Private School Review - Established 2003

Most Selective Private Schools (2026)

The national average private school acceptance rate is 82% per year (2026).
The private elementary school average acceptance rate is 82% per year and the private high school average is 80% per year.
The state with the highest average private school acceptance rate is North Dakota with 95%. The state with the lowest average private school acceptance rate is District Of Columbia with 49%.
Acceptance Rate Range: 49% 95% Avg. Acceptance Rate: 82%

Most Selective Private Schools (2026)

State
Average Acceptance Rate
(Total / High Schools / Elementary)
Most Selective Schools
(Acceptance Rate)
Rank: #11.
District Of Columbia
49% / 42% / 47%
Rank: #2-42-4.
Connecticut
71% / 65% / 73%
Rank: #2-42-4.
Massachusetts
71% / 62% / 73%
Rank: #2-42-4.
Vermont
71% / 68% / 75%
Rank: #55.
New Hampshire
73% / 70% / 79%
Rank: #6-76-7.
New York
76% / 75% / 76%
Rank: #6-76-7.
South Dakota
76% / 72% / 74%
Rank: #8-98-9.
Rhode Island
77% / 63% / 80%
Rank: #8-98-9.
Wyoming
77% / 0% / 77%
Rank: #10-1210-12.
Hawaii
78% / 79% / 79%
Rank: #10-1210-12.
Maine
78% / 78% / 78%
Rank: #10-1210-12.
New Jersey
78% / 73% / 76%
Rank: #1313.
Georgia
79% / 79% / 79%
Rank: #1414.
Virginia
80% / 81% / 80%
Rank: #15-2115-21.
California
81% / 78% / 81%
Rank: #15-2115-21.
Florida
81% / 81% / 80%
Rank: #15-2115-21.
Kansas
81% / 74% / 82%
Rank: #15-2115-21.
Maryland
81% / 77% / 80%
Rank: #15-2115-21.
North Carolina
81% / 82% / 81%
Rank: #15-2115-21.
Pennsylvania
81% / 79% / 81%
Rank: #15-2115-21.
Utah
81% / 80% / 79%
Rank: #2222.
Washington
82% / 83% / 81%
Rank: #23-2523-25.
Tennessee
83% / 86% / 83%
Rank: #23-2523-25.
Texas
83% / 82% / 83%
Rank: #23-2523-25.
West Virginia
83% / 88% / 82%
Rank: #26-3026-30.
Colorado
84% / 83% / 85%
Rank: #26-3026-30.
Illinois
84% / 81% / 85%
Rank: #26-3026-30.
Indiana
84% / 79% / 83%
Rank: #26-3026-30.
New Mexico
84% / 80% / 85%
Rank: #26-3026-30.
Oregon
84% / 81% / 83%
Rank: #31-3431-34.
Arkansas
85% / 87% / 85%
Rank: #31-3431-34.
Kentucky
85% / 81% / 83%
Rank: #31-3431-34.
Louisiana
85% / 80% / 85%
Rank: #31-3431-34.
Ohio
85% / 83% / 84%
Rank: #35-3735-37.
Alabama
86% / 87% / 87%
Rank: #35-3735-37.
Missouri
86% / 85% / 85%
Rank: #35-3735-37.
Oklahoma
86% / 82% / 87%
Rank: #38-4338-43.
Arizona
87% / 84% / 86%
Rank: #38-4338-43.
Delaware
87% / 87% / 89%
Rank: #38-4338-43.
Iowa
87% / 82% / 86%
Rank: #38-4338-43.
Idaho
87% / 85% / 87%
Rank: #38-4338-43.
Minnesota
87% / 82% / 88%
Rank: #38-4338-43.
Montana
87% / 91% / 89%
Rank: #44-4644-46.
Michigan
88% / 85% / 88%
Rank: #44-4644-46.
Mississippi
88% / 88% / 88%
Rank: #44-4644-46.
Nevada
88% / 91% / 88%
Rank: #47-4847-48.
South Carolina
89% / 90% / 90%
Rank: #47-4847-48.
Wisconsin
89% / 84% / 90%
Rank: #4949.
Nebraska
91% / 89% / 93%
Rank: #5050.
Alaska
93% / 94% / 93%
Rank: #5151.
North Dakota
95% / 0% / 0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the national average private school acceptance rate?
The national average private school acceptance rate is 82% for 2026.
What are the most selective private schools in the United States?
The most selective private schools in the United States include Somerset Hills Learning Institute, Our Savior Lutheran School and West Covina KinderCare.
What is the state with the highest average private school acceptance rate?
The state with the highest average private school acceptance rate is North Dakota.

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Did You Know?

The town with the lowest private school acceptance rate is Fremont, CA with an average acceptance rate of 66%. The county with the lowest private school acceptance rate is San Mateo County, CA with an average acceptance rate of 67%.