Forbes Names 2 Illinois Universities as ‘New Ivies’ Employers Love
For decades, the Ivy League was the gold standard. But times are changing—and fast. Employers are rethinking old assumptions, and students (and their families) are looking for colleges that deliver more than just a fancy crest on a sweater.
A New Class of Elite Schools is Rising
👇🏾 LOOK: Best colleges in Illinois👇🏾
Forbes just released its second annual list of the "New Ivies" and 20 universities (10 public, 10 private) that are redefining what it means to be prestigious. These schools are known for top-tier academics, real-world preparation, and impressive alumni outcomes.
Meanwhile, some of the "original eight" Ivies are facing funding cuts, internal turmoil, and a growing number of employees who say they'd rather hire someone not from an Ivy League school. In fact, 37% of surveyed executives said they're now less likely to hire Ivy League grads than five years ago.
Ouch.
So, Who's Replacing the Ivies?
The New Ivies are scattered across the country—schools with powerhouse engineering programs, innovation hubs, and massive research initiatives. They're attracting the best and brightest, and turning out grads who hit the ground running.
Two Illinois Schools Just Made the List
Illinois is home to two of the nation's newest elite universities. Making the Forbes "New Ivies" list: Northwestern University and the University of Illinois. One is famoulsy selective, the other massive and mighty. Both are putting Illinois on the academic map in a big way.
Don't Sleep on the Midwest
Elite doesn't always mean East Coast. Sometimes, it means Evanston. Or Champaign
Other colleges on the Forbes "New Ivies" list are:
Public Institutions
- Georgia Institute of Technology-Atlanta campus (Georgia)
- Purdue University-West Lafayette campus (Indiana)
- University of Texas at Austin (Texas)
- United States Military Academy (New York)
- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (Michigan)
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (North Carolina)
- University of Pittsburgh-main campus (Pennsylvania)
- University of Virginia-Charlottesville campus (Virginia)
- William & Mary (Virginia)
Private Institutions
- Carnegie Mellon University (Pennsylvania)
- Emory University (Georgia)
- Georgetown University (District of Columbia)
- Johns Hopkins University (Maryland)
- Rice University (Texas)
- Tufts University (Massachusetts)
- University of Notre Dame (Indiana)
- Vanderbilt University (Tennessee)
- Washington University in St. Louis (Missouri)
MORE: 5 Most Expensive Places to Live In Illinois
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Gallery Credit: Stacker