The Hardest 'New Ivies' Schools to Get Into

Acceptance rates for Forbes' top-ranked schools preferred by employers range from 8% to 50%

Apr. 14, 2026 at 3:20pm

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A vibrant, pop art-inspired grid of stylized college application forms in shades of blue, representing the highly competitive nature of gaining admission to the top-ranked 'New Ivies' universities.As competition for elite college admissions intensifies, the 'New Ivies' schools have become increasingly selective, with some accepting less than 10% of applicants.Today in Pittsburgh

The 20 public and private universities listed by Forbes as the 'New Ivies' - top-tier schools preferred by employers - have vastly different acceptance rates, with the most selective private schools like Northwestern and Rice admitting only 8% of applicants, while public institutions like Purdue accept half of all students who apply.

Why it matters

As new college graduates enter one of the toughest job markets in recent memory, with tech companies embracing AI and cutting many entry-level roles, the 'New Ivies' are seen as providing students with practical skills and workplace experience that rival traditional elite universities. Understanding the selectivity of these schools is crucial for prospective students navigating the competitive college admissions landscape.

The details

The 'New Ivies' identified by Forbes include both public and private universities, all of which are considered top-tier institutions that only accept the best applicants with high test scores. However, acceptance rates vary widely, from a low of 8% at private schools like Northwestern and Rice, to a high of 50% at public Purdue University. Other highly selective private schools include Carnegie Mellon (12%), Emory (11%), Georgetown (13%), and Washington University in St. Louis (12%). On the public side, the U.S. Air Force Academy and Georgia Tech are the most selective at 14% each, while the University of Florida (24%), University of Michigan (16%), and University of Virginia (17%) also have very low acceptance rates.

  • Forbes released its 'New Ivies' rankings last week.

The players

Forbes

The business magazine that published the 'New Ivies' rankings based on a survey of executives.

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The takeaway

As the job market becomes more competitive, especially in the tech sector, the 'New Ivies' are seen as providing students with the skills and experience that employers value. However, getting into these top-tier schools is extremely difficult, with acceptance rates ranging from just 8% at the most selective private institutions to 50% at the most accessible public universities. Understanding these selectivity levels is crucial for prospective students aiming to gain an edge in the competitive college admissions process.