Hardest colleges to get into in the United States
Top 50 colleges in the United States with the lowest acceptance rates
What are the hardest colleges to get into in the United States? We've got you covered. We've compiled a national college database and have created a list of the hardest universities to get into in the United States below. These are the hardest 4 year colleges to get into in the United States, and sometimes some of the hardest colleges to get into in the US. You could even say these are the best colleges in the United States. We also include each college's median SAT and ACT scores so that you can see where you're most competitive. Read on to find out more.
Acceptance rates and test scores are for students who applied to start college in fall 2024, from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard unless an entry names the school's own figures. SAT section scores and ACT scores are medians for enrolled first-year students who submitted them, and an SAT total is the two section medians added together. Published , updated .
Table of contents
51.Conclusion
California Institute of Technology acceptance rate
California Institute of Technology accepted 2.6% of applicants for fall 2024.
No SAT scores for California Institute of Technology are available for fall 2024.
California Institute of Technology neither requires nor recommends SAT or ACT scores.
Stanford University acceptance rate
Stanford University accepted 3.6% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Stanford University, the median SAT section scores add up to 1550.
- SAT math: 790
- SAT reading/writing: 760
The median ACT composite score at Stanford University is 35.
Stanford University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Harvard University acceptance rate
Harvard University accepted 3.7% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Harvard University, the median SAT section scores add up to 1550.
- SAT math: 790
- SAT reading/writing: 760
The median ACT composite score at Harvard University is 35.
Harvard University requires SAT or ACT scores.
Yale University acceptance rate
Yale University accepted 3.9% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Yale University, the median SAT section scores add up to 1540.
- SAT math: 780
- SAT reading/writing: 760
The median ACT composite score at Yale University is 34.
Yale University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Columbia University in the City of New York acceptance rate
Columbia University in the City of New York accepted 4% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Columbia University in the City of New York, the median SAT section scores add up to 1550.
- SAT math: 790
- SAT reading/writing: 760
The median ACT composite score at Columbia University in the City of New York is 35.
Columbia University in the City of New York considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
University of Chicago acceptance rate
University of Chicago accepted 4.5% of applicants for fall 2024.
At University of Chicago, the median SAT section scores add up to 1550.
- SAT math: 790
- SAT reading/writing: 760
The median ACT composite score at University of Chicago is 35.
University of Chicago considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology acceptance rate
Massachusetts Institute of Technology accepted 4.6% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the median SAT section scores add up to 1560.
- SAT math: 800
- SAT reading/writing: 760
The median ACT composite score at Massachusetts Institute of Technology is 35.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology requires SAT or ACT scores.
Princeton University acceptance rate
Princeton University accepted 4.6% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Princeton University, the median SAT section scores add up to 1550.
- SAT math: 790
- SAT reading/writing: 760
The median ACT composite score at Princeton University is 35.
Princeton University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Northeastern University acceptance rate
Northeastern University accepted 5.2% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Northeastern University, the median SAT section scores add up to 1490.
- SAT math: 760
- SAT reading/writing: 730
The median ACT composite score at Northeastern University is 34.
Northeastern University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Dartmouth College acceptance rate
Dartmouth College accepted 5.4% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Dartmouth College, the median SAT section scores add up to 1540.
- SAT math: 780
- SAT reading/writing: 760
The median ACT composite score at Dartmouth College is 34.
Dartmouth College considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
University of Pennsylvania acceptance rate
University of Pennsylvania accepted 5.4% of applicants for fall 2024.
At University of Pennsylvania, the median SAT section scores add up to 1550.
- SAT math: 790
- SAT reading/writing: 760
The median ACT composite score at University of Pennsylvania is 35.
University of Pennsylvania considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Brown University acceptance rate
Brown University accepted 5.4% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Brown University, the median SAT section scores add up to 1540.
- SAT math: 780
- SAT reading/writing: 760
The median ACT composite score at Brown University is 35.
Brown University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Duke University acceptance rate
Duke University accepted 5.7% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Duke University, the median SAT section scores add up to 1540.
- SAT math: 780
- SAT reading/writing: 760
The median ACT composite score at Duke University is 35.
Duke University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Vanderbilt University acceptance rate
Vanderbilt University accepted 5.9% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Vanderbilt University, the median SAT section scores add up to 1540.
- SAT math: 790
- SAT reading/writing: 750
The median ACT composite score at Vanderbilt University is 35.
Vanderbilt University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Johns Hopkins University acceptance rate
Johns Hopkins University accepted 6.4% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Johns Hopkins University, the median SAT section scores add up to 1550.
- SAT math: 790
- SAT reading/writing: 760
The median ACT composite score at Johns Hopkins University is 35.
Johns Hopkins University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Pomona College acceptance rate
Pomona College accepted 7.1% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Pomona College, the median SAT section scores add up to 1540.
