There are many different types of colleges and universities in the United States, but only a select few rise to the very top in every category that matters—the quality of their facilities, the level of their professors, and the caliber of their students. These are the 10 best universities in the United States.
1) Stanford University
Stanford is a private university established in 1891 and located outside of Palo Alto, California. Stanford was founded by Leland and Jane Stanford, who were railroad tycoons. The school has been ranked as one of the best universities in the world by U.S.
2) Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was founded on April 10, 1861 as one of America’s first engineering and technology schools. MIT is often ranked as the best university for engineering and has produced hundreds of notable alumni.
3) Harvard University
Harvard University is one of America’s oldest and most prestigious universities. Established in 1636, it was named after clergyman John Harvard and has a reputation for excellence that carries on to this day. The school has produced 5 U.S. presidents, 31 living billionaires, and more Olympic gold medalists than any other university. If you’re looking for a world-class education that will set you up for success both inside and outside the classroom, look no further than Harvard!
4) Princeton University
Princeton University is a private Ivy League research university located in Princeton, New Jersey. Founded in 1746, it is the fourth-oldest college in the United States. The school has been coeducational since 1969.
Princeton offers bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees through its four undergraduate schools — Architecture, Art and Planning; Humanities; Engineering; and Social Sciences — as well as doctoral studies through its graduate school.
5) Yale University
Founded in 1701, Yale University is one of the most prestigious colleges in the world. It was also the first college to be established within Connecticut. Yale’s motto is Lux et Veritas, which means Light and Truth. The school has a total undergraduate enrollment of 5,400 students with annual tuition and fees exceeding $50,000. It also boasts a student-to-faculty ratio of 7:1.
6) Columbia University
Columbia University is a private Ivy League research university, located on Morningside Heights in New York City. The university was founded in 1754 as King’s College by royal charter of George II of Great Britain. After the American Revolution, King’s College briefly became a state entity, and was renamed Columbia College in 1784. It has been affiliated with Columbia University since 1896.
7) University of Chicago
Established in 1890, the University of Chicago is a private research university that offers a wide range of degrees. UChicago has an acceptance rate of 9%. It has a student body of 15,000 students and over 3,000 faculty members. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs for those who want to study humanities, social sciences, law, engineering, medicine or business.
Students at UChicago can choose from over 100 undergraduate majors and more than 40 graduate degree programs.
8) Duke University
Duke University is one of the best schools in the country, so it should be on your list when considering colleges. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke offers a wide range of undergraduate programs as well as several graduate programs. The university was founded by Methodists and Quakers in 1838 and was named for school founder James B. Duke. Today, Duke is home to around 13,000 students who come from all over the world to study at this prestigious institution.
9) Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University has a long history of success and is ranked as one of the best universities in the world. The school was founded more than 150 years ago, and since its founding it has produced many notable alumni including US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, author J.D. Salinger, and former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
*Ranked No. 1 for medicine by QS World University Rankings® 2018*
10) California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
Caltech is a private university located in Pasadena, California. It was established in 1891 by Amos G. Throop as Throop University. The school became known as Caltech and moved to its current location the following year.
