Will You Make the Cut? College Acceptance Rates for 150 Popular Schools
What college has the lowest acceptance rate? Below is a list of the top institutions in the US with the lowest freshman admissions rates.
Most schools have earned their reputation for being the easiest to get into and extremely competitive. The number of applicants can also influence its acceptance rates.
It is an amazing idea to have a list of great schools on your list along with your dream schools. Having knowledge of college acceptance rates could be of help you to put together a solid list of schools to apply to.
In contrast to schools and universities that accept nearly everyone who applies, these institutions take pleasure in their high level of selectivity. These universities rank among the hardest to get into.
What College Has the Lowest Acceptance Rate?
The best colleges in the US with the lowest admission rates for incoming freshmen are listed below.
These institutions take pride in their high level of selection, in contrast to those colleges and universities that accept just about anybody who applies.
These colleges are among the most difficult to get into.
| School Name | Acceptance Rate |
| Curtis Institute of Music Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
4.2% |
| Stanford University Stanford, California |
4.8% |
| Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts |
5.4% |
| Juilliard School New York City, New York |
6.2% |
| Yale University New Haven, Connecticut |
6.3% |
| Princeton University Princeton, New Jersey |
6.5% |
| Columbia University New York City, New York |
6.8% |
| Alice Lloyd College Pippa Passes, Kentucky |
7.1% |
| University of Chicago Chicago, Illinois |
7.9% |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Cambridge, Massachusetts |
7.9% |
| California Institute of Technology Pasadena, California |
8.1% |
| United States Naval Academy Annapolis, Maryland |
9% |
| Brown University Providence, Rhode Island |
9.3% |
| Pomona College Claremont, California |
9.4% |
| University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
9.4% |
| Claremont McKenna College Claremont, California |
9.4% |
| United States Military Academy West Point, New York |
10% |
| Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering Needham, Massachusetts |
10.2% |
| Dartmouth College Hanover, New Hampshire |
10.6% |
| Northwestern University Evanston, Illinois |
10.7% |
| Vanderbilt University Nashville, Tennessee |
10.7% |
| Duke University Durham, North Carolina |
10.8% |
| Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, Maryland |
12.8% |
| Harvey Mudd College Claremont, California |
12.9% |
| Pitzer College Claremont, California |
13.7% |
| Amherst College Amherst, Massachusetts |
13.7% |
| Cornell University Ithaca, New York |
14.1% |
| College of the Ozarks Point Lookout, Missouri |
14.2% |
| Bowdoin College Brunswick, Maine |
14.8% |
| Cooper Union New York City, New York |
15.1% |
10 Colleges With the Highest Acceptance Rates
Colleges with the highest acceptance rates always accept a vast majority of applicants. We do recommend you identify a few safety schools you would be happy to attend if you don’t get into your reach schools.
Sum of about 99% of students who have previously applied to Liberty University got accepted. Marshall University, the University of New Mexico, Kansas State University, and the University of Maine all have acceptance rates of over 95%.
- Liberty University: 99%
- Marshall University: 98%
- University of New Mexico: 97%
- Kansas State University: 96%
- University of Maine: 96%
- North Dakota State University: 95%
- University of Memphis: 95%
- University of Utah: 95%
- East Carolina University: 94%
- University of Kentucky: 94%
How Can You Raise Your Chances of Getting Accepted?
If you’re thinking of applying to universities with low acceptance rates, we would recommend being proactive about the competitiveness of the application.
1. Write a Compelling Essay: In some schools, the personal statement is always the most important part of your college application. This essay gives you all the opportunity you need to explain who you are beyond the data in your application.
2. Get a High SAT or ACT Score: Many colleges require SAT or ACT scores for admission. When preparing for the exams, use good practice materials and focus on your weaknesses. Remember that you can always retake your test at any point to try to raise your score.
3. Earn Good Grades in Tough Classes: A tough course schedule and a high GPA are starting points for some of the competitive schools. Challenging yourself and excelling academically could go a long way toward securing acceptance.
4. Secure, Strong Letters of Recommendation: Adding letters of recommendation speaking to your character, achievements, and how exceptional you are can help you stand apart from other applicants.
5. Apply Early and Interview if Possible: Applying early and interviewing if possible, as well as undergoing any college interviews, could emphasize your commitment to the school and your determination to attend.
Frequently Asked Questions
CSN Team.