Top 25 Best Colleges in America
1 Best Colleges in America
Stanford University
4 Year
Stanford, CA
1,106
Freshman: Stanford is a beautiful, welcoming place where everyone is welcome! There is an overwhelming sense of community to be found by anyone from any background, and academics are challenging and prepare you for anything you may want to pursue after college. The atmosphere and school spirit are always lively, and it's an overall great place to be.
Read 1,106 Reviews
A+Overall Niche Grade
5% Acceptance Rate
$16,695 Net Price
1380-1580 SAT Range
2 Best Colleges in America
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
4 Year
Cambridge, MA
593
There were some crucial facts about MIT which made me apply to it. Here are they:
1. My first choice is chemical engineering and I always adored to conduct researches in laboratories. Therefore, when I applied to colleges, first of all, I looked if they have good undergraduate research opportunities. In MIT with the help UROP, I could start researching even from the freshman class.
2. Its pass no record style of educating freshmen. There is no grading in the first semester. Instead, one gets "Pass" or "Fail" in his or her transcript. It allows students not to stress too much about grades, but explore the university and majors.
3. Of course, it is the best university in the field of chemical engineering. Top notch professors, smart peers, and the best laboratories make MIT unique.
4. It's financially available for all international students. MIT's need-blind policy makes it affordable for all who want to attend it.
A+Overall Niche Grade
8% Acceptance Rate
$21,576 Net Price
1460-1590 SAT Range
3 Best Colleges in America
Harvard University
4 Year
Cambridge, MA
631
Alum: Harvard University offers the most incredible experience for its students. From the rich history to the esteemed faculty to the vibrant atmosphere of Harvard Square, it is truly one of a kind and inspiring. During my time at Harvard, I got to dance to Gangnam Style with Psy, read a Gutenberg Bible, study and work under my hero, perform fMRIs, and eat brunch in what is essentially the Great Hall of Hogwarts. I cannot begin to tell you the opportunities available here nor what you will learn from working and studying alongside people from all over the world. Harvard also tries to promote diversity further by offering a needs-blind application process and a financial aid package that guarantees you will not have to turn down your acceptance due to financial hardship! Harvard truly takes care of its students, giving them every opportunity imaginable and giving them an experience they will never forget.
A+Overall Niche Grade
5% Acceptance Rate
$16,205 Net Price
1430-1600 SAT Range
4 Best Colleges in America
Yale University
4 Year
New Haven, CT
925
Works Here: Yale is a highly diverse university with exceptionally friendly and helpful faculty, staff, and students. The food is beyond exceptional, taking sustainability, food waste, health, and nutrition in mind when it comes to every dish. I'm always learning new things each time I step foot on campus. I can't say enough about this place!
A+Overall Niche Grade
6% Acceptance Rate
$18,319 Net Price
1420-1600 SAT Range
5 Best Colleges in America
Rice University
4 Year
Houston, TX
986
Sophomore: Rice is incredible. The people are so friendly and collaborative, and the residential college system gives you an automatic support system and built-in friends/family. While people are smart, the atmosphere is close-knit and not cutthroat, which I've come to realize is hugely important when I hear my friends at other top universities talk about the pressure and competition they suffer through. The academics aren't easy- especially the STEM programs, which are structured to be some of the most rigorous in the country, but that's why we have such a good reputation and ease with post-graduation placements. Compared to other colleges, there's a lot of freedom with social life/partying and distribution requirements. Overall, the campus is beautiful and quality of life (dorms/food/area) very high. I love Rice and wouldn't go anywhere else!
A+Overall Niche Grade
15% Acceptance Rate
$22,061 Net Price
1410-1570 SAT Range
6 Best Colleges in America
Princeton University
4 Year
Princeton, NJ
386
Freshman: In my experience, which has only been one semester, Princeton is a wonderful place. It has comfortable dorms, beautiful study spaces, delicious food and amazing professors. I am pursuing a BA degree rather than a BSE, and I was able to take a wide range of classes that I enjoyed. There are endless opportunities for extracurricular. It is, however, a stressful environment depending on how many things you decide to take on, in addition to the pressure of going to such a prestigious institution with students that have the same goals of achievement.
