Best Universities in the US

Everyone who wants to study in the USA is able to choose from a great number of higher education institutions offered in the country. It is not a secret that such choice is not always the easiest one as there are more than 4,500 colleges and universities in the US. It is worth to mention that 30 of the top 100 best universities in the world are situated here. Furthermore, education in the US is highly respected and graduates from the US universities are highly sought after. That is why the USA is ready to offer a lot when it comes to education.

According to the highly respected Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2016-2017, there are almost 150 colleges and universities in the US that are considered to be the top in the world.

Almost all the states and 128 different cities are represented in the best US universities list. So whenever you want to study in the US, some top university will not be far away.

The states with the greatest number of top universities in the USA are California and New York. There are 12 top universities in each state. California and New York states are followed by Texas and Massachusetts with 9 top universities in each state.

Below you will find some brief information about the top 5 universities in the US. The top 5 universities in the country are based in California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.

Top 5 universities in the US

1. California Institute of Technology

California Institute of Technology, also known as CalTech, is not the biggest university in the country. Actually, there are only 2,243 students at the university. The main campus of CalTech is situated in Pasadena, near legendary Los Angeles. It covers just a24 acres and almost all undergraduates of CalTech live on campus.

The university has six faculties focused on science and engineering. In 2016, the university was ranked the 2nd in engineering and technology, the 1st in physical sciences, and the 5th in life sciences. Furthermore, CalTech is known as the university with the highest proportion of students who continue their study to get a Ph.D.

It is interesting to know that all the main characters in the famous TV comedy The Big Bang Theory work or study exactly at CalTech.

The most notable alumni of CalTech include 34 Nobel Prize winners, six Turing Award winners, five Fields Medalists, as well as a number of politicians and public advisers. Furthermore, the university has an impressive number of national awards.

2. Stanford University

Stanford, one of the world-famous universities, is situated right next to Silicon Valley. It is worth to mention that the university always played a key role in encouraging the high-tech industry to develop in the area. As a proof of the previous statement, it is interesting to know that the world-famous technology companies and start-ups such as Google, Snapchat and Hewlett-Packard were established exactly by Standford’s faculty members, students, and alumni. If we sum up the income of all companies founded by Stanford alumni, we will see that they make more than $2.7 trillion each year.

The campus of the university covers 8,180 acres and is often referred to as “the Farm”. Such name was given to Stanford as it was built on the site of the Stanford family’s Palo Alto Stock Farm.

Though the university’s second name is not associated with architectural delicacy, the sand-colored, red-roofed buildings of Stanford’s campus are considered to be among the most beautiful in the world. Furthermore, the university is the home to a number of sculpture gardens and art museums. There is even a public meditation center within the university.

It is not a surprise that such world-known and respected university as Stanford is highly competitive. Only 5% of students who apply to the University are admitted. 22% of those who are bright and lucky enough to study in Stanford are international students. The total population of the university is 15,596 students.

3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The same to CalTech, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), is considered to be the top university that provides the world with top specialists in the fields of science and engineering. Notable alumni of the university found such world-famous companies as Intel and Dropbox.

MIT is also known as the university listed at the top 5 by Times Higher Education in such fields as engineering and technology, physical sciences, social sciences and arts and humanities.

MIT provides a great number of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Some of them are not wholly separate which means that there are some courses that can be taken at either level. The most popular programs among undergraduates are engineering and computer science.

Furthermore, admission to MIT’s undergraduate programs is highly competitive. Only 8% of applicants are admitted. The total population of MIT is 11,000 students. 33% of its population are international students who came to study at MIT from 154 different countries around the world.

The most notable alumni include astronaut Buzz Aldrin, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, and physicist Richard Feynman.

4. Harvard University

Harvard is the oldest higher education institution in the US and the world best-known university. It has a stellar reputation and is ranked as one of the top universities in the world nearly each year.

Harward was found in 1636. Today the university has a population of more than 20,000 students. 25% of its population are international students.

It is not a secret that Harward is considered to be one of the most expensive universities in the country and in the world. Though its tuition fees are high, Harward offers a plenty of financial aids for students.

The university is also famous for its library system that is made up of 79 different libraries. The Harward Library is considered to be the largest academic library in the world.

Harward provides the world with top specialists in the fields of arts and humanities, as well as in science and technology. According to 2016 ranking, Harward was the 2nd in arts and humanities ranking and was ranked in the top 10 for physical sciences, social sciences and engineering and technology.

The most notable alumni include 8 US presidents, about 150 Nobel laureates, 13 Turing Award winners, and 62 living billionaires.

5. Princeton University

Princeton is also considered to be one of the most reputable universities in the world, as well as one of the oldest in the US. The history of Princeton dates back more than 200 years. The main campus of the university is situated in New Jersey, just an hour away from such prominent cities as New York City and Philadelphia.

Princeton University is quite tiny. There are about 8,000 students and about 25% of them are international.

The university is also known for its specified requirements for degree courses. All students of Princeton have to do independent research as part of their degrees. Some are also required to take a foreign language course.

Princeton is also highly competitive. It is one of those universities in the US that does not offer an early decision application route.

Notable alumni of Princeton include US presidents, astronauts, businessmen, Olympians and numerous award-winners.