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The Ivy League is a group of private universities and colleges in the northeastern US. These institutes are renowned for their academic excellence, prestigious reputation, long-standing history, and highly selective admissions. These are considered to be the most reputed and competitive universities globally. In this blog, we will discuss the Ivy League universities in USA. The Ivy League comprises 8 private research universities in the United States. Moreover, you will learn how you can apply for admission to these prominent institutions. Now, let’s begin this blog without any further ado.
This Blog Includes:
- What are the Ivy League Universities in the USA?
- Why Are They Called Ivy League Schools?
- List of Ivy League schools
- How to Get Admission to Ivy League Universities?
- What are the Ivy League Acceptance Rates for International Students?
- How Much Does It Cost to Study in the Ivy League?
- Ivy League Schools vs Other Universities
- FAQs
What are the Ivy League Universities in the USA?
The Ivy League universities are a group of 8 private universities in the USA. The universities were the original members of the NCAA Division 1 athletics league (1950s). Therefore, these universities are known for their competitive sports programmes. As these universities received funding and hired recruiters and top lecturers, they started becoming popular for their academics as well. Today, these universities are considered as some of the most prestigious universities in the world.
Why Are They Called Ivy League Schools?
The term Ivy League was coined by Caswell Adams in 1937. He was a sports writer who was writing about the football game between the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University. He referred to these universities as ‘’Ivy covered. Later on, they came to be known as the ‘Ivy League’..
Also Read: Which is the Oldest Public University in USA?
List of Ivy League schools
There are a total of 8 Ivy League universities in USA, boasting outstanding reputations and prestige. Let’s explore these hallowed institutes in more detail:
Columbia University
The prestigious Columbia University has produced numerous Nobel prize winners and leaders. Established in 1754, it is among the oldest American universities. The institute offers great flexibility to its students. New students can choose to enrol in any of the three semesters of the school year. Situated in Manhattan, New York City, Columbia University is a renowned top research university, boasting the third largest library among the US universities.
| QS World University Rankings 2025 | #34 |
| THE World University Rankings 2025 | #17 |
Brown University
Another renowned university on the list is Brown University. Established in 1764 in Rhode Island, it is among the oldest research universities in the United States. It boasts a liberal campus and encourages innovation and creativity. It offers students considerable freedom to attend courses. They are free to explore different fields of learning and decide their majors with the assistance of school advisors. Moreover, they receive their degrees after acquiring enough credits.
| QS World University Rankings 2025 | #=79 |
| THE World University Rankings 2024 | #58 |
Princeton University
Known as one of the best research US universities, Princeton University boasts an unparalleled reputation. Founded in 1746, the institute is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education and is located in Princeton, United States. The university takes only over 1,000 students each year and every student gets plenty of attention from professors.
| QS World University Rankings 2025 | #=22 |
| THE World University Rankings 2025 | #4 |
Cornell University
Cornell University is the only Ivy League school that was set up after American Revolutionary War. Established in 1865, the institute has three campuses. The main one is located in Ithaca, New York State and two satellite campuses are in New York City and Qatar. Cornell University houses the largest Southeast Asia Program in the United States.
| QS World University Rankings 2025 | #16 |
| THE World University Rankings 2025 | #20 |
Harvard University
Harvard University is among the most prominent universities in the world, boasting outstanding reputation and academic excellence. Established in 1636, it is the oldest university in the US. It is located in Boston and houses the oldest library in the United States. After students graduate from Harvard University, they are offered different distinctions based on their academic performance: magna cum laude, summa cum laude, and cum laude.
| QS World University Rankings 2025 | #4 |
| THE World University Rankings 2025 | #3 |
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College has small classes and about one teacher accompanies seven students on their educational journeys. Located in New Hampshire, Dartmouth College was founded in 1769. It is a liberal arts institution, and students usually excel in Politics and Economics.
| QS World University Rankings 2025 | #=243 |
| THE World University Rankings 2025 | #NA |
Yale University
Founded in 1701 in Connecticut, Yale University is the third oldest American university. Students enrol in general education courses at Yale University in their freshman year. They decide their majors when they reach the second year. There is a collection of 12.5 million books in the institute’s library, the second largest in the United States. Only Harvard has more books than Yale University.
| QS World University Rankings 2025 | #=23 |
| THE World University Rankings 2025 | #10 |
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is committed to offering students cross-disciplinary skills, and thus, allows undergraduates to attend courses from other departments and graduate courses. Established in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1740, the university has a long track record of academic excellence.
| QS World University Rankings 2025 | #11 |
| THE World University Rankings 2025 | #=14 |
Also Read: Masters in Computer Science in USA
How to Get Admission to Ivy League Universities?
Getting into Ivy League universities in USA is very competitive. However, you can make it to these prestigious institutes with the right qualifications and determination. While all these universities have set different criteria, the general requirements for admission are as follows:
- You need to have a solid GPA (average 3.85 and 4.18)
- Secure high scores in the SAT
- Must demonstrate interest in extracurricular activities
- Must have experience volunteering
- Obtain a letter of recommendation from the relevant authorities
- Must be a strong candidate for interviews
What are the Ivy League Acceptance Rates for International Students?
The Ivy League school acceptance rate for international students varies. However, the acceptance rate is generally low. It is around 11 % or less. This is because admission to these universities is the most competitive.
| Ivy League University | Approximate Acceptance Rate (Class of 2025) |
| Brown University | 5.40% |
| Columbia University | 3.70% |
| Cornell University | 8.70% |
| Dartmouth College | 6.20% |
| Harvard University | 3.40% |
| University of Pennsylvania | 5.70% |
| Princeton University | 4.00% |
| Yale University | 4.60% |
How Much Does It Cost to Study in the Ivy League?
The cost of studying in the Ivy League Universities in the USA varies. It depends on whether you an an international or a domestic student. It also depends on the university you are enrolling in and the course you want to take up. However, the average cost as per THE Times Higher Education is around USD 56,000 or EUR 47,000 per year. Apart from the tuition fees, you also need to consider the cost of living in the USA.
Fortunately, you can receive financial assistance from a university if you are qualified. The financial assistance can be in the form of a grant (something that does not need to be repaid), work-study schemes (where you will receive assistance from the university to seek part-time jobs in the USA. Both merit-based and need-based assistance is provided.
Ivy League Schools vs Other Universities
Unlike other universities, the Ivy League universities in the USA hold the reputation as institutions of academic excellence. The alumni from these universities include presidents, authors, actors, businesspeople, and even politicians like Obama and Franklin D. Roosevelt. The alumni network allows you to build a solid professional network.
They are considered to be among the best institutes in the United States due to their reputation, history, and impressive lists of alumni. However, numerous other prestigious universities in the US and the world are excellent options as well. So, even if you fail to get admission to Ivy League universities in the USA, just relax and know that there are plenty of other options as well.
FAQs
Answer: There are a total of 8 Ivy League schools in the US.
Answer: Cornell University is known to be the easiest Ivy to get into with an acceptance rate of around 8.7% to 10.9%.
Answer: Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Columbia University are known for accepting a large number of overseas students.
The Ivy League is an athletic conference consisting of eight universities. These universities are popular for their mainly their sports courses. Therefore, Stanford does not come under it. Stanford University on the contrary ,is located in the Northeastern United States and is known for academic excellence.
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So, this was all about the “Ivy League universities in USA“. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.
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