50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024

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We rank the best colleges or universities in the US based on the academic influence of the schools’ faculty and alumni. For undergraduate rankings, our unique perspective allows you to see smaller colleges that proportionally outperform larger universities when size advantages are reduced.

Top 10 US Colleges and Universities for Undergrads

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  1. California Institute of Technology
  2. Harvard University
  3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  4. Stanford University
  5. Princeton University
  6. University of Chicago
  7. Yale University
  8. Columbia University
  9. Carnegie Mellon University
  10. Reed College
  1. Harvard University
  2. University of California, Berkeley
  3. Columbia University
  4. University of Chicago
  5. Stanford University
  6. Yale University
  7. Princeton University
  8. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  9. University of Michigan
  10. Cornell University
  1. Hampshire College 75%
  2. Illinois Institute of Technology 66%
  3. Yeshiva University 63%
  4. Reed College 44%
  5. University of Rochester 41%
  6. Brandeis University 39%
  7. Bryn Mawr College 39%
  8. Oberlin College 34%
  9. Case Western Reserve University 30%
  10. University of Virginia 21%
  1. University of California, Berkeley 19 to 1
  2. University of California, Los Angeles 18 to 1
  3. University of Virginia 15 to 1
  4. Hampshire College 12 to 1
  5. Georgetown University 11 to 1
  6. Case Western Reserve University 11 to 1
  7. University of Michigan 11 to 1
  8. Brandeis University 10 to 1
  9. Tufts University 10 to 1
  10. Illinois Institute of Technology 10 to 1
  1. Columbia University $63,530
  2. Tufts University $63,000
  3. Vassar College $62,870
  4. Reed College $62,730
  5. Brown University $62,304
  6. University of Chicago $62,241
  7. Wesleyan University $62,049
  8. University of Pennsylvania $61,710
  9. University of Southern California $61,503
  10. Haverford College $61,210
  1. Claremont McKenna College $64,288
  2. University of Chicago $62,640
  3. Vassar College $61,940
  4. Wesleyan University $61,449
  5. Brown University $60,944
  6. University of Southern California $60,446
  7. Williams College $59,728
  8. Dartmouth College $58,953
  9. Johns Hopkins University $58,720
  10. University of Notre Dame $58,190
  1. Bowdoin College
  2. Emory University
  3. Oberlin College
  4. Vassar College
  5. Claremont McKenna College
  6. University of Virginia
  7. University of California, Los Angeles
  8. Hampshire College
  9. Illinois Institute of Technology
  10. University of Southern California
  1. Claremont McKenna College
  2. Harvey Mudd College
  3. Hampshire College
  4. Pomona College
  5. Haverford College
  6. Reed College
  7. Bowdoin College
  8. Illinois Institute of Technology
  9. Yeshiva University
  10. Barnard College
  1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology 4%
  2. Stanford University 4%
  3. Harvard University 4%
  4. Columbia University 4%
  5. California Institute of Technology 4%
  6. Princeton University 4%
  7. Yale University 5%
  8. University of Pennsylvania 6%
  9. Dartmouth College 6%
  10. University of Chicago 6%
  1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3 to 1
  2. California Institute of Technology 3 to 1
  3. Stanford University 4 to 1
  4. Yale University 4 to 1
  5. Princeton University 4 to 1
  6. Harvard University 5 to 1
  7. Carnegie Mellon University 5 to 1
  8. University of Chicago 5 to 1
  9. Columbia University 6 to 1
  10. Duke University 6 to 1
  1. University of California, Los Angeles $11,442
  2. University of California, Berkeley $11,442
  3. University of Virginia $16,547
  4. University of Michigan $16,865
  5. Yeshiva University $47,500
  6. Illinois Institute of Technology $50,490
  7. Hampshire College $52,738
  8. Rice University $52,895
  9. Case Western Reserve University $54,532
  10. Emory University $55,468
  1. University of California, Los Angeles $11,442
  2. University of California, Berkeley $11,442
  3. University of Virginia $17,674
  4. University of Michigan $24,902
  5. Illinois Institute of Technology $29,052
  6. Cornell University $29,500
  7. Oberlin College $29,692
  8. Yeshiva University $34,800
  9. New York University $35,982
  10. University of Pennsylvania $38,732

Key Takeaways

  • Earning a bachelor’s degree from one of the best colleges or universities in the US will give you an advantage over other candidates in an extremely competitive job market.
  • When choosing which college or university you want to attend, it is important to know what academic program you are interested in and if you want to study at a research university or a liberal arts college.
  • Attending one of the schools on our list will ensure that you will be taught by some of the most influential professors in the world.

