Class of 2030 Early Decision Results Show Continued Decline in Acceptance Rates

Early decision acceptance rates at several elite universities have continued their downward trajectory for the Class of 2030, according to newly released data from the 2025-2026 admissions cycle. The results show that selective institutions are becoming even more competitive in their early rounds, with some schools reporting their lowest early acceptance rates to date.

Brown University admitted 890 students from 5,406 early decision applications, resulting in a 16.46% acceptance rate—down from 17.92% the previous year, according to Ingenius Prep. This represents a continued tightening of early admissions at the Ivy League institution. Meanwhile, Duke University reported admitting 847 students from 6,159 early decision applications, yielding a 13.75% acceptance rate, as documented by Top Tier Admissions.

The Class of 2030 early admission results, which cover the 2025-2026 admissions cycle for incoming college freshmen, show that early decision remains a strategic but increasingly competitive pathway to elite institutions. College Kickstart notes these results are specifically for "the 2025-2026 admissions cycle / the incoming college Class of 2030 / the current high school Class of 2026." While comprehensive data for all Ivy League schools is still emerging, the available figures suggest a continuation of the trend toward lower acceptance rates in early decision rounds at top-tier universities.

These declining rates come despite—or perhaps because of—increasing application volumes in early rounds, as students and families continue to seek any possible advantage in the highly competitive admissions landscape. The data underscores the importance of strategic planning for families targeting elite institutions, particularly as early decision programs become more selective each year.