2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Big Ten Conference

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The selectivity index is a rating system that looks at overall acceptance rate divided by the percentage of accepted students who enroll (yield rate). It's a measurement of both the selectivity and desirability of the college or university.

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Rank	Institution	Selectivity Index	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Northwestern University	7.1925	7.69	1,500 – 1,560	26830	76844	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Big Ten Conference Northwestern University Evanston, IL A founding member of the Big Ten Conference, top sports for the Wildcats include Football, Basketball, and Swimming and Diving (combined). Willie the Wildcat cheers them on and the colors are purple and white....Read more Selectivity Index 7.2 9.8% Acceptance Rate 7.7% SAT Score 1,500 – 1,560 Avg. Net Price $26,830 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $76,844
2	University of California-Los Angeles	5.6187	8.97	1,320 – 1,540	14512	59063	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Big Ten Conference University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA The University of California, Los Angeles is the second-oldest branch of the state school system. Its motto is “fiat lux,” or “let there be light.” Famous alumni have included Sean Astin, Francis Ford Coppola, Michael Morhaime, Jim Morrison, and Troy Aikman. Selectivity Index 5.6 Acceptance Rate 9.0% SAT Score 1,320 – 1,540 Avg. Net Price $14,512 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $59,063
3	University of Southern California	4.4179	9.81	1,450 – 1,550	43412	74461	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Big Ten Conference University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA The University of Southern California is a extremely selective school. The most popular area of study is currently Management Science. Just some notable alumni are LeVar Burton, Neil Armstrong, Will Ferrell, and George Lucas. Selectivity Index 4.4 Acceptance Rate 9.8% SAT Score 1,450 – 1,550 Avg. Net Price $43,412 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $74,461
4	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor	3.0269	15.64	1,370 – 1,530	17574	73762	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Big Ten Conference University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, was founded in 1817, making it the oldest institution of higher education in Michigan. The most commonly chosen major at UMich is Computer and Information Sciences, General. During the last admissions cycle, 47% of accepted students decide to attend. Selectivity Index 3.0 14.3% Acceptance Rate 15.6% SAT Score 1,370 – 1,530 Avg. Net Price $17,574 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $73,762
5	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	0.6804	42.37	1,330 – 1,520	13973	64802	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Big Ten Conference University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL The University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign has a student-to-faculty ratio of 20 to 1, and 72% of students will graduate in 4 years. The most popular major is Computer Science. Illinois's motto is "Learning & Labor." Selectivity Index 0.7 5.1% Acceptance Rate 42.4% SAT Score 1,330 – 1,520 Avg. Net Price $13,973 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $64,802
6	University of Washington-Seattle Campus	0.6789	39.15	1,230 – 1,460	11784	62979	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Big Ten Conference University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA As a large school, the University of Washington, Seattle has a 20 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. Many freshmen come from Washington, Oregon, and California. 95% will stay on after their first year. Computer Science is a commonly pursued program. Selectivity Index 0.7 Acceptance Rate 39.2% SAT Score 1,230 – 1,460 Avg. Net Price $11,784 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $62,979
7	University of Wisconsin-Madison	0.6325	45.2	1,360 – 1,480	14235	61275	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Big Ten Conference University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI The University of Wisconsin, Madison was the first public university in the state – it opened when Wisconsin received statehood in 1848. Their motto is “Numen Lumen” or “Divine Light.” With 40,000 faculty and staff, the university is also the largest employer in Wisconsin....Read more Selectivity Index 0.6 5.2% Acceptance Rate 45.2% SAT Score 1,360 – 1,480 Avg. Net Price $14,235 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $61,275
8	Purdue University-Main Campus	0.5855	49.87	1,220 – 1,490	13722	60838	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Big Ten Conference Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, IN A NCAA Division I-FBS school, Purdue University was a founding member of the Big Ten Conference. Some famous alumni include Neil Armstrong, Millie Bobby Brown, and Orville Redenbacher. The school has also produced Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and Olympic medalists. Selectivity Index 0.6 15.4% Acceptance Rate 49.9% SAT Score 1,220 – 1,490 Avg. Net Price $13,722 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $60,838
9	University of Maryland-College Park	0.4829	44.79	1,410 – 1,540	16581	67785	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Big Ten Conference University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD University of Maryland, the state's flagship university, is home to six libraries, the ANSC campus farm, and the UMD golf course. Often called a Public Ivy, it offers an education comparable to Ivy League schools and has extremely high research activity. Computer Science is the most popular undergraduate major. Selectivity Index 0.5 7.0% Acceptance Rate 44.8% SAT Score 1,410 – 1,540 Avg. Net Price $16,581 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $67,785
