Navigating the Hierarchy of Prestige in Ivy League Schools
When it comes to the prestigious Ivy League schools, the hierarchy has evolved over the years, and understanding where each stands can be crucial for students and families considering these institutions. Despite the common myth that one Ivy League school is less prestigious than the others, the reality is far more nuanced.
Understanding the Hierarchy
The Ivy League is a prestigious group of eight private research universities in the northeastern U.S., each with its own unique identity and ranking within the league. Historically, the hierarchy has shifted, with certain schools often ranking higher or lower in different years, as evidenced by the US News rankings over the past several decades.
Historical Context and Rankings
Historically, Brown and Cornell have often been considered among the lowest ranked Ivy League schools, with Cornell usually holding the position of the lowest-ranked Ivies, despite its strong reputation for research and practical education. Meanwhile, Columbia, Penn, Dartmouth, and Brown are grouped under the terms 'low ivy' and 'mid ivy,' while Harvard, Yale, and Princeton are consistently at the top of the rankings, referred to as the 'HYP' or 'top-tier' Ivies.
US News Rankings Over Time
To better understand the fluctuation in rankings, let's review the US News rankings of these schools from 1989 to 2024. Here is a summary of the rankings:
1989-2024 US News Rankings Summary
1989: Harvard-2, Yale-3, Dartmouth-6
1990: Yale-1, Harvard-4, Dartmouth-7
1991: Yale-1, Harvard-3, Dartmouth-8
1992: Harvard-1, Yale-3, Dartmouth-8
1993: Harvard-1, Yale-2, Dartmouth-8
1994: Harvard-1, Yale-3, Dartmouth-7
1995: Harvard-1, Yale-3, Dartmouth-8
1996: Harvard-1, Yale-3, Dartmouth-8
1997: Harvard-1, Dartmouth-7
1998: Yale-1, Harvard-3, Dartmouth-7
1999: Yale-3, Dartmouth-9/Penn-9
2000: Dartmouth-10/Columbia-10/Brown-10
2001: Harvard-2, Dartmouth-11/Cornell-11
2002: Harvard-2/Yale-3, Dartmouth-9
2003: Harvard-2/Yale-3
2004: Harvard-2/Yale-3, Dartmouth-9
2005: Yale-3, Dartmouth-9
2006: Yale-3
2007: Yale-3
2008: Harvard-2, Yale-3
2009: Harvard-2, Yale-3, Dartmouth-11
2010: Harvard-1, Yale-3, Dartmouth-11
2011: Yale-3, Dartmouth-11
2012: Harvard-1, Yale-3, Dartmouth-9
2013: Yale-3, Dartmouth-11
2014: Yale-3, Dartmouth-10
2015: Harvard-2, Yale-3, Dartmouth-10
2016: Harvard-2, Yale-3, Dartmouth-11
2017: Harvard-2, Yale-3, Dartmouth-12
2018: Harvard-2, Yale-3, Dartmouth-11
2019: Harvard-2, Yale-3, Dartmouth-11
2020: Harvard-2, Yale-Columbia, Dartmouth-12
2021: Harvard-2, Yale-Columbia, Dartmouth-12
2022: Harvard-2, Yale-3, Dartmouth-13
2023: Harvard-Columbia, Yale-5, Dartmouth-13
2024: Harvard-Yale, Dartmouth-12
Conclusion
The constant shifting of rankings over the years underscores the dynamic nature of the Ivy League. While Brown and Cornell may historically have been considered less prestigious, the reality is that all Ivy League schools offer exceptional academic and extracurricular opportunities.
Understanding the specific strengths and rankings of each school can help students make informed decisions about which Ivy League institution is the best fit for their academic and personal goals.