2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Ivy Group

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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	Harvard University	22.9041	3.65	1,510 – 1,590	17525	99572	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Ivy Group Harvard University Cambridge, MA Harvard University has more alumni, researchers, and faculty that have won Nobel Prizes and Field Medals than any other school in the world. It also produced eight U.S. presidents, 188 living billionaires, and 110 Olympic medalists....Read more Selectivity Index 22.9 5.6% Acceptance Rate 3.7% SAT Score 1,510 – 1,590 Avg. Net Price $17,525 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $99,572
2	Yale University	18.031	3.87	1,470 – 1,570	22408	81765	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Ivy Group Yale University New Haven, CT Yale University got its start in 1701 as the Collegiate School, getting its current name in 1718. Their motto, “lux et veritas,” means “light and truth” in Latin. It's made up of fourteen schools including the undergraduate college, twelve professional schools, and the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences....Read more Selectivity Index 18.0 15.3% Acceptance Rate 3.9% SAT Score 1,470 – 1,570 Avg. Net Price $22,408 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $81,765
3	Princeton University	16.3377	4.62	1,510 – 1,570	15313	87815	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Ivy Group Princeton University Princeton, NJ A private Ivy League research university, Princeton University was founded in 1746 and originally known as the College of New Jersey, making it the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the country. An extremely selective school, Princeton receives around 40,500 applications annually. Selectivity Index 16.3 4.1% Acceptance Rate 4.6% SAT Score 1,510 – 1,570 Avg. Net Price $15,313 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $87,815
4	Columbia University in the City of New York	16.2707	3.99	1,510 – 1,570	22520	88535	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Ivy Group Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY Columbia University was founded in 1754, making it the oldest institution of higher education in the state. A doctoral/research university, some top majors for students include Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other, and Computer Science....Read more Selectivity Index 16.3 9.0% Acceptance Rate 4.0% SAT Score 1,510 – 1,570 Avg. Net Price $22,520 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $88,535
5	Dartmouth College	12.8	5.4	1,490 – 1,570	20322	82541	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Ivy Group Dartmouth College Hanover, NH An Ivy League research university, Dartmouth College was founded before the Declaration of Independence was signed. Some famous alumni include Daniel Webster, Robert Frost, Dr. Seuss, and Thaddeus Stevens....Read more Selectivity Index 12.8 18.8% Acceptance Rate 5.4% SAT Score 1,490 – 1,570 Avg. Net Price $20,322 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $82,541
6	University of Pennsylvania	12.5889	5.4	1,510 – 1,580	23570	90555	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Ivy Group University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA The University of Pennsylvania, one of the oldest schools in the country, was founded in 1740, primarily by Benjamin Franklin, who was also their first president. A doctoral/research university, UPenn has a 99% first year retention rate, and 88% of students will go on to graduate in four years....Read more Selectivity Index 12.6 6.7% Acceptance Rate 5.4% SAT Score 1,510 – 1,580 Avg. Net Price $23,570 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $90,555
7	Brown University	12.0891	5.39	1,510 – 1,570	26256	79131	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Ivy Group Brown University Providence, RI Founded in 1764, Brown University was the first school in North America that accepted students regardless of their religion. Their women’s institution, Pembroke College, merged into Brown in 1971. Alumni have gone on to create famous companies including ZipRecruiter, Cards Against Humanity, and CNN....Read more Selectivity Index 12.1 0.2% Acceptance Rate 5.4% SAT Score 1,510 – 1,570 Avg. Net Price $26,256 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $79,131
8	Barnard College	7.7647	8.84	1,460 – 1,550	26407	60411	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Ivy Group Barnard College New York, NY Barnard College is a private women’s liberal arts college located on the banks of the Hudson River. It was founded in response to Columbia University not admitting women. Today, it’s part of the Seven Sisters, an association of women’s liberal arts colleges. Their motto is "Following the Way of Reason” in Greek. Selectivity Index 7.8 18.3% Acceptance Rate 8.8% SAT Score 1,460 – 1,550 Avg. Net Price $26,407 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $60,411
9	Cornell University	7.2957	8.76	1,490 – 1,570	26361	87830	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Ivy Group Cornell University Ithaca, NY Cornell University is made up of seven undergraduate colleges and seven graduate divisions. Some famous alumni include Christopher Reeve, Bill Nye, E.B. White, and Anthony Fauci. 98% of students stay on after the first year, with 96% graduating within six years. Computer Science is the most popular major. Selectivity Index 7.3 9.8% Acceptance Rate 8.8% SAT Score 1,490 – 1,570 Avg. Net Price $26,361 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $87,830

School data is from 2023–2024 (top 500 results shown) for schools with at least 100 undergraduate students.

2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Ivy Group

About

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Ivy Group

22.9 5.6%

3.7%

1,510 – 1,590

$17,525

$99,572

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Ivy Group

18.0 15.3%

3.9%

1,470 – 1,570

$22,408

$81,765

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Ivy Group

16.3 4.1%

4.6%

1,510 – 1,570

$15,313

$87,815

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Ivy Group

16.3 9.0%

4.0%

1,510 – 1,570

$22,520

$88,535

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Ivy Group

12.8 18.8%

5.4%

1,490 – 1,570

$20,322

$82,541

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Ivy Group

12.6 6.7%

5.4%

1,510 – 1,580

$23,570

$90,555

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Ivy Group

12.1 0.2%

5.4%

1,510 – 1,570

$26,256

$79,131

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Ivy Group

7.8 18.3%

8.8%

1,460 – 1,550

$26,407

$60,411

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Selectivity Index – Ivy Group

7.3 9.8%

8.8%

1,490 – 1,570

$26,361

$87,830

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22.9
5.6%

18.0
15.3%

16.3
4.1%

16.3
9.0%

12.8
18.8%

12.6
6.7%

12.1
0.2%

7.8
18.3%

7.3
9.8%