Common App launches 2025-2026 direct admissions program with more than 200 colleges and universities

Common App Direct Admissions includes admit offers directly in the application for low- and middle-income and first-generation students

Arlington, VA - Common App has launched its direct admissions program for the 2025–2026 application season with 213 member colleges and universities. Beginning in mid-September, first-generation and low- and middle-income students who are college-interested will receive proactive admissions offers. New this year, the direct admissions program features a dedicated section in the app, making it easier for students to find, compare, and engage with offers. Common App Direct Admissions also includes outreach and resources to counselors and families with students receiving direct admissions offers.

The 2025-26 program expands on the progress from 2024-25, which saw 119 institutions from 35 states send over 733,000 offers to first-generation and students from low- and middle-income communities. These students engaged meaningfully with their offers, as 22% of those who received an offer added at least one college they weren’t already considering to their list, and 3 out of 4 students who added a college that sent them an offer ended up completing the application process.

Common App’s direct admissions program is one of the many ways the organization is expanding the students it serves through its Next Chapter, with a moonshot goal to close its equity gap for students from low- and middle-income communities accessing postsecondary opportunities by 2030.

“As we celebrate 50 years of supporting students on their college journeys, we’re more committed than ever to reaching our moonshot goal,” said Jenny Rickard, CEO of Common App. “Common App Direct Admissions helps students, especially those from low- and middle-income communities, see that they are not only college-ready, but college-worthy. It shows students that they belong in higher education, and tells them that we’re here to help get them there.”

“The Common App Direct Admissions initiative reflects Nazareth University’s commitment to equity, access, and student success,” remarked Christie Smith, Associate Vice President of University Admissions and Enrollment at Nazareth University. “By removing barriers and opening doors, it has helped students realize their potential while strengthening the future of our region and beyond.”

Jim Plunkett, Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management at Wagner College stated, “Direct admissions opens doors for students. It’s a powerful way to connect with motivated applicants who might not have seen Wagner in their plans, but are a perfect fit for our community. It also helps take some of the pressure off the students' application process, giving them more confidence and clarity about their college options early on."

The participating Common App Direct Admissions members for 2025-26 come from 41 states as well as Washington, D.C.

Participating Schools by State

Alabama
Alabama State University*
Auburn University at Montgomery
Tuskegee University*

Alaska
University of Alaska Fairbanks

Arizona
Northern Arizona University*

Arkansas
Hendrix College

California
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science*
Dominican University of California*
Menlo College
Mount Saint Mary's University, Los Angeles
Point Loma Nazarene University*
Saint Mary's College of California
University of the Pacific
Whittier College

Colorado
Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver)
Naropa University
Regis University

Connecticut
University of Saint Joseph*

Florida
Eckerd College
Saint Leo University
Stetson University

Georgia
Brenau University
Georgia State University
Oglethorpe University
Piedmont University*
Reinhardt University*
Savannah State University*
Wesleyan College*

Illinois
Columbia College Chicago
Elmhurst University
Eureka College*
Illinois College*
Illinois Institute of Technology
Illinois Wesleyan University
Millikin University
Monmouth College
Roosevelt University*

Indiana
Purdue University of Fort Wayne*
University of Evansville
University of Saint Francis
Trine University*
Vincennes University*
Wabash College

Iowa
Cornell College*
Drake University*
St. Ambrose University
Upper Iowa University*

Kentucky
Brescia University*
Spalding University
Thomas More University

Louisiana
Xavier University of Louisiana*

Maryland
Capitol Technology University*
Coppin State University
Goucher College*
Mount St. Mary’s University*
Towson University
Washington College
University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Massachusetts
Curry College*
Dean College*
Fisher College
Hampshire College
Lasell University
Lesley University*
Merrimack College
Nichols College*
Regis College
Salem State University
University of Massachusetts Boston
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Western New England University
Westfield State University

Maine
Thomas College*
University of Maine at Fort Kent*
University of New England*

