Emerging Elite: The Rise of the New Ivies in American Higher Education

As the landscape of higher education in the US evolves, a new group of elite institutions is emerging as formidable alternatives to the traditional Ivy League schools. In a report by Forbes, an exclusive survey examined 1,700 colleges with highly selective admission rates and created a list of ten public and ten private universities that make up “The New Ivies.” These universities and colleges are gaining prominence for their academic rigour and impressive outcomes, offering students diverse and competitive educational opportunities. In this blog, we will explore the New Ivies and understand why they are becoming the top choice for many high-achieving students.

How did Forbes compile The New Ivies 

NBC Chicago reported that Forbes, with the help of hiring managers, analysed data from 1,743 colleges with at least 4,000 students to identify the New Ivies. After excluding Ivy League and Ivy-plus schools (like Stanford, MIT, Duke, and the University of Chicago), they considered admissions data, standardised test scores, and other factors, using 2022 admissions data.

Despite many colleges making tests optional during the pandemic, research from  Opportunity Insights shows that standardised tests predict college success better than grades and are fairer to applicants. Therefore, The New Ivies list only includes schools considering test scores, excluding test-blind schools like the University of California, Washington State University, and universities in the California State system. Colleges were also rated based on their selectivity, with private schools having below a 20 percent admission rate and public schools below 50 percent.

Which are The New Ivies 

The New Ivies stand at the forefront, shaping the future leaders of tomorrow. They represent a fresh echelon in US education and are renowned for their academic excellence, research prowess, and vibrant campus cultures. Here are the 20 New Ivies that you may want to include in your university shortlist:

Public universities that are part of The New Ivies

• Binghamton University – New York: Known for its vital research programmes, Binghamton offers a rigorous academic environment focusing on interdisciplinary studies and global perspectives.

• Georgia Institute of Technology – Georgia: Renowned for its engineering and technology programmes, Georgia Tech offers students extensive research opportunities and strong industry connections.

• University of Florida – Florida: A leading public research university, UF offers many academic programmes and is recognised for its contributions to research, innovation, and community engagement.

• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – Illinois: This university is acclaimed for its engineering, business, and computer science programmes and its strong emphasis on research and innovation.

• University of Maryland – College Park: UMD is known for its robust research initiatives, especially in cybersecurity, engineering, and the sciences, and offers a diverse and inclusive campus environment.

• University of Michigan – Ann Arbor: UMich boasts top-tier programmes across various disciplines, including business, engineering, and the humanities. It is supported by a vibrant campus life and an extensive alumni network.

• University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill: UNC is recognised for its robust public health, business, and journalism programmes and commitment to research and public service.

• University of Texas – Austin: UT Austin excels in engineering, business, and the arts. Its dynamic campus culture and strong industry ties in the tech sector make it a great choice.

• University of Virginia – Virginia: UVA combines a solid liberal arts education with renowned business, law, and medicine programmes, emphasising leadership and public service.

• University of Wisconsin – Madison: UW-Madison is distinguished for its research contributions, particularly in the sciences and engineering, and offers diverse academic programmes.

Private universities that are part of The New Ivies

• Boston College – Massachusetts: BC offers a comprehensive liberal arts education with a strong emphasis on service and social justice, supported by robust programmes in business and education.

• Carnegie Mellon University – Pennsylvania: Known for its top-ranked computer science, engineering, and exemplary arts programmes, CMU fosters innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.

• Emory University – Georgia: Emory is recognised for its vital health sciences, business, and law programmes, which focus on research and community engagement.

• Georgetown University – District of Columbia: Georgetown excels in international relations, business, as well as arts & sciences, benefiting from its location in the nation’s capital and its commitment to global perspectives.

• Johns Hopkins University – Maryland: Renowned for its medical and public health programmes, Johns Hopkins excels in research across various disciplines, including the sciences and humanities.

• Northwestern University – Illinois: Northwestern offers vital journalism, business, and engineering programmes focusing on interdisciplinary research and global engagement.

• Rice University – Texas: Rice is known for its small class sizes, residential colleges, robust engineering and science programmes, and collaborative research environment.

• University of Notre Dame – Indiana: Notre Dame combines a solid liberal arts education with renowned business, law, and engineering programmes, emphasising ethical leadership and service.

