2023 Colleges with the Best Academics in America

• Cambridge, MA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  653 reviews

Sophomore: Currently reaching near the middle of my time here, and this school truly works you to the bone. The baseline of this place is that everyone is very smart. Some are decently smart and work hard enough to get in, others come in doing Olympiads from when they were 5 years old. The students are very diverse. Some come in "normal", others finally get to truly express the weird and unique that they've been suppressing their whole lives. The campus is extremely welcoming and you really get to be who you want to be; it's very beautiful. Each dorm has an extant history and culture; you can automatically learn about someone by what dorm they live in. The academics are exceedingly difficult by content and pace. The problem set difficulty are elevated beyond a typical school's, and they force you to collaborate with others. Everyone must collaborate. You're forced to learn time management skills. I was finally able to satisfy my love for learning here. Truly an amazing and unique school!... Read 653 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 7%

• Net price $19,998

• SAT range 1510-1580

• Stanford, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  1,251 reviews

Alum: Now, 60+ years after a Stanford BSME, I am astoundingly grateful for a rounded undergraduate engineering education that led to 1) a succession of rewarding employments, and through those, 2) development of cultural appreciation and of language capability in Malaysian/Indonesian - employment experiences in human relations and communication that made me a more effective and versatile engineer. So to Stanford, thanks for getting me off to a great start! T. Savage, Seattle... Read 1,251 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 5%

• Net price $20,023

• SAT range 1420-1570

• Cambridge, MA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.13 out of 5  802 reviews

Sophomore: Make sure to do your research before deciding to apply or committing. Definitely a lot of prestige, resources, and amazing people. However, as an inner city kid from the midwest, the east coast, especially Boston, was sort of a culture shock. Social life is not as prominent as it is at other schools because academics and athletics definitely dominate the scene. Boston is definitely a college CITY. With so many colleges in a 10 mile radius you only see college study out and about. Overall a very eye opening experience, just make sure to visit and be sure that this is what you seek in your college experience!... Read 802 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 5%

• Net price $18,037

• SAT range 1460-1580

• Princeton, NJ•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  454 reviews

Junior: My time at Princeton is something I wouldn't change for the world. The institution isn't perfect, the course load is extremely rigorous and exhausting, and the academic pressure can often make you feel like your gonna break down; nonetheless, I've met some of the most amazing people here, the work and the thinking I do in class often sticks with me outside of the lecture, and the undergraduate-focused nature of the school makes me extremely supported and abundant with resources. Its a real give and take but overall, I love that I go to school there.... Read 454 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 6%

• Net price $18,685

• SAT range 1450-1570

• Chicago, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  1,225 reviews

Sophomore: UChicago certainly lives up to the rumors of its academic rigor but it pays off because each of my classes has been full of highly engaged students excited to study and discuss the material! Unfortunately for students not very very well versed in time-management, the academic work really can take over your life and fulfill the “where fun goes to die” catch-phrase for this school so it requires some serious practice to balance fun and work. In terms of on-campus living, their “Hogwarts” style housing makes for an amazing built-in community even as a freshman. I love living in the dorms and plan to stay through graduation! I’d recommend this college only to students who genuinely enjoy dedicating over 50% of their time to their academics.... Read 1,225 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 7%

• Net price $36,584

• SAT range 1500-1570

• New Haven, CT•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  1,018 reviews

Sophomore: Yale has been a fun and enjoyable experience overall. I would definitely choose Yale again if I had to re-do my college application. Academics: some departments are better taught than other departments. Yale can be weaker in CS and Math compared to other universities, but most alums are still very successful. Like most colleges, there is a lot of independent learning and there are numerous resources to help you. The environment is not competitive unless premed. Social life: Yale has an AMAZING social life compared to other universities of equal caliber. There is always something going on and you can be as social as you want. Social life is nonexistent during midterm season. There are parties, frats, concerts, woads, club formals, and many other events. Sports: Not a big sports school but many students are involved in club sports. Yale dining is delicious and healthy!... Read 1,018 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 7%

• Net price $17,511

• SAT range 1460-1580

• Providence, RI•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  1,052 reviews

