does not have early decision and ACT scores are submitted by 51% of applicants. Additionally, it does not offer evening degree programs. Concerning your pocketbook, be aware that the average tuition for people from households with an income of over $110k a year is around $37,122 and students awarded institutional grants receive $45,468 in aid on average. When rating its academics, it received a 10 out of 10 and our college specialists rated it a 7.52 out of 10 for its safety. Regarding life on campus, it has a salmagundi of clubs and activities, like film society, television station, and student government. To wrap things up, two years after completing their studies, 93% of alumni are gainfully employed and one in four graduates take home a starting salary of $32,400 or less.

Tuition
$55,500
Acceptance
6%
SAT Score
1460-1570
ACT Score
33-35
#4
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard is an elite private university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts in the Boston Area. It is a mid-size institution with an enrollment of 7,147 undergraduate students. Admissions is extremely competitive as the Harvard acceptance rate is only 5%. Popular majors include Economics, Computer Science, and Political Science and Government. Graduating 98% of students, Harvard alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $70,300.

Tuition
$50,420
Acceptance
5%
SAT Score
1460-1580
ACT Score
33-35
#5
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton is an elite private university located in Princeton, New Jersey. It is a mid-size institution with an enrollment of 5,260 undergraduate students. Admissions is extremely competitive as the Princeton acceptance rate is only 5%. Popular majors include Computer Hardware Engineering, Economics, and Public Policy Analysis. Graduating 96% of students, Princeton alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $60,800.

Tuition
$50,340
Acceptance
5%
SAT Score
1440-1570
ACT Score
32-35
#6
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University of Chicago is a private university in Chicago, IL. It is a very distinguished college, ranked 20th in the nation, with an extremely low acceptance rate. its most commonly elected major is a Bachelor's in Economics, which represents 19% of students. Other popular choices include Mathematics, which accounts for 9% of students, and Biology (8%). Its math, economics, and public policy programs are all ranked third in the nation, and its math, anthropology, chemistry, computer science, and economics programs all rank first in Illinois. Also, it comes in 1st in Illinois for top colleges for international students. For students who pay full freight, tuition costs $52,653 annually. That being said, just above 60% of students are awarded at least some scholarship or grant funding. 95% of University of Chicago undergraduates end up winding up their studies with a diploma, heading into the labor force ready to make some money. The average alumnus earns a salary of $54,300 two years after commencement. After 4 more years on the job, the alumni's median salary rises 25.4% to $68,100, which is 69.8% on top of the national median earnings. Applicants might like to be informed that there is a $75 application fee and it is considered but not required that you include your high school rank when submitting your application. Furthermore, students can take a semester abroad. With regard for your pocketbook, be aware that for households with an income of $49k to $75k, the average net tuition cost is $7,536 per year and for households with an income of less than $30k, the average cost of tuition less scholarships and aid is $3,019 annually. Related to demographics, students 17 or younger make up 2% of the student body and 16% of undergraduates are from Illinois. With regard for life on campus, on-campus housing is available. To wind things up, six years after receiving their degrees, the lowest-earning quartile of graduates earn $43,900 or less and hardly any alumni fail to repay their student debt.

Tuition
$55,425
Acceptance
7%
SAT Score
1470-1570
ACT Score
33-35
#7
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA

Caltech is an elite private college located in Pasadena, California in the Los Angeles Area. It is a small institution with an enrollment of 961 undergraduate students. Admissions is extremely competitive as the Caltech acceptance rate is only 7%. Popular majors include Computer Science, Physics, and Electrical Engineering. Graduating 92% of students, Caltech alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $54,500.

Tuition
$52,362
Acceptance
7%
SAT Score
1530-1580
ACT Score
35-36
#8
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown is a highly rated private, Catholic university located in Washington, D.C. It is a mid-size institution with an enrollment of 6,987 undergraduate students. Admissions is extremely competitive as the Georgetown acceptance rate is 15%. Popular majors include Political Science and Government, International Relations, and Finance. Graduating 94% of students, Georgetown alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $65,200.

Tuition
$54,104
Acceptance
15%
SAT Score
1370-1530
ACT Score
31-34
#9
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

Michigan is a highly rated public university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the Detroit Area. It is a large institution with an enrollment of 28,702 undergraduate students. Admissions is competitive as the Michigan acceptance rate is 23%. Popular majors include Information Science, Business, and Economics. Graduating 92% of students, Michigan alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $49,800.

Tuition
$15,558
Acceptance
23%
SAT Score
1330-1510
ACT Score
30-34
#10
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA

UVA is a highly rated public university located in Charlottesville, Virginia. It is a large institution with an enrollment of 15,766 undergraduate students. Admissions is competitive as the UVA acceptance rate is 26%. Popular majors include Liberal Arts and Humanities, Economics, and Business. Graduating 94% of students, UVA alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $50,300.

