The Trump administration revoked Harvard University’s authority to enroll international students on May 22, marking a dramatic rebuke of the institution for resisting the administration’s policy agenda.
"Harvard can no longer enroll foreign students, and those already enrolled must transfer or risk losing their legal status," the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement. The announcement came just as students around the globe were preparing to begin their studies at the nation’s oldest and most prestigious university.
The move has cast a spotlight on America’s top universities, many of which attract large numbers of international applicants each year. Several of these schools are also among the most selective in the country.
Based on Niche’s 2025 rankings, we’ve rounded up the 30 most selective colleges in the US. With low acceptance rates, high test scores, and rigorous admissions standards, it’s no surprise that many Ivy League schools made the list.
Click through to discover which elite institutions have the most competitive admissions—and the numbers that keep them at the top.