Read 386 Reviews
A+Overall Niche Grade
7% Acceptance Rate
$17,732 Net Price
1400-1590 SAT Range
7 Best Colleges in America
University of Pennsylvania
4 Year
Philadelphia, PA
1,124
Senior: I loved the academics. The academics were challenging, and I had to grow comfortable with not getting A's like I did in high school. The professors were very engaged and wanted to see their students do well. I was also a varsity athlete and found the facilities to be amazing! I joined Greek life and found it to be very rewarding. The greek life at Penn is much more laid back than some other schools. I had work study jobs throughout my time at Penn, which I found enabled me to get a handle on the work world while also pursuing my studies and academics.
Read 1,124 Reviews
A+Overall Niche Grade
9% Acceptance Rate
$22,944 Net Price
1380-1570 SAT Range
8 Best Colleges in America
Brown University
4 Year
Providence, RI
925
Sophomore: Brown University is an amazing place to go for undergrad. There's simply nowhere else that I'd rather spend four years learning and growing as a person. The open curriculum allows for lots of exploration and risk-taking in the classroom, and this culture bleeds into student life as well. The environment here is very relaxed and collaborative, and the students here are kind, accepting, and fun. And coming from a SoCal kid, the weather isn't even that bad! I've only been at Brown for one year, but I'm so glad I made the choice to come here when I was deciding between colleges last April.
A+Overall Niche Grade
9% Acceptance Rate
$25,264 Net Price
1370-1570 SAT Range
8 Best Colleges in America
Bowdoin College
4 Year
Brunswick, ME
649
The fact that Bowdoin is a small, liberal arts college. I am someone who thrives in close teacher-student relationships, and Bowdoin provides me with such an opportunity. Further, the College's emphasizes on career development is really important. For instance, Bowdoin displays fashion shows among students and faculty to learn "what to wear and what not to wear for an interview." Further, even though Bowdoin does not have a Journalism program, they do have an English major, and also the opportunity to create one's own program/major.
A+Overall Niche Grade
15% Acceptance Rate
$24,888 Net Price
1360-1510 SAT Range
10 Best Colleges in America
California Institute of Technology
4 Year
Pasadena, CA
105
Freshman: As a freshman in the second term, the experience here has been pretty positive. The coursework is definitely challenging, but it keeps me motivated to pursue higher goals. I am extremely grateful for finding such a like-minded community of scholars who are supportive and caring.
Read 105 Reviews
A+Overall Niche Grade
8% Acceptance Rate
$26,839 Net Price
1510-1600 SAT Range
11 Best Colleges in America
Columbia University
4 Year
New York, NY
1,099
Alum: I have found my experience at Columbia to have been one of endless discovery. In this review, I will focus on the Core Curriculum, which all students in the College and the School of Engineering take in one way or another. Although there is a valid claim to the antiquity of the texts themselves, Columbia's teaching and discursive methodology are second-to-none. The way I see it, there is universal value in being well-read; it is a prerequisite for engaging with the world in meaningful terms outside of what one might experience through their personal spheres. Even those who may oppose aspects of the Core -- as I have at times -- have plenty of options to respond creatively. The curriculum may appear rigid at first, but as Columbia teaches us, knowledge at face-value is nothing gained. The Core Curriculum was the most flexible aspect of my education because there was always the lingering question of how I would bend it towards my will in hopes of doing good for this world.
A+Overall Niche Grade
7% Acceptance Rate
$22,973 Net Price
1410-1590 SAT Range
12 Best Colleges in America
Duke University
4 Year
Durham, NC
1,023
Freshman: If you aren't entirely decided on what you want to study, or want to combine two fields that don't seem to fit, Duke is the best school available to you. The flexible pathway through Duke is one of its best features, and it guarantees there's something academic for nearly everyone here. Not to mention everything that goes on outside of academics. Whether you're a performance artist, coder, engineer, service-learner, researcher, intense athlete, or a just for fun one, there's a place for you here. If you're anything at all, and looking to challenge yourself, then come to Duke!
Read 1,023 Reviews
A+Overall Niche Grade
11% Acceptance Rate
$19,950 Net Price
1380-1570 SAT Range
13 Best Colleges in America
Vanderbilt University
4 Year
Nashville, TN
1,172
Sophomore: Vanderbilt is an excellent place to continue your education. It is easy to find your place at this school because the environment is amazingly friendly and welcoming. Greek life is huge here and many people get involved. The weather is usually mild and the faculty is great. The food is ranked in the country, and as a sophomore, I still enjoy it. Anchor Down! This school is not without flaws, however. The campus is pretty divided racially. There is no malice, but it is clear that intermingling between races only truly occurs in the classroom. That is one thing this school could improve.
