The Ivy League is a group of eight private universities in Northeastern United States, known for their long academic history, selective admissions, and strong research programs.
The list of Ivy League schools includes:
Brown University – Providence, Rhode Island
Columbia University – New York City, New York
Cornell University – Ithaca, New York
Dartmouth College – Hanover, New Hampshire
Harvard University – Cambridge, Massachusetts
Princeton University – Princeton, New Jersey
University of Pennsylvania – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Yale University – New Haven, Connecticut
Although all eight universities belong to the same Ivy League group, they differ in their courses, rankings, fees, admission requirements, and campus experience.
In the sections below, we will look at each university in detail, along with eligibility requirements and the application process.
List of All Ivy League Schools
Ivy League Schools refers to the top 8 institutions in Northeast US. The term “Ivy League” was initially coined to denote an athletic conference, but today it is widely known as the top-tier US schools.
The table below contains the list of Ivy League schools along with their latest QS World Rankings:
Although the listed schools are classified under the same category of Ivy League, they differ widely in terms of their fees, courses, and eligibility.
So now, let us understand each one of them to know what sets them apart.
Harvard University
Location – Cambridge, Massachusetts
Approx. Annual Undergraduate Tuition – $62,226 (INR 59.58L) for academic year 2026-27
Approx. Annual Graduate Tuition – $59,048-$84,760 (INR 56.53L – 81.15L), varying with different graduate schools & courses.
Popular Study Fields – Economics, Computer Science, Engineering, Government, Life Sciences, Business, Law & Medicine.
Some popular schools – Harvard Business School, Harvard Law School, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Kennedy School
Yale University
Location: New Haven, Connecticut
Approx. Annual UG Tuition: USD 72,500 (INR 69.41L) for 2026–27
Approx. Annual PG Tuition: Around USD 31,192–90,900 (INR 29.86L–87.03L) per year, depending on the graduate or professional school
Popular Study Areas: Economics, Political Science, Computer Science, History, Psychology, Engineering, Law, and Management
Major Schools: Yale Law School, Yale School of Management, Yale School of Medicine, Yale School of Architecture, and Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Princeton University
Location: Princeton, New Jersey
Approx. Annual UG Tuition: USD 68,140 (INR 65.24L) for 2026–27 5:45 to
Approx. Annual PG Tuition: Around USD 65,210 (INR 62.43L) per year
Popular Study Areas: Economics, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Public Policy, Politics, and Natural Sciences
Major Academic Schools: School of Engineering and Applied Science, School of Public and International Affairs, School of Architecture, and the Graduate School
Columbia University
Location: New York City, New York
Approx. Annual UG Tuition: USD 72,800 (INR 69.70L) for 2026–27
Approx. Annual PG Tuition: Around USD 67,728–88,996 (INR 64.84L–85.20L) per year, depending on the school and program
Popular Study Areas: Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Journalism, Law, Economics, and International Affairs
Major Schools: Columbia Business School, Columbia Law School, Columbia Engineering, Graduate School of Journalism, and School of International and Public Affairs
University of Pennsylvania
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Approx. Annual UG Tuition:USD 65,670 (INR 62.87L) for 2026–27
Approx. Annual PG Tuition: Around USD 65,774–87,970 (INR 62.97L–84.22L) per year, depending on the school and program
Popular Study Areas: Business, Economics, Engineering, Computer Science, Medicine, Nursing, Law, and Design
Major Schools: The Wharton School, Penn Engineering, Perelman School of Medicine, Penn Carey Law School, and School of Arts & Science
Brown University
Location: Providence, Rhode Island
Approx. Annual UG Tuition:USD 74,568 (INR 71.39L) for 2026–27
Approx. Annual PG Tuition: Around USD 37,280–90,662 (INR 35.69L–86.80L), depending on the program and course load
Popular Study Areas: Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, Biology, Applied Mathematics, Public Health
Major Schools: The College, Graduate School, School of Engineering, School of Public Health, and Warren Alpert Medical School
Cornell University
Location: Ithaca, New York
Approx. Annual UG Tuition:USD 73,946 (INR 70.80L) for most international students in 2026–27
Approx. Annual PG Tuition: Around USD 20,800–88,934 (INR 19.91L–85.15L) per year, depending on the degree and school
Popular Study Areas: Engineering, Computer Science, Business, Agriculture, Architecture, Hotel Administration, and Public Policy
Major Schools: Cornell Engineering, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, Cornell Law School, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and Cornell Bowers Computing and Information Science
Dartmouth College
Location: Hanover, New Hampshire
Approx. Annual UG Tuition:USD 71,697 (INR 68.64L) for 2026–27
Approx. Annual PG Tuition: Around USD 66,917–95,596 (INR 64.07L–91.52L), depending on the program and number of study terms
Popular Study Areas: Economics, Government, Computer Science, Engineering, Biology, Mathematics, and Environmental Studies
Major Schools: Tuck School of Business, Thayer School of Engineering, Geisel School of Medicine, and Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies
Eligibility for Ivy League Schools
The eligibility criteria differ across all the Ivy League schools. But, since these are highly prestigious schools, you will be expected to submit top scores, complete documents as required and properly signed and drafted LORs.
One thing that can be beneficial for you is that these schools do not generally announce a cut off rate and evaluate the profile holistically instead.
