IVY league universities in USA: List, Ranking, Admission Process

What is Ivy League?

The Ivy League is a group of eight highly prestigious, private research universities located in the Northeastern United States. These universities are known for their academic excellence, rigorous admissions, and social prestige. The eight schools are: Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University.

Moreover, the details of the eight members are discussed in the below section.

List of Ivy League Schools in the USA

There are 8 members in the Ivy League colleges list in the USA. They are:

Harvard University

• A private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States.
• It is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States.
• This university is ranked 4th as per the QS world ranking.
• It offers world-class faculty and several scholarships to the students.
• Average tuition fees: USD 56,550 approximately.

Columbia University

• A private Ivy League university in New York City, USA.
• One of the top research institutes in the world.
• This university is ranked 34th as per the QS world ranking.
• The acceptance rate of this university is considered the lowest in the USA.
• Average tuition fees: USD 88,300 approximately.

University of Pennsylvania

• A private university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.
• This is a research-based university with one of the best faculty.
• This university is ranked 11th as per the QS world ranking.
• This is the best place for learners who are connected with nature.
• Average tuition fees: USD 35,410 approximately.

Yale University

• A private Ivy school in New Haven, Connecticut, United States.
• Yale is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States.
• This university is ranked 23rd as per the QS world ranking.
• One of the top research-based universities in the USA.
• Average tuition fees: USD 84,908 approximately.

Princeton University

• One of the private Ivy schools is situated in Princeton, New Jersey, United States.
• Offers top-class education courses in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering.
• This university is ranked 22nd as per the QS world ranking.
• This university has a total annual enrolment of 1700+ students.
• Average tuition fees: USD 86,700 approximately.

Cornell University

• One of the private universities is situated in Ithaca, New York, United States.
• This is considered the easiest IVY league college to get admission to.
• This university is ranked 16th as per the QS world ranking.
• Cornell is well known for its schools of engineering and hotel management.
• Average tuition fees: USD 84,952 approximately.

Brown University

• A private research-based university in Providence, Rhode Island, United States.
• It is the seventh-oldest institution of higher education in the US
• This university is ranked 79th as per the QS world ranking.
• Known for its open curriculum in which students craft and figure out their study plans.
• Average tuition fees: USD 71,412 approximately.

Dartmouth College

• One of the private universities is situated in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States.
• This is the smallest college among all 8 members of this league.
• This college is ranked 243rd as per the QS world ranking.
• This college has a strong athletic culture.
• Average tuition fees: USD 66,123 approximately.

This is additional information about the Ivy League universities/schools in the USA. A lot of students across the globe desire to get admission to these universities. Moreover, you can use our college finder tool which uses AI to evaluate your profile and show the most suitable results. Moreover, read about the steps to apply to these universities in the below section.

Also Read: USA Study Visa Requirements

How to Apply for Ivy League Universities?

To apply to Ivy League universities, aspiring students need to demonstrate strong academic performance, achieve high scores on standardized tests, and showcase their personality and interests through compelling essays and extracurricular activities. Building relationships with teachers and mentors for strong letters of recommendation is also crucial. 

1. Academic Excellence:

• High GPA:
  Strive for a GPA of 4.0 and above, indicating a demanding academic record.
• Academic Rigor:
  Enroll in demanding subjects such as AP or IB, showing intellectual curiosity.
• Standardized Tests:
  Prepare hard for the SAT or ACT and attain a competitive score for the preferred university.
• English Proficiency:
  If you are not a native English speaker, you will need to demonstrate proficiency through tests like TOEFL or IELTS.

2. Personal Statement and Essays:

• Compelling Narrative:
  Write personal essays that expose your personality, experiences, and values, and why you'll be a good fit for the university and community.
• Showcase Your Potential:
  Use essays to demonstrate your academic interests, leadership potential, and overall character.

3. Extracurricular Activities:

• Diverse Engagement:
  Participate in several extracurricular activities to demonstrate your interests and passions outside of academics.
• Leadership and Commitment:
  Exhibit leadership roles, intellectual interest, and high achievement through extracurricular activities.

4. Letters of Recommendation:

• Build Relationships:
  Establish good working relationships with instructors and advisors who will be able to compose reflective and empathetic letters of recommendation.
• Seek Advice:
  Select those who are familiar with you and can provide a testimony of your academic skills, personality, and potential.

5. Application Process:

• Common or Coalition Application:
  The majority of Ivy League schools utilize the Common Application or Coalition Application.
• Supplemental Essays:
  Be sure to submit any supplemental essays required by each university.
• Application Deadlines:
  Note down deadlines for early action or early decision applications, since they may precede regular decision deadlines.
• Financial Aid:
  Find out about scholarships and the availability of financial aid at every university since a majority offer need-based financial aid to foreign students.
• Admissions Interviews:
  There may be an interview included in the process of admissions in certain universities.

Applying to an Ivy League university is a challenging process, but with thorough preparation and a strong application, you can significantly increase your chances of acceptance. 

Conclusion

This was all about the IVY league schools. Here, you get to know the list of these universities and also additional details about each of them. Furthermore, take care of the steps mentioned above to increase the chances of success. However, if you still face any issues, then reach out to our study abroad consultants for assistance. They will assist you in every step involved in studying abroad such as scholarships or admission. Therefore, reach out to them today and make your dream of studying abroad a reality.

FAQs

1. Why are they called Ivy League Schools?

The phrase "Ivy League" is used to refer to a group of eight prestigious universities in the northeastern United States, and the term stems from a long tradition of planting ivy on campus. The tradition had its start in the 19th century, with ivy being seen as a symbol of lasting growth and holding fast to the ground. In addition, the expression "Ivy League" gained common usage via a sportswriter in the 1930s who used the phrase "ivy colleges" to describe the athletic rivalry among the colleges.

2. How Many Ivy League Universities Are There in the USA?

There are 8 member universities in the Ivy League. They are:

1. Harvard University
2. Columbia University
3. University of Pennsylvania
4. Yale University
5. Princeton University
6. Cornell University
7. Brown University
8. Dartmouth College

3. How to get admission into Ivy League colleges?

To get into an Ivy League college, focus on excelling academically, achieving strong standardized test scores, participating in meaningful extracurricular activities, writing compelling essays, and securing strong letters of recommendation. Many Ivy League colleges also consider early application, interviews, and demonstrating a genuine fit with the university. 

4. What is the easiest Ivy League college to get into?

Cornell University is generally considered the "easiest" Ivy League school to get into, based on its higher acceptance rate compared to other Ivy League institutions.

5. Is MIT an Ivy League?

No, MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) is not an Ivy League school.