GITNUXREPORT 2026

College Admission Statistics

Top colleges are harder than ever to get into as acceptance rates fall.

Gitnux Team

Expert team of market researchers and data analysts.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

Average GPA of admitted students to MIT Class of 2028 was 4.19 (weighted);

Statistic 2

Middle 50% SAT score for Harvard Class of 2028: 1490-1580;

Statistic 3

97% of Stanford Class of 2027 admits were in top 10% of high school class;

Statistic 4

Yale Class of 2028 average ACT: 33-35 (middle 50%);

Statistic 5

Princeton admits had average SAT Math score of 790 for Class of 2028;

Statistic 6

National average high school GPA for college admits: 3.38 unweighted in 2022;

Statistic 7

75% of top college admits scored above 1400 on SAT in 2023;

Statistic 8

ACT national average for college-bound seniors: 19.5 in 2023;

Statistic 9

43% of Columbia Class of 2028 admits submitted SAT scores averaging 1510-1570;

Statistic 10

Average unweighted GPA at UChicago admits: 4.0 for Class of 2028;

Statistic 11

Average SAT for Duke Class of 2028: 1510-1570 middle 50%;

Statistic 12

96% of Caltech admits top 10% of class;

Statistic 13

UPenn average GPA: 3.9 unweighted for Class of 2028;

Statistic 14

Columbia ACT middle 50%: 34-35;

Statistic 15

UChicago SAT: 1510-1580 for admits;

Statistic 16

Average SAT at Johns Hopkins: 1520-1570;

Statistic 17

Rice University GPA average 4.1 weighted;

Statistic 18

Northwestern ACT 33-35 middle 50%;

Statistic 19

Notre Dame SAT 1440-1550;

Statistic 20

Emory 96% top 10% class;

Statistic 21

Harvard University's acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 was 3.59%, down from 3.41% the previous year, with 54,008 applications received;

Statistic 22

Stanford University's acceptance rate for the Class of 2027 was 3.68%, receiving 56,378 applications;

Statistic 23

Yale University's acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 stood at 4.46%, with 57,465 applicants;

Statistic 24

Princeton University's acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 was 4.5%, based on 39,644 applications;

Statistic 25

MIT's acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 was 4.8%, with 20,075 applications submitted;

Statistic 26

Columbia University's acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 was 3.85%, receiving 60,248 applications;

Statistic 27

University of Chicago's acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 was 5.4%, with 37,500 applicants;

Statistic 28

Duke University's acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 was 5.9%, from 47,951 applications;

Statistic 29

Caltech's acceptance rate for the Class of 2027 was 3.92%, with 15,526 applications;

Statistic 30

University of Pennsylvania's acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 was 6.5%, receiving 65,230 applications;

Statistic 31

7% acceptance rate at UCLA for in-state freshmen 2023;

Statistic 32

NYU acceptance rate 8% for Class of 2028, 118,754 apps;

Statistic 33

USC rate 9.8%, 71,000+ applications;

Statistic 34

Georgetown 12% rate, 27,000 apps;

Statistic 35

Vanderbilt 6.3% rate, 47,152 apps;

Statistic 36

Berkeley acceptance 11.6% in-state;

Statistic 37

Legacy admissions accounted for 43% of white admits at Harvard from 1995-2013;

Statistic 38

58% of Harvard's Class of 2027 identified as white, 17% Asian American;

Statistic 39

At Stanford, 26% of admitted Class of 2027 were first-generation college students;

Statistic 40

Women comprised 52% of Yale's Class of 2028 admits;

Statistic 41

15% of Princeton's Class of 2028 admits are international students;

Statistic 42

12% of U.S. college applicants in 2023 were first-generation students;

Statistic 43

Black students made up 14% of admits at University of Chicago Class of 2028;

Statistic 44

Hispanic/Latino students: 18% of Duke's Class of 2028;

Statistic 45

11% of Caltech Class of 2027 were Pell Grant eligible;

Statistic 46

UPenn Class of 2028: 23% Asian American admits;

Statistic 47

46% of Black high school graduates enroll in college immediately vs 57% white;

Statistic 48

Asian American applicants to selective colleges: 25% of pool at Ivies;

Statistic 49

First-gen college students: 24% of public university enrollees;

Statistic 50

Rural applicants underrepresented: only 15% at top schools despite 20% population;

Statistic 51

48% of admits at Amherst are students of color;

Statistic 52

22% first-gen at Williams College Class of 2027;

Statistic 53

Dartmouth: 15% Black/Hispanic admits;

Statistic 54

Brown: 52% women in Class of 2028;

Statistic 55

Cornell: 12.6% international;