Niche User: I am currently enrolled as an incoming freshman at Brown University but I have been fortunate to participate in two of their pre-college programs. Overall, the academic resources and opportunities to explore STEM-based passions are incredibly diverse and accessible. The campus has amazing faculty that are engaged in the subject, both in and out of the classroom. They provide insightful feedback and support, especially as I had little experience doing lab work in high school. Outside the classroom, there were countless facilities and events that covered a wide variety of interests. These helped me foster a strong sense of community as I was able to connect with peers of similar likes during these events. I love how interconnected the university is with the larger city of Providence, which makes both professional and recreational engagement more accessible. Lastly, the Brown community was incredibly welcoming and supportive. Everyone there was proactive and engaged!... Read 1,052 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 8%

• Net price $27,659

• SAT range 1440-1560

• New York, NY•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  1,303 reviews

Sophomore: I liked that there are endless academic opportunities available; you will never run out! Food is average and oftentimes the lines in the dining halls take an annoying amount of time. The dorms in my experience have been pretty nice, and some have crazy amazing views of the city. Students overall are pretty nice/polite here but there in definitely an air of competition in certain interest groups. Many of the general lectures courses leave a lot to be desired and didn't give me any special ivy league education that I couldn't have gotten elsewhere. However, that being said, I've also taken some incredible smaller courses where I've been able to build a relationship with my professor and learn a lot from them. Also make sure you are somewhat interested in what the core has to off because its a huge part of your education at Columbia.... Read 1,303 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 7%

• Net price $22,126

• SAT range 1460-1570

• Durham, NC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  1,172 reviews

Alum: As a former alumni of Duke University, I can confidently say that it is one of the best universities in the world. The academic programs are rigorous, challenging, and thought-provoking, and the faculty members are top-notch and dedicated to providing students with a well-rounded education. The campus is beautiful, with world-class facilities and plenty of opportunities for extracurricular activities. The university also places a strong emphasis on community service and encourages students to get involved in various volunteer projects. Overall, my experience at Duke University was life-changing, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a top-tier education in a supportive and stimulating environment.... Read 1,172 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 8%

• Net price $26,932

• SAT range 1470-1570

• Evanston, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  1,449 reviews

Junior: Northwestern is a wonderful academic institution. The professors and one of a kind programs are incredibly engaging. Northwestern provides students with so many opportunities within their undergraduate career. The campus is in an ideal location with its proximity to Chicago and lakefront access. Additionally, Northwestern has hundreds of clubs that fit any and all interests. The only downsides to Northwestern include the competitive atmosphere, cold winters, and lackluster party scene. If you are someone who is willing to brave the cold and explore Chicago for your fun and parties, then Northwestern is the place for you!... Read 1,449 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 9%

• Net price $28,344

• SAT range 1430-1550

• Hanover, NH•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  723 reviews

Junior: I am a transfer student athlete and am planning to attend Dartmouth in the fall. What I loved on my visit was the family atmosphere amongst the faculty and the close relationships they had with their students. I believe that it is important to put an emphasis on undergraduate education and Dartmouth does that the best in comparison to any other school in the nation. From an athletic standpoint I feel like Dartmouth has all the tools and facilities to help me achieve my athletic goals. Coming from an institution that gives athletic scholarships, Ivy leagues do not have that availability. I felt like the experiences and relationships that I would build would make it worth it to apply for scholarships online. Thank you!... Read 723 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 9%

• Net price $24,525

• SAT range 1440-1560

• Philadelphia, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  1,310 reviews

Junior: Work hard, play hard! That’s life at Penn. Strengths - Great approachable Professors, almost any class or activity you can think of, wonderful diversity, beautiful campus. Lots of opportunities to study abroad. Greek life is active, but not necessary to have a rich social life. Tuition, room and board are expensive but there’s lots of aid available. Highly recommended, but very competitive admission rate ( around 8% ). Suggest applying Early Decision if Penn’s your first choice ( 18% acceptance rate ).... Read 1,310 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 9%

• Net price $24,167

• SAT range 1460-1570

• Baltimore, MD•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.65 out of 5  1,368 reviews

