Top 10 Universities in The US
Choosing a university can be daunting, especially when narrowing down your options to just the United States. To make your decision a little easier, we've compiled a list of the top 10 universities in the US.
These universities offer students an exceptional education and experience from Ivy League schools to renowned research institutions.
Top 10 Universities in The US
These are the best universities in America, and you should consider studying here if you're aiming to achieve success in life.
Check out the top 10 universities in the US and find out more about their history, campuses, and admissions requirements!
1. Harvard University
Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on the Charles River across from Boston. It is one of the world's most prestigious universities, and its history, influence, and wealth have made it one of the most powerful institutions in higher education.
Harvard was founded in 1636 by a group of Puritan ministers and merchants from Boston who named it after their benefactor, John Harvard. It is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and one of the most selective universities in the world.
The university has produced numerous Nobel laureates, U.S. presidents, and many other influential people in politics, business, science, and the arts.
Harvard is a research university with more than 20,000 students enrolled in its undergraduate, graduate, professional, and medical programs. The university has an endowment of over $30 billion and annual research expenditures exceeding $1 billion.
Its faculty comprises some of the world's most accomplished scholars, and its facilities include some of the finest libraries, museums, laboratories, and performance venues in America.
Harvard students come from all 50 states and over 100 countries worldwide. They are engaged in a wide range of extracurricular activities, including athletics (the university competes in 36 varsity sports), music (there are eight major orchestra ensembles), theater (there are over 90 student organizations devoted to a theater), and political activism (students have played a significant role in movements for social change).
2. Stanford University
Stanford University is located in Stanford, California, about 30 miles from San Francisco. The campus is one of the largest in the United States, with over 8,000 acres of land.
The university was founded in 1885 by Leland and Jane Stanford after their only child died of typhoid fever at age 15.
The Stanfords originally intended for the university to be a coeducational institution, but it was in 1891 that women were first admitted as students.
The university comprises seven schools: Humanities and Sciences, Business, Earth Sciences, Education, Engineering, Law, and Medicine.
Stanford offers over 700 undergraduate and graduate programs across these schools. The most popular majors at Stanford are computer science, economics, and biology.
There are over 10,000 undergraduate students enrolled at Stanford University. On-campus housing is guaranteed for all four years of study.
There are also over 1,000 student organizations, ranging from academic clubs to cultural groups to sports teams.
3. University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is situated in the University City neighborhood, adjacent to Center City.
The campus is bounded by Spruce Street to the south, 36th Street to the north, Sansom Street to the east, and Locust Walk to the west.
The University of Pennsylvania was founded in 1740 by Benjamin Franklin. It is one of the nine colonial colleges established before the American Revolution. Penn was the first school in the United States to offer undergraduate and graduate degrees.
The university's medical, dental, law, business, and nursing schools are ranked highly nationally and internationally.
Penn has a student body of about 10,000 undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students across 12 schools:
- Arts & Sciences
- Nursing
- Wharton
- Engineering & Applied Science
- Medicine
- Veterinary Medicine
- Dental Medicine
- Penn Law
- Penn Design
- Annenberg School for Communication
- School of Social Policy & Practice and
- The Graduate School of Education.
92% of undergraduate students live on-campus in one of Penn's 12 residential colleges/houses.
There are over 400 student organizations, ranging from cultural groups to political organizations to club sports teams. Penn has a thriving Greek life with over 50 fraternity and sorority chapters.
Students can participate in intramural sports through Penn's Recreational Services program or join one of Penn's 41 Division I varsity athletic teams, the Quakers.
4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just across the Charles River from Boston.
The school's campus is spread across 168 acres and includes several academic and residential buildings and athletic facilities.
MIT was founded in 1861 to provide practical education in science and engineering. The school rapidly gained a reputation for excellence and attracted students from all over the world.
In the early 20th century, MIT became a leader in research, particularly in mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Today, MIT is one of the most prestigious universities in the world, with top-ranked programs in a wide range of disciplines.
MIT offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in various subjects, including architecture, business, engineering, humanities, sciences, and social sciences.
The institute strongly focuses on research and hands-on learning; students are encouraged to work on real-world problems through internships, collaborative projects, and independent study.
MIT students are passionate about their academics and extracurricular pursuits. Over 1,000 student organizations on campus cover everything from arts and culture to politics and service.
Students can also take advantage of the many opportunities for leadership development, personal growth, and community engagement available through MIT's residence halls and cultural centers.
5. Yale University
Yale University is located in New Haven, Connecticut, with a population of about 130,000. Yale is about two hours from Boston and three hours from New York City.
Yale was founded in 1701 and is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States.
Yale has been ranked as the second-best university in the world by both the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and the QS World University Rankings.
Yale offers over 2,000 courses across its twelve schools and colleges. The most popular majors at Yale are economics, political science, history, and English.
There are about 12,000 students enrolled at Yale, of which about 60% are undergraduates, and 40% are graduate students. Students at Yale come from all 50 states and over 100 countries.
6. Columbia University
Situated in the heart of New York City, Columbia University is one of the world's most renowned higher education institutions.
