“Ivy League Universities” is quite famous in pop culture references and academic circles. The Ivy League represents the creme de la creme of education for most students. It is a group of 8 prestigious universities located in the Northeast USA. Although many prestigious colleges across the US are sometimes mistaken to be Ivy League institutes, the original 8 Ivy League schools are – Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University.
How did this group of universities get the term “Ivy League Universities”? The answer is simple. All 8 colleges were a part of the Ivy League athletic conference, which hosted several inter-college sports competitions. In 1933, the term was coined by sports journalist Stanley Woodward to describe the football season at these “ivy schools” The athletic conference was given its formal name in 1954.
List of Ivy League schools
The Ivy League is a group of eight prestigious private universities in the U.S., known for academic excellence, selective admissions, and influential alumni. Check out our Ivy League colleges list to explore their acceptance rates, rankings, and top courses.
Harvard University
Image Source: harvard.edu website
Harvard University is situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. It usually ranks first in the Ivy League universities and among all the colleges in the US and the world. It has a top-notch educational programme, advanced facilities for education, and expert faculties. It also offers free tuition and scholarships for students in financial need. Biology, Economics, English, History, Psychology, etc. are the popular majors in this university. When comparing Russell Group vs Ivy League, Harvard often stands out as a leading institution globally.
| Parameter | Details |
| Acceptance Rate | 3.4% |
| Top Courses | BA in Computer Science, LLM, MBA, MS in Computational Science and Engineering, Doctor of Medicine |
| QS World Ranking 2025 | #4 |
| Tuition Fee (UG) | USD 82,866 |
| Tuition Fee (PG) | USD 56,000 – USD 74,000 |
Columbia University |Ivy League Universities
Columbia University is the second-best of the Ivy League universities and was originally established as King’s College in 1753 when it was affiliated with the Church of England. It was rechristened as Columbia University in 1896. It is the fifth oldest university in the USA and the oldest university in New York. It offers a variety of UG and PG programmes and was the first university in the US to award an MD degree.
| Parameter | Details |
| Acceptance Rate | 3.85% |
| Top Courses | BE/BTech, MBA, MS in Nursing, BBA, MS in Business Analytics, LLM |
| QS World Ranking 2025 | #34 |
| Tuition Fee (UG) | USD 60,000 – USD 64,321 |
| Tuition Fee (PG) | USD 27,400 – USD 119,114 |
University of Pennsylvania
UPenn is the third-best university in the Ivy League. Benjamin Franklin founded it in 1740 in West Philadelphia as a private research university. It is the fourth oldest institute of higher education in the US and offers a variety of world-class programmes taught by expert faculty.
| Parameter | Details |
| Acceptance Rate | 5.9% |
| Top Courses | BBA, MBA, Masters in Nursing (MSN), MDS, BE/BTech |
| QS World Ranking 2025 | #11 |
| Tuition Fee (UG) | USD 87,860 |
| Tuition Fee (PG) | USD 60,000 |
Yale University
Yale University is the 4th best Ivy League university and the third oldest educational institute in the USA, established in 1701 by a group of Calvinist missionaries. After the school was moved to New Haven, Connecticut, the institute was given its present name in honour of Welsh merchant Elihu, who had given generous donations to the institution. Over the years, it has produced several successful alumni and a reputation for being a prestigious institution for education.
| Parameter | Details |
| Acceptance Rate | 4.5% |
| Top Courses | BBA, MBA, MSN, EMBA, B.Arch |
| QS World Ranking 2025 | #23 |
| Tuition Fee (UG) | USD 67,250 |
| Tuition Fee (PG) | USD 49,500 |
Princeton University
Princeton University is the 5th best Ivy League school, founded in 1746 in Elizabeth, US. It was initially named the College of New Jersey. However, later in the year 1896, it was renamed Princeton University. It is a school of outstanding academic excellence and repute and has had 65 Nobel laureates, 2 US Presidents, and 12 US Supreme Court justices as its alumni. Princeton is often compared in American universities to Ivy League discussions due to its rigorous curriculum and selective admissions process.