Senior: John’s Hopkins is a great university with wonderful teaching staff and TA’s that are committed to helping their students succeed. I would highly recommend STEM students to apply as the engineering, computer science and other non pre-med curriculum is world class too. The smaller classes really provide a more conducive learning experience. There are also many things to do in Baltimore and living so close to Washington DC provides other opportunities to explore. The Hopkins Homewood campus is one of the most beautiful among all the campuses I toured before applying. As a top ten nationally ranked university you can’t go wrong!... Read 1,368 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 11%

• Net price $25,241

• SAT range 1470-1560

• Houston, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  1,099 reviews

Junior: I came into Rice as a transfer student this past semester. I'm happy to say I've found a place where I feel completely welcomed and appreciated. This is where I was meant to be. I am academically challenged and my curiosity is constantly mirrored in my classmates/friends. The conversations are fun and the people are genuine. Don't think that you can't apply because of how competitive it looks. They really practice the holistic approach and if you bring your unique story, passion, and perspective you have a shot. I didn't have perfect test scores, but I had a great work ethic and passion for what I do. If you want a home away from home- highly recommend!... Read 1,099 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 11%

• Net price $19,215

• SAT range 1460-1570

• Nashville, TN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  1,321 reviews

Alum: I graduated summa cum laude from Vanderbilt University in 2021 with a Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience. I primarily chose to attend Vandy for its academic prowess, and it definitely lived up to that reputation. In retrospect, I loved the majority of my STEM classes, and I find that my education was well-rounded because of my required liberal arts classes. The campus is beautiful, the food is relatively good, and on-campus housing is average. Admittedly, I was excited to live off-campus for my last two years (but beware - living in Nashville is not cheap). Socially, I had a great time at Vandy, especially thanks to the liveliness of Nashville, but sadly not due to Vanderbilt sports - this is not their strong suit. I met lifelong friends at this school! Realistically, however, many students do come from wealthy backgrounds, which can be off-putting at times. Ultimately, while undeniably expensive, Vanderbilt is a great school that will certainly work to your advantage after graduation.... Read 1,321 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 12%

• Net price $25,804

• SAT range 1470-1570

• Pasadena, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  129 reviews

Freshman: Great school, amazing opportunities provided by all the faculty. Beautiful campus perfect for anyone around :)... Read 129 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 7%

• Net price $26,591

• SAT range 1530-1580

• Ithaca, NY•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  2,023 reviews

Senior: Work hard, play harder. Cornell is an excellent school academically speaking & one where you'll find friends for life. The opportunities are endless, and job placement is spectacular. All of my friends are either going to top firms or top PhD/MD programs. It's hard to transition to college, but Cornell is a pretty difficult transition (very cold, hard academically, exclusive Greek life scene). That said, once you make it work for you it's the best uni experience!... Read 2,023 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 11%

• Net price $27,522

• SAT range 1400-1540

• Saint Louis, MO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  1,526 reviews

Alum: I am thankful for my undergraduate experience at Washington University in St. Louis. The college has great connections for post-grad opportunities in multiple fields - business, medicine, research, engineering. I was easily able to switch between the Arts & Sciences program and the Business School at the end of my sophomore year. There is a huge focus on medicine, so even for other career paths there are healthcare adjacent offerings (e.g. Healthcare Management, Bio Medical Engineering, Global Health, Psychology/Neuroscience/Philosophy). The brand name and resources do carry for other non-health related professions too. The classwork can be tough so it's best you find out which paths are a good fit for you in terms of academic rigor, class size, and teaching style. Your counselors can help with this. Good size of the school - not too big to get lost, but not too small to know everyone and the campus is very very beautiful! I suggest visiting and talking to alum to learn more!... Read 1,526 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 16%

• Net price $27,233

• SAT range 1480-1560

• Notre Dame, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  1,390 reviews

Freshman: Notre Dame has a great school spirit and campus life. In addition to a top-tier, rigorous education you can also enjoy your time at college. Everyone is super collaborative, friendly, and extremely accepting regardless of differences. The faculty is super acceptable and want to speak to you or help you with coursework when needed. People have close-knit friendships with their dorms and all partake in signature traditions. Plus the campus is awesome!... Read 1,390 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 19%

