The term ‘Ivy League’ is often thrown around by students who are preparing college applications. For most, attending an Ivy League school is a dream that will most likely never come true. With that being said, a handful of students are accepted into these prestigious schools, earning themselves a certain degree of respect for merely gaining the stamp of approval.

In this article, we will be discussing everything that there is to know about the Ivy League colleges, including a brief history of the term, what it means, and examples of schools that fall under this category. 

What Is The Ivy League?

In short, the Ivy League describes a list of colleges that are renowned for having an extremely high academic standard. These educational institutions also happen to be some of the oldest in the United States, making them a significant part of American history. 

Every year, thousands and thousands of students apply to these prestigious schools. However, because they have such high standards, only a tiny percentage of these students get accepted. For this reason, these colleges are highly competitive and selective. 

A History Of The Ivy League

When you think of an Ivy League school, you are likely to picture well-kept grounds, ivy-covered buildings, tree-lined quads, etc. This bracket includes some of the wealthiest and most accomplished colleges globally, meaning that most students dream of attending one of these institutions. 

One of the most attractive features of these schools is that they have been around for hundreds of years. In fact, Harvard first opened its doors back in 1636, making it the oldest educational institution in the States. While the others may not be as old, most were developed before the American Revolution. 

Ivy League Schools

Eight colleges in the United States are considered to be a part of the Ivy League. These schools include:

• Brown University
• Columbia University
• Cornell University
• Dartmouth University
• Harvard University
• Princeton University
• University of Pennsylvania
• Yale University

Financing And Ranking Of Ivy League Schools

Because of their achievements and prestige, these colleges receive large sums of money from investors and other institutions every year. For example, $39 billion was donated to Harvard in 2018, making it the highest in the US. 

These schools are also always ranked in the top 20 colleges in the world. For the past couple of years, Princeton has been ranked number one, with Harvard and Yale following suit. 

Concluding Thoughts

When it comes to the most prestigious colleges in the US, the Ivy League schools are considered the best of the best. These institutions have been around for hundreds of years and are known for their selectivity and high standards. These schools include Yale, Harvard, Cornell University, and Brown.