What Are the Best Colleges and Universities in the United States?



Attending university and getting college diplomas is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Thus, going to the best university to fulfill your dream is probably on top of your bucket list as an incoming university student. While getting into these universities can be challenging, the knowledge and expertise you’ll get from these prestigious institutions can set you up for life. 

However, with all the choices presented to you, it can be difficult to choose just one university to enroll in. It’s an excellent idea to choose a university based on the degree or course you’re planning to take. Below is a list of the best universities in the United States you might want to consider for your applications.

University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

The University of California, Berkeley (UCB) has a vast campus size of 1,232 acres and its location overlooks the San Francisco Bay. It is known to be selective in its admissions, with a rate of 18%. The most popular majors for their graduates are as follows:

  • Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
  • Social Sciences
  • Engineering
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Mathematics and Statistics
  • English Language and Literature/Letters 
  • Physical Sciences

UCB offers degrees such as Bachelor’s, Master’s, Post-Bachelor’s certificate, Doctorate (professional practice), Post-Master’s certificate, and Doctorate (scholarship and research).

Harvard University

Harvard University is situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and is known for topping the ranks for business and medical school. It is a private and nonprofit institution with a total campus size of 5,076 acres. The following are the top majors for this university:

  • General Psychology 
  • Visual and Performing Arts, General
  • English Language and Literature, General
  • Engineering, General
  • Physical Sciences, General
  • History, General
  • General Mathematics
  • Computer and Information Sciences, General
  • Social Sciences, General
  • Biology/Biological Sciences, General

Harvard offers degrees such as Bachelor’s, Master’s, Post-Bachelor’s certificate, Post-Master’s certificate, Doctorate (research/scholarship), and Doctorate (professional practice). 

Stanford University

Stanford University has a campus size of 8,180 acres and is located in a suburban setting. This private institution is situated in the California Bay area. It is known to have successful sports programs such as football, golf, and tennis. The following are Stanford’s top programs: 

  • Engineering
  • Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

They offer Bachelor’s, Doctorate (professional practice), Doctorate (research/scholarship), and Master’s degrees. 

Yale University 

Yale is a private university with an acceptance rate of 7%. Its campus size is 373 acres and is located in New Haven, Connecticut. The university is known for its superb music and drama programs. The following are Yale’s top programs: 

  • Statistics and Data Science
  • Engineering Sciences
  • Global Affairs
  • English
  • Computer Science
  • Psychology
  • Political Science
  • Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
  • Economics 
  • History

They offer certificates, college diplomas, Bachelor’s, Post-Master certificates, Master’s, Doctorate (other), Doctorate (research/scholarship), and Doctorate (professional practice) degrees. Yale likewise offers combined-degree programs such as Music, Public Health, Forestry and Environmental Studies, and other permitted simultaneous degrees. 

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located in an urban setting in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT lets its students focus on technological and scientific research. They are known for their successful graduate programs, namely the Sloan School of Management and School of Engineering. Their top programs are as follows: 

  • Computer Science
  • Electrical and Electronics Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Biology/Biological Sciences, General
  • Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
  • Econometrics and Quantitative Economics
  • Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering 
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Mathematics, General

They offer Bachelor’s, Doctorate (research/scholarship), and Master’s degrees. 

University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania is located in Philadelphia with a campus size of 299 acres. Founded by Benjamin Franklin, the university has 25 or more NCAA Division I sports that participate in the Ivy League. Moreover, they are known for having successful lacrosse and basketball teams. The following are the top majors of the university:

  • Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Physical Sciences
  • Mathematics and Statistics
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies
  • Engineering
  • Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
  • Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
  • Social Sciences
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences

They offer degrees such as Associate, Certificate, Bachelor’s, Terminal-Associate, Post-Master’s Certificate, Master’s, Doctorate (research/scholarship), and Doctorate (professional practice). 

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

UCLA is a public institution with a total campus size of 419 acres. It is located five miles from the Pacific Ocean and boasts of its successful graduate schools and programs, such as its School of Engineering and Law. They are also known for their schools such as Dentistry, Theater, and Film and Television. The following are their top programs: 

  • English Language and Literature/Letters
  • Visual and Performing Arts
  • History
  • Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Mathematics and Statistics
  • Engineering
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Social Sciences
  • Psychology

They likewise offer degrees such as Bachelor’s, Doctorate (research/scholarship), Doctorate (professional practice), and Master’s. 

Columbia University

Columbia University, with a campus size of 36 acres, is a private institution located in New York City, Columbia. Their most successful schools are their Law School, Teachers’ College, Business School, and College of Physicians and Surgeons. The following are their top programs: 

  • History
  • Visual and Performing Arts
  • Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
  • Psychology
  • English Language and Literature/Letters
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Mathematics and Statistics
  • Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
  • Engineering
  • Social Sciences

Their offered degrees are Bachelor’s, Certificate, Master’s, Post-Bachelor’s Certificate, Doctorate (research/scholarship), and Doctorate (professional practice). They also offer a combined plan program for combined degree programs. 

Princeton University

Princeton University is one of the oldest universities in the United States. It has a campus size of 600 acres that is located in Princeton, New Jersey. It is renowned for its women’s and men’s lacrosse teams. The following are its top programs: 

  • Public Administration and Social Service Professions
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
  • Engineering
  • Social Sciences
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies
  • English Language and Literature/Letters
  • Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
  • History
  • Physical Sciences

They offer Bachelor’s, Doctorate (research/scholarship), and Master’s degrees. 

New York University (NYU) 

NYU’s campus is located in Greenwich Village, Manhattan. It’s a city school with no borders separating it from the streets of New York. They are known for their number of organizations, which is more than 300. The following are their top programs: 

  • Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
  • Psychology
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Engineering
  • Visual and Performing Arts
  • Health Professions and Related Programs
  • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
  • Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
  • Social Sciences

They offer degrees such as Associate, Transfer, Certificate, Bachelor’s, Post-Bachelor’s Certificate, Terminal-Associate, Post-Master’s Certificate, Master’s, Doctorate (research/scholarship), and Doctorate (professional practice). 

Sources:
https://www.topuniversities.com/where-to-study/north-america/united-states/ranked-top-100-us-universities

https://www.forbes.com/top-colleges/

https://www.niche.com/colleges/search/best-colleges/

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/best-universities/best-universities-united-states

https://yocket.com/universities/usa

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/university-of-california-berkeley-131

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/university-of-california-berkeley-1312/academics#MajorsDegrees

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/harvard-university-2155/academics

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/stanford-university-1305

https://www.ivywise.com/blog/what-is-yale-known-for-the-10-best-majors-at-yale/

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/yale-university-1426/academics

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-2178

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/university-of-pennsylvania-3378

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/university-of-california-los-angeles-1315

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/columbia-university-2707

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/princeton-university-2627

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/nyu-2785


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