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Ivy League refers to the 8 most prestigious US universities. Seven out of the eight institutions were founded before the American Revolution (1776), making the Ivy League colleges in the USA some of the oldest in the nation. These universities consistently rank among the top in the country and globally, attracting students from around the world.
Read on to learn more about Ivy League universities and why you should consider your higher education at one of them.SKIP TO WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR
The Ivy League was formally established in 1954 as an athletic conference, but it is now most renowned for its academic excellence, selective admissions, and historical significance.
Over time, the focus of the Ivy League universities in the USA had shifted from athletics to academic excellence, with a reputation for selectivity in admissions and social elitism becoming more prominent.The Ivy League universities in the US comprise eight prestigious institutions known for their academic excellence and historical significance. Here is a list of these renowned universities:
Founded in 1701, Yale University is a private Ivy League research university located in New Haven, Connecticut. Established initially as the Collegiate School, it was renamed Yale College in 1718 in honour of Elihu Yale, a Welsh philanthropist and benefactor. Yale is renowned for its rigorous academics, vibrant campus life, and influential alumni.
Criteria |
Details |
QS Rankings 2025 |
23 |
THE Rankings 2024 |
6 |
Most Popular Majors |
Law, Business, Medicine, Political Science, History |
Student-Faculty Ratio |
6:1 |
Notable Alumni |
Hillary Clinton, George H.W. Bush, Meryl Streep |
Cost to Study |
$55,000 (Undergraduate tuition) |
Minimum English Proficiency Req |
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100, PTE: 68 |
Minimum Standardised Tests Req |
SAT: 1480-1570, ACT: 33-35, GRE/GMAT for graduate programs |
Established in 1746, Princeton University is a private Ivy League research university located in Princeton, New Jersey. Originally founded as the College of New Jersey, it was renamed Princeton University in 1896. Princeton is renowned for its commitment to undergraduate education, strong research programs, and distinguished faculty.
Criteria |
Details |
QS Rankings 2025 |
22 |
THE Rankings 2024 |
6 |
Most Popular Majors |
Engineering, Economics, Computer Science, Public Policy |
Student-Faculty Ratio |
5:1 |
Notable Alumni |
John Nash, Alan Turing, Michelle Obama |
Cost to Study |
$55,000 (Undergraduate tuition) |
Minimum English Proficiency Req |
IELTS: 7.5, TOEFL: 100, PTE: 68 |
Minimum Standardised Tests Req |
SAT: 1460-1570, ACT: 33-35, GRE/GMAT for graduate programs |
Founded in 1740, the University of Pennsylvania (often referred to as Penn or UPenn) is a private Ivy League research university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Established by Benjamin Franklin, Penn is renowned for its focus on integrating practical and theoretical knowledge and has a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary education.
Criteria |
Details |
QS Rankings 2025 |
11 |
THE Rankings 2024 |
16 |
Most Popular Majors |
Business, Engineering, Medicine, Social Sciences |
Student-Faculty Ratio |
6:1 |
Notable Alumni |
Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Warren Buffett |
Cost to Study |
$56,000 (Undergraduate tuition) |
Minimum English Proficiency Req |
IELTS: 7.5, TOEFL: 100, PTE: 68 |
Minimum Standardised Tests Req |
SAT: 1460-1550, ACT: 33-35, GRE/GMAT for graduate programs |
Founded in 1636, Harvard University is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States. It is a private Ivy League research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was established by the Massachusetts legislature and named after its first benefactor, John Harvard. The university has a long-standing tradition of academic excellence and influential scholarships.
Criteria |
Details |
QS Rankings 2025 |
4 |
THE Rankings 2024 |
4 |
Most Popular Majors |
Business, Law, Medicine, Government, Social Sciences |
Student-Faculty Ratio |
6:1 |
Notable Alumni |
Barack Obama, Mark Zuckerberg, Henry Kissinger |
Cost to Study |
$54,000 (Undergraduate tuition) |
Minimum English Proficiency Req |
IELTS: 7.5, TOEFL: 100, PTE: 68 |
Minimum Standardised Tests Req |
SAT: 1460-1570, ACT: 33-35, GRE/GMAT for graduate programs |
Founded in 1865, Cornell University is a private Ivy League research university located in Ithaca, New York. It was established by Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White with a vision to create an institution where "any person can find instruction in any study." Cornell is known for its diverse academic programs and commitment to research and public service.
Criteria |
Details |
QS Rankings 2025 |
16 |
THE Rankings 2024 |
20 |
Most Popular Majors |
Engineering, Business, Agriculture, Hotel Administration |
Student-Faculty Ratio |
9:1 |
Notable Alumni |
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Bill Nye, Janet Reno |
Cost to Study |
$57,000 (Undergraduate tuition) |
Minimum English Proficiency Req |
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100, PTE: 68 |
Minimum Standardised Tests Req |
SAT: 1450-1550, ACT: 33-35, GRE/GMAT for graduate programs |
Founded in 1754, Columbia University is a private Ivy League research university located in New York City. Originally established as King's College, it was renamed Columbia University in 1784 following the American Revolution. Columbia is renowned for its rigorous academic programs, influential faculty, and central role in the intellectual and cultural life of New York City.