• Net price $29,981

• SAT range 1400-1550

• Pittsburgh, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  1,442 reviews

Alum: I am alumni of Carnegie Mellon's School of Architecture. Many people don't understand the ethos of the school, but it's a consortium of conservatories for aspiring writers,architects, engineers, painters, industrial designers, computer programmers, etc. Unlike other schools, there's an explicit professional focus. The workload is intense, but the culture is collaborative. If this environment suits your temperament and aspirations, the benefit is tremendous! Our professors used to say, "If you can handle the work here, you'll find your professional life easy." The school motto says it all, "My Heart is in the Work."... Read 1,442 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 17%

• Net price $36,983

• SAT range 1460-1560

• Washington, DC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  1,241 reviews

Freshman: Truly one of the best undergraduate experiences out there! Teaching staff, social scene, academic offers outside of the classroom (speaker, events, etc), traditions, and the surrounding area make Georgetown incredibly special. Sure you can get a great education at a number of schools on this list, but you can’t get the Georgetown experience anywhere else. Everyone is super hardworking, optimistic/grounded (none of the Ivy snark or pessimism), and most importantly looking to give back. I’m not catholic (I’m frankly not even religious), but the Jesuit values and inclusive nature of the school gives a one of a kind education for the mind, body, and soul. It might seem like a pain to fill out another application (I know it sucks and should be updated), but it will be the best pain you’ve ever put yourself through!... Read 1,241 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 17%

• Net price $30,710

• SAT range 1380-1550

• Swarthmore, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.61 out of 5  423 reviews

Alum: Life changing. Not only because of the quality of professors and the teacher to student ratio, but because the student body is so extraordinary. Living with and around people who are major achievers rubs off on you. Being there raised my standards 1000% because that is what I had to do just to keep up. And that habit stayed with me for the rest of my life. It produced a wonderful, successful life and work experience. Proud to be a Swattie!... Read 423 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 9%

• Net price $20,360

• SAT range 1390-1540

• Los Angeles, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  3,924 reviews

Graduate Student: What I found while in attendance here in USC is that there are a plethora of resources available to the students given at every opportunity available. You are given an active role in making connections as well as forming new career opportunities during and after your attendance here. There is an emphasis to put yourself out there, however if communicating is not your strength, do not worry! There are plenty of events that aid students in beginning the path towards networking such as events for introverted students. There are additional concerns with the quality of hygiene here as certain public utilities are not the best to gain access of. The demographic population is also a concern as it is a predominantly white institution which can correlate to struggles for students of color. There have been advances in supporting our students of color, however they are fairly new so there is little expectations on the amount of support they may provide. Overall I would highly recommend attending... Read 3,924 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 16%

• Net price $39,759

• SAT range 1340-1530

• Claremont, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  416 reviews

Alum: Pomona College was a very transformative space for me. The small class sizes and strong sense of community among professors and students really helped me thrive. I was surrounded by intellectually curious peers and inspiring professors during my four years. Beyond academics, there were an abundance of research and work opportunities to help explore my passions and potential career interests that I would not have been able to do in a larger school. I was able to pursue athletics at the collegiate level, work as a teaching research assistant, and organize community events— the opportunities were endless if you really searched for them. I also cannot forget how beautiful the campus was and how amazing the dining hall food was! Beyond the Pomona College community, you also have access to a consortium of four more top undergraduate colleges (Claremont McKenna, Scripps, Harvey Mudd, and Pitzer) where you can take classes at and connect with a whole new network of students and professors.... Read 416 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 9%

• Net price $30,392

• SAT range 1390-1540

• Atlanta, GA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  1,571 reviews

Graduate Student: I loved my experience as a graduate student! I attended the public health program and received a Master's degree from this esteemed school. I learned from professors enmeshed in relevant research and current events. The school's community partnerships and proximity to the CDC allowed its students easy access to many professional opportunities, especially for those interested in infectious disease. Emory provides a beautiful campus and a variety of study spaces for its students. This university may want to work on developing a more distinct student culture -- this is one of the few areas where the school may be lacking.... Read 1,571 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 19%

• Net price $25,672

• SAT range 1380-1530