Best Colleges in America of 2025

Why This Matters

THE U.S. HAS ALMOST 3,000 FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES

According to the Department of Education, there are 2,832 degree-granting four-year institutions for students to choose from in the U.S.
MORE THAN ONE-THIRD OF JOBS REQUIRE A POST-SECONDARY DEGREE

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that nearly 37% of occupations require some type of post-secondary education, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
A COLLEGE DEGREE INCREASES YOUR EARNING POTENTIAL

Full-time employees with a bachelor’s degree earn a median weekly salary of $1,416, compared to $789 for high school graduates.

Our Research

Our research for this list focused on finding the overall best colleges and universities in the U.S. This meant evaluating schools based on the factors most important to students and their families, including quality of programs, reputation, faculty, research, student life, graduation and retention, and cost.

A key indicator of quality for higher education institutions is the type of accreditation a school has. All of the programs on our list are regionally accredited, which means they achieve high standards of quality in post-secondary education. These schools are typically eligible for all federal financial aid programs, and credits are more easily transferred to other institutions.

We evaluated each program on the basis of flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost, and reputation. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score for each program on a scale from 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.

68 hours to write this article
5,832 universities and colleges we assessed
23,746 education programs we compared

The Top 100 Colleges and Universities

Intelligent Pick

Princeton University

Best for Political Science

Harvard University

Best for Journalism Programs

Columbia University

Best Private Research University

Stanford University

Best for Performing Arts Programs

Yale University

Best for Business Programs

University of Pennsylvania

Most Selective

Brown University

Best in the Midwest

University of Chicago

Lowest Student-to-Faculty Ratio

California Institute of Technology

Best in the Southeast

Duke University

Best for Engineering Programs

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Best Study Abroad Programs

Dartmouth College

Best in the Southwest

University of Arizona

Best in the South

Rice University

Best for Medical Programs

Johns Hopkins University

Best Catholic University

University of Notre Dame

Best Public Research University

University of Michigan

Best for Interdisciplinary Programs

Northwestern University

Best for Law Programs

Vanderbilt University

Best Liberal Arts Institution

Amherst College

Best for Hospitality Programs

Cornell University

Best Undergraduate Institution

Harvey Mudd College

Best in the West

Pomona College

Best Financial Aid Packages

Bowdoin College

Best for Small Classes

Davidson College

Best for International Students

Georgetown University

Best Sustainable Initiatives

Emory University

Most Diverse Student Body

University of Southern California

Best Honors Program

Swarthmore College

Best Mid-Sized University

Tufts University

Most Historical Campus

University of Virginia

Best Grant Opportunities

Williams College

Most Affordable Graduate Tuition

UCLA

Best for Double Majors

Washington University in St. Louis

Best Alumni Association

College of William and Mary

Best Degree Program Selection

University of California, Berkeley

Best Jesuit University

Boston College

Best for Veterans

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Best Small University

Carleton College

Best for Computer Science Programs

Carnegie Mellon University

Best for English Programs

Middlebury College

Best Non-Traditional Academic Year

Washington and Lee University

Best for Community Service

Tulane University

Best Women's College

Barnard College

Best Internship Opportunities

Claremont McKenna College

Most Unique Learning Opportunities

Colby College

Most Scholarships Awarded

Augustana University

Best Retention Rate

Bucknell University

Best Fellowship Opportunities

The Cooper Union

Best for Self-Designed Programs

Grinnell College

Best Residential Campus

Hamilton College

Best Academic Centers

Haverford College

Best Research Funding

University of California San Diego

Best Athletics Program

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Best Large University

University of Florida

Best Green Initiatives

Vassar College

Best Return on Investment

Georgia Institute of Technology

Best College for Women

Wellesley College

Best Mormon University

Brigham Young University

Best for Dual Degree Programs

Case Western Reserve University

Best for Undergrad Research

Colgate University

Best for Chemistry Programs

Lafayette College

Best College Town

Lehigh University

Best Freshman Year Curriculum

Scripps College

Best University Hospital

University of California, Irvine

Best for Education Programs

University of California, Santa Barbara

Best Community Engagement

Macalester College

Best for Global Education

New York University

Best Conservatory Programs

Oberlin College and Conservatory

Most Innovative Programs

Olin College of Engineering

Best in the Northwest

Reed College

Best Student Organizations

University of Richmond

Best Internship Opportunities

Trinity College

Best for Agriculture Programs

University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Best for Military Careers

