Ivy League Rankings
January 29, 2026
If you're aiming to be admitted to an elite university, you've likely encountered the term "Ivy League." But are you really sure what it means? People often confuse Ivy League institutions with other elite schools, causing confusion about their specific nature. Yes, they can summon images of actual ivy growing up the walls of aging buildings at venerated institutions, not to mention fast-paced curriculums and brilliant professors. But there are real differences, both in terms of what makes an Ivy League school worthy of the name, and its individual ranking.
If you're interested in applying to an Ivy League school, this is an important article to read, as it will help you understand why these institutions are important and what sets them apart from the rest.
The Definition of Ivy League
Technically speaking, the term "Ivy League" refers to the eight schools in the Northeastern U.S. that make up the Ivy League athletic conference. They are, in alphabetical order: Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University.
Some people mistake all private, elite colleges as being part of the Ivy League, which couldn't be further from the truth. While still very prestigious, universities like Stanford and MIT are technically not in the Ivy League.
2026 Ivy League School Rankings
Ivy League schools are ranked by several different places, primarily U.S. News & World Report, which focuses on academic reputation, and Forbes, which emphasizes student outcomes. The Niche ranking focuses on quality of life, such as campus housing, diversity, social life, and even technology. Below is a comprehensive chart that details the rankings by each institution, and then provides an average ranking. Please note: The U.S. News & World Report ranking is so crucial to our average it's counted twice.
| School | Location | Undergrad Enrollment | U.S. News | Forbes | Niche | Average |
| Harvard | Cambridge, MA | 6,980 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 4 |
| Princeton | Princeton, NJ | 5,826 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 3.25 |
| Yale | New Haven, CT | 6,740 | 4 | 9 | 2 | 4.75 |
| Columbia | New York, NY | 9,751 | 15 | 2 | 6 | 9.5 |
| University of Penn. | Philadelphia, PA | 10,497 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 9 |
| Brown | Providence, RI | 7,272 | 13 (tie) | 18 | 11 | 13.75 |
| Dartmouth | Hanover, NH | 4,498 | 13 (tie) | 17 | 5 | 12 |
| Cornell | Ithaca, NY | 16,128 | 12 | 14 | 21 | 14.75 |
Important Qualities in an Ivy League School
Not all Ivy League schools are the same, even though they share the same label. Like any university decision, you need to weigh your options and take other factors into account besides a school's rating. Let's delve into some of those factors that enhance a university setting, which can help shape your school choice.
Location is important to many students and this list of Ivy League schools offers a variety of diverse locales. For instance, Cornell and Dartmouth are in pretty rural environments, which can be good for students who don't want to have nearby distractions. Brown is in an urban setting, in Providence, Rhode Island, as in Columbia in New York City. Princeton is in a suburban area, a happy medium between the previous two, while Cambridge and Yale are in small college towns. All these settings have their own advantages and disadvantages, which you must weigh for yourself.
Another important aspect to consider is your planned major or area of focus. Not all Ivy League schools offer the same majors, so you have to investigate which institutions have the ones you're interested in. It's also valuable to discover how respected they are for certain majors. For instance, Penn is known for its rigorous business curriculum, and Cornell is famed for its business management program that emphasizes hospitality.
Size is another element to keep in mind, as some students prefer smaller schools, while others want to go to a larger institution. Cornell is much bigger than Dartmouth, for example, with a student body almost four times larger. You have to decide which size school community is right for you.
SAT Score Percentiles & Ivy League Schools
To better understand your chances of admission to an Ivy League school, you must take SAT percentiles into account. Typically, these are reported in the 75th and 25th percentiles. A 75th percentile score is better than what 75% of the school's latest incoming class scored, and a 25th percentile score is only better than 25% of the class. It's important to remember that all 75th percentile scores for Ivy League schools are actually in the 99th percentile nationwide. So, to be the cream of the crop when it comes to Ivy League acceptance, you need to be in the top 1% of SAT test-takers nationwide. Below are 75th and 25th percentile scores for Ivy League schools:
| School | 75th Percentile | 25th Percentile |
| Harvard | 1580 | 1510 |
| University of Penn. | 1570 | 1510 |
| Dartmouth | 1570 | 1500 |
| Brown | 1560 | 1510 |
| Columbia | 1560 | 1510 |
| Cornell | 1560 | 1510 |
| Princeton | 1560 | 1500 |
| Yale | 1560 | 1480 |
The Takeaway
While it's exciting to have your sights set on a prestigious Ivy League school, it can also be terrifying when examining your chances of admission. It's important to dream big, but you should also have a backup plan with a few safety schools waiting in the wings. At the end of the day, no one will argue the benefits of an Ivy League degree—or the reality of having to work for it.