We may hear such a question once in a while: What is the easiest Ivy League to get into? You may not know the answer to this question, but you must have once heard of this “league of legend”: Ivy League. With eight top-tier universities in the United States, it is one of the most prestigious university leagues in the world. Cultivating presidents and scientists, and creating many CEOs and founders of great companies, all these universities and schools have proved their strong academic strength by fostering these outstanding alumni. But what are these schools actually? How hard is it to get into them? What are the easiest Ivies to get into, and what are the hardest? This blog will give you the answers. Come and take a look!
Easiest Ivy League to Get Into: What Is It?
You may have heard Ivy League. But what is it? How many universities and schools does it have? What are they? How hard is it to be eligible to get into them? I believe these questions could confuse a lot of people. In this part, the blog will bring you the insights towards these questions, with some statistics as proof. Let’s get started!
Ivy League: What Is It?
Founded in 1954, the Ivy League is an American collegiate athletic conference of eight private research universities in the Northeastern United States. Although its establishment is not for academic purposes, but for sports events instead, it has still become renowned for its academic strength now. Ivy League universities are some of the most prestigious ones in the world, and all eight of them place in the top 15 of the 2025 U.S. News & World Report National University Ranks.
What are Ivy League Schools?
They are eight private universities: Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, and Yale University. Listed below are their National University Ranks by US News, along with their overall acceptance rate for the class of 2029.
| Ivy League Schools | ||
|---|---|---|
| School | US News Ranking | Acceptance Rate |
| Princeton University | 1 | 4.40% |
| Harvard University | 3 | 4.18% |
| Yale University | 4 (tie) | 4.60% |
| University of Pennsylvania | 7 (tie) | 4.90% |
| Cornell University | 12 | 8.38% |
| Brown University | 13 (tie) | 5.65% |
| Dartmouth College | 13 (tie) | 6.00% |
| Columbia University | 15 (tie) | 4.29% |
None of them can be considered an easy Ivy to get into, as their acceptance rate are all below 10%. Princeton University ranks first on the US News ranking, and it also has a low acceptance rate, 4.40%. Columbia University, on the other hand, ranks 15th, but surprisingly, its acceptance rate is not the highest among these Ivies; it ranks last but one at 4.29%, a number even lower than Princeton. So the acceptance rate is not completely linked to their ranking, nor to the difficulty of admission.
How Hard Is It to Get Into Ivy League Schools?
With such an Ivy League acceptance rate, it is extremely hard to get into anyone of them. Admissions are very intense, as almost all outstanding students would choose from these 8 schools as their goal. They want to enroll students with comprehensive abilities, covering the academic, leadership, teamwork, and so on. That could explain why Ivy Leagues are so hard to get into. If you would like to get into one of these schools, you need a near-perfect grade, very high test scores, and a competitive profile to prove your abilities.
Top 3 Easiest Ivy League to Get Into
Now we have understood how hard it is to get into Ivy League schools. So it’s time to go back to our topic: Which Ivy League is the easiest to get into? What’s their strength? Are they still competitive among other non-Ivy League schools? Let’s take a quick look together.
1. Cornell University
- Location: Ithaca, New York
- US News Ranking: 12
- Acceptance Rate: 8.38%
Cornell University is indeed the highest acceptance rate Ivy League. That’s why people often consider it the easiest Ivy League to get into. It was founded in 1865, and Ezra Cornell, the school’s founder, said the word three years after the founding of the school: “I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study.” This is now the motto of this school. Cornell offers nearly 80 majors and over 4,000 courses through its eight undergraduate schools. It is also the first university to offer a degree in journalism. All this means that students are sure to find a field of interest to learn, realizing the founder’s commitment.
However, the university still ranks 12th among all universities in the US, so it could still offer great competitive strength to students who graduate from here. And if you want to apply for some popular subjects, like business and engineering, the acceptance rate would be lower than the overall level, which means they will be harder to get into.
2. Dartmouth University
- Location: Hanover, New Hampshire
- US News Ranking: 13
- Acceptance Rate: 6.00%
Dartmouth University is also considered one of the easiest Ivy Leagues to get into. With a higher acceptance rate, students could have a higher chance of entering the university to study. It is the smallest Ivy League school, but it is notable for its outstanding faculty, small class sizes, and incredible research opportunities.
It also has the oldest and largest collegiate outing club in the US: Dartmouth Outing Club. Originally formed in 1909, the club aims to “stimulate interest in out-of-door winter sports”. The DOC organizes outdoor trips, provides outdoor leaders and medical/safety education, and plays an active role in stewardship of the environment. If you are interested in outdoor activities, Dartmouth University will definitely be your best Ivy League choice!
3. Brown University
- Location: Providence, Rhode Island
- US News Ranking: 13
- Acceptance Rate: 5.65%
With an acceptance rate of 5.65%, Brown University ranks the third easiest Ivy League to get into. It was established in 1764, and is known for its unique education approach: “Open Curriculum”. This mode allows students to develop their core curriculum with their own preference, and they could also have the chance to explore over 80 academic programs before choosing which field they would like to choose to focus on. Meanwhile, Brown University’s campus could also offer students a picturesque view, and it also locates near the downtown of Providence.
Top 3 Hardest Ivy League to Get Into
Now let’s gain some insights into the contrary part from above. These 3 are the hardest Ivy Leagues to get into, but they must come with a reason. Actually, if you can be the student of any one of them, your academic strength will be guaranteed by their reputation.
1. Harvard University
- Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
- US News Ranking: 3
- Acceptance Rate: 4.18%
Founded in 1636, Harvard University is the oldest university in the US, and also one of the most prestigious universities, even in the entire world. The university sets its mission as to educate citizens and future leaders through a high-standard education in the liberal arts and sciences. Harvard has 13 schools and one institute, providing over 46,000 courses. To date, this university has cultivated 8 US presidents, 24 heads of state and 31 heads of government. All this makes Harvard the hardest Ivy League to get into. Out of 100 candidates, only 4 of them could be enrolled. But once you can join in, the reward will make your endeavor worthwhile.
