What Is the Ivy League? A Guide to the Eight Schools

The Ivy League is one of the most recognizable names in higher education. For many students and families, it brings to mind challenging academics, influential alumni, and very competitive admissions.

But what actually makes a college an Ivy League school? Which universities belong to the group? And how different are they from one another?

Understanding the Ivy League starts with its history and becomes more useful when you look at the individual schools behind the name.

What does “Ivy League” mean?

The Ivy League is an athletic conference made up of eight universities in the northeastern United States. It was officially founded in 1954, when the schools extended an existing football agreement to all intercollegiate sports. The first official year of Ivy League competition followed in 1956–57. Ivy League history

Over time, the sports got worse, so they pivoted to being known for academic prestige and selective admissions. Despite this pivot, Yale still holds the record for the most college football national championships with 18. These schools don't seem to lose...

Which schools are in the Ivy League?

School	Location
Brown University	Providence, Rhode Island
Columbia University	New York, New York
Cornell University	Ithaca, New York
Dartmouth College	Hanover, New Hampshire
Harvard University	Cambridge, Massachusetts
University of Pennsylvania	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Princeton University	Princeton, New Jersey
Yale University	New Haven, Connecticut

These eight schools share a conference, but each school is its own unique college experience.

An introduction to the eight Ivy League schools

Brown University

Brown’s defining academic feature is its Open Curriculum, which gives students considerable freedom to shape their studies. Students still complete concentration and degree requirements, but take an active role in designing their education. If you enjoy exploring connections between subjects, consider how you would use that freedom with purpose. Explore Brown’s curriculum

Columbia University

Located in New York City, Columbia combines a university campus with an urban setting. Columbia College’s Core Curriculum is a central part of its academic identity. When researching Columbia, look closely at the undergraduate school you would apply to and its requirements, along with how living in New York would shape your experience. Explore Columbia College

Cornell University

Cornell offers broad academic possibilities across its undergraduate colleges and schools. Its admissions website emphasizes multidisciplinary learning, practical experience, and a residential campus in New York’s Finger Lakes region. Each school and college at Cornell has separate admission requirements and specific fit, so preparation for your chosen college is paramount. Explore Cornell

Dartmouth College

Dartmouth places a liberal arts education at the center of its undergraduate experience, encouraging students to explore different disciplines while developing depth in their interests. Its Hanover setting also makes location a meaningful part of the college search. Consider both the academic opportunities and whether you would enjoy daily life in a smaller New England town. Explore Dartmouth’s liberal arts approach

Harvard University

Harvard College offers a liberal arts and sciences education within a larger research university. For prospective students, the useful next step is to move from recognizing the name to investigating specific fields of study, research opportunities, and academic advising. Explore Harvard’s academics

University of Pennsylvania

Penn organizes its undergraduate experience around four schools and emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and applying knowledge. Researching Penn means understanding your intended academic home and the opportunities to connect your studies with other fields. Penn cares deeply about its connection to the city of Philadelphia, so be prepared to speak highly of the city. Explore Penn’s academics

Princeton University

Princeton combines academic exploration with a strong emphasis on independent work. Every senior completes a thesis or, in some engineering departments, a substantial independent project. Students interested in Princeton should consider whether they would enjoy pursuing a question in depth with faculty guidance. Explore Princeton’s academics

Yale University

Yale’s residential colleges are central to undergraduate life. They provide smaller communities with dining halls, shared spaces, activities, and traditions within the university. These colleges are separate from students’ majors, making them a useful example of why researching campus life matters alongside researching academics. Explore Yale’s residential colleges

How should students approach the Ivy League?

Start with what you want from college. A shared conference membership does not tell you which curriculum, setting, or community will suit you.

As you research, ask:

• Academics: Can I study the subjects that interest me, and do I like the degree requirements?
• Learning style: How much structure, exploration, and independent work do I want?
• Location: Where would I enjoy living throughout the school year?
• Community: Which activities and campus traditions would I want to participate in?
• Affordability: What would my family actually pay after financial aid?

When building your list, treat Ivy League applications as ambitious options and include colleges across a range of admission likelihoods that you would be happy to attend.

An Ivy League name can spark your interest. Your research should help you explain why a particular school belongs on your list.

At Avenir Admissions, we help students explore their options, build thoughtful college lists, and develop applications that reflect their interests, experiences, and goals. Schedule a consultation today!