50 Best Research Universities for Undergrads of 2021

Interested in attending a STEM school? Our ranking of top research universities for bachelor’s degrees displays schools that will best prepare you for STEM careers.

By AI Staff

A research university is a great option for students interested in obtaining STEM degrees. Such students benefit from engaging in experimental inquiry, exploring cutting-edge technologies, and pursuing innovation in a rich and dynamic campus atmosphere. The top research universities give students a chance to work closely with influential professors and choose from a wide range of well-funded degree programs and research opportunities.

What is a research university?

A research university is any university that invests heavily in research, and which consequently provides meaningful and extensive opportunities for its students and faculty to participate in research. The best research universities are classified into different tiers based on their quantifiable commitment to research activities. This tiered ranking is called the Carnegie Classification. This is where terms like R1 university and tier one university come from.

The following list of research universities is composed of both private and public schools. We’ve identified 394 research universities in the US. Of those, there are 209 public research universities and 185 private research universities in the US. In order to be included in this list of best research universities, a school needs to satisfy the following three conditions:

It must be a fully accredited university.
It must offer doctoral degrees across the range of STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).
It must report high levels of research activity based upon the number of research and/or practice doctorates awarded each year.

How do we determine research universities are the best?

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why, at the undergraduate level, we rank the best colleges and universities based on what we call Concentrated Influence. Concentrated Influence takes the combined influence score of a college or university’s top academic influencers (including faculty and alums) and divides it by the school’s total number of undergraduates.

Using concentrated influence gives small and mid-sized schools an opportunity to shine by taking away the size advantage of larger universities. A small school with proportionately more influential faculty than a large school, whose influence in absolute terms may be bigger, will nonetheless score higher in a concentrated influence ranking. Our approach highlights undergraduate schools that truly rank for excellence, regardless of size.

If you are serious about finding the best colleges and universities for a bachelor’s degree, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching and whether their graduates are themselves advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence.

Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Concentrated Influence provides a ranking that is free from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

Find out more about our ranking methodology here.

The best undergrad research schools in the US!– @AcademicInflux
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The Best Research Universities for Undergrads in the US

