Getting into a top college is a goal many students aim for, but with growing competition, it has become more challenging than ever. Every year, universities across the United States report their acceptance rates, and some of the most prestigious schools, including colleges with the lowest acceptance rates, have admissions rates that can make even the best students nervous.
In fact, California Institute of Technology’s acceptance rate is 3.1% for the Class of 2027, making it the college with the lowest acceptance rate in the US, while Harvard has a 3.6% acceptance rate for the Class of 2028.
In 2024, many colleges continue to maintain their reputations for being extremely selective. If you’re wondering which schools are the toughest to get into, you’re in the right place. Let’s break down the colleges with the lowest acceptance rates in 2024 and what that means for students.
- What Are the 20 US Colleges with the Lowest Acceptance Rates?
- How Do College Acceptance Rates Work?
- How to Get into Colleges with the Lowest Acceptance Rates
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Takeaways
What Are the 20 US Colleges with the Lowest Acceptance Rates?
California Institute of Technology and Harvard are the colleges which have the lowest acceptance rate. Here’s a look at the 20 colleges with the lowest acceptance rates. The table is based on the data for the Class of 2028, with info from the Class of 2027 for schools that have yet to release data for the Class of 2028.
| College | Class of 2028 Acceptance Rate | Location |
| California Institute of Technology | TBA (3.1% for Class of 2027) | Pasadena, CA |
| Harvard University | 3.6% | Cambridge, MA |
| Yale University | 3.7% | New Haven, CT |
| Columbia University | 3.9% | New York, NY |
| Stanford University | TBA (3.9% for Class of 2027) | Stanford, CA |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 4.6% | Cambridge, MA |
| Princeton University | 4.6% | Princeton, NJ |
| Duke University | 5.2% | Durham, NC |
| Brown University | 5.2% | Providence, RI |
| Dartmouth College | 5.3% | Hanover, NH |
| University of Pennsylvania | 5.4% | Philadelphia, PA |
| Northeastern University | TBA (5.7% for Class of 2027) | Boston, MA |
| Vanderbilt University | 5.8% | Nashville, TN |
| Johns Hopkins University | ~6.2% | Baltimore, MD |
| Pomona College | 6.6% | Claremont, CA |
| Colby College | 6.6% | Waterville, ME |
| Bowdoin College | 7% | Brunswick, ME |
| Swarthmore College | 7.5% | Swarthmore, PA |
| Northwestern University | ~7.5% | Evanston, IL |
| Williams College | 7.5% | Williamstown, MA |
Caltech is the college with the lowest acceptance rate. It received 13,136 applications for the Class of 2027 who enrolled in Fall 2023. They only accepted 412 applicants, which resulted in a 3.14% admission rate.
What does a low acceptance rate in colleges mean?
Acceptance rates are the percentage of applicants who are admitted to a university or college. In the US, this metric is often a major factor students consider when applying to schools.
Harvard’s Class of 2028, for example, boasts 1,970 admitted students selected from a competitive pool of 54,008 applicants worldwide. Their acceptance rate stands at only 3.6%.
A low acceptance rate shows that a school is highly selective, which often reflects its academic excellence. However, it also means competition is fierce at colleges with the lowest acceptance rate. With thousands of students applying each year and only a small percentage making it in, these colleges often look for candidates who stand out in terms of academics, extracurricular activities, and personal statements.
For many students, a lower acceptance rate can seem intimidating, but remember that these numbers are not the only measure of a school’s quality. Many universities with higher acceptance rates also offer excellent programs and opportunities. Yet, for those aiming to attend top-tier institutions, understanding what these rates represent is key to preparing for the application process.
How Do College Acceptance Rates Work?
College acceptance rates are calculated by dividing the number of students accepted by the number of students who applied. For example, if 100,000 students apply to a university and 5,000 are admitted, the acceptance rate would be 5%.
Several factors can influence a college’s acceptance rate, and understanding these can help you make informed decisions about where to apply.
Number of applications
The more applications a college receives, the lower its acceptance rate tends to be. If a college receives 50,000 applications but only has 2,000 spots, the acceptance rate will naturally be lower because more students are competing for each available spot.
