Pennsylvania 4-Years Colleges with the Lowest Acceptance Rate

The average acceptance rate of the 78 Pennsylvania colleges that have competitive admission is 71.15% for the academic year 2024-2025. Compared to last year, the acceptance rate is lower by 1.62%. The acceptance rate at 32 Pennsylvania colleges increased and the rate of 46 colleges decreased.

Curtis Institute of Music has the lowest (i.e. hard to admit) acceptance rate of 4.58%. University of Pennsylvania (5.40%) and Swarthmore College (7.46%) are following it in the list of Tightest Pennsylvania 4-Years 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.

Curtis Institute of Music ranked 1st, up 2 places from 3rd last year. University of Pennsylvania ranked second, a drop from first place last year.

The average undergraduate tuition & fees of the schools is $56,596 and graduate tuition & fees is $28,744 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 Pennsylvania 4-Years Colleges To Get In

Table. Tightest Pennsylvania 4-Years Colleges To Get In Comparison
School NameAcceptance RateYieldSAT ScoreUndergraduate Tuition & FeesTotal PopulationGraduation RateStudents to Faculty Ratio
1
2		Curtis Institute of Music Philadelphia, PAPrivate, 4-year 4.58%
2.37%		92.31%-$4,53016196.00%2 to 1
2
1		University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate, 4-year 5.40%
0.47%		67.98%1,550$68,68629,10997.00%8 to 1
3
1		Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PAPrivate, 4-year 7.46%
0.52%		43.79%1,540$65,4941,62392.00%7 to 1
4
-		Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate, 4-year 11.66%
0.26%		45.67%1,540$65,63615,88894.00%5 to 1
5
-		Haverford College Haverford, PAPrivate, 4-year 12.37%
0.54%		42.62%1,510$70,3981,43190.00%8 to 1
6
1		Central Penn College Summerdale, PAPrivate, 4-year 18.46%
7.47%		83.41%-$19,85468451.00%7 to 1
7
1		Lehigh University Bethlehem, PAPrivate, 4-year 25.93%
3.33%		28.38%1,440$64,9807,69288.00%10 to 1
8
2		Villanova University Villanova, PAPrivate, 4-year 26.98%
1.86%		27.73%1,450$67,77610,04192.00%10 to 1
9
2		Franklin and Marshall College Lancaster, PAPrivate, 4-year 28.19%
3.64%		17.13%1,375$70,7941,80884.00%9 to 1
10
2		Bucknell University Lewisburg, PAPrivate, 4-year 28.93%
3.08%		30.11%1,400$67,8123,96986.00%9 to 1
Average17.00%47.91%1,476$56,5967,24187.00%8 to 1