Last Updated on September 30, 2026
Quick answer: The Little Ivies are small, highly selective liberal arts colleges in the Northeast, most often Amherst, Williams, Swarthmore, Middlebury, Bowdoin, Bates, Colby, Wesleyan, and Haverford. The term is unofficial. These colleges offer Ivy League-level academics with small classes and close faculty contact, and the most selective admit fewer than 1 in 10 applicants.
The “Ivy League” universities are prestigious private schools known for their academic excellence, selectivity, and solid athletics. [1] Academic powerhouses like Harvard, Yale, Columbia, and Princeton are top-choice schools for many students.
However, these Northeastern schools are not the only ones with a reputation for excellence. [2] Other colleges and universities are still top tier, known as the “Little Ivies,” that should be on your radar.
What Does “Little Ivy” Mean?
The Little Ivies are a group of small liberal arts colleges located in the northeastern U.S. Like the Ivy League, they have challenging academics, solid alumni networks, and exceptional reputations, but they don’t carry the label.
What Are the Little Ivy Schools?
The “Little Ivies” is an unofficial term for several schools, so the specific schools included can vary by the source. Generally, the Little Ivies are northeastern, private liberal arts colleges that have high academic standards, historical prestige, small classes, and highly selective admissions, making them comparable to the Ivy League.
The Little Ivies are sub-grouped into consortia:
- The New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), an athletic conference of 11 private colleges and universities in New England and New York, including Amherst, Bates, Bowdoin, Colby, Hamilton, Middlebury, Wesleyan, and Williams. [3]
- Colby-Bates-Bowdoin Consortium (CBB), which is an athletic conference among the “Maine Big Three”: Bates College, Bowdoin College, and Colby College.
- Inspired by the “Big Three” of the Ivy League, which includes Harvard, Princeton, and Yale, the “Little Three” colleges athletic league, also known as the Triangular League in 1899, includes Amherst, Wesleyan, and Williams.
Some of the schools often considered Little Ivies include:
Amherst College
Amherst College is a smaller school with an open curriculum that supports solid professor-student interactions and encourages students to explore their interests and ideas. Students can also take courses at nearby schools through the Five College Consortium.
Bates College
Bates College was founded by abolitionists, and the school still values equality. It supports students with hands-on learning through study abroad, work study, and research programs.
Bowdoin College
Bowdoin College is close to the coast of Maine and features many life science and environmental science programs. In fact, it’s home to one of the oldest environmental studies programs in the country. Students have an opportunity to engage in fieldwork to complement their studies and deepen learning.
Colby College
Colby College was one of the first colleges in the country to reach carbon neutrality, and it provides students with global research and internship opportunities. It’s also popular for arts and includes the school’s own Museum of Art, which features one of Maine’s largest art collections.
Colgate University
Colgate University combines professional learning pathways with liberal arts programs, such as law, medicine, and finance. First-year students have themed residences that create solid student bonds, along with Division I sports teams.
Connecticut College
Connecticut College is unique in that it combines academic and real-world learning. Its Connections curriculum lets students build an optional integrative pathway around a theme, and the campus features an arboretum for community events and biological research.
Hamilton College
Hamilton College has an open curriculum that encourages students to explore interests, but the school emphasizes writing and communication. Every student works closely with faculty on writing throughout their four years.
Haverford College
Haverford College is known for exceptional academics, but it also takes a unique approach to fostering trust and accountability that stems from its Quaker roots. Students are part of the governance and share their thoughts on campus policies.
Lafayette College
Lafayette College balances liberal arts and technical programs, allowing students to experience multidisciplinary learning. There’s an active alumni network that helps students after graduation.
Middlebury College
Middlebury College is committed to sustainability, with a biomass gasification plant and solar arrays that help power the campus. It values writing and hosts the well-respected Bread Loaf School of English and its annual writers’ conference.
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore College has intensive academics inspired by the Oxford-Cambridge model, complete with a discussion-based approach to learning. There’s a nature preserve on campus where students can study or complete environmental research.
Trinity College
Trinity College offers hands-on learning experiences with partnerships with local organizations that can illuminate urban issues. With a campus close to the capital city, students have opportunities for internships and hands-on learning through work roles.
