It is common knowledge that Ivy League schools are quite difficult to gain entry. They are not just the most prestigious colleges in the nation; they are also often ranked among the best schools in the world. This reputation puts them at the top of many college applicants’ wishlists as they apply for undergraduate programs.
The Ivy League colleges include Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth University, Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, and Yale University.
While it’s common knowledge that these schools are very exclusive, many people do not exactly know how hard it is to earn a spot. Hence, we’ve brought you the research that clearly shows the acceptance rates and stats in Ivy League colleges.
What Are the Ivy League University Acceptance Rates
During our research, we identified seven Ivy League colleges whose verifiable admissions data for 2021 was publicly available. We found that the average college acceptance rate is about 5.7 %. Compare this to the 57.5% average acceptance rate across all other national universities, and you can tell that it’s indeed extremely hard to get into Ivy League colleges. But there are steps you can take to improve your chances, and we’ll discuss them later in this article. Before then, here’s a detailed table showing the Ivy League acceptance rates and stats for the 2026 set.
| Ivy League Schools | Acceptance Rates (%) |
| Harvard | 3.19% |
| Princeton | ~4% |
| Columbia | 3.73% |
| Yale | 4.46% |
| Brown | 5% |
| Pennsylvania | 4.4% |
| Dartmouth | 6.2% |
| Cornell | ~8% |
Video: The unspoken truth about getting into the Ivy League.
How to Improve Your Chances of Admission into Ivy League Schools
Getting into an Ivy League school may be difficult, but it’s not impossible. There are quite a number of factors that college admission officers consider when determining your readiness for these competitive schools. A clear understanding of some of these factors can help to boost your chances. Other tips that can help you include:
1. Earn stellar grades in high school
One of the first steps towards gaining admission into an Ivy League college is to study hard and earn the academic qualifications for it. All Ivy League schools require applicants to have excellent grades and top-notch test scores to qualify for admission. So, the journey to an Ivy League school starts when you enter high school. You want to register for and pass all required tests on time.
H2. Pay attention to the essays
Your essay is an essential aspect of your application process. Ivy League hopefuls usually see it as an opportunity to stand out positively by delivering a well-rounded and eloquent application essay that covers a fascinating topic.
What’s more, it’s the applicant’s chance to use their own voice. A great essay makes the admission committee fall in love with you from the start. Successful candidates can usually come up with strong reasons why they should be admitted into an Ivy League school.
3. Distinguish Yourself
As mentioned earlier, hundreds of thousands of people apply for Ivy League colleges every year. Most times, these are the best students from top schools around the country. So it’s not just enough to have good grades. You want to also stand out from the crowd. The best way to do this is to look for something you’ve accomplished that sets you apart. If you’ve participated in a community project before, write it. Belong to a sports team? Write it. Anything can give you an edge at this point, so don’t underrate any information you feel like sharing
Video: IVY LEAGUE Admissions Expert REVEALS College Admissions Secrets
2028 Ivy League Acceptance Rates
Video: Every Ivy League Explained in 8 Minutes
Ivy League Acceptance Rates: An 8-Year Overview
The acceptance rates of Ivy League schools over the past eight years illustrate the changing dynamics and increasing competitiveness of college admissions. These trends reflect various factors such as global events, shifts in application strategies, and institutional policies that have impacted admissions over time.
Historical Acceptance Rates (2016 - 2028)
The table below provides an overview of the acceptance rates for each Ivy League school from 2016 to the Class of 2028, highlighting significant trends and changes:
| Ivy League School | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
| Harvard | 5.2% | 5.1% | 4.6% | 4.5% | 4.9% | 5.2% | 4.9% | 4.7% | 4.6% | 3.4% | 3.2% | 3.4% | 3.7% |
| Columbia | 6.0% | 5.8% | 5.5% | 5.1% | 6.1% | 5.8% | 5.5% | 5.3% | 4.9% | 3.7% | 3.4% | 3.5% | 3.9% |
| Yale | 6.3% | 6.1% | 6.3% | 5.9% | 6.5% | 6.9% | 5.9% | 5.6% | 4.6% | 4.0% | 4.2% | 4.3% | 3.9% |
| Brown | 9.0% | 8.3% | 8.5% | 7.7% | 8.6% | 8.3% | 7.8% | 6.9% | 6.7% | 6.6% | 6.3% | 5.8% | 5.3% |
| UPenn | 9.4% | 9.2% | 9.0% | 8.7% | 9.0% | 9.2% | 8.1% | 7.4% | 6.0% | 5.9% | 5.7% | 5.7% | 5.5% |
| Dartmouth | 10.5% | 10.4% | 10.3% | 9.9% | 10.5% | 10.4% | 9.6% | 9.0% | 6.8% | 6.4% | 6.2% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Princeton | 7.0% | 6.9% | 7.1% | 5.8% | 7.4% | 6.9% | 6.4% | 6.1% | 5.6% | 3.8% | 3.9% | 4.0% | 3.8% |
| Cornell | 14.0% | 13.9% | 12.5% | 10.6% | 10.7% | 12.3% | 10.9% | 10.5% | 8.7% | 6.9% | 7.0% | 6.8% | 5.9% |
Ivy League Class of 2028 Admission Statistics
The Ivy League Class of 2028 has seen significant changes in acceptance rates across its prestigious institutions. These rates highlight the ongoing competitiveness of Ivy League admissions and reflect various factors that influence college applications, such as the return to pre-pandemic norms and shifting educational priorities.
Below is a detailed table illustrating the acceptance rates for each Ivy League school for the Class of 2028:
| Ivy League School | Acceptance Rate | Applications Received | Students Admitted | Students Enrolled |
| Harvard | 3.6% | 56,937 | 2,050 | 1,970 |
| Columbia | 3.85% | 57,129 | 2,200 | 1,800 |
| Yale | 3.7% | 52,250 | 1,931 | 1,750 |
| Brown | 5.2% | 60,248 | 3,133 | 1,700 |
| University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) | 5.4% (Projected) | 59,000 (Estimated) | 3,186 (Estimated) | 2,200 (Estimated) |
| Dartmouth | 5.3% | 31,657 | 1,674 | 1,200 |
| Princeton | N/A | 37,601 | N/A | 1,500 |
| Cornell | TBA | 71,164 | N/A | N/A |
Conclusion
Getting into an Ivy League school is difficult. The road is usually tough, and the competition is fierce. But how hard is it? Refer to the statistics above to see the annual rate of students that make it into Ivy League colleges. This article also contains useful tips to help you beat the competition.
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Additional Resources:
Ivy League College Counselors: 10 Tips to Help You Find a Match - Discover effective strategies for finding the right Ivy League college counselors to improve your chances of admission.
Average SAT Scores by State for 2024: The Good, Bad, & Ugly - Explore the average SAT scores across states to gauge where you stand in the competitive Ivy League admission landscape.
The Top 25 Colleges and Universities that Accept a 3.4 GPA - Learn about the top colleges and universities accepting a 3.4 GPA to understand where you fit among competitive Ivy League stats.
