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US College Rankings Explorer
Sort and filter the top US universities by ranking, acceptance rate, and in-state or out-of-state tuition — with category lists for computer science, engineering, business, value picks, and affordable public schools.
| # | University | State | Type | Accept. | Avg SAT | In-state | Out-of-state | Notable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Princeton University | NJ | Private | 4% | 1540 | $59,710 | $59,710 | Overall |
| 2 | MIT | MA | Private | 4% | 1555 | $60,156 | $60,156 | STEM |
| 3 | Harvard University | MA | Private | 3% | 1550 | $59,076 | $59,076 | Overall |
| 4 | Stanford University | CA | Private | 4% | 1545 | $62,484 | $62,484 | STEM |
| 5 | Yale University | CT | Private | 5% | 1540 | $64,700 | $64,700 | Liberal Arts |
| 6 | Caltech | CA | Private | 3% | 1560 | $60,864 | $60,864 | STEM |
| 7 | Duke University | NC | Private | 6% | 1530 | $63,450 | $63,450 | Overall |
| 8 | Johns Hopkins University | MD | Private | 7% | 1530 | $63,340 | $63,340 | Medicine & Research |
| 9 | Northwestern University | IL | Private | 7% | 1525 | $65,997 | $65,997 | Overall |
| 10 | University of Pennsylvania | PA | Private | 6% | 1530 | $66,104 | $66,104 | Business (Wharton) |
| 11 | Cornell University | NY | Private | 7% | 1520 | $68,380 | $68,380 | Engineering |
| 12 | University of Chicago | IL | Private | 5% | 1540 | $65,619 | $65,619 | Economics |
| 13 | Columbia University | NY | Private | 4% | 1535 | $68,400 | $68,400 | Overall |
| 14 | UC Berkeley | CA | Public | 11% | 1430 | $15,247 | $49,281 | STEM & Value |
| 15 | UCLA | CA | Public | 9% | 1420 | $13,804 | $46,326 | Value |
| 16 | Rice University | TX | Private | 8% | 1530 | $58,128 | $58,128 | Engineering |
| 17 | University of Michigan | MI | Public | 18% | 1450 | $17,228 | $60,946 | STEM |
| 18 | Carnegie Mellon University | PA | Private | 11% | 1540 | $63,829 | $63,829 | Computer Science |
| 19 | University of Notre Dame | IN | Private | 12% | 1500 | $62,693 | $62,693 | Business |
| 20 | Georgia Tech | GA | Public | 16% | 1450 | $10,558 | $31,370 | Engineering & Value |
| 21 | University of Texas at Austin | TX | Public | 29% | 1370 | $11,448 | $40,582 | STEM & Value |
| 22 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | IL | Public | 45% | 1420 | $17,640 | $36,068 | Computer Science |
| 23 | University of Washington | WA | Public | 48% | 1380 | $12,643 | $41,997 | Computer Science |
| 24 | Purdue University | IN | Public | 50% | 1330 | $9,992 | $28,794 | Engineering & Value |
| 25 | University of Wisconsin–Madison | WI | Public | 49% | 1370 | $11,205 | $41,265 | Overall Value |
| 30 | UC San Diego | CA | Public | 24% | 1370 | $15,730 | $49,764 | STEM |
| 35 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | NY | Private | 65% | 1420 | $62,484 | $62,484 | Engineering |
| 40 | Arizona State University | AZ | Public | 90% | 1240 | $12,473 | $32,193 | Accessible & Value |
Rankings, acceptance rates, and tuition are approximate 2024–25 figures compiled from US News, QS, and published cost of attendance. Out-of-state rates apply to most immigrant families in their first year; see the residency rules in our cost guide. Always verify on the school's official website.
Last reviewed:
By category
Top schools by focus
Quick lists pulled from the same dataset — useful when you already know your major or your budget.
Top for Computer Science
Strongest CS departments and recruiting pipelines.
- MIT$60,156
- Stanford University$62,484
- Caltech$60,864
- Cornell University$68,380
- UC Berkeley$15,247 in-state
- University of Michigan$17,228 in-state
Top for Engineering
Leading engineering programs across disciplines.
- Princeton University$59,710
- MIT$60,156
- Stanford University$62,484
- Caltech$60,864
- Duke University$63,450
- Johns Hopkins University$63,340
Top for Business
Best undergraduate business and MBA-feeder schools.
- Harvard University$59,076
- Stanford University$62,484
- Duke University$63,450
- Northwestern University$65,997
- University of Pennsylvania$66,104
- University of Chicago$65,619
Affordable Public Universities
Public flagships with strong rankings and lower in-state cost.
- UC Berkeley$15,247 in-state
- UCLA$13,804 in-state
- University of Michigan$17,228 in-state
- Georgia Tech$10,558 in-state
- University of Texas at Austin$11,448 in-state
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign$17,640 in-state
Best Value Picks
High ranking relative to cost — strong return on tuition.
- UC Berkeley$15,247 in-state
- UCLA$13,804 in-state
- Rice University$58,128
- Georgia Tech$10,558 in-state
- University of Texas at Austin$11,448 in-state
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign$17,640 in-state
Frequently asked questions
Which US universities are best for international and immigrant students?
For STEM, the standouts include MIT, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, UC Berkeley, Georgia Tech, UIUC, Purdue, and UT Austin — all with strong recruiting and (for the public ones) lower in-state cost. The 'best' school depends on your budget, intended major, and whether you qualify for in-state tuition. Use the filters to weigh ranking against cost.
Are public universities cheaper than private ones?
For in-state students, dramatically so — public flagships can cost $10,000–$17,000 in tuition versus $60,000+ at private universities. But out-of-state and international students pay much higher public rates ($30,000–$60,000), which can approach private-school cost. Top private schools also often give the most generous need-based aid, so the sticker price isn't the whole story.
What's a good 'value' college?
A value pick is a school with a strong ranking relative to its cost — typically public flagships like Georgia Tech, UT Austin, Purdue, UC Berkeley, and the University of Michigan, which deliver top-tier programs at a fraction of private-school tuition for in-state students. Many also offer automatic merit scholarships based on GPA and test scores.
Can I transfer from community college to a top university?
Yes, and it's a proven money-saving path. Many states have guaranteed-transfer agreements — California's community colleges, for instance, have admission pathways into the UC system. Two years at community college followed by two years at a four-year university can cut a bachelor's degree cost by tens of thousands of dollars.
Keep learning
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