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Ivy League Acceptance Rates
Ivy League Acceptance Rates 2026: Admissions Statistics
Getting into the Ivy League has never been easy, but acceptance rates have hit record lows in recent years, making the competition fiercer than ever.
For the Class of 2024, the average acceptance rate across Ivy League schools was 7.2%. By the Class of 2029, it had dropped to 5.4%. Class of 2030 numbers are still coming in, and only five of the eight Ivies have reported so far.
To put things in perspective, we’ve gathered Ivy League acceptance rate data from the Class of 2024 through the Class of 2030, updating each table as schools release new numbers. The figures come directly from official school announcements, Common Data Sets (CDS), and other verified sources.
Class of 2030 Ivy League Acceptance Rates
Class of 2030 figures are still incomplete, with three schools yet to report, so Class of 2029 remains the most reliable year for comparing schools against each other.
Below is a breakdown of the overall, early, and regular acceptance rates for each Ivy League school, including Class of 2030 overall rates where available. We’ve arranged the schools based on their ranking in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best National Universities Rankings.
| U.S. News Ranking | Ivy League School | Overall Acceptance Rate (Class of 2030) | Overall Acceptance Rate (Class of 2029) | Early Action/Early Decision Acceptance Rate (Class of 2030) | Regular Decision Acceptance Rate (Class of 2030) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Princeton University | TBA | 4.42% | N/A (13.93% Class of 2023) | N/A (4.19% Class of 2023) |
| 3 | Harvard University | TBA | 4.18% | N/A (8.74% Class of 2028) | N/A (2.77% Class of 2028) |
| 4 | Yale University | 4.24% | 4.75% | 10.91% | 3.24% |
| 7 | University of Pennsylvania | 5.84% | 4.92% | TBA (18.95% Class of 2029) | TBA (2.74% Class of 2029) |
| 12 | Cornell University | TBA | 8.38% | TBA (18.95% Class of 2029) | TBA (6.70% Class of 2029) |
| 13 (Tie) | Brown University | 5.61% | 6.34% | 16.46% | 3.94% |
| 13 (Tie) | Dartmouth College | 5.84% | 6.02% | TBA (21.62% Class of 2029) | TBA (3.77% Class of 2029) |
| 15 | Columbia University | 4.23% | 4.94% | TBA (13.23% Class of 2028) | TBA (2.82% Class of 2028) |
Note: Princeton stopped releasing detailed early and regular admissions data starting with the Class of 2024. Harvard did the same with the Class of 2029.
Historical Overall Ivy League Acceptance Rates
The table below shows a year-by-year breakdown of overall acceptance rates for each Ivy League school from the Class of 2024 to the Class of 2030:
| Ivy League School | Class of 2030 (2026) | Class of 2029 (2025) | Class of 2028 (2024) | Class of 2027 (2023) | Class of 2026 (2022) | Class of 2025 (2021) | Class of 2024 (2020) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Princeton University | TBA | 4.42% | 4.62% | 4.50% | 5.70% | 4.38% | 5.63% |
| Harvard University | TBA | 4.18% | 3.65% | 3.45% | 3.24% | 4.01% | 5.01% |
| Yale University | 4.24% | 4.75% | 3.87% | 4.50% | 4.57% | 5.31% | 6.53% |
| University of Pennsylvania | 5.84% | 4.92% | 5.40% | 5.87% | 6.50% | 5.87% | 8.98% |
| Cornell University | TBA | 8.38% | 8.41% | 7.90% | 7.26% | 8.69% | 10.71% |
| Brown University | 5.61% | 6.34% | 5.39% | 5.23% | 5.06% | 5.51% | 7.67% |
| Dartmouth College | 5.84% | 6.02% | 5.40% | 6.23% | 6.38% | 6.17% | 9.22% |
| Columbia University | 4.23% | 4.94% | 3.86% | 4.00% | 3.74% | 3.89% | 6.15% |
We’ve also put together a similar table comparing overall acceptance rates at the most competitive colleges in the U.S.
Historical Early Ivy League Acceptance Rates
Most Ivy League schools offer Early Decision (ED), a binding application that requires you to commit if accepted. Harvard, Princeton, and Yale, however, use a Restrictive or Single-Choice Early Action model. It’s non-binding, but it limits you from applying early to other private universities.