Every fall, more than 2 million high-school graduates will enroll in colleges and universities across the United States. With nearly 3,000 4-year schools to choose from, finding the best college for your educational, personal, and professional goals may be challenging. The purpose of this ranking is to help you manage this challenge. We offer a new perspective of the best colleges and universities for earning a bachelor’s degree.

Our ranking of the best colleges and universities is based on the academic impact of the schools’ faculty and alumni. We believe that schools with histories of hiring and developing influential faculty, and nurturing students who become influential in their fields of study, are schools that demonstrate key indicators of academic excellence.

Featured Programs

Attention Undergrads!

Choosing the right college for an undergraduate degree is one of the toughest decisions a student makes. Where you attend college can have a lasting impact on both your professional and personal life.

Many undergraduate students choose a college based on emotions, a limited set of criteria, and sometimes, just gut feeling. Although this does not preclude students from their academic success, making a such crucial decision should be done under a higher level of scrutiny.

How to Choose the College for You

When scouting for colleges, it’s important for prospective students to consider a range of factors, like the size, location, cost, campus safety, quality of academic programs, the choice of degree programs or majors, college rankings, and other personal factors. Here are some other things to consider when you choose your college.

Accreditation: Accreditation is a quality assurance process through which a school has been vetted by an officially licensed organization, and its curriculum has been reviewed and verified to meet the basic academic standards for higher education.

Accreditation is assessed by private and nongovernmental accrediting agencies created specifically to review education programs and institutions. These agencies are recognized and reviewed by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Most schools provide this information on their website. A university or college can be nationally or regionally accredited. Within an institution, specific departments, programs, or schools can also have their sub-accreditation. This is to guarantee that your degree is recognized by employers and other institutions of higher education.

The Type of College: The National Association for College Admission Counseling lists the most popular types of colleges. Here are some that you should get to know to help you narrow down your college search.

  • Community and Junior Colleges: These are colleges that offer the first two years of liberal arts education or vocational training. After completing, you will earn an associate’s degree. Either you can look for a job after this or continue to a four-year institution.
  • Liberal Arts Colleges: Classes are generally smaller since liberal arts colleges are smaller than universities. This means, more personal attention is given to students by their college professors. Students are exposed to a general sampling of classes instead of focusing only on a specific career path. They can also choose an area of in-depth study as their course “major”.
  • Universities: These are large institutions that include colleges that are focused on preparing for a specific career, like education or nursing. Universities are made up of a wide range of academic colleges; and generally have large class sizes.
  • Women’s Colleges: These are the types of colleges where women are given the chance to enjoy a learning community where they are in the majority. Women colleges also have a larger number of female faculty and administrators. They also produce a high number of science majors.
  • Technical Institutes and Professional Schools: These schools enroll students who already have a career path of their choice. The curriculum is purely focused on preparing students for their respective careers. Career options usually offered at these types of colleges are in fine arts, music, technical sciences, and engineering.

Geographic Location: Do you live in a quaint and quiet neighborhood or a big city? Does a campus party sound fun to you or just a distraction? How about regional culture? Or the weather? Most importantly, can you afford to study out-of-state, especially in bigger and more expensive cities?

The school’s geographic location plays a big part in your college experience. Even if you have the best school but you hate the location, enduring four long years of college (or more) could be a challenge. If you’re looking at colleges in a specific city, make sure that you like it there. The best move is to schedule a trip to get the feel for the city.

Best Colleges and Universities for Undergrads
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We’ve identified a total of 1,392 colleges and universities in the US that meet our criteria. Of those, 637 are public institutions and 755 are private institutions. This list focuses on schools that offer bachelor’s degrees, and includes both public and private colleges and universities. In order to be included in this list of best colleges, a school needs to a regionally accredited nonprofit college or university.

If you would like to see this ranking without school size considered, visit our best universities in the US ranking.

50 Best US Colleges & Universities 2023

  1. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1555/35

    Career Outlook for degree at California Institute of Technology

    Cost of Degree: $60,864
    Expenses: $22,734
    Starting Salary: $106,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. #2

    Harvard University

    Cambridge , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    97%

    Student body

    40K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1520/34

    Career Outlook for degree at Harvard University

    Cost of Degree: $57,261
    Expenses: $26,277
    Starting Salary: $139,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    12K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1545/35

    Career Outlook for degree at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Cost of Degree: $57,986
    Expenses: $21,864
    Starting Salary: $153,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  4. #4

    Stanford University

    Stanford , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    19K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1495/33

    Career Outlook for degree at Stanford University

    Cost of Degree: $58,416
    Expenses: $23,746
    Starting Salary: $141,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  5. #5

    Princeton University

    Princeton , NJ
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    98%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1510/33