Tuition
$17,653
Acceptance
26%
SAT Score
1330-1500
ACT Score
30-34
#11
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Tech is a highly rated public college located in Atlanta, Georgia. It is a big institution with an enrollment of 13,974 undergraduate students. Admissions is competitive as the Georgia Tech acceptance rate is 22%. Popular majors include Information Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Business. Graduating 87% of students, Georgia Tech alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $65,500.

Tuition
$12,424
Acceptance
22%
SAT Score
1390-1540
ACT Score
31-34
#12
Northeastern University
Boston, MA

Northeastern is a highly rated private university located in Boston, Massachusetts. It is a large institution with an enrollment of 13,786 undergraduate students. Admissions is competitive as the Northeastern acceptance rate is 19%. Popular majors include Business, Economics, and Mechanical Engineering. Graduating 88% of students, Northeastern alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $54,400.

Tuition
$51,522
Acceptance
19%
SAT Score
1360-1540
ACT Score
32-34
#13
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Tech is a highly rated public college located in Blacksburg, Virginia. It is a big institution with an enrollment of 26,603 undergraduate students. Admissions is somewhat competitive as the Virginia Tech acceptance rate is 65%. Popular majors include Mechanical Engineering, Management Sciences and Information Systems, and Finance. Graduating 84% of students, Virginia Tech alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $48,000.

Tuition
$13,691
Acceptance
65%
SAT Score
1180-1390
ACT Score
25-31
#14
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

UNC is a highly rated public university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina in the Raleigh Area. It is a large institution with an enrollment of 18,303 undergraduate students. Admissions is competitive as the UNC acceptance rate is 23%. Popular majors include Communications, Biology, and Psychology. Graduating 89% of students, UNC alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $41,000.

Tuition
$8,987
Acceptance
23%
SAT Score
1270-1480
ACT Score
29-33
#15
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL

Illinois is a highly rated public university located in Champaign, Illinois. It is a large institution with an enrollment of 32,613 undergraduate students. Admissions is somewhat competitive as the Illinois acceptance rate is 62%. Popular majors include Research and Experimental Psychology, Economics, and Accounting. Graduating 84% of students, Illinois alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $47,100.

Tuition
$15,094
Acceptance
62%
SAT Score
1200-1460
ACT Score
26-32
#16
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University of Miami is a private university located in Coral Gables, FL. It is a well-regarded institution, currently ranked 79th in America, with somewhat selective admissions (32% acceptance rate). It has a middle sized student body with 9,705 full-time undergrads enrolled. University of Miami offers 99 majors across eight academic disciplines. The most popular options are Finance, Nursing, and Economics, with 7% of graduates receiving a Bachelor's degree in Finance. 7% and 5% of students study Nursing and Economics, respectively. It has impressive sports management and physical therapy programs, both ranking 5th in the nation. It also has the #1 philosophy and film programs Florida. Additionally, it ranked 1st in FL on our best early action colleges, best early decision colleges, and best colleges that accept the common app lists. For applicants based in Florida, full price tuition runs $52,737. Students residing in other states must pay $47,714 per year. Before you rule out applying due to the price, be aware that around seven out of ten students receive at least some financial support. 81% of University of Miami undergraduates end up receiving a degree, green and awaiting to land a great job. The median alumnus earns $47,500 two years after university. After an additional four years of work experience, the alumni's median yearly income rises 26.5% to $60,100, which is 49.9% greater than the national median earnings. Some of you might also want to know that its undergraduates typically scored between 8 and 9 on the writing section of the ACT. Additionally, 92% of first-time students continue pursuing their studies the next year. With respect to your checkbook, be aware that the average amount of aid awarded through federal grants is $6,999 and 13% of undergraduates receive federal grants. For its location, it received a 9.53 and its overall rating on School Authority is 10. On the subject of campus life, 90% of first-year students live in on-campus housing. To conclude, two years after completing their studies, 9% of alums are out of work and six years after receiving their diplomas, one out of every four graduates make $38,200 or less.

Tuition
$52,080
Acceptance
32%
SAT Score
1250-1430
ACT Score
29-32
#17
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova is a highly rated private, Catholic university located in Radnor Township, Pennsylvania in the Philadelphia Area. It is a mid-size institution with an enrollment of 6,525 undergraduate students. Admissions is competitive as the Villanova acceptance rate is 29%. Popular majors include Finance, Nursing, and Communications. Graduating 91% of students, Villanova alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $62,600.

Tuition
$54,550
Acceptance
29%
SAT Score
1300-1470
ACT Score
30-33
#18
Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist is a highly rated private, Christian university located in University Park, Texas in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area. It is a mid-size institution with an enrollment of 6,240 undergraduate students. Admissions is fairly competitive as the Southern Methodist acceptance rate is 51%. Popular majors include Finance, Economics, and Mathematics. Graduating 78% of students, Southern Methodist alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $54,300.

Tuition
$54,492
Acceptance
51%
SAT Score
1280-1460
ACT Score
29-33