2022 Top U.S. colleges for international students in America

• Cambridge, MA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  643 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 643 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 7%

• Net price $19,998

• SAT range 1510-1580

• Cambridge, MA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.13 out of 5  785 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 785 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 5%

• Net price $18,037

• SAT range 1460-1580

• Stanford, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  1,234 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 1,234 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 5%

• Net price $20,023

• SAT range 1420-1570

• New Haven, CT•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  1,010 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 1,010 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 7%

• Net price $17,511

• SAT range 1460-1580

• Princeton, NJ•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  450 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 450 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 6%

• Net price $18,685

• SAT range 1450-1570

• Houston, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  1,082 reviews

Freshman: At first, I was a bit disappointed that I ended up at Rice University. I was aiming for the Ivy Leagues and ended up at a college that I hadn't even heard of before the university application process. However, even though I've only been here for a few weeks, I couldn't be happier. Rice is a super inclusive university, with only the best of the best as professors, and the people here are nicer than any other people I've ever met. Everyone in the student body is willing to get to know you and, as an introvert, I feel myself becoming more and more relaxed when hanging out and talking to other people. Of course, I couldn't mention Rice without mentioning how good their academics are, and as a STEM student the classes are fast-paced yet easy to understand. Rice also has an enormous campus that rivals the Ivies while only having a total enrollment of under 7000 students. This means that dorms are also massive, and the living conditions are sensational. I'm happy to be an Owl!... Read 1,082 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 11%

• Net price $19,215

• SAT range 1460-1570

• Providence, RI•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  1,041 reviews

Senior: I love Brown. I transferred here, and quickly met some of the most amazing, passionate, and genuine people I could imagine. The student body is so friendly and hard-working. Still, the best part of Brown is the open curriculum—the academic freedom and autonomy I am given here has changed my relationship to learning and life in general. I have discovered so many interests I never know I had! The open curriculum, in general, is perfect for students who have lots of wide-ranging interests and want to pursue multiple fields, or know exactly what they want to specialize in. But it's also great for students who have no idea, and want time to explore and try new areas of study while they figure things out. I agree with other reviewers that the food and dorms aren't outstanding by any means. However, the academic environement, professors, and fellow students at Brown are more than worth it. I'm so sad to be graduating :(... Read 1,041 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 8%

• Net price $27,659

• SAT range 1440-1560

• Philadelphia, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.87 out of 5  1,293 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 1,293 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 9%

• Net price $24,167

• SAT range 1460-1570

• Hanover, NH•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.85 out of 5  714 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 714 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 9%

• Net price $24,525

• SAT range 1440-1560

• New York, NY•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  1,285 reviews

Alum: Attending Columbia University was a fantastic experience for me. My professors were all very interesting. Some were a bit quirky, but that was ok. They always challenged me to be open to possibilities and to figure things out from all angles. The work load was definitely heavy, but I learned more there than anywhere else I have been since then. And the facilities were excellent. There's a telescope on campus and I'll never forget our class meeting at 9pm one night to view the planets and see what astronomers actually did. We saw rings of Saturn, Jupiters moons, storms on Jupiter, star clusters, and more. Even though it was only an elective class, I found it fascinating and the professor, who was visiting from England, was very engaging and enjoyed his work. All of my instructors were. They were all working and teaching, so it was the best of both worlds. Also, the research materials were endless. It didn't hurt that the school is in Manhattan, and in my favorite part!... Read 1,285 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 7%

• Net price $22,126

• SAT range 1460-1570

• Evanston, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.68 out of 5  1,429 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 1,429 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 9%

• Net price $28,344

• SAT range 1430-1550

• Chicago, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  1,210 reviews

Freshman: My favorite part of UChicago is definitely its academics -- students are constantly encouraged to debate, rethink, and most importantly, listen. I was able to take a graduate student course as a first-year, and was amazed by the level of respectful and intellectual discussion that was possible! Students and professors alike are motivated, caring, and inclusive, and there's a strong sense of community everywhere you go, from the UCPD officer on the street corner to the dining hall staff. There's truly something for everyone, from Student Action to University Theater to Circus Club to Greek life. Regardless of extracurricular interests, however, there's an undeniable bond in the love of learning and open-mindedness that ties everyone in UChicago together.... Read 1,210 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 7%

