Colleges and universities with the lowest acceptance rates are often considered the most selective and prestigious in the country.
These institutions have a reputation for offering high-quality education and producing successful graduates.
Applying to these schools can be highly competitive, as the number of applicants far exceeds the limited number of spots available.
In this article, we will explore the colleges with the lowest acceptance rates and what makes them stand out from the rest.
Even if you are a prospective student looking for the best education or simply curious about the top colleges in the country, this article will provide a comprehensive overview of what you need to know.
11 Best Lowest Acceptance Rate Colleges: In A Nutshell (2024)
Though the college acceptance rate varies as per the college, the lowest acceptance rate college can be very competitive to get into.
Here is a quick overview of the lowest college acceptance rate colleges that you should check out.
| Sr. No | Colleges | Acceptance Rate | Location |
| 1. | Harvard University | 4% | Cambridge, MA |
| 2. | Stanford University | 4% | Stanford, CA |
| 3. | Princeton University | 4% | Princeton, NJ |
| 4. | California Institute of Technology | 4% | Pasadena, CA |
| 5. | Yale University | 5% | New Haven, CT |
| 6. | University of Chicago | 6% | Chicago, IL |
| 7. | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 4% | Cambridge, MA |
| 8. | Columbia University (New York) | 4% | New York, NY |
| 9. | The Juilliard School | 7% | New York, NY |
| 10. | Duke University | 6% | Durham, NC |
1. Harvard University
| Acceptance Rate | 4% |
| Location | Cambridge, MA |
| SAT range | 1480-1580 |
| ACT range | 33-36 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.0 |
Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and among the most prestigious in the world.
It has a diverse student body, with undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and over 120 countries.
The University offers undergraduate degree programs in a wide range of subjects and graduate degrees in many fields, including Business, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, and the Natural Sciences.
Harvard is a highly selective institution, with an acceptance rate of 4% for the Class of 2027. Despite its exclusivity, the University is committed to increasing access to higher education and is a leader in financial aid for students from low- and middle-income families.
Do you know Harvard offers free courses? Check our list of best Harvard online courses for free!
2. Stanford University
| Acceptance Rate | 4% |
| Location | Stanford, CA |
| SAT range | 1470-1570 |
| ACT range | 34-35 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.96 |
Stanford University is a private research university located in Stanford, California. It was founded in 1885 and named after its benefactor, Leland Stanford, a former California governor and U.S. senator.
Stanford is widely considered one of the world’s top universities and is consistently ranked among the top five universities in the United States and the world.
The university is known for its strong programs in engineering, computer science, economics, and the natural sciences, as well as its graduate programs in business, law, and education.
Stanford is also home to a vibrant arts community with top-ranked programs in the humanities and social sciences.
In addition to its academic programs, Stanford is committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity, with a wide range of resources and initiatives aimed at supporting underrepresented students, faculty, and staff.
Overall, Stanford University is a world-class institution that offers students a unique combination of academic excellence, innovation, and community.
3. Princeton University
| Acceptance Rate | 4% |
| Location | Princeton, NJ |
| SAT range | 1460-1570 |
| ACT range | 33-35 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.92 |
Princeton University is a private Ivy League research university located in Princeton, New Jersey. It was founded in 1746 and is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the United States.
Princeton is consistently ranked among the top universities in the world and is known for its strong programs in the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences.
The university has a small student body, with an undergraduate enrollment of around 5,400 students and a low student-to-faculty ratio, which allows for close relationships between students and faculty members.
Princeton is also known for its beautiful and historic campus, which features historic buildings and state-of-the-art facilities.
In addition to its academic programs, Princeton is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community.
All in all, Princeton University is a world-class institution that offers students a unique combination of academic excellence, history, and community.
4. California Institute Of Technology
| Acceptance Rate | 4% |
| Location | Pasadena, CA |
| SAT range | 1530-1580 |
| ACT range | 35-36 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.97 |
The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is a private research university located in Pasadena, California.
It was founded in 1891 and is consistently ranked among the top universities in the world.
Caltech is known for its strong programs in the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics, and it has a long history of groundbreaking research and innovation.
Caltech is home to numerous Nobel Prize-winning faculty and alumni, and it has a long history of contributions to a wide range of fields, including physics, astronomy, chemistry, and biology.
In recent years, Caltech has been at the forefront of cutting-edge research in areas such as nanotechnology, sustainability, and renewable energy.
The California Institute of Technology is a world-class institution that offers students a unique combination of academic excellence, innovation, and community.
5. Yale University
| Acceptance Rate | 5% |
| Location | New Haven, CT |
| SAT range | 1480-1580 |
| ACT range | 33-35 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.95 |
Yale University is a private Ivy League research university located in New Haven, Connecticut. Established in 1701, it is one of the oldest universities in the United States.
The university is renowned for its highly selective admissions process and rigorous academic programs, as well as its rich history and tradition.
Yale has a strong liberal arts focus and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in a wide range of academic fields, including the arts and humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering.
Yale’s campus is located in the heart of New Haven, a vibrant city that is home to a diverse community of artists, entrepreneurs, and intellectuals.
The university is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and it offers a supportive and welcoming environment for all students, regardless of their background or identity.
Yale is consistently ranked among the top universities in the world and is widely regarded as one of the best academic institutions in the United States.
