Top 10 University

National University Rankings

National University Methodology

Schools in the National Universities category, such as the University of Pennsylvania and Duke University, offer a full range of undergraduate majors, master's, and doctoral degrees. These colleges also are committed to producing ground breaking research.

#1 Harvard University

Cambridge, MA

Harvard University is a private institution in Cambridge, Mass., 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:

$37,000 (2011-12)

Enrollment:

5,220

Setting:

suburban

#2 Princeton University

Princeton, NJ

The ivy-covered campus of Princeton University, a private institution, is located in the quiet town of Princeton, N.J. 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:

$40,500 (2011-12)

Enrollment:

5,310

Setting:

urban

#3 Yale University

New Haven, CT

Yale University, located in New Haven, Conn., offers a small college life with the resources of a major research institution. Yale students are divided into 12 residential colleges that foster a supportive environment for living, learning, and socializing.

Tuition and fees:

$45,290 (2011-12)

Enrollment:

5,888

Setting:

urban

#4 Columbia University

New York, NY

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:

$37,704 (2011-12)

Enrollment:

967

Setting:

suburban

#5 California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, CA

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, Calif. 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:

$40,732 (2011-12)

Enrollment:

4,299

Setting:

urban

#6 Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA

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, Mass., just across the Charles River from downtown Boston.

Tuition and fees:

$40,569 (2011-12)

Enrollment:

6,940

Setting:

suburban

#7 Stanford University

Stanford, CA

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:

$42,783 (2011-12)

Enrollment:

5,238

Setting:

urban

#8 University of Chicago

Chicago, IL

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:

$42,098 (2011-12)

Enrollment:

9,865

Setting:

urban

#9 University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA

Founded by Benjamin Franklin, the University of Pennsylvania is a private institution in the University City neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pa., near Drexel University. Undergraduates can study in four academic departments: Arts and Sciences, Nursing, Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Wharton.

Tuition and fees:

$41,958 (2011-12)

Enrollment:

6,664

Setting:

suburban

#10 Duke University

Durham, NC

Located in Durham, N.C., 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.