US CollegesThe 100 most selective colleges in the United States
Ranked by admission rate, lowest first, among colleges with at least 500 undergraduates. The first on the list admits 2.6% of applicants; the hundredth admits 29%.
No college in this list matches.
| No. | College | Admission rate | Net price a year | Graduation rate | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California Institute of TechnologyPasadena, CA · Private nonprofit | 2.6% | $8,509 | 90% | $166,642 |
| 2 | Minerva UniversitySan Francisco, CA · Private nonprofit | 3.0% | not reported | 93% | not reported |
| 3 | Stanford UniversityStanford, CA · Private nonprofit | 3.6% | $12,307 | 92% | $125,340 |
| 4 | Harvard UniversityCambridge, MA · Private nonprofit | 3.6% | $19,148 | 97% | $121,957 |
| 5 | Yale UniversityNew Haven, CT · Private nonprofit | 3.9% | $11,340 | 96% | $118,356 |
| 6 | Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York, NY · Private nonprofit | 4.0% | $15,370 | 95% | $109,430 |
| 7 | University of ChicagoChicago, IL · Private nonprofit | 4.5% | $16,776 | 95% | $103,872 |
| 8 | Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridge, MA · Private nonprofit | 4.5% | $14,815 | 96% | $152,553 |
| 9 | Princeton UniversityPrinceton, NJ · Private nonprofit | 4.6% | $7,815 | 97% | $133,523 |
| 10 | Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA · Private nonprofit | 5.2% | $17,850 | 91% | $99,371 |
| 11 | Brown UniversityProvidence, RI · Private nonprofit | 5.4% | $26,976 | 96% | $99,974 |
| 12 | Dartmouth CollegeHanover, NH · Private nonprofit | 5.4% | $26,707 | 95% | $111,162 |
| 13 | University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA · Private nonprofit | 5.4% | $29,577 | 97% | $121,687 |
| 14 | Duke UniversityDurham, NC · Private nonprofit | 5.7% | $23,706 | 96% | $113,937 |
| 15 | Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, TN · Private nonprofit | 5.9% | $15,497 | 93% | $99,080 |
| 16 | Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore, MD · Private nonprofit | 6.4% | $18,431 | 93% | $104,590 |
| 17 | Pomona CollegeClaremont, CA · Private nonprofit | 7.1% | $18,978 | 92% | $84,281 |
| 18 | Colby CollegeWaterville, ME · Private nonprofit | 7.1% | $19,835 | 87% | $88,776 |
| 19 | Bowdoin CollegeBrunswick, ME · Private nonprofit | 7.1% | $15,595 | 93% | $90,153 |
| 20 | Swarthmore CollegeSwarthmore, PA · Private nonprofit | 7.5% | $17,392 | 92% | $86,311 |
| 21 | Northwestern UniversityEvanston, IL · Private nonprofit | 7.7% | $34,420 | 96% | $104,255 |
| 22 | Rice UniversityHouston, TX · Private nonprofit | 8.0% | $11,164 | 95% | $90,773 |
| 23 | Williams CollegeWilliamstown, MA · Private nonprofit | 8.2% | $15,157 | 95% | $95,954 |
| 24 | Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY · Private nonprofit | 8.8% | $33,934 | 95% | $113,531 |
| 25 | Barnard CollegeNew York, NY · Private nonprofit | 8.8% | $28,930 | 92% | $98,280 |
| 26 | University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA · Public | 9.0% | $14,659 | 93% | $88,581 |
| 27 | Amherst CollegeAmherst, MA · Private nonprofit | 9.0% | $19,536 | 93% | $95,161 |
| 28 | New York UniversityNew York, NY · Private nonprofit | 9.2% | $35,737 | 88% | $90,957 |
| 29 | United States Naval AcademyAnnapolis, MD · Public | 9.3% | not reported | 88% | not reported |
| 30 | Claremont McKenna CollegeClaremont, CA · Private nonprofit | 9.6% | $26,039 | 90% | $127,532 |
| 31 | University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit | 9.8% | $33,056 | 90% | $103,420 |
| 32 | Stanbridge UniversityIrvine, CA · Private for-profit | 10% | $25,124 | 51% | $67,293 |
| 33 | Emory UniversityAtlanta, GA · Private nonprofit | 11% | $16,754 | 91% | $93,897 |
| 34 | Middlebury CollegeMiddlebury, VT · Private nonprofit | 11% | $32,102 | 93% | $85,077 |
| 35 | University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley, CA · Public | 11% | $14,538 | 94% | $100,212 |
| 36 | Boston UniversityBoston, MA · Private nonprofit | 11% | $36,503 | 90% | $89,087 |
| 37 | University of Notre DameNotre Dame, IN · Private nonprofit | 11% | $25,339 | 95% | $113,124 |
