Graduate Schools in America

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• Graduate School
• CAMBRIDGE, MA
• Rating 4.8 out of 5  15 reviews

Master's Student: I couldn't imagine a better graduate experience. The quality of the educational experience goes beyond the classroom with a myriad of opportunities for experiential learning and giving back to the community, as well as interact with the some of the brightest students and professors in the country.
Read 15 Reviews

Stanford University

• Graduate School
• STANFORD, CA
• Rating 4.94 out of 5  16 reviews

Master's Student: I am starting as a Summer Session Student to specialize in my future plans. This is the right option for my second degree. Stanford University encourage me in my abilities, talents, and my preferences. I have no doubt that this is an investigation to my career. Respectfully Fatime Tombul - International applicant
Read 16 Reviews

Yale University

• Graduate School
• NEW HAVEN, CT
• Rating 4.56 out of 5  16 reviews

Graduate Student: Yale University is basically the most beautiful school in the world, by far. I still can't believe just how gorgeous the place is. Sometimes when I'm walking around by myself on the old campus, I just want to pinch myself. It's pretty much the "Blue Steel" of colleges and universities. Funny story, but my African mom basically describes it in the following terms: "ohh, it all looks like Harry Potter's world! I bet this is where he really goes to school!".
Read 16 Reviews

Harvard University

• Graduate School
• CAMBRIDGE, MA
• Rating 4.79 out of 5  57 reviews

Niche User: The veteran's admission team answered all of my questions quickly. The information was always transparent and I never waited longer than 48 hours for a response. Each person I spoke with, either over the phone or through email, treated me with respect and professionalism. As a working mother of four small children, it eased my mind to know that Harvard veterans admission services actually cared about my questions and concerns.
Read 57 Reviews

Princeton University

• Graduate School
• PRINCETON, NJ

Duke University

• Graduate School
• DURHAM, NC
• Rating 4.65 out of 5  23 reviews

Graduate Student: Duke University has a multitude of opportunities and connections. For graduate students, the health insurance is mostly ok, but not great. Overall, the departments care about the academic growth of their students. However, the university spent quite a bit of money on lawyers to stop the graduate students from unionizing as well as holding a student vote on whether to do so in a way that was completely biased. I would also check how much funding a program provides in comparison to the average length of the program (not what it should be, but how long students are actually taking). The continuing tuition fees for ABD graduate students are very high compared to fees at similar level institutions. I would suggest any prospective student look to see if the school/program will teach them the skills and provide a path with adequate support towards their goal.
Read 23 Reviews

Brown University

• Graduate School
• PROVIDENCE, RI
• Rating 4.78 out of 5  9 reviews

Graduate Student: This is the best school ever. I am grateful that the Sorting Hat placed me here! Very innovative place. Beautiful, clever, and spiritual. That is what Brown is about.
Read 9 Reviews

Columbia University

• Graduate School
• NEW YORK, NY
• Rating 4.53 out of 5  89 reviews

Graduate Student: Fantastic program at a great school! The administration is wonderful, and you feel completely supported every step of the way. Going back to school is a HUGE decision, but they have smoothed much of the road.
Classes are challenging and designed to make you think critically about the topics and events being discussed. Profs definitely expect a certain level of discourse, and readings are not optional, but you learn so much!
Read 89 Reviews

University of Pennsylvania

• Graduate School
• PHILADELPHIA, PA
• Rating 4.45 out of 5  71 reviews

Niche User: I spoke to someone over the phone, so polite and helpful. Just character experience is all i need to know this is an amazing school. When you walk the halls it is incredible to see the teachers teaching in the class because they love what they do. I fully recommend this school for any misfits! Incredible experience from this school has helped me build my life in so many ways i never thought possible. I would like to thank the staff for everything they do to create such a positive experience.
Read 71 Reviews

Rice University

• Graduate School
• HOUSTON, TX
• Rating 4.89 out of 5  9 reviews

Master's Student: My experience at Rice University was overwhelmingly positive. Throughout our program there were international and local events that interrupted the normal semester, however, the faculty and staff ensured the success of its students by adapting.
Read 9 Reviews