Union College
Union College uses an interdisciplinary approach that combines engineering and technical fields with liberal arts. It uses a trimester system that gives students time to pursue research programs or internships while working toward their degrees.
Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University has a solid emphasis on the arts with an open curriculum that encourages cross-disciplinary studies. In the Experimental College, students can design and teach courses to become more creative and independent.
Williams College
Williams College has intensive learning experiences with solid professor-student connections. There’s a lot of arts culture at the school, including the Williams College Art Museum, which has open collections for students.
Little Ivies vs. the Ivy League
Ivy League schools are typically large research universities with vast resources, but the Little Ivies focus on small classes, low student-to-professor ratios, and unique undergraduate education. While Little Ivies lack the name recognition of the Ivy League, they offer high-quality academics in smaller, more personalized environments that may be preferred by some students. Our comparison of liberal arts colleges vs. universities walks through the tradeoffs in more detail.
Is It Hard to Get Into the Little Ivies?
Yes and no. Many of the Little Ivies, such as Amherst, Williams, and Swarthmore, are similar to the Ivy League in their selectivity and competitiveness, especially given the small class sizes. [4] These schools have rigorous requirements like academic accomplishment, high test scores, recommendations, compelling personal essays, and extracurricular involvement. However, others on the list, such as Union, Connecticut, and Lafayette, are excellent target schools for very good high school students. Still quite good, they are not as exclusive as many others on the list.
Here are the most recent overall acceptance rates for the Little Ivies:| College | Acceptance Rate | Class |
|---|---|---|
| Bowdoin College | 6.5% | Class of 2030 |
| Swarthmore College | 7.4% | Class of 2030 |
| Colby College | 8% | Class of 2030 |
| Amherst College | 8% | Class of 2029 |
| Williams College | 8.6% | Class of 2029 |
| Hamilton College | 13.6% | Class of 2029 |
| Bates College | 14.8% | Class of 2029 |
| Haverford College | 15.4% | Class of 2030 |
| Wesleyan University | 16.4% | Class of 2029 |
| Middlebury College | 17% | Class of 2030 |
| Colgate University | 20% | Class of 2030 |
| Trinity College | 29.5% | Class of 2029 |
| Lafayette College | 31.2% | Class of 2029 |
| Connecticut College | 38% | Class of 2029 |
| Union College | 41% | Class of 2030 |
How to Apply to the Little Ivies
Because these colleges are small, each admissions office reads applications closely and looks for students who will contribute to a tight-knit community. A few strategies help:- Consider Early Decision. Most Little Ivies offer binding Early Decision, often in two rounds, and fill a large share of their classes through it. If one of these colleges is your clear first choice, ED can make a real difference.
- Show that you want a liberal arts education. Readers look for curiosity across subjects, discussion-based learning, and close work with professors. Your essays and activities should show why a small college fits you better than a large university.
- Take the supplements and optional pieces seriously. Several Little Ivies, including Bates, Colby, and Middlebury, require no supplemental essay, so your personal statement carries more weight. Others, like Hamilton, offer optional short answers or interviews that give you another chance to show fit. See our list of colleges that don’t require supplemental essays.
- Visit or connect virtually. Small colleges may consider demonstrated interest. Campus visits, information sessions, and conversations with admissions officers help you understand each school and show genuine interest.
- Apply broadly within the group. With acceptance rates from about 6% to 40%, the Little Ivies can fill reach, target, and likely spots on a balanced list.
Is a Little Ivy School Right for You?
The Little Ivies have a lot to offer for the right students, including:
- Personalized learning in smaller classes and closer relationships with professors
- Tight-knit communities of students and faculty
- Extracurricular activities and campus involvement
- Multidisciplinary studies and opportunities for undergraduate research
- Campuses in small towns in the Northeast
- A liberal arts focus that builds writing, analysis, and discussion skills
Shooting for a Little Ivy?
Though the Ivy League has a lot of prestige, they’re not the only schools that can provide an exceptional education. If you prefer a smaller school with unique offerings you can’t find at a big research university, the Little Ivies may be for you. After all, you get out of your education what you put into it.
Need help preparing for your college applications? Whether you’re aiming for Ivy League or have your heart set on a Little Ivy, InGenius Prep can help you build a competitive application.
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