Which Colleges have the Lowest Acceptance Rates?

[jainnorton]

Can someone list colleges with the lowest acceptance rates? I'm interested in highly selective schools. Would love to hear which ones are considered the most competitive.

 

[Atul]

Colleges with the lowest acceptance rates include Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, MIT, and Caltech, often admitting less than 5% of applicants. These schools are highly selective due to academic prestige, limited spots, and high applicant demand, making them some of the most competitive institutions in the world.

 

[Jaxenmoor]

In 2025, the most selective U.S. colleges with single-digit admission rates include:

• Harvard (~3.4%)
• Stanford (~3.9%)
• Caltech (~6.7%)
• MIT (~6.8%)
• Yale, Princeton, Columbia (~6–7%).

Also very competitive: University of Chicago, Duke, Brown, Dartmouth