A+Overall Niche Grade
11% Acceptance Rate
$23,150 Net Price
1420-1590 SAT Range
14 Best Colleges in America
Washington University in St. Louis
4 Year
Saint Louis, MO
1,348
Graduate Student: First and foremost everyone is committed to ensuring that the students receive all the support to achieve their goals. The case-based studying for the MBA's helps students to deal with real issues that happen in the workplace. This helps you as a student to gain the skills and confidence address issues facing firms today.
There is also a great opportunity to network and build lasting professional and personal relationships. In a world where relationships are the only currency that has no diminishing returns, it's a privilege to find an institution that has an ongoing and organized way to network and build lasting relationships.
At Washu, you learn how to work in teams. Everyone spends the first year of school working in a group of not less than five people.
Lastly WashU has-the Saturday program that allows working students to attend classes on Saturdays which helps them to spend less time in school and still manage to work and start families for those willing to do so.
A+Overall Niche Grade
17% Acceptance Rate
$28,824 Net Price
1400-1570 SAT Range
15 Best Colleges in America
Dartmouth College
4 Year
Hanover, NH
663
Freshman: Dartmouth is simply wonderful. It has such a wonderfully cozy and collaborative atmosphere, which combined with the unparalleled focus on undergraduate students makes it the best college there is. The only thing people should be aware of is that there will be a large number of wealthy students, so be prepared to face some new socioeconomic diversity. Overall, it is such a safe and fun college set in a beautiful part of the country!
Read 663 Reviews
A+Overall Niche Grade
11% Acceptance Rate
$21,177 Net Price
1350-1560 SAT Range
16 Best Colleges in America
University of Notre Dame
4 Year
Notre Dame, IN
1,235
Alum: Notre Dame is an amazing place to get a high-quality education with a great reputation and close-knit community feel with fun and spirited student life. It’s not necessary to be Catholic and people who aren’t religious at all won’t feel excluded, but it is especially amazing for people who are religious. I myself am not very religious but was raised in the faith and do appreciate it, so I enjoyed being around it and taking the required Theology and Philosophy courses. Everyone is extremely nice and collaborative! Very smart people here and caring professors. Single-sex dorms is a negative as well as fewer opportunities for medical professions, as there is no hospital or medical focus here. I would say it’s best for business, engineering, or liberal arts. Although science is still good here and people get into great grad programs no matter what they want to continue studying!
A+Overall Niche Grade
19% Acceptance Rate
$26,683 Net Price
1350-1540 SAT Range
17 Best Colleges in America
University of Chicago
4 Year
Chicago, IL
1,119
College Sophomore: My experience at UChicago so far has been wonderful! There is such a variety of courses to choose from, and so many interesting majors are available. All of the courses are respectable and worth taking. The professors and TA's are all very experienced in their fields, and are very passionate about what they're teaching. The Core classes are usually taught in lecture halls, but also have classes periods that are broken up into smaller groups (during discussion). Other classes can have as few as five students, like my Yucatec Maya class, which allows students to have awesome conversations with their professors and TA's.
A+Overall Niche Grade
8% Acceptance Rate
$31,068 Net Price
1450-1600 SAT Range
18 Best Colleges in America
Pomona College
4 Year
Claremont, CA
353
Alum: Pomona is amazing. The student body is diverse, talented, intellectually engaged & brilliant.
The professors are even better. After Pomona, I studied at Columbia University and the University of California at Berkeley earning a Ph.D. and two Masters degrees along the way. Still, my classes at Pomona blew all the other ones through the roof.
Beautiful campus, great weather, fun and philosophizing -- at the library, the dorms or the keg party.
And I haven't even gotten to Ski-Beach Day yet!
A+Overall Niche Grade
9% Acceptance Rate
$18,140 Net Price
1340-1540 SAT Range
19 Best Colleges in America
University of Southern California
4 Year
Los Angeles, CA
3,398
Sophomore: I love attending the University of Southern California! The school has high caliber academics, a competitive yet fun environment for students of all majors, and a gorgeous campus. USC is a bit expensive however, hardworking students can come in with large scholarships to defray this cost. I definitely think that this experience is worth the cost of living and expenses out here and will truly pay off in the end. I have definitely met lifelong friends and have made unforgettable memories throughout my time here!