Northwestern University

• Graduate School
• EVANSTON, IL
• Rating 4.6 out of 5  48 reviews

Master's Student: Northwestern University is a top 10 school. They have provided me with the opportunity to continue my education in the field I am passionate about. The Mental Health Counseling Program is organized, efficient, and provides me with great resources and friendly staff. My professors each quarter are experienced and highly educated. Getting into the program, I was nervous about attending a college online. Northwestern offers live classes through zoom which helps students connect and gives us a chance to meet and work together through the courses. I also enjoy the way that Northwestern organizes their classes. They have us complete our asynchronous work before we meet online and then we discuss the material together. The program also has a reflective approach where they ask students to reflect on their past experiences. Finally, the program at Northwestern provides so many resources for students that it's hard to feel like you're not getting the support you need each quarter.
Read 48 Reviews

Vanderbilt University

• Graduate School
• NASHVILLE, TN
• Rating 4.78 out of 5  27 reviews

Master's Student: Going through the grad school application process, Vanderbilt was the the school that I applied to that was the most clear and proactive in terms of answering questions and making it clear what needed to happen next in the process. It was also one of the cheaper programs to apply to. Their application fee was $70 (well below many of the other places I applied), and they only require official transcripts after you've been accepted (which saves you unnecessary transcript fees).
Read 27 Reviews

Washington University in St. Louis

• Graduate School
• SAINT LOUIS, MO
• Rating 4.22 out of 5  54 reviews

Alum: I had a generally positive experience at Wash U. St. Louis itself is a very underrated and nice, affordable city. In addition the campus and surrounding neighborhood is very well cared for and safe. The academics met my expectations. I was challenged but also was able to overcome those challenges with hard work and determination. I was in the design school, which was rapidly improving, including the construction of a brand new building . It is an expensive university, but that’s to be expected of a private school with so many resources. I was also very impressed by the generosity of donors, and benefited greatly from scholarships.
Read 54 Reviews

Dartmouth College

• Graduate School
• HANOVER, NH
• Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Graduate Student: As a graduate student, I'm very impressed with this research university. As one would expect from an Ivy League school, funding is usually never an issue for research projects or social events. The libraries have some of the rarest books in the world, a very rare and delightful opportunity indeed. The professors are world famous and you'll easily see them on television for interviews. This school is a little more traditional than the other Ivies as can be seen by it still being called Dartmouth College and not Dartmouth University, even though it is a respectable research university make no mistake. Dartmouth is understated elegance, just the way it should be. Since this school is the smallest of the Ivies, it is the easiest to network in and will surely pay off in the long term. Dartmouth opens doors and there is a reason why the Ivies are so sought after on this planet, but you'll just have to find out for yourself exactly what I mean.
Read 1 Review

California Institute of Technology

• Graduate School
• PASADENA, CA
• Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Doctoral Student: Lots of one-on-one interactions with professors. Cutting-edge research. Great community of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.
Read 2 Reviews

University of Notre Dame

• Graduate School
• NOTRE DAME, IN
• Rating 3.67 out of 5  9 reviews

Graduate Student: Generally, I find the faculty and services to be incredibly accommodating, well-balanced, and caring. Sometimes the fellow students that are drawn to Notre Dame have a hard time engaging with viewpoints that differ from their own--though, this is of course not categorically the case. But be aware that finding open-minded community may be difficult, depending on your department.
Read 9 Reviews

University of Chicago

• Graduate School
• CHICAGO, IL
• Rating 4.69 out of 5  26 reviews

Alum: Top notch professors. You will receive the best education from highly qualified and world-renowned experts. Beautiful stunning campus with gothic limestone architecture laced with ivy. Students are from all over the world. You will find diversity in the student body, which elevates the overall learning experience per gaining different perspectives. Love University of Chicago!
Read 26 Reviews

University of Southern California

• Graduate School
• LOS ANGELES, CA
• Rating 4.57 out of 5  237 reviews

Master's Student: I love USC and all of the resources they give you as a student. If I ever need help, someone is always a phone call away. They have academic advisors and people who you can email at any time with any questions you may have. Their website is for the most part. up to date and any information you can't find, your academic advisor can answer.
The university also has zoom meetings and groups you can join. Those groups have other people like you. This helps. you build connections with other that may be struggling with the same things you're struggling with.