- SAT math: 780
- SAT reading/writing: 760
The median ACT composite score at Pomona College is 34.
Pomona College considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Bowdoin College acceptance rate
Bowdoin College accepted 7.1% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Bowdoin College, the median SAT section scores add up to 1520.
- SAT math: 770
- SAT reading/writing: 750
The median ACT composite score at Bowdoin College is 34.
Bowdoin College considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Colby College acceptance rate
Colby College accepted 7.1% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Colby College, the median SAT section scores add up to 1510.
- SAT math: 770
- SAT reading/writing: 740
The median ACT composite score at Colby College is 33.
Colby College considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Swarthmore College acceptance rate
Swarthmore College accepted 7.5% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Swarthmore College, the median SAT section scores add up to 1540.
- SAT math: 780
- SAT reading/writing: 760
The median ACT composite score at Swarthmore College is 34.
Swarthmore College considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Northwestern University acceptance rate
Northwestern University accepted 7.7% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Northwestern University, the median SAT section scores add up to 1540.
- SAT math: 780
- SAT reading/writing: 760
The median ACT composite score at Northwestern University is 34.
Northwestern University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Rice University acceptance rate
Rice University accepted 8% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Rice University, the median SAT section scores add up to 1550.
- SAT math: 790
- SAT reading/writing: 760
The median ACT composite score at Rice University is 35.
Rice University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Williams College acceptance rate
Williams College accepted 8.3% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Williams College, the median SAT section scores add up to 1540.
- SAT math: 780
- SAT reading/writing: 760
The median ACT composite score at Williams College is 34.
Williams College considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Barnard College acceptance rate
Barnard College accepted 8.8% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Barnard College, the median SAT section scores add up to 1520.
- SAT math: 770
- SAT reading/writing: 750
The median ACT composite score at Barnard College is 34.
Barnard College considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Cornell University acceptance rate
Cornell University accepted 8.8% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Cornell University, the median SAT section scores add up to 1540.
- SAT math: 790
- SAT reading/writing: 750
The median ACT composite score at Cornell University is 34.
Cornell University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
University of California Los Angeles acceptance rate
University of California Los Angeles accepted 9% of applicants for fall 2024.
No SAT scores for University of California Los Angeles are available for fall 2024.
University of California Los Angeles neither requires nor recommends SAT or ACT scores.
Amherst College acceptance rate
Amherst College accepted 9% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Amherst College, the median SAT section scores add up to 1540.
- SAT math: 780
- SAT reading/writing: 760
The median ACT composite score at Amherst College is 34.
Amherst College considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
New York University acceptance rate
New York University accepted 9.2% of applicants for fall 2024.
At New York University, the median SAT section scores add up to 1520.
- SAT math: 780
- SAT reading/writing: 740
The median ACT composite score at New York University is 34.
New York University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
United States Naval Academy acceptance rate
United States Naval Academy accepted 9.3% of applicants for fall 2024.
At United States Naval Academy, the median SAT section scores add up to 1300.
- SAT math: 650
- SAT reading/writing: 650
The median ACT composite score at United States Naval Academy is 28.
United States Naval Academy considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Claremont McKenna College acceptance rate
Claremont McKenna College accepted 9.6% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Claremont McKenna College, the median SAT section scores add up to 1530.
- SAT math: 780
- SAT reading/writing: 750
The median ACT composite score at Claremont McKenna College is 34.
Claremont McKenna College considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
University of Southern California acceptance rate
University of Southern California accepted 9.8% of applicants for fall 2024.
At University of Southern California, the median SAT section scores add up to 1500.
- SAT math: 770
- SAT reading/writing: 730
The median ACT composite score at University of Southern California is 33.
University of Southern California considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Emory University acceptance rate
Emory University accepted 10.7% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Emory University, the median SAT section scores add up to 1520.
- SAT math: 780
- SAT reading/writing: 740
The median ACT composite score at Emory University is 34.
Emory University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Middlebury College acceptance rate
Middlebury College accepted 10.8% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Middlebury College, the median SAT section scores add up to 1500.
- SAT math: 760
- SAT reading/writing: 740
The median ACT composite score at Middlebury College is 34.
Middlebury College considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
University of California, Berkeley acceptance rate
University of California, Berkeley accepted 11% of applicants for fall 2024.
No SAT scores for University of California, Berkeley are available for fall 2024.
University of California, Berkeley neither requires nor recommends SAT or ACT scores.
Boston University acceptance rate
Boston University accepted 11.1% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Boston University, the median SAT section scores add up to 1480.
- SAT math: 760
- SAT reading/writing: 720
The median ACT composite score at Boston University is 33.
Boston University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
University of Notre Dame acceptance rate
University of Notre Dame accepted 11.3% of applicants for fall 2024.
