Balikpapan – Competition in the National Selection for New Student Admissions (SNPMB) for the 2025/2026 academic year increasingly confirms that choosing a study program is not merely a matter of interest, but also of strategy. Amid the high number of applicants, prospective students are required to carefully examine applicant data and acceptance rates so that decisions are not speculative, but instead based on realistic opportunities.

Within the Department of Electrical Engineering, Informatics, and Business, four study programs Electrical Engineering, Information Systems, Informatics, and Digital Business have emerged as major magnets for applicants. Selection data indicate that each program exhibits different levels of competitiveness across SNPMB admission pathways, making an understanding of the competition landscape essential before making a final choice.

Electrical Engineering: Stable Opportunities amid Competition

The Electrical Engineering study program demonstrates a relatively well-controlled level of competition. In the SNBP pathway, the acceptance rate is around 15%, while in SNBT it increases to approximately 26%. The SUMMIT pathway also offers fairly open opportunities, with an acceptance rate close to 20%.

These figures indicate that Electrical Engineering continues to provide realistic admission opportunities for applicants with strong academic preparedness. As a foundational discipline supporting the development of energy technology, automation, and electrical systems, this program remains a strategic choice with strong long-term prospects.

Information Systems: Balanced Competition with High Relevance

Information Systems records a high number of applicants that is relatively evenly distributed across all admission pathways. Acceptance rates in SNBP range between 14–15%, while SNBT reaches approximately 24%. The SUMMIT pathway once again serves as an attractive alternative, offering an acceptance rate of around 19%.

By integrating information technology and business management, Information Systems maintains strong relevance to the needs of the digital industry. Although competition is fairly intense, it still allows room for applicants with consistent academic competencies.

Informatics: The Most Competitive Favorite

Informatics stands out as the most competitive study program within the department. In the SNBP pathway, the acceptance rate is only about 7.5%, the lowest among all programs. The SNBT pathway is slightly less competitive, with acceptance rates around 17%, while the SUMMIT pathway offers significantly greater opportunities, exceeding 26%.

This high level of competition reflects the strong interest in Informatics, driven by rapid advancements in digital technology, artificial intelligence, and the software industry. For applicants targeting Informatics, selecting the appropriate admission pathway is a critical factor in determining their chances of success.

Digital Business: High Demand with Moderate Selectivity

Digital Business also attracts a substantial number of applicants, in line with the growing interest among younger generations in technology-based entrepreneurship. Acceptance rates are approximately 10–11% for SNBP, 21% for SNBT, and around 14% for SUMMIT.

Competition in this program falls within a moderate range, with admission opportunities that remain relatively realistic. Digital Business represents an appealing option for prospective students seeking to combine technological innovation, business strategy, and the creative economy.

Data-Driven Strategies for Choosing a Study Program

Overall, SNPMB data for the 2025/2026 academic year show that Informatics has the highest level of competitiveness, followed by Information Systems and Digital Business. Meanwhile, Electrical Engineering offers comparatively more stable admission opportunities.

This information serves as an important reference for prospective students in formulating data-driven strategies when selecting study programs and admission pathways. Choosing a major should not simply follow trends, but should be grounded in a clear understanding of competition levels, admission opportunities, and personal readiness to ensure decisions are truly oriented toward future success.