Ranking colleges based on admission difficulty

Hey everyone, Has anyone come across a list or ranking of colleges based on how difficult it is to land an admission? I'm just trying to gauge where I can realistically aim for. It would really help in narrowing down my college list. Your thoughts would be super appreciated!

Hello there! There's definitely a lot to consider when looking at admission difficulty, but here's a basic breakdown.

Typically, colleges are considered most selective when their acceptance rate is below 25%. These are often the Ivy League universities, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, and the University of Chicago, among others. Their admission processes are highly competitive, and they tend to accept students with strong academic profiles and notable extracurricular achievements.

Colleges with acceptance rates between 25% and 50% are often considered highly selective. Many of these are well-regarded liberal arts colleges and larger research universities. For example, these schools would include Florida State University, Tuskegee University, and the University of South Florida (44% acceptance rate).

Those universities with acceptance rates between 50% and 75% tend to be somewhat selective. They often include state universities and other good-quality schools. These schools could include Elon University, the University of Houston, and Agnes Scott College.

Colleges with acceptance rates above 75% are considered less selective. These are generally more accessible and less competitive but still offer a sound education, such as Mississippi State University, Saint Mary's College, and Appalachian State University.

Take note, however, that admission difficulty is also relative to the applicant's profile. For example, a school considered less selective overall may be more difficult to get into for a particular program that is highly ranked or in demand. The average GPA and test scores of admitted students are also good indicators of how competitive a school is.

That said, remember that it's not all about selecting the most prestigious or selective schools. It's also crucial to ensure that the colleges you're applying to are a good fit for your academic and career goals, as well as your personal preferences and needs. Good luck with your college search process!