Colleges with the Lowest Acceptance Rates
If you’re a student looking for colleges to apply to, check out this list of colleges with the lowest acceptance rates!
The acceptance rates below for these colleges are subject to change year over year.
College acceptance rates change year after year, so always double check if you are applying.
These prestigious universities are some of the most competitive in the nation. If you are up for a challenge with college application season, adding one or two to your college list can’t hurt!
Amherst College
Location: Amherst, Massachusetts
Acceptance Rate: 8.7%
Amherst College is a renowned liberal arts college that boasts a rigorous academic curriculum, small class sizes, and a diverse student body. There are over 40 majors to explore. Not to mention, the school is committed to providing financial aid to its students.
California Institute of Technology
Location: Pasadena, California
Acceptance Rate: 3.9%
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is one of the colleges with the lowest acceptance rates in the U.S. It’s a world-class science and engineering institution that prioritizes experiential learning and collaboration between faculty and students. Caltech has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers majors in fields such as physics, engineering, and computer science.
Carnegie Mellon University
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Acceptance Rate: 13.5%
Carnegie Mellon University has gained recognition for its programs in computer science, engineering, and the arts, making it a leading private research university. The university emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and research and offers a range of majors including business, public policy, and information systems.
Claremont McKenna College
Location: Claremont, California
Acceptance Rate: 11.2%
Claremont McKenna College is a highly selective liberal arts college that prioritizes leadership, ethics, and social responsibility. The college offers majors in fields such as economics, government, and psychology, and has a strong commitment to interdisciplinary learning.
Curtis Institue of Music
Location: Philadephia, Pennsylvania
Acceptance Rate: 4.8%
The Curtis Institute of Music is a prestigious conservatory that specializes in music performance. The institute offers both undergraduate and graduate programs, with its exceptional faculty and focus on individualized instruction and performance opportunities.
Duke University
Location: Durham, North Carolina
Acceptance Rate: 5.9%
Duke University encompasses outstanding programs in medicine, law, and business, establishing it as a prominent private research university. The university emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and research, and offers a range of majors including engineering, public policy, and cultural anthropology.
Georgetown University
Location: Washington, D.C.
Acceptance Rate: 12%
Georgetown University makes it to this list of colleges with the lowest acceptance rates. It has made its name in renown programs in international affairs, law, and business, this school is definitely the right fit for you. The university has a commitment to social justice and service, and offers a range of majors including political science, economics, and psychology.
Grinnell College
Location: Grinnell, Iowa
Acceptance Rate: 10.5%
Grinnell College is a one of the most thighly selective liberal arts college with the lowest acceptance rate. The college has established a reputation for its robust academic programs and dedication to social responsibility. The college offers majors in fields such as biology, history, and sociology, and has a strong focus on experiential learning and research.
Hamilton College
Location: Clinton, New York
Acceptance Rate: 14.1%
Hamilton College is recognized for strong programs in literature, social sciences, and creative writing. The college has a commitment to diversity and inclusion, and offers a range of majors including neuroscience, economics, and environmental studies.
Harvard University
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Acceptance Rate: 4%
Known for its exceptional programs in law, business, and medicine, Harvard University stands as a leading private Ivy League institution. The university has a commitment to excellence and innovation, and offers a range of majors including engineering, psychology, and history.
Julliard School
Location: New York City, New York
Acceptance Rate: 7.4%
The Juilliard School is a highly selective performing arts conservatory that offers undergraduate and graduate programs in music, dance, and drama. The school is renowned for its exceptional faculty and focus on individualized instruction and performance opportunities.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Acceptance Rate: 4.1%
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private research university known for its programs in science, engineering, and technology. The university emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and research, and offers a range of majors including computer science, economics, and biology.
Northwestern University
Location: Evanston, Illinois
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Northwestern University is a private research university known for its programs in journalism, performing arts, and engineering. The university has a commitment to interdisciplinary learning and research, and offers a range of majors including psychology, communication studies, and environmental science. With an acceptance rate of around 7%, Northwestern University is known as one of the colleges with the lowest acceptance rates.
Princeton University
Location: Princeton, New Jersey
Acceptance Rate: 4.4%
Princeton University has gained recognition for its programs in engineering, public policy, and economics. The university has a commitment to undergraduate education and research, and offers a range of majors including anthropology, neuroscience, and music.
Stanford University
Location: Stanford, California
Acceptance Rate: 3.9%
Stanford University is a unique institution known for innovation, research, and interdisciplinary learning. The university has a commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship, and offers a range of majors including biology, psychology, and political science. With an acceptance rate of around 4%, Stanford University is one of the colleges with the lowest acceptance rates in the world.
Swarthmore College
Location: Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
Acceptance Rate: 7.8%
Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college known for its strong academic programs and commitment to social responsibility. The college offers majors in fields such as biology, economics, and philosophy, and has a strong focus on interdisciplinary learning and research.
University of Chicago
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Acceptance Rate: 6.5%
The University of Chicago has earned a reputation as a private research university renowned for its outstanding programs in economics, law, and public policy. The university has a commitment to intellectual inquiry and interdisciplinary learning, and offers a range of majors including chemistry, linguistics, and sociology. The acceptance rate being 6.5% makes it one of the colleges with the lowest acceptance rates.
Williams College
Location: Williamstown, Massachusetts
Acceptance Rate: 8.8%
Williams College is a prestigious liberal arts college that is highly selective in its admissions process. The institution is known for its rigorous academic programs. The college offers majors in fields such as mathematics, art history, and environmental studies, and has a strong focus on experiential learning and research.
Yale University
Location: New Haven, Connecticut
Acceptance Rate: 5.3%
Yale University is a private Ivy League university known for its programs in law, medicine, and humanities. The university has a commitment to undergraduate education and research, and offers a range of majors including physics, political science, and psychology.
These schools do offer a lot of value to students, despite them being colleges with the lowest acceptance rates. Maybe adding them to your college list to apply to might not be a bad idea!