Scattered about the East Coast are some of the most prestigious universities in the world: Princeton, Brown, Columbia, Harvard, Yale, Cornell, Dartmouth and UPenn — their names holding incredible stature and power. While the hallowed halls are certainly revered by most young, aspiring academics, the question remains: are Ivy League schools really worth it?
Many students protest that Ivy League schools are simply popular due to their clever branding throughout the years, and their overpromotion in society to appear more than they truly are. Pop culture has proven this phenomenon to be true, with books and movies inflating the grandeur of the institutions through portrayals of strong-willed characters striving for the ultimate goal of attending an Ivy League school or geniuses who are already attending. Think, The Social Network, Legally Blonde, Gilmore Girls, A Beautiful Mind.
Arguments against Ivies center around the idea that they don’t truly offer a unique educational experience that differs vastly from that of a public or state university. But rather, a flashy, eye-catching name to present on your resumé. The exclusiveness of such institutions can be enticing for some, but to others, this elitism comes off as haughty or snobby.
Senior Ian Kim, who is committed to the University of Pennsylvania, believes that the quality of education is more or less the same—the only thing standing out being the research that Ivy Leagues do.
“I think in the long run, it’s all really just the same. You would still have to put in the same effort if you went to a public school,” Kim said.
According to a recent Forbes survey released in March of 2025, out of 380 managers, vice presidents and other high-ranking senior executives across different organizations and businesses, 37% said they are less likely to hire an Ivy League graduate than they were five years ago.
“Ivy League candidates are overvalued and they frequently have a higher than real opinion of themselves,” one respondent of the survey said.
“Entry-level job candidates should be eager to learn, have no ego or be stuck up because of the school they attended,” another respondent said.
C-suite level inhabitants (high-ranking senior executives at said companies) often complain that graduates of Ivies lack humility and carry themselves with an attitude that is seen as cocky compared to the demeanor of a typical applicant. However, others object that Ivy Leagues offer more than just a name to your application and leave you with valuable skills.
These schools are known widely for the networking they provide during and after college, which allows young scholars to connect with internships, job opportunities and more. Not only that, but with smaller class sizes due to lower acceptance rates and hand-selected, top-tier professors, students argue that they receive a more intimate and personalized education. A lot of the wealth these institutions carry is poured into special programs, facilities, labs, libraries and more to ensure the best quality for students.
“Ivy League schools provide special opportunities, like special guest speakers, really qualified professors and skilled educators,” junior Tali Reznikov said. “I also think that they provide huge opportunities with networking—whenever you wear a sweatshirt that says you’re from an Ivy League school and you see someone who’s an alumn, you have that immediate connection and it can provide you with lots of opportunities, furthering your career and leading to you having more success in your field.”
“I think the education is better by comparison to a smaller school that’s not as highly ranked. They have a lot of funding and more resources to reach out to better professors,” senior Sophia Barrett said. “I think that’s one of the reasons I chose to go to Cornell. Everyone’s really connected and involved and there’s a lot more networking compared to state schools.”
