The IVY LEAGUE UNIVERSITIES are known as the most prestigious institutions in the country and the world. The eight Ivy League universities in the Northeast are recognized not only for their rigorous admission processes but also for their outstanding academic achievements and enviable career opportunities for graduates. Additionally, the reputation of these schools and their influence in society make them the dream of many students worldwide.
Few people know that the Ivy League schools originally came together for sports events. As a result, these institutions have not only produced athletes but also future politicians, Nobel Prize winners, and key figures in the United States and around the world.
The list of prestigious Ivy League universities includes some of the oldest educational institutions, with esteemed professors, extensive research facilities, and abundant financial support. Names such as Harvard, Princeton, and Columbia are just a few examples. This also explains why admission applications to Ivy League schools include exceptionally outstanding profiles not only academically.
Let’s take a look at the ranking of Ivy League schools according to U.S. News to explore the highlights of each school.
| NAME | LOCATION | NATIONAL UNIVERSITY RANKING |
|---|---|---|
| Princeton University | Princeton, NJ | 1 |
| Harvard University | Cambridge, MA | 2 |
| Columbia University | New York, NY | 3 |
| Yale University | New Haven, CT | 4 (tie) |
| University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | 8 |
| Dartmouth College | Hanover, NH | 13 |
| Brown University | Providence, RI | 14 (tie) |
| Cornell University | Ithaca, NY | 18 |
Princeton University is one of the eight Ivy League schools, with over 270 years of history and one of the oldest universities in the United States. Known as a world-renowned research university, Princeton University ranks No. 1 in the national university rankings in the U.S. Princeton University offers world-class educational facilities, from specialized libraries to the most advanced laboratories and even an art library right on campus.
Princeton University’s Art Library houses over 100,000 works of art.
The most popular majors at Princeton University include:
Students at Princeton University can take advantage of small class sizes and 1-1 support from the school. This is further emphasized by Princeton University’s highest graduation rate in the country after four years of college. Princeton University’s reputation is undeniable, as it is the cradle of the Rhodes Scholarship and many other distinguished alumni, from U.S. presidents and Supreme Court justices to Olympic medalists and Nobel Prize winners.
Total cost: $75,210/year (*updated March 2021), including:
| Tuition | $53,890 |
|---|---|
| Room and board | $17,820 |
| Other expenses | $3,500 |
Founded in 1636, Harvard University is the oldest university in the United States and one of the most competitive in the Ivy League. Harvard University ranks 2nd in the national university rankings in the U.S. and has over 100 research centers on campus.
Harvard University comprises 13 schools, including the highly regarded Medical School, the top-ranked Business School, and schools of Engineering, Law, and the John F. Kennedy School of Government. Harvard University students can participate in over 445 extracurricular activities, sports clubs, and other academic-related activities. Harvard University’s library system includes the oldest collections in the United States and the largest private collection in the world. Committed to sustainable development, Harvard University provides a green living environment for students.
Total cost: $75,857 – $80,007/year (*updated March 2021), including:
| Tuition | $49,653 |
|---|---|
| Room and board | $18,389 |
| Other expenses | $7,815 |
Columbia University is the oldest university in New York State and is part of the prestigious Ivy League. Columbia University has been the birthplace of many technological innovations, including FM radio, the nation’s oldest literary magazine, the first civil rights policy for African Americans, and the first student rights policy for LGBTQ students. This is significant as Columbia is known as one of the most diverse communities in the United States.
Columbia University focuses on research and teaching on international issues to connect ethnicities through education. Columbia University has nine global centers facilitating research, providing scholarships, teaching, and service worldwide. Students have access to extensive resources on campus, including 22 libraries, over 200 research institutes, centers, and labs, thousands of internship opportunities through Career Education, and the Lamont-Doherty Observatory. Columbia guarantees housing for up to four years for students. Therefore, it is no surprise that over 90% of undergraduates live on campus, which has been featured in many films, such as Spider-Man, filmed at Havemeyer Hall.
Total cost: $80,339/year (*updated March 2021), including:
| Tuition | $61,671 |
|---|---|
| Room and board | $15,130 |
| Other expenses | $3,538 |
Yale University is renowned for its drama and music programs under the Yale School of Drama. In addition to the School of Arts & Sciences, Yale has 12 other schools, including the top-ranked Law School, as well as schools of Medicine, Management, Art, and Nursing. This is also one of the top Ivy League schools.
