What Are The Best Ivy League Schools in 2024-2025?

When it comes to higher education, the Ivy League schools rank as some of the best schools in the world. Each of these world-class institutions delivers excellent educational opportunities and invaluable alumni and industry connections.

In this blog, we’ll rank the best Ivy League Schools through the lens of high-profile national and world rankings, acceptance rates, and cross-yield data. We’ll also share experiential insights from the two co-founders of Crimson Education, Jamie Beaton, and Fangzhou Jiang, along with tips for how to personalize and optimize your own college search and application journey!

The Ivy League schools are synonymous with excellence, offering world-class education and valuable connections that last a lifetime. From Supreme Court justices to CEOs at top startups, global firms, and the major consultancies, many visionary leaders, past and present, have attended an Ivy League institution, as either an undergraduate, graduate student, or both.

The truth is simple: Ivy League schools attract many of the most talented and accomplished students and faculty, and connect students with exceptional, world-class resources and stellar alumni networks.

These features make  Ivy League schools highly attractive as a group, but each of the eight Ivies also has unique strengths, making the exercise of identifying the "best" Ivy League school a bit subjective. In this post we’ll rank all eight Ivy League schools by averaging rankings across the most well-known ranking sources, and by sharing expert insights we garner from working with top applicants year in and year out.

In the end, however, don't forget that finding the “best” school is likely to mean finding the right school for you, and that means factoring in your individual goals, interests, and preferences.

The Best Ivy League Schools in 2024-2025

Understanding the Rankings

In this blog, we'll explore how the Ivy League schools rank for the 2024-2025 academic year based on averages across the most prominent ranking sources.

However, let's not forget that ranking universities is complex and can be arbitrary on some counts too!

1. First, different organizations use different criteria to rank schools, which is why their rankings can vary.
2. Another fact about school rankings is that some criteria may be relevant for an undergraduate experience and others not so much… The final rank doesn’t offer much insight or nuance along these lines.
3. Finally, the criteria used and the weight assigned to them can vary from one year to the next, depending on emerging trends in higher education, impacting in turn how each school ranks in different years compared to its peers.

Rankings are also holistic, formulated from a wide range of criteria and variables, and don’t shine light on specific programs or resources that may offer unique value to individual students, based on a student’s personal goals and interests.

For example, while Harvard, Princeton, and Yale tend to rank near the top of most lists, Brown, Penn, and Cornell may rank highest for a particular major or program.

If students apply to an Ivy League school based solely on their general rankings, they may miss out on an even better opportunity at one of the lower-ranking Ivies or even overlook a great opportunity at a non-Ivy League school.

Overview of Ranking Sources

Here are the best Ivy League schools based on a composite score we calculated using the top-ranking systems:

• US News Best National Universities,
• QS World Rankings
• THE World Rankings (Times Higher Education World Rankings)
• Crimson Education Cross-Yield Rankings (Top 25 US Universities)

How We Determined Our Rankings

Keeping in mind the complexity and variability of the ranking methodologies, we averaged the scores for each Ivy League school across each of the three major ranking outlets listed above to determine our final ranking order. The best Ivy League school in 2024-25 is Harvard, followed by Princeton second, and UPenn third.

While the top spots are familiar — Harvard, Princeton, and UPenn — it's important to remember that each of these eight institutions has specific programs and characteristics that might make it the best choice for different students.

Detailed Ivy League Rankings

The table below provides the updated rankings of Ivy League schools based on the latest data from top rating agencies — US News, QS, and THE.

We averaged these three rankings for each Ivy League to arrive at a Cumulative Ranking Index and listed the schools in the table below accordingly — from highest to lowest — based on their overall average.

Ivy League Schools Ranked by Acceptance Rates

As for admissions and acceptance rates, all of the Ivies are challenging to get into, with the highest-ranked Ivies tending to have the lowest acceptance rates.

That said, acceptance rates also provide another window into a school’s reputation, reflecting applicant demand and interest.

The table below shows the acceptance trends over the past four years, highlighting just how much demand and interest the Ivy League schools generate.

Ranking Ivy League Schools Using Cross-Yield Data

Another way to garner some insight into each school’s demand, appeal, and reputation, is based on cross yield — the percentage of admitted students who actually choose to attend, as opposed to accepting an offer elsewhere. This approach uses insights from the school choices expressed by thousands of top applicants who were accepted to two or more Ivies.

Below you’ll see how the Ivie’s rank using Crimson’s Cross-Yield ranking method, with data from our global applicant network.

Column 1 shows the cross-yield rank.

Column 2 shows the cumulative rank we assigned above, as a point of comparison.

Crimson Insights: Choosing the Best Ivy League School for You

Choosing the right Ivy League school isn’t just about the numbers. The choice often boils down to where the student feels the best fit, not just the position a school holds in rankings. This sentiment underscores the importance of looking beyond statistics and focusing on what aligns best with a student's values and ambitions.

Strategists at Crimson help students get clarity on their own priorities, so they can create a list of top-choice schools based not only on rank, but on other important considerations such as location, campus culture, class sizes, and specific programs.

