Also known as the Ancient Eight, the Ivy League Universities in US is an American collegiate athletic conference in the Northeastern United States that consists of eight private research universities. While there has been a running misconception among applicants that the term Ivy League Universities in USA refers to the best national universities in the country, the group has nothing to do with academics but with sports. The fact that these colleges belong to the list of best universities in America is merely a coincidence. This article discusses the top Ivy League Universities in US, their fees, placements, and admission eligibility in 2022 and beyond.
Significance of Ivy League Universities in US
The term ‘Ivy League’ was coined back in 1933 by Stanley Woodward, a sportswriter, but found official acknowledgement only after the formation of the NCAA Division I in 1954. Although the group was formed because of their shared interest in sports, it is much more today. Once it started gaining traction, it attracted more funding, resulting in their growing popularity in the next few years of its formation. This seeped down to the criteria of student performance and admission becoming more stringent. As a result, the Ivies (as they are popularly known) have since become one of the most revered universities groups in the world, apart from USA. Today, their significance is no longer attached to their focus on sports alone. They have also assumed importance because of the following factors:
Reputation
Seven of the eight Ivy League colleges in the US were formed in the colonial period and had a long-standing history associated with the country’s growth. In fact, all of these schools are placed in the top 17 of the QS World Rankings 2022, which is a testimony to their standards and reputation.
Superior academic excellence
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All the universities in the Ivy group are known to have top-notch faculties, including research scholars and professors. It allows them to offer a superior academic experience to its students, enabling them to excel at their professional careers ahead.
A well-spread-out alumni network
Given that most of these schools are from the colonial period, they boast of having one of the largest alumni networks across all the universities in the USA. These highly accomplished individuals are not restrained to a couple of fields but belong to highly diverse specialisations.
How do Ivy League Universities in US Compare with Other Colleges?
While there is little doubt that the Ivy League Universities are amongst the best in the country, the US also has other institutions that are not necessarily a part of it but have consistently outperformed them. It includes colleges like MIT, the University of Chicago, and Stanford University. These do not carry the same reputation as they are not in the same niche athletic conference group. In addition, the USA has other universities that are just as prestigious, such as Caltech, Duke University, and Northwestern University.
Admission Requirements at Ivy League Universities in US
The Ivy League colleges in USA offer a broad range of courses, including bachelors, masters, and doctorate, and the admission process is stringent. Listed below are their admission requirements and eligibility criteria, which will help applicants get an idea of what to expect while applying to them:
- Academic transcripts of your previous classes, translated into English, if need be
- A valid passport for the period of the course
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent for postgraduate candidates
- Proof of English language proficiency (score sheet of IELTS/TOEFL)
- GRE/GMAT/LSAT/GPA/other specific test scores as applicable
- Up to three LORs (Letters of Recommendation)
- Updated CV/resume
- A duly completed application form
- Application fees
- Proof of funds
Acceptance rate
It should not surprise you that the overall Ivy League universities in US’s acceptance rates are below 10%. Unfortunately, this means that you will have to face a hard grind to make it to the list of students and professionals who pursue their education from the Ivies.