| 38 | Tufts UniversityMedford, MA · Private nonprofit | 11% | $38,797 | 94% | $89,187 |
| 39 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh, PA · Private nonprofit | 12% | $35,780 | 94% | $125,257 |
| 40 | College of the OzarksPoint Lookout, MO · Private nonprofit | 12% | $13,114 | 63% | $47,246 |
| 41 | Washington University in St LouisSt. Louis, MO · Private nonprofit | 12% | $13,360 | 93% | $91,497 |
| 42 | Haverford CollegeHaverford, PA · Private nonprofit | 12% | $31,075 | 89% | $76,397 |
| 43 | United States Military AcademyWest Point, NY · Public | 12% | not reported | 86% | not reported |
| 44 | Harvey Mudd CollegeClaremont, CA · Private nonprofit | 13% | $39,347 | 93% | $164,248 |
| 45 | Georgetown UniversityWashington, DC · Private nonprofit | 13% | $33,661 | 94% | $110,516 |
| 46 | Emory University-Oxford CollegeOxford, GA · Private nonprofit | 13% | $33,917 | 93% | $93,897 |
| 47 | Bates CollegeLewiston, ME · Private nonprofit | 13% | $27,390 | 88% | $98,373 |
| 48 | Davidson CollegeDavidson, NC · Private nonprofit | 13% | $15,060 | 90% | $89,297 |
| 49 | Hamilton CollegeClinton, NY · Private nonprofit | 14% | $25,793 | 90% | $84,956 |
| 50 | Colgate UniversityHamilton, NY · Private nonprofit | 14% | $29,409 | 89% | $96,328 |
| 51 | Washington and Lee UniversityLexington, VA · Private nonprofit | 14% | $25,279 | 96% | $102,966 |
| 52 | Tulane University of LouisianaNew Orleans, LA · Private nonprofit | 14% | $40,693 | 87% | $68,226 |
| 53 | Wellesley CollegeWellesley, MA · Private nonprofit | 14% | $23,995 | 91% | $90,458 |
| 54 | Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusAtlanta, GA · Public | 14% | $12,028 | 94% | $114,210 |
| 55 | United States Air Force AcademyUSAF Academy, CO · Public | 14% | not reported | 84% | not reported |
| 56 | Grinnell CollegeGrinnell, IA · Private nonprofit | 15% | $15,203 | 86% | $72,106 |
| 57 | University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill, NC · Public | 15% | $11,305 | 91% | $81,094 |
| 58 | University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor, MI · Public | 16% | $14,362 | 93% | $92,832 |
| 59 | Boston CollegeChestnut Hill, MA · Private nonprofit | 16% | $38,930 | 90% | $112,178 |
| 60 | Wesleyan UniversityMiddletown, CT · Private nonprofit | 16% | $23,014 | 90% | $86,811 |
| 61 | University of Virginia-Main CampusCharlottesville, VA · Public | 17% | $18,056 | 94% | $96,468 |
| 62 | Helene Fuld College of NursingNew York, NY · Private nonprofit | 17% | $38,536 | not reported | $109,916 |
| 63 | Babson CollegeWellesley, MA · Private nonprofit | 17% | $34,096 | 92% | $138,950 |
| 64 | Denison UniversityGranville, OH · Private nonprofit | 17% | $40,163 | 78% | $73,151 |
| 65 | College of the Holy CrossWorcester, MA · Private nonprofit | 18% | $38,829 | 86% | $100,485 |
| 66 | Colorado CollegeColorado Springs, CO · Private nonprofit | 18% | $27,951 | 86% | $70,914 |
| 67 | Vassar CollegePoughkeepsie, NY · Private nonprofit | 19% | $36,924 | 89% | $75,532 |
| 68 | Rhode Island School of DesignProvidence, RI · Private nonprofit | 19% | $50,513 | 92% | $69,341 |
| 69 | University of MiamiCoral Gables, FL · Private nonprofit | 19% | $36,483 | 84% | $84,093 |
| 70 | Berea CollegeBerea, KY · Private nonprofit | 19% | $5,836 | 66% | $48,071 |
| 71 | Carleton CollegeNorthfield, MN · Private nonprofit | 20% | $25,295 | 89% | $82,742 |
| 72 | Florida Agricultural and Mechanical UniversityTallahassee, FL · Public | 21% | $15,220 | 61% | $52,104 |
| 73 | The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and ArtNew York, NY · Private nonprofit | 21% | $12,999 | 82% | $76,895 |
| 74 | Hillsdale CollegeHillsdale, MI · Private nonprofit | 21% | not reported | 89% | not reported |
| 75 | Smith CollegeNorthampton, MA · Private nonprofit | 21% | $25,519 | 86% | $69,936 |
| 76 | Skidmore CollegeSaratoga Springs, NY · Private nonprofit | 21% | $31,829 | 82% | $79,268 |
| 77 | Wake Forest UniversityWinston-Salem, NC · Private nonprofit | 22% | $28,165 | 90% | $104,443 |
| 78 | University of RichmondUniversity of Richmond, VA · Private nonprofit | 22% | $34,256 | 87% | $92,362 |
