For 2025, the Ivy League Universities in USA including Harvard, Yale, and Princeton continue to set the standard for academic rigor and prestige. These eight elite universities offer exceptional programs, low acceptance rates, and extensive alumni networks. For an in-depth guide on the latest rankings, admission requirements, and what makes these institutions stand out, read the full blog.
Table of Contents
1. Harvard University (#5th QS Global Ranking 2026)
2. University of Pennsylvania (#15th QS Global Ranking 2026)
3. Cornell University (#16th QS Global Ranking 2026)
4. Princeton University (#25th QS Global Ranking 2026)
5. Yale University (#21st QS Global Ranking 2026)
6. Columbia University (#38th QS Global Ranking 2026)
7. Brown University (#67th QS Global Ranking 2026)
8. Dartmouth College (#107th QS Global Ranking 2026)
Ivy League are eight highly competitive, private colleges in the Northeast United States which are known for academic rigor, extensive resources, and global reputation. Ivy League is derived from the Latin term for "ivy" that was traditionally used to adorn the ancient structures of these colleges.
Here is a list of Ivy League colleges that can help you choose the one that best aligns with your profile and aspirations:
As the United States' oldest Ivy university, founded in 1636, Harvard is an international academic and research powerhouse. The Harvard University has a great reputation, expansive library network and a deep history of educating world leaders. It is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and has a massive endowment along with varied program offerings.
| Details | Information |
| Location | Cambridge, Massachusetts |
| Acceptance Rate | 3.7% (Class of 2028) |
| Total Enrollments Annually | Over 20,000 (includes undergraduate and gradates) |
| Average Tuition Fee |
|
| Popular Courses Offered | Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, Computer Science and Political Science |
Founded in 1740 by Benjamin Franklin, the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) is known for its applied, interdisciplinary education. Located in Philadelphia, it is home to the first U.S. collegiate business school, the Wharton School, and the first medical school. The best Ivy League university emphasizes interdisciplinary education as well as the application of learning.
| Details | Information |
| Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Acceptance Rate | 5.4% (Class of 2028) |
| Total Enrollments Annually | Over 20,000 (includes undergraduate and gradates) |
| Average Tuition Fee (Bachelor’s And Master’s |
|
| Popular Courses Offered | Business (Wharton), Nursing, Engineering and Biological Science |
Cornell, established in 1865, is the youngest Ivy League University in USA and was founded on a progressive, non-sectarian platform. It has its Ithaca, New York campus comprising endowed private college and state-supported public colleges, creating unprecedented academic diversity. Cornell University is best known for its applied sciences and top programs in fields like Hotel Administration and Veterinary Medicine.
| Details | Information |
| Location | Ithaca, New York |
| Acceptance Rate | 8.4% (Class of 2028) |
| Total Enrollments Annually | Over 20,000 (includes undergraduate and gradates) |
| Average Tuition Fee (Bachelor’s And Master’s |
|
| Popular Courses Offered | Computer and Information Science, Engineering, Business and Veterinary Medicine |
Established in 1746, the oldest and one of the most selective universities in the U.S. renowned for its stunning campus and low student-to-faculty ratio, Princeton University offers an intensely personal, deeply intellectual liberal arts and science education. Unlike other Ivies. It excludes law, medical and business schools, which allows it to focus intently on undergraduate education.
| Details | Information |
| Location | Princeton, New Jersey |
| Acceptance Rate | 4.6% (Class of 2028) |
| Total Enrollments Annually | Over 8,478 (Undergraduate: 5,321, Postgraduate: 3,157) |
| Average Tuition Fee (Bachelor’s And Master’s |
|
| Popular Courses Offered | Social Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, and Public and International Affairs |
Founded in 1701, Yale University is the third-oldest university in the U.S. Yale is located in New Haven, Connecticut, and is famous for its system of residential colleges that create an integrated social and intellectual community of students. Along with its demanding liberal arts core, Yale boasts elite schools of law, drama, and music.
| Details | Information |
| Location | CNew Haven, Connecticut |
| Acceptance Rate | 3.9% (Class of 2028) |
| Total Enrollments Annually | Approx. 14,567 (Undergraduate: 6,536; Postgraduate: 8,031) |
| Average Tuition Fee (Bachelor’s And Master’s |
|
| Popular Courses Offered | Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, Computer Science and Law |
One of New York's oldest higher education institutions and nation's fifth-oldest, Columbia was founded in 1754 as King's College. The Columbia University is built around its Common Core Curriculum, which all undergraduates complete. Its New York City campus gives students unparalleled access to world finance, politics, and culture.
| Details | Information |
| Location | New York |
| Acceptance Rate | 3.9% (Class of 2028) |
| Total Enrollments Annually | Over 20,000 (includes undergraduate and gradates) |
| Average Tuition Fee (Bachelor’s And Master’s |
|
| Popular Courses Offered | Business (MBA), Journalism, Law, Engineering, and Political Science |
Founded in 1764, Brown is known for its Open Curriculum, which allows students to design their own course of study in USA without a set of core requirements. Located in Providence, Rhode Island, the university emphasizes collaboration over competition and is home to a vibrant, progressive campus community. Brown University offers a combination of world-class research chance and a deeply personal, undergraduate-focused educational experience.
