California Private Colleges with the Lowest Acceptance Rate

The average acceptance rate of the 47 private California colleges that have competitive admission is 61.29% for the academic year 2024-2025. Compared to last year, the acceptance rate is higher by 2.89%. The acceptance rate at 27 private California colleges increased and the rate of 18 colleges decreased.

California Institute of Technology has the lowest (i.e. hard to admit) acceptance rate of 2.57%. Stanford University (3.61%) and Pomona College (7.09%) are following it in the list of Tightest California Private Colleges to Get In.

This ranking is only based on acceptance rates and more admission stats such as SAT and ACT scores are helpful to measure the chances to get in more accurately.

California Institute of Technology stays at first place of the lowest acceptance rate ranking since last year. Stanford University also maintained its second place in the ranking.

The average undergraduate tuition & fees of the schools is $59,579 and graduate tuition & fees is $51,090 for the academic year 2024-2025.

We note that the actual tightness of admission lies in considering other admission requirements such as SAT score.

Comparison between Tightest California Private Colleges To Get In

Table. Tightest California Private Colleges To Get In Comparison
School NameAcceptance RateYieldSAT ScoreUndergraduate Tuition & FeesTotal PopulationGraduation RateStudents to Faculty Ratio
1
-		California Institute of Technology Pasadena, CAPrivate, 4-year 2.57%
0.57%		61.24%-$65,8982,43094.00%3 to 1
2
-		Stanford University Stanford, CAPrivate, 4-year 3.61%
0.30%		81.91%1,550$65,91018,62592.00%6 to 1
3
-		Pomona College Claremont, CAPrivate, 4-year 7.09%
0.33%		50.23%1,540$65,4201,70093.00%7 to 1
4
2		Claremont McKenna College Claremont, CAPrivate, 4-year 9.59%
1.53%		53.83%1,530$67,9801,39391.00%8 to 1
5
-		University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate, 4-year 9.81%
0.21%		43.34%1,500$71,64746,56692.00%9 to 1
6
1		Harvey Mudd College Claremont, CAPrivate, 4-year 12.66%
0.40%		35.81%1,540$68,61395192.00%8 to 1
7
1		Pitzer College Claremont, CAPrivate, 4-year 25.16%
8.50%		35.84%-$65,1921,24283.00%10 to 1
8
16		San Diego Christian College Santee, CAPrivate, 4-year 30.81%
32.00%		15.79%-$28,0129620.00%9 to 1
9
-		California Institute of the Arts Valencia, CAPrivate, 4-year 32.34%
6.39%		27.93%-$58,9961,27767.00%7 to 1
10
1		Hope International University Fullerton, CAPrivate, 4-year 32.98%
2.41%		38.39%1,020$38,1251,02549.00%13 to 1
Average16.66%44.43%1,447$59,5797,53177.30%8 to 1