Statistic 56

In 2023, 1.1 million students applied via the Common App, a 5% increase from 2022;

Statistic 57

Early Decision applications to selective colleges rose 10% in 2023 compared to 2022;

Statistic 58

The number of international applications to U.S. colleges increased by 7% in fall 2023;

Statistic 59

Test-optional policies led to a 15% surge in applications to top-50 schools in 2023;

Statistic 60

Common App reported 7.7 million teacher recommendations submitted for 2023 cycle;

Statistic 61

Applications to public universities increased 8% post-pandemic in 2023;

Statistic 62

Early Action apps to UCs rose 4.5% for fall 2024;

Statistic 63

25% increase in apps from low-income students since 2020;

Statistic 64

Holistic review adopted by 80% of top 100 colleges;

Statistic 65

Record 2.3 million students applied ED/EA in 2023, up 12%;

Statistic 66

Test-blind admissions at UCs led to 6% app increase;

Statistic 67

Essays reviewed in 90% of admissions processes, per NACAC;

Statistic 68

Superscoring SAT used by 85% of four-year colleges;

Statistic 69

1.25 million ED apps in 2023 cycle;

Statistic 70

35% of top admits via ED;

Statistic 71

Virtual tours boosted apps by 11%;

Statistic 72

92% of colleges superscore ACT;

Statistic 73

Yield rate at Harvard for Class of 2028: 82.4%;

Statistic 74

Stanford yield rate Class of 2027: 78.9%;

Statistic 75

Yale yield: 65.2% for Class of 2028;

Statistic 76

Princeton yield rate: 69% for Class of 2028;

Statistic 77

MIT yield: 81% for Class of 2028;

Statistic 78

National college enrollment rate for 18-24 year olds: 41% in 2022;

Statistic 79

60% yield rate average for top 30 national universities;

Statistic 80

Harvard enrolled 1,657 for Class of 2028;

Statistic 81

Stanford matriculated 1,603 students for Class of 2027;

Statistic 82

Female enrollment at Yale: 51% of Class of 2028;

Statistic 83

International enrollment at Princeton: 12% of freshmen;

Statistic 84

18% of U.S. adults hold bachelor's degrees, per Census 2023;

Statistic 85

Average yield top publics: 45%;

Statistic 86

UCLA enrolled 9,760 freshmen 2023;

Statistic 87

UMich yield 50% for OOS;

Statistic 88

UNC Chapel Hill 44% yield;

Statistic 89

UVA 37% yield rate;

Statistic 90

69% HS grads enroll college, down from 70%;

Statistic 91

Common App fee waivers granted to 32% of applicants in 2023;

Statistic 92

Average financial aid package at Ivy League schools: $65,000 for 2023-24;

Statistic 93

55% of Harvard students receive need-based aid averaging $67,700;

Statistic 94

Stanford meets 100% of demonstrated need without loans for all admits;

Statistic 95

Yale's average grant for aided students: $63,000 in 2023;

Statistic 96

Princeton's financial aid covers 100% need for 83% of students;

Statistic 97

MIT offers average aid package of $57,478 for 2023-24;

Statistic 98

Average merit aid at private colleges: $15,000 per student in 2023;

Statistic 99

70% of aided students at public flagships get grants averaging $10,500;

Statistic 100

No-loan policies at 30+ selective colleges cover full need;

Statistic 101

Average debt for bachelor's grads: $28,400 in 2023;

Statistic 102

43% of families use 529 plans for college savings;

Statistic 103

45% of students at selective privates receive aid;

Statistic 104

Average net price after aid at publics: $14,270;

Statistic 105

Harvard no parental contribution if income <65k;

Statistic 106

Average loan burden reduced 20% with FAFSA simplification;

Statistic 107

50% increase in app fee waivers 2020-2023;

Statistic 108

Average cost tuition privates $41,540 2023-24;

Sources
Trusted by 500+ publications
Harvard Business ReviewThe GuardianFortune+497
You might assume getting into college is a coin flip, but the reality—revealed by acceptance rates dropping below 5% at most Ivies and a record 1.1 million applications on the Common App—is that admission is now a high-stakes numbers game where strategy, diversity, and financial aid are more critical than ever.