#1
California Institute of Technology
#27 institution's overall influence
#9 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$52K
Acceptance
7%
Graduation
94%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1555/35
Pasadena, CA
View profile
What is California Institute of Technology known for?
California Institute of Technology is most influential in:
Chemistry
Physics
Earth Sciences
Engineering
Biology
Computer Science
Mathematics
Economics
History
Philosophy
#2
Harvard University
#1 institution's overall influence
#2 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$50K
Acceptance
5%
Graduation
97%
Student body
25K
Median SAT/ACT
1520/34
Cambridge, MA
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What is Harvard University known for?
Harvard University is most influential in:
Biology
Literature
Law
Business
Economics
Education
Religious Studies
Philosophy
History
Psychology
#3
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
#9 institution's overall influence
#3 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$52K
Acceptance
7%
Graduation
93%
Student body
14K
Median SAT/ACT
1535/35
Cambridge, MA
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What is Massachusetts Institute of Technology known for?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is most influential in:
Engineering
Computer Science
Chemistry
Economics
Physics
Business
Earth Sciences
Communications
Mathematics
Biology
#4
Stanford University
#10 institution's overall influence
#1 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$51K
Acceptance
4%
Graduation
94%
Student body
14K
Median SAT/ACT
1495/33
Stanford, CA
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What is Stanford University known for?
Stanford University is most influential in:
Computer Science
Earth Sciences
Engineering
Business
Communications
Biology
Education
Mathematics
Psychology
Economics
#5
University of Chicago
#5 institution's overall influence
#8 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$57K
Acceptance
7%
Graduation
94%
Student body
12K
Median SAT/ACT
1520/34
Chicago, IL
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What is University of Chicago known for?
University of Chicago is most influential in:
Economics
Religious Studies
Sociology
Anthropology
Philosophy
Political Science
Psychology
Social Work
Criminal Justice
Biology
#6
Princeton University
#8 institution's overall influence
#5 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$50K
Acceptance
5%
Graduation
97%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
1505/33
Princeton, NJ
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What is Princeton University known for?
Princeton University is most influential in:
Physics
Mathematics
Philosophy
History
Economics
Engineering
Earth Sciences
Literature
Computer Science
Religious Studies
#7
Columbia University
#3 institution's overall influence
#6 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$53K
Acceptance
6%
Graduation
95%
Student body
28K
Median SAT/ACT
1505/34
New York, NY
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What is Columbia University known for?
Columbia University is most influential in:
Anthropology
Social Work
Nursing
Literature
Communications
Law
Business
Education
History
Philosophy
#8
Yale University
#7 institution's overall influence
#4 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$53K
Acceptance
6%
Graduation
98%
Student body
15K
Median SAT/ACT
1515/34
New Haven, CT
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What is Yale University known for?
Yale University is most influential in:
Literature
Law
Religious Studies
History
Nursing
Anthropology
Psychology
Political Science
Medical
Sociology
#9
Johns Hopkins University
#20 institution's overall influence
#21 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$54K
Acceptance
11%
Graduation
92%
Student body
24K
Median SAT/ACT
1505/34
Baltimore, MD
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What is Johns Hopkins University known for?
Johns Hopkins University is most influential in:
Medical
Nursing
Biology
Physics
Chemistry
Philosophy
Sociology
Economics
Education
Psychology
#10
Duke University
#31 institution's overall influence
#12 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$56K
Acceptance
9%
Graduation
95%
Student body
15K
Median SAT/ACT
1510/34
Durham, NC
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What is Duke University known for?
Duke University is most influential in:
Religious Studies
Nursing
Earth Sciences
Medical
Political Science
Psychology
Law
Philosophy
Biology
Business
#11
Northwestern University
#28 institution's overall influence
#24 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$55K
Acceptance
8%
Graduation
94%
Student body
19K
Median SAT/ACT
1490/34
Evanston, IL
View profile
What is Northwestern University known for?
Northwestern University is most influential in:
Sociology
Communications
Business
Anthropology
Economics
Medical
Political Science
Chemistry
Philosophy
Law
#12
Rice University
#90 institution's overall influence
#15 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$47K
Acceptance
11%
Graduation
93%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
1505/34
Houston, TX
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What is Rice University known for?
Rice University is most influential in:
Physics
Earth Sciences
Chemistry
Mathematics
Computer Science
Engineering
Biology
Economics
Religious Studies
Philosophy
#13
