When it comes to higher education, the United States stands out for the number and quality of schools. The United States has some of the best universities in the world, and according to a recent study by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, eight of the top ten universities in the world are American.
So, what are the top ten universities in the US? We have included a list of the nation’s most esteemed and demanding higher education institution(s) below.
Caltech
Our roundup of the best American universities on the West Coast begins with Caltech, commonly known as Caltech. The 2021 college acceptance rate is only 3.9%, with average SAT and ACT scores of 740-780 and 35-36, respectively. Caltech currently offers 28 majors, the most popular being chemical engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and physics.
Originally named Throop University after its founder, Amos G. . Notable alumni include Arnold Beckman, inventor of the pH meter, and William Chockley, co-inventor of the semiconductor transistor. Guest professors include household names such as Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking. There is no doubt that Caltech’s impact on humanity through its theoretical and applied sciences is remarkable, and it is firmly in partnership with the most prestigious and influential universities in the United States.
Columbia University
King George II of England granted Columbia University its initial charter, which served as its legal foundation. As a member of an elite Ivy League school, Columbia has had the privilege of producing figures critical to the founding of America, such as Alexander Hamilton, John Jay and other Founding Fathers. Most notably, the Columbia Law School, the Mailman School of Public Health, and the School of Social Work are among Columbia’s institutions that have received high rankings abroad.. This is not to limit the scope of Columbia’s academic excellence, as their programs cover a wide range of subject areas. In addition to the plans listed above, in 2011,
Columbia University is a research-intensive university, and many major scientific developments have occurred through their programs. Recently, neuroengineers at Columbia University created the first interface between the brain and a computer. In short, Columbia has always positioned itself as a place of significance and influence in America, and its rigorous academic program trains its students to do the same. Columbia is certainly one of the top universities in the United States.
Harvard University
An analysis of America’s top universities would be wrong without discussing Harvard. Harvard University is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the United States, with a long and storied history. Harvard is one of the most prestigious schools in the United States, offering a high-level, first-rate education. Founded in 1636 as Harvard College, Harvard is also a member of the Ivy League, the long-established association of elite universities on the East Coast.
The Harvard Kennedy School, which specializes in public policy, has produced officials and heads of state for the United States and many other countries around the world. The Harvard Library System consists of 80 independent libraries that collectively contain approximately 20.4 million books, magazines, and other documents, making it the largest academic library system in the world. There is no doubt that Harvard University is not only one of the best universities in the United States, but also one of the best universities in the world.
Johns Hopkins University
Considered by many to be the oldest research university in the United States, Johns Hopkins University was founded in 1876 by philanthropist Johns Hopkins University. Johns Hopkins donated $7 million to build the university, which at the time was the largest charitable giving in U.S. history. Johns Hopkins University is known for its research programs; of any university in the United States, the college has had the highest annual spending on research and development since 1990. This major investment is a major contributor to Johns Hopkins becoming one of the top universities in the United States. The school spans multiple states and countries, with campuses in Maryland, Washington, D.C., Italy and China.
Johns Hopkins University has long been an active participant in various civil rights movements, much of which can be attributed to the beliefs of its founders. The university pioneered the admission of African Americans (1887, mathematician Kelly Miller) and women (1882, mathematician Kristin Ladd-Franklin). College sports fans should take note that Johns Hopkins is in the Big Ten and has a well-decorated men’s hockey team.
MIT
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, commonly referred to as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is one of the most well-known names in applied science. Founded in 1861 and based on the European University of Technology model, MIT specializes in hands-on laboratory teaching to meet the challenges of an increasingly industrialized United States. During their first year, MIT undergraduates receive rigorous training in calculus, physics, chemistry, and biology, preparing them for more advanced courses in the specialty. 63% of MIT students are enrolled in the college’s engineering department, which spans 19 degrees. Today, MIT is known for its developments in mechanical and electrical engineering, as well as computer science and artificial intelligence.
MIT has a famous rivalry with Caltech, as both universities are among the most respected engineering schools in the United States. Unlike many collegiate competitions that are usually played at sporting events, the MIT/Caltech competition is often expressed through academic achievement and shenanigans. In 2006, for example, MIT students stole a famous Caltech property, the Fleming cannon, and displayed it on their campus. While both schools compete fiercely for the top U.S. colleges in engineering and applied sciences, there is no doubt that both schools have highly regarded academic programs.
