Ivy League - Group of 8 leading universities in the US

The Ivy League is a collegiate athletic conference that includes 8 of the most prestigious private research universities in the Northeastern United States. Officially in 1954, the Ivy League was known as America's oldest group of elite private schools.

Today, Ivy League schools are consistently ranked among the world's top universities (U.S. News & World Report). All 8 of these schools are in the top #10 universities with the highest ranking in the US, students must demonstrate their academic ability, and impress the judges through interviews and personal essays to be admitted to the school.

See more: American education system: What stands out?

Ivy League schools are not only renowned for their excellent training but also for their reputation, prestige, and expanded career opportunities. Since its long history, the Ivy League has been the dream destination of every global international student.

Proud reputation and history

The Ivy League is known as a collection of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the United States. In particular, Harvard University – founded in 1636 – boasts the oldest history, surpassing other schools for nearly 70 years. Even the school with the shortest seniority in the group, Cornell University, has been around since 1865.

The value of the Ivy League is not only in the knowledge that students receive. Many choose these schools because of the invaluable benefits not only during their studies but also in their long-term careers after graduation.

Specialization and extensive research

With a centuries-long history of formation and development, Ivy League schools have always been at the forefront of traditional academic and research-intensive fields. Each school in the group has its own strengths, from Medicine, Law, Business to Politics and Engineering.

Students here not only learn from excellent textbooks but also have access to a treasure trove of materials compiled by top professors themselves. In particular, these professors often spend many years researching in depth in their professional field, thereby imparting new knowledge and the most effective practice methods to students.

Career opportunities are wide open

Degrees from Ivy League schools are the "golden ticket" that helps students conquer top employers. Graduates from here not only can easily find jobs with attractive salaries, but they also have the potential to become future leaders.

According to a study by the U.S. Department of Education, the average income of Ivy League alumni when they first graduate can reach $60,000 a year – a figure that is superior to many other universities. This number will continue to increase according to the experience and work efficiency that you bring.

A place to nurture outstanding characters

The Ivy League is not only famous for the quality of education but also the cradle of a series of outstanding characters. From politicians and businessmen to talented artists, all have been associated with the Ivy League. Some typical faces include former US President Barack Obama (Columbia University, Harvard University), the first black writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature Toni Morrison (Cornell University), actress Emma Watson (Brown University) or Amazon founder Jeff Bezos (Princeton University).

Ivy League Schools

(*Based on the Best National University Rankings 2025)

Brown University

Brown University is a private institution founded in 1764, located in the city area. Brown University is the seventh-oldest school in the U.S., known for its strict admissions policy and flexible curriculum. The university has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,741 (fall 2023).

Some of the university's outstanding majors are: Computer Science, Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Applied Mathematics, General, International Relations, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, with a tuition fee of $71,312.

Cornell University

Cornell University was founded in 1865, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 16,071 (fall 2023). The university is located in a rural area and has a campus size of 745 acres. Cornell is the youngest Ivy League school with more than 4,000 diverse courses. The university stands out for its outstanding faculty, including more than 40 Nobel Prize recipients.

Some of the university's outstanding majors such as: Information and Computer Science as well as support services; Business, Management, Marketing; Technique; agricultural/animal/plant/veterinary chemistry; Biological and biomedical sciences. Cost of studying in the U.S. at this school: tuition is $69,314 and living expenses are $19,428 (2024-25).

Columbia University

Columbia University is a private institution founded in 1754. Columbia has an international reputation with 97 Nobel Prizes from alumni. The university has a total undergraduate enrollment of 8,902 (fall 2022). Columbia University ranks 13th in the 2025 National Universities list.

Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College is a private educational institution founded in 1769, located in a rural area. It is the smallest school in the Ivy League group but stands out with a long tradition. The university has a total undergraduate enrollment of 4,447 (fall 2023).

The university stands out with a number of majors such as: Social Sciences; Computer and Information Science, Multidisciplinary/Interdisciplinary Studies; Biological and biomedical sciences; Mathematics and Statistics, with a tuition fee of $68,019.

Harvard University

Harvard University was founded in 1636 in Boston, Harvard is the oldest university in the United States and stands out for having the most competitive enrollment rate in the Ivy League. With an outstanding reputation, Harvard has trained 7 US presidents and 40 Nobel laureates.

Some of the university's outstanding majors include, Social Sciences, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Oncology and Statistics, Computer and Information Science and Support Services, History. The annual tuition fee is $61,676, plus the cost of accommodation, the total cost is higher than other schools.

Princeton University

Princeton University is a private institution founded in 1746, located in the suburbs. Princeton University is ranked No. 1 out of 436 national universities. This is the place that has trained many scientists who have received the Fields Award.

Princeton University's tuition fee is $62,400. The university stands out for majors such as Social Sciences, Computer Science, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Public Administration, and Social Services. Princeton focuses on research with institutes such as the Princeton Neuroscience Institute, and its diverse training programs, which are particularly prominent in STEM.

University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania is a private educational institution founded in 1740, located in an urban area. The University of Pennsylvania stands out for its "billionaire training furnace" and the highest percentage of international students in the Ivy League. The school specializes in training outstanding majors such as: Business, Management, Marketing; Social Sciences; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Technique; Information and Computer Science, with a tuition fee of $68,686.

Yale University

Yale University was founded in 1701, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 6,818 (fall 2023). Yale University ranks 5th in the 2025 National Universities rankings. The school offers outstanding disciplines such as, Social Sciences, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Computer and Information Science, Multidisciplinary/Interdisciplinary Studies, Mathematics and Statistics. The school's tuition is $67,250.

Each Ivy League school possesses its own strengths and achievements, creating an outstanding reputation in each field. With a long history, these schools often focus on traditional disciplines such as Medicine, Law, and Business, offering intensive training programs. Some of the prominent groups of disciplines in the Ivy League can be mentioned such as:

• Natural Sciences and Engineering: With leading fields such as Computer Science, Environmental Science, and Materials Engineering.

• Social Sciences: Featured in disciplines such as Economics, Psychology, and Business Administration.

• Medicine and Medicine: Featured with medicine and pharmacy programs.

• Arts and Humanities: The Ivy League focuses on Literature, History, Performing Arts, and many other creative fields.

• Law: The Ivy League has prestigious Law schools such as Yale Law School and Harvard Law School.

Is the Ivy League the only destination for studying in the US?

The Ivy League is one of the attractive options for those who want to study in the US, but there are also many other universities in the US with equally good training quality. The top universities according to QS University Ranking 2025 that are not in the Ivy League, such as MIT, University of Oxford, Harvard University or the University of Cambridge, possess similar and even superior training quality. In addition, studying in the US also has prestigious public schools, such as the University of California system, or the University of Michigan, which offer similar quality at a more reasonable cost.
Therefore, the Ivy League is not the only destination to help you develop your career and improve your knowledge. With many years of experience in consulting on studying abroad in countries including the US, IDP is always ready to accompany you to find the school that best suits your goals and abilities, not just limited to the Ivy League.

IDP is committed to providing dedicated support throughout your study abroad journey, from choosing the right school and major to supporting you in hunting for scholarships to study in the US and registering for the IELTS test. In particular, with the Fastlane feature of the IDP Live app, you can quickly check the eligibility of all schools and track the progress of your application. Contact the IDP hotline at 19006955 today for more detailed advice on each school!