Students who prioritize their career and know the value of education and good grades always aim high. The United States homes some of the top global collages and people come here to study from all across the world. It is inevitable that a good student like you will aim to get admission in one of the best colleges in the US. But you need to know where to try and how it is worth it. Here, we list you the top colleges in the US and the subjects they specialize in.
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How to choose the best college in the US?
To be honest, not all colleges are great. Most of the colleges would be able to award you a degree, but not a job. Placements are not assisted in many of the colleges, which means you have to compete in the rat race of the job-hunting process.
You have to understand that not all colleges are the best in the US. Academics, curriculum, campus, networking, and placements are the major factors you have to look before choosing a college. Before that, make sure you are aware of the US News college rankings. This will clear some of your doubts regarding which colleges you have to apply. Other reliable sources for your research are the Forbes college rankings and the US university rankings.
If you are still unsure of what you have to choose, the best colleges in the US are listed below with information on history, what courses they offer, world rankings, campus life, and services offered.
Best colleges in the US
Go through the list of colleges you will want to be a part of and what all they offer:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
QS World Ranking – 1
Being the number one among all America’s top colleges, this had to be on top of the list. You might have heard a lot of people talk about MIT and this is the college they referred to.
It is considered highly prestigious to hold a degree awarded by MIT. The university is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US. Its mission is to provide advance knowledge and educate students who’ll serve the nation in the best possible way.
Programs offered:
- Engineering and Technology
- Business Management
- Art, Design, and Architecture
- Humanities
- Social Studies
- Medicine and Health
- Journalism and Media
- Computer and IT
- Natural Sciences and Mathematics
- Applied Sciences and Profession
Life at MIT is more than just academics, classes, and homework, the university prides itself on both their curricular and extracurricular activities.
Stanford University
QS World Ranking – 2
It is a world-famous university located in the heart of California’s Silicon Valley, between San Francisco and San Jose. Stanford University was founded in 1981 and since then the university has been a world leader in providing the best education to the masses.
Programs offered:
- Engineering and Technology
- Humanities
- Natural Science and Mathematics
- Social Science
- Education and Training
- Art, design, and architecture
- Environmental and Earth Science
- Computer Science and IT
- Medicine and Health
- Business Management
- Journalism and Media
- Law
- Agriculture and Forestry
It has a wonderful placement cell with a team of career coaches who are associated with the student communities on campus and help them set up appointments and meetings with the organization to help them explore career paths.
Student services are excellent. Almost 62 percent of the students live in the university-provided complexes. Every new student is guaranteed houses for their first year on campus. Library services are out of the world – name a book and it is present in the library for sure. Stanford also provides unparalleled medical services with the most advanced technology.
Harvard University
QS World Ranking – 3
Established in 1636, Hardvard is one of the oldest educational institutions in the world. It is located in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts. Enrollment of over 20,000-degreed candidates is recorded every year, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. This is by far the most demanded college students want to be a part of.
Programs offered:
- Humanities
- Engineering and Technology
- Law
- Business and Management
- Social Science
- Computer an IT
- Natural Science and Mathematics
- Arts, Design and Architecture
- Applied Science
- Education and Training
- Medicine and Health
- Journalism and Media
- Environmental and Earth Sciences
It has an Office of Career Services to connect students with job opportunities. Housing, library, medical services are few other things they boast of along with curricular and extracurricular activities.
California Institute of Technology – Caltech
QS World Ranking – 4
Caltech is famous for science and research institute. The college locates in Pasadena, California. It has been standing strong since inception in 1891 and was initially named Throop University. The name was changed to California Institute of Technology in 1920.
Programs offered:
- Engineering
- Technology
Caltech’s leadership and administrative offices ensure that the university is pursuing its mission properly. A number of services are offered to students. Housing services are provided for all first-year students. A health center provides all the necessary primary health care to its students. Plenty of clubs are present inside the campus for student interactions and development.
University of Chicago
QS World Ranking – 9
It’s a world’s premier institution founded in 1890, situated at Chicago, in Illinois. The university is also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Programs offered:
- Business and Management
- Social Science
- Humanities
- Computer and IT
- Medicine and Health
- Law
- Engineering and Technology
- Arts, Design, and Architecture
- Natural Science and Mathematics
- Applied Science and Professions
Eleven halls of residences are found on campus catering to the housing needs of students. Almost 40 to 104 students share the living space. The students also have access to an impressive array of fitness facilities.
Princeton University
QS World Ranking – 13
It was started in 1746 as the College of New Jersey, by which it was known for more than 150 years. In the beginning, the college was located in Newark and was moved to Princeton in 1756. The university is well known for its scholarship programs, making it an all-time favorite for international students.
Programs offered:
- Engineering and Technology
- Computer Science and IT
- Social Science
- Business and Management
- Humanities
- Arts, Design, and Architecture
- Natural Science and Mathematics
Research is always welcome at Princeton University. One to one assistance is provided by the placement cell to help students in career planning. Housing services are provided for all the students and 90 percent live on campus until they graduate from their respective degrees.
Yale University
QS World Ranking – 15
Founded in 1701, it is located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. The university has always been keen on expanding the programs offered.
