Are Ivy League Schools Still Worth It in 2025?
Let’s be honest, who doesn’t like the idea of nonchalantly sharing with the coffee-shop stranger in line behind them that they graduated from Harvard? Like it or hate it, there’s something impressive about an Ivy League-stamped diploma.
But when choosing the college that’s right for you, it’s wise not to merely be swayed by the prestige that comes with attending an Ivy League School.
Let’s tackle a question that probably has crossed your mind: Is a degree from an Ivy League school “worth” it?
I’ll go ahead and tell you my answer right now: there is no one-size-fits-all answer because you decide what makes a degree “worth” it. So, while there’s no group consensus I can provide, I can help your brain’s decision wheels turnover.
Below are five guiding questions that will help you decide if an Ivy League school’s degree is worth the blood, sweat, tears, and… money.
An Ivy or any Ivy?
Am I interested in one or two Ivy League schools, or would I happily go to any that accept my application?
Pause and reflect on why you you’re drawn to an Ivy League school. Ideally, you should be pulled to a school because of what the institution offers you, educationally and experientially, beyond glamour, prestige, and bragging rights.
It’s also worth noting that not every Ivy League school’s program is equally notable within your field. As Forbes notes, a degree from one Ivy League school may be significantly more noteworthy than a degree from the any of the other seven. For instance, UPenn is the only Ivy League school that consistently ranks in the country’s top 10 business schools.
In your days after college, those who review your resume within your field of work will be familiar with which college’s programs are reputable.
Here’s the great news: I am not suggesting that you decipher exactly what to major in before you apply (if you do, that’s great), but I am advising you consider the various majors you are interested in and research which Ivy League programs might be a good fit. Click past the Ivy Legue school’s home page, dive into the specifics of a major. Consider the potential courses you’d like to take, professors you’d enjoy learning from, and the school’s students’ previous internship experiences.
What kind of college environment do you picture yourself in?
What environments do you function best in holistically (socially, academically, values-wise, and lifestyle-wise)?
On that note, it’s wise to consider the “vibe” of your potential college home, and there is no better way to feel the heartbeat of a school than by being physically on campus.
Conveniently, you can kill two birds with one stone in visiting: you'll display demonstrated interest for points with the admission team and see if your eyeballs joyfully pop out of your head when you set foot on campus. While you’re there, note things such as how the students interact with each other; do they talk in the hallways? Do they exchange friendly smiles? Do professors initiate conversations with students? Are students working alone or in group? By visiting campus, you’ll observe candid, telling interactions.
NSHSS views visits as such a crucial part of college scope-out work that every summer, we host Academic Tours to campuses all across the country. Specifically, our Ivy League Tour is stacked with visits across the northeast that will likely leave you pleasantly exhausted (let’s just be honest), but with more clarity on your college aspirations. In addition to visiting schools, you’ll also forge new friendships with like-minded students and experience iconic tourist stops and famous landmarks.
The 2026 Ivy League University Tour offers two sessions: June 21-27 or July 19-25. During your seven-day tour, you’ll visit Harvard, MIT, Brown, Yale, Columbia, Princeton, UPenn, John Hopkins, and Georgetown. Due to the hustle from summer classes and research programs on these campuses, you’ll still get to see how faculty, students, and staff interact with their school.
What kind of support, beyond a college-level education, will you need to succeed in your future profession?
Will your future career success depend heavily on the networking connections you make in college?
One of the priceless perks of attending an Ivy League school is the networking opportunities every student will likely benefit from. As a student, you will immediately have common ground or connection with some of today’s most renowned names. Think about it—you may have a professor who has just so happens to be close with a scientist whose groundbreaking research you aspire to emulate one day.
The alumni networks of these schools are extremely beneficial in securing internships and jobs, opening doors for insightful conversations, providing glimpses into different career fields, and offering mentorship from industry leaders.
While networking is useful in every field, it’s arguable that it’s more crucial for starting out in some career paths than others. This may be something to take into consideration as you evaluate the type of support you will need from your college and their alumni. For instance, consider the alma maters of previous presidents: a study from 2020 noted that 26% of United States presidents graduated from an Ivy League school for their undergraduate education.
It seems you have some work to do! Don’t skip out on thoughtfully researching an Ivy League school’s specific programs, reflecting on your future aspirations honestly, and accounting for what you hope to leave college with, beyond a tangible degree.
My parting advice to you?
Choose your college around your hopes and dreams for your future (in both your professional life and in your personal life); don’t base your studies, passions, and interests around a school. Pursuing what you’re genuinely interested in will receive an approving nod from many college admissions departments. Colleges want to know that you are passionate about something other than, well, getting into their school.
While it is so easy to forget, try to remember that college is a stepping-stone in your career: it’s not the finish line, it’s the beginning of the race!