In this article, you will learn about the top 30 universities in the world with the highest acceptance rates. As the article is geared towards international students, we will accommodate a host of other factors besides acceptance rates. The best institutions for international students should not only have high acceptance rates but also low tuition, world-standard education, be safe, and be located at a destination with a low cost of living. It doesn’t help anyone to know that a university has a 100% acceptance rate if that university is expensive beyond tolerance. A few of such universities are included in our list, but they are at the bottom. They may have higher acceptance rates than others on the top, but their cost of both tuition and living expenses justifies their position. Most of these are American, European, and Canadian universities.
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WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT UNIVERSITY RANKINGS
American universities dominate QS rankings; do not use QS rankings as a dominant deciding factor. Read on to learn why. The downside of universities in the US is that they are overly expensive while giving the same or even less quality education compared to their European or Asian counterparts. Every world university ranking has an element of bias. Ranking factors are widely accepted for assessing the worth of an institution, but because America very much influences most ranking organizations, the rankings lean favorably toward American universities. The top universities in the world largely feature American and a few European and Canadian universities. It gives any uninformed prospective international student the impression that universities in the US are far superior to those in other countries. This is propaganda.
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Of course, ranking organizations will attempt to veil any bias. Concealing bias helps establish and maintain credibility. They do this by sparsely slotting in a number of Asian and European universities among their top figures. Such tactics are meant to convince prospective international students that the ranking approach is purely objective.
Also read, Top 10 Cheapest Countries to Study as an International Student.
To demonstrate the truth of this situation, if you Google the top ten universities in the world to study medicine, you will find American universities on top, and you are not likely to find any German universities on the list of the top ten. Yet Germany leads the world in producing the best doctors. Similarly, if you Google the top ten universities in the world to study engineering, you will end up seeing American universities listed by USNews (an American organization that spins a lot of propaganda regarding institutions). Yet, Russia produces far better weapon systems, as demonstrated by the wars in the Middle East. More engineering knowledge goes into military war machines than in any civilian machine.
On our list, some universities may have higher acceptance rates but will be placed at the bottom. This is because we considered some factors like tuition, cost of living, and prominence. Every university in this article delivers world-class education, regardless of the rank given to it by QS or similar organizations.
Here is our list of the top 30.
But first, watch this video for more information.
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Let’s begin.
MANAGEMENT AND SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
The Management and Science University was founded in 2001. It started as a University College of Technology and Management in Malaysia and was approved as a university in 2007. It adopted the acronym MSU in 2007. Studies have proved that some 98% of students who graduate from this university are almost certain to land a job within the first six months of graduation. The university is equipped with several learning facilities, including cyber labs, audio editing labs, etc.
It is one of the universities in Malaysia with a high acceptance rate. Its acceptance rate hovers at 95%. In 2019, Times Higher Education ranked MSU among the top 350 universities in the world. It is ranked #580 in the QS World University Rankings 2025.
Also read, The Top 10 Hardest Schools to Get Into
LIMKOKWING UNIVERSITY OF CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
This university is focused on developing innovative minds. The name says it all. It was established in 1991 as the Limkokwing Institute of Creative Technology. It had a name change in 2010. The university has since expanded to host students from over 150 countries. Its reputation makes it popular with students from Asia, Africa, and Europe. The university has campuses in many countries, and it has a student population of 30,000.
With an acceptance rate of 90%, it is one of a few universities that absorb a large number of students every year. This gives you confidence as an international student applying to study there. Combined with the safety and low tuition and living costs of Malaysia, it is no surprise that the university is so prominent internationally. The university has an overall student score of 4.0 stars.
TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
It is one of Malaysia’s largest universities, delivering world-class education to students of different nationalities. It was founded in 1969 as Tunku Abdul Rahman College before later adopting the current name. The college runs its main campuses in Kuala Lumpur and five others in cities and towns across Malaysia. The university manages over 28,000 students and has a high annual acceptance rate.
The acceptance rate of this prestigious institution is 89%. Considering the large number of applicants each year and the quality of education it provides, this university is indisputably one of the best study destinations for international students. Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) is one of the top private universities in Sungai Long, Malaysia. It is ranked #801–850 in the QS World University Rankings 2025.