List of Ivy League Universities in US with Top Courses and Fees
Listed below are the Ivy League universities USA, with their acceptance rate, top courses, fees, and eligibility requirements for enrolment –
Princeton University (Ranked 1 in QS World Rankings 2022)
- Acceptance rate – 5.6%
- Courses available – MIM, MS, MArch, BBA, BE/BTech, MEng
- Tuition fee for the first year – INR 35 lakh to 38 lakh
- Minimum IELTS/TOEFL score – 7/100
Columbia University (Ranked 2 in QS World Rankings 2022)
- Acceptance rate – 6.1%
- Courses available – MBA, MS, MIM, BSc, BE/BTech
- Tuition fee for the first year – INR 23.5 lakh to INR 86 lakh
- Minimum IELTS/TOEFL score – 7/100
Harvard University (Ranked 2 in QS World Rankings 2022)
- Acceptance rate – 4.9%
- Courses available – MArch, MA, BSc, BE/Btech, MS, MBA
- Tuition fee for the first year – INR 30 lakh to INR 52 lakh
- Minimum IELTS/TOEFL score – 6.5/88
Yale University (Ranked 5 in QS World Rankings 2022)
- Acceptance rate – 6.5%
- Courses available – MBA, BE/BTech, MS, BSc, MIM
- Tuition fee for the first year – INR 29 lakh to INR 72.5 lakh
- Minimum IELTS/TOEFL score – 7/100
University of Pennsylvania (Ranked 8 in QS World Rankings 2022)
- Acceptance rate – 8.1%
- Courses available – MBA, BBA, MS, BE/BTech
- Tuition fee for the first year – INR 20 lakh to INR 57.7 lakh
- Minimum IELTS/TOEFL score – 7/100
Dartmouth College (Ranked 13 in QS World Rankings 2022)
- Acceptance rate – 8.8%
- Courses available – MBA, BE/BTech
- Tuition fee for the first year – INR 35 lakh to INR 52.5 lakh
- Minimum IELTS/TOEFL score – 7/100
Brown University (Ranked 14 in QS World Rankings 2022)
- Acceptance rate – 6.9%
- Courses available – MS, MBA, BSc, BE/BTech
- Tuition fee for the first year – INR 37 lakh to INR 96 lakh
- Minimum IELTS/TOEFL score – 8/100
Cornell University (Ranked 17 in QS World Rankings 2022)
- Acceptance rate – 10.7%
- Courses available – MBA, MIM, MS, BHM, BE/BTech, MEng, MEM, BBA, BSc, MArch
- Tuition fee for the first year – INR 21 lakh to INR 49 lakh
- Minimum IELTS/TOEFL score – 7.5/100
Scholarship Options
Prestige doesn’t come cheap, and the Ivy League Universities in US are a perfect example of that. While none of these universities offers merit, talent, or athletic scholarships, they provide need-based financial aid. For this, you will have to submit the FAFSA or the CSS profile, as required.
Career and Job Prospects
Studying in any of the Ivy League Universities in US will make you one of the most sought-after when you step into the job world. As per a CNBC report, Princeton University alumni with experience of up to five years had a median salary of USD 72,700 in 2019, the highest amongst all Ivy League Universities. Their mid-career income went up to USD 107,000, and they could garner a salary of USD 141,300 after 10 years of work experience. In contrast, graduates from the University of Penn with up to five years of work experience had a median salary of USD 70,100, and those with over 10 years of job life made an average of USD 135,800. The numbers were similar for all the other institutions part of the group of Ivy League Universities in US. Given that these colleges offer a wide range of courses, their graduates are not limited to any specific job type and are known to excel across industries and profiles with ease.
Conclusion
What started as a mere reference term by a sportswriter has now become one of the popular symbols of prestige. Today, getting admitted to one of the Ivy League Universities is a dream of thousands of students globally. But with an acceptance rate of below 10%, these colleges are challenging to get through. Given the intricacies involved and the low acceptance rate in admissions, it is vital you gauge your chances well before you apply. At LeapScholar, we have a team of experts with a proven history of meaningful counselling. So if you are looking to get into any of the Ivy League Universities, a free counselling call can help you set yourself on the path to studying abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What makes a college Ivy League?
The term ‘Ivy League of Universities’ refers to a group of universities known for their academic excellence and interest in sports. A sportswriter coined the term, and today it has become synonymous with prestige and the best places to study globally.
2. Which is the most challenging Ivy League university to get into?
Harvard University and Columbia University are the most difficult options to get into. These have the lowest acceptance rates and stringent admission requirements for international and domestic applicants.
3. Which Ivy League has the prettiest campus?
Amongst the Ivy League Universities, Princeton University has the best campus. It boasts of installed works by Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown, Edward Larrabee Barnes, Frank Gehry, Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, among a few.
