What Are the Ivy League Schools? List of Schools, Ranking, Acceptance Rates, and Scholarships

It will interest you to know that the great Harvard and Yale University are part of the Ivy League schools. So now I guess you’d be thinking what’s are Ivy League schools, and would be getting some heads up on what they are. Yes, you are right they are the group of most pretentious schools in the United States. Thus, they have produced the most productive set of alumni in leading industries around the globe. Also, they are often highly sorted out for when one considers a good school to attend.

Meanwhile, numerous questions still hover around these schools and their worth. So questions like; what makes them prestigious? Also, how do you know it is worth pursuing your graduate or undergraduate study? Also more questions including;

  • How many Ivy League schools are they?
  • How did the name Ivy come about?
  • I want to attend an Ivy League school but I don’t know where to start?
  • Are there scholarships for Ivy League schools student?

Thus, we have answered all these questions here. Also, we ensured to meet careful demands regarding league schools. Therefore, have provided the list of ivy schools herein. Hence, this is including their rankings, tuitions, acceptance rates, and many more.

More so, we also listed the requirements needed to enroll in Ivy schools. So to get the most out of this article, you are required to remain on this page and carefully read through it.

What Are the Ivy League Schools

What Are Ivy League Schools?

For a better understanding of how Ivy League and the term emanated, we would take you through a brief history. Thus, originally, there were days regarded as “Ivy days” at the University of Pennsylvania during Spring. Graduating seniors of the school usually observed Ivy days. So, this was the day they planted Ivy plants. Meanwhile, this tradition was being followed same time by Havard University, Yale University, Brown University, etc. Therefore, the term Ivy originated from this tradition.

However, it was Stanley Woodward, a sportswriter who foremost used the phrase “ivy schools” in a 1933 article.  The first realized example of the term “Ivy League” arose in The Christian Science Monitor on February 7, 1935. Then, various other journalists and sportswriters used the phrase promptly later. So, they used the phrase to relate to the aged colleges along with the northeastern colleges of the United States. N

Nonetheless, the Ivy leagues were officially founded in 1954 at an NCCA athletic conference. Although these schools have been existing before this naming. Thus, there where known for their long-standing customs in intercollegiate athletics. While they were the first schools to start such activities.

Therefore, Ivy League schools are significantly a group of the 8 most proficient and oldest schools in the US. The Ivy League was developed to hone the athletic and sporting ties between the member colleges. But it stands to be more than that today. Hence, they now stand to exemplify institutions with great academic excellence and social prestige. Now they are referred to as the elite institutions.

Additionally, another terminology for “Ivy” is derived from the Roman numeral IV. It is recognized that when it started there were 4 (IV) members in the league and hence read as  IV (Ivy) League.

Why Attend Ivy League Schools?

You can also read Is Purdue University an Ivy League School?

There are a plethora of reasons to attend Ivy League schools. Irrespective of the elegant structures Ivy league schools have created a longing reputation for their selves. Moreover, they use a lot of resources to ensure they attract hardworking, smart, and career-minded students from over the globe. Meanwhile, they undoubtedly help students grow in their professional careers. Hence they’ve greatly shown their proficiency in Law, Medicine, Engineering, and Business.

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Furthermore, they are many open opportunities for you as a student in any Ivy school. Ranging from many employments that will be awaiting you during graduation to the world-class educational experience.

However, they have a large alumni network being the oldest set of schools in the US. Also, they have the best professors and talented students, so this will be a leading edge for building your connections in your career path.

Things To Note Before Applying To Ivy League Schools

Here, we’ve noted 3 important things you should note about ivy league schools. Hence, they are ordered below;

  1. The admission procedure for these elite schools is highly competitive. So, you’ll need to accomplish standards that are much greater than the ones at an average public university. For example, the overall admission rates in 2020 were under 10%.
  2. Remember to check the admission requirements carefully,  including test scores (GRE, SAT, LSAT, GPA). Also, recommendations, extra-curricular activities, and other academic achievements.
  3. You should remember, though, that there are thousands of higher education institutions in the U.S. Several of them score high in university rankings while having lower tuition costs. Thus, when searching for universities, you should pursue the perfect fit that suits you.
  4. They have a low acceptance rate.

Meanwhile, if you have an ambition of running a major corporation. Likewise holding public office in government, gaining a strong benefit in innovation and research. Then the Ivy League is the best option.

