

This rate reflects admission into Harvard College, the Ivy League university's undergraduate school. With a record-low admission rate of just 3.19% for the class of 2026, Harvard currently ranks as the most difficult school to get into. Total Number of Applicants (Class of 2026): 61,220.This has resulted in some of the lowest acceptance rates in U.S. With hundreds of schools going temporarily or permanently test-optional in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many colleges are experiencing record application numbers. All data is for the class of 2026 unless otherwise noted.

Use the table below to see which colleges are the most competitive in the U.S. They may not belong to the Ivy League, but they offer similarly extensive research opportunities and reputable degree programs. While Ivy League schools make up the majority of the hardest colleges to get into, other highly selective schools, like Stanford and MIT, have comparably low admission rates. Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below. These factors contribute to a long history of innovation and success. Over time, these schools have built up their reputations through a combination of academic excellence, large endowments, and notable alumni and faculty. The hardest colleges to get into are among the oldest in the U.S. So what makes certain colleges more difficult to get into? The country's most selective schools all have extremely rigorous admission standards and accept very few applicants. While strong grades and test scores can certainly increase your chances, they might still not be enough to gain admission into every college. Many high school students strive for the highest GPA and test scores to give themselves the best shot at getting into competitive colleges. The 10 colleges with the lowest admission rates admit less than 7% of applicants.Six of the 10 most competitive colleges are Ivy League schools.colleges maintain extremely rigorous admission standards. The Public Ivies, Little Ivies, and Other Ivy League Equivalents.

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