Have you ever heard of the term “Ivy League”? The Ivy League is a group of the most prestigious universities in the U.S., known for their academic excellence, rich history, and incredibly competitive admissions.
These schools aren’t just academic heavyweights—they also have strong athletic programs. That’s part of what makes getting in so competitive, whether you’re applying from the U.S. or internationally.
Curious about how the Ivy League got its name and what makes these schools so special? Let’s find out more in this article.
What Is the Ivy League?
The Ivy League—or just “the Ivies”—is a group of eight elite universities in the Northeastern United States. They’re known for world-class academics, selective admissions, and long-standing traditions.
Most Ivy League schools are private universities, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Brown, Dartmouth, and the University of Pennsylvania. Cornell University is a little different—it’s a mix of public and private, with some of its colleges funded by the state of New York.
Explore more: 5 Top Public Universities in America for International Students
Where Did the Name “Ivy League” Come From?
Surprisingly, the term “Ivy League” didn’t come from academics—it actually started in college sports.
Back in 1954, these eight schools formed an athletic conference called the Ivy League. But the word “ivy” goes back even further, to a 19th-century tradition called “planting the ivy,” where graduating students would plant ivy on campus as a symbol of growth and legacy.
The name became popular in 1933 when sportswriter Stanley Woodward used the phrase “ivy colleges” in an article. He was annoyed that he had to cover games at these ivy-covered schools instead of his own alma mater, Fordham.
Explore more: Harvard University Tuition and Living Cost for International Students
Although these schools had been competing in sports for years, the Ivy League didn’t become official until 1954, with athletic competitions starting in 1956 under the NCAA Division I—college sports’ top tier.
Today, the Ivy League still hosts annual competitions across 34 sports, with over 8,000 student-athletes participating. Many of these matches are broadcast on national TV.
But over time, the term “Ivy League” has come to mean much more than sports. Now, it’s a symbol of academic prestige, tradition, and excellence.
Meet the Ivy League Schools
Here’s a quick look at all eight Ivy League universities:
1. Harvard University (Cambridge, Massachusetts)
- Founded: 1636
- Notable alumni: Bill Gates, Barack Obama, John F. Kennedy, Nadiem Makarim, Stella Christie
- Rankings (2025): #5 in the world (QS), #3 in the U.S. (U.S. News)
Harvard is one of the most well-known universities in the world. It offers over 50 undergraduate programs and 130+ graduate and professional programs. Popular majors include social sciences, biology, math, and computer science—with an ultra-competitive acceptance rate of around 3%.
2. Princeton University (Princeton, New Jersey)
- Founded: 1746
- Notable alumni: Jeff Bezos, Alan Turing, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Woodrow Wilson
- Rankings (2025): #25 globally (QS), #1 in the U.S. (U.S. News)
Originally known as the College of New Jersey, Princeton is famous for its research and strong programs in engineering, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. It’s also home to top-tier labs and research centers.
3. University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
- Founded: 1740
- Notable alumni: Elon Musk, Warren Buffett, Noam Chomsky, John Legend
- Rankings (2025): #15 globally (QS), #6 in the U.S. (U.S. News)
UPenn is best known for The Wharton School, one of the world’s leading business schools. The university has an acceptance rate of just 4.9% for the Class of 2029, making it highly selective.
4. Yale University (New Haven, Connecticut)
- Founded: 1701
- Notable alumni: Hillary Clinton, Meryl Streep, Bill Clinton, Lupita Nyong’o
- Rankings (2025): #23 globally (QS), #5 in the U.S. (U.S. News)
Yale blends tradition with innovation, offering standout programs in the social sciences—especially politics, economics, and sociology. It has 15 schools, covering everything from law and medicine to the arts.
Explore more: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): Center of Innovation and Academic Excellence
5. Cornell University (Ithaca, New York)
- Founded: 1865
- Notable alumni: Bill Nye, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Patrick Walujo, Umar Kayam
- Rankings (2025): #16 globally (QS), #11 in the U.S. (U.S. News)
Cornell is unique among the Ivies, with both private and state-funded colleges. It offers a wide range of programs, including computer science, engineering, hotel administration, architecture, and biology.
6. Columbia University (New York City, New York)
- Founded: 1754
- Notable alumni: Barack Obama, FDR, Enrico Fermi, Cinta Laura
- Rankings (2025): #34 globally (QS), #13 in the U.S. (U.S. News)
Originally called King’s College, Columbia is located in the heart of NYC. It’s a leader in law, medicine, education, business, and the humanities—and has attracted many famous actors and creatives.
7. Brown University (Providence, Rhode Island)
- Founded: 1764
- Notable alumni: Emma Watson, Nadiem Makarim, Ted Turner, John Sculley
- Rankings (2025): #79 globally (QS), #13 in the U.S. (U.S. News)
Brown University is known for its open curriculum and strong programs in applied math, political science, environmental studies, and the arts. It offers over 80 fields of study and emphasizes academic freedom.
8. Dartmouth College (Hanover, New Hampshire)
- Founded: 1769
- Notable alumni: Mindy Kaling, David Benioff, Aisha Tyler, Shonda Rhimes
- Rankings (2025): #247 globally (QS), #12 in the U.S. (U.S. News)
Located in a small New England town, Dartmouth is known for its tight-knit community and natural surroundings. It uses a unique “D-Plan” academic calendar based on four 10-week quarters, giving students more flexibility.
The Ivy League is home to some of the best minds in the world—and while it’s competitive, anyone can apply. If you’re aiming for one of these top schools, start preparing early and learn as much as you can about the application process.
Curious about the Ivy League or universities in the U.S.? Book a free appointment with our advisers at EducationUSA. We’re here to answer all your questions and even help you prepare your application.
