2023 Best Colleges in America

• Cambridge, MA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  657 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 657 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 4%

• Net price $30,958

• SAT range 1510-1580

• Stanford, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  1,254 reviews

Niche User: As a former student of Stanford University, I can say with confidence that it was an incredible experience. The campus is absolutely beautiful, with stunning architecture and sprawling gardens that make for a peaceful and serene environment to study in. The professors were all experts in their fields and incredibly knowledgeable. They pushed us to think critically and creatively, challenging us to go beyond the textbook and truly understand the material. The classes were engaging and interactive, with lots of opportunities for discussion and collaboration. One thing that stood out to me about Stanford was the emphasis on interdisciplinary studies. The university encourages students to explore different fields and take classes outside of their major, which I found to be incredibly valuable. It allowed me to broaden my knowledge and perspectives, and I still use the skills I learned in those classes today. This university is amazing and extremely beneficial to your future career... Read 1,254 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 4%

• Net price $14,402

• SAT range 1470-1570

• Cambridge, MA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  805 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 805 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 4%

• Net price $13,910

• SAT range 1480-1580

• New Haven, CT•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  1,020 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 1,020 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 5%

• Net price $20,605

• SAT range 1480-1580

• Princeton, NJ•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  458 reviews

Niche User: Visiting Princeton was an incredibly memorable experience from the striking campus to the interactions between students. It was very apparent that students genuinely enjoyed being part of the Princeton community. In terms of academics, Princeton is known to be rigorous and fast-paced so it primarily depends on the student themselves to adopt efficient time management skills and study methods to succeed.... Read 458 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 4%

• Net price $20,908

• SAT range 1460-1570

• Houston, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  1,101 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 1,101 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 9%

• Net price $18,521

• SAT range 1490-1570

• 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+

• Acceptance rate 4%

• Net price $30,162

• SAT range 1530-1580

• Durham, NC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  1,179 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 1,179 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 6%

• Net price $27,297

• SAT range 1470-1570

• Providence, RI•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  1,058 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 1,058 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 6%

• Net price $25,028

• SAT range 1460-1570

• Hanover, NH•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  727 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 727 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 6%

• Net price $24,078

• SAT range 1440-1560

• Philadelphia, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  1,317 reviews

Freshman: While my experience at Penn has been overwhelmingly positive, there are areas that I believe could be improved. One aspect I would like to see change is a greater emphasis on mental health support and resources. College can be a challenging and stressful time for many students, and it is crucial that the university continues to prioritize the well-being of its students by expanding mental health services and promoting a culture of self-care and balance. Additionally, I would love to see more efforts toward fostering inclusivity and diversity on campus. While Penn is home to a diverse student body, it is essential that the university continues to create an environment where all students feel seen, heard, and supported. This includes initiatives that promote diversity in the curriculum, increase the representation of marginalized voices, and provide resources for cultural understanding and dialogue.... Read 1,317 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 6%

• Net price $14,578

• SAT range 1480-1570

• New York, NY•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  1,308 reviews

Graduate Student: Columbia's campus is great! As a graduate student, I love seeing the level of diversity within the engineering department and the opportunity to get to learn about everyone's backgrounds! I do wish that classes were taught much better since it seems like professors are just rambling for 2.5 hours and wait for students to blow up Piazza over conceptual and hw questions. I do also wish there was a greater emphasis on publicizing campus activities to graduate students. All in all the student body is incredibly intelligent and hard working!... Read 1,308 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 4%

• Net price $12,411

• SAT range 1470-1570

• Nashville, TN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  1,329 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 1,329 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 7%

• Net price $27,553

• SAT range 1480-1570

• Evanston, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  1,453 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 1,453 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 7%

• Net price $29,999

• SAT range 1470-1570

• Saint Louis, MO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  1,538 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 1,538 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 13%

• Net price $28,298

• SAT range 1490-1570

• Chicago, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  1,230 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 1,230 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 6%

• Net price $33,727

• SAT range 1510-1580

• Washington, DC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  1,245 reviews