Princeton University
New Jersey, in 1746. Princeton has the largest per capita endowment in the United States at a staggering $37.7 billion. While we’ve covered the strength of Princeton’s athletic programs more fully elsewhere, we’d be remiss not to mention the strength of Princeton’s elite sports teams. Like the other schools on this list, Princeton invests heavily in its research programs and produces a distinguished group of alumni.
For those interested in public policy or political science, Princeton University is one of the best universities in the country, producing more than 200 Rhodes Scholars, 75 Nobel laureates, two U.S. presidents and 12 U.S. Supreme Court justice. The school offers two bachelor’s degrees: Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Engineering. Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts choose a major as their area of study and will receive a comprehensive curriculum in the liberal arts tradition, including the study of literature, languages, and philosophy. Those pursuing a bachelor’s degree in engineering also have a large number of courses, rather than focusing on math, physics and computer programming. Any student who enrols in this demanding programme must agree that Princeton University is unquestionably among the best in the country.
Stanford University
Stanford University is located in Stanford, California and has one of the largest campuses in the United States. The 8,000-plus-acre campus is located on the San Francisco Peninsula and features multiple reservoirs, a seasonal lake, 49 miles of roads and more than 1,000 species of plants. In 2021, Stanford University is sponsoring more than 7,900 independent research projects that span multiple labs, centers, and institutes. In 2014, Slate magazine called Stanford the “Harvard of the 21st Century,” an iconic school for the American education system and the best university in the country.
Among other accomplishments, it is worth noting that Stanford is where the Internet was born under the guidance of Vint Cerf and Robert E. Khan. Whether in technology, business, or the humanities, Stanford University has a strong culture of professional and academic risk-taking, and those willing to take risks can be handsomely rewarded for their efforts.
University of California Berkeley
UC Berkeley is not only one of the top universities in the United States, but also one of the top universities in the world. In 2010, the National Research Council rankings identified UC Berkeley as having the largest number of top-ranked doctoral programs in the United States, including majors in mathematics, physics, chemistry, molecular biology, computer science, and more. In fact, Berkeley is consistently ranked as the best public university in the United States. Berkeley’s faculty includes 1,629 full-time and 896 part-time research faculty members spread across more than 130 different academic departments. The scientific contributions of their alumni include discoveries such as the atomic bomb, 16 new elements, and the flu vaccine. Without a doubt, Berkeley offers world-class programs for any student pursuing a STEM career.
University of Chicago
The only Midwestern school on the list, the University of Chicago is located near Hyde Park in Chicago, Illinois, the third largest city in the United States. The University of Chicago offers one undergraduate school and five graduate research schools in law, business, medicine, social work, public policy, and theology. In addition, the University of Chicago has additional campuses in remote locations such as London, Paris, Beijing, Delhi and Hong Kong. The University of Chicago has an excellent record in every academic field, from mathematics to literary criticism, from theology to economics. One of the reasons for the university’s claim to fame includes the production of the first stable, self-sustaining nuclear reaction, as well as the development and refinement of the carbon-dating process.
Yale University
The last Ivy League school to rival Harvard on our list of America’s top colleges. Yale University, located in New Haven, Connecticut, is the third oldest institution of higher education in the United States. By the time the American Revolution was in full swing, Yale had transitioned to a broader curriculum foundation that included the humanities and sciences. Since then, Yale’s academic prestige has continued to grow, and it is known as one of the best universities in the United States. Today, Yale’s most popular undergraduate programs include economics, public relations, and history, and many graduates go on to public service great success. Five U.S. presidents attended Yale, as were many international leaders.
The 10 Best Colleges in America
Numerous outstanding colleges in the United States of America are not eligible for our ranking of the top 10 institutions in the country. If you are a prospective student, it is imperative that you fully understand your goals and priorities when researching schools. If you are an alumni of these great schools and are proud of your alma mater, consider showing your diploma in our handcrafted frame! Browse our online selection and find the perfect frame in no time!
