Key Takeaways:
- A college’s admission (or acceptance) rate refers to the percentage of admitted students in relation to the number of students that applied for that year’s application cycle.
- The lowest admission rate currently in the US is CalTech followed closely by Harvard University–both with acceptances rates just above 3%.
- To get ahead of the competition, it helps to show interest in the school by applying early decision (ED) or early action (EA). Working hard to boost your SAT and/or ACT scores, showing your readiness for academic rigor, is also a great way to open yourself up to more selective colleges.
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When choosing a college, important factors to consider include the academic curriculum, the cost of tuition, the financial aid package that’s offered, and the admission rate of the college. Admission rates tell you the selectivity of the school, or in other words, how difficult it may be to get accepted into the college. Low admission rates may mean higher competition, and therefore signify highly selective schools.
Knowing which schools have the lowest admission rates can help you form a solid plan and make a strong application, which could put you ahead of the competition no matter how fierce it may be.
What Is an Admission Rate?
Admission rate, more commonly known as acceptance rate, is the percentage of applicants a college admits each year. It is calculated by dividing the number of students accepted by the total number of students who applied, then multiplying by 100. For example, if a college receives 10,000 applications and accepts 500 students, the admission rate is 5%. If it accepts 1,000 students, the admission rate is 10%.
A low admission rate means the school accepts only a small percentage of the total applications it receives. This usually signals that it is highly selective with higher competition and more rigorous acceptance requirements.
Admission rate matters because it helps you understand your chances of getting in so you can build a realistic college list and prepare a strong application.
Factors That Affect College Admission Rates
There are multiple factors that influence a college’s admission rate.
- Demand. Popular colleges with strong reputations generally attract more applications, and with the school’s limited seats and housing availability, demand can significantly lower admission rates.
- Academic Standards. More selective colleges often set higher academic standards—like exceptional GPAs and high SAT/ACT scores—for prospective students, resulting in fewer acceptances.
- Enrollment capacity. When a school’s class size is smaller, admission rates go down, even if they may get fewer applications for that year.
50 Colleges with the Lowest Admission Rates
As you explore colleges with the lowest admissions rates, you’ll notice they tightly align with the Top 50 Colleges in the US. This holds consistent with the fact that lower admission rates usually mean high standards for students and even higher demand for the college, combining to denote a very good school.
School |
Location |
Fall 2023 Acceptance Rate |
| California Institute of Technology | Pasadena, CA | 3% |
| Harvard University | Cambridge, MA | 3% |
| Minerva University | San Francisco, CA | 4% |
| Stanford University | Stanford, CA | 4% |
| Columbia University in the City of New York | New York City, NY | 4% |
| Princeton University | Princeton, NJ | 5% |
| Yale University | New Haven, CT | 5% |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge, MA | 5% |
| University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | 5% |
| Brown University | Providence, RI | 5% |
| Northeastern University | Boston, MA | 6% |
| University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | 6% |
| Dartmouth College | Hanover, NH | 6% |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN | 6% |
| Pomona College | Claremont, CA | 7% |
| Duke University | Durham, NC | 7% |
| Colby College | Waterville, ME | 7% |
| Swarthmore College | Swarthmore, PA | 7% |
| Curtis Institute of Music | Philadelphia, PA | 7% |
| Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | 7% |
| Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD | 8% |
| Rice University | Houston, TX | 8% |
| Barnard College | New York City, NY | 8% |
| Bowdoin College | Brunswick, ME | 8% |
| Cornell University | Ithaca, NY | 8% |
| University of California-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | 9% |
| The Juilliard School | New York City, NY | 9% |
| United States Naval Academy | Annapolis, MD | 9% |
| New York University | New York City, NY | 9% |
| Amherst College | Amherst, MA | 10% |
| Williams College | Williamstown, MA | 10% |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | 10% |
| Tufts University | Medford, MA | 10% |
| Middlebury College | Middlebury, VT | 10% |
| Boston University | Boston, MA | 11% |
| Emory University | Atlanta, GA | 11% |
| Claremont McKenna College | Claremont, CA | 11% |
| Stanbridge University | Irvine, CA | 11% |
| Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | 11% |
| Washington University of Science and Technology | Vienna, VA | 11% |
| University of California-Berkeley | Berkeley, CA | 12% |
| Hamilton College | Clinton, NY | 12% |
| Colgate University | Hamilton, NY | 12% |
| Washington University in St. Louis | St. Louis, MO | 12% |
| University of Notre Dame | Notre Dame, IN | 12% |
| Grinnell College | Grinnell, IA | 13% |
| Haverford College | Haverford, PA | 13% |
| Bates College | Lewiston, ME | 13% |
| Harvey Mudd College | Claremont, CA | 13% |
| Georgetown University | Washington, DC | 13% |
Tips For Boosting Your Acceptance Chances to Colleges With Low Admission Rates
- Take challenging courses and aim for your highest possible GPA. Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or honors classes can give you the competitive edge.
- Start preparing early for the SAT or ACT tests if your shortlisted colleges require them. Take timed practice tests and work towards improving your scores and timings.
- When it comes to extracurricular activities, quality matters more than quantity. Choose one or two activities and stick with them to demonstrate your passion and commitment.
- Crush your college essays. This is your chance to shine by sharing your unique experiences, personal story, and goals. Don’t send the same essay to all schools. Write a unique essay and tailor it to that college. See application essays that got students into their dream colleges and why they work
- Many colleges have Early Decision or Early Action applications. If you’re sure you want to attend a particular college, applying early can sometimes improve your chances of acceptance.
- Keep track of application requirements, materials, and deadlines. Submitting a complete application on time is critical. Most colleges do not accept or review applications that come in after the deadline
Should You Apply to the Lowest Admission Rate College?
The lowest admission rate colleges offer top programs and excellent resources. However, their extreme selectivity means most applicants won’t get in, even with great qualifications. This does not mean you should not give it a shot if you meet the requirements – strong grades, high test scores, and outstanding extracurricular activities.
When creating your college shortlist, don’t just focus on those with the lowest admission rates. Make sure to create a balanced shortlist with a mix of reach, match, and safety schools. Use College Raptor’s FREE college match tool to determine your admission odds and potential financial aid packages for any college in the country!