Key Takeaways

  • Harvard University's acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 was 3.59%, down from 3.41% the previous year, with 54,008 applications received;
  • Stanford University's acceptance rate for the Class of 2027 was 3.68%, receiving 56,378 applications;
  • Yale University's acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 stood at 4.46%, with 57,465 applicants;
  • In 2023, 1.1 million students applied via the Common App, a 5% increase from 2022;
  • Early Decision applications to selective colleges rose 10% in 2023 compared to 2022;
  • The number of international applications to U.S. colleges increased by 7% in fall 2023;
  • Legacy admissions accounted for 43% of white admits at Harvard from 1995-2013;
  • 58% of Harvard's Class of 2027 identified as white, 17% Asian American;
  • At Stanford, 26% of admitted Class of 2027 were first-generation college students;
  • Average GPA of admitted students to MIT Class of 2028 was 4.19 (weighted);
  • Middle 50% SAT score for Harvard Class of 2028: 1490-1580;
  • 97% of Stanford Class of 2027 admits were in top 10% of high school class;
  • Common App fee waivers granted to 32% of applicants in 2023;
  • Average financial aid package at Ivy League schools: $65,000 for 2023-24;
  • 55% of Harvard students receive need-based aid averaging $67,700;

Top colleges are harder than ever to get into as acceptance rates fall.

Academic Qualifications

  • Average GPA of admitted students to MIT Class of 2028 was 4.19 (weighted);
  • Middle 50% SAT score for Harvard Class of 2028: 1490-1580;
  • 97% of Stanford Class of 2027 admits were in top 10% of high school class;
  • Yale Class of 2028 average ACT: 33-35 (middle 50%);
  • Princeton admits had average SAT Math score of 790 for Class of 2028;
  • National average high school GPA for college admits: 3.38 unweighted in 2022;
  • 75% of top college admits scored above 1400 on SAT in 2023;
  • ACT national average for college-bound seniors: 19.5 in 2023;
  • 43% of Columbia Class of 2028 admits submitted SAT scores averaging 1510-1570;
  • Average unweighted GPA at UChicago admits: 4.0 for Class of 2028;
  • Average SAT for Duke Class of 2028: 1510-1570 middle 50%;
  • 96% of Caltech admits top 10% of class;
  • UPenn average GPA: 3.9 unweighted for Class of 2028;
  • Columbia ACT middle 50%: 34-35;
  • UChicago SAT: 1510-1580 for admits;
  • Average SAT at Johns Hopkins: 1520-1570;
  • Rice University GPA average 4.1 weighted;
  • Northwestern ACT 33-35 middle 50%;
  • Notre Dame SAT 1440-1550;
  • Emory 96% top 10% class;

Academic Qualifications Interpretation

While ostensibly admitting only a "well-rounded" class, top colleges have essentially created an academic arms race where the new "normal" is a superhuman 4.0 GPA paired with near-perfect test scores, leaving the actual national averages in the dust.

Acceptance Rates

  • Harvard University's acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 was 3.59%, down from 3.41% the previous year, with 54,008 applications received;
  • Stanford University's acceptance rate for the Class of 2027 was 3.68%, receiving 56,378 applications;
  • Yale University's acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 stood at 4.46%, with 57,465 applicants;
  • Princeton University's acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 was 4.5%, based on 39,644 applications;
  • MIT's acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 was 4.8%, with 20,075 applications submitted;
  • Columbia University's acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 was 3.85%, receiving 60,248 applications;
  • University of Chicago's acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 was 5.4%, with 37,500 applicants;
  • Duke University's acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 was 5.9%, from 47,951 applications;
  • Caltech's acceptance rate for the Class of 2027 was 3.92%, with 15,526 applications;
  • University of Pennsylvania's acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 was 6.5%, receiving 65,230 applications;
  • 7% acceptance rate at UCLA for in-state freshmen 2023;
  • NYU acceptance rate 8% for Class of 2028, 118,754 apps;
  • USC rate 9.8%, 71,000+ applications;
  • Georgetown 12% rate, 27,000 apps;
  • Vanderbilt 6.3% rate, 47,152 apps;
  • Berkeley acceptance 11.6% in-state;

Acceptance Rates Interpretation

The academic equivalent of a high-stakes lottery, these acceptance rates reveal a brutal and finely-tuned competition where even the most elite universities are, statistically speaking, overwhelmingly in the business of sending rejection letters.

Applicant Demographics

  • Legacy admissions accounted for 43% of white admits at Harvard from 1995-2013;
  • 58% of Harvard's Class of 2027 identified as white, 17% Asian American;
  • At Stanford, 26% of admitted Class of 2027 were first-generation college students;
  • Women comprised 52% of Yale's Class of 2028 admits;
  • 15% of Princeton's Class of 2028 admits are international students;
  • 12% of U.S. college applicants in 2023 were first-generation students;
  • Black students made up 14% of admits at University of Chicago Class of 2028;
  • Hispanic/Latino students: 18% of Duke's Class of 2028;
  • 11% of Caltech Class of 2027 were Pell Grant eligible;
  • UPenn Class of 2028: 23% Asian American admits;
  • 46% of Black high school graduates enroll in college immediately vs 57% white;
  • Asian American applicants to selective colleges: 25% of pool at Ivies;
  • First-gen college students: 24% of public university enrollees;
  • Rural applicants underrepresented: only 15% at top schools despite 20% population;
  • 48% of admits at Amherst are students of color;
  • 22% first-gen at Williams College Class of 2027;
  • Dartmouth: 15% Black/Hispanic admits;
  • Brown: 52% women in Class of 2028;
  • Cornell: 12.6% international;

Applicant Demographics Interpretation

If we're playing a serious numbers game, the deck appears to be stacked with a familiar hand, shuffled far too slowly for comfort.