Founded in 1754 as King's College, Columbia is the fifth oldest university in the United States. The University comprises twenty schools and affiliated institutions, including eleven graduate and professional schools.
Columbia University was founded in 1754 as King's College by the royal charter of King George II of England. It is the fifth oldest university in the United States.
The University was renamed Columbia College in 1784 when it received a second charter after the American Revolutionary War. In 1896, Columbia University became one of the nine founding members of the Association of American Universities.
Columbia University comprises twenty schools and affiliated institutions, including eleven graduate and professional schools. The University offers over 4,000 courses and awards degrees in more than 150 fields.
Columbia students have the opportunity to study abroad through programs in over 60 countries around the world.
The University has produced numerous Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, Fulbright Scholars, Rhodes Scholars, MacArthur Fellows, Marshall Scholars, and many other outstanding scholars and scientists.
The University's research facilities include the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Nevis Laboratories, the Graduate School of Journalism, and the renowned medical center at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital.
Columbia students enjoy a vibrant and diverse community life on campus with over 150 student organizations ranging from cultural groups to political clubs to sports teams.
The University also offers various performance groups and opportunities for student involvement in the arts. Off-campus housing is also available near campus due to Columbia's location in New York City.
7. University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is located in the city of Chicago, Illinois. It is situated on the shores of Lake Michigan, and its campus spans over 217 acres.
The university has several satellite campuses in other parts of the city and Hong Kong, London, and Paris.
The University of Chicago was founded in 1891 by a group of American businessmen and educators looking to create a research-oriented institution free from political interference.
The university's first president was William Rainey Harper, who oversaw the school's rapid growth period.
Under Harper's leadership, the university built new buildings, hired renowned faculty members, and established itself as one of the leading research institutions in the world.
The University of Chicago is a highly selective school, with an acceptance rate of only 8%. It is known for its rigorous academic programs and commitment to interdisciplinary learning.
The university has six undergraduate colleges and seven professional schools. Its most popular majors include economics, political science, history, and English.
The University of Chicago has a vibrant student life scene. There are over 500 student organizations on campus, including cultural clubs, political groups, and service organizations.
The school also has a thriving Greek system, with over 50 fraternity and sorority chapters.
Athletics are also an important part of student life at the University of Chicago; the school competes in Division III athletics and is home to several championship-winning teams.
8. Duke University
Duke University is located in Durham, North Carolina. The university is situated on nearly 9,000 acres of land.
Duke University was founded in 1838 as Trinity College. The school was renamed Duke University in 1924 in honor of James Buchanan Duke, who had made a substantial financial donation to the institution.
Duke University comprises ten schools and colleges, including the Fuqua School of Business, the School of Medicine, and the School of Law.
The university offers over 50 undergraduate majors and 60 graduate and professional degrees. Duke also has an extensive study abroad program.
There are over 15,000 students enrolled at Duke University. Students can live in on-campus residence halls or off-campus apartments/houses.
There are also a variety of student organizations and clubs that students can get involved with on campus.
9. Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University is located in Baltimore, Maryland. The university is on 143 acres in the Charles Village neighborhood north of downtown Baltimore.
Johns Hopkins University was founded in 1876 with a donation from philanthropist Johns Hopkins.
The university was established as a research institution and quickly became known for its medical program, ranked first in the nation.
The university now has nine schools and colleges, including the School of Medicine, the Whiting School of Engineering, and the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences.
Johns Hopkins University is a highly selective school, with an acceptance rate of only 11 percent. The university offers more than 200 programs across its nine schools and colleges.
The most popular majors at Johns Hopkins include Nursing, Biology, Political Science, Psychology, and Economics.
More than 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled at Johns Hopkins University. The student body is diverse, with students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries worldwide.
Student life on campus is vibrant, with more than 400 clubs and organizations for students to get involved in. There are also plenty of opportunities for students to enjoy off-campus activities in Baltimore, a city with a rich history and culture.
10. Northwestern University
Northwestern University is located in Evanston, Illinois, on the shores of Lake Michigan. It is just north of downtown Chicago and about 30 minutes from O'Hare International Airport.
Northwestern University was founded in 1851 by a group of Methodist leaders. The school originally focused on preparatory education and later expanded to include undergraduate and graduate programs.
Today, Northwestern is a leading research university with 12 schools and colleges offering more than 200-degree programs.
Academics
Northwestern offers various academic programs, with over 4,000 courses each year. The most popular majors include business, economics, journalism, psychology, and biology.
Northwestern also has highly-ranked programs in engineering, law, medicine, and education programs.
There are more than 21,000 students enrolled at Northwestern, representing all 50 states and over 100 countries. The student body is diverse, with nearly 40% coming from minority groups.
More than 400 student organizations are on campus, including Greek organizations, cultural clubs, and political groups.
Conclusion
The list of best universities in the US is a legend. After studying and analyzing hundreds of such lists, we have finally decided to share our top 10 picks for this year.
We have selected these institutions based on their academic achievements over the years and the excellent placement records of their alumni across various fields in different sectors.
If you plan to pursue your career at one of these renowned universities, make sure that you prepare well because they offer some of the best programs and facilities.
