US University Acceptance Rates: A Guide to Getting Into Top Colleges

Aspiring to study at one of the top universities in the United States is a common goal, but academic excellence and financial readiness are only part of the equation. Admissions at elite institutions are highly competitive, making strategic preparation and informed decision-making essential for any prospective student.

To help you navigate this process, we have compiled the official 2020 acceptance rates for the top 20 universities in the U.S., as ranked by the latest QS Rankings.

But what do these figures actually represent? An acceptance rate is the percentage of applicants admitted to a university. It is important to distinguish this from the enrollment rate, which tracks the percentage of admitted students who ultimately decide to register and attend that institution.

Beyond admission statistics, this guide also highlights the 2020 graduation rates for these top 20 universities, representing the share of enrolled students who successfully completed their degree programs.

Best universities in the U.S. – Acceptance rates for 2020

As expected, the most prestigious universities in the United States maintain the lowest acceptance rates due to high application volumes and rigorous admission standards. Consequently, the competition for a seat at these institutions remains incredibly fierce.

It is crucial to remember that a low acceptance rate does not necessarily mean a school is the right fit for you. Education is a personal journey; focus on identifying academic programs that align with your specific interests and long-term career goals rather than just institutional prestige.

Below, you will find a breakdown of the acceptance rates for the leading universities in the U.S.:

1. – 6.7%
2. – 4.34%
3. – 4.92%
4. – 8%
5. – 7.9%
6. – 10%
7. – 7%
8. – 6.1%
9. – 6.5%
10. - 15%
11. - 26%
12. - 14%
13. - 28%
14. - 17%
15. - 17%
16. - 32%
17. – 30.2%
18. – 7.6%
19. – 15.4%
20. – 9.3%

Acceptance rates of other good universities in the U.S.

If the competitive nature of top-tier schools feels daunting, here are several excellent U.S. universities with more accessible acceptance rates that we highly recommend:

• - 76,7%
• - 33%
• - 63,3%
• - 36,1%
• - 74,7%
• - 64,4%
• - 31,8%

Best universities in the U.S. – Graduation rates for 2020

While acceptance rates offer insight into the difficulty of gaining admission, graduation rates provide a clearer picture of student success. What percentage of admitted and enrolled students actually cross the finish line to earn their degree?

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – 92,7%
2. Stanford University – 94%
3. Harvard University – 98%
4. California Institute of Technology (Caltech) – 79%
5. University of Chicago – 94.2%
6. University of Pennsylvania – 95.2%
7. Yale University – 97%
8. Columbia University – 95%
9. Princeton University – 97.6%
10. Cornell University - 93%
11. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor - 90%
12. Johns Hopkins University - 94%
13. Northwestern University - 93,5%
14. University of California, Berkeley (UCB) - 92%
15. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) - 91%
16. New York University (NYU) - 84%
17. University of California, San Diego (UCSD) – 87,2%
18. Duke University – 94.5%
19. Carnegie Mellon University – 88%
20. Brown University 95,5%

It stands to reason that students who successfully navigate the rigorous selection process at top-tier universities are often highly motivated to complete their studies, given the significant time, effort, and financial investment required.