Freshman: My experience at Georgetown University as a Freshman has been phenomenal. The very first month has been the most memorable. Due to how open the community was, I was able to meet new people every single day and also, I was able to find my long-life friends immediately! The community was so diverse that I had never heard a single negative comment. It was purely all just having fun and sharing honest thoughts. Now, throughout the school year, as a Freshman, I went through many obstacles. One of the most common ones is sickness. However, because of the flexibility that the professors had, I was able to succeed in class. Georgetown's flexibility and resources are so great that even though I was sick some days, I still had a smile on my face. Although it's only my first year, I can definitely say that I started off with no regrets.... Read 1,245 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 12%

• Net price $23,049

• SAT range 1410-1550

• Claremont, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  145 reviews

Alum: My relationship with Harvey Mudd is quite messy and convoluted. No single experience will suffice to describe in its entirety; however, hopefully there is something helpful to you in my description! Let's begin. One thing I will say, Harvey Mudd is very difficult. I assume you already know this if you are looking into it, but I want to stress that you will most definitely be challenged. There are many classes to get through, and they are very rigorous. There were a lot sleepless nights, several of which spent in the engineering basement. The constant flow of problem sets, quizzes, midterms and projects will keep you busy to say the least! That being said, there is a wonderful support system at Mudd. Being in graduate school now, I really miss the accessibility to professors and student tutors. Mudd does a really amazing job of fostering collaboration with fellow peers and you guys will grow very close from all the shared struggle. I miss spending every night with them studying!... Read 145 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 10%

• Net price $33,838

• SAT range 1480-1560

• Notre Dame, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  1,397 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 1,397 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 15%

• Net price $30,513

• SAT range 1410-1550

• 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+

• Acceptance rate 7%

• Net price $17,000

• SAT range 1470-1570

• Baltimore, MD•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.66 out of 5  1,379 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 1,379 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 8%

• Net price $20,680

• SAT range 1470-1560

• Pittsburgh, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  1,450 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 1,450 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 14%

• Net price $37,450

• SAT range 1480-1560

• Ithaca, NY•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  2,032 reviews

Sophomore: Cornell University has been an invigorating journey. As a Computer Science major under the AFROTC program, I've been afforded the opportunity to study in state-of-the-art facilities with world-class faculty, who inspire me daily with their knowledge and dedication. The students, diverse in culture and ideas, enrich my experience, fostering an environment of learning beyond the classroom. The campus, with its breathtaking beauty, serves as a tranquil backdrop to my rigorous academic pursuits. The university's rich history adds a layer of prestige, reminding me of the legacy I am part of. Despite the challenges, the knowledge I've gained and the relationships I've built make Cornell a rewarding experience. I wholeheartedly endorse this institution.... Read 2,032 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 9%

• Net price $24,262

• SAT range 1450-1560

• Los Angeles, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  5,433 reviews

Senior: If you can attend in-person classes, UCLA is a great school! The student dorms are on the expensive side, but well worth the price. There are several dining halls right next to the dorms that each cater to a different style (ie dine-in, to-go, vegan specialties), as well as a few restaurants on campus and the nearby Westwood Village. The campus itself is gorgeous (I love taking evening walks around sunset), and you can learn about the history of it from guided tours if you want. If you're looking for a rad party scene, just cross the street into frat row, and you'll find parties every week. In terms of academics, I will simply say that UCLA is a top school. You will have to work your butt off, sometimes in less-than-ideal circumstances, but the returns will be more than worth it. Most professors are great, but some are only there to do research and are forced to grudgingly teach a class or two, so look them up on Bruinwalk before enrolling in their classes. All-in-all, a great school!... Read 5,433 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 11%

• Net price $13,393

• SAT range —

• Ann Arbor, MI•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  4,552 reviews

Junior: An amazing school filled with wonderful people (students, faculty, residents). So many opportunities for students to explore different parts of their education and passion. Great location with a downtown that is always busy with different restaurants, shops, bars, studios, and even the cutest weekend farmers market. At this school you will never be bored- there are always people who want to play sports, go out, go to the gym, study together, etc. I have never been happier. It is such a perfect, fun, exciting, fulfilling school to go to. Not a single bad thing to say (besides maybe that the winters are not the most fun but everything else totally makes up for that). If you love Michigan, you really LOVE Michigan! Wolverine forever. Go blue!... Read 4,552 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 20%

• Net price $19,205

• SAT range 1340-1520