Yes, it can get pricey! But they have may resources you can get help from. Such as scholarships and fellowships that you can apply to.
Everything is online now due to COVID. But as I mentioned before, there is always someone that can help you over the phone, email, or zoom meeting.

Overall, the University of Southern California was the best option for me and so far I enjoy being a trojan! Best decision I've made thus far.
Read 237 Reviews

Cornell University

• Graduate School
• ITHACA, NY
• Rating 4.64 out of 5  28 reviews

Graduate Student: Love the professors and the ability to learn about anything I want to in my MBA program. I was especially interested in marketing, but it also has fantastic opportunities in consulting and investment banking. Make sure you have some warm clothes for the winter!
Read 28 Reviews

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

• Graduate School
• ANN ARBOR, MI
• Rating 4.6 out of 5  58 reviews

Graduate Student: University of Michigan’s School of Public Health is fine. It’s going through some growing pains as the credentialing gets updated and it’s noticeable, but still a good school. The general public health classes you take are not great, but your department specific ones are amazing!
Read 58 Reviews

Georgetown University

• Graduate School
• WASHINGTON, DC
• Rating 4.56 out of 5  75 reviews

Alum: At Georgetown University's graduate school, I had multiple positive experiences. First, I enjoyed that my courses were taught by experts in my field of study; I believe that this allowed me to receive a unique education as I was learning from their personal experiences within the field, rather than simply learning material from a textbook. In addition, because of these experts being present, I believe students here have additional and exceptional resources and networking opportunities that other schools may not be able to provide. For example, because of the networking of my faculty, as well as the proximity of the medical school to my graduate school, I was able to secure an internship with a renowned minimally invasive neurosurgeon, an experience that was invaluable. The coursework was very rigorous and the professors challenged us academically with various teaching styles, expedited projects, new concepts and difficult exams.
Read 75 Reviews

Tufts University

• Graduate School
• MEDFORD, MA
• Rating 4.83 out of 5  12 reviews

Doctoral Student: Tufts is a great university for anyone who is eager to develop their professional and academic careers in a small-mid sized campus space. Situated in the midst of other universities, Tufts offers students the opportunity to branch outside of campus and connect with others in the Boston area. I especially love that Tufts has a lot of resources for students, yet the atmosphere and campus culture is not unfriendly or highly competitive. Professors and staff are highly available and genuinely strive for student success.
Read 12 Reviews

University of California - Los Angeles

• Graduate School
• LOS ANGELES, CA
• Rating 4.31 out of 5  54 reviews

Master's Student: Overall, my experience was great! As a graduate student in the department of education, I got chances to learn more about a diversity of students and really get deep on understanding various student needs.
Read 54 Reviews

Johns Hopkins University

• Graduate School
• BALTIMORE, MD
• Rating 4.64 out of 5  112 reviews

Graduate Student: I am a final year graduate student at the School of Education. My experience as a counseling student in this program has been phenomenal. The professors, training and most importantly the cohort system have played a vital role in prepraing me for the professional world. Plenty of oppurtunities to collaborate across various disciplnes and other Hopkins programs. I havent even graduated and I am already getting fantastic employment offers. If you're looking for a great return on your investment, Johns Hopkins is the place to be!
Read 112 Reviews

Carnegie Mellon University

• Graduate School
• PITTSBURGH, PA
• Rating 4.62 out of 5  26 reviews

Master's Student: CMU has exceptional resources and the costume department in the School of Drama is much better organized than other departments, which I can not really speak for. The rigor and time commitment required for classes, especially hands on practical project based classes are demanding but acchievable with the right discipline. The main con that I have a very hard time getting over is that there is hardly any time or opportunities to earn money for living. The expected "graduate hours" contibutes to a scholarship amount that covers 2/3 of the cost of attendance.
Read 26 Reviews