Carnegie Mellon University
#46 institution's overall influence
#35 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$55K
Acceptance
17%
Graduation
90%
Student body
16K
Median SAT/ACT
1500/34
Pittsburgh, PA
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What is Carnegie Mellon University known for?
Carnegie Mellon University is most influential in:
Computer Science
Engineering
Business
Economics
Chemistry
Mathematics
Psychology
Physics
Sociology
Biology
#14
Cornell University
#14 institution's overall influence
#14 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$55K
Acceptance
11%
Graduation
94%
Student body
24K
Median SAT/ACT
1465/33
Ithaca, NY
View profile
What is Cornell University known for?
Cornell University is most influential in:
Engineering
Physics
Anthropology
Biology
Literature
Computer Science
Medical
Mathematics
Psychology
Chemistry
#15
University of Pennsylvania
#17 institution's overall influence
#10 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$56K
Acceptance
8%
Graduation
95%
Student body
27K
Median SAT/ACT
1485/33
Philadelphia, PA
View profile
What is University of Pennsylvania known for?
University of Pennsylvania is most influential in:
Medical
Nursing
Social Work
Business
Anthropology
Psychology
Sociology
Literature
Communications
Law
#16
Brown University
#36 institution's overall influence
#7 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$55K
Acceptance
8%
Graduation
96%
Student body
9K
Median SAT/ACT
1485/33
Providence, RI
View profile
What is Brown University known for?
Brown University is most influential in:
Literature
Computer Science
Education
Mathematics
History
Business
Political Science
Biology
Communications
Economics
#17
Brandeis University
#86 institution's overall influence
#167 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$55K
Acceptance
31%
Graduation
90%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
1390/31
Waltham, MA
View profile
What is Brandeis University known for?
Brandeis University is most influential in:
Psychology
Philosophy
Sociology
Anthropology
Mathematics
Biology
Literature
Political Science
Computer Science
Physics
#18
University of California, Berkeley
#6 institution's overall influence
#29 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$14K
Acceptance
15%
Graduation
92%
Student body
41K
Median SAT/ACT
1425/33
Berkeley, CA
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What is University of California, Berkeley known for?
University of California, Berkeley is most influential in:
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Mathematics
Earth Sciences
Engineering
Computer Science
Sociology
Anthropology
Philosophy
#19
Dartmouth College
#55 institution's overall influence
#11 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$55K
Acceptance
9%
Graduation
97%
Student body
6K
Median SAT/ACT
1490/33
Hanover, NH
View profile
What is Dartmouth College known for?
Dartmouth College is most influential in:
Computer Science
Medical
Literature
Earth Sciences
History
Economics
Chemistry
Political Science
Engineering
Mathematics
#20
Georgetown University
#70 institution's overall influence
#19 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$54K
Acceptance
15%
Graduation
94%
Student body
14K
Median SAT/ACT
1450/32
Washington, DC
View profile
What is Georgetown University known for?
Georgetown University is most influential in:
Nursing
Law
Political Science
Communications
Business
Religious Studies
Education
Economics
Medical
Criminal Justice
#21
Tufts University
#69 institution's overall influence
#25 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$56K
Acceptance
15%
Graduation
92%
Student body
11K
Median SAT/ACT
1455/32
Medford, MA
View profile
What is Tufts University known for?
Tufts University is most influential in:
Political Science
Medical
Biology
Engineering
Economics
Law
Philosophy
Computer Science
Business
Communications
#22
Yeshiva University
#212 institution's overall influence
#136 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$44K
Acceptance
60%
Graduation
82%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1270/26
New York, NY
View profile
What is Yeshiva University known for?
Yeshiva University is most influential in:
Medical
Religious Studies
Social Work
Law
Physics
Biology
Philosophy
Mathematics
Psychology
Education
#23
New York University
#16 institution's overall influence
#44 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$52K
Acceptance
20%
Graduation
85%
Student body
47K
Median SAT/ACT
1410/31
New York, NY
View profile
What is New York University known for?
New York University is most influential in:
Literature
Medical
Business
Social Work
Law
Education
History
Philosophy
Nursing
Communications
#24
Washington University in St. Louis
#61 institution's overall influence
#20 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$53K
Acceptance
15%
Graduation
94%
Student body
12K
Median SAT/ACT
1520/33
Saint Louis, MO
View profile
What is Washington University in St. Louis known for?
Washington University in St. Louis is most influential in:
Social Work
Medical
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Anthropology
Political Science
Business
Economics
Engineering
#25
Vanderbilt University
#115 institution's overall influence
#16 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$50K
Acceptance
10%
Graduation
92%
Student body
11K
Median SAT/ACT
1505/34
Nashville, TN
View profile
What is Vanderbilt University known for?
Vanderbilt University is most influential in:
