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.
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.
Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges
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 best colleges pound for pound!
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
The Best Research Universities for Undergrads in the US
- #1California 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, CAView profile
What is California Institute of Technology known for?
California Institute of Technology's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Earth Sciences
- Engineering
- Biology
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
- Economics
- History
- Philosophy
Most Influential Alumni
- #2Harvard 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, MAView profile
What is Harvard University known for?
Harvard University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Biology
- Literature
- Law
- Business
- Economics
- Education
- Religious Studies
- Philosophy
- History
- Psychology
Most Influential Alumni
- #3Massachusetts 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, MAView profile
What is Massachusetts Institute of Technology known for?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Chemistry
- Economics
- Physics
- Business
- Earth Sciences
- Communications
- Mathematics
- Biology
Most Influential Alumni
- #4Stanford 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, CAView profile
What is Stanford University known for?
Stanford University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Computer Science
- Earth Sciences
- Engineering
- Business
- Communications
- Biology
- Education
- Mathematics
- Psychology
- Economics
Most Influential Alumni
- #5University 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, ILView profile
What is University of Chicago known for?
University of Chicago's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Economics
- Religious Studies
- Sociology
- Anthropology
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Social Work
- Criminal Justice
- Biology
Most Influential Alumni
- #6Princeton 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, NJView profile
What is Princeton University known for?
Princeton University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Philosophy
- History
- Economics
- Engineering
- Earth Sciences
- Literature
- Computer Science
- Religious Studies
Most Influential Alumni
- #7Columbia 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, NYView profile
What is Columbia University known for?
Columbia University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Anthropology
- Social Work
- Nursing
- Literature
- Communications
- Law
- Business
- Education
- History
- Philosophy
Most Influential Alumni
- #8Yale 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, CTView profile
What is Yale University known for?
Yale University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- Law
- Religious Studies
- History
- Nursing
- Anthropology
- Psychology
- Political Science
- Medical
- Sociology
Most Influential Alumni
- #9Johns 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, MDView profile
What is Johns Hopkins University known for?
Johns Hopkins University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Medical
- Nursing
- Biology
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Philosophy
- Sociology
- Economics
- Education
- Psychology
Most Influential Alumni
- #10Duke 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, NCView profile
What is Duke University known for?
Duke University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Nursing
- Earth Sciences
- Medical
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Law
- Philosophy
- Biology
- Business
Most Influential Alumni
- #11Northwestern 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, ILView profile
What is Northwestern University known for?
Northwestern University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Sociology
- Communications
- Business
- Anthropology
- Economics
- Medical
- Political Science
- Chemistry
- Philosophy
- Law
Most Influential Alumni
- #12Rice 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, TXView profile
What is Rice University known for?
Rice University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Physics
- Earth Sciences
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Biology
- Economics
- Religious Studies
- Philosophy
Most Influential Alumni
- #13Carnegie 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, PAView profile
What is Carnegie Mellon University known for?
Carnegie Mellon University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Business
- Economics
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Psychology
- Physics
- Sociology
- Biology
Most Influential Alumni
- #14Cornell 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, NYView profile
What is Cornell University known for?
Cornell University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Engineering
- Physics
- Anthropology
- Biology
- Literature
- Computer Science
- Medical
- Mathematics
- Psychology
- Chemistry
Most Influential Alumni
- #15University 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, PAView profile
What is University of Pennsylvania known for?
University of Pennsylvania's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Medical
- Nursing
- Social Work
- Business
- Anthropology
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Literature
- Communications
- Law
Most Influential Alumni
- #16Brown 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, RIView profile
What is Brown University known for?
Brown University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- Computer Science
- Education
- Mathematics
- History
- Business
- Political Science
- Biology
- Communications
- Economics
Most Influential Alumni
- #17Brandeis 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, MAView profile
What is Brandeis University known for?
Brandeis University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Psychology
- Philosophy
- Sociology
- Anthropology
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Literature
- Political Science
- Computer Science
- Physics
Most Influential Alumni
- #18University 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, CAView profile
What is University of California, Berkeley known for?
University of California, Berkeley's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Earth Sciences
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Sociology
- Anthropology
- Philosophy
Most Influential Alumni
- #19Dartmouth 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, NHView profile
What is Dartmouth College known for?
Dartmouth College's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Computer Science
- Medical
- Literature
- Earth Sciences
- History
- Economics
- Chemistry
- Political Science
- Engineering
- Mathematics
Most Influential Alumni
- #20Georgetown 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, DCView profile
What is Georgetown University known for?
Georgetown University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Nursing
- Law
- Political Science
- Communications
- Business
- Religious Studies
- Education
- Economics
- Medical
- Criminal Justice
Most Influential Alumni
- #21Tufts 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, MAView profile
What is Tufts University known for?
Tufts University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Political Science
- Medical
- Biology
- Engineering
- Economics
- Law
- Philosophy
- Computer Science
- Business
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
- #22Yeshiva 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, NYView profile
What is Yeshiva University known for?
Yeshiva University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Medical
- Religious Studies
- Social Work
- Law
- Physics
- Biology
- Philosophy
- Mathematics
- Psychology
- Education
Most Influential Alumni
- #23New 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, NYView profile
What is New York University known for?
New York University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- Medical
- Business
- Social Work
- Law
- Education
- History
- Philosophy
- Nursing
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
- #24Washington 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, MOView profile
What is Washington University in St. Louis known for?