2. Columbia University
- Location: New York City, New York
- US News Ranking: 15
- Acceptance Rate: 4.29%
Columbia University is probably the most special one in the Ivy League schools. It ranks relatively low on many rankings compared with other Ivies, but is the second hardest to enter. Some may wonder: does it mean that it’s unworthy to put so much strength and take such a risk to apply for a school which doesn’t have a good rank? But actually, that comes with some reasons.
As the oldest higher education institution in New York, Columbia University offers students great opportunities to study and work in one of the biggest cities in the world. They have unparalleled access to leading institutions of science, health, finance, technology, and so on. This makes Columbia University so appealing that many students want to enter its gate. At the same time, this university, for some reason, refuses to submit its profile to ranking agencies, which could also result in a lower rank. But with its strong reputation, great location, and powerful academic strength, there is no need to worry whether it is worthwhile.
3. Princeton University
- Location: Princeton, New Jersey
- US News Ranking: 1
- Acceptance Rate: 4.40%
You must see from the rank number how strong Princeton University is. Indeed, Princeton is one of the hardest Ivy Leagues to get into. But you should really try your best to get into it, as the outcome will definitely satisfy you.
Founded in 1746, Princeton University is one of the most renowned institutions of higher education in the United States. It has a ivy-covered campus that sprawls across 500 acres, which provides undergraduate students a vibrant campus, creating an eco-friendly living environment. The university also focuses on individualized student success, meaning that it emphasizes personalized attention. That’s why the university can cultivate so many talents for society, and also why it has such prestige and such a high ranking.
Easiest Ivy League to Get Into: How to Attend?
Now we know how hard it is to get into Ivy League schools, and it seems like there’s only one question left: How to get into an Ivy League? To compete with so many candidates for an offer, you must strengthen your own ability. This blog will offer you 4 tips to increase your competitive strength, and they won’t be hard to achieve! Come check it out!
- Get Strong grades. As a student, your grades will always be one of the best means to prove your academic ability. Apart from getting a high SAT score, you need to study diligently and aim for the best grades you can. Remember, most Ivy League schools have requirements on GPA!
- Apply early. Although all universities would give you a period of time to submit, you should choose your ideal university and submit your profile as soon as possible, as your competitors at that time will not be too many. Applying early means you need to prepare your documents earlier and faster, which may be a little bit tough. But it is still worthwhile as you may get a higher chance of getting into an Ivy League.
- Show your strengths. You should be aware that most of your competitors have similar scores or GPAs to yours. So it is important to highlight some strengths that belong to you exclusively. This strength should focus on a particular subject or activity, and you would better investigate your applying school’s preference in advance.
- Express your desire to get into the university. You must love this school if you apply for it. Then demonstrate it to the school! Each Ivy has its own specialities. As you research each school, you will find you’re drawn to particular ones. Show your love to that school, and they will consider you with priority if they can feel it. Remember, do not pick a school just because it carries a prestigious name or it is the easiest Ivy League to get into; pick the one you really love instead!
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Final Thoughts
As one of the world’s most prestigious university leagues, there can be no “easy” Ivy League to get into. All of their acceptance rate are below 10%. If you want to be enrolled by any one of them, you need to study very hard and possess unique strengths. However, once you are accepted by them, they can certainly give you a strong academic foundation and lead you to a brighter future. So it is worthwhile to work hard for it. Wish you good luck!
FAQ about Easiest Ivy League to Get Into
What is the easiest Ivy League school to get into?
Cornell University, Dartmouth University and Brown University are the top 3 easiest Ivy League schools to get into, ranked by the acceptance rate for the class 2029. However, the “easiest” here is just a relatively description, and you still need to prepare a lot if you want to be enrolled.
Which Ivy League is the hardest to get into?
Harvard University is the hardest Ivy League to get into, according to the acceptance rate for the class 2029. With its strong reputation, Harvard is definitely one of the most valuable Ivy League schools, so even if it is so hard to get in, many students still want to have a try every year.
Which Ivy has the highest acceptance rate?
Cornell University has the highest acceptance rate among 8 Ivy League schools, making it the easiest one to get into. However, you still need to study hard and make a solid preparation in order to get in this university.
What is the lowest GPA an Ivy League school will accept?
There is no specific minimum GPA for Ivy League schools, but you should get your GPA as high as you can, since candidates really need a very high GPA to be competitive. Ideally, a student should try his or her best to get a GPA of 4.0 or above to make the profile more compelling.
What is the weakest Ivy League school?
There is no “weakest” Ivy League school, as everyone of them has its own strengths and weaknesses in different subjects, campus environment, school facilities, and so on. You need to figure out your own need, and find the one that could satisfy you. But from the ranking by US News, Columbia University ranks 15, which is the lowest among Ivy League schools.
Which Ivy is the hardest academically?
Harvard University is considered the hardest to get into academically, as it has the lowest acceptance rate. Every year, the students who can be enrolled by Harvard have a very high GPA, along with similarly high SAT scores, so it is the hardest to get into academically.
Is Cornell or Dartmouth harder to get into?
Dartmouth is harder to get into, as its acceptance rate is lower than Cornell, by about 2.4 percent. However, both of them requires a thorough and solid preparation if you want to get into any one of them.
Which is the easiest Ivy League to get into for masters?
Cornell University and Dartmouth University may be considered the easiest overall, based on the acceptance rate for specific graduate programs. For example, Cornell has a relatively high acceptance rate of around 29.9% for MBA programs.