Application Trends

  • In 2023, 1.1 million students applied via the Common App, a 5% increase from 2022;
  • Early Decision applications to selective colleges rose 10% in 2023 compared to 2022;
  • The number of international applications to U.S. colleges increased by 7% in fall 2023;
  • Test-optional policies led to a 15% surge in applications to top-50 schools in 2023;
  • Common App reported 7.7 million teacher recommendations submitted for 2023 cycle;
  • Applications to public universities increased 8% post-pandemic in 2023;
  • Early Action apps to UCs rose 4.5% for fall 2024;
  • 25% increase in apps from low-income students since 2020;
  • Holistic review adopted by 80% of top 100 colleges;
  • Record 2.3 million students applied ED/EA in 2023, up 12%;
  • Test-blind admissions at UCs led to 6% app increase;
  • Essays reviewed in 90% of admissions processes, per NACAC;
  • Superscoring SAT used by 85% of four-year colleges;
  • 1.25 million ED apps in 2023 cycle;
  • 35% of top admits via ED;
  • Virtual tours boosted apps by 11%;
  • 92% of colleges superscore ACT;

Application Trends Interpretation

The admissions battlefield is now saturated with a record-breaking, strategically maneuvering army of applicants, where every percentage point increase in early plans and virtual tours tells the story of a high-stakes game that's simultaneously expanding access and intensifying the competition for every single seat.

Enrollment and Yield

  • Yield rate at Harvard for Class of 2028: 82.4%;
  • Stanford yield rate Class of 2027: 78.9%;
  • Yale yield: 65.2% for Class of 2028;
  • Princeton yield rate: 69% for Class of 2028;
  • MIT yield: 81% for Class of 2028;
  • National college enrollment rate for 18-24 year olds: 41% in 2022;
  • 60% yield rate average for top 30 national universities;
  • Harvard enrolled 1,657 for Class of 2028;
  • Stanford matriculated 1,603 students for Class of 2027;
  • Female enrollment at Yale: 51% of Class of 2028;
  • International enrollment at Princeton: 12% of freshmen;
  • 18% of U.S. adults hold bachelor's degrees, per Census 2023;
  • Average yield top publics: 45%;
  • UCLA enrolled 9,760 freshmen 2023;
  • UMich yield 50% for OOS;
  • UNC Chapel Hill 44% yield;
  • UVA 37% yield rate;
  • 69% HS grads enroll college, down from 70%;

Enrollment and Yield Interpretation

When Harvard and MIT boast an 81-82% yield, they're not just admitting students—they're curating a reality where "yes" is the only polite answer to an invitation from academic royalty, while the rest of the country grapples with the more relatable arithmetic of acceptance and choice.

Financial Aid

  • Common App fee waivers granted to 32% of applicants in 2023;
  • Average financial aid package at Ivy League schools: $65,000 for 2023-24;
  • 55% of Harvard students receive need-based aid averaging $67,700;
  • Stanford meets 100% of demonstrated need without loans for all admits;
  • Yale's average grant for aided students: $63,000 in 2023;
  • Princeton's financial aid covers 100% need for 83% of students;
  • MIT offers average aid package of $57,478 for 2023-24;
  • Average merit aid at private colleges: $15,000 per student in 2023;
  • 70% of aided students at public flagships get grants averaging $10,500;
  • No-loan policies at 30+ selective colleges cover full need;
  • Average debt for bachelor's grads: $28,400 in 2023;
  • 43% of families use 529 plans for college savings;
  • 45% of students at selective privates receive aid;
  • Average net price after aid at publics: $14,270;
  • Harvard no parental contribution if income <65k;
  • Average loan burden reduced 20% with FAFSA simplification;
  • 50% increase in app fee waivers 2020-2023;
  • Average cost tuition privates $41,540 2023-24;

Financial Aid Interpretation

While the headline tuition prices for elite colleges are breathtakingly high, the robust financial aid and fee waiver statistics reveal a serious, if complex, effort to keep the ivory tower's doors from being purely pay-to-play.

Sources & References

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