Not Dayeh or Chang Jung! The Most Unpopular University in Taiwan Is This One — A National School With 20% Vacancy Rate Failed to Fill Even Its 220 Quota Spots

The college admission results for Taiwan’s 115th academic year were officially announced on the 17th. This year’s total enrollment quota stood at 32,494 spots, attracting 33,071 applicants, with 32,257 ultimately admitted — an admission rate of 97.54%, the highest in four years. Notably, the nationwide total vacancies dropped to just 603, a more than 50% decrease from last year’s 1,220, marking the lowest level in six years.

Experts analyzed that the sharp drop in vacancies was primarily due to returning quotas being reduced to 12,032, coupled with many universities proactively lowering their approved enrollment targets, gradually balancing market supply and demand. Additionally, students made more focused志愿 choices this year, with an average of 55志愿 per applicant — the lowest in five years — reflecting clearer academic goals and increasing appreciation for distinctive institutional offerings.

Despite the overall improvement in enrollment, 16 universities (4 national, 12 private) still failed to fill 100 departmental programs. Even traditionally 'iron rice bowl' national universities were not spared:

- National Kinmen University: 76 vacancies (10.31% vacancy rate) - National Dong Hwa University: 54 vacancies (3%) - National Taitung University: 29 vacancies (3.3%) - National Chiayi University: 11 vacancies (0.5%)

Geographical limitations in outlying islands and eastern Taiwan, combined with the wave of declining birthrates, placed some national universities in a difficult position during the allocation phase. Tsung-Hsien Tsai, Academic Affairs Director of Kinmen University, acknowledged that location indeed affects applicant willingness but emphasized that including other admission pathways, the university maintains a high overall enrollment achievement rate of around 90%.

Which departments are the least popular? Chinese Culture University tops in total vacancies, while Hsuan Chuang leads in vacancy rate.

In terms of 'total number of unfilled spots,' Chinese Culture University ranked first with 77 unfilled positions, followed by National Kinmen University (76), Nan Hua University (75), Dayeh University (68), and Dong Hwa University (54). However, due to their larger base sizes, the overall vacancy rates for Chinese Culture and Dong Hwa Universities remain relatively manageable.

Conversely, smaller-scale institutions saw alarming vacancy rates:

- Hsuan Chuang University: Only 220 total enrollment spots, yet 44 remained unfilled — a staggering 20% vacancy rate. - Dayeh University: 12.10% vacancy rate, ranking second. - National Kinmen University: 10.31% vacancy rate, ranking third.

Responding to the shortfall, Hsuan Chuang University stated that declining birthrates have reshaped traditional enrollment ecosystems. However, the university excels in continuing education and research programs — its two-year undergraduate在职专班 and doctoral programs achieved 100% enrollment, and master’s program registration reached 97.65%. Moving forward, it plans to deepen departmental uniqueness and expand the在职education market.

Academic Field Shift: Education and STEM Fields Fully Enrolled; Recreation and Arts See Highest Shortfalls

Examining by academic clusters reveals a polarized trend — 'some rejoice, others mourn':

Fully enrolled popular clusters: Education, Mathematics & Physical Sciences, Interdisciplinary Studies.

Clusters with high vacancy rates: Recreation & Sports (7.5%), Arts (7.2%).

The College Entrance Examination Center noted that high vacancy rates in recreation and arts have been a long-standing norm, not a one-year anomaly.

For the 814 unfortunate students who failed to get in, statistics showed they averaged only 38志愿 submissions — far below the 56 submitted by admitted students. The center particularly urged future applicants to increase their志愿 count appropriately based on personal interests to reduce the risk of rejection.