What are the most exclusive universities in the US?

I'm trying to understand what makes some universities in the US so exclusive. Besides academic requirements, what are other factors that contribute to a college being considered 'exclusive'?

University exclusivity is typically defined by high academic standards, competitive admission rates, and reputation. However, several factors contribute to the exclusivity of a university in the US.

1. Selectivity: The more selective a college is, the more exclusive it tends to be. For instance, universities like Harvard, Stanford, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have acceptance rates below 7%, which helps bolster their exclusivity.

2. Strength of Academic Programs: Universities with highly-ranked programs or unique study opportunities are typically more exclusive. For example, the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School is famous for its business program, which ranks among the best in the country.

3. Reputation and Prestige: A strong reputation, including institutional ranking, can contribute to exclusivity. Colleges like Princeton and Yale are known worldwide for their impressive reputations, which adds to their perceived exclusivity.

4. Alumni Network and Outcomes: Schools with powerful alumni networks and strong graduate outcomes (like prestigious job offers and graduate school acceptances) can also be more exclusive. Dartmouth, for example, has a strong alumni network that's highly active in many sectors, which contributes to the college's exclusivity.

5. Resources: The resources a university can offer, such as professor-to-student ratio, library collections, research opportunities, and state-of-the-art facilities also add to exclusivity. Stanford, for instance, has seven world-class schools on one campus and is known for extensive research funding and archives, which contributes to its exclusivity.

6. Location: The university's location can play a role too. Schools in desirable or prestigious locations (like Columbia in New York City or UChicago in the prestigious Hyde Park neighborhood) may be seen as more exclusive.

Bear in mind that while these factors contribute to a college's exclusivity, they do not necessarily correlate with the quality of education or student experiences. Students should consider their academic goals, interests, and values when researching potential universities.