Factors To Consider Beyond Rankings

• What You Want To Study: Cornell might be the best choice for engineering and Princeton for physics, while UPenn is ideal for business through the Wharton School.
• Campus Environment: Do you prefer an urban environment like Columbia in New York City or a more rural setting like Dartmouth?
• Extracurricular Opportunities: Each Ivy League school has a unique culture, and their extracurricular opportunities reflect that in unique ways, such as the D-Plan calendar at Dartmouth or the Open Curriculum design at Brown.

Ivy League Insights From Crimson Leaders: School Highlights

Because the decision of which Ivy League school is the best fit really involves matching personal interests and preferences with the overall experience each school is likely to foster, contributor Jamie Beaton is recapping below some of the insights from his conversation with Crimson co-founder Fangzhou Jiang during their top-schools ranking spree called “The Ultimate Ivy League Ranking.” You can hear and view the full, unedited conversation right here, on our Crimson Education YouTube Channel.

So let's hear some of the insights and school highlights shared by Jamie and his ranking co-conspirator, Fangzhou.

Columbia University's Core Curriculum and Location: Columbia's rigorous humanities foundation through its Core Curriculum, and its vibrant student culture and unparalleled urban setting, combine to create a unique and intensive intellectual experience.

Dartmouth’s Community and Flexibility: Dartmouth is an incredible student community — big Greek life, a strong finance and economics program, and a commitment to free speech. The school’s distinctive D-Plan is also unique, using a flexible approach to the quarter system that gives students exceptional flexibility and autonomy to integrate academic, research, and professional opportunities into their schedule of classes and breaks.

Yale as the "Happy Ivy": Yale has what is arguably a well-deserved reputation as the “Happy Ivy.” It is true that there is a really special school spirit at Yale, and programs such as Directed Studies and the Grand Strategy simultaneously cultivate academic rigor, an inquiry mindset, and a strong sense of academic community across students with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and intellectual perspectives.

University of Pennsylvania’s Career Focus: A focus on aligning educational opportunities with career aspirations — especially through its strong business programs like Wharton — makes UPenn an ideal choice for students focused on clear career outcomes.

Princeton’s Intimacy and Academic Excellence: Princeton's blend of a small liberal arts setting with extensive research opportunities is something that sets it apart, appealing to students looking for personalized academic experiences coupled with access to groundbreaking research, with exceptional strength in Engineering, alongside the liberal arts offerings. Princeton is also renowned for its School of Public and International Affairs, formerly known as the Woodrow Wilson School, with Foreign Policy ranking Princeton as best in the US for the study of international relations at the undergraduate level.

Cornell’s Niche Programs and Strong Academics: For students interested in specialized fields like hospitality management, business, architecture, or veterinary science, Cornell provides unique opportunities that other Ivies may not offer, along with intense academic rigor.

Brown’s Student-Centered Approach: Brown’s Open Curriculum gives students complete control over their educational journey, allowing them to design an academic experience that matches their interests without general education constraints. For students thirsting for this kind of individualized exploration and interdisciplinary inquiry, Brown offers students a lot of opportunity for taking a more personalized path.

Best Ivy League Schools by Category

Another way to zero in on your top-choice Ivy League school or schools, is by looking at them through the lens of popular categories of personal interest and preference.

Each Ivy League school offers unique strengths across different academic areas and campus environments.

Below, we break down the "best" Ivy League schools based on specific criteria that may help some students identify the school or schools that align most closely with their own personal goals and preferences.

Best for Physics and Engineering: Princeton and Cornell

Princeton and Cornell both offer exceptional science and engineering programs. Whereas students at Princeton can benefit from the school’s exceptional record of research and strong theoretical programs in math and physics — having produced more than a dozen Nobel Prize winners in these fields — Cornell's engineering programs are known for their hands-on learning approach and industry ties, making Cornell an excellent choice for engineering students seeking an emphasis on practical and applied knowledge.

Best for Business: University of Pennsylvania (Wharton School)

The Wharton School at UPenn is widely regarded as one of the top MBA schools in the world, but it also offers rigorous undergraduate degree tracks that combine business courses with a broader liberal arts education. UPenn’s focus on coordinated dual-degree programs also gives students opportunities to combine business with other fields, such as engineering or international studies.

Best for Political Science and International Affairs: Harvard University and Princeton University

Harvard’s global influence and resources make it ideal for students pursuing political science, with access to internships, faculty expertise, and alumni networks that are second to none. Princeton, with its School of Public and International Affairs, also provides a strong liberal arts-focused approach to political science.

Best Urban Campus: Columbia University

Columbia’s campus is located in the heart of New York City, making it ideal for students who thrive in a bustling city environment. In addition to access to a diverse spectrum of arts and culture venues and events, New York City also offers direct access to out-sized opportunities for internships and professional networking in the business and finance sectors that few other schools can match.

Best Suburban Campus: Princeton University

Nestled in a suburban town, Princeton’s beautiful and picturesque campus offers a tranquil environment that’s still close to major metropolitan areas like New York City and Philadelphia. This balance allows students to enjoy an exceptionally verdant and peaceful college setting while staying connected to urban career opportunities.

