Tier 1
The first tier is composed of highly selective private colleges. Their acceptance rates range from 9% to 11%, and they're all ranked in top 20 in US News for national universities. Their graduation rates are between 92% (Rice) and 95% (Duke). All three colleges meet 100% of demonstrated financial need.
School | Location | Average SAT Score | Average ACT Score | Acceptance Rate | US News Ranking |
Duke University | Durham, NC | 1510 | 34 | 9% | #12 NU |
Rice University | Houston, TX | 1515 | 33 | 11% | #16 NU |
Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN | 1505 | 34 | 10% | #14 NU |
Tier 2
There are eight colleges in the second tier. Their acceptance rates range from 19% to 38%, and they're all in the top 40 in their respective categories in the US News rankings. Their graduation rates are 88% (Wake Forest and Washington and Lee) to 94% (University of Virginia). There are four public colleges and two liberal arts colleges in the second tier.
School | Location | Average SAT Score | Average ACT Score | Acceptance Rate | US News Ranking |
College of William and Mary | Williamsburg, VA | 1415 | 32 | 38% | #39 NU |
Davidson College | Davidson, NC | 1370 | 31 | 20% | #15 LA |
Georgia Tech | Atlanta, GA | 1470 | 33 | 23% | #35 NU |
Emory University | Atlanta, GA | 1480 | 33 | 19% | #21 NU |
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, NC | 1395 | 30 | 23% | #28 NU |
University of Virginia | Charlottesville, VA | 1430 | 32 | 24% | #26 NU |
Wake Forest University | Winston-Salem, NC | 1390 | 31 | 29% | #28 NU |
Washington and Lee University | Lexington, VA | 1420 | 32 | 21% | #9 LA |
Tier 3
There are five colleges in the third tier, representing four states. Their acceptance rates range from 17% (Tulane) to 39% (University of Florida). Their graduation rates range from 81% (UT Austin and University of Miami) to 88% (University of Florida). University of Richmond is the only liberal arts college in this tier. They're all ranked within the top 50 of their US News categories.
School | Location | Average SAT Score | Average ACT Score | Acceptance Rate | US News Ranking |
Tulane University | New Orleans, LA | 1420 | 32 | 17% | #41 NU |
University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | 1360 | 30 | 39% | #30 NU |
University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | 1355 | 31 | 27% | #49 NU |
University of Richmond | Richmond, VA | 1375 | 32 | 30% | #22 LA |
University of Texas-Austin | Austin, TX | 1355 | 30 | 32% | #42 NU |
Tier 4
There are six colleges in the fourth tier. Their acceptance rates range from 47% (SMU and Clemson) to 76% (Centre College). Their graduation rates are between 77% (SMU) and 84% (Furman), and their US News rankings are from 47-74 in their respective categories.
School | Location | Average SAT Score | Average ACT Score | Acceptance Rate | US News Ranking |
Centre College | Danville, KY | 1300 | 29 | 76% | #52 LA |
Clemson University | Clemson, SC | 1310 | 30 | 47% | #74 NU |
Furman University | Greenville, SC | 1310 | 29 | 61% | #52 LA |
Rhodes College | Memphis, TN | 1330 | 29 | 45% | #54 LA |
Sewanee: University of the South | Sewanee, TN | 1290 | 28 | 65% | #47 LA |
Southern Methodist University | Dallas, TX | 1390 | 31 | 47% | #66 NU |