Colleges with prestigious reputations, like Harvard or Stanford, often attract a high volume of applicants, which drives their acceptance rates down.
Popular colleges like the University of California schools and Ivy League institutions experience similar trends like Harvard’s 3.6% acceptance rate, which makes the competition fierce.
Colleges with the lowest acceptance rate are typically known for their rigorous academic programs and high standards for admission. However, applicants need to consider that these numbers reflect more than just academic qualifications. They also indicate the intense competition for limited spots.
Size of the school
Smaller colleges naturally have fewer spots available for students, which means they typically have lower acceptance rates. Colleges like Amherst can only admit a limited number of students each year, which contributes to their 10% acceptance rate.
In contrast, larger schools, like Penn State, with 58%, or the University of Texas at Austin, with 29.1%, have much higher acceptance rates because they can admit more students due to their larger campus sizes and resources.
Number of available spots
The number of available spots, also known as the college’s enrollment capacity, can determine acceptance rates. Even if a school has a high number of applicants if it only has limited spaces, its acceptance rate will be low.
Colleges adjust their enrollment capacity based on factors like budget, resources, and the number of faculty available to accommodate incoming students. Lowest acceptance rate colleges generally keep their incoming classes small, which leads to low acceptance rates.
That’s why the California Institute of Technology admits only around 412 students for Fall 2023 enrollment because it focuses on providing a highly specialized education in STEM fields. This limited number of spots, combined with thousands of applications, results in its 3.14% acceptance rate.
Yield rate
College’s yield rate is the percentage of admitted students who actually enroll. Schools with high yield rates, like Harvard and Stanford, know that most students they admit will likely choose to attend, which allows them to offer fewer acceptances.
Colleges with lower yield rates might admit more students to ensure that they fill their classes, which could slightly raise their acceptance rate.
Caveat
While colleges with the lowest acceptance rate can offer insights into how selective the US college education is, never get too caught up in these numbers.
- Acceptance rates don’t reflect the entire college experience. A low acceptance rate does not necessarily mean a school is the best fit for every student, nor does it guarantee a superior education. Just because a school is hard to get into doesn’t mean it will provide the best experience or resources for you.
- Admissions criteria vary widely. A low acceptance rate doesn’t tell you what qualities they value in applicants. Some schools place more emphasis on standardized test scores and academic performance, while others might prioritize extracurricular activities, leadership, or diversity.
- Don’t discount schools with higher acceptance rates. Many colleges with higher acceptance rates still offer top-tier education, resources, and opportunities. Schools like the University of Michigan or UCLA have higher acceptance rates compared to Ivy League schools, but they are still ranked highly and provide excellent academic programs.
- Competition varies from year to year. The acceptance rate of a college can fluctuate from year to year, so don’t base your entire decision on current numbers alone. Factors like a school’s marketing, changes in testing requirements, or the economy can impact the number of applicants.
While it’s tempting to aim for schools with the lowest acceptance rates, remember that numbers alone do not define the quality of an educational institution. Find a school where you’ll thrive academically, socially, and personally.
How to Get into Colleges with the Lowest Acceptance Rates
Now that you’re aware of the colleges with the lowest acceptance rates focus on what you can do to maximize your chances of getting into the schools of your choice. Here are a few tips to guide you through the college application process.
1. Do your research.
Each college has its own unique admissions criteria, so tailor your applications to what each school values. While test scores and GPA are important, many schools also place significant emphasis on extracurriculars, leadership roles, community involvement, and personal essays.
Research colleges you’re interested in. What programs stand out? What kinds of students do they admit? Knowing this can help you present yourself in a way that aligns with the school’s culture and priorities.
2. Be you.
Admissions officers aren’t just looking for students with perfect grades. They want to know who you are beyond your GPA. What drives you? What are your passions? Show them your genuine self through your personal statement, essays, and extracurricular involvement.
Highlight the challenges you’ve overcome and the personal growth you’ve experienced. Being real and honest will help your application stand out.
3. Don’t stick to one.
It’s great to aim for top-tier schools, but it’s important not to limit your options. Select a range of colleges, including some with higher acceptance rates, to increase your chances of being admitted somewhere you’d be happy to attend.
