Acceptance Rates at Ivy League Schools

By Savannah Dawson

Savannah Dawson is a Content Writer Intern at Scholarships360. Savannah is an undergraduate student at Ohio University pursuing a degree in Journalism News and Information, Magazine track, as well as a minor in Retail and Fashion Merchandising and a certificate in Italian Studies. During her time at OU, Savannah has been a Content Writer for Thread Magazine, as well as a Blogger for Her Campus Magazine and Variant Magazine. Full Bio

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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. Full Bio

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Updated: March 6th, 2023

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:

1. Brown University
2. Columbia University
3. Cornell University
4. Dartmouth College
5. Harvard University
6. Princeton University
7. University of Pennsylvania
8. Yale University

Acceptance rates at Ivy League schools

The list below is arranged in alphabetical order. We linked out to the common data sets for each university. Rather than share one overall acceptance rate, we included the acceptance rates for both regular and early decision (which is included further down on the individual datasets). Columbia University is still determining their percentages, so we will update that when it is available. 

Brown University

Brown University is located in Providence, Rhode Island. The acceptance rate at this university is 5.7%. The early decision acceptance rate is 18.2%.

Columbia University

Columbia University is located in Manhattan, New York. The overall acceptance rate at Columbia is 5.3%. The exact breakdown for regular and early decisions are yet to be determined. 

Cornell University

Cornell University is located in Ithaca, New York. The regular acceptance rate is 9.2%. The early decision acceptance rate is 22.7%.

Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College is located in Hanover, New Hampshire. The regular acceptance rate is 6.1%. The early decision acceptance rate is 23.2%.

Harvard University

Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The regular acceptance rate is 3.0%. The early action acceptance rate is 13.4%.

Princeton University

Princeton University is located in Princeton, New Jersey. The regular acceptance rate at Princeton is 4.2%. The early action acceptance rate is 13.9%.

University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The regular acceptance rate is 5.7%. The early decision acceptance rate is 18%. 

Yale University

Yale University is located in New Haven, Connecticut. The regular acceptance rate is 4.7%. The early action acceptance rate is 13.2%. 

Also see: All about the little ivies

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! 

Frequently asked questions about Ivy League acceptance rates

Related: All about Ivy Plus schools