What is the difference between regular universities and ivy league schools?

I know that ivy league schools are more prestigious, expensive, and harder to get into, but what are some other differences? Do Ivy league schools provide a better quality of education? Is the coursework more demanding there? They are more expensive than regular universities, so people must be getting something out of those schools for them to be paying extra, right? Are graduate students from Ivy league schools more likely to land a better paying job right out of college or be more liked by prospective employers? BTW, what does tuition for one credit cost at ivy league schools?

What is the difference between regular universities and ivy league schools?
The Ivy League is one subset of very prestigious schools. (The Ivy League really started out as a sports league, and consists of eight private universities in the Northeast.) There are other schools that are just as prestigious (Stanford, MIT, etc.) but aren't in the Ivy League. Therefore we have terms like "little ivies" for small colleges, "public ivies" for the prestigious public universities, and so on.



If by "Ivy League" you just mean elite or very prestigious schools, then yes, grad students from those schools have a serious leg up in the job market.



It's a matter of some controversy whether the Ivy League and their peer schools do offer a better education. My answer is that most schools around the country offer the same material, but the professors at top schools will often be leaders in their fields and the student body as a whole will tend to be brighter and more capable. However, this doesn't necessarily make those professors effective teachers. There are likely professors at 3rd and 4th tier schools who are far better teachers, but less effective researchers--or they may have just chosen to teach at less prestigious schools for personal reasons.



Similarly, there are very bright and capable students who opt to go to their local college (or a college that appeals to them for other reasons) rather than a more prestigious school.



Tuition will vary by school, and often won't be broken out by credit.
Reply:Honestly the largest benefits to an Ivy is the repuation and networking. I've met some Harvard dummies and some geniuses who went to state schools.
Reply:Academics are generally the same. By paying so much, you learn early the cost of hobnobbing and the good'ol boy system. Money = influence, influence=power.



That, my friend is the only real difference.
Reply:Depends on what career you plan to have and where you intend to work. There's a "snob factor," especially in the Northeast U.S.
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