Best National University Rankings

Schools in the National Universities category, such as the University of Chicago and Carnegie

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Schools in the National Universities category, such as the University of Chicago and Carnegie Mellon University, offer a full range of undergraduate majors, plus master's and doctoral programs. These colleges also are committed to producing groundbreaking research. Read the methodology »

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392 schools
School Name
Location
Rankings
National Universities
Tuition and Fees
< $5,000 - $50,000+

< $5,000 - $50,000+

Enrollment
0 - 14,000+

0 - 14,000+

Acceptance Rate
< 10% - 90%+

< 10% - 90%+

Area of Study
Majors
  1. View all 24 photos

    The ivy-covered campus of Princeton University, a private institution, is located in the quiet town of Princeton, New Jersey. Princeton was the first university to offer a "no loan" policy to financially needy students, giving grants instead of loans to accepted students who need help paying tuition.

    The ivy-covered campus of Princeton University, a private institution, is located in the quiet town of Princeton, New Jersey. Princeton was the first university to offer a "no loan" policy to financially needy students, giving grants instead of loans to accepted students who need help paying tuition.

    Tuition and Fees
    $56,010
    Tuition
    Undergraduate Enrollment
    4,773

    (fall 2020)

    Undergraduate Enrollment

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  2. View all 17 photos

    Columbia University has three undergraduate schools: Columbia College, The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), and the School of General Studies. This Ivy League, private school guarantees students housing for all four years on campus in Manhattan’s Morningside Heights neighborhood in New York City.

    Columbia University has three undergraduate schools: Columbia College, The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), and the School of General Studies. This Ivy League, private school guarantees students housing for all four years on campus in Manhattan’s Morningside Heights neighborhood in New York City.

    Tuition and Fees
    $63,530
    Tuition
    Undergraduate Enrollment
    6,170

    (fall 2020)

    Undergraduate Enrollment

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  3. View all 6 photos

    Harvard University

    Cambridge, MA

    Harvard University is a private institution in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston. This Ivy League school is the oldest higher education institution in the country and has the largest endowment of any school in the world.

    Harvard University is a private institution in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston. This Ivy League school is the oldest higher education institution in the country and has the largest endowment of any school in the world.

    Tuition and Fees
    $55,587
    Tuition
    Undergraduate Enrollment
    5,222

    (fall 2020)

    Undergraduate Enrollment

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  4. View all 15 photos

    Though the Massachusetts Institute of Technology may be best known for its math, science and engineering education, this private research university also offers architecture, humanities, management and social science programs. The school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just across the Charles River from downtown Boston.

    Though the Massachusetts Institute of Technology may be best known for its math, science and engineering education, this private research university also offers architecture, humanities, management and social science programs. The school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just across the Charles River from downtown Boston.

    Tuition and Fees
    $55,878
    Tuition
    Undergraduate Enrollment
    4,361

    (fall 2020)

    Undergraduate Enrollment

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  5. View 1 photo

    Yale University

    New Haven, CT

    Yale University, located in New Haven, Connecticut, offers a small college life with the resources of a major research institution. Yale students are divided into 14 residential colleges that foster a supportive environment for living, learning and socializing.

    Yale University, located in New Haven, Connecticut, offers a small college life with the resources of a major research institution. Yale students are divided into 14 residential colleges that foster a supportive environment for living, learning and socializing.

    Tuition and Fees
    $59,950
    Tuition
    Undergraduate Enrollment
    4,703

    (fall 2020)

    Undergraduate Enrollment

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  6. View all 23 photos

    The sunny campus of Stanford University is located in California’s Bay Area, about 30 miles from San Francisco. The private institution stresses a multidisciplinary combination of teaching, learning, and research, and students have many opportunities to get involved in research projects.

    The sunny campus of Stanford University is located in California’s Bay Area, about 30 miles from San Francisco. The private institution stresses a multidisciplinary combination of teaching, learning, and research, and students have many opportunities to get involved in research projects.

    Tuition and Fees
    $56,169
    Tuition
    Undergraduate Enrollment
    6,366

    (fall 2020)

    Undergraduate Enrollment

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  7. View all 18 photos

    The University of Chicago, situated in Chicago’s Hyde Park community, offers a rich campus life in a big-city setting. Since 1987, the private institution has hosted the University of Chicago Scavenger Hunt, a four-day event that is regarded as the largest scavenger hunt in the world.

    The University of Chicago, situated in Chicago’s Hyde Park community, offers a rich campus life in a big-city setting. Since 1987, the private institution has hosted the University of Chicago Scavenger Hunt, a four-day event that is regarded as the largest scavenger hunt in the world.

    Tuition and Fees
    $60,963
    Tuition
    Undergraduate Enrollment
    6,989

    (fall 2020)

    Undergraduate Enrollment

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  8. View all 9 photos

    Founded by Benjamin Franklin, the University of Pennsylvania is a private institution in the University City neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Students can study in one of four schools that grant undergraduate degrees: Arts and Sciences, Nursing, Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Wharton.

    Founded by Benjamin Franklin, the University of Pennsylvania is a private institution in the University City neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Students can study in one of four schools that grant undergraduate degrees: Arts and Sciences, Nursing, Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Wharton.

    Tuition and Fees
    $61,710
    Tuition
    Undergraduate Enrollment
    9,872

    (fall 2020)

    Undergraduate Enrollment

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  9. View all 15 photos

    The California Institute of Technology focuses on science and engineering education and has a low student-to-faculty ratio of 3:1. This private institution in Pasadena, California, is actively involved in research projects with grants from NASA, the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

    The California Institute of Technology focuses on science and engineering education and has a low student-to-faculty ratio of 3:1. This private institution in Pasadena, California, is actively involved in research projects with grants from NASA, the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

    Tuition and Fees
    $58,680
    Tuition
    Undergraduate Enrollment
    901

    (fall 2020)

    Undergraduate Enrollment

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  10. View all 16 photos

    Duke University

    Durham, NC

    Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke University is a private institution that has liberal arts and engineering programs for undergraduates. The Duke Blue Devils sports teams have a fierce rivalry with the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill Tar Heels and are best known for their outstanding men's basketball program.

    Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke University is a private institution that has liberal arts and engineering programs for undergraduates. The Duke Blue Devils sports teams have a fierce rivalry with the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill Tar Heels and are best known for their outstanding men's basketball program.

    Tuition and Fees
    $60,489
    Tuition
    Undergraduate Enrollment
    6,717

    (fall 2020)

    Undergraduate Enrollment

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