What is an Ivy League School? A Guide to These Prestigious Universities

The Ivy League refers to a group of eight private universities in the Northeastern United States that are widely regarded as some of the most prestigious higher education institutions in the world. But what exactly are Ivy League schools, and what makes them so elite? Read on for a deep dive into these famous American colleges.

A Brief History of the Ivy League

The term “Ivy League” first appeared in print in the 1930s and was coined by sportswriters to refer to the oldest colleges in the country, which were known for their long-standing traditions and dominance in intercollegiate athletics

While athletic competition between these schools dates back to the 1870s, the official Ivy League conference was not established until 1954 when Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, and Yale University formally came together.

The name Ivy League is likely inspired by the ivy plant, which is symbolic of enduring growth and is part of a popular 19th century campus tradition called “planting the ivy.” This ceremony became known as Ivy Day and many believe it is how the Ivy League got its name.

What Makes a School an Ivy League University?

There are a few key characteristics that define an Ivy League institution:

• Prestige – Ivy League schools have reputations for academic excellence and admissions selectivity They are considered among the most elite universities globally

• History – All eight Ivy League universities were founded prior to the American Revolution, during the colonial period. They are eight of the nine colonial colleges established before 1776.

• Academics – Ivy League schools offer top-tier academics and are leading research universities

• Endowments – Ivy League universities have massive financial endowments, ranging from $7-40 billion among the eight schools. This allows them to provide abundant resources.

• Athletics – While now also known for academics, the Ivy League originated as an athletic conference. They continue to compete in Division 1 sports as the Ivy League conference.

• Location – The universities are all located in the Northeastern United States in the states of Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.

The Eight Universities of the Ivy League

The Ivy League consists of these eight private American universities:

• Brown University – Located in Providence, Rhode Island, Brown was founded in 1764. It has around 7,500 undergraduates and is best known for its open curriculum allowing students to take courses outside their major.

• Columbia University – Located in New York City, Columbia was founded in 1754 making it the fifth oldest university in the country. It has over 8,000 undergraduates across its many undergraduate and professional schools.

• Cornell University – Located in Ithaca, New York, Cornell was founded in 1865. With over 15,000 undergraduates, it is the largest Ivy League university. Cornell is unique for its agricultural and technical programs, including veterinary medicine.

• Dartmouth College – Located in Hanover, New Hampshire, Dartmouth was founded in 1769, making it one of the nine colonial colleges. Dartmouth has over 4,500 undergraduates and is known for its undergraduate focus, abundant outdoor activities, and party culture.

• Harvard University – Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher education in the country, established in 1636. Harvard has over 7,000 undergraduates concentrated in its prestigious liberal arts college and is considered one of the world’s most elite universities.

• University of Pennsylvania – Located in Philadelphia, Penn was founded in 1740. With close to 10,000 undergraduates, Penn is known for its strengths in business and finance through its prestigious Wharton School.

• Princeton University – Located in Princeton, New Jersey, Princeton was founded in 1746 as the College of New Jersey. Princeton has around 5,400 undergraduates and is known for its competitive academic programs, award winning professors, and accomplished alumni network.

• Yale University – Located in New Haven, Connecticut, Yale was founded in 1701. Yale has over 6,500 undergraduates enrolled across its undergraduate college and 12 professional schools. It has graduated many influential alumni across multiple fields.

Why Ivy League Schools Are So Prestigious

There are several key factors that contribute to the Ivys’ prestige and reputation for academic excellence:

• Extremely selective admissions – Ivy League acceptance rates range from about 4-9%, meaning they reject over 90% of applicants. Getting admitted is a major accomplishment.

• World-renowned faculty – Ivy League faculties include Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and leaders in their fields. The opportunity to learn from these professors is immense.

• Cutting edge research – Huge endowments allow Ivy League schools to drive innovation through research initiatives and provide access to state-of-the-art resources.

• Powerful alumni networks – Graduates gain access to exclusive alumni networks full of highly influential leaders across industries.

• Beautiful campuses – The Ivy League schools boast gorgeous, quintessential college campuses that enhance the academic experience.

• History and tradition – As eight of the oldest universities in the country, Ivy League schools are steeped in history, tradition, school spirit, and prestige.

While the Ivy League originally referred to an athletic conference, it has come to represent academic excellence and selectivity. Getting into an Ivy League institution is a major accomplishment that provides immense opportunities thanks to the universities’ resources, facilities, faculty, alumni connections and reputations. The eight Ivy League schools are internationally recognized as exceptional institutions at the top of higher education.