UNIVERSITY OF TENAGA NASIONAL (UNITEN)
UNITEN was established in 1976. It is one of the first private universities in Malaysia. It was initially named Institut Latihan Sultan Ahmad Shah (ILSAS), but had a name change in 1997, which remains the case to date. Some of its signature courses include Accounting and Finance, Business Management, Humanities, and Engineering. The institution is open to international applicants.
It has an acceptance rate of 85% and ranks between 801–1000th on the World University Rankings 2020.
ST. PETERSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS
This university is formally called the Leningrad Institute of Finance and Economics. It has an impressive history that dates back to the 1930s. The university in its present state was a merger of two universities: the University of Engineering and Economics and the University of Service and Economics.
It comprises 11 faculties with a total enrollment of 13,000 students and 850 employed academic staff, giving it a student-to-faculty ratio of 1 to 15. Students have a chance to take part in discussions concerning modern issues every April at the Students’ Scientific Conference.
With an acceptance rate of 97%, students have a good chance of being accepted for admission. Plus, Russia is a cheap country to study in and has some of the best scientific brains on Earth. The university ranks #38 in Russia.
HERZEN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY OF RUSSIA
This is one of the biggest universities in Russia. It was established in 1797, making it one of the oldest in the country. The university has expanded to more than 100 departments, comprising 20 faculties. It has a student population of about 20,000. The university has some honorable names attributed to it, such as Alexander Kushner and Berg R. L., whose areas of specialization were poetry and genetics, respectively. Herzen University admits a large number of students and has one of the highest acceptance rates in the country.
The acceptance rate at Herzen University is 80%. Considering the large number of students at that institution, an 80 percent acceptance rate is quite impressive. The university might not rank well in the QS and other global rankings. This shouldn’t shake your confidence in the quality of education here. Besides, most global rankings are subjective. They should not be considered a true test of a university’s potential. The university ranks #50 in Russia.
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PACIFIC NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
Pacific National University is also among the largest in Russia. It was started in 1958 and was known then as the Khabarovsk Automobile Highway Institute. The university began with a population of 150 students studying industrial and civil engineering, highway construction and highway machines, and motor transport. The university has expanded over the years to accommodate the largest number of students at any single university in Russia. There are over 21,000 students distributed across 54 majors. Despite the large number of applicants, they have the admission criteria that you must score at least 20% based on some grading standard.
It is no surprise that the university should have such a large number of students because they admit quite a lot of applicants. The university’s acceptance rate is 79%, giving it one of the highest in the world. The university ranks #47 in Russia.
PYATIGORSK STATE UNIVERSITY
This is another commendable Russian university. It was established in 1939, not long before the outbreak of World War II. As a public university, it has an enrollment of some 6,000 students, which makes it one of the smallest in the country. Despite its relatively modest size, the university accepts a high number of applicants every admission cycle. It is welcoming to students from around the world, and its primary admission criteria revolve around an entrance exam. This university is a great choice for students who would like to further their education in Russia.
It has an acceptance rate of 77%. A high admission rate should give students better prospects of getting admitted and is a better guarantee that you aren’t likely to waste your time and money applying to this institution. It is ranked #85 in Russia.
RUSSIAN STATE SOCIAL UNIVERSITY
The Russian State Social University is one of the first in Russia to offer undergraduate and graduate programs in the fields of social sciences. It ranks among the most reputable institutions in the country. The university came into being not long ago, in 1991, when the Soviet Union collapsed. Its main campus is in Moscow, the capital of Russia. It is one of the largest in the country, with a student population of over 25,000 managed by 1700 staff. It has a student-to faculty ratio of 15 to 1. Some of its most reputable courses include sociology, youth outreach management, and social work.
Due to the large number of admissions and the high acceptance rate of 77%, it is very likely that students applying to this institution will be given admission. The university ranks #36 in Russia.
ODESSA NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
The Odessa National University (ONU) was founded in 1865 in Ukraine. It is one of the best higher education institutions in the country and has attracted hundreds of students from around the world. It currently manages more than 7,500 students enrolled in 10 faculties. Students have a wide range of subjects to specialize in. The university has five scientific institutes and 15 research laboratories. It also boasts a stadium that hosts all sorts of games. There is also a students’ rest area where you can chill out after classes.
