As the month of March comes to a close, the topic of college admissions rises to the top of discussion, with most universities releasing their decision letters, including the prestigious Ivy Leagues. As seniors begin to decide where they want to spend their next four years, an important question comes up; is attending an Ivy League university really worth it? Between the cost, range of diversity, rigorous academics, possible connections and various degrees available, attending an Ivy League institution is definitely worth it for most students in the running.

   The biggest argument against going to these prestigious schools mainly comes down to the cost. According to CBS News, “The cost of some Ivy League colleges is approaching 90,000 dollars a year, while elite liberal arts colleges are also boosting their total prices to more than 80,000 dollars annually” (cbsnews.com). Although the price of 360,000 dollars for a full four years at college seems drastic at first, after taking into account scholarships, financial aid and grants, the cost comes down significantly. Senior Michael Kozma said, “If you are paying full freight it is not worth the cost, but ‘Ivies’ have really massive endowments so they give a lot of financial aid if you need it.” According to Harvard University, “If your family’s income is less than 85,000 dollars, you’ll pay nothing [to attend Harvard]. For families who earn between 85,000 dollars and 150,000 dollars, the expected contribution is between zero and ten percent of your annual income” (college.harvard.edu).

   The main reason that students tend to apply to these prestigious universities is due to the academic opportunities provided. Due to the age and popularity of these universities, Ivy Leagues tend to attract many trusted and highly educated professors, leading to first-rate education for enrolled students. Having the best of the best ensures quality. These colleges also have reportedly low student-to-faculty ratio at an average of 7:1, falling well below the national average of 18:1 (collegesofdistinction.com). Smaller class sizes such as the ones offered at Ivy League institutions let students connect more with their professors and peers, acquire extra in person learning opportunities and share ideas throughout the classroom more frequently.

   College isn’t all about the social experience or the education you get out of it, but also about the degree(s) that you earn. Attending an Ivy League university instead of a lesser known college can aid in your success even after graduating, just by the quality of your degree. According to Forbes, “There has been a strong correlation between a student’s level of education and their earnings later in life, with a bachelor’s degree increasing average income by as much as 63 percent. Graduates from Ivy League schools are reported to have higher average annual earnings than their peers who graduate in the top 10 percent of other colleges” (forbes.com). This is because of the prestige that comes from attending an Ivy League and the credibility a degree from such an institute will give you.

   Although attending a prestigious university is not the right pathway for everyone, for the students who put in the time and effort in high school and meet the financial aid requirements, attending an Ivy League institution could be worth the investment. Due to the vast amounts of financial aid a student can receive, the variety of curricula that give educational opportunities to all students, the quality of a world class education, the lifelong connections with educated individuals, and the opportunities that the degree can get a student, the advantages of going to an Ivy League university outweigh the drawbacks significantly.