Princeton University
Princeton, NJ
14 user reviews
The ivy-covered campus of Princeton University, a private institution, is located in the quiet town of Princeton, New Jersey. Princeton was the first university to offer a
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
13 user reviews
Harvard University is a private institution in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston. This Ivy League school is the oldest higher education institution in the country and has the largest endowment of any school in the world.
Columbia University
New York, NY
22 user reviews
Columbia University has three undergraduate schools: Columbia College, The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), and the School of General Studies. This Ivy League, private school guarantees students housing for all four years on campus in Manhattan’s Morningside
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA
#4 inNational Universities (tie)
7 user reviews
Though the Massachusetts Institute of Technology may be best known for its math, science and engineering education, this private research university also offers architecture, humanities, management and social science programs. The school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just across the Charles
Yale University
New Haven, CT
#4 inNational Universities (tie)
9 user reviews
Yale University, located in New Haven, Connecticut, offers a small college life with the resources of a major research institution. Yale students are divided into 14 residential colleges that foster a supportive environment for living, learning and socializing.
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
#6 inNational Universities (tie)
9 user reviews
The sunny campus of Stanford University is located in California’s Bay Area, about 30 miles from San Francisco. The private institution stresses a multidisciplinary combination of teaching, learning, and research, and students have many opportunities to get involved in research projects.
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL
#6 inNational Universities (tie)
42 user reviews
The University of Chicago, situated in Chicago’s Hyde Park community, offers a rich campus life in a big-city setting. Since 1987, the private institution has hosted the University of Chicago Scavenger Hunt, a four-day event that is regarded as the largest scavenger hunt in the world.
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
#8 inNational Universities (tie)
25 user reviews
Founded by Benjamin Franklin, the University of Pennsylvania is a private institution in the University City neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Students can study in one of four schools that grant undergraduate degrees: Arts and Sciences, Nursing, Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Wharton.
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA
#9 inNational Universities (tie)
5 user reviews
The California Institute of Technology focuses on science and engineering education and has a low student-to-faculty ratio of 3:1. This private institution in Pasadena, California, is actively involved in research projects with grants from NASA, the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD
#4 inNational Universities (tie)
40 user reviews
Johns Hopkins University is a private institution in Baltimore that offers a wide array of academic programs in the arts, humanities, social and natural sciences, and engineering disciplines. The Hopkins Blue Jays men’s lacrosse team is consistently dominant in the NCAA Division I; other sports teams at
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
#9 inNational Universities (tie)
23 user reviews
Northwestern University is a private school in Evanston, Ill., about 30 minutes outside of Chicago. Undergraduate students have about 100 options for majors or can design their own non-traditional degree program.
Duke University
Durham, NC
#12 inNational Universities (tie)
20 user reviews
Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke University is a private institution that has liberal arts and engineering programs for undergraduates. The Duke Blue Devils sports teams have a fierce rivalry with the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill Tar Heels and are best known for their outstanding men’s
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH
#13 inNational Universities (tie)
13 user reviews
Dartmouth College, a private institution in Hanover, New Hampshire, uses quarters, not semesters, to divide the school year. Among more than 300 student organizations at Dartmouth is the Outing Club, the nation’s oldest and largest collegiate club of its kind, which offers outdoor activities, expeditions, gear rentals and courses.
Brown University
Providence, RI
#14 inNational Universities (tie)
8 user reviews
At Brown University, undergraduate students are responsible for designing their own academic study with more than 80 concentration programs to choose from. Another unique offering at this private, Ivy League institution in Providence, Rhode Island, is the Program in Liberal Medical Education, which
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
#14 inNational Universities (tie)
19 user reviews
Vanderbilt University is a private institution in Nashville, Tenn. with four undergraduate colleges: the College of Arts and Science, the School of Engineering, Peabody College, and the Blair School of Music. About 40 percent of Vanderbilt students participate in Greek life.
Rice University
Houston, TX
#16 inNational Universities (tie)
14 user reviews
Rice University is located in the heart of the Museum District in Houston, TX. The private institution has a need-blind admissions policy and meets the full demonstrated need of any accepted student who requires help paying tuition.