Being one of the most popular universities, ONU has an acceptance rate of 75%, and the education quality is world-class, with or without a QS ranking. You can apply with confidence that the probability of admission is high for you. The university ranks #16 in Ukraine.
OGAREV MORDOVIA STATE UNIVERSITY
This university is located in the city of Saransk, Russia. It was founded in 1957. The university has five colleges and about 14 departments, with an enrollment of over 28,000 students. The student population is technically one of the most diverse. Students flock all around it from Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, and other Asian and African countries. It provides quality education for both part-time and full-time candidates and admits some of the highest numbers of students per enrollment cycle.
The university has an acceptance rate of 74 percent. With such a high number of students, a 74% acceptance rate says a lot about how likely any student is to study there. It ranks #24 in Russia.
KROK UNIVERSITY
KROK is another university funded by the public. It was established in 1992 in Kyiv, Ukraine. The total number of students enrolled at KROK University is close to five thousand. It is one of the smallest universities in the country. Nearly 800 of the students come from more than 41 countries around the world. It is no surprise that nearly a fifth of students are foreigners. Ukraine has opened its gates to international students due to the high admission rates, low living costs and tuition fees, and a host of other advantages.
For the past several years, KROK University has been considered among the best universities in the country and in the top 50 in overall rankings. It has 340 academic staff, the majority of whom are PhD holders.
The university has an acceptance rate of 70%, making it a good choice for international students. It ranks #53 in Ukraine.
NOVOSIBIRSK STATE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY
It was initially known as the Novosibirsk Electro-Technical Institute, founded in 1950. In 1992, it grew to a full-blown university with a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The university currently boasts four branches, hosting no less than 14,000 students and more than 900 alumni. The university cooperates in many fields with a number of universities in Germany, France, the US, and China. Students will have the opportunity to take part in some research programs with foreign scientists, professors, and students from various universities around the world.
14,000 students and a 70 percent acceptance rate are quite impressive stats. International students find this a good study destination for reasons of quality, affordability, cost of living, and maybe the Russian culture. If you are thinking about studying in Russia, this should be one of the universities on your list, provided they offer the course of interest to you. The university ranks #33 in Russia.
MOSCOW CITY TEACHERS’ TRAINING UNIVERSITY
The Moscow City Teachers’ Training University was founded in 1995. Its main campus is located in Moscow, but it has a branch campus in Samar. The university has a total enrollment of 20,000 students. The university has a great reputation for quality education. It is a good study destination for international students who want to study in Russia.
The university has an acceptance rate of 68%, which is great for a university that manages as many as 20,000 students. It ranks #57 in Russia.
NATIONAL AVIATION UNIVERSITY
The National Aviation University is a Ukrainian university located in Kyiv. It was founded in 1933. The main purpose of this institution was to train experts in civil aviation. But its curriculum and focus have broadened over the years to accommodate fields of medicine and the arts. NAU has two primary faculties, 16 institutes, and 12 research facilities. The university still maintains its own aviation academy, which trains students from many countries around the world. The degrees it awards in mechanical, electrical and electronics engineering draw a lot of water in Russia and beyond.
With a student population of 10,000, of which 12% are international students, and a high acceptance rate of 65%, it should come as no surprise that hundreds of students find it an attractive study destination. It is also a good reason why you should consider applying to the university. The university ranks #9 in Ukraine.
LOBACHEVSKY STATE UNIVERSITY OF NIZHNI NOVGOROD
It is known formally as UNN. The university was founded in 1916. In 1918, it became the first state university in Russia. Its founding name has changed, and the university has changed names a couple of times before settling for the current one. It partners with international agencies to promote research activities and is also a member of the European University Association (EUA). Some companies the university partners with include NVIDIA, Microsoft, Intel, and Cisco Systems.
It is one of the popular universities in Russia that has a high acceptance rate. The university admits students at a rate of 65%. This gives international students a greater incentive to apply for admission. It ranks #22 among Russian universities.
MOSCOW MEDICAL ACADEMY
Moscow Medical Academy (MMA) is the oldest medical school in Russia. Its roots can be traced back to 1758. In 1930, it became an independent university and was renamed the First Moscow Medical Institute. International students were allowed access to the university starting in 1949, which continues to date.