| 79 | United States Coast Guard AcademyNew London, CT · Public | 22% | not reported | 95% | not reported |
| 80 | Citadel Military College of South CarolinaCharleston, SC · Public | 23% | $22,019 | 79% | $82,609 |
| 81 | Crown CollegeSaint Bonifacius, MN · Private nonprofit | 23% | $25,963 | 47% | $50,003 |
| 82 | Cabarrus College of Health SciencesConcord, NC · Private nonprofit | 23% | $16,171 | 44% | $62,982 |
| 83 | University of FloridaGainesville, FL · Public | 24% | $5,969 | 92% | $78,456 |
| 84 | Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL · Public | 24% | $8,605 | 86% | $68,225 |
| 85 | Reed CollegePortland, OR · Private nonprofit | 25% | $32,800 | 74% | $64,977 |
| 86 | Spelman CollegeAtlanta, GA · Private nonprofit | 25% | $46,089 | 77% | $65,773 |
| 87 | Pitzer CollegeClaremont, CA · Private nonprofit | 25% | $36,135 | 83% | $72,270 |
| 88 | Trinity UniversitySan Antonio, TX · Private nonprofit | 26% | $22,962 | 82% | $79,620 |
| 89 | Lehigh UniversityBethlehem, PA · Private nonprofit | 26% | $25,272 | 85% | $116,342 |
| 90 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico-FajardoFajardo, PR · Private nonprofit | 27% | $9,597 | 44% | $28,660 |
| 91 | The University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX · Public | 27% | $18,554 | 89% | $81,694 |
| 92 | University of California-San DiegoLa Jolla, CA · Public | 27% | $14,794 | 86% | $96,197 |
| 93 | Villanova UniversityVillanova, PA · Private nonprofit | 27% | $41,536 | 93% | $115,382 |
| 94 | Franklin and Marshall CollegeLancaster, PA · Private nonprofit | 28% | $33,445 | 79% | $81,484 |
| 95 | Macalester CollegeSaint Paul, MN · Private nonprofit | 29% | $27,851 | 91% | $69,951 |
| 96 | University of Virginia's College at WiseWise, VA · Public | 29% | $5,869 | 44% | $50,389 |
| 97 | University of California-IrvineIrvine, CA · Public | 29% | $13,866 | 87% | $83,432 |
| 98 | Bucknell UniversityLewisburg, PA · Private nonprofit | 29% | $50,021 | 85% | $109,954 |
| 99 | Mississippi Christian UniversityClinton, MS · Private nonprofit | 29% | $21,034 | 64% | $54,122 |
| 100 | Trinity CollegeHartford, CT · Private nonprofit | 29% | $37,004 | 83% | $103,089 |
Reading this list
- A low admission rate shows how many people apply for each place. It is not a measure of teaching quality.
- Some very selective colleges have low net prices, because they give large grants to students from lower-income families. Those grants are often not open to international students.
- Colleges that do not report an admission rate, or have fewer than 500 undergraduates, are left out.
What the list is made of
The 100 colleges are in 32 states and territories; the most are in California (13), Massachusetts (12), New York (11) and Pennsylvania (8). By type, 18 public, 81 private nonprofit and 1 private for-profit. Admission rates on the list run from 2.6% to 29%, against a median of 77% for all colleges that report one.
What else the figures show
The colleges on this list keep their students: their median graduation rate is 90%, against 49% for all colleges. Median earnings ten years on are $91,227 at the middle college of the list (all colleges: $53,132). The median net price is $25,198 a year, compared with $17,357 for all colleges, although published tuition at most of them is far higher than that. The lowest net price on the list is $5,836 at Berea College.
Using the list
The filter above the table narrows the list by name, city or type of college. Open a college to see its costs by family income, its results next to the state and national medians, and other colleges of a similar size in the same state. A place on a list like this is a starting point for questions, not a verdict on a college: each column counts a particular group of students, explained in how to read the figures.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education, data released on 2 November 2026; checked in November 2026. Net price, debt and earnings describe students who received US federal aid. Costs change each year. This is official data for general information, not advice: confirm costs and admission rules on the college's own website and at collegescorecard.ed.gov.