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Ivy League Class of 2026 Admissions Results
The results are in, and a record-low number of applicants for the Class of 2026 were accepted by Ivy League colleges. While some reported numbers similar to the Class of 2025 from the previous year, some acceptance rates were significantly lower. Take a look at the complete list of the Ivy League Class of 2026 results below, which included 61,220 applications and letters.
Ivy League Class of 2026 Acceptance Rates
| Ivies | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
| Harvard | 3.19% |
| Princeton | ~4% |
| Columbia | 3.73% |
| Yale | 4.46% |
| Brown | 5% |
| Penn | 4.4% |
| Dartmouth | 6.2% |
| Cornell | ~8% |
Why Are Ivy League Acceptance Rates So Low?
Once again, this year has shown to be among the Ivy League’s most competitive. All Ivy League schools’ acceptance rates are dropping or remaining at record-low levels. The following factors are probably contributing to this ongoing trend:
- Uncertainty of the pandemic
- Pent-up demand
- Test-optional policies
- More applications per student
- “Free” virtual visits
The numbers in the following graph demonstrate how challenging it is to enter the Ivy League. In general, more students than ever before applied to Ivies. The acceptance rates at Yale University and the University of Pennsylvania both increased slightly, but only slightly in relation to the overall admissions picture. Harvard reported its lowest acceptance rate in history!.
Ivy League Acceptance Rate Over The Last 7 Years
| Class of: | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard | 5.2% | 5.2% | 4.6% | 4.5% | 4.9% | 3.4% | 3.2% |
| Princeton | 6.5% | 6.1% | 5.5% | 5.8% | 5.6% | 4.0% | ~4.0% |
| Columbia | 6.0% | 5.8% | 5.5% | 5.1% | 6.1% | 3.7% | 3.7% |
| Yale | 6.3% | 6.9% | 6.3% | 5.9% | 6.5% | 4.6% | 4.5% |
| Brown | 9.0% | 8.3% | 7.2% | 6.6% | 6.9% | 5.4% | 5.0% |
| UPenn | 9.4% | 9.2% | 8.4% | 7.4% | 8.1% | 5.7% | 4.4% |
| Dartmouth | 10.5% | 10.4% | 8.7% | 7.9% | 8.8% | 6.2% | 6.2% |
| Cornell | 14.1% | 12.5% | 10.3% | 10.6% | 10.7% | 8.7% | ~8.0% |
What Ivy League School Has The Highest Acceptance Rate?
Cornell University is the Ivy League institution with the highest acceptance rate. With an average acceptance rate of about 12% (based on the numbers over the last ten years), Cornell is the easiest Ivy League to get into
What Ivy League School Has The Lowest Acceptance Rate?
Harvard is the Ivy League school with the lowest acceptance rate. With an average acceptance rate of around 4. 8% (based on numbers over the last ten years), Harvard is the hardest Ivy League to get into
The graph above displays the eight Ivy League schools’ ten-year average acceptance rates, including the most recent data for the class of 2026.
Ivy League Applications Surge
The Ivy League received 311,948 applications for the class of 2023 and a record 400,750 applications for the class of 2025, both of which represent an increase from previous years’ numbers. With about 414,000 applications, the incoming class of 2026 will probably surpass that record!
Which Ivy League receives the most applications?
The Ivy League school with the most applications each year is Cornell University, which is not surprising given that they also have the highest acceptance rate. They received 67,380 applications for their class of 2025.
Which Ivy League receives the least number of applications?
The Ivy League school with the fewest applications is Dartmouth University. They receive nearly 23,000 applications annually on average, and this year they received 28,336.
The graph below shows the ten-year trend in the number of applications to all eight Ivy League universities.
What Are Ivy League Schools Looking For?
Although having exceptional credentials won’t prevent you from applying, you might be surprised to learn that Ivy League schools aren’t looking for model citizens. They’re also not looking for well-rounded students. Students who participate in everything but don’t excel at anything are overrepresented in the application pool.