Every international student may apply while keeping in mind that the university accepts students at a 60% rate. This gives you a good chance to obtain your medical degree at one of the prominent institutions in Russia. The university ranks #48 in Russia.
SCHILLER INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
This is one of the best universities in Germany for international students. Popular programs include nursing, business, international relations, and many more. The education system follows the American model, making it a top priority study destination for international students. Students receive personalized attention during their studies.
The university has a high acceptance rate of 60% and is among the 107 universities included in U-Multirank for Germany. The fact that it is located in one of the most advanced and least expensive countries gives it a higher status than other of its counterparts with the same acceptance rate.
BERLIN INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
This is a private university based in Berlin, Germany. It is oriented mainly towards international students. Students who meet their requirements are mostly admitted. All courses are taught in English, and the university offers a language proficiency test in case you don’t have IELTS or TOEFL.
The university has an acceptance rate of 60% and a StudyQA ranking of #794.
LUDWIG-MAXIMILLIAN UNIVERSITY
This is another German university located in the city of Munich. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs for all students, regardless of nationality. Chances of admission depend on course competitiveness and a host of other factors. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Germany. Approximately 15% of students are foreigners.
The university’s acceptance rate is 55% and it is ranked #32 in the World University Rankings by Times Higher Education.
UNIVERSITY OF FREIBURG
This university is located in Baden-Württemberg. It was founded by the Habsburg royal family. It is a popular study destination for international students. The university has 11 faculties offering a wide range of courses with a strong focus on research. It has a 33% acceptance rate. Being a prestigious university, this acceptance rate should be considered high or at least moderate.
The university ranked #76th worldwide and 5th nationally.
DIXIE STATE UNIVERSITY
This is an American public-funded university that was founded in 1911. With a total undergraduate enrollment of about 10,000 and a campus size of 117 acres, the university is a top ranked one in the US. It came 25th on a list of the best regional colleges.
It is accredited by the North Commission on Colleges and Universities. The university believes in educational access for all students and strives to improve the lives of students by instilling a spirit of learning, values, and community. DSU offers a wide range of courses in areas of great demand. The university is one of the first in America to offer advanced computer-based forensic training to law enforcement professionals, students, and industry officials.
The university has an acceptance rate of 100% and ranks 6th in Top Public Schools in the USA.
CAMERON UNIVERSITY
Cameron University is located in southwest Oklahoma, USA. It is public-funded and was established in 1908. In a city setting with a campus size of 160 acres, the university enrolled about 4000 undergraduate students from 2018 to 2019. It ranks 87th in the 2020 edition of Best Colleges in Regional Universities West. Its main campus is in Lawton. It has another site in Duncan.
The university offers 50 programs that include associate, undergraduate and master’s degrees. Courses can be in the fields of business, education, behavioral sciences, liberal arts, sciences, and allied health. It has a student-faculty ratio of 19 to 1, and all subjects are taught by professors. The facilities are modern and designed for maximum convenience. There are good classrooms, labs, student houses, and athletic facilities. Cameron University has an acceptance rate of 100% and ranks 80th in Top Performance on Social Mobility.
TRINITY UNIVERSITY
Trinity University is a private university located in San Antonio, Texas. It was established in 1869 and has a total undergraduate strength of about 2500 students. It is fixed in an urban setting with a campus size of 125 acres and a semester-based academic calendar. Some 80% of students live on campus, which consists of residence halls and designated areas for freshmen and sophomore housing. The university ranks 1st in the 2020 edition of Best Colleges in Regional Universities West.
The university offers 40 majors, and there are opportunities for studying abroad via one of the study abroad programs, with 40% of students taking advantage of such opportunities. It has a 9-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio with courses taught by world-class professors.
Trinity University had an acceptance rate of 34% during the fall of 2018. This is not a great acceptance rate, and it is not bad either. In fact, this is pretty good considering that the university ranks 1st in Best Value Schools, 4th in Best Undergraduate Teaching, and other rankings.
BAKER UNIVERSITY
The university offers scholarships and blends learning, development, and student engagement in a fashion that educates and inspires students to succeed in life. The school curriculum emphasizes experiential learning, thoughtful reflection, and ethical considerations, which combine to enable students to deploy theory and research into practical tools for decision making and problem solving at home, work, or in any global community.
