Alternative Ivy League Schools of 2023: 15 Colleges on the Rise

Aug 12, 2023

Think your list of safety schools is foolproof? Think again. T&C introduces the 15 Alt-Ivies of 2023—and there are a few surprises.

The University of Wisconsin often ranks among the top 10 on a variety of lists dedicated to the nation's best party schools. These days, it also happens to be one of the hardest places to get into—and it’s not the only institution with a reputation for fun that now requires far more than an affinity for Greek life and a healthy appetite for beer to gain entry.

The college admissions process continues to be a never-ending horror show. Traditional hacks for earning a coveted slot at one of the nation's prestigious institutions of higher learning have gone out the door. Recommendation letters from a famous person? Useless. Hoping for better odds with early decision? Not a chance. Don't have an A in calculus? Good luck. It doesn't help that acceptance rates are the lowest they have ever been—Yale accepted a mere 4.35% of applicants this year—leading parents and rising seniors everywhere to rethink their college wishlists.

Back in 2018, we published a list of 15 Alt-Ivies, colleges that had previously been classified as safety schools but that had slowly risen to become nearly as selective and sought after as Harvard, Yale, Brown, et al. Last year we created a new list to spotlight 15 additional schools that are experiencing dramatic increases in popularity, once again consulting with the college counselors at IvyWise, who examined changes in competitive acceptance rates, notable increases in applications, and other unique factors that are enticing prospective students.

We have updated that list for 2023. Some of the results are expected—so-called Public Ivies, like the University of Michigan and the University of Virginia, made it, as did "Little Ivies," like Colgate. But some are a surprise. Take Northeastern: In just a few years, the acceptance rate for the Boston university has plummeted into the single digits.

Below, the 15 Alt-Ivies of 2023, along with the IvyWise team's rundown of why these are no longer a safe bet.

"Seemingly out of nowhere, Northeastern has shot onto the stage, with its acceptance rate plummeting into the single digits in the past two years. A phenomenal blend of an urban setting with a campus feel, the university's signature 100-year-old cooperative education (Co-op) program is as popular as ever, with students excited to get their hands in experiential learning. Northeastern has also made some splashes in the world of global education, offering one of the biggest freshman year study abroad opportunities through its N.U.in Program. Despite the large undergraduate student population, traditions abound, from packing the arena for hockey games, to the annual Underwear Run, to the Husky Hunt, a 24-hour city-wide scavenger hunt."

Class of 2026* acceptance rate: 6.79%Class of 2022 acceptance rate: 19.34%Increase in applications (2018-2022): 46.13%*

*Figures for Class of 2027 not yet available.

"As the drive towards technological fields related to computer science and the world of AI and Machine Learning skyrockets, students are setting their sights on Georgia Tech. Despite being one of the few universities that returned to requiring tests in the 2021-2022 cycle, that didn’t keep the droves from applying. Incredibly selective for out-of-state students and becoming even more so for in-state students, Georgia Tech is the southern hub of innovation and a preeminent research institution, full of devoted scholars, who also love to cheer on their four-time national championship football team. You won’t find cutthroat competition here, but rather an immensely collaborative environment of students who love everything about science, technology, and engineering."

Class of 2027 acceptance rate: 16%Class of 2022 acceptance rate: 22.57%Increase in applications (2018-2023): 47.01%

"The University of Wisconsin’s flagship campus in Madison was featured as a “runner-up” in the 1985 book, Public Ivies: A Guide to America's Best Public Undergraduate Colleges and Universities, and has only risen in prominence since then. Madison consistently appears on lists of the best college towns, with a wealth of internship opportunities, many local businesses, and a picturesque setting on Lake Mendota (some Greek houses boast their own piers). Students are avid supporters of the Badgers athletic teams, with many football and basketball games routinely selling out. That's not to say academics take a backseat to sports and fun: students can choose from 144 majors and freshmen can enroll in a First-Year Interest Group, a themed interdisciplinary learning community."