| Details | Information |
| Location | Providence, Rhode Island |
| Acceptance Rate | 5.2% (Class of 2028) |
| Total Enrollments Annually | Approx. 11,189 (Undergraduate: 7,639; Postgraduate: 3,550) |
| Average Tuition Fee (Bachelor’s And Master’s |
|
| Popular Courses Offered | Computer Science, Economics, International Relations, Public Health, and Applied Mathematics |
Established in 1769, Dartmouth College is the smallest of the Ivy League schools and is known for its strong undergraduate focus and liberal arts curriculum. Its unique D-Plan allows students to customize their academic schedules with flexible quarter-based terms, promoting experiential learning through internships and study abroad opportunities. Its rural New Hampshire location fosters a close-knit community.
| Details | Information |
| Location | Hanover, New Hampshire |
| Acceptance Rate | 5.3% (Class of 2028) |
| Total Enrollments Annually | Approx. 6,761 (Undergraduate: 4,556; Postgraduate: 2,205) |
| Average Tuition Fee (Bachelor’s And Master’s |
|
| Popular Courses Offered | Social Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, and Economics |
This was the list of Ivy League universities along with the key information. However, the main challenge is to find the university that best aligns with your preferences. You can use our college finder tool, which is free and easy to use, for assistance.
Also Read: Top 100 Universities in USA
Admission to Ivy League Universities in USA, is highly competitive and is based on a holistic evaluation of each applicant. Successful candidates typically have nearly perfect grades (usually a GPA of 3.9 to 4.0) and high standardised test scores (1500+ on the SAT or 33+ on the ACT). In addition to these academic achievements, applicants must also distinguish themselves in various ways. Here are the key requirements:
Note: Admissions are rarely based on a single metric, with emphasis on a student's overall profile.
Also Read: Intakes in USA
At the undergraduate level, IVY colleges don't offer merit scholarships, athletic scholarships, or talent scholarships. Instead, all eight universities offer generous need-based financial aid packages to admitted students. For graduate students, graduate school aid and scholarship availability may vary significantly by Ivy League university and program. Explore below to find out more:
The financial aid provided by all eight Ivy League colleges in USA to their undergraduate students consists of grants that need not be repaid. For individuals from low-income backgrounds, the support can cover the expenses of cost of studying in USA for Indian students, including tuition, accommodation, and meals.
The following table summarizes some popular external scholarships for Ivy League students:
| Scholarship Program | Description |
| Coca-Cola Scholars Program | Award academic, leadership and community service achievements with a $20,000 scholarship. |
| Gates Scholarship | A full-ride scholarship for outstanding, low-income, minority high school students. |
| Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship | Supports high-achieving high school seniors with financial need with up to $55,000 per year. |
| Coolidge Scholarship | A competitive, full-ride, four-year scholarship for high school juniors with academic excellence and leadership. |
| QuestBridge National College Match | Matches high-achieving, low-income students with a four-year scholarship to partner universities, including several Ivy League. |
For graduate students, the opportunities for scholarship and financial aid are more varied and typically depending on the specific department and degree. Refer to the table below to obtain information on program or university and their finding details:
| University/Program | Funding Details |
| Cornell Graduate School | Doctoral students are typically fully funded through a combination of fellowship and assistantship. |
| Harvard Chan Scholarships | The Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health offers scholarships to both domestic and international students. |
| Columbia University Graduate Programs | Over 90% of students who complete the FASA and qualify receive institutional funding, which may be need or merit based. |
| IACS Scholarship (Harvard) | The institute for Applied Computational Science awards scholarship from an annual gift, primarily for master’s thesis research. |
| Beinecke Scholarship Program | Supports graduate study in the arts, humanities and social science, providing financial support for promising students. |
Also Read: Scholarship for masters in USA
In conclusion, Ivy League is the peak of higher education in the USA, offering exceptional academic programs and state-of-the-art facilities. The admissions process is notably competitive, characterised by low acceptance rates. Therefore, seeking guidance from experienced study abroad consultants can be beneficial, as they can provide valuable support and assistance throughout each step of your journey to achieving your aspirations.
Yes, Ivy League students can and do participate in study abroad programme, with Ivy league universities in USA strongly encouraging international experiences, offering diverse programs from short summer courses to full-year exchanges and even providing extensive support and finding for these options.
Popular undergraduate programs across Ivy League schools frequently include Economics, Computer Science, Social Sciences (including Political Science) and Engineering, with specific schools also excelling in areas like business at Wharton (UPenn), Public policy at Princeton, international affairs at Columbia and interdisciplinary studies at Brown.
While there is no information available regarding the minimum GPA exists for IVY university, successful applicants typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.7 to 4.0 or higher, with weighted GPA’s often exceeding 4.3.
There is no particular university that is hard to get into as it changes yearly, but there are some prestigious universities USA which are in the every year list, like Harvard University, Stanford University, MNIT and other, which have acceptance rate often below 4%. Hence, the institution are highly selective, receiving a large number of applications from academically accomplished students and evaluating them through a holistic process that consider leadership, unique talent and potential.
The IVY colleges are famous for its unparalleled prestige, academic excellence and selective admissions, stemming from its origin as early institutions with high endowments and strong alumni networks. Students gain access to wealthy resources, a supportive network of ambitious classmates and superior career options and higher earning potential after graduation.
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