Nursing
Medical
Religious Studies
Business
Education
Economics
Biology
Political Science
Mathematics
Computer Science
#26
George Washington University
#62 institution's overall influence
#76 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$53K
Acceptance
42%
Graduation
84%
Student body
21K
Median SAT/ACT
1370/30
Washington, DC
View profile
What is George Washington University known for?
George Washington University is most influential in:
Nursing
Law
Communications
Business
Political Science
Medical
Education
Religious Studies
Criminal Justice
Engineering
#27
University of Michigan
#15 institution's overall influence
#37 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$16K
Acceptance
23%
Graduation
91%
Student body
42K
Median SAT/ACT
1420/32
Ann Arbor, MI
View profile
What is University of Michigan known for?
University of Michigan is most influential in:
Social Work
Psychology
Anthropology
Sociology
Engineering
Education
History
Medical
Computer Science
Mathematics
#28
The New School
#95 institution's overall influence
#1438 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$49K
Acceptance
57%
Graduation
68%
Student body
10K
Median SAT/ACT
1255/27
New York, NY
View profile
What is The New School known for?
The New School is most influential in:
Sociology
Anthropology
Literature
Philosophy
Education
History
Business
Economics
Psychology
Communications
#29
Emory University
#113 institution's overall influence
#41 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$51K
Acceptance
19%
Graduation
91%
Student body
13K
Median SAT/ACT
1435/32
Atlanta, GA
View profile
What is Emory University known for?
Emory University is most influential in:
Nursing
Religious Studies
Medical
Law
Literature
Political Science
Philosophy
Anthropology
Education
Psychology
#30
Catholic University of America
#206 institution's overall influence
#261 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$46K
Acceptance
84%
Graduation
70%
Student body
5K
Washington, DC
View profile
What is Catholic University of America known for?
Catholic University of America is most influential in:
Religious Studies
Nursing
Law
Physics
Social Work
Chemistry
Philosophy
Education
Communications
History
#31
University of Rochester
#91 institution's overall influence
#61 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$54K
Acceptance
29%
Graduation
85%
Student body
11K
Median SAT/ACT
1410/32
Rochester, NY
View profile
What is University of Rochester known for?
University of Rochester is most influential in:
Physics
Economics
Biology
Political Science
Chemistry
Medical
Mathematics
Computer Science
Psychology
Philosophy
#32
Case Western Reserve University
#134 institution's overall influence
#110 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$49K
Acceptance
29%
Graduation
82%
Student body
9K
Median SAT/ACT
1435/32
Cleveland, OH
View profile
What is Case Western Reserve University known for?
Case Western Reserve University is most influential in:
Social Work
Nursing
Computer Science
Medical
Physics
Mathematics
Engineering
Chemistry
Psychology
Business
#33
University of Southern California
#39 institution's overall influence
#30 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$56K
Acceptance
13%
Graduation
92%
Student body
37K
Median SAT/ACT
1440/32
Los Angeles, CA
View profile
What is University of Southern California known for?
University of Southern California is most influential in:
Social Work
Communications
Business
History
Engineering
Medical
Computer Science
Political Science
Education
Literature
#34
Illinois Institute of Technology
#227 institution's overall influence
#1135 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$47K
Acceptance
58%
Graduation
71%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1310/28
Chicago, IL
View profile
What is Illinois Institute of Technology known for?
Illinois Institute of Technology is most influential in:
Physics
Engineering
Mathematics
Communications
Computer Science
Economics
Chemistry
Business
Law
Biology
#35
University of Virginia
#44 institution's overall influence
#40 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$17K
Acceptance
26%
Graduation
94%
Student body
24K
Median SAT/ACT
1415/32
Charlottesville, VA
View profile
What is University of Virginia known for?
University of Virginia is most influential in:
Religious Studies
Literature
Law
Economics
History
Education
Medical
Political Science
Business
Psychology
#36
University of California, Los Angeles
#23 institution's overall influence
#31 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
14%
Graduation
91%
Student body
44K
Median SAT/ACT
1405/32
Los Angeles, CA
View profile
What is University of California, Los Angeles known for?
University of California, Los Angeles is most influential in:
History
Mathematics
Chemistry
Philosophy
Computer Science
Business
Political Science
Nursing
Economics
Earth Sciences
#37
Boston University
#37 institution's overall influence
#56 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$54K
Acceptance
22%
Graduation
87%
Student body
30K
Median SAT/ACT
1415/31
Boston, MA
View profile
What is Boston University known for?
Boston University is most influential in:
Social Work
Religious Studies
Earth Sciences
Criminal Justice
Education
Literature
Law
History
Medical
Political Science
#38
Howard University
#135 institution's overall influence
#220 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$27K
Acceptance
32%
Graduation
60%
Student body
8K
Median SAT/ACT
1212/24