Criteria |
Details |
QS Rankings 2025 |
34 |
THE Rankings 2024 |
17 |
Most Popular Majors |
Business, Law, Medicine, Social Sciences, Engineering |
Student-Faculty Ratio |
6:1 |
Notable Alumni |
Barack Obama, Alexander Hamilton, Ruth Bader Ginsburg |
Cost to Study |
$64,000 (Undergraduate tuition) |
Minimum English Proficiency Req |
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100, PTE: 68 |
Minimum Standardised Tests Req |
SAT: 1460-1560, ACT: 33-35, GRE/GMAT for graduate programs |
Founded in 1764, Brown University is a private Ivy League research university located in Providence, Rhode Island. Originally established as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, it was renamed Brown University in honour of the benefactor Nicholas Brown Jr. Brown is known for its open curriculum, which allows students significant freedom in shaping their academic path.
Criteria |
Details |
QS Rankings 2025 |
79 |
THE Rankings 2024 |
64 |
Most Popular Majors |
Engineering, Computer Science, International Relations, History |
Student-Faculty Ratio |
7:1 |
Notable Alumni |
Emma Watson, John D. Rockefeller Jr., Janet Reno |
Cost to Study |
$58,000 (Undergraduate tuition) |
Minimum English Proficiency Req |
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100, PTE: 68 |
Minimum Standardised Tests Req |
SAT: 1440-1550, ACT: 33-35, GRE/GMAT for graduate programs |
Founded in 1769, Dartmouth College is a private Ivy League research university located in Hanover, New Hampshire. Established by Eleazar Wheelock, the college was originally intended to educate Native Americans and was later expanded to include a broader student population. Dartmouth is known for its strong liberal arts curriculum and close-knit community.
Criteria |
Details |
QS Rankings 2025 |
243 |
THE Rankings 2024 |
161 |
Most Popular Majors |
Economics, Engineering, Government, Biological Sciences |
Student-Faculty Ratio |
7:1 |
Notable Alumni |
Daniel Webster, Dr. Seuss, Timothée Chalamet |
Cost to Study |
$59,000 (Undergraduate tuition) |
Minimum English Proficiency Req |
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100, PTE: 68 |
Minimum Standardised Tests Req |
SAT: 1450-1550, ACT: 33-35, GRE/GMAT for graduate programs |
Here is a detailed comparison of Ivy League Schools versus Other Universities in the USA:
Criteria |
Ivy League Schools |
Other Universities |
Reputation |
Highly prestigious, globally recognized for academic excellence and historical significance. |
Many non-Ivy universities also have strong reputations, particularly in specific fields or regions. Their overall brand may not be as globally recognised. |
Academic Standards |
Known for rigorous academic programs and challenging coursework. The emphasis is on high intellectual standards and academic achievement. |
Varies widely; some institutions are highly rigorous, while others may offer a more relaxed academic environment. |
Admissions Selectivity |
Extremely competitive with low acceptance rates. Ivy League schools often have acceptance rates below 10%. For example, Harvard and Yale had acceptance rates of 5.9% and 6.8%, respectively. |
Many prestigious non-Ivy universities also have competitive admissions but with higher acceptance rates, such as Carnegie Mellon at 27.8%, University of Virginia at 29.6%, and Northeastern at 31.9%. |
Location |
All Ivy League schools are located on the East Coast of the United States. This can limit geographic diversity. |
Non-Ivy universities are located across the U.S., offering a range of regional settings and climate options. |
Tuition Costs |
Generally higher due to their private status. However, Ivy League schools often have substantial endowments and provide significant financial aid. |
Public universities typically have lower in-state tuition costs. Private non-Ivy universities may have similar or slightly lower tuition compared to Ivy League schools, with varying financial aid availability. |
Financial Aid |
Known for generous financial aid packages due to large endowments. This aid often includes need-blind admissions policies. |
Financial aid varies; public universities often offer state-based aid, while private universities may have competitive aid packages but not necessarily as extensive as Ivy League schools. |
Graduation Rates and Employment |
High employment rates and high-paying jobs for graduates. Ivy League alumni are often targeted by top employers. |
Graduates of non-Ivy institutions also find good employment opportunities, though they may not enjoy the same level of recruiter interest as Ivy League graduates. |
Postgraduate Success |
Ivy League schools do not necessarily produce the highest number of doctoral graduates, though they have strong overall academic success. |
Some liberal arts colleges and other universities have higher rates of students earning doctoral degrees, particularly in science fields. |
Alumni Networks |
Extensive and influential networks with notable figures in various fields. These networks can provide significant career opportunities. |
Non-Ivy universities also have strong alumni networks, particularly in specific sectors or regions, but may not be as globally influential. |
3. Prepare Required Documents
4. Submit The Application
6. Financial Aid and Scholarships
7. Await the Decision
Ivy League universities represent the height of academic prestige and excellence. Prospective students aiming for top-tier education should consider Ivy League schools if they meet the stringent eligibility criteria. These universities provide a rich environment for personal and professional success.
Are you ready to take your academic journey to the next level? AECC is here to guide you. Whether you're seeking expert advice, personalised support, or assistance with your application, our team is dedicated to helping you achieve your academic goals. Let's turn your dream of studying at an Ivy League university into reality!
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