    Career Outlook for degree at Princeton University

    Cost of Degree: $57,410
    Expenses: $23,005
    Starting Salary: $116,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  6. #6

    University of Chicago

    Chicago , IL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    6%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    20K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1535/34

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Chicago

    Cost of Degree: $62,940
    Expenses: $22,596
    Starting Salary: $103,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  7. #7

    Yale University

    New Haven , CT
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    5%

    Graduation

    97%

    Student body

    14K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1520/34

    Career Outlook for degree at Yale University

    Cost of Degree: $62,250
    Expenses: $22,870
    Starting Salary: $124,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  8. #8

    Columbia University

    New York , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $64K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    97%

    Student body

    34K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1515/34

    Career Outlook for degree at Columbia University

    Cost of Degree: $65,508
    Expenses: $19,958
    Starting Salary: $115,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  9. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    14%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    15K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1510/34

    Career Outlook for degree at Carnegie Mellon University

    Cost of Degree: $60,854
    Expenses: $18,886
    Starting Salary: $103,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  10. #10

    Reed College

    Portland , OR
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $63K

    Acceptance

    44%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Reed College

    Cost of Degree: $64,760
    Expenses: $18,550
    Starting Salary: $52,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 21 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  11. #11

    Johns Hopkins University

    Baltimore , MD
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    8%

    Graduation

    95%

    Student body

    37K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1515/35

    Career Outlook for degree at Johns Hopkins University

    Cost of Degree: $60,480
    Expenses: $20,320
    Starting Salary: $89,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  12. #12

    Georgetown University

    Washington , DC
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    12%

    Graduation

    95%

    Student body

    23K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1465/33

    Career Outlook for degree at Georgetown University

    Cost of Degree: $62,051
    Expenses: $22,644
    Starting Salary: $125,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  13. #13

    University of Pennsylvania

    Philadelphia , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    6%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    31K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1515/34

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Pennsylvania

    Cost of Degree: $63,452
    Expenses: $22,286
    Starting Salary: $131,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  14. #14

    Duke University

    Durham , NC
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    6%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    18K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1520/34

    Career Outlook for degree at Duke University

    Cost of Degree: $62,688
    Expenses: $20,061
    Starting Salary: $114,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  15. #15

    Swarthmore College

    Swarthmore , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    8%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1467/32

    Career Outlook for degree at Swarthmore College

    Cost of Degree: $59,328
    Expenses: $20,686
    Starting Salary: $70,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  16. #16

    Northwestern University

    Evanston , IL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    95%

    Student body

    27K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1490/34

    Career Outlook for degree at Northwestern University

    Cost of Degree: $63,468
    Expenses: $25,926
    Starting Salary: $93,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  17. #17

    Cornell University

    Ithaca , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    9%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    24K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1470/33

    Career Outlook for degree at Cornell University

    Cost of Degree: $63,200
    Expenses: $19,996
    Starting Salary: $101,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  18. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    14%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    46K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1420/32

    Career Outlook for degree at University of California, Berkeley

    Cost of Degree: $14,395
    Expenses: $28,648
    Starting Salary: $79,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  19. #19

    Brown University

    Providence , RI
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    6%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1500/34

    Career Outlook for degree at Brown University

    Cost of Degree: $65,046
    Expenses: $18,540
    Starting Salary: $89,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  20. #20

    Rice University

    Houston , TX
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $53K

    Acceptance

    9%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1515/35

    Career Outlook for degree at Rice University

    Cost of Degree: $54,960
    Expenses: $19,150
    Starting Salary: $91,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  21. #21

    Amherst College

    Amherst , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    9%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1495/33

    Career Outlook for degree at Amherst College

    Cost of Degree: $64,100
    Expenses: $19,550
    Starting Salary: $83,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  22. #22

    Dartmouth College

    Hanover , NH
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    6%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1500/33

    Career Outlook for degree at Dartmouth College

    Cost of Degree: $62,430
    Expenses: $21,144
    Starting Salary: $110,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  23. #24

    Williams College

    Williamstown , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    9%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Williams College

    Cost of Degree: $61,770
    Expenses: $19,230
    Starting Salary: $89,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  24. #26

    Haverford College

    Haverford , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    18%

    Graduation

    90%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1440/33

    Career Outlook for degree at Haverford College

    Cost of Degree: $63,348
    Expenses: $21,120
    Starting Salary: $75,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  25. #27

    University of Michigan

    Ann Arbor , MI
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $17K

    Acceptance

    20%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    50K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1430/32

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Michigan

    Cost of Degree: $17,786
    Expenses: $16,820
    Starting Salary: $79,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  26. #28

