The Little Ivies: A Complete Guide?

When exploring top US universities, you may come across the term “Little Ivies.” This refers to a group of small, elite liberal arts colleges known for academic excellence and highly selective admissions – offering an Ivy League-calibre experience on a more intimate scale.

Compared to the Ivy League, the Little Ivies typically have fewer students, smaller classes, and an undergraduate-focused approach, but their academic standards are rigorous and their reputations, if not quite as impressive as the official Ivies, are still strong.

Origin of the Term “Little Ivies”

The nickname “Little Ivies” emerged informally in the mid-20th century. As early as 1955, people were using “Little Ivy League” to describe a group of colleges in the Northeastern United States with small undergraduate bodies. Like the Ivy League, the term began by referring to an athletic conference of colleges, but it evolved to signify a number of small, northeastern colleges with high academic standard.

Unlike the official Ivy League (a fixed group of eight universities), the Little Ivies have no formal membership – it’s a loose concept based on reputation. In practice, it’s most associated with a set of top liberal arts colleges in the Northeastern US that share the Ivy League’s high standards.

Little Three and Maine Big Three

The group are sometimes also split into the “Little Three” and the “Maine Big Three”. Both terms were designed to imitate the “Big Three” athletic rivalry between Harvard, Princeton and Yale.

The Little Three are Amherst College, Wesleyan University, and Williams College. This athletic conference was founded as the Triangular League in 1899.

The Maine Big Three are Bates College, Bowdoin College, and Colby College. This association was also formed as part of an athletic conference, the Colby-Bates-Bowdoin Consortium.

Which Schools Are Included in the Little Ivies?

There is no strict list, but typically around 18 colleges are commonly mentioned as “Little Ivies.” These include all or most of the members of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), along with a few similarly elite schools outside that conference.

Below is an list of schools often counted as Little Ivies.

‘Core’ Little Ivies

These are almost always included in a list of Little Ivy League Schools.

Williams College (MA)

A Little Three college often ranked #1 among liberal arts colleges. Williams is known for its Oxbridge-style tutorial system and outstanding programmes across the humanities, sciences, and social sciences.

Amherst College (MA)

Open curriculum and consistently top-ranked among liberal arts colleges. A member of the historic “Little Three,” Amherst is known for small classes and outstanding academic opportunities.

Wesleyan University (CT)

A Little Three college famous for its open curriculum and vibrant arts scene (especially film and music). Wesleyan also has strong sciences and an active, progressive student body of about 3,000 undergrads.

Bowdoin College (ME)

Prestigious coastal college committed to the “Common Good.” Bowdoin offers top-tier academics with small classes and was among the first colleges to go test-optional.

Bates College (ME)

Known for its inclusive community and discussion-driven learning. Bates was an early adopter of test-optional admissions and emphasises social impact alongside academic rigour.

Colby College (ME)

Has a global outlook and is a leader in environmental sustainability. Colby provides robust undergraduate research opportunities and a tight-knit community on its scenic Maine campus.

Hamilton College (NY)

An upstate New York college with an open curriculum and a famed emphasis on writing and speaking. Hamilton encourages students to tailor their studies and offers strong programmes in the liberal arts and sciences.

Middlebury College (VT)

Renowned for its language and international studies programmes, as well as environmental initiatives. Middlebury delivers a rigorous education in a close community and leads in study-abroad opportunities.

Other Schools Sometimes Included

These schools are also sometimes referred to as Little Ivies.

Bucknell University (PA)

A larger liberal arts institution (~3,700 students) that combines arts and sciences with strong engineering and management programmes. Despite its size, Bucknell retains a close-knit, undergraduate-focused community.

Colgate University (NY)

Offers a core curriculum on a beautiful rural campus, with excellent programmes across arts and sciences. Colgate is known for a loyal alumni network and a lively campus community.

Connecticut College (CT)

Known for interdisciplinary academic “pathways” and a strong sense of community. Conn College excels in arts, international studies, and environmental science, and upholds a long-standing honour code.

Haverford College (PA)

A Quaker-founded college distinguished by a student-run honour code. Haverford offers rigorous academics in a close-knit community and is strong in fields like chemistry, biology, and philosophy.

Lafayette College (PA)

Combines liberal arts and engineering education. Lafayette students enjoy small classes and strong school spirit, with notable programmes in engineering, economics, and international affairs.

Swarthmore College (PA)

An academically intense college known for its Oxford-style honours programme and Quaker roots. Swarthmore fosters a collaborative spirit alongside rigorous study across humanities, social sciences, and STEM (it even has its own engineering programme).

Trinity College (CT)

A liberal arts college in an urban setting (Hartford). Trinity offers strong programmes in public policy and international studies, plus an engineering programme, all within a classic small-college environment.

Tufts University (MA)

A university with a liberal arts college feel, located near Boston. Tufts is highly selective and known for international relations, pre-med and engineering programmes, and an emphasis on active citizenship.

Union College (NY)

One of the oldest colleges in the country, Union offers both liberal arts and engineering. It’s known for an interdisciplinary approach and undergraduate research opportunities, with about 2,200 students in a close community.

Vassar College (NY)

A former women’s college (Seven Sisters) now co-educational, Vassar has robust arts and sciences programmes. It features an open curriculum and a progressive, inclusive campus culture.

(Some people also use “Little Ivies” more broadly to include similar colleges outside the Northeast, like Pomona or Carleton. But the list above covers the Northeastern schools most commonly meant by the term.)

What Do the Little Ivies Have in Common?

What makes a school a Little Ivy? Most, if not all, share several key characteristics.

Location

All the schools included in the group are located in the Northeastern United States.

Academic Excellence

They offer academic rigour with top faculty and ambitious students. Classes are challenging, and many graduates go on to top postgraduate programmes and careers.

