The Ivies

Big & Little

Colleges & sources

A different academic rhythm.

Dartmouth College and Union College (NY) normally have students take three courses per term. Dartmouth follows a quarter system; Union follows a trimester system. The other 24 colleges use semester-based calendars, some with an additional winter or short term. Individual course loads can vary. See academic sources

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ABOUT THIS GUIDE

The Ivies: Ivy League & Little Ivies

The Ivies is an independent college map of the Northeast. Explore the Ivy League and its eight schools, or compare the Little Ivies: 18 colleges on this map.

The Ivy League is an athletic conference of eight universities. Little Ivy is an informal description, not an official membership or conference. This map uses a commonly cited list of 18 schools.

Red highlights Dartmouth and Union’s normal three-course terms. Black identifies the other 24 colleges’ semester-based calendars. Some include an additional short term: Bates has a spring Short Term, while Colby, Middlebury and Williams have January or winter terms. Calendar type does not imply a fixed course count for every student.

SOURCES & METHODOLOGY

Dartmouth · normal three-course load ↗Dartmouth · quarter system ↗Union · three courses per trimester ↗Bates · semesters + Short Term ↗Middlebury · semesters + winter term ↗Williams · semesters + Winter Study ↗Ivy League · member institutions ↗Little Ivies · scope of the informal list ↗

Each college’s location and academic calendar sources are linked in its map details. Markers show approximate main-campus locations, not visitor entrances. The circular map is centered on the smallest circle enclosing all 26 college locations, with a small margin. State outlines continue beyond the crop. State boundaries: U.S. Atlas / U.S. Census Bureau.

Reviewed 7 October 2026

An independent guide. Not affiliated with the Ivy League or any college.