• Net price $36,584

• SAT range 1500-1570

• Los Angeles, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  3,873 reviews

Sophomore: For context- current sophomore who started at USC online, majoring in Communications but has taken classes from across disciplines -Academics: overall good but definitely some terrible professors who either have favoritism, are unclear with expectations, or bad w grading. But the majority of professors are really good -Environment: if you're intimidated by rich, judgmental people, this is not the place for you. A lot of the culture is exclusionary towards ppl who work or who don't partake in certain activities (ex: Greek life) But when you get through the superficial aspect you can meet some really awesome, interesting friends! -facilities: very very nice- great gyms, dining halls, dorms Overall: a great school with a lot of resources, so be sure to look into your major specific resources bc they offer so much! Just be warned that it's not the easiest place to go to if you don't fit a certain mold.... Read 3,873 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 16%

• Net price $39,759

• SAT range 1340-1530

• Ithaca, NY•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  1,998 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 1,998 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 11%

• Net price $27,522

• SAT range 1400-1540

• Claremont, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  412 reviews

Alum: Aside from all of the aspects Pomona promotes as the reasons in favor of attending, I have to say that the relationships I forged with faculty, staff, and my fellow majors (Public Policy Analysis) contributed in large part to my success in undergrad and beyond. The Career Development Office in particular helped me perfect my job-hunting skills, and tailor my resume to ensure I was always putting my best, most relevant self out there. The alumni network is robust, and folks are always willing to lend a helping hand when it comes to connecting current students and other alums to jobs or people who can lift them up. Thanks to the CDO, I was able to land a great internship that legitimized my thesis research to a point where I was able to create valid policy solutions to address the problems I was trying to solve, which is why I chose Pomona in the first place. So glad to have had the opportunities and experiences that I did! My life shifted for the better because of Pomona.... Read 412 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 9%

• Net price $30,392

• SAT range 1390-1540

• Pittsburgh, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  1,431 reviews

Alum: Going to school at Carnegie Mellon University was one of the hardest experiences of my life thus far. During most of the journey I resented the challenges and felt weighed down by the work and expectations of those around me. However, looking back on it all I wouldn't change a thing. Carnegie Mellon was flexible with me as I changed majors and took time off to reevaluate my priorities. They were generous with financial aid and scholarships. They are obviously still a work in progress but so many individuals that work at CMU care so deeply about their students and their learning and living experiences. I was supported in so many ways at CMU that made the challenging experiences manageable. Everyone will say it will be hard work at Carnegie Mellon and that is absolutely true but it challenges you to grow and be a better, stronger, smarter person!... Read 1,431 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 17%

• Net price $36,983

• SAT range 1460-1560

• Baltimore, MD•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.64 out of 5  1,352 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 1,352 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 11%

• Net price $25,241

• SAT range 1470-1560

• Los Angeles, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  5,327 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 5,327 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 14%

• Net price $16,474

• SAT range 1300-1530

• Washington, DC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  1,227 reviews

Sophomore: I am extremely satisfied with my decision to pick Georgetown. The professors are all experts in their fields, classes are a great size, and the people here (mostly) are wonderful. Despite the occasional elitist boarding school kid, the atmosphere here is great. I have truly found my best friends here, and I wouldn’t change a thing. Highly recommend checking rate my professor before choosing classes! The one thing I will complain about is the competitive club culture, but I have been able to find incredible extracurriculars that aren’t toxic and exclusive. Also, it’s cliché, but the location cannot be beat. I always have something to do in the city, and most of the museums downtown are free, so weekends are always jam packed. Definitely worth the money, in my opinion.... Read 1,227 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 17%