The university’s approach to education is designed to groom open-minded critical thinkers to be leaders in their fields. Baker University focuses more on arts-related disciplines and encourages faith and value exploration to surround students with opportunities to develop and engage in learning environments outside the classroom and beyond the campus borders.
The university has an acceptance rate of 88% and ranks number 254 in National Universities, and 138 in Top Performance on Social Mobility. METROPOLITAN STATE UNIVERSITY
It is a fully accredited university that is a member of the Minnesota State Higher Education System. Having an urban setting, the university is committed to meeting the needs of the greater metropolitan population. It provides easy access to top-notch liberal arts, professional, and graduate education for the population, with a specific interest in underrepresented groups based on sex, age, race, income, and other metrics of importance.
The university strives for academic excellence and partnerships between communities on the basis of scholarship, teaching, curriculum, and other services towards an urban mission. It aims to provide high-quality and affordable education such that the faculties, staff, and students combine to form rich diversity, cultural competence, and anti-racist learning communities. The result of this should be an enlightened and accomplished student with a zeal for civic engagement.
Metropolitan State University has an acceptance rate of 56% and ranks within 293 – 381 in National Universities and 328 in Top Performance on Social Mobility.
MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY—BILLINGS
It is a public university founded in 1927. With a student population of about 4000, the university is built in an urban setting with a campus spanning 112 acres of land. It adopts a semester-based academic calendar and ranks within #87-#113 in the 2020 edition of Best Colleges in Regional University West.
Montana offers students a real-world education through internships in a wide range of careers. Students are given individual attention by professors and experts, and they will graduate with qualifications highly respected by employers and top graduate schools.
The university has an acceptance rate of 100 percent and is ranked number 91 in the Top Performers on Social Mobility and number 331 in business programs.
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY
The University was founded in 1947 and is one of the premier public universities in the heart of Los Angeles. There are about 28,000 students and 240,000 alumni at California State University. Students from all walks of life come to California State University for a transformative educational experience. The university comprises eight colleges that have earned good reputations for academic programs and quality education. Students are guided by renowned professors, mentors and researchers.
Some signature marks of the university include top programs in criminalistics, engineering, and nursing sciences. Cal State University is listed as the top baccalaureate institution of origin for Latino science and engineering.
California State University—Long Beach is one of the top universities in. It is ranked #1401+ in the QS World University Rankings 2025.
MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITIES—NORTHERN
The university is located in Havre, Montana. It offers programs at the levels of associates, baccalaureates and masters. Degree programs range from teacher education to engineering technology and focus on both liberal arts and technology. Programs span disciplines such as business, nursing, engineering, mechanical technology, teacher education, natural sciences, and humanities. Many of the university’s programs have an applied-research dimension.
The university is designed to serve a large geographic region that spans four Native American reservations plus Montana’s smallest and largest towns.
Montana State University-Northern has an acceptance rate of 100%, ranks 24th in the Top Performers on Social Mobility, and ranks within #26-#33 in Regional Colleges West.
NEW MEXICO HIGHLAND UNIVERSITY
New Mexico Highland University is committed to expertise in the discovery, transmission, preservation, and application of knowledge and skills to maintain an up-to-date standard relative to changes in the environment. The university continues to play an important role as a learning institution in the liberal arts and sciences. Programs range from business to teacher education, engineering, and social work.
It is also dedicated to serving individual students through personal attention. It also maintains open enrollment, small classes, and acceptable tuition compared to other universities in the US. The university has a reputation for excellent research, student and faculty achievement, and experiential learning. Students and faculties continue to earn national and international recognition for exceptional performances. NMHU has been accredited by many accreditation bodies, like NCATE, CSWE, the NCAA, etc.
The university has an acceptance rate of 100% and ranks 129th in colleges with the best professors in America.
Conclusively, Russia has the second-highest number of international students after China. Considering the high quality of education at an affordable fee, you can understand why Russian universities are among the most preferred by international students. These statistics also indicate that you should expect a high level of competition in the admissions process. You can, however, increase your chances of studying in Russia by applying to universities with the highest acceptance rates. We hope this piece will be helpful to you.
