function calculateAdmissionRate() {
// Get input values
var applicantsStr = document.getElementById('totalApplicants').value;
var acceptedStr = document.getElementById('totalAccepted').value;
// Parse values
var applicants = parseInt(applicantsStr);
var accepted = parseInt(acceptedStr);
var resultBox = document.getElementById('resultBox');
var rateValue = document.getElementById('rateValue');
var interpretationText = document.getElementById('interpretationText');
var badge = document.getElementById('selectivityBadge');
// Validation
if (isNaN(applicants) || isNaN(accepted)) {
alert("Please enter valid numbers for both fields.");
resultBox.style.display = 'none';
return;
}
if (applicants <= 0) {
alert("Total applicants must be greater than zero.");
resultBox.style.display = 'none';
return;
}
if (accepted applicants) {
alert("Number of accepted students cannot be higher than the total number of applicants.");
resultBox.style.display = 'none';
return;
}
// Calculation
var rate = (accepted / applicants) * 100;
// Formatting
var formattedRate = rate.toFixed(2) + '%';
// Interpretation Logic
var interpretation = "";
var badgeColor = "";
var badgeText = "";
if (rate <= 10) {
interpretation = "This institution is **Extremely Selective**. Competition is fierce, typically seen in Ivy League schools and top-tier military academies.";
badgeColor = "#e74c3c"; // Red
badgeText = "Extremely Selective";
} else if (rate <= 30) {
interpretation = "This institution is **Highly Selective**. Admission is difficult and usually requires excellent academic credentials.";
badgeColor = "#e67e22"; // Orange
badgeText = "Highly Selective";
} else if (rate <= 60) {
interpretation = "This institution is **Moderately Selective**. A balanced number of applicants are accepted.";
badgeColor = "#f1c40f"; // Yellow
badgeText = "Moderately Selective";
} else if (rate <= 85) {
interpretation = "This institution has **Low Selectivity**. Most applicants who meet the basic requirements are admitted.";
badgeColor = "#27ae60"; // Green
badgeText = "Low Selectivity";
} else {
interpretation = "This institution is **Open Admission** or nearly so. Almost all applicants are accepted.";
badgeColor = "#2ecc71"; // Light Green
badgeText = "Open Admission";
}
// Display results
resultBox.style.display = 'block';
rateValue.innerHTML = formattedRate;
interpretationText.innerHTML = interpretation;
badge.style.backgroundColor = badgeColor;
badge.innerHTML = badgeText;
}
How to Calculate Admission Rate
Calculating the admission rate (also known as the acceptance rate) is a fundamental metric used to determine the selectivity of universities, colleges, and other competitive programs. It represents the percentage of applicants who are offered admission compared to the total pool of applicants.
Understanding this figure helps prospective students gauge their chances of getting in and assists institutions in analyzing their popularity and exclusivity year over year.
The Admission Rate Formula
The math behind calculating an admission rate is straightforward. It is a simple ratio converted into a percentage.
Admission Rate = (Number of Accepted Students / Total Number of Applicants) × 100
Where:
Number of Accepted Students: The count of individuals who received an official offer of admission.
Total Number of Applicants: The total count of individuals who submitted a complete application package.
Step-by-Step Calculation Guide
Follow these steps to calculate the rate manually:
Gather Data: Obtain the total number of applications received during the admissions cycle and the total number of acceptance letters sent out.
Divide: Divide the number of accepted students by the number of total applicants. This will give you a decimal less than or equal to 1.
Multiply: Multiply that decimal by 100 to convert it into a percentage.
Real-World Example
Scenario: University X received 15,000 applications for the Fall semester. After reviewing all applications, the admissions committee sent out acceptance letters to 3,500 students.
Calculation:
1. Divide Accepted by Applicants: 3,500 ÷ 15,000 = 0.2333…
2. Convert to Percentage: 0.2333 × 100 = 23.33%
Result: University X has an admission rate of roughly 23.3%, making it a highly selective institution.
What is a "Good" Admission Rate?
Admission rates vary wildly depending on the type of institution:
Ivy League & Top Tier: Often below 5-7%. These are "Reach" schools for almost everyone.
Highly Selective: Between 10% and 30%. These include competitive state flagship universities and prestigious private colleges.
Moderately Selective: Between 50% and 70%. These schools accept the majority of qualified applicants.
Open Admission: Near 100%. Community colleges and some state schools often accept all students who have a high school diploma.
Difference Between Admission Rate and Enrollment Rate
It is important not to confuse the Admission Rate with the Yield Rate (Enrollment Rate). The Admission Rate measures how many students the school wants. The Yield Rate measures how many of those accepted students actually choose to attend the school.
A school might admit 1,000 students, but if only 500 enroll, the Yield Rate is 50%. The calculator above specifically focuses on the initial offer of admission.