Best Non Ivy League Schools in US

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Written by UnivAdmitHelp
Category: Insights & Information
Published on 10 Apr 2023

There are many outstanding universities in the United States that are not part of the Ivy League. These universities are known for their academic excellence, innovative research, and commitment to community service. Here are some of the top non-Ivy League colleges in the US, in no particular order:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
Stanford University
Duke University
University of Chicago
Northwestern University
Georgetown University
Johns Hopkins University
Vanderbilt University
Rice University

Rice University

US News Ranking – 15

Rice University Acceptance Rate – 9.3%

Undergraduate Enrolment – 3989 students

Rice University is a private research university located in Houston, Texas, United States. It was founded in 1912 and is named after its benefactor, businessman and philanthropist William Marsh Rice.

The university is organized into eleven academic schools, including the School of Architecture, the School of Engineering, and the School of Humanities. It offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs in a wide range of fields, including engineering, business, humanities, and natural sciences.

The university also has a strong athletic program, with teams competing in the NCAA Division I. Rice University is particularly known for its strong programs in engineering and the natural sciences.

Rice University is a highly respected institution that is dedicated to academic excellence, innovation, and public service. Therefore, Rice as one of your choices is a good to have.

Vanderbilt University

US News Ranking – 13

Vanderbilt University Acceptance Rate – 6.7%

Undergraduate Enrolment – 7057 students

Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. It was founded in 1873 and named after its benefactor, shipping and railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt.

The university is organized into four undergraduate schools and six graduate and professional schools. It offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs in a wide range of fields, including engineering, business, law, education, and the arts.

Vanderbilt University is particularly known for its strong programs in the health sciences, including its School of Medicine, which is consistently ranked among the top medical schools in the country.

Johns Hopkins University

US News Ranking – 7

Johns Hopkins University Acceptance Rate – 7%

Undergraduate Enrolment – 6256 students

Johns Hopkins University is a private research university located in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. It was founded in 1876 and is named after its benefactor, the philanthropist Johns Hopkins. It offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs in a wide range of fields, including medicine, public health, engineering, and the humanities.

Johns Hopkins University is particularly known for its world-class medical and health sciences programs. The School of Medicine is consistently ranked among the top medical schools in the country, and the university is home to several renowned research centers and institutes focused on health and medicine, such as the Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy and the Center for AIDS Research.

It has a vibrant student life, with over 400 student organizations and a strong commitment to community service and social justice.

For medicine, it is by far the best place to study.

Georgetown University

US News Ranking – 22

Georgetown University Acceptance Rate – 12%

Undergraduate Enrolment – 7598 students

Georgetown University is a private research university located in Washington, D.C., United States. It was founded in 1789 and is the oldest Catholic and Jesuit institution of higher education in the country.

The university is organized into nine schools, including the McDonough School of Business, the School of Foreign Service, and the Georgetown Law Center. It offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs in a wide range of fields, including international relations, public policy, law, medicine, and business. Also, well-regarded for its law school, which is consistently ranked among the top 10 law schools in the country.

The Georgetown Hoyas are part of the NCAA’s Division I and are well known for their dominant men’s basketball team.

One should choose Georgetown University as it is dedicated to academic excellence, social justice, and global engagement. Its graduates are highly respected in a wide range of fields, and its faculty are at the forefront of cutting-edge research and scholarship.

Northwestern University

US News Ranking – 10

Northwestern University Acceptance Rate – 6.8%

Undergraduate Enrolment – 8372 students

Northwestern University is a private research university located in Evanston, Illinois, United States. It was founded in 1851 and is known for its academic excellence and strong research programs. It also has campuses in Chicago and Doha, Qatar. There academic offerings are highly-regarded, particularly in the fields of science, engineering, and business. Also, other wide range of fields, including journalism, theatre, psychology, and economics are offered.

Of Northwestern’s dozen schools, nine offer undergraduate programs and 10 offer graduate and professional programs including the Kellogg School of Management, the Feinberg School of Medicine, and the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science.

Overall, Northwestern University is a world-class institution that is dedicated to academic excellence, innovation, and social responsibility. Its graduates are highly respected in a wide range of fields, and its faculty are at the forefront of cutting-edge research and scholarship.

Northwestern University is a great place to study as they give you an environment that is inclusive and truly diverse.

