Home to a range of top-ranked universities, the US is one of the best education hubs for foreign students. In a dream for a better life, future, and education, every year a huge number of international students visit the US.
With a variety of different programs, US universities are in top demand. Starting from literature, Education to the most important fields like Medicine, Law, IT, and Computer Science, US universities are on the top list for providing the best higher studies. In this article, we will be highlighting some of the top-ranked universities in the US.
Top 12 US Universities in 2023
| US Universities Names | QS Ranking | THE Ranking | USA Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Stanford University | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Harvard University | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | 4 | 6 | 41 |
| University of Chicago | 5 | 13 | 15 |
| University of Pennsylvania | 6 | 14 | 11 |
| Princeton University | 7 | – | 16 |
| Yale University | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| Cornell University | 9 | 10 | 9 |
| Columbia University | 10 | 11 | 8 |
| Johns Hopkins University | 11 | – | 12 |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | 12 | 23 | 3 |
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute of Technology is commonly known as MIT which secures the position of second in the world. Established in 1861, MIT is a private research university that has some top-notch developed areas in modern technology and science. In the US, MIT is one of three private land grant universities which has more than a mile of about 1.6 kilometers of urban campus including a number of major off-campus facilities i.e. Bates Center, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, and the Haystack Observatory, affiliated laboratories, and so on.
Popular Programs:
- Physics
- Economics
- Computer Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Aeronautical Engineering
| University Type | Total Intakes | Approximate Tuition Fee | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Research | May | $30,000 to $32,000 | 95% |
Scholarship Opportunities:
- Need-based scholarships
- First Year Grant
- Merit-based scholarships
2. Stanford University
Stanford University landed second in the ranking of world universities. Located in California’s Stanford, the campus of Stanford University occupies 8,180 acres and is named among the largest in the United States with an enrollment of over 17,000 students.
Popular Programs:
- Information Technology
- Engineering
- Social Sciences
- Mathematics
- Medical Sciences
| University Type | Total Intakes | Approximate Tuition Fee | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Research | May | $12,000 to $14,000 | 94% |
Scholarship Opportunities:
- New students Scholarships
- Federal USA government Grants for Domestic Students
- State Grants for Domestic Students
- External Scholarships
3. Harvard University
Harvard University is widely considered to be one of the most prestigious universities in the world because of its influence, wealth, rankings, and notable alumni. Harvard University was founded in 1636 and was named Harvard College. It is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States.
Popular Programs:
- Political Science
- Economics
- Social Sciences
- Biology
- Psychology
| University Type | Total Intakes | Approximate Tuition Fee | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Research | Fall & Spring; January & May. | $10,000 to $13,910 | 94% |
Scholarship Opportunities:
- Student Fund Finder
- Liebmann Fellowship
- Summer Grants for Travel to Africa
- Rappaport Institute Public Policy Summer Fellowship
- FLAS (Foreign Language and Area Studies) Fellowships
- Harvard Graduate Consortium on Energy and Environment
- Weatherhead Center for International Affairs
- Harvard South Africa Fellowship Program
- Harvard University Center on the Developing Child
- Harvard University Asia Center
- The Michael Von Clemm Traveling Fellowship Fund – Discontinued until further notice.
- Community of Science Pivot Tool
4. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
California Institute of Technology is commonly known as Caltech and has six academic divisions with a strong emphasis on science and engineering. Build in 1891 as a preparatory and vocational school, the California Institute of Technology gradually acquire its current status. It is among one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the United States. The university is home to some of the most fascinating modern scientific advancements in technology and is dedicated to the teaching of pure and applied sciences.
Popular Programs:
- Engineering
- Mathematics
- Social Sciences
- Computer Sciences
- Biomedical Sciences
| University Type | Total Intakes | Approximate Tuition Fee | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Research | January | $25,000 to $30,000 | 94% |
Scholarship Opportunities:
- Need-based scholarship
- Merit aid scholarship
- Federal government grants
5. University of Chicago
Established about 132 years ago, the University of Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois, and has additional campuses and centers in London, Paris, Beijing, Delhi, and Hong Kong, as well as in downtown Chicago. The main campus is located in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood. The university has a total of eight professional schools i.e. the Booth School of Business; the Law School; the Pritzker School of Medicine; the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice; the Harris School of Public Policy; the Divinity School; the Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies; and the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering.