Washington University in St. Louis's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Medical
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Anthropology
- Political Science
- Business
- Economics
- Engineering
Most Influential Alumni
- #25Vanderbilt 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, TNView profile
What is Vanderbilt University known for?
Vanderbilt University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Nursing
- Medical
- Religious Studies
- Business
- Education
- Economics
- Biology
- Political Science
- Mathematics
- Computer Science
Most Influential Alumni
- #26George 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, DCView profile
What is George Washington University known for?
George Washington University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Nursing
- Law
- Communications
- Business
- Political Science
- Medical
- Education
- Religious Studies
- Criminal Justice
- Engineering
Most Influential Alumni
- #27University 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, MIView profile
What is University of Michigan known for?
University of Michigan's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Psychology
- Anthropology
- Sociology
- Engineering
- Education
- History
- Medical
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
Most Influential Alumni
- #28The 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, NYView profile
What is The New School known for?
The New School's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Sociology
- Anthropology
- Literature
- Philosophy
- Education
- History
- Business
- Economics
- Psychology
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
- #29Emory 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, GAView profile
What is Emory University known for?
Emory University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Nursing
- Religious Studies
- Medical
- Law
- Literature
- Political Science
- Philosophy
- Anthropology
- Education
- Psychology
Most Influential Alumni
- #30The Catholic University of America#206 institution's overall influence#261 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$46K
Acceptance
84%
Graduation
70%
Student body
5K
Washington, DCView profile
What is The Catholic University of America known for?
The Catholic University of America's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Nursing
- Law
- Physics
- Social Work
- Chemistry
- Philosophy
- Education
- Communications
- History
Most Influential Alumni
- #31University 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, NYView profile
What is University of Rochester known for?
University of Rochester's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Physics
- Economics
- Biology
- Political Science
- Chemistry
- Medical
- Mathematics
- Computer Science
- Psychology
- Philosophy
Most Influential Alumni
- #32Case 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, OHView profile
What is Case Western Reserve University known for?
Case Western Reserve University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Nursing
- Computer Science
- Medical
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Engineering
- Chemistry
- Psychology
- Business
Most Influential Alumni
- #33University 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, CAView profile
What is University of Southern California known for?
University of Southern California's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Communications
- Business
- History
- Engineering
- Medical
- Computer Science
- Political Science
- Education
- Literature
Most Influential Alumni
- #34Illinois 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, ILView profile
What is Illinois Institute of Technology known for?
Illinois Institute of Technology's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Physics
- Engineering
- Mathematics
- Communications
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Chemistry
- Business
- Law
- Biology
Most Influential Alumni
- #35University 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, VAView profile
What is University of Virginia known for?
University of Virginia's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Literature
- Law
- Economics
- History
- Education
- Medical
- Political Science
- Business
- Psychology
Most Influential Alumni
- #36University 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, CAView profile
What is University of California, Los Angeles known for?
University of California, Los Angeles's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- History
- Mathematics
- Chemistry
- Philosophy
- Computer Science
- Business
- Political Science
- Nursing
- Economics
- Earth Sciences
Most Influential Alumni
- #37Boston 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, MAView profile
What is Boston University known for?
Boston University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Religious Studies
- Earth Sciences
- Criminal Justice
- Education
- Literature
- Law
- History
- Medical
- Political Science
Most Influential Alumni
- #38Howard 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, DCView profile
What is Howard University known for?
Howard University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Education
- Social Work
- Literature
- Law
- History
- Anthropology
- Political Science
- Medical
- Criminal Justice
- Nursing
Most Influential Alumni
- #39University 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, INView profile
What is University of Notre Dame known for?
University of Notre Dame's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Mathematics
- Religious Studies
- Philosophy
- Law
- Sociology
- Political Science
- History
- Physics
- Computer Science
- Chemistry
Most Influential Alumni
- #40Clark University#198 institution's overall influence#469 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$46K
Acceptance
59%
Graduation
75%
Student body
3K
Worcester, MAView profile
What is Clark University known for?
Clark University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Philosophy
- Biology
- Education
- Chemistry
- Political Science
- History
Most Influential Alumni
- #41American 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, DCView profile
What is American University known for?
American University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Political Science
- Communications
- Law
- Business
- Criminal Justice
- Economics
- Education
- Religious Studies
- Sociology
- Anthropology
Most Influential Alumni
- #42University 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, CAView profile
What is University of California, San Diego known for?
University of California, San Diego's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Earth Sciences
- Physics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Computer Science
- Philosophy
- Engineering
- Medical
- Psychology
Most Influential Alumni
- #43Pepperdine 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, CAView profile
What is Pepperdine University known for?
Pepperdine University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
- Business
- Political Science
- Philosophy
- Communications
- Law
- History
- Economics
- Biology
Most Influential Alumni
- #44Rensselaer 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, NYView profile
What is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute known for?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Earth Sciences
- Communications
- Mathematics
- Business
- Biology
- Economics
Most Influential Alumni
- #45University 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, WIView profile
What is University of Wisconsin–Madison known for?
University of Wisconsin–Madison's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Sociology
- History
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Psychology
- Economics
- Social Work
- Education
Most Influential Alumni
- #46University 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, NCView profile
What is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill known for?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- History
- Law
- Political Science
- Business
- Communications
- Mathematics
- Chemistry
- Nursing
- Religious Studies
- Education
Most Influential Alumni
- #47William & Mary#126 institution's overall influence#53 overall school desirability
