All CoursesAre you planning to pursue a masters program in the US? Considering applying to Ivy League colleges? Here is everything you should know about Ivy League Colleges and how to apply for them.
Before we begin, you must be wondering, what are Ivy League universities? The term Ivy League was only coined in 1945; decades before that the Ivy League referred to an association of athletic teams. This association consisted of teams from eight private universities. The eight private universities are — Harvard University, Princeton University, Yale University, Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University, Brown University, and Dartmouth University. With the athletic teams gaining popularity, the universities began to gain popularity and recognition as well. As a result, these universities focused on increasing student performance and increased their standards for admission as well.
In 1933, a sports writer described the athletic events taking place as ‘the football season in ivy-covered schools’. The phrase ‘ivy-covered’ caught on soon and in 1945, the term “Ivy League” was coined. Ever since Ivy League colleges have gained popularity for being the oldest and the most prestigious institutions in the US.
Now that you are aware of how the Ivy League came to be, let us take a look at the global ranking of each of these universities.
Ivy League Colleges: Global Ranking
As mentioned above, the Ivy League consists of eight private universities — Harvard University, Princeton University, Yale University, Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University, Brown University, and Dartmouth University. The global ranking for the Ivy League colleges are as follows:
| Ivy League University | US News National Ranking | Ivy League Ranking |
| Harvard University | 2 | 1 |
| Princeton University | 1 | 2 |
| Columbia University | 3 | 3 |
| Yale University | 4 | 4 |
| Pennsylvania University | 8 | 5 |
| Cornell University | 18 | 6 |
| Brown University | 14 | 7 |
| Dartmouth University | 13 | 8 |
Ivy League Colleges: Acceptance Rate
We have listed the global ranking of the Ivy League colleges, now let us move on to the acceptance rate of these colleges. The acceptance rate for the Ivy League colleges are as follows:
| Ivy League University | Acceptance Rate |
| Harvard University | 4.92% |
| Princeton University | 5.55% |
| Columbia University | 6.15% |
| Yale University | 6.54% |
| University of Pennsylvania | 8.07% |
| Cornell University | 10.70% |
| Brown University | 6.88% |
| Dartmouth University | 8.80% |
As you can see from the above table, most Ivy League schools are difficult to get into. However, Dartmouth University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Cornell University have a higher acceptance rate. This indicates that it might be relatively easier to get into these universities compared to the rest of the Ivy League institutions.
Ivy League Colleges: Tuition Fees
If you are planning on applying to any of the Ivy League colleges, you need to be familiar with the finances or expenses that might incur. Let us take a look at the most obvious expense, which is the tuition fee of the program you wish to pursue. The tuition fees for the Ivy League colleges are as follows:
| Ivy League University | Average Tuition Fees |
| Harvard University | $54,000 |
| Princeton University | $54,000 |
| Columbia University | $64,300 |
| Yale University | $57,700 |
| University of Pennsylvania | $60,000 |
| Cornell University | $59,300 |
| Brown University | $60, 600 |
| Dartmouth University | $59,400 |
It is important to note that we have listed the average salary for each of the universities. However, these are bound to change or vary depending on the program you pursue and depending on the scope of the field you have chosen.
Ivy League Colleges: Career Prospects
Once you graduate from an Ivy League college, you will hold a degree from one of the most prestigious institutions in the US. This will guarantee you many opportunities to establish or begin your career with reputed companies. With such opportunities, you will receive higher pay. Depending on which Ivy League college you have graduated from, your salary might even vary. The average salary you will receive as an Ivy League college graduate based on which Ivy League college you have graduated from is as follows:
| Ivy League University | Average Salary |
| Harvard University | $90,000 |
| Princeton University | $75,000 |
| Columbia University | $84,000 |
| Yale University | $ 83,500 |
| University of Pennsylvania | $ 85,500 |
| Cornell University | $77,500 |
| Brown University | $67,500 |
| Dartmouth University | $75,500 |
As you can see, the returns on investment are quite high if you have pursued a masters in an Ivy League college. However, you must also make note of the fact that these salary figures are bound to change according to the program you have pursued, the subject area you have chosen, and based on the job position you opt for. Additionally, the figures we have mentioned is the average amount you will receive within your first year of employment. As you gain work experience and expertise, the salary you receive is bound to increase.
We have listed everything you need to know before you apply to Ivy League colleges — from global ranking, acceptance rates, tuition fees, and career prospects after you graduate. Besides that, Ivy League institutions have notable alumni which will help you broaden your networking opportunities as well. So, if you are pursuing a masters degree in the US, an Ivy League college is where you ought to be!
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