• University of Southern California – California: USC offers robust programmes in film, business, and engineering. It has strong ties to the entertainment industry and a focus on innovation.

• Vanderbilt University – Tennessee: Vanderbilt is distinguished for its education, medicine, and engineering programmes, emphasising research and community involvement.

Why did Forbes introduce the New Ivies

For decades, the Ivy League schools—Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Dartmouth, Brown, the University of Pennsylvania, and Cornell—set the gold standard for higher education in the US. However, recent trends indicate employers and students are looking beyond the traditional Ivies and here’s why: 

1) Expenses

The high tuition fees associated with Ivy League schools can be prohibitive for many families. As the cost of higher education continues to rise, students and their families seek more affordable options without compromising the quality of education. According to Bloomberg, attending an Ivy League school can cost more than $90,000 annually. The New Ivies, in contrast, are slightly more affordable. Here is a comparative list of tuition fees across traditional Ivies and new Ivies: 

Disclaimer: These are the cost of attendance for 2024-25 and are subject to change

2) Accessibility

Ivy League schools have exceptionally low acceptance rates, often in the single digits, making admission highly competitive. This exclusivity leaves many high-achieving students exploring other reputable institutions where they can receive an equally rigorous education. Here is a list of acceptance rates for traditional Ivies compared to the New Ivies:

Disclaimer: These are admission rates for 2024-25 and are subject to change

3) Forbes’ view on the declining reputation

According to a Forbes survey, hiring managers believe Ivy League colleges are not as prestigious as they used to be. The survey mentions a few reasons for this, including changes in how they admit students. Instead of focusing on well-rounded individuals, Forbes says that Ivy colleges are now prioritising diversity over well-rounded applicants, which sometimes comes at the expense of merit. Some hiring managers participating in the survey believed that this lowers the overall quality of students. Additionally, Forbes points out that grade inflation is becoming increasingly common at these institutions, with many students receiving A or A-minus grades, making Ivy League degrees seem less valuable. Forbes further indicated that hiring managers are now less likely to hire graduates from Ivy League colleges than five years ago. 37 percent of employers in the survey said state universities were doing better than traditional Ivy Leagues in preparing job candidates, and 31 percent thought non-Ivy League private colleges had improved. Jim Clark, a hiring manager at Kansas City’s HNTB, the nation’s second-largest architectural firm, commented: “The perception of what those graduates bring has changed. And I think it’s more related to what they’re teaching and what they walk away with.”

Are admissions to The New Ivies difficult? 

New Ivies are known for their competitiveness and selectivity. So, make no mistake. securing admission at a New Ivy can be just as challenging. Although their acceptance rates are higher than the traditional Ivy giants, most still maintain admission rates below 50 percent. For admission to most of these institutions, a competitive SAT score typically exceeds 1400, landing in the 1500 range. Alternatively, for students opting for the ACT, achieving scores in the 30s can significantly enhance their application.

These institutions evaluate student applications holistically and prioritise well-rounded candidates with strong academic achievements, active involvement in extracurricular activities, and diverse personal interests. Crafting a compelling application is essential. Applicants should dedicate ample time and effort to writing a well-crafted Common App essay and supplemental essay while ensuring their application forms are error-free and submitted on time. 

Each school evaluates applicants based on distinct criteria. For example, Johns Hopkins University will assess you based on academic character, impact and initiative, and overall match. However,  Georgia Tech looks for service to the community, self-motivation, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Therefore, thorough research into each institution’s priorities is imperative. Submitting a generic application to multiple schools suggests to admissions officers either a lack of attention to detail or insufficient dedication to the application process.

Forbes’ identification of The New Ivies allows applicants to consider these strong alternatives to traditional Ivy League schools. Recognising and valuing other equally competitive educational institutions is crucial as it acknowledges that excellence in education can be found beyond a few fancy brand names. It ensures that more students have access to enriching academic experiences that align with their individual aspirations and talents. If you’re wondering which of The New Ivies are a good fit for you, please contact us. Meanwhile, read our blogs on Unravelling the Enigma: What Makes Ivy League Schools Special and 5 Best Non-Ivy League Colleges of 2024