Programs offered:
- Arts, Design, and Architecture
- Humanities
- Business and Management
- Law
- Engineering and Technology
- Social Science
- Medicine and Health
- Agriculture and Forestry
- Computer and IT
- Education and Training
- Natural Science and Mathematics
- Environmental Science and Earth Science
It’s a vibrant community on campus, focusing on liberal arts. They have people from the Yale Office of Career Strategy offering professional advice, internship, and employment opportunities. The alumni of the university are very close-knit with the placement cell and serve as strong contacts for their juniors.
Cornell University
QS World Ranking – 14
Among the Ivy League colleges, Cornell is different in terms of providing contributions in all fields of knowledge that prioritizes public engagement. It is located in Ithaca, New York.
Programs offered:
- Engineering and Technology
- Business and Management
- Social Sciences
- Environmental Science
The university holds NAAB accreditation. At Cornell, the campus life is very traditional, right from eateries to residence halls, the place feels old-school. Students love to bask in nature’s lap surrounded by lakes and waterfalls around the college. This place is a dream for any student who would spend hostel life here. The housing services are available for first-year undergraduates, so make the most of your learning here.
Columbia University
QS World Ranking – 16
Founded in 1754, it is one of the oldest institutions in the nation, devoted to providing a distinguished learning environment for its students. It has scholars from around the world involved in the Research and Development cell.
Programs offered:
- Engineering
- Business Management
- Humanities
- Social Sciences
- Arts, Design, and Architecture
These are the major branches with a number of courses offered in each domain.
Columbia’s research center has contributed to climate response, data and society, neuroscience, next-generation nano, and fundamental science. The career program is a total win for international students as the organization offers work-study programs and part-time jobs to almost all the students.
University of Pennsylvania
QS World Ranking – 19
It was founded by George Whitefield in 1740 through an educational trust fund. It is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Though the school was devoted to liberal arts earlier, it has expanded its territory to other domains.
Programs offered:
- Business and Management
- Medicine and Health
- Computer and IT
- Social Science
- Humanities
- Law
- Engineering and Technology
- Education and Training
- Natural Science and Mathematics
- Applied Science
- Arts, Design, and Architecture
- Environmental Studies and Earth Science
The university spends more than $700 million in its Research and Development expenses. It is one of the nation’s top research institutes. Though housing is not supported on campus, the university offers incentives to students shifting around the neighborhood.
University of Michigan
QS World Ranking – 20
The University is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. With more than $1.3 billion contributed to research expenditure, it is one of the leading research institutes in the US.
Programs offered:
- Medicine and Health
- Engineering and Technology
- Education and Training
- Business and Management
- Natural sciences and Mathematics
The University’s career program is termed as ‘Handshake.’ This cell helps students to engage in on-campus recruitment and explore internship opportunities. It has good housing facilities, nearly 98 percent of the students live on-campus.
Johns Hopkins University
QS World Ranking – 21
Opened in 1876, the university encourages research and enhancement of individual scholars. It is located in Baltimore, Maryland. The university enrolls more than 24,000 full time and part-time students across various programs such as music and arts, engineering, international studies, education, and business.
Programs offered:
- Applied Physics
- Applied and Computational Mathematics
- Civil Engineering
- Applied Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- Computer Science
- Cybersecurity
- Data Science
- Environmental Engineering
- Engineering Management
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Environmental Engineering and Science
- Healthcare Systems Engineering
- Financial Mathematics
- Information Systems Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Systems Engineering
- Space Systems Engineering
- Technical Management
Their Research and Development cell has invented saccharine, CPR, and the Supersonic Ramjet Engine. The Homewood Career Centre of Johns Hopkins University supports both undergraduates and graduates. Their housing services are poor, they help students get cheap stays in the neighborhood.
Duke University
QS World Ranking – 26
Duke University locates in Durham, North Carolina. It is a prestigious college for university research for both professionals and graduates.
Program domains:
- Business
- Divinity
- Law
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Engineering
- Environment
- Public Policy
Duke University is accredited by the Commission of Colleges on the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award degrees. They offer housing services for every undergraduate. Along with studies, they have a great fitness
Housing services are offered for all three years for undergraduates. The university is also committed to athletics and fitness. Exceptional medical service is provided to all the people on campus. However, the placement cell is not well-defined and that could be a problem for international students.
University of California
QS World Ranking – 27
It is located in Berkeley, California. Being the world’s premier university, it has contributed a lot towards the nation’s well being.
Programs offered:
- Business & Management
- Arts, Design & Architecture
- Engineering & Technology
- Natural Sciences & Mathematics
- Computer Science & IT
- Law
- Journalism & Media
- Medicine & Health
- Education & Training
- Humanities
- Environmental Studies & Earth Sciences
- Applied Sciences & Professions
- Agriculture & Forestry
- Social Sciences
Its flagship campus is termed as ‘The City of Learning’. The career programs are best in class with a number of career clubs – Callisto, Career Fairs, Resume Books, and On-Campus Recruiting are a few to name in this respect.
Carnegie Mellon University
QS World Ranking – 46
It is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The University is one of its kinds as it sets its own course. The Middle States Commission accredits the university. Although it’s a far behind in terms of world rankings, it is a good place to shape your career in the right direction.
Programs offered:
- Computer science and IT
- Business and Management
- Engineering and Technology
- Arts, Design, and Architecture
The Career and Professional Development Center of Carnegie Mellon have 24 professional who manage campus recruitments. They also offer housing services to all students.
Final thoughts
Hope this list helps you make up your mind regarding the best colleges in the US. For more information about the eligibility criteria for international students, visit the official website of the college you choose.