Best Rural Campus: Dartmouth College

Located in Hanover, New Hampshire, Dartmouth offers a rural environment with a strong sense of community. The school's focus on outdoor activities makes it ideal for those who love nature and small-town campus life.

Best for Humanities: Yale University

Yale's Directed Studies program and its strong focus on the humanities and critical inquiry informed by community, dialogue, and an emphasis on enduring western ideas make it a nearly unparalleled destination for humanities majors. Yale's Grand Strategy program also offers an interdisciplinary approach for students interested in history, politics, and philosophy.

Best for Entrepreneurship: University of Pennsylvania (Wharton School) and Cornell University

UPenn’s Wharton School provides top-tier business education that’s tailored towards entrepreneurship, making it an excellent choice for aspiring business leaders. Cornell also shines in this category due to its entrepreneurial-focused programs and strong ties to industries like hospitality, engineering, and business.

Best for Flexibility and Independence: Brown University

Brown’s Open Curriculum allows students to take complete control of their education, making Brown a magnet for students who are independent, self-directed learners and who want to design their academic paths without strict general education guidelines.

Most Tight-Knit Community: Dartmouth College

With the smallest undergraduate student body among the Ivies, Dartmouth offers a strong sense of community and intimate class sizes. Dartmouth’s focus on building student relationships and fostering social cohesion makes it ideal for students looking for a close-knit college experience.

Key Tips for Gaining Admission

Gaining admission to an Ivy League school is a highly competitive endeavor. Here are some steps we recommend:

`1. Use our US College Admissions Calculator for Initial Insights

One place to start is gauging how you might compare academically to other applicants. How do you do that? With our free college admissions calculator you can quickly find insights into which schools align with your core academic profile, across a spectrum, from hard reach and reach schools, to target and safety schools.

2. Use Proven Strategies

In terms of being a more competitive applicant, here are five key strategies for maximizing your chances in challenging admissions landscapes:

Apply Early
Many Ivy League schools offer higher acceptance rates for students who apply through early action or early decision. Early applicants demonstrate a strong commitment to the school, which can work in their favor. This is a powerful way to show a clear dedication to your dream school and gives you a potential edge in the admissions process.

Align with the School’s Mission
Admissions officers are looking for students whose goals, values, and interests align with those of the institution. Research what makes each Ivy unique and tailor your application to emphasize how you connect with the school’s culture and programs.

Present an Exceptional Resume
A well-rounded resume with demonstrated academic rigor is crucial for Ivy League admissions. These schools are looking for students with a challenging course load, high GPAs, and strong standardized test scores. But beyond academics, extracurriculars also play a significant role. Aim to show depth in your activities — whether it’s leadership in a club, success in competitive sports, a notable community service project, or a unique talent.

Craft A Coherent Narrative
Your application should tell a story that ties all components — grades, test scores, activities, recommendations, and essays — into a coherent and compelling narrative. A well-prepared application shows how all parts of your background come together to create a memorable student profile.

Get Personalized Admissions Guidance

Personalized support from experienced admissions advisors can make a significant difference in your college application process. Skilled counselors leverage the most up-to-date admissions knowledge and can provide tailored feedback to strengthen your profile, from essay editing to interview preparation. This kind of customized guidance helps ensure your application is as polished and strategic as possible.

Searching Beyond the Ivy League

The Ivy League isn’t the only place to find world-class education. Top non-Ivies offer excellent and diverse choices that rival, and sometimes surpass, the Ivies in specific fields, or offer unique benefits.

As Jamie says,

"Many top-ranked non-Ivy universities offer specialized programs that you simply won’t find at an Ivy, and schools such as Stanford, MIT, NYU, Johns Hopkins, and Georgetown rank up there in the top tiers, alongside prominent Ivies."

There are also some outstanding names in the public university category, such as UC Berkeley, UCLA, and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Final Thoughts

In the end, Ivy League schools overall can offer exceptional educational opportunities and benefits because of their resources, reputations, A-list faculty, and exceptional alumni networks.

But it’s also important to be selective in terms of ranking your own top choices.

If you want to learn in a really diverse and dynamic city, Columbia is going to shine for you much more than Dartmouth, for example. If you find Brown’s open curriculum approach highly appealing, that’s not something you’ll find a true match for at the other Ivies.

It’s also important to think about Ivies, and beyond… While the Ivies offer great benefits, they will be Reach or Hard Reach schools for many applicants, making it wise to diversify your college choices and apply to schools across a larger spectrum, both Ivies and non-Ivies that offer you different levels of probability for getting in.

In this selection process, rankings are a great place to start, but fit is also an important factor.

As Jamie notes, “It doesn’t have to be the school the lists rank number one as long as it’s number one for your educational needs. Take the time to visit campuses, speak to students, and find the environment that will best help you thrive."

If you’re wondering where to start,

• Use the US Admissions Calculator to get guidance and to generate an initial list of potential school choices.
• Research these options and weigh each school against your own goals and preferences.
• Armed with these insights, schedule an initial feedback session with a qualified Crimson counselor to talk about your best next steps.

We hope you'll visit us again soon, and be sure to keep up with the latest admissions news, advice, and insights from our world-leading admissions blog.