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Acceptance Rates at Ivy League Schools
By
Savannah Dawson
Prior to coming to Scholarships360 for her first internship in 2022, Savannah utilized her campus publications by joining various fashion publications that are offered at Ohio University. One of those publications is Thread Magazine, where Savannah has had the opportunity to work on articles related to world-wide related fashion news and events, as well as articles closer to home, such as a fashion piece on Athens hometown-hero Joe Burrow. This year, Savannah also had the opportunity to be a content writing intern for Aiken House, as well as a section editor for Southeast Ohio Magazine. In 2023, Savannah served as the Chapter President of her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta. These collective experiences, as well as her experience currently working for Ohio University’s Undergraduate Admissions, has led her to Scholarships360 and aided in her passion for helping students better understand the college admissions process and financial aid. In her free time, Savannah enjoys horseback riding, watching Formula One races, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family. Savannah will graduate from Ohio University in May 2024 with a degree in Journalism News and Information and a certificate in Italian Studies.
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Cece Gilmore is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cece earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University. While at ASU, she was the education editor as well as a published staff reporter at Downtown Devil. Cece was also the co-host of her own radio show on Blaze Radio ASU.
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Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.
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Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.
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If you are considering applying for one or more Ivy League schools, then you may be wondering about Ivy League acceptance rates. Ivy league schools are some of the most competitive schools in the United States with their rigorous academic and extracurricular requirements. Let’s dive into the acceptance rates at these schools!
What is an Ivy League school?
The Ivy League is a group of eight prestigious, private universities named for their athletic conference. All eight of these institutions are all highly ranked for their academics, athletics, and accomplished alumni.
Which schools are in the Ivy League?
There are eight schools in the Ivy League, which include:
- Brown University
- Columbia University
- Cornell University
- Dartmouth College
- Harvard University
- Princeton University
- University of Pennsylvania
- Yale University
Acceptance rates at Ivy League schools
The list below is arranged in alphabetical order. We linked out to the Scholarships360 data on the acceptance rate of each university.
Brown University
Brown University is located in Providence, Rhode Island. The acceptance rate at this university is 5%.
Columbia University
Columbia University is located in Manhattan, New York. The acceptance rate at Columbia is 4%.
Cornell University
Cornell University is located in Ithaca, New York. The acceptance rate is 7%.
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is located in Hanover, New Hampshire. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Harvard University
Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The acceptance rate is 3%.
Princeton University
Princeton University is located in Princeton, New Jersey. The acceptance rate at Princeton is 6%.
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The acceptance rate is 7%.
Yale University
Yale University is located in New Haven, Connecticut. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Also see: All about the little ivies
Chart breaking down the Ivy League acceptance rates
| Ivy League School | Acceptance Rate |
| Brown University | 5% |
| Columbia University | 4% |
| Cornell University | 7% |
| Dartmouth College | 6% |
| Harvard University | 3% |
| Princeton University | 6% |
| University of Pennsylvania | 7% |
| Yale University | 5% |
Why do acceptance Ivy League rates matter?
Ultimately, acceptance rates matter most if you are really interested in attending a particular school. Ivy League schools, with their very low acceptance rates, are reach schools for almost all students. So, it’s a good idea to balance them with some schools that you have a better chance of getting into, like safety and match schools. It’s also a good idea to remember to apply to a good number of schools, no matter how much you have your heart set on that one Ivy League.
Related: 10 tips for a successful college application
So, if the chances are so low, then how do I get in?
The best way that you can understand how to get into an Ivy League school is to first choose your top schools. Then, do your research on what attributes current students at those schools have. You can look at average SAT or ACT scores, extracurricular activities, and the values that each school holds. From there, see which schools are the best fit for you, and take it from there.
Also see: All about the Public Ivies
Closing thoughts
If you are passionate about going to one of the Ivy League schools, you should not let the acceptance rate deter you from applying. Although competitive, the Ivy League schools use a holistic approach when it comes to looking at applicants. Therefore, you will be evaluated as more than just a student with good grades. Remember to be yourself and your personality will shine through more than grades and test scores ever can!
Don’t miss: What are the Hidden Ivies?
Resources for students
Ivy League schools require a great deal of preparation and research. Luckily, we have you covered with a lot of the information that you may need. From information about Ivy League scholarships, to schools that have higher acceptance rates with Ivy League educations (AKA, the Hidden Ivies), we have everything you need and more. Good luck on your college endeavors!
Related: All about Ivy Plus schools
Frequently asked questions about Ivy League acceptance rates
Which Ivy League is easiest to get into?
Do you need a 4.0 GPA for Ivy League?
Is it harder to get into an Ivy League school as an international student?