Read 3,398 Reviews
A+Overall Niche Grade
17% Acceptance Rate
$32,932 Net Price
1280-1500 SAT Range
20 Best Colleges in America
Cornell University
4 Year
Ithaca, NY
1,753
Alum: Below are 3 things I consider Cornell as a great investment.
1. reputation
Every people, including people at work, recognizes me as a "smart Cornell girl"
2. Food
Food in Cornell is very delicious. It is just like a buffet! Compared to all other school cafeterias I have visited, I think Cornell has one of the best campus foods in the United States.
3. Friends / Networks
Of course, friends and networks are the most important above all. Because it is a private Ivy-league school, all smart and mostly above middle-class students gather around school networks, which I assume will be very powerful for a future career.
A+Overall Niche Grade
14% Acceptance Rate
$30,014 Net Price
1330-1530 SAT Range
21 Best Colleges in America
Northwestern University
4 Year
Evanston, IL
1,268
Alum: I attended Northwestern because of the music program and the professor I would be working with. My professor was amazing, and so was the music program as a whole. I was able to pursue a double major with an outside field, and while it was difficult and busy, the administration helped me every quarter by allowing me to take extra classes to finish on time. The campus is beautiful, but there is always construction. It is not a huge party school, but there are parties and lots of other ways to have fun. I loved the proximity to Chicago and the public transit system. Overall, I liked the student body. There was a general hard work ethic, and though my majors weren't particularly competitive, I know there were some that were fairly cut-throat. The mental health services can be improved upon, but I felt that NU was a very accepting, diverse, and progressive school overall. Financial aid was great, and getting better!
A+Overall Niche Grade
11% Acceptance Rate
$29,326 Net Price
1400-1560 SAT Range
22 Best Colleges in America
Tufts University
4 Year
Medford, MA
869
Freshman: Tufts is an amazing school! The intellectual environment is extremely is stimulative. The Professors are very passionate about what they teach and are open to helping any of their students. The food is good too! Students are generally friendly depending on the crowd you hang out with. The political environment is one of liberalism. I love this school and would attend it again when given the chance. There is diversity in terms of the many people from different backgrounds and categories. The surrounding area is beautiful! The school is not called the "Light on the Hill" for no reason
A+Overall Niche Grade
14% Acceptance Rate
$28,076 Net Price
1370-1520 SAT Range
23 Best Colleges in America
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
4 Year
Ann Arbor, MI
3,864
Alum: The University of Michigan's motto is "Leaders and Best" and that's exactly what this school provides and produces. It provides the best professors, courses and college experiences and produces innovative leaders. My experience at this institution allowed for academic and personal growth, which has embedded quite a zealous spirit within me, especially in regard to the achievement of my future aspirations. I can't thank this school enough. To conclude, I recommend the University of Michigan to anyone willing to work hard, expand their mind and anyone who wishes to fulfill their dreams!
Read 3,864 Reviews
A+Overall Niche Grade
29% Acceptance Rate
$16,107 Net Price
1310-1500 SAT Range
24 Best Colleges in America
Georgetown University
4 Year
Washington, DC
1,082
Graduate Student: My overall experience at Georgetown has been positive given the rigorous curriculum and high standards of academic performance have provided a stimulating learning environment. This said, I believe Georgetown could really stand to encourage more critical thinking and adopt strategies to make its student and faculty bodies more diverse because many classrooms have tended to resemble echo chambers at times. Less significantly but still important: I think the amenities and prepared food options available on and around campus are really lacking. What is available is not affordable and the majority of these options are not catered to those who are health conscious.
A+Overall Niche Grade
17% Acceptance Rate
$26,625 Net Price
1320-1520 SAT Range
25 Best Colleges in America
Carleton College
4 Year
Northfield, MN
470
Freshman: Love everything about Carleton! The surrounding area is very safe because it's right next to a small town, and the professors are so knowledgeable in what they teach. Plus, they're available whenever you need them.
A+Overall Niche Grade
23% Acceptance Rate
$28,587 Net Price
1320-1540 SAT Range
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