Undergraduate students at these research institutes have made significant strides in various fields: discovering new species and holding patents for many products. Students can take advantage of diverse learning opportunities, from studying abroad to international internships or directly participating in research.
The most popular majors at Yale University include:
The university is also a pioneer in academic program innovation, for example: the first university in the U.S. to award Ph.D. degrees, and the Yale School of Public Health is one of the first in the nation to train in this field. Finally, the Whitney and Betty MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies focuses on teaching and researching international relations, society, and culture worldwide, as well as providing opportunities for students to study abroad.
Total cost: $81,575/year (*updated March 2021), including:
| Tuition | $59,950 |
|---|---|
| Room and board | $17,800 |
| Other expenses | $3,825 |
Founded by Benjamin Franklin, the University of Pennsylvania offers a program that combines world-class liberal arts education with pre-professional education. The University of Pennsylvania has the highest number of international students among all Ivy League schools: of the total number of students at both undergraduate and graduate levels, 13% are international students from over 100 countries.
In addition, the University of Pennsylvania has over 2,500 students each year participating in international study programs in over 50 countries worldwide. Penn’s graduate programs include the prestigious Wharton School, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the Perelman School of Medicine, and the School of Education and Law. Among these, the School of Engineering and Applied Science provides state-of-the-art facilities and valuable extracurricular activities. Furthermore, Penn has over 300 active student groups in various fields, from politics, performing arts, sports clubs, and publishing.
Total cost: $83,298/year (*updated March 2021), including:
| Tuition | $54,652 |
|---|---|
| Room and board | $17,304 |
| Other expenses | $11,342 |
Dartmouth College is the birthplace of the BASIC programming language, which paved the way for what is considered one of the most important advancements in making computers as accessible as they are today. The university includes the Tuck School of Business – the first graduate school of management in the world, as well as the Thayer School of Engineering and the Geisel School of Medicine. Dartmouth has established one of the first five programs dedicated to Native Americans and continues to recruit and educate them. This makes Dartmouth home to more Native American alumni than any other Ivy League school.
Dartmouth College has over 50 research centers covering diverse fields, from the arts to engineering and business. With a student-to-facility ratio of 7:1 and over 60% of classes with fewer than 20 students, Dartmouth maximizes opportunities for student learning. More than 50% of students at Dartmouth engage in international study programs, extracurricular experiences, without affecting their academic schedules.
Total cost: $79,525/year (*updated March 2021), including:
| Tuition | $57,796 |
|---|---|
| Room and board | $17,022 |
| Other expenses | $4,707 |
Brown University is a private research university in the Ivy League that follows an open curriculum approach, allowing students to personalize their education while ensuring they become creative, challenge-ready individuals. The open curriculum for undergraduates covers many fields with over 80 majors, including Egyptology and Assyriology, Cognitive Science, and Business, Entrepreneurship, and Organizations. One of the most popular programs is the Liberal Medical Education program, which allows students to complete both a bachelor’s degree and a medical degree in eight years. Six libraries specialize in fields such as Science & Music, with the Brown University Library housing over 250 special collections, containing many rare research materials. Undergraduate students have many options with over 500 clubs and organizations. Additionally, all first-year students live on campus.
Total cost: $80,670/year (*updated March 2021), including:
| Tuition | $60,944 |
|---|---|
| Room and board | $16,346 |
| Other expenses | $3,380 |
Founded in 1865 and the “youngest” university in the Ivy League, Cornell plays a crucial role in discovering, preserving, and disseminating knowledge, creating innovative work, and continuously promoting this spirit throughout the Cornell community. Each of Cornell’s schools is responsible for admitting its students and appointing its faculty, although all students receive their degrees from Cornell University. The two largest undergraduate schools at Cornell are the College of Arts & Sciences and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The university’s notable graduate schools include the SC Johnson College of Business, the Weill Cornell Medical College, and the Schools of Engineering and Law. Additionally, Cornell offers over 100 programs and facilities at Ithaca, New York; New York City; Geneva, New York; and Doha, Qatar.
Total cost: $77,256/year (*updated March 2021), including:
| Tuition | $58,586 |
|---|---|
| Room and board | $15,346 |
| Other expenses | $3,324 |
Above is the list of prestigious Ivy League schools.
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