Is Notre Dame An Ivy League School?

Introduction 

Notre Dame is a private Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, Indiana, that is widely recognized for its academic excellence, research capabilities, and strong sense of community. Notre Dame is not an Ivy League college, even though it has the same built recognition. So the simple answer; Notre Dame is not considered an ivy league school. This article talks about what it takes to be an ivy league college and why Notre Dame is not one. 

Is Notre Dame an Ivy League School?

Is Notre Dame an Ivy League School?

The Ivy League is a group of eight universities in the United States, which includes Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton, and Yale University. Notre Dame is a private Catholic research university located in Indiana, and while it is also a highly respected institution, it is not a member of the Ivy League.  

What Makes A College An Ivy League? 

The Ivy League is a group of eight prestigious universities in the northeastern United States: Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, and Yale University. All the ivy leagues are popular for their expeditiously tedious and fruitful academic programs, schedules, athletics, and sports. However, what makes a college an Ivy League school goes beyond just these factors.

The Ivy League colleges have much in common to make them the best out of any other college in the world which will  be discussed here. First, they are all private, nonprofit institutions that have been around for a long time, with most of them having been established in the 18th or 19th century. Second, they only take a few students every year leaving every other student behind which is also considered as a drawback. Third, they have substantial endowments, which allow them to provide generous financial aid packages and invest in state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge research, and distinguished faculty. Fourth, they are known for their rigorous academic programs, including their liberal arts curricula, which emphasize critical thinking, writing, and communication skills. Finally, they have a strong tradition of excellence in athletics, particularly in sports such as football, basketball, and rowing. 

Why is Notre Dame Not An Ivy League? 

There are several reasons why Notre Dame is not an Ivy League school.

First, the Ivy League is a specific athletic conference made up of eight universities located in the northeastern United States. Notre Dame is not a member of this athletic conference and is located in Indiana, outside the Ivy League’s geographic region.

Second, while Notre Dame is a highly respected institution, it does not meet the criteria for Ivy League membership, which includes factors such as age, selectivity, and endowment size. For example, all eight Ivy League schools were founded before the American Revolution and have a long-standing history of academic excellence, while Notre Dame was founded in 1842. Additionally, the Ivy League schools are among the most selective institutions in the country, admitting less than 10% of applicants each year, whereas Notre Dame’s acceptance rate is around 17%.

Third, while Notre Dame has a strong athletic program, it does not have the same level of success and tradition as the Ivy League schools in sports such as football, basketball, and rowing.

Overall, while Notre Dame is an exceptional institution with a rich history and strong academic programs, it does not meet the criteria for Ivy League membership, which is limited to the eight schools within the athletic conference. 

Rankings of Notre Dame 

Notre Dame is a highly respected institution and has consistently ranked among the top universities in the United States. Here are some of Notre Dame’s rankings from various sources:

  • U.S. News & World Report 2022: #19 National University, #1 Best Undergraduate Teaching, #10 Best Value Schools, #26 Most Innovative Schools, #15 Best Undergraduate Business Programs 

The Best Undergraduate Teaching ranking recognizes institutions that have a strong commitment to undergraduate education, while the Best Value Schools ranking takes into account the net cost of attendance for students who receive need-based financial aid. 

  • Forbes 2021: #17 America’s Top Colleges, #15 Private Colleges, #6 in the Midwest
  • Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education 2021: #22 Overall, #11 Best Colleges for Veterans
  • QS World University Rankings 2021: #203 in the world
  • ARWU World University Rankings 2021: #151-200 in the world
  • Center for World University Rankings 2021-2022: #79 in the world

Overall, Notre Dame’s consistently high rankings across various sources attest to the university’s academic excellence and strong reputation as a top-tier institution. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, Notre Dame is not an Ivy League school, but it is still highly regarded as a top-tier institution. While the Ivy League is a specific group of eight universities in the northeastern United States with a long history of academic excellence, selectivity, and athletic success, Notre Dame has its own unique strengths and attributes. Notre Dame’s academic programs, research capabilities, and strong sense of community have helped it to consistently rank among the top universities in the United States. Despite not being a member of the Ivy League, Notre Dame’s reputation and accomplishments have solidified its position as one of the most respected universities in the country.