Class of 2026* acceptance rate: 49.03%Class of 2022 acceptance rate: 51.7%Increase in applications (2018-2022): 40.99%

"Known historically as 'Mr. Jefferson’s University,' UVA is a community steeped in both tradition and advancement. Students step on to grounds (instead of campus) and navigate Jefferson’s original Academical Village and secret societies before graduating as a 4th year (since one should never be in their senior year in the pursuit of knowledge). Traditions such as Student Self Governance/Honor Council, volunteering around Charlottesville, or camping out in ‘Hooville’ before a major athletic game bring a variety of student voices and experiences together. Katie Couric, Tiki Barber, Tina Fey, Dawn Staley, Robert Mueller, and Steve Huffman are amongst the notable alumni cheering “Wahoowa” for the Cavaliers."

Class of 2027 acceptance rate: 26.86% (in-state); 12.35% (out-of-state)Class of 2022 acceptance rate: 37.95% (in-state); 21.43% (out-of-state)Increase in applications (2018-2023): 51.63%

"Applications to Howard University have increased dramatically in the last five years as the university affirmed its position as the “Harvard of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.” It offers the largest amount of academic offerings amongst HBCUs with top majors being biology, political science, and public relations/communications. Renowned actress and artist Phylicia Rashad serves as Dean of the College of Fine Arts (recently renamed after the late notable alumnus Chadwick Boseman), solidifying Howard as a top university for the sciences, humanities, and arts."

Class of 2025* acceptance rate: 35.26%Class of 2022 acceptance rate: 31.59%Increase in applications (2018-2021): 40.34%

"For what it's worth, in 1996 Wake Forest became the only college to ever advance from the U.S. News Regional University rankings to the Top 30 of the National Universities list. Students here benefit from the close knit community and low student-to-faculty ratio typical of liberal arts colleges, with the resources and facilities of a large research institution. And they have 45 majors and 60 minors to choose from, with business offerings like accounting and finance being particularly popular. Greek life is a longstanding tradition, as is sports: the basketball team has made March Madness 23 times."

Class of 2026* acceptance rate: 21.37%Class of 2022 acceptance rate: 29.4%Increase in applications (2018-2022): 30.3%

"The University of Miami’s mascot, the Ibis, is known to be the first to return after a hurricane signaling to others that clear skies are ahead. Similarly, this university has led the way in creating innovative majors for those seeking to solve critical problems, including 6 majors in the School of Marine and Atmospheric Science alone. With strategic partnerships throughout Miami, a finance (through the Herbert Business School) continues to be a popular major for students. Students love the medium-sized community, tucked into the quiet streets of Coral Gables, but boasting enough school spirit to fill Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium as they cheer on their successful ’Canes football team."

Class of 2026* acceptance rate: 18.94%Class of 2022 acceptance rate: 32.15%Increase in applications (2018-2022): 43.43%

"Situated on a gorgeous campus tucked away in the rolling hills of upstate New York, this community considers 13 its lucky number. Founded by 13 men, 13 dollars, and 13 prayers, the university recently launched a billion-dollar campaign started by 13 women to continue to transform the community for the next century and make a Colgate education accessible to students regardless of their socioeconomic background. The Colgate experience leaves nothing to chance, offering 56 timely majors ranging from astrogeophysics to peace and conflict studies, in addition to a slew of minors, while embracing the interdisciplinary approach to a liberal arts education. Known for its tight-knit community and fiercely loyal alumni, Colgate students are encouraged to make connections outside of the classroom, whether it's partnering with the local Oneida Nation, participating in on-campus organizations, or traveling. Colgate is consistently named a top school for studying abroad, with programs located in Jamaica, New Zealand, Singapore, and Switzerland, as well as offerings in New York City and Washington, D.C."

Class of 2026* acceptance rate: 11.87%Class of 2022 acceptance rate: 24.93%Increase in applications (2018-2022): 117.48%

"Widely known as the premier women’s college in the country, if not the world, Wellesley is one of the founding members of the Seven Sisters Colleges, an unofficial grouping of elite women’s colleges, meant at one point to be the female alternative for the Ivy League. Full of driven, high-achieving, and tenacious scholars, Wellesley empowers generations of young women and launched the careers of notable politicians Madeleine Albright and Hillary Rodham Clinton, social and environmental activist Marjory Stoneman Douglas, filmmaker Nora Ephron, and journalists Cokie Roberts and Diane Sawyer."