At University of Notre Dame, the median SAT section scores add up to 1520.
- SAT math: 770
- SAT reading/writing: 750
The median ACT composite score at University of Notre Dame is 34.
University of Notre Dame considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Tufts University acceptance rate
Tufts University accepted 11.5% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Tufts University, the median SAT section scores add up to 1510.
- SAT math: 770
- SAT reading/writing: 740
The median ACT composite score at Tufts University is 34.
Tufts University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Carnegie Mellon University acceptance rate
Carnegie Mellon University accepted 11.7% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Carnegie Mellon University, the median SAT section scores add up to 1540.
- SAT math: 790
- SAT reading/writing: 750
The median ACT composite score at Carnegie Mellon University is 35.
Carnegie Mellon University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Washington University in Saint Louis acceptance rate
Washington University in Saint Louis accepted 12.1% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Washington University in Saint Louis, the median SAT section scores add up to 1540.
- SAT math: 790
- SAT reading/writing: 750
The median ACT composite score at Washington University in Saint Louis is 34.
Washington University in Saint Louis considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Haverford College acceptance rate
Haverford College accepted 12.4% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Haverford College, the median SAT section scores add up to 1510.
- SAT math: 760
- SAT reading/writing: 750
The median ACT composite score at Haverford College is 34.
Haverford College considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Harvey Mudd College acceptance rate
Harvey Mudd College accepted 12.7% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Harvey Mudd College, the median SAT section scores add up to 1540.
- SAT math: 790
- SAT reading/writing: 750
The median ACT composite score at Harvey Mudd College is 35.
Harvey Mudd College considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Georgetown University acceptance rate
Georgetown University accepted 12.9% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Georgetown University, the median SAT section scores add up to 1490.
- SAT math: 750
- SAT reading/writing: 740
The median ACT composite score at Georgetown University is 33.
Georgetown University requires SAT or ACT scores.
Bates College acceptance rate
Bates College accepted 13.3% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Bates College, the median SAT section scores add up to 1465.
- SAT math: 735
- SAT reading/writing: 730
The median ACT composite score at Bates College is 33.
Bates College considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Davidson College acceptance rate
Davidson College accepted 13.4% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Davidson College, the median SAT section scores add up to 1460.
- SAT math: 740
- SAT reading/writing: 720
The median ACT composite score at Davidson College is 33.
Davidson College considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Hamilton College acceptance rate
Hamilton College accepted 13.6% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Hamilton College, the median SAT section scores add up to 1500.
- SAT math: 760
- SAT reading/writing: 740
The median ACT composite score at Hamilton College is 34.
Hamilton College considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Colgate University acceptance rate
Colgate University accepted 13.9% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Colgate University, the median SAT section scores add up to 1500.
- SAT math: 760
- SAT reading/writing: 740
The median ACT composite score at Colgate University is 34.
Colgate University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Tulane University acceptance rate
Tulane University accepted 14% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Tulane University, the median SAT section scores add up to 1465.
- SAT math: 740
- SAT reading/writing: 725
The median ACT composite score at Tulane University is 32.
Tulane University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Washington and Lee University acceptance rate
Washington and Lee University accepted 14% of applicants for fall 2024.
Bobak Ha'Eri / Wikimedia Commons / "Iconic buildings of Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. From left to right: Newcomb Hall, Payne Hall, Washington Hall (center), Robinson Hall, Tucker Hall." / CC BY 3.0
At Washington and Lee University, the median SAT section scores add up to 1480.
- SAT math: 750
- SAT reading/writing: 730
The median ACT composite score at Washington and Lee University is 34.
Washington and Lee University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Georgia Institute of Technology acceptance rate
Georgia Institute of Technology accepted 14.1% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Georgia Institute of Technology, the median SAT section scores add up to 1480.
- SAT math: 760
- SAT reading/writing: 720
The median ACT composite score at Georgia Institute of Technology is 33.
Georgia Institute of Technology requires SAT or ACT scores.
Wellesley College acceptance rate
Wellesley College accepted 14.1% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Wellesley College, the median SAT section scores add up to 1520.
- SAT math: 770
- SAT reading/writing: 750
The median ACT composite score at Wellesley College is 34.
Wellesley College considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Grinnell College acceptance rate
Grinnell College accepted 14.5% of applicants for fall 2024.
At Grinnell College, the median SAT section scores add up to 1490.
- SAT math: 760
- SAT reading/writing: 730
The median ACT composite score at Grinnell College is 33.
Grinnell College considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them.
Conclusion
Getting into any college is an accomplishment, but these schools are arguably the hardest to get into in the United States. Knowledge is power, and we hope this list gives you the key data you need to make a decision on where you should apply. You will want to be above the median SAT or ACT score, and have a strong GPA with good extracurriculars. Good luck!
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