How To Enroll In Ivy League Schools

Ivy League schools provide several undergraduates, doctorate, and even postgraduate courses. So, there is no unified way of getting admission into the schools as they vary. You should not also forget that their admission process is rigorous.

However, there are some basic unified requirements that students are expected to present during the admission process. So you can check below to see the list of documents you are required to have before considering admission processing in Ivy schools.

  • Recommendation Letters
  • Excellent Academic Transcripts for all classes from class 9 and upwards.
  • Exceptional Standardised Test Scores in GMAT/ GRE or ACT/SAT.
  • High scores in TOEFL/ IELTS as proof of proficiency in the English language.
  • Impactful Essay
  • Proof of Finance
  • Valid Passport & Visa for International Students.

Depending on your option of school and university, you might also be expected to appear for an interview before your admission.

Check Out Which Ivy League School Is Located In The “Nutmeg State”?

How Much Does It Cost To enroll In Ivy League Schools?

Ivy league schools tend to be the most expensive universities in the US. Although, they also provide great financial assistance for their students. Thus, they are usually in form of tuition fee waivers, or fully funded scholarship programs.

However, the Ivy schools have an average tuition rate of between $55,000 to $60,000 every year. Meanwhile, we’ve included the respective tuition fee of each Ivy school below;

UniversityTuition per year (roughly), USD
Brown University42,000
Columbia University44,000
Cornell University41,325
Dartmouth College40,000
Harvard University37,000
Princeton University38,000
University of Pennsylvania28,000
Yale University34,000

Scholarships In Ivy League Schools

The Ivy League schools provide several financial aids for students. But, you’d need to gain admission into the college before you’d be eligible to apply for any financial aid at an Ivy school.

Meanwhile, Ivy schools don’t consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding on admission. Hence, this is regarded as need-blind. So the Ivy League schools are need-blind to US students and international students. This includes Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. Nevertheless, you will need a strong credential to gain admission to an Ivy League institution. This is because admission processing is highly competitive. So the schools have a low acceptance rate.

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However, Ivy League institutions provide need-based financial aid. Thus, they include grants that wouldn’t be repaid, federal student loans, and sometimes work-study. Although, at some Ivy League institutions like Princeton and Harvard, students graduate loan free. Because the school will relieve them of any loan.

Meanwhile, to qualify for the need-based financial aid in the ivy league schools, you’d also need to submit the FAFSA and for some colleges, the CSS profile.

List of Ivy League Schools

Below, we’ve listed the 8 prestigious Ivy League schools. This includes their acceptance rate, QS world university ranking also their best courses. Although this list is not in any particular order, do well to check out any that interests you.

#1. Harvard University: Cambridge, Massachusetts

Harvard is among the best universities not only in the United States but also in the World. Thus, Harvard has state-of-the-art facilities, world-class faculty, and high-quality research output. Hence, Harvard has Over 20,000-degree candidates enrolled in their programs. This includes undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. 

Founded: 1636

QS World University Ranking 2021: 3

Student to Faculty Ratio: 7 to 1

Acceptance Rate: 6%

Top Courses: Biology, Economics, English, History, Political Science, Psychology, Social Sciences

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#2. Columbia University: New York

Columbia is one of the most valuable universities when we speak about research and teaching. It was also one of the first schools in the US to give admission to international students. With a total student strength of over 30,000, Columbia has good liberal art and science programs. 

Founded: 1754

QS World University Ranking 2021: 19

Student to Faculty Ratio: 6 to 1

Acceptance Rate: 6%

Top Courses: Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Science, Civil Engineering, Economics, English, History, Neuroscience, Nursing, Operations Research, Political Science, and Psychology 

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#3. Yale University: New Haven, Connecticut

Yale is one of the most aged on the record ivy league colleges in the United States. With a total student strength of more than 12,000, it is very good in its drama and music programs. The law school at Yale is one of the top-ranked in the nation. 

Founded: 1701

QS World University Ranking 2021: 17

Student to Faculty Ratio: 6 to 1

Acceptance Rate: 7%

Top Courses: Social Sciences, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, History, Mathematics and Statistics, and Engineering

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#4. The University of Pennsylvania: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

UPenn boasts of the vastly international pupils of all the Ivy League schools. 13% of its pupils are international and come from more than 100 countries. Perelman School of Medicine, Penn’s Wharton School, School of Engineering and Applied Science, and the education and law schools are some of the highest-ranked in the US.  

