<p>The “Ivy League” is simply an athletic conference comprised of 8 specific universities in the New England and Mid-Atlantic states (Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard,Princeton, UPenn,Yale). Beyond that, it has become probably the most recognized and respected brand in higher education. It’s shorthand in many people’s minds for academic excellence and prestige (the “Kleenex” of tippy top schools, even.)</p>
<p>Are the reputations of these 8 schools deserved? In my opinion, yes, for the most part. They offer the same bachelors degree programs offered by hundreds of other institutions. However, compared to the average university, they typically have larger libraries, more highly paid and distinguished professors, higher-scoring students (with unusually diverse backgrounds and talents), smaller classes, and better track-records for graduate outcomes (law and medical school placements, starting and mid-career salaries). All other factors being equal, an Ivy League diploma might give you some little statistical edge over most other schools if you want to become wealthy, find a cure for a terrible disease, win a Nobel Prize, or become President of the United States.</p>
<p>US News has one of the the most popular, but by no means the only, system of college and university rankings. Many, but not all, rank the Ivy League schools among the top 10-25 schools in the country. See for yourself:</p>
<p>[National</a> Universities Rankings - Best Colleges - Education - US News and World Report](<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/national-universities-rankings/]National”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/national-universities-rankings/)
[America’s</a> Best Colleges - Forbes.com](<a href=“Forbes List Directory”>Forbes List Directory)
[Kiplinger.com[/url</a>]
[url=<a href=“http://www.stateuniversity.com/rank/score_rank.html]Top”>http://www.stateuniversity.com/rank/score_rank.html]Top</a> 2000 Ranked Universities for Highest Overall School Score](<a href=“http://www.kiplinger.com/tools/privatecolleges/ataglance_prv_univ.html]Kiplinger.com[/url”>Kiplinger | Personal Finance News, Investing Advice, Business Forecasts)
[Top</a> 500 Ranked Universities for Highest SAT 75th Percentile Scores](<a href=“USA University College Directory - U.S. University Directory - State Universities and College Rankings”>Top 500 Ranked Colleges - Highest SAT 75th Percentile Scores)
[The</a> Wall Street Journal Classroom Edition](<a href=“WSJ in Higher Education | Trusted News & Real-World Insights”>WSJ in Higher Education | Trusted News & Real-World Insights)
[Best</a> Colleges, Best College Majors, Best College Degrees](<a href=“http://www.payscale.com/best-colleges]Best”>2023 College Rankings by Salary Potential | Payscale)
[College</a> Rankings](<a href=“http://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings.aspx]College”>Best Colleges 2024 | College Ranking List | The Princeton Review)
[Washington</a> Monthly](<a href=“http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/college_guide/rankings/national_university_rank.php]Washington”>http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/college_guide/rankings/national_university_rank.php)
[College</a> Rankings - Home](<a href=“http://www.ordoludus.com/]College”>http://www.ordoludus.com/)
[NRC</a> Rankings in Each of 41 Areas](<a href=“http://www.stat.tamu.edu/~jnewton/nrc_rankings/nrc41indiv.html]NRC”>NRC Rankings in Each of 41 Areas)
[What</a> Will They Learn? - A guide to what college rankings don’t tell you about core curriculum requirements](<a href=“http://whatwilltheylearn.com/]What”>http://whatwilltheylearn.com/)
[The</a> Largest Libraries in the U.S. — Infoplease.com](<a href=“http://www.infoplease.com/ipea/A0106201.html]The”>The Largest Libraries in the U.S.)
[List</a> of colleges and universities in the United States by endowment - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_colleges_and_universities_in_the_United_States_by_endowment]List”>List of colleges and universities in the United States by endowment - Wikipedia)</p>