10	Ohio State University-Main Campus	0.3596	60.57	1,310 – 1,450	19783	51438	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Big Ten Conference Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH Ohio State University is a Public Ivy. Getting its start in 1870, it was originally known as the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College. With 972 athletes, the Buckeyes take part in the Big Ten Conference. Popular sports include Football, Basketball, and Ice Hockey. Selectivity Index 0.4 19.3% Acceptance Rate 60.6% SAT Score 1,310 – 1,450 Avg. Net Price $19,783 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,438
11	Rutgers University-New Brunswick	0.3531	58.15	1,310 – 1,500	20522	61263	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Big Ten Conference Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ New Brunswick is the oldest of the three campuses that make up Rutgers University. The school has 19 undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools, with many students majoring in Computer and Information Sciences, General, and Social Work....Read more Selectivity Index 0.4 14.9% Acceptance Rate 58.2% SAT Score 1,310 – 1,500 Avg. Net Price $20,522 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $61,263
12	University of Nebraska-Lincoln	0.3405	87.49	1,110 – 1,320	18322	47692	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Big Ten Conference University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE Located in Lincoln, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln accepted 87% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $45 for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. About 92% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more Selectivity Index 0.3 21.0% Acceptance Rate 87.5% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $18,322 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,692
13	Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus	0.2825	60.56	1,250 – 1,430	27889	55620	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Big Ten Conference Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA Based in University Park, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus’s acceptance rate is 61% and charges $65 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 34% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school. The institution’s first year retention rate is 93% and around 69% of students will graduate within four......Read more Selectivity Index 0.3 21.0% Acceptance Rate 60.6% SAT Score 1,250 – 1,430 Avg. Net Price $27,889 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $55,620
14	University of Minnesota Twin Cities	0.2801	79.75	1,260 – 1,420	17209	57984	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Big Ten Conference University of Minnesota Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is made up of two locations, 3 miles apart: Minneapolis and Falcon Heights. Their motto is “Commune vinculum omnibus artibus” or “A common bond for all the arts.” Getting its start in 1851 before Minnesota was a state, it’s the largest and oldest school in the state university system. Selectivity Index 0.3 1.7% Acceptance Rate 79.8% SAT Score 1,260 – 1,420 Avg. Net Price $17,209 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $57,984
15	University of Iowa	0.2682	83.62	1,100 – 1,320	21765	52696	#15 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Big Ten Conference University of Iowa Iowa City, IA Found in Iowa City, the University of Iowa accepted 84% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $40 for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. About 72% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Selectivity Index 0.3 2.5% Acceptance Rate 83.6% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $21,765 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,696
16	Indiana University-Bloomington	0.2322	78.21	1,200 – 1,420	17270	53417	#16 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Big Ten Conference Indiana University-Bloomington Bloomington, IN Bloomington is the flagship and largest campus of Indiana University. Alumni include Bob Chapek, Suzanne Collins, and Jimmy Wales. IUB is somewhat selective and has an impressive 91% first year retention rate. 81% of students graduate in six years. Selectivity Index 0.2 14.8% Acceptance Rate 78.2% SAT Score 1,200 – 1,420 Avg. Net Price $17,270 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,417
17	Michigan State University	0.216	84.8	1,190 – 1,370	23657	55084	#17 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Big Ten Conference Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Based in East Lansing, Michigan State University accepts 85% of applicants. They charge $65 for undergraduate applications and $65 for graduate applications. About 86% of students at Michigan State University will receive grant aid from the school....Read more Selectivity Index 0.2 6.0% Acceptance Rate 84.8% SAT Score 1,190 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $23,657 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $55,084
18	University of Oregon	0.1631	88.3	1,140 – 1,370	24605	46084	#18 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Big Ten Conference University of Oregon Eugene, OR Found in Eugene, the University of Oregon accepts 88% of applicants. They charge $65 for undergraduate applications and $70 for graduate applications. Approximately 79% of students attending the University of Oregon will receive grant aid from the school. At the University of Oregon, there is a 86% first year retention rate......Read more Selectivity Index 0.2 Acceptance Rate 88.3% SAT Score 1,140 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $24,605 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,084