United States Naval Academy

Most Affordable Undergraduate Tuition

University of Washington

Best for Humanities Programs

Whitman College

Best Methodist University

Alaska Pacific University

Best Benedictine University

Saint Anselm College

Best Student Activities

Auburn University

Best Graduation Rate

Austin College

Best for Entrpreneurship Programs

Babson College

Best for Fulbright Scholars

Bates College

Best Career Services

Bentley University

Best for Continuing Studies

Brandeis University

Best Urban Campus

Brooklyn College

Best for Global Initiatives

Boston University

Best Student Government

Bryn Mawr College

Best for Architecture Programs

California Polytechnic State University

Best for International Students

Brigham Young University Hawaii

Best Faith-Based Programs

Calvin University

Best for Upward Mobility

California State University, Los Angeles

Best for Pre-Med Programs

Carroll College

Best Academic Opportunities

Centre College

Best Minor Programs

Clemson University

Best for Theological Studies Programs

College of the Ozarks

Best Faculty

Centenary College of Louisiana

Most Unique Curriculum

Colorado College

Best for Interdisciplinary Scholarship

Connecticut College

Best for Homeschooled Students

Covenant College

Discover More Options

What You Should Know About This Degree

When it comes to higher education in the U.S., there is a distinction between colleges and universities. Colleges are typically smaller institutions that focus primarily on undergraduate education, offering associate’s and bachelor’s degrees, and, in some cases, master’s degrees. Universities tend to be larger, and offer more post-graduate degrees, including doctoral degrees, in addition to bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Some institutions are comprehensive, offering degrees in a wide variety of areas, while others are more specialized, focusing on degrees in areas like liberal arts, technology, or visual and performing arts.

Many students, particularly those who are enrolling in undergraduate programs, fixate on the idea that there is a “dream” school. While having a strong idea of what you are looking for in a college is important, in truth, there are many schools which will provide an outstanding education and college experience, as this list demonstrates.

There are many metrics by which colleges and universities are evaluated, including the depth and breadth of programs they offer, the size and quality of their faculty, the research and initiatives in which they participate, and the learning experiences they offer students, including study abroad, internships, and extracurricular activities. However, what ultimately makes a college or university “the best” depends on the particular interests and needs of the student.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching colleges and universities:

What are the eligibility requirements? Many of the schools on our list are among the most selective in the U.S. Whether you are applying for an undergraduate or graduate degree, it is important to understand what these institutions are looking for in their students. Applying to multiple institutions will increase your chances of being accepted at one of the top institutions in the country.
What types of visit opportunities do they offer to prospective students? One of the best ways to determine if a school is a good fit is to visit. Most schools offer opportunities for prospective students to get an up-close look, whether it’s a campus tour, open house, class observation, or pre-college program. As you begin researching schools, find out when and how you can visit the ones you like most to get a feel for the campus environment.

As you research programs, keep track of when application deadlines are and what application materials you must submit for each school. You can usually find this information by reviewing the school’s website or contacting their admissions department.

Financing your education is another important consideration. Be sure to submit financial aid applications on time, and research other sources of funding including scholarships, assistantships, and tuition benefits from your employer if you are currently employed.

Best Colleges in America of 2025

Compare School Options

Why This Matters

THE U.S. HAS ALMOST 3,000 FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES

MORE THAN ONE-THIRD OF JOBS REQUIRE A POST-SECONDARY DEGREE

A COLLEGE DEGREE INCREASES YOUR EARNING POTENTIAL