Selective Admissions

All have highly competitive admissions, often admitting only a small percentage of applicants (single-digit or low double-digit acceptance rates).

Small Size & Undergrad Focus

They’re Little Ivies for a reason. Each has a small student body (typically 1,600–3,000 undergrads). Classes are intimate, professors (not TAs) do the teaching, and undergraduates receive personal attention and mentorship.

Residential Community

Students usually live on campus all four years, creating a close-knit, collaborative community with rich traditions and plenty of campus activities.

Liberal Arts Curriculum

All the Little Ivy League schools provide a broad education across humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Flexible curricula encourage critical thinking, writing, and interdisciplinary learning (some even have open curricula with no core requirements).

Strong Alumni Networks

Graduates are very loyal. Alumni networks punch above their weight, often helping with mentoring and career opportunities. Large endowments (relative to size) fund excellent facilities, research opportunities, and financial aid.

Are the Little Ivies as Good as the Ivy League?

In terms of academic quality, the Little Ivy League schools are among the best in the United States, with the very top performers rivalling the traditional Ivies for excellence.

Nonetheless, the student experience differs significantly between the two groups of schools. Here are a few key comparisons:

Undergraduate Focus

Little Ivies focus almost entirely on undergraduates, whereas Ivy League universities also have extensive graduate schools and research. Little Ivy students benefit from professors devoted to teaching undergrads and often find research opportunities easier to access.

Class Size

Classes at Little Ivies are mostly small seminars. Ivy League schools offer many small classes too, but also some large lectures (especially for introductory courses).

Faculty Interaction

You’re likely to know your professors personally at a Little Ivy – mentorship is a big feature. Ivy League professors are world-class as well, but at a big university they may split their time more with research and grad students.

Prestige & Recognition

Both groups are prestigious. Little Ivies might be less known to the general public, but in academia and industry they carry significant weight. Employers and grad schools view a top liberal arts college as close to an Ivy League school in terms of the quality of education and students.

Nonetheless, it’s clear that even the most prestigious Little Ivies can’t rival the Ivy League for global renown.

Campus Life

Little Ivies are mostly in small towns and offer a tight-knit, immersive campus life (no big-time sports or massive parties). Ivy League campuses are larger, often urban, and can offer more diversity of social life, including Division I athletics and a wider array of extracurriculars due to larger student bodies.

How Hard Is It to Get Into the Little Ivies?

In a word: very. These schools are among the most selective in the US. For example, Williams and Swarthmore have acceptance rates around 8%, and even the “easier” Little Ivies like Bucknell or Trinity might accept only 25–30% of applicants. Broadly, admission rates range from about 7% up to around 30-40%, depending on the school.

To illustrate, here’s a snapshot of recent acceptance rates and test scores:

College	Acceptance Rate (approx)	SAT Middle 50%*	ACT Middle 50%*
Williams College	~8%	1460–1550	33–35
Amherst College	~9%	1500–1560	33–35
Swarthmore College	~8%	1430–1540	32–35
Bowdoin College	~7% (test-optional)	1430–1530 (est.)	32–34 (est.)
Wesleyan University	~17%	1400–1510	32–34
Bucknell University	~29%	1300–1420	28–32
Middlebury College	~15%	1360–1500	32–34
Haverford College	~12%	1430–1540	32–35
Vassar College	~18%	1440–1530	32–34
Colgate University	~12%	1430–1520	32–34

Note: Test score ranges show the middle 50% of enrolled students who submitted scores. Some Little Ivies are test-optional, so these figures are only a guideline.

As you can see, the academic credentials of admitted students are very strong. Generally speaking, their acceptance rates are slightly higher than the Ivy League (where they’re around 5%) and the SAT scores required by the traditional Ivies are slightly higher (a middle 50% of 1500-1560 is typical).

Should You Apply to a Little Ivy?

Consider these points to decide if a Little Ivy is right for you:

Learning Environment

If you thrive in small classes with direct professor interaction and a tight-knit community, a Little Ivy could be an excellent fit. If you prefer the greater anonymity or vast resources of a huge campus (and big sports scene), you might lean toward a larger university instead.

Broad Curriculum

Little Ivies are fantastic for an undergraduate-focused education where teaching is the priority. You’ll get mentorship and can often do research as an undergrad. However, if you need a very specialised programme or extensive lab facilities beyond what a small college offers, also consider larger research universities.

Prestige vs Fit

Don’t worry that a Little Ivy isn’t a household name – they are highly respected where it counts. But if global name recognition is extremely important to you, you might feel more drawn to an Ivy League brand. Remember, for grad school and careers, what you achieve in college often matters more than the name on the diploma, and Little Ivies provide plenty of opportunities to excel.

Admissions Strategy

Because these schools are so selective, apply if your academic profile is in range and you truly love their environment, but be sure to include match and safety options too. (Applying Early Decision to your top-choice Little Ivy, if you have one, can sometimes boost your chances due to smaller early pools.)

Cost & Financial Aid

Little Ivies are private and have high tuition, but most offer generous financial aid. Many are need-based and can meet full demonstrated need, making them more affordable than their sticker price if you qualify. Always check each college’s aid policies before you apply.

Ultimately. if the idea of an intense, high-quality education in a small, supportive community excites you – and your academic record is up to the challenge – then you should definitely consider applying to one or more Little Ivies.

They can offer an undergraduate experience as enriching and prestigious as the Ivy League, in an environment that might suit you even better.

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If you’re planning to apply to a leading US university, we’re here to help! Our US application consultants are graduates of top colleges with years of experience supporting students. We’re experts in everything from college shortlisting and SAT and ACT preparation, to personal essays and mentoring, with a track record of success with leading US universities.

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