| Parameter | Details |
| Acceptance Rate | 5.8% |
| Top Courses | BA in Politics, BA in Psychology, MBA, MIM, MEng, M.Arch |
| QS World Ranking 2025 | #22 |
| Tuition Fee (UG) | USD 62,500 |
| Tuition Fee (PG) | USD 60,410 |
Cornell University
Cornell University is the only Ivy League college co-educational and non-sectarian since its inception and the only university founded after the American Revolutionary War in 1865. It is one of the only 3 private land grant institutes in the US and the only such college in New York.
| Parameter | Details |
| Acceptance Rate | 3.6% |
| Top Courses | MS in Computer Science, MBA, MEng, M.Arch, M.Agri |
| QS World Ranking 2025 | #16 |
| Tuition Fee (UG) | USD 68,380 |
| Tuition Fee (PG) | USD 29,500 – USD 105,500 |
Brown University
Brown University is the 7th best Ivy League college and the seventh-oldest university in the US, established in 1764 in Providence, Rhode Island. Brown University is a non-sectarian college and was the first college in the US that accepted students regardless of their religion. It has had 8 Nobel laureates, a Supreme Court Chief Justice and 21 Pulitzer Prize winners as its alumni.
| Parameter | Details |
| Acceptance Rate | 5% |
| Top Courses | MS in Civil Engineering, MS in Mechanical Engineering, MBA, BBA, MIM |
| QS World Ranking 2025 | #79 |
| Tuition Fee (UG) | USD 82,762 |
| Tuition Fee (PG) | USD 25,000 – USD 75,500 |
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College, unlike the other Ivies, is a private research university established in 1769. It is the 9th oldest university in the US and is located in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. Eleazar Wheelock founded it. It has a strong network of more than 80,000 alumni worldwide in leading professional roles.
Apart from these 8 original Ivy schools, several public universities in the US have been considered public Ivy League schools as they offer a college education level similar to that of the original Ivies. The US’s top public Ivy League schools include William & Mary, UC Berkeley, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Michigan, UCLA, and the University of Virginia. They are a good option for students looking for a budget-friendly, top-notch US institute.
| Parameter | Details |
| Acceptance Rate | 6% |
| Top Courses | Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering, MS in Computer Science, MBA, MIM, MPH |
| QS World Ranking 2025 | #243 |
| Tuition Fee (UG) | USD 87,768 |
| Tuition Fee (PG) | USD 24,885 – USD 33,180 |
Application Process for Ivy League Schools
Applying to the IVY League involves a comprehensive and competitive process. Here’s a structured overview of the key steps and tips to enhance your application.
1. Research and Requirements
- Research each school’s specific requirements and ensure your goals align with their programmes
- Understand application deadlines for Early and Regular Decision options
2. Core Application Components
- Strong academic record (typically 4.0+ GPA) with challenging coursework
- Competitive standardised test scores (SAT/ACT)
- Compelling personal essays and supplemental writing
- Strong letters of recommendation
3. Extracurricular Excellence
- Demonstrate leadership and sustained commitment to activities
- Focus on quality of involvement over quantity
- Highlight unique achievements and community impact
4. Strategic Timeline
- Begin essays the summer before senior year
- Consider Early Decision/Action for the preferred school
- Submit well before the deadlines
- Prepare for potential interviews
Remember that each Ivy League school has distinct characteristics and requirements, so tailor your application accordingly while maintaining authenticity in presenting your achievements and aspirations.
FAQs
Which Ivy League is the most prestigious?
The most prestigious Ivy League university is often debated, but Harvard University is generally considered the most prestigious overall.
What is the hardest Ivy League to get into?
Being one of the most prestigious universities, it is also one of the most competitive Ivy League schools to gain admission to.
What are the top 4 IVY league colleges?
Harvard University, Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania and Yale University are known for prestige, selectivity, and academic excellence. Harvard leads overall, Princeton excels in liberal arts, Yale is renowned for law and humanities, and Columbia stands out for business and international affairs.
Why is Stanford, not Ivy League?
Stanford University is not considered part of the Ivy League for historical and geographical reasons. The Ivy League comprises eight private universities in the Northeastern United States: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Brown, Dartmouth, Cornell, and the University of Pennsylvania. This group was initially formed as an athletic conference and has since become synonymous with academic prestige and selectivity.
Which Ivy League accepts the most international students?
Harvard, Penn, and Columbia typically admit the most international students among Ivy League schools.
We hope you enjoyed this blog on Ivy League universities. To know more about related fields, do check out our other blogs.
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