Apply to a mix of highly selective, mid-range, and safety schools. A diverse list of lowest acceptance rate colleges ensures you won’t find yourself without a good option come decision time.
4. Stay organized.
College applications require a lot of paperwork, and missing deadlines or submitting incomplete materials can sabotage your chances. Use a calendar or an app to track important deadlines, required documents, and submission dates for each college.
Be sure to start early, giving yourself plenty of time to gather recommendation letters, write and revise essays, and double-check that you have everything before submitting.
5. Practice, practice, practice.
Although many schools are test-optional, standardized tests like the SAT or ACT are still required or recommended by many institutions. Strong scores can set you apart from others.
Applying to colleges with the lowest acceptance rate can be daunting. But with practice, you can ace that admission more than when you don’t practice at all.
Make a study plan, take practice tests, and consider taking the exam more than once if you think you can improve your score. If you choose not to submit scores, ensure the other aspects of your application are even stronger.
6. A strong letter of recommendation.
A well-written recommendation letter from someone who knows you well can provide insight into your character, work ethic, and abilities in a way that numbers cannot.
Choose teachers or mentors who can speak to your strengths and accomplishments, and give them plenty of time to write thoughtful letters. Make sure they know your goals and the colleges you’re applying to so their letters are written accordingly.
7. Make your essays count.
Your college essays are one of the few parts of your application where you have complete control, so make them count.
Start drafting early and have your teachers, family, or friends review your essay. Focus on telling a compelling story about who you are, what you’ve learned, and why you’re a great fit for the colleges you’re applying to. Keep it personal, reflective, and unique.
8. Ace that interview.
Select colleges require applicant interviews as part of the admission. If an interview is part of the application, practice answering common questions and talking about yourself confidently. Interviews are a chance for you to showcase yourself and make a strong impression beyond your essay and written application.
Most importantly…
Don’t compare yourself to others. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you hear about other students’ accomplishments, but remember that your application is unique to you.
Focus on your strengths and experiences. College admissions are unpredictable, and what works for one student may not work for another. Stay confident in your abilities and your story.
Rejection can happen, even to the most qualified students, but it’s not the end of the world. The reality is colleges with the lowest acceptance rate are not always the right fit for every student.
Stay positive, and remember that there are many excellent schools where you can thrive. Keep your options open, and trust that you’ll end up where you’re meant to be.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which college has the lowest acceptance rate?
The colleges with the lowest acceptance rates in the U.S. are Harvard University with 3.6% for the Class of 2028 and the California Institute of Technology with 3.1% for the Class of 2027. Admission to these highly selective schools is competitive, with thousands of applicants for a limited number of spots.
2. Does a low acceptance rate mean a college is better?
Not necessarily. While low acceptance rates can indicate high demand and selectivity, they don’t always reflect the quality of education. Many excellent schools have higher acceptance rates.
3. How can I improve my chances of getting into a selective school?
Focus on building a strong academic record, participating in meaningful extracurricular activities, and writing a compelling personal essay. Recommendation letters can also make a big difference.
4. What if I don’t get into a college with a low acceptance rate?
Don’t worry! Many students find success at schools with higher acceptance rates. The key is finding a school that fits your personal and academic needs, not just its prestige.
5. Should I apply to a school even if its acceptance rate is low?
Absolutely! If a school aligns with your academic and career goals, go for it. Just be sure to also apply to other schools to keep your options open.
6. Does applying early improve my chances of acceptance?
In many cases, yes. Applying early decisions or actions can increase your chances, especially if the school values demonstrated interest. However, make sure you’re ready to commit to a school if applying early decision, as it’s typically binding.
Takeaways
- Acceptance rate is a measure of how selective a college is. It’s calculated by dividing the number of admitted students by the total number of applicants.
- The most selective schools include Caltech, Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Stanford, MIT, and Princeton.
- A low acceptance rate indicates competition, not necessarily quality.
- Your application is what matters. Focus on more than just grades. Schools look at essays, extracurriculars, and personal qualities.
- Stay open-minded and apply to various schools to ensure you have options that suit your goals.
- If you are having trouble with what college to choose, you can always chat with a college admission consultant. They will help you to learn more about acceptance rates and choose the best option for you.
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