Ivy League colleges are looking for individuals who stand out from the crowd and are authorities in their field of study. Ivy League universities seek out individuals who are making a difference in the world while utilizing the resources at their disposal.
We look for students with intellectual curiosity, who have pursued and achieved academic excellence. We also look for students with strong personal and extracurricular accomplishments
Ivy League universities are also looking for community-minded individuals who can make a difference in the world. They’re seeking modest leaders who will raise the school’s profile and who are willing to impart their expertise to help other students achieve their objectives.
Read more on !
Crimson Acceptance Rates to Ivy League Schools
It’s no mystery. Although admission to an Ivy League school is extremely competitive, hundreds of Crimson Education students are accepted to one (and occasionally more than one) each year.
The Class of 2026 has broken early and regular round records thanks to our students!
The number of Crimson students who have received offers to universities like Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, and Yale has increased despite the decline in acceptance rates. We attribute this unprecedented success to our teamwork mentality. Students, their families, and Crimson tutors and mentors collaborate to produce outstanding applications that are worthy of admission.
Crimson’s Class of 2026 Early Round Decision Results
Here are some preliminary results for our class of 2026 in terms of statistics.
- 44 early Ivy League admissions, half of which were granted to the most selective schools—Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Columbia
- 6+ early admits to Stanford and MIT
- 56+ early admits to the US Top 10
- A combined 20+ early admits to Duke, UChicago, Northwestern, and
- 17 early admits to NYU
- 200+ early acceptances to US Top 50 universities
Crimson’s Class of 2026 Regular Round Decision Results
Here is a breakdown of the Crimson’s Class of 2026’s top universities, where more than 485 students have been accepted.
- 114 offers from the Crimson Ivy League, including 81 from the five most competitive Ivies, Harvard, Princeton, Yale, and Pennsylvania.
- UPenn extended several offers to its prestigious Huntsman Program and Wharton School of Business.
- Including Stanford, MIT, UChicago, Duke, Northwestern, John Hopkins, and Caltech, there are 75 offers to the top 10 universities in the US.
- 81+ UC Berkeley and UCLA offers
Keep an eye on our blog and website for more regular round admission results; we can’t wait to share the success stories of Crimson’s Class of 2026 with you!
Final Thoughts: Want to get into an Ivy League school?
It is very difficult to get into an Ivy League school with acceptance rates there at their lowest and application numbers there at their highest. Consider submitting an application for if you want to raise your chances of getting into an Ivy League
Your likelihood of being admitted to an Ivy League school will also increase if you work with a Crimson academic advisor.
Use the link below to get in touch with one of our admissions counselors for a free, one-hour consultation if you want to attend an Ivy League school or another prestigious university.
Congratulations, Students! From Crimson Strategists
Key Resources & Further Reading
All 8 IVY LEAGUE SCHOOLS Ranked WORST to BEST
FAQ
Which is the easiest Ivy League to get into?
1. What is the easiest Ivy League school to get into? Cornell University has the highest acceptance rate out of all the Ivy League schools, which all have low acceptance rates. Cornell%27s acceptance rate is 11%, but try not to get too hung up on the numbers
Which Ivy League school has the highest acceptance rate?
As was mentioned in the article above, Brown has a 6 percent acceptance rate to the Ivy League. 3%, Columbia – 5. 1%, Cornell – 10. 6%, Dartmouth – 7. 9%, Harvard – 4. 5%, UPenn – 7. 4%, Princeton – 5. 8%, and Yale – 5. 9%.
Can you get into an Ivy League school with a 3.7 GPA?
Yes, a 3 will get you into an Ivy League school. 7 GPA. However, with a strong personal statement and a well-prepared application, you can get in with a grade even lower than 3 despite the fact that the lower your grade, the lower your chances of getting into an Ivy League. 7 GPA.
Which Ivy League gets the most applications?
Ivy League schools typically receive thousands of applications. 61,220 applications were received by Harvard University for the Class of 2026 (students starting college in the fall of 2022).