If you’re researching elite colleges in the US, you’ve likely come across the term “Little Ivies.” It’s a term often used as a shorthand for small, prestigious and highly selective schools that are among the best liberal arts colleges in the US. In fact the Little Ivies represent a distinct academic experience: one that rivals Ivy League rigor while offering a fundamentally different scale, culture, and student life. 

This article breaks down what the Little Ivies actually are, which schools fall into this category, and how to think strategically about whether they belong on your college list.

See also our article on What Are the Public Ivies? Your Guide To Public Ivy Schools In The US. 

What Does “Little Ivies” Mean?

The term “Little Ivies” is an informal label used to describe a group of highly selective liberal arts colleges located in the northeastern US that deliver an academic experience comparable in rigor and reputation to the Ivy League, but on a smaller scale.

These colleges are known for demanding academics, competitive admissions, and alumni who go on to top graduate programs, influential careers, and leadership roles across a variety of fields. Where they truly diverge from the Ivies is not in intellectual ambition, but in structure and student experience.

Little Ivy colleges are almost entirely undergraduate-focused, typically enrolling between 1,500 and 3,000 students. Without large graduate programs or sprawling campuses, the academic culture tends to be more intimate and deliberately personal. That scale shapes the day-to-day experience in meaningful ways:

• Seminar-style classes where discussion, writing, and close reading are central
• Direct access to faculty, including mentorship, research collaboration, and advising
• A tight-knit academic community in which students are known, challenged, and supported

In short, the Little Ivies offer many of the advantages associated with Ivy League schools (intellectual prestige, strong outcomes, and powerful networks) while preserving the hallmarks of a classic liberal arts education: depth over breadth, relationships over scale, and learning as a deeply engaged, residential experience.

The Origins of the “Little Ivies” Term

Unlike the Ivy League, the Little Ivies are not an official athletic or academic consortium. The term emerged informally in the mid-20th century to describe colleges that matched Ivy League schools in undergraduate quality, even if they lacked the same size or research footprint.

Originally, the phrase had athletic roots, similar to the Ivy League itself. Over time, however, it evolved into a shorthand for prestigious liberal arts institutions known for academic rigor and selectivity.

A key point for families to understand is that there is no definitive or universally agreed-upon list of Little Ivies. The label is shaped by reputation, selectivity, and historical usage rather than by formal membership.

Which Schools Are Typically Included in the Little Ivies?

The small, elite schools that are often referred to as Little Ivies typically include the “Little Three”, the “Maine Big Three”, and then a less defined list of liberal arts colleges, such as Middlebury and Hamilton. 

The “Little Three” Colleges

The “Little Three” refers to three New England liberal arts colleges that have long been viewed as peers: academically formidable, historically influential, and highly selective. This grouping dates back to an athletic league founded in 1899, inspired by the Ivy League’s “Big Three” (Harvard, Princeton, and Yale). It includes: 

• Amherst College
• Williams College
• Wesleyan University

The “Maine Big Three” Colleges

Another commonly referenced grouping is the Maine Big Three, which highlights three highly respected liberal arts colleges in Maine:

• Bowdoin College
• Colby College
• Bates College

Other Schools Sometimes Called Little Ivies

Beyond these subgroups, several other liberal arts colleges are sometimes described as Little Ivies due to their selectivity, reputation, and academic strength. These include institutions such as Middlebury, Swarthmore, Hamilton, Pomona, Haverford, Vassar, and Carleton, and sometimes even west coast schools such as Pomona and Claremont McKenna; afterall, the northeast doesn’t have a monopoly on academic excellence. 

The exact composition of a “Little Ivies” list may vary, but what matters far more than the label itself is understanding the academic environment, culture, and fit each school offers.

Commonly Cited Little Ivies

Here’s a snapshot of some of the schools which often get the moniker “Little Ivies”, however this is by no means an exhaustive list. 

College & Location	UG Student Body Size	Acceptance Rate	Known For
Amherst College, Massachusetts	2020	9%	Open curriculum; exceptional academic flexibility; intense intellectual culture; top PhD and fellowship placement
Williams College, Massachusetts	2070	8%	Academic prestige; world-class faculty; tutorial system; outstanding alumni outcomes in academia, finance, and public service
Wesleyan University, Connecticut	3060	16%	Liberal arts with research depth; flexible curriculum; strong arts, sciences, and interdisciplinary study
Bowdoin College, Maine	1870	7%	Undergraduate focus; close faculty mentorship; civic engagement; strong humanities and sciences
Colby College, Maine	2410	7%	Global education emphasis; sustainability leadership; strong funding for research, internships, and off-campus study
Bates College, Maine	1760	13%	Inclusive excellence; discussion-driven classes; strong advising culture; emphasis on social impact
Middlebury College, Vermont	2730	11%	Elite language programs; immersive study abroad; environmental studies; global affairs
Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania	1600	7%	Exceptional intellectual rigor; honors program; Quaker roots; strength in STEM and humanities

Little Ivies Versus Ivy League

Here are some key differences between the Little Ivies and the official Ivy League schools. 