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University of Chicago

US News Ranking – 6

UChicago Acceptance Rate – 6.7%

Undergraduate Enrolment – 6306 students

The University of Chicago is a private research university located in Chicago, Illinois, United States. It was founded in 1890 by John D. Rockefeller, and has since become one of the top universities in the world.

The University of Chicago is known for its rigorous academic programs and its commitment to intellectual inquiry. It has a reputation for fostering independent thinking, critical analysis, and creativity among its students and faculty.

The university is organized into five academic divisions and it offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs in a wide range of fields, including economics, political science, philosophy, physics, and mathematics.

The university is also home to several world-renowned research centers and institutes, including the Institute for Molecular Engineering, the Becker Friedman Institute for Research in Economics, and the Oriental Institute, which houses one of the world's largest collections of artifacts from the ancient Middle East.

Duke University

US News Ranking – 10

Duke Acceptance Rate – 5.8%

Undergraduate Enrolment – 6542 students

Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. It was founded in 1838 as Trinity College, but was renamed Duke University in 1924 in honor of James B. Duke, a prominent businessman and philanthropist.

The university is known for its rigorous academic programs, including its highly-regarded programs in medicine, law, business, engineering, and public policy. It also offers a strong liberal arts curriculum, with majors in areas such as English, history, philosophy, and art.

In recent years, Duke University has placed a strong emphasis on sustainability and environmental stewardship, with initiatives such as the Duke Carbon Offsets Initiative and the Duke Campus Farm.

Overall, Duke University is a world-class institution that is committed to excellence in education, research, and service. Its graduates are highly sought-after by employers in a wide range of fields, and its faculty are at the forefront of innovation and discovery in their respective fields.

Duke University is a great place to study.

Stanford University

US News Ranking – 3

Stanford Acceptance Rate – 3.95% in 2022 (Decreased from 5.19% in 2021)

Undergraduate Enrolment – 7645 students

Stanford University, located in Stanford, California, is a private research university known for its outstanding academic programs, cutting-edge research, and beautiful campus. The university has a diverse student body, drawn from all over the world, and is home to top-ranked undergraduate and graduate programs in engineering, humanities, sciences, social sciences, and business.

The university has a strong commitment to interdisciplinary research and collaboration, and students are encouraged to explore multiple fields of study to develop a broad range of knowledge and skills. With its stunning campus and state-of-the-art facilities and partnerships with leading institutions around the world.

Stanford University has a thriving campus life, with numerous clubs and activities available for students to get involved in. There are over 650 student organizations, including cultural clubs, sports teams, musical groups, and academic clubs, catering to a wide range of interests.

Stanford is a very good choice if you are looking for an open learning environment.

California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

US News Ranking – 9

Caltech Acceptance Rate – 3.5%

Undergraduate Enrolment – 932 students

The California Institute of Technology, or Caltech, is a private research university located in Pasadena, California. With a strong focus on science and engineering, Caltech has established itself as one of the world's leading institutions of higher education.

The small size of the student body, combined with the university's emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and hands-on learning, creates a highly personalized educational experience that prepares students for success in their chosen fields. With a commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge and advancing scientific discovery they are well-equipped to make significant contributions to society and to address some of the world's most pressing challenges.

Caltech is an excellent choice for students who are seeking challenging and complete transformative experience.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

US News Ranking – 2

MIT Acceptance Rate – 4.0%

Undergraduate Enrolment – 4530 Students

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, commonly known as MIT, is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1861 and has since become one of the most prestigious institutions of higher learning in the world.

It is renowned for its rigorous academic programs in science, engineering, and technology, as well as for its ground-breaking research in artificial intelligence, robotics and renewable energy. The faculty includes numerous Nobel laureates, MacArthur fellows, and other distinguished scholars.

Also known for its vibrant student culture, which includes a wide range of clubs and organizations focused on science, engineering, entrepreneurship, and social justice. With a highly selective admissions process and a reputation for academic excellence, MIT attracts some of the brightest students from around the world.

For students looking for a challenging and transformative college experience, MIT is an outstanding choice due to its unwavering dedication to excellence, innovation, and scientific discovery.

These institutions are well-regarded for their academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong student communities. However, there are many other outstanding colleges and universities in the US that are not included in this list, and each student should consider their individual needs and interests when selecting a school.

Other Great Non-Ivy Universities to Consider