Early applicants have traditionally had higher acceptance rates than those who apply in the regular round, but that gap has been shrinking. The table below breaks down early acceptance rates for Ivy League schools from the Class of 2024 to the Class of 2030:
| Ivy League School | Class of 2030 (2026) | Class of 2029 (2025) | Class of 2028 (2024) | Class of 2027 (2023) | Class of 2026 (2022) | Class of 2025 (2021) | Class of 2024 (2020) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Princeton University | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Harvard University | N/A | N/A | 8.74% | 7.56% | 7.87% | 7.41% | 13.93% |
| Yale University | 10.91% | 10.82% | 9.02% | 10.02% | 10.98% | 10.54% | 13.78% |
| University of Pennsylvania | TBA | 18.95% | 14.22% | 14.85% | 15.61% | 14.86% | 19.47% |
| Cornell University | TBA | 18.78% | 11.64% | 17.55% | 19.16% | 21.40% | 24.04% |
| Brown University | 16.46% | 17.92% | 14.37% | 13.02% | 14.58% | 15.95% | 17.59% |
| Dartmouth College | TBA | 21.62% | 19.18% | 19.94% | 21.27% | 25.11% | 26.23% |
| Columbia University | TBA | TBA | 13.23% | 14.65% | 12.48% | 11.93% | N/A |
Note: The most recent publicly available early admissions data from Princeton is for the Class of 2023 (13.93% acceptance rate).
We’ve also put together a table of early acceptance rates at other top U.S. colleges.
Historical Regular Ivy League Acceptance Rates
Getting into an Ivy League school through Regular Decision (RD) is far tougher than applying early. Some Ivy League schools fill up to 50% of their freshman class through early admissions, making the regular round even more competitive.
As a result, RD acceptance rates have been dropping year after year. The table below breaks down regular acceptance rates for each Ivy League school from the Class of 2024 to the Class of 2030:
| Ivy League School | Class of 2030 (2026) | Class of 2029 (2025) | Class of 2028 (2024) | Class of 2027 (2023) | Class of 2026 (2022) | Class of 2025 (2021) | Class of 2024 (2020) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Princeton University | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Harvard University | N/A | N/A | 2.77% | 2.62% | 2.40% | 3.29% | 3.31% |
| Yale University | 3.24% | 3.81% | 3.06% | 3.53% | 3.48% | 4.25% | 5.10% |
| University of Pennsylvania | TBA | 2.74% | 4.05% | 4.45% | 4.99% | 4.38% | 7.08% |
| Cornell University | TBA | 6.70% | 7.83% | 6.32% | 5.42% | 6.72% | 8.74% |
| Brown University | 3.94% | 4.78% | 4.08% | 4.05% | 3.74% | 4.10% | 6.27% |
| Dartmouth College | TBA | 3.77% | 3.66% | 4.63% | 4.86% | 4.21% | 7.40% |
| Columbia University | TBA | TBA | 2.82% | 2.81% | 2.72% | 2.93% | N/A |
Note: The most recent publicly available regular admissions data from Princeton is for the Class of 2023 (4.19% acceptance rate).
We’ve also compiled a table comparing regular acceptance rates at other top U.S. colleges.
What Is the Hardest Ivy League School to Get into?
For the Class of 2029, Harvard once again took the top spot as the hardest Ivy League school to get into, with an acceptance rate of 4.18%. Here’s how the most selective Ivy League schools for the Class of 2029 compare:
- Harvard University – 4.18%
- Princeton University – 4.42%
- Yale University – 4.75%
Class of 2030 data adds some nuance here. Columbia posted a 4.23% acceptance rate and Yale posted 4.24%, both lower than Harvard’s most recent published rate of 4.18% for the Class of 2029. Since Harvard hasn’t released its Class of 2030 figures yet, it isn’t possible to say whether Harvard still holds the top spot this cycle.
What Is the Easiest Ivy League School to Get into?
No Ivy League school is easy to get into, but Cornell had the highest acceptance rate for the Class of 2029 at 8.38%, making it the least selective of the group. Here are the Ivy League schools with relatively higher acceptance rates for the Class of 2029:
- Cornell University – 8.38%
- Brown University – 6.34%
- Dartmouth College – 6.02%
Even with these “higher” acceptance rates, they’re still rejecting over 90% of applicants. If you’re aiming for an Ivy League spot, you’ll need strong academics, impactful extracurriculars, and essays that set you apart.
College Admissions Chances Calculator
Getting into an Ivy League school is tough, but knowing where you stand can help you build a stronger application. The AdmissionSight College Admissions Chances Calculator gives you a rough estimate of your chances based on key academic and extracurricular factors.
This tool evaluates your GPA, SAT/ACT scores, class rank, and extracurricular involvement to see how your profile compares to other Ivy League applicants. While no calculator can guarantee results, it can give you a sense of whether your stats align with the academic benchmarks of admitted students.
Private Consulting Program
If you want expert guidance, AdmissionSight’s Private Consulting Program offers personalized coaching tailored to Ivy League admissions. With years of experience helping students get into top schools, our experts provide one-on-one mentorship to refine your college essays, extracurricular strategy, and interview prep.Â
If you’re serious about getting into the Ivy League, schedule a free consultation today and see how our team can help you build a standout application.
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