Founded: 1740

QS World University Ranking 2021: 16

Student to Faculty Ratio: 6 to 1

Acceptance Rate: 10%

Top Courses: Medicine, Dentistry, Design, Business, Law, Communications, Nursing, Veterinary, Social sciences, and Humanities

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#5. Princeton University: Princeton, New Jersey

Princeton University is one of the most aged Ivy League Universities in the USA. Thus, Princeton University has worldwide recognition worldwide for its academic resources. Resources like state-of-the-art laboratories, libraries, and an on-campus art museum. Although Princeton offers courses in many areas, it does not have schools of law, medicine, education, and business. 

Founded: 1746

QS World University Ranking 2021: 12

Student to Faculty Ratio: 5 to 1

Acceptance Rate: 7%

Top Courses: Economics, English, History, Molecular Biology, Political Science, Psychology, and Public Policy

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#6. Dartmouth College: Hanover, New Hampshire

Like the other Ivy League colleges, Dartmouth college is also a private institution. The college has great recognition for its inter-college athletics and Native American presence. It offers majors in the humanities, arts, social sciences, and engineering. The highly ranked Tuck School of Business, Thayer School of Engineering, and Geisel School of Medicine are some of the well-recognized schools of this University.

Founded: 1769

QS World University Ranking 2021: 203

Student to Faculty Ratio: 7 to 1

Acceptance Rate: 11%

Top Courses: Biology, Economics, Engineering, English, History, Political Science, and Psychology

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#7. Cornell University: Ithaca, New York

Cornell, one of the most reputed institutions in the World, also happens to be the youngest among the Ivy colleges list. The school’s recognition in schools of veterinary medicine, engineering, and hotel management is very great. 

Founded: 1865

QS World University Ranking 2021: 18

Student to Faculty Ratio: 9 to 1

Acceptance Rate: 15%

Top Courses: Agricultural Business, Animal Science, Biology, Economics, Hotel Management, Human Development, Industrial and Labor Relations, Mechanical Engineering, Political Science

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#8. Brown University: Providence, Rhode Island

Brown University has recognition for being the most liberal among the ivy colleges list. The most incredible difference between this university is that it enables its students to design a personalized course of study. 

Founded: 1764

QS World University Ranking 2021: 60

Student to Faculty Ratio: 6 to 1

Acceptance Rate: 9%

Top Courses: Biology, Economics, Engineering, English, Entrepreneurship, History, Human Biology, International Relations, Neuroscience, and Political Science

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Conclusion

Finally, after reviewing the list of Ivy schools, you should be grounded in the knowledge of Ivy league schools. Also, as their inception and mode of operation. Meanwhile, if you see yourself enrolling in an Ivy school. Why not? They are the best after all.

So, take the bold step and chase your dreams. Ensure you score high while sitting for your entrance exams as it is highly competitive over there.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ivy League Schools

What’s the cheapest Ivy League school?

The Ivy League schools all have a relatively comparable cost of attendance, falling somewhere between $76,000 and $80,000 per year. But, since they meet 100% of demonstrated needs, the cheapest Ivy League for you will depend on how each one calculates your financial need. This will vary on a school-by-school basis. Princeton University has a reputation for offering generous need-based financial aid, so for many students, this ends up being the cheapest Ivy League.

What is the easiest Ivy League to get into?

Cornell University is typically the easiest Ivy League to get into, with a 10% admissions rate in 2021. That being said, a lot of it comes down to whoever is reviewing your application. A student rejected by Cornell might get into Columbia or Harvard if their essays and records stood out to a specific admissions officer.

Can you get a full scholarship to Harvard?

Harvard does not offer any merit-based aid, and no full-ride scholarships. However, they do meet 100% of students’ demonstrated financial needs. So, if you have a high need, such as an auto-zero EFC on the FAFSA, you might qualify for almost a full ride. They will typically require that students make some contribution, oftentimes through loans, but if your need is high enough, this will be a drop in the bucket compared to the aid package they gave you.

Which Ivy League has the highest acceptance rate for international students?

Still, Penn accepted the highest percentage of international students of all Ivy League universities; 17 percent of Penn’s Class of 2022 is international students.

What is the happiest Ivy League?

Brown is widely known as the happiest Ivy, perhaps because of students’ freedom to choose courses with almost complete autonomy

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