Washington University in St. Louis
St. Louis, MO
#16 inNational Universities (tie)
18 user reviews
Students can study architecture, art, arts and sciences, business, and engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, a private research institution in Missouri. Outside of class, about 35 percent of the student body is involved in Greek life.
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY
#18 inNational Universities (tie)
14 user reviews
Vanderbilt University is a private institution in Nashville, Tenn. with four undergraduate colleges: the College of Arts and Science, the School of Engineering, Peabody College, and the Blair School of Music. About 40 percent of Vanderbilt students participate in Greek life.
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN
#19 inNational Universities (tie)
23 user reviews
The University of Notre Dame is a private, independent, Catholic institution in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame’s athletic teams, known as the Fighting Irish, play in the NCAA Division I and are particularly competitive on the football field.
University of California–Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
#20 inNational Universities (tie)
31 user reviews
The University of California—Los Angeles is just five miles away from the Pacific Ocean. The public institution offers 5,000 courses, 140 bachelor’s degree programs and 97 minors.
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
#21 inNational Universities (tie)
16 user reviews
Students can begin their education at the school’s main location in a suburb of Atlanta, known as Emory College, or at Oxford College, a smaller campus about 40 miles away. This private institution offers about 70 majors in the arts and sciences, as well as degrees in business administration and nursing.
University of California–Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
#22 inNational Universities (tie)
32 user reviews
The University of California—Berkeley overlooks the San Francisco Bay in Berkeley, Calif. Students at this public school have more than 1,000 groups to get involved in, including more than 60 fraternity and sorority chapters.
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
#23 inNational Universities (tie)
17 user reviews
Georgetown University is the oldest Catholic university in the country. The school’s location in Washington, D.C. gives students many opportunities for internships throughout the nation’s capital.
University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI
#24 inNational Universities (tie)
31 user reviews
The university boasts of Ann Arbor, only 45 minutes from Detroit, as one of the best college towns in the U.S. Freshmen are guaranteed housing but not required to live on campus. Students can join one of the school’s more than 1,500 student organizations or 62 Greek chapters. Athletics play a central role
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA
#24 inNational Universities (tie)
28 user reviews
Los Angeles, CAUndergraduates study in the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences at the University of Southern California, a private school based in Los Angeles. The USC Trojans compete in the NCAA Division I Pac-12 Conference and are particularly competitive in football.
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA
#26 inNational Universities (tie)
11 user reviews
Carnegie Mellon University, a private institution in Pittsburgh, is the country’s only school founded by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The school specializes in academic areas including engineering, business, computer science and fine arts.
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA
#26 inNational Universities (tie)
17 user reviews
Founded by Thomas Jefferson, the University of Virginia is located in Charlottesville. It’s referred to among insiders as Mr. Jefferson’s University or simply The University. Only first-year students are required to live on campus, and many upperclassmen live in off-campus apartments or fraternity and
University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
#28 inNational Universities (tie)
19 user reviews
The University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill, often referred to as UNC, offers a wide range of student activities. Popular student organizations include The Daily Tarheel, UNC’s student newspaper, and WXYC, the student-run radio station. Nearly 20 percent of students are members of Greek life. Chapel Hill,
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC
#28 inNational Universities (tie)
14 user reviews
Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, just a few hours by car from skiing in the Blue Ridge Mountains or relaxing on the beaches of South Carolina. Campus Recreation offers intramural sports and outdoor trips such as kayaking on the New River, mountain biking and sky-
New York University
New York, NY
#30 inNational Universities (tie)
50 user reviews
New York University’s primary campus is located in the lively Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan. NYU is a true city school, with no borders separating a distinct campus from the streets of the Big Apple. Students are guaranteed housing for all four years in the many residence halls throughout
Tufts University
Medford, MA
#30 inNational Universities (tie)
12 user reviews
Tufts University, located not far from downtown Boston, is comprised of the School of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Engineering that serves both undergraduate and graduate students, and a number of graduate and professional schools, including the highly ranked School of Medicine and
University of California–Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
#30 inNational Universities (tie)
22 user reviews
Located 100 miles up the coast from Los Angeles, the University of California—Santa Barbara sits atop cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Students can get involved in any of the more than 400 clubs and organizations on campus, including a Greek community that comprises about 10 percent o
