Common App, a nonprofit organization that provides students with a standardized first-year college application that can be used at more than 900 participating colleges and universities, has released new data on the demographics of students who submitted applications through January 1, 2026. Compared to this point in the 2024-2025 application cycle, total distinct first-year applicants have increased by 4 percent, rising from 1,237,299 applicants to 1,281,012 applicants.
Applications submitted by Black or African American students are outpacing those submitted by their peers of other races. Over the past year, Black or African American applicants have increased by 11 percent, compared to increases of 8 percent for students of two or more races; 5 percent each for Latinx students, Asian students, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students; and 3 percent each for American Indian or Alaska Native students and White students.
Within its form, the Common App also prompts domestic students to share more detailed background information within their federal race/ethnicity grouping. Compared to this point in the 2024-2025 application cycle, African American applicants grew by 13 percent, Black applicants with African ancestry grew by 8 percent, Black applicants with Caribbean ancestry grew by 6 percent, and Black applicants from multiple backgrounds grew by 6 percent.
Among other demographic groups, first-generation students, students from below-median income communities, and students reporting eligibility for a Common App fee waiver have also experienced significant growth in their applications over the past year.