    New York University

    New York , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $57K

    Acceptance

    13%

    Graduation

    87%

    Student body

    60K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1455/32

    Career Outlook for degree at New York University

    Cost of Degree: $58,168
    Expenses: $23,927
    Starting Salary: $78,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  27. #30

    Wesleyan University

    Middletown , CT
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    19%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Wesleyan University

    Cost of Degree: $64,022
    Expenses: $20,850
    Starting Salary: $63,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  28. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    13%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    18K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1520/34

    Career Outlook for degree at Washington University in St. Louis

    Cost of Degree: $60,590
    Expenses: $22,886
    Starting Salary: $87,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Washington University in St. Louis’s Online Degrees

    BS in Integrated Studies
    Degree Concentrations
    • Humanities
    • Social Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  29. #34

    Vanderbilt University

    Nashville , TN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $57K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    14K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1520/34

    Career Outlook for degree at Vanderbilt University

    Cost of Degree: $60,348
    Expenses: $24,064
    Starting Salary: $86,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  30. #35

    Bryn Mawr College

    Bryn Mawr , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    39%

    Graduation

    87%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Bryn Mawr College

    Cost of Degree: $59,330
    Expenses: $20,050
    Starting Salary: $61,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  31. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $55K

    Acceptance

    30%

    Graduation

    84%

    Student body

    12K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1430/32

    Career Outlook for degree at Case Western Reserve University

    Cost of Degree: $61,584
    Expenses: $20,420
    Starting Salary: $89,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  32. #37

    Wellesley College

    Wellesley , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    16%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1435/32

    Career Outlook for degree at Wellesley College

    Cost of Degree: $61,920
    Expenses: $21,130
    Starting Salary: $71,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  33. #38

    Pomona College

    Claremont , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $57K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Pomona College

    Cost of Degree: $59,238
    Expenses: $21,958
    Starting Salary: $77,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  34. #39

    Barnard College

    New York , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    11%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1434/32

    Career Outlook for degree at Barnard College

    Cost of Degree: $62,525
    Expenses: $21,884
    Starting Salary: $69,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  35. #40

    University of Notre Dame

    Notre Dame , IN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    15%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    13K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1475/33

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Notre Dame

    Cost of Degree: $60,301
    Expenses: $19,910
    Starting Salary: $98,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  36. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    13%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    52K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1435/32

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Southern California

    Cost of Degree: $64,726
    Expenses: $20,338
    Starting Salary: $88,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  37. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $50K

    Acceptance

    66%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1295/29

    Career Outlook for degree at Illinois Institute of Technology

    Cost of Degree: $50,279
    Expenses: $21,270
    Starting Salary: $78,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  38. #43

    Hampshire College

    Amherst , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $53K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Hampshire College

    Cost of Degree: $54,452
    Expenses: $16,922
    Starting Salary: $39,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 22 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  39. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    11%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    47K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of California, Los Angeles

    Cost of Degree: $13,401
    Expenses: $23,579
    Starting Salary: $73,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  40. #45

    University of Virginia

    Charlottesville , VA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $20K

    Acceptance

    21%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    28K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1415/32

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Virginia

    Cost of Degree: $21,425
    Expenses: $17,790
    Starting Salary: $79,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  41. #46

    Claremont McKenna College

    Claremont , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $58K

    Acceptance

    11%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1415/32

    Career Outlook for degree at Claremont McKenna College

    Cost of Degree: $60,715
    Expenses: $21,412
    Starting Salary: $93,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  42. #47

    Vassar College

    Poughkeepsie , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $63K

    Acceptance

    20%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1440/33

    Career Outlook for degree at Vassar College

    Cost of Degree: $64,800
    Expenses: $18,810
    Starting Salary: $61,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  43. #48

    Oberlin College

    Oberlin , OH
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    34%

    Graduation

    82%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1315/30

    Career Outlook for degree at Oberlin College

    Cost of Degree: $62,024
    Expenses: $22,206
    Starting Salary: $45,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 23 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  44. #50

    Bowdoin College

    Brunswick , ME
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $58K

    Acceptance

    9%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Bowdoin College

    Cost of Degree: $61,528
    Expenses: $18,862
    Starting Salary: $83,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

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Find the Best Colleges and Unviersities in Your Discipline of Choice

The Best Undergraduate Colleges and Universities by disciplines

Earn a Degree That is Close to Home

You know by now that the best colleges and universities in the US offer a stellar education and the chance to edge out competition in the job market upon graduation.

But if attending a liberal arts school that is close to home is also important to you, check out our Complete List of Colleges and Universities by State.

Check out the College Admissions Process Guide for additional tips on finding, applying to, and getting into the college of your choice.

See our Resources Guide for much more on studying, starting your job search, and more.

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