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
#30 inNational Universities (tie)
51 user reviews
The University of Florida is about two miles away from downtown Gainesville, a college town bolstered by the school’s more than 50,000 students. The Florida Gators sports teams compete in the NCAA Division I Southeastern Conference, and are supported by mascots Albert and Alberta the Alligators
University of Rochester
Rochester, NY
#34 inNational Universities (tie)
17 user reviews
The University of Rochester describes itself as one of the smallest and most collegiate schools among the nation’s top research universities. The Yellowjackets mainly compete in the University Athletic Association and participate in NCAA Division III sports. The school also offers more than 250
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA
#35 inNational Universities (tie)
12 user reviews
Boston College, located just outside downtown Boston, was founded by the Society of Jesus and has maintained its Roman Catholic Jesuit religious affiliation. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching classifies it as a university with high research activity. BC has nine schools,
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA
#35 inNational Universities (tie)
17 user reviews
Georgia Tech, located in the heart of Atlanta, offers a wide range of student activities. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, an NCAA Division I team, compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference and have a fierce rivalry with the University of Georgia. Since 1961, the football team has been led onto the
University of California–Irvine
Irvine, CA
#35 inNational Universities (tie)
9 user reviews
The University of California—Irvine, a research institution in Orange County, specializes in areas such as cancer and neuroscience studies in conjunction with the highly ranked UC Irvine Medical Center. Graduate programs are highly regarded at UC—Irvine, too, with specialty offerings at the Paul Merage School
University of California–San Diego
La Jolla, CA
#35 inNational Universities (tie)
8 user reviews
The University of California—San Diego lies alongside the Pacific Ocean in the La Jolla community of San Diego. The UCSD Tritons compete in more than 20 NCAA Division II sports, mainly in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. The school has hundreds of student organizations, and the
University of California–Davis
Davis, CA
#39 inNational Universities (tie)
14 user reviews
The University of California—Davis, one of 10 schools in the University of California system, was originally established as a farm school for UC – Berkeley. Located just 15 miles from Sacramento, UC Davis’ campus contains an airport, fire department and a collection of outdoor sculptures called
William & Mary
Williamsburg, VA
#39 inNational Universities (tie)
15 user reviews
William & Mary, located in Williamsburg, Virginia, is the second oldest college in the U.S. King William III and Queen Mary II of England founded the school in 1693. The university has more than 30 undergraduate programs and more than 10 graduate and professional degree programs. Its highly ranked
Tulane University
New Orleans, LA
#41 inNational Universities (tie)
11 user reviews
Tulane University, located in New Orleans, is divided between the main uptown campus and a downtown campus, which is the center for health science programs. The school has a well-regarded law school, and its School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine is the only specialty school of its kind in the U.S.
Boston University
Boston, MA
#42 inNational Universities (tie)
14 user reviews
Boston University is one of the largest independent, nonprofit universities in the country. The BU Terriers have more than 20 NCAA Division I varsity sports. BU’s hockey team has won multiple NCAA national championships. BU also has nearly 500 student clubs, ranging from Ski Racing to the Juggling
Brandeis University
Waltham, MA
#42 inNational Universities (tie)
12 user reviews
Brandeis University is located in Waltham, Mass., just nine miles west of Boston. Students are guaranteed housing for their first four semesters. In addition to studentz
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH
#42 inNational Universities (tie)
5 user reviews
Case Western Reserve University is known for its world class research, but with more than 200 student organizations, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX
#42 inNational Universities (tie)
14 user reviews
The University of Texas at Austin is one of the largest schools in the nation. It’s divided into 13 schools and colleges, the biggest of which is the College of Liberal Arts. It also
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Madison, WI
#42 inNational Universities (tie)
11 user reviews
The University of Wisconsin—Madison lies along the southern shore of Lake Mendota in the city of Madison. The Wisconsin Badgers compete in more than 20 NCAA Division I
University of Georgia
Athens, GA
#47 inNational Universities (tie)
17 user reviews
At its founding, The University of Georgia made history as the first public, state-supported college in America. These days, the school is known for its vibrant student
University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL
#47 inNational Universities (tie)
15 user reviews
The University of Illinois is located in the twin cities of Urbana and Champaign in east-central Illinois, only a few hours from Chicago, Indianapolis and St. Louis. The
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA
#49 inNational Universities (tie)
12 user reviews
Lehigh University is located in Bethlehem, Pa., 50 miles north of Philadelphia and 75 miles west of New York City. The Lehigh Mountain Hawks are members of the Patriot
Northeastern University
Boston, MA
#49 inNational Universities (tie)
29 user reviews
At Northeastern University, students gain substantial work experience before receiving their diplomas. More than 90 percent of Northeastern undergraduates complete at
Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA
#49 inNational Universities (tie)
12 user reviews
Squeezed in among the Santa Monica Mountain foothills, Pepperdine University is a Christian college known for its picturesque location in Malibu, Calif. The school upholds
15 user reviews
Located in Southern Florida, the University of Miami has an ideal location for students who love the outdoors. With popular spots like South Beach, the Florida Keys and
17 user reviews
OSU offers more than 200 undergraduate majors, as well as a Personalized Study Program where students can design a nontraditional education. The university also
21 user reviews
Purdue University’s West Lafayette, Indiana, campus is the main campus in the Purdue University system, which encompasses four other campuses throughout the state. About
21 user reviews
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute was founded on the principles of bringing science to everyday life, and that ethos is still prevalent today. About a quarter of students are involved in Greek L.I.F.E., as the fraternity
10 user reviews
Santa Clara University is located in the Silicon Valley town of Santa Clara, California, about an hour from San Francisco. The university offers arts and entertainment programs at the Center of Performing Arts and the de
9 user reviews
Named for the Spanish Augustinian St. Thomas of Villanova, the university is still affiliated with the Augustinian Order. Located just outside Philadelphia, Villanova has six colleges, four of which serve
23 user reviews
At Florida State University, a public school in Tallahassee, students have more than 600 organizations to consider joining. The Florida State Seminoles sports teams compete in the NCAA Division
10 user reviews
Few schools are associated with a color as strongly as Syracuse University. A brilliant shade of orange is tied into campus life, manifesting itself in student media outlets such as The Daily Orange, the student-run
6 user reviews
Located between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, the University of Maryland offers students a suburban lifestyle within easy reach of big-city experiences. The flagship campus in College Park, which has its own
13 user reviews
Located in the Oakland neighborhood, Pitt’s campus is a 3-mile trip from bustling downtown Pittsburgh. The city is home to powerhouse professional sports teams, such as the Steelers and Penguins, and dozens of
4 user reviews
Located north of downtown Seattle, the University of Washington is one of the oldest public universities on the West Coast. It is also a cutting-edge research institution, receiving significant yearly federal funding,
23 user reviews
There is rarely a dull moment on the Pennsylvania State University—University Park campus, also known as Happy Valley. With around more than 1,000 clubs and organizations, there are broad opportunities to get
23 user reviews
There is rarely a dull moment on the Pennsylvania State University—University Park campus, also known as Happy Valley. With around more than 1,000 clubs and organizations, there are broad opportunities to get
4 user reviews
The University of Connecticut, located in Storrs, was originally known as the Storrs Agricultural School — a fitting name for an institution surrounded by farmland. Storrs is a sleepy town about a 30-minute drive from
9 user reviews
At Fordham University, “New York is [your] campus” as the school’s website says. With campuses throughout New York City, students live and learn in the thick of an urban experience. The school’s original Bronx campus,
12 user reviews
George Washington University’s urban location in downtown Washington, D.C., is ideal for fans of politics and city life. The school is spread out across the D.C. Foggy Bottom neighborhood, near the State
6 user reviews
Loyola Marymount University—the largest Catholic university on the West Coast—is located in Los Angeles. LMU provides housing to more than 3,000 students in its residence halls, apartments, and
6 user reviews
Despite its name, this private university in Dallas is nonsectarian in its teaching. The school was founded by what became the United Methodist Church in 1911, but it is now home to students of many religious
10 user reviews
Ready to be an Aggie? All students assume the nickname at Texas A&M, an academic and athletic powerhouse in central Texas. Once an all men’s school called the Agricultural and Mechanical College – now
14 user reviews
Students at the University of Massachusetts—Amherst can choose from more than 100 majors or can design their own. The school’s University Without Walls program offers flexible course schedules for adult
3 user reviews
The University of Minnesota stretches across a major city – or two, to be exact. Minneapolis and St. Paul, known as the Twin Cities, are frequently recognized for sports, cleanliness and volunteerism. The school has a
6 user reviews
Among the 10 colleges located in Worcester, Mass., Worcester Polytechnic Institute stands out as a close-knit private school grounded in scientific education. The
8 user reviews
Clemson University is a land-grant institution that conducts research for the betterment of the community. Students and faculty are involved in projects ranging
9 user reviews
Virginia Tech, a former military technical institute in Blacksburg, encourages students to “invent the future.” It is a research powerhouse, with seven research
4 user reviews
Students at American University benefit from the school’s location in the political hub of the nation. Washington, D.C., is a playground for the politically and socially
16 user reviews
The student community at Baylor University is bound together largely by religion and service. The Waco, Texas, school is a private, Baptist institution, and its student
13 user reviews
No one quite knows what a “Hoosier” is, but a murky definition does not stop students at Indiana University— Bloomington from fiercely identifying with the term.