Curious to see which are the top universities in the world? Check our complete list to see where Yale is ranked!
6. University Of Chicago
| Acceptance Rate | 6% |
| Location | Chicago, IL |
| SAT range | 1510-1580 |
| ACT range | 33-35 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.95 |
It is a private research university located in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1890, it is one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the city and has a long-standing reputation for academic excellence.
Additionally, this university is known for its rigorous curriculum and commitment to interdisciplinary studies, and it offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in a wide range of fields, including the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and professional studies.
The University of Chicago is also renowned for its commitment to free and open inquiry, and it is home to some of the world’s leading scholars and researchers in a variety of fields.
The university has a vibrant campus community, with over 15,000 students and numerous student organizations, clubs, and cultural events.
The university is located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago and is within easy reach of the city’s many cultural and entertainment attractions, making it an ideal place for students to live and learn.
The University of Chicago is consistently ranked among the top universities in the United States and the world and is highly regarded for its commitment to academic excellence and intellectual rigor.
7. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
| Acceptance Rate | 4% |
| Location | Cambridge, MA |
| SAT range | 1510-1580 |
| ACT range | 34-36 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.96 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States.
It was founded in 1861 and is renowned for its strong programs in engineering, science, and technology.
MIT has a diverse community of students, faculty, and researchers from around the world and is considered one of the top universities in the world.
The Institute has a long history of innovation and is known for its interdisciplinary approach to education and research, which encourages collaboration across different fields of study.
Some of its well-known research centers and institutes include the Media Lab, the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society, and the Institute for Medical Engineering and Science.
MIT graduates are highly sought after by employers and have gone on to start successful companies, win Nobel Prizes, and make major contributions to their fields.
8. Columbia University (New York)
| Acceptance Rate | 4% |
| Location | New York, NY |
| SAT range | 1470-1570 |
| ACT range | 34-35 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.91 |
Columbia University is a private Ivy League research university in New York.
It is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions. It also ranks consistently among the top universities in the world.
The university has a diverse student body and faculty, representing more than 150 countries and 50 states.
Columbia University provides a huge array of graduate, undergraduate, and professional degree programs over its 20 schools and colleges.
Moreover, this university is home to various research centers and institutes, including the Data Science Institute, and the Institute for the Study of Human Rights.
The university is particularly well known for its programs in the arts and sciences, including its Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, as well as its highly ranked schools of journalism, business, law, and engineering.
9. The Juilliard School
| Acceptance Rate | 7% |
| Location | New York, NY |
| SAT range | – |
| ACT range | – |
| Avg. GPA | 3.15 |
The Juilliard School is a performing arts conservatory located in New York City.
It was founded in 1905 and is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading institutions for the study of music, dance, and drama.
Juilliard has a highly selective admission process, with only a small percentage of applicants being accepted each year.
The school’s rigorous curriculum focuses on intensive training in the student’s chosen discipline, with an emphasis on developing their skills as artists and performers. The faculty is made up of highly accomplished musicians, actors, and dancers who provide personalized instruction and guidance to students.
In addition to its academic programs, Juilliard offers students numerous opportunities to perform and showcase their work.
Juilliard graduates have gone on to have successful careers in the arts, including many who have become leaders in their respective fields. The school has a strong alumni network that provides support and mentorship to current students and graduates.
10. Duke University
| Acceptance Rate | 6% |
| Location | Durham, NC |
| SAT range | 1468-1558 |
| ACT range | 33-35 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.94 |
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina.
It was founded in 1838 as Trinity College and became Duke University in 1924.
Duke has a diverse student body of over 16,000 undergraduate and graduate students and is consistently ranked among the top 10 national universities in the United States.
The university has a strong academic reputation, with well-regarded programs in fields such as engineering, medicine, law, business, and the arts and sciences.
Duke is also known for its research initiatives, particularly in the areas of biomedical engineering, energy and the environment, and public policy.
The university also has a strong commitment to community service and sustainability and encourages students to engage in volunteer work and research aimed at making a positive impact on the world.
Duke University is a highly selective and prestigious institution that offers students a dynamic and challenging academic experience, along with opportunities for personal growth and community involvement.
11. Brown University
| Acceptance Rate | 6% |
| Location | Providence, RI |
| SAT range | 1460-1570 |
| ACT range | 33-35 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.94 |
Located in Rhode Island, this university offers undergraduate as well as graduate programs.
According to recent statistics, more than 46,000 students applied to this university, of which only 2,568 were granted admission.
It is rated within the top 3% of four-year colleges nationally and ranks #11 in the best colleges in the US.
The average annual cost to attend college is around $82,570, including the overall expenses.
The most popular undergraduate major at Brown University is Economics, international business, and Biological Sciences.
Admission to this university is quite competitive, as it has an acceptance rate of around 6%.
Related Reads
The colleges and universities with the lowest acceptance rates are some of the most highly sought-after institutions in the country.
These schools offer a challenging and rewarding educational experience, as well as a chance to join a distinguished community of students and alumni.
While applying to these schools can be competitive, it is also an opportunity for prospective students to showcase their academic and personal achievements and demonstrate their ability to succeed at the highest level.
Whether you are interested in pursuing a degree in a particular field or simply looking for the best educational experience, these colleges offer a unique and unparalleled opportunity for students.
I hope this article helped you to find the colleges with the lowest acceptance rate.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comment section below.
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