• Net price $30,710

• SAT range 1380-1550

• Ann Arbor, MI•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  4,447 reviews

Sophomore: Great people, great campus, and great academics. Going to Michigan has provided me with endless opportunities to further my professional skills. There is always something to do and a new opportunity to seize. The professors really want to help you and make sure you have the best experience possible. They push you and challenge you, but all in your best interest. The sense of community is quite possibly my favorite part. Going to Michigan feels like you are part of a family. Everyone cares about one another and shows kindness each and every day. Going into Michigan, I was nervous about the intense academics, but this sense of community has made my fears go away. Knowing I have people around me who want to help is a very comforting feeling. I would highly recommend Michigan for anyone who is looking to have fun, join and community, and challenge themselves in a way that will prepare them to be successful in their professional future. Go blue!... Read 4,447 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 26%

• Net price $17,832

• SAT range 1340-1520

• Medford, MA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.68 out of 5  1,028 reviews

Sophomore: Tufts has offered me amazing social, academic, and professional opportunities. The defining characteristic of Tufts is its sense of community. Activities and clubs on campus are amazing for meeting new people and finding your place on campus. Joining clubs my first two semesters allowed me to narrow down what niche I wanted to pursue within my major and find likeminded people who supported me. Everyone at Tufts is so approachable when you need help whether it be professors, faculty, or random students around campus. There hasn’t been a moment where I feel like there wasn’t someone I could reach out to.... Read 1,028 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 16%

• Net price $32,720

• SAT range 1380-1530

• Atlanta, GA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  2,112 reviews

Sophomore: I love the challenging and abundant academic community here at Georgia Tech! I can't say enough good things about the student body and my peers, everyone is extremely collaborative, willing to help, and bright. I've met the most amazing students and faculty with a high ambition and drive to solve problems, all while maintaining a sense of down to earth-ness that I haven't felt anywhere else in this caliber. The student body as a whole is quite accepting, kind and egalitarian- you can definitely find your people here- which is one of the most important things in shaping your college experience. The only factors that make this a 4-star review are the on-campus dining and housing facilities. They leave much to be desired. Nothing too unlivable, though. Lots of options for fun both on and off campus, Atlanta is an amazing city with lots of heart to be explored throughout your 4 (maybe 5) years here.... Read 2,112 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 21%

• Net price $17,410

• SAT range 1370-1530

• Claremont, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  421 reviews

Sophomore: Claremont Mckenna College is an amazing academic institution. Every student here is so passionate and loves to learn. Claremont has an incredible, close knit-community that is incredibly supportive. My professors all are so kind and involved. I love CMC! Sko nas!... Read 421 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 13%

• Net price $22,004

• SAT range 1330-1500

• Middlebury, VT•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  512 reviews

Freshman: Middlebury is an interesting school for sure. On the one hand, the experience so far has been extremely eye-opening. Courses can be hard to get into, just seating wise, but sometimes the classes you panic register for turn out to be your favorite. The professors are knowledgeable. Administration can be kinda top-down organizationy, especially in infrastructure decision making. There are niches for so many different interests at the school, so it feels less like everyone is smarter than you and more than everyone has really cool interests that are different than yours.... Read 512 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 22%

• Net price $24,517

• SAT range 1340-1520

• Haverford, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  250 reviews

Freshman: Haverford is a great place! This is very cliche but the community is amazing, the professors are supportive and very knowledgable, and the atmosphere is welcoming! I chose Haverford because of the unique Honor Code and the Quaker Consortium. At Haverford, the students have a lot of trust (we have take home exams, self-proctored finals, and we can even change the rules of the school). The Quaker Consortium allows Haverford students to take classes at Bryn Mawr, Swarthmore, and the University of Pennsylvania! There are endless opportunities and I've made great memories. The only complaint I have is the social scene and things to do around campus are limited. Otherwise, the atmosphere is amazing and you will receive a great education here!... Read 250 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 18%

• Net price $25,215

• SAT range 1360-1520