Here are the general criteria that you should keep in mind before applying to the Ivy League Schools:
Academic Requirements
For UG admissions, you must have completed your Class 12th.
Some common requirements include:
Strong academic performance throughout high school
Good marks in subjects related to the course you plan to study
Class 12 from a recognised board for Indian students
A challenging subject combination, wherever available
Consistent academic performance across school years
Standardized Test Requirements
The testing policy differs between universities.
For the current admission cycles:
SAT or ACT is a must to submit at Harvard University, Yale University, Brown University and Cornell University
Dartmouth University also requires standardized testing, though students studying outside US can use some other recognised exams, including national examinations
Columbia University and Princeton University is test optional to this 2027
English Language Requirements
Students who have not studied mainly in English may also need an English-language test.
SAT/ACT or other accepted test scores, where required
English-language test scores, if required
Mid-year school report
Application fee or fee-waiver request
Please note: You must recheck the list of documents of your desired Ivy League school, as the requirements may vary.
How to Apply to Ivy League Schools?
The application process for the Ivy League schools depends on whether you are applying for a UG or PG program. For UG admissions, the applications are usually sent through the Common Application Platform, while for PG, they are sent directly to the concerned graduate school.
Now, here is the step-by-step process to follow in order to secure admission to an Ivy League:
Select the university you desire to study in: The university should be selected by taking into consideration the availability of your chosen course, its fees, the eligibility criteria and scholarship options.
Check the deadline of the Application: All Ivy League schools may have different application deadlines, which may be further divided into Early and Regular deadlines, so you should check these carefully before applying.
Confirm that you are eligible to apply for the course: The course eligibility criteria including the academic requirements, English proficiency requirements or the entrance test requirements must be checked before applying.
Keep your documents handy: All documents that are required by the school, including the academic transcripts, SOPs, LORs or the identity verification documents must be ready before applying.
Complete the application: UG students may use the Common Application or another accepted platform. PG applicants usually submit their application through the university or school’s own portal.
Pay the application fee: Submit the required application fee, unless you qualify for a fee waiver.
Track your application: After submitting the application, keep checking the applicant portal for missing documents, updates, interview requests, or other messages from the university.
Conclusion
The list of Ivy League schools includes 8 universities, each with its own academic strengths, programs, costs, and admission requirements. Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Penn, Brown, Cornell, and Dartmouth all offer strong study options, but the right choice will depend on what you want to study and the kind of university experience you are looking for.
When shortlisting, it helps to look beyond rankings and compare the things that will matter to you, course options, fees, location, eligibility, and application requirements. A well-matched university can make a much bigger difference than simply choosing the most familiar name.
Stanford is not an Ivy League university because the Ivy League is an athletic conference of eight universities in the northeastern US. Stanford is located in California and belongs to a different athletic conference, despite having a strong academic reputation.
2. Which Ivy is most prestigious?
There is no official “most prestigious” Ivy League university. However, Harvard, Princeton, and Yale are often among the most widely recognized names. The better choice depends on the subject, faculty, research opportunities, location, and type of academic experience you prefer.
3. Which is better, Ivy League or IIT?
Ivy League universities and IITs serve different academic systems, so there is no single better option. IITs are especially known for engineering and technology, while Ivy League universities offer a much broader range of subjects across business, law, medicine, humanities, and sciences.
4. What is the lowest ranked Ivy?
According to the QS World University Rankings 2027, Dartmouth College is the lowest-ranked Ivy League university at =270. However, rankings use specific indicators and should not be the only factor considered when comparing universities or deciding where to apply.
5. How is MIT not Ivy League?
MIT is not part of the Ivy League because Ivy League membership is based on an athletic conference, not academic ranking or reputation. MIT is located in Massachusetts but was never one of the eight universities that formed the Ivy League conference.
6. Is Yale or Stanford better?
Both Yale and Stanford are highly regarded universities, but the better option depends on your course and preferences. Yale is an Ivy League university, while Stanford is particularly strong in areas linked to technology, entrepreneurship, engineering, business, and research.
7. How many Ivy League universities are there?
There are eight Ivy League universities: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, University of Pennsylvania, Brown, Cornell, and Dartmouth. All of them are private universities located in the northeastern United States, although their courses, fees, and admission requirements differ.
8. Can Indian students get into Ivy League universities?
Yes, Indian students can apply to all eight Ivy League universities. Applicants generally need a strong academic record, essays, recommendations, required test scores, and other application documents. Admission is highly selective, and the exact requirements differ between universities.
9. Do Ivy League universities offer scholarships to international students?
Ivy League universities offer financial support to international students, but policies differ by institution. Much of this support is need-based rather than merit-based. Students should check each university’s financial aid rules, eligibility criteria, and application requirements before applying.
10. Which Ivy League universities have medical schools?
The list of Ivy League medical schools includes Harvard Medical School, Yale School of Medicine, Columbia’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine, Brown’s Warren Alpert Medical School, Weill Cornell Medicine, and Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine. Princeton does not have a medical school.
11. What GPA do you need for Ivy League universities?
There is no single GPA requirement that applies to every Ivy League university. These schools usually look for consistently strong academic performance and also consider course difficulty, essays, recommendations, activities, and test scores where required when reviewing applications.
Neha Uppal is a passionate content creator and editor. She carries 7.5+ years of experience working with leading edutech companies where she worked as a Faculty, Community Manager, and Content Markete...
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