In this article, we take a look at the 10 colleges with the lowest acceptance rates. For more on this, go to 30 Colleges With the Lowest Acceptance Rates.
10. Princeton University (USA)
Acceptance Rate: 5.7%
Founded in 1746, Princeton is the fourth-oldest institute of higher education in the country and a part of the prestigious Ivy League. Ranked 7th in the world, the university received a total of 38,019 applications for the class of 2026, of which 2,167 were accepted.
9. The University of Chicago (USA)
Acceptance Rate: 5.44%
Founded in 1890 and ranked 13th in the world, the University of Chicago is one of the most influential private institutions of higher education. The university received a total of 37,522 applications, of which, 2,041 were accepted.
8. Brown University (USA)
Acceptance Rate: 5%
Founded in 1764, hence before the American Revolution, Brown is ranked 61st in the world. Being a part of the exclusive Ivy League, the university received a total of 50,649 applications for the class of 2026, of which 2,547 were accepted. This was a record low acceptance rate in the history of the institute.
7. Yale University (USA)
Acceptance Rate: 4.5%
Founded in 1701, Yale is the third-oldest institute of higher education in the US. Ranked 9th in the world and a part of the Ivy League, the university received a total of 50,015 applications, of which 2,234 were accepted.
6. University of Pennsylvania (USA)
Acceptance Rate: 4.4%
Founded in 1749 by Benjamin Franklin, before the declaration of independence, the university is ranked 14th in the world. Being a part of the prestigious Ivy League, UPenn received a total of 54,588 applications for the year 2026, of which 2,417 were accepted.
5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA)
Acceptance Rate: 4%
Founded in 1861 and ranked 5th in the world, MIT is best known for its programs in engineering and physical sciences. The university received a total of 33,767 applications, of which 1,337 were accepted.
4. Columbia University (USA)
Acceptance Rate: 3.7%
Founded in 1754 before the American Revolution, Columbia University in the City of New York is ranked 11th in the world. As a part of the Ivy League, the university received a total of 60,337 applications, of which 2,253 were accepted.
3. Stanford University (USA)
Acceptance Rate: 3.7%
Established in 1885 and ranked 3rd in the world, Stanford is a top private research institute in the country. The university received a total of 56,378 applications, of which 2,075 were accepted.
2. California Institute of Technology (USA)
Acceptance Rate: 3.3%
Established in 1891 and ranked 6th in the world, Caltech’s science and engineering programs are among the best in the world. The institute received a total of 13,300 applications for the class of 2026, of which only 432 were accepted.
1. Harvard University (USA)
Acceptance Rate: 3.2%
Founded in 1636, Harvard University is the oldest institute of higher education in the United States. Ranked 2nd in the entire world, the university is also a part of the prestigious Ivy League club. Harvard received a total 61,220 applications for the class of 2026, of which a mere 1,954 were accepted. Hence, Harvard University tops our list of 30 Colleges With the Lowest Acceptance Rates.
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