13 user reviews
No one quite knows what a “Hoosier” is, but a murky definition does not stop students at Indiana University— Bloomington from fiercely identifying with the term.
20 user reviews
Student life centers on religion and responsibility at Brigham Young University—Provo, a school founded and supported by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
4 user reviews
Gonzaga University is a private, Roman Catholic institution that is open to students of all faiths. Residing along the Spokane River, it is less than half a mile to
32 user reviews
Howard University is a historically black college located in Washington, D.C. Despite its urban setting, students are permitted to bring cars to campus – though
7 user reviews
Michigan State University was the first land-grant institution in the country and became a model for similar schools. Michigan State is also home to one of the
6 user reviews
North Carolina State University, known as NC State for short, is the largest four-year college in the state. Students have more than 100 degree programs and more than
2 user reviews
Innovation and entrepreneurship is stressed at Stevens Institute of Technology, a research-intensive school primarily known for its engineering, science and
4 user reviews
Texas Christian University is the biggest religious university associated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and is open to students of any faith. There are
10 user reviews
The University of Denver, known as DU, has a women’s college that female students can opt to enroll in courses. The university is also home to the well-regarded Sturm
19 user reviews
Outdoor recreation abounds in the southeastern New York location of Binghamton University. Despite its name, the university is actually located in Vestal, N.Y., a
4 user reviews
For students who want to work in the sciences, opportunities abound at the Colorado School of Mines. A public engineering and applied sciences school in
15 user reviews
Elon University is located in Elon, N.C., between Greensboro and the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill triangle. With more than 240 clubs and organizations, there are
8 user reviews
Marquette University, a private Catholic, Jesuit school, is in walking distance of downtown Milwaukee, a city known for its restaurants, zoo and athletics. The
7 user reviews
Stony Brook University is one of 64 schools in the State University of New York (SUNY) system. Located on the North Shore of Long Island, the university is
10 user reviews
Founded in 1846, University at Buffalo–SUNY is a public institution. University at Buffalo–SUNY offers a Greek system, where 1 percent of the student body is
7 user reviews
Despite its setting in Southern California, UCR has a distinctly Scottish feel. All residence halls at the University of California—Riverside are named for landmarks in
6 user reviews
The University of Iowa offers top-notch academic programming in more than 100 areas. Students looking to hone their leadership skills have many options, too: They
2 user reviews
The University of San Diego is a Roman Catholic institution open to students of all faiths. The school overlooks Mission Bay, and downtown San Diego is about a 15-
9 user reviews
Auburn, Alabama, has been ranked one of the best places to live, and life at Auburn University can be similarly enjoyable for students. Football is a particularly big
11 user reviews
The University of Arizona offers its students a wide variety of ways to get involved, from joining the ZonaZoo cheering section at Wildcats sports games to checking
4 user reviews
Founded in 2005, University of California–Merced is a public institution.
12 user reviews
At the University of California—Santa Cruz, one of 10 schools in the state’s university system, residence life can define a student’s experience. Nearly 100