Michigan
Andrews University*
Baker College*
Central Michigan University
Grand Valley State University*
Lake Superior State University*
Madonna University

Minnesota
Augsburg University
College of Saint Benedict
Concordia University, St. Paul
Gustavus Adolphus College*
Hamline University
Saint John's University
The College of St. Scholastica
University of Minnesota Morris*

Mississippi
Belhaven University*

Missouri
Cottey College*
Maryville University of St. Louis
Missouri University of Science and Technology*
Truman State University
University of Central Missouri*

Nebraska
Nebraska Wesleyan University

New Hampshire
Keene State College
Plymouth State University*
Southern New Hampshire University*

New Jersey
Centenary University
Felician University
Kean University
Montclair State University*
Rider University
Saint Elizabeth University
Saint Peter’s University*
Stockton University

Nevada
University of Nevada, Reno

New York
Hartwick College*
Iona University
Manhattan University
Manhattanville University
Mercy University
Nazareth University
New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)
Niagara University
Paul Smith's College
Purchase College, SUNY*
Roberts Wesleyan University
St. John Fisher University*
St. Thomas Aquinas College
SUNY Buffalo State University
SUNY College at Brockport*
The New School
University of Mount Saint Vincent*
Utica University*
Wagner College

North Carolina
Elizabeth City State University
Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte*
Lenoir-Rhyne University*
Methodist University
North Carolina Wesleyan University*
Salem College*
University of North Carolina Asheville
Western Carolina University*
Wingate University

Ohio
Art Academy of Cincinnati*
College of Wooster
Hiram College
Mount Vernon Nazarene University*
Ohio Wesleyan University*
Shawnee State University*
Tiffin University*
Wittenberg University

Oklahoma
East Central University*
Oral Roberts University
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma*

Oregon
Oregon Tech
Portland State University
Western Oregon University*

Pennsylvania
Allegheny College
Arcadia University
Carlow University*
Chatham University
Chestnut Hill College*
Duquesne University*
Gannon University*
Immaculata University
King's College
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania*
La Roche University*
Lebanon Valley College*
Lincoln University
Lycoming College*
Moravian University
Neumann University
Pennsylvania Western University
Robert Morris University
Thiel College*
York College of Pennsylvania

Rhode Island
Johnson & Wales University-Providence*
Salve Regina University

South Carolina
South Carolina State University*
Spartanburg Methodist College

Tennessee
Fisk University*
The University of Memphis
Tusculum University*

Texas
Austin College
Houston Christian University
Lamar University*
Lubbock Christian University*
McMurry University
Schreiner University*
St. Edward's University
St. Mary’s University*
Texas College*
Texas Woman’s University*
The University of Texas at Arlington
The University of Texas at Dallas*
University of Incarnate Word*

Utah
Utah State University*

Virginia
Christopher Newport University
Eastern Mennonite University*
George Mason University
Hollins University*
Mary Baldwin University*
Marymount University
Old Dominion University*
Richard Bland College of William and Mary
The University of Virginia’s College at Wise*
University of Lynchburg
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Wesleyan University*

Vermont
Norwich University*
Vermont State University

Washington
Pacific Lutheran University*
Saint Martin’s University*
Whitworth University

Washington D.C.
George Washington University*

West Virginia
Marshall University*

Wisconsin
Milwaukee School of Engineering*
St. Norbert College

*Joined the Common App Direct Admissions program this season

About Common App

Common App is a not-for-profit member organization committed to the pursuit of access, equity, and integrity in the college admission process. Each year, more than one million students apply to college through the Common App’s online application.

Celebrating 50 years of serving students and institutions in 2025, Common App serves over 1,100 member colleges and universities worldwide. In 2023, the organization launched its Next Chapter with the goal of closing its equity gap in low- and middle-income students applying to college by 2030. To learn more, visit commonapp.org and follow @CommonApp and #CommonApp on social media.