Category	Little Ivies	Ivy League
Class Size	Very small, discussion-based	Mix of small classes and sometimes larger lectures
Faculty Access	Extremely high	High but less consistent
Focus	Undergraduate liberal arts	Research + graduate programs
Campus Culture	Small, close-knit	Larger, more diverse
Admissions Selectivity	Extremely selective	Extremely selective

Benefits of Attending a Little Ivy

Small Class Sizes and Deep Academic Engagement

Small class sizes are foundational to the Little Ivy experience. From the first year, students learn in discussion-driven seminars rather than large lectures, with expectations to contribute, question, and refine their thinking. Close faculty interaction isn’t reserved for advanced students: it’s built into the curriculum. This environment encourages intellectual confidence, strong writing and speaking skills, and a habit of engaging deeply with ideas.

Prestige Without Scale

Little Ivies offer the academic credibility and signaling power of elite institutions without the bureaucracy or anonymity that can accompany large research universities. Undergraduates are the central priority, not one population among many. Students benefit from institutional resources, faculty access, and leadership opportunities without competing with graduate students for attention or support.

Powerful Alumni Networks

Despite smaller enrollments, Little Ivies cultivate exceptionally loyal and influential alumni communities. Graduates are active across law, consulting, finance, academia, public service, and the arts, and are often happy to support current students. Because alumni networks are more intimate, outreach tends to be personal and responsive, an advantage when seeking mentorship, internships, or early-career guidance.

Liberal Arts Education at the Highest Level

For students seeking intellectual flexibility and interdisciplinary thinking, the Little Ivies represent the highest tier of liberal arts education in the US. These colleges value exploration across disciplines as much as specialization, encouraging students to connect ideas from the humanities, sciences, and social sciences. The result is a form of intellectual training that develops adaptability, critical reasoning, and long-term curiosity, qualities that serve graduates well across a wide range of careers.

Common Misconceptions About Little Ivies

Despite their prestige, the Little Ivies are often misunderstood by those who are more familiar with the Ivy League brand. Below are some of the most common myths – and the reality behind them. 

1. “Little Ivies are easier to get into than Ivy League schools.”
   This is one of the most common misunderstandings. In reality, Little Ivies’ acceptance rates typically range from 7–20%, putting them among the most selective colleges in the United States. At schools like Amherst, Williams, and Bowdoin, admissions competitiveness rivals that of some Ivy League universities. See also our article on how elite colleges evaluate applicants.

2. “Little Ivies lack name recognition.”
   While the Little Ivies may be smaller and less visible to the general public, they are extremely well respected by employers and graduate schools. Admissions committees and recruiters are deeply familiar with the academic rigor at top liberal arts colleges, and often view their graduates as especially well prepared for advanced study and demanding roles. Among employers, for example in consulting, finance, tech, law, policy, and the nonprofit sector, the Little Ivies are widely recognized as talent incubators. So it would be wrong to say that the Little Ivies lack the prestige of the Ivy League. 

3. “Little Ivies are only strong in the humanities.”
   Although these colleges are famous for liberal arts excellence, many Little Ivies also deliver exceptional outcomes in STEM fields, economics, and pre-professional pathways. Strong faculty mentorship, research access, and advising often translate into impressive placement in graduate programs and competitive careers.

Final Thoughts: Are the Little Ivies Right for You?

The term “Little Ivies” can be useful shorthand, but it’s ultimately just that: a label. What matters far more is the educational experience these colleges offer and whether it aligns with how a student learns, thinks, and thrives.

For students who value close intellectual engagement, meaningful faculty relationships, and a campus culture where undergraduates are the clear priority, Little Ivies can offer an experience that is every bit as rigorous and respected as the Ivy League, and sometimes with greater access and a stronger sense of academic community.

At the same time, Little Ivies are not inherently “better” than Ivy League or large research universities. They are different. Choosing among elite colleges is less about prestige tiers and more about understanding where a student will be most challenged, supported, and engaged over four formative years.

If you would like help figuring out which schools would be the best fit for your student, we’d love to hear from you.