Class of 2027 acceptance rate: 13%Class of 2022 acceptance rate: 19.54%Increase in applications (2018-2023): 26.68%

"A favorite Early Action option for nearly every student applying in advance to one of the Single-Choice or Restricted Early Action Ivies, University of Michigan is the ultimate school for campus spirit, set in the quintessential college town of Ann Arbor, where Saturdays in the fall are filled with students and alumni cheering on the Wolverines football team. Despite the large size of the university, which offers more than 280 degree programs, all students find close-knit communities within the broader student population. Crucial as well to a successful undergraduate experience is embracing 'Michigan Time,' where every class begins 10 minutes late. Approximately 350 students enroll each year in Michigan's College of Literature, Science, and the Arts Honors Program, which provides challenging courses, hands-on research, experiential learning opportunities, and a vibrant community for the academically ambitious."

Class of 2026 acceptance rate: 17.69%Class of 2022 acceptance rate: 22.83%Increase in applications (2018-2022): 29.84%

"The 'University Without Walls,' embedded within the city of New York, offers campuses in 14 other major cities, including Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. Notable for skyrocketing to more than 100,000 applications in the past four years, NYU is one of the top destinations in the US for international students. Through Tisch, students can experience the nation’s top program in professional training and scholarship in performing, cinematic, and emerging media arts. Most sought after in recent years are the Tandon School of Engineering and Stern School of Business, where students seek the educational foundation to have a positive impact on the ever-changing global society."

Class of 2027 acceptance rate: 8%Class of 2022 acceptance rate: 19.99%Increase in applications (2018-2023): 67.05%

"Denison is one of many liberal arts colleges in Ohio, with others including Kenyon, Oberlin, and the College of Wooster. The Frederick Law Olmsted–designed campus is located in Granville, a quaint college town reminiscent of New England villages, with easy access to Columbus for travel, shopping, and entertainment. The university has a rich history: it was one of the first colleges founded in the former Northwest Territory and its students and faculty played an important role in the anti-slavery moment, with Bancroft House even serving as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Denison offers some unique majors not typically found at liberal arts colleges, such as global health, journalism, and global commerce. Students get strong academic support: freshmen participate in Advising Circles, small groups that meet weekly to talk about the university and the community, and plan ahead for the next four years."

Class of 2027 acceptance rate: 17%Class of 2022 acceptance rate: 34%Increase in applications (2018-2023): 81.25%

"A Catholic, Jesuit institution situated just outside Boston, student formation is at the heart of the BC experience. Dedicated to growth across academic, intellectual, personal, spiritual, and social dimensions, BC pushes students to use their education to tackle pressing societal challenges. Whether through the Lynch School for Education and Human Development, the Connell School of Nursing, the Carroll School of Management, or the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, grads go on to become leaders in healthcare, education, politics, and business, lifted up by the incredibly strong alumni network. School spirit runs high, too, whether they are packing the football stadium in gold ‘Superfan Shirts’ or competing in mud volleyball during the pre-finals Mudstock tournament each year."

Class of 2027 acceptance rate: 15.09%Class of 2022 acceptance rate: 27.89%Increase in applications (2018-2023): 17.5%

"Quickly becoming a hot school for aspiring business professionals and doctors, Emory has catapulted to the top of many students' lists and is no longer just another target school for Ivy League hopefuls. The medium-sized university in Atlanta offers students access to the larger research university campus of Emory University, as well as the smaller liberal arts college experience of Oxford College. Boasting a medical school with an acceptance rate below 5 percent and home to the largest healthcare system in Georgia, Emory is an amazing option for future healthcare professionals."

Class of 2027 acceptance rate: 10.31%Class of 2022 acceptance rate: 18.5%Increase in applications (2018-2023): 19.84%

"While UC Berkeley and UCLA often take the spotlight in the University of California system, the other UCs are prominent in their own rights. UC San Diego is one of the most esteemed research universities in the world: it had a whopping $1.64 billion budget for sponsored research funding in 2021-2022 and 16 Nobel Laureates have taught courses at the university. Research surrounding climate change is particularly prevalent and students can get involved with more than 20 student groups focusing on the issue. Those interested in pursuing a career in health might be particularly interested in UCSD, thanks to its affiliation with UC San Diego Health. Student life is also vibrant, with a rich culture of performing and media arts and many students making the most of the simultaneously coastal and urban location."

Class of 2026* acceptance rate: 23.7%Class of 2022 acceptance rate: 30.06%Increase in applications (2018-2022): 34.05%

Leena Kim is an editor at Town & Country, where she covers travel, jewelry, education, weddings, and culture.

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