Washington, DC
View profile
What is Howard University known for?
Howard University is most influential in:
Education
Social Work
Literature
Law
History
Anthropology
Political Science
Medical
Criminal Justice
Nursing
#39
University of Notre Dame
#120 institution's overall influence
#23 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$53K
Acceptance
18%
Graduation
95%
Student body
13K
Median SAT/ACT
1475/34
Notre Dame, IN
View profile
What is University of Notre Dame known for?
University of Notre Dame is most influential in:
Mathematics
Religious Studies
Philosophy
Law
Sociology
Political Science
History
Physics
Computer Science
Chemistry
#40
Clark University
#198 institution's overall influence
#469 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$46K
Acceptance
59%
Graduation
75%
Student body
3K
Worcester, MA
View profile
What is Clark University known for?
Clark University is most influential in:
Psychology
Sociology
Physics
Mathematics
Philosophy
Biology
Education
Chemistry
Political Science
History
#41
American University
#205 institution's overall influence
#113 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$48K
Acceptance
32%
Graduation
81%
Student body
11K
Median SAT/ACT
1300/29
Washington, DC
View profile
What is American University known for?
American University is most influential in:
Political Science
Communications
Law
Business
Criminal Justice
Economics
Education
Religious Studies
Sociology
Anthropology
#42
University of California, San Diego
#48 institution's overall influence
#71 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$14K
Acceptance
30%
Graduation
87%
Student body
36K
Median SAT/ACT
1365/30
La Jolla, CA
View profile
What is University of California, San Diego known for?
University of California, San Diego is most influential in:
Earth Sciences
Physics
Biology
Chemistry
Mathematics
Computer Science
Philosophy
Engineering
Medical
Psychology
#43
Pepperdine University
#476 institution's overall influence
#903 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$54K
Acceptance
36%
Graduation
87%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
1320/29
Malibu, CA
View profile
What is Pepperdine University known for?
Pepperdine University is most influential in:
Psychology
Religious Studies
Business
Political Science
Philosophy
Communications
Law
History
Economics
Biology
#44
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
#186 institution's overall influence
#1177 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$54K
Acceptance
43%
Graduation
83%
Student body
8K
Median SAT/ACT
1415/31
Troy, NY
View profile
What is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute known for?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is most influential in:
Engineering
Computer Science
Physics
Chemistry
Earth Sciences
Communications
Mathematics
Business
Biology
Economics
#45
University of Wisconsin–Madison
#25 institution's overall influence
#216 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
52%
Graduation
85%
Student body
36K
Median SAT/ACT
1365/29
Madison, WI
View profile
What is University of Wisconsin–Madison known for?
University of Wisconsin–Madison is most influential in:
Sociology
History
Chemistry
Biology
Physics
Mathematics
Psychology
Economics
Social Work
Education
#46
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
#75 institution's overall influence
#38 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
23%
Graduation
91%
Student body
25K
Median SAT/ACT
1375/31
Chapel Hill, NC
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What is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill known for?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is most influential in:
History
Law
Political Science
Business
Communications
Mathematics
Chemistry
Nursing
Religious Studies
Education
#47
William & Mary
#126 institution's overall influence
#53 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$22K
Acceptance
37%
Graduation
91%
Student body
8K
Median SAT/ACT
1400/31
Williamsburg, VA
View profile
What is William & Mary known for?
William & Mary is most influential in:
Law
History
Education
Business
Philosophy
Political Science
Religious Studies
Literature
Economics
Earth Sciences
#48
University of Washington
#42 institution's overall influence
#69 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
49%
Graduation
84%
Student body
46K
Median SAT/ACT
1340/29
Seattle, WA
View profile
What is University of Washington known for?
University of Washington is most influential in:
Nursing
Biology
Computer Science
Anthropology
Medical
Political Science
Criminal Justice
Economics
Earth Sciences
Social Work
#49
Syracuse University
#87 institution's overall influence
#1450 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$52K
Acceptance
50%
Graduation
82%
Student body
23K
Median SAT/ACT
1275/27
Syracuse, NY
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What is Syracuse University known for?
Syracuse University is most influential in:
Communications
Business
Political Science
History
Social Work
Literature
Physics
Religious Studies
Philosophy
Mathematics
#50
City College of New York
#58 institution's overall influence
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
48%
Graduation
47%
Student body
13K
New York, NY
View profile
What is City College of New York known for?
City College of New York is most influential in:
Literature
Psychology
Social Work
Physics
Law
Economics
Mathematics
Philosophy
Sociology
Communications