Popular Programs:
- Psychology
- Mathematics
- Social Sciences
- Medical Sciences
- Computer Sciences
- Public Administration
| University Type | Total Intakes | Approximate Tuition Fee | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Research | January | $25,000 to $30,000 | 95% |
Scholarship Opportunities:
- Merit-Based Scholarships
- Outside Scholarships
- Internship awards
- External Scholarships
6. University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is knowned as the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the US. The university is also known with its abbreviated versions as Penn or UPenn. The university has a total of four undergraduate schools and 12 postgraduate schools.The university has some highly ranked graduate schools they are law school, medical school, business school.
Popular Programs:
- Statistics
- Business
- Mathematics
- Management
- Social Sciences
- Biomedical Sciences
| University Type | Total Intakes | Approximate Tuition Fee | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Research | November | $10,000 to $14,500 | 96% |
Scholarship Opportunities:
- State Grant
- Federal Pell Grant
- Named Scholarship
- Mayor’s Scholarship
- Maguire Scholarship
- Outside Scholarships
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
7. Princeton University
Founded in 1746 as college which officially became a university in 1896. Princeton University is located in Princeton, New Jersey with 600 acres main campus. Princeton is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education and has a wide range of progams offered every year with some top-class scholarship opportunities. It provides undergraduate and graduate degrees in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering streams.
Popular Programs:
- Linguistics
- Architecture
- Engineering
- Social Sciences
- Applied Science
- Medical Science
- Computer Science
- English Literatures
- International Affairs
| University Type | Total Intakes | Approximate Tuition Fee | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Research | November, and March | $15,000 to $20,000 | 98% |
Scholarship Opportunities:
- Academic or Athletic merit scholarships
- Need-based scholarship
8. Yale University
Established in 1701, Yale University awarded the first PhD degree in the US. It is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the US. The university is well-known for its scientific research programs and currently has fourteen constituent schools i.e. the original undergraduate college, the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and twelve professional schools.
Popular Programs:
- History
- Engineering
- Mathematics
- Social Sciences
- Computer Science
- Biological and Biomedical Science
| University Type | Total Intakes | Approximate Tuition Fee | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Research | April | $15,000 to $20,000 | 97% |
Scholarship Opportunities:
- Yale Scholarship
- Merit-based scholarships
- Entitlement grants
- Military Benefits and Financial Aid
- VA Education and Training website
9. Cornell University
Founded in 1865, Cornell University provides an extraordinary education for undergraduates and graduate and professional levels. With its main campuses in Ithaca, New York, the university has branch campuses in the center of New York City and one in Qatar.
Popular Programs:
- Engineering
- Social Sciences
- Medical Science
- Computer Science
- Environmental Science
- Business Administration: Management, and Marketing
| University Type | Total Intakes | Approximate Tuition Fee | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Research | February | $20,000 to $24,000 | 95% |
Scholarship Opportunities:
- Need‐based financial Scholarship
10. Columbia University
Established in 1754 as a college, Columbia University is one of the oldest institution of higher education in New York located in New York City. It is regarded as the fifth-oldest universities in the US. Alumni of the university have played a significant role in scientific research and invention. Columbia has twenty separate schools, including four undergraduate schools and 16 graduate schools. The library of Columbia University is regarded as the third-largest private research library in the US.
Popular Programs:
- History
- Mathematics
- Psychology
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Literature
| University Type | Total Intakes | Approximate Tuition Fee | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Research | May and November | $8,000 to $12,500 | 95% |
Scholarship Opportunities:
- Clifford and Siegfried Upton Scholarship
- George W. Ellis Fellowship
- Leta Stetter Hollingsworth Fellowship
- Federal Pell Grants
- New York State Grants and some more opportunities are available.
11. Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University was established about 147 years ago. The university has graduate branch campuses located in Italy, China, and Washington, D.C. Johns Hopkins University is regarded as America’s first research university.
Popular Programs:
- Biology
- Economics
- Engineering
- Mathematics
- Public Health
- Medical Science
- Computer Science
| University Type | Total Intakes | Approximate Tuition Fee | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Research | January, March, and November | $20,000 to $25,000 | 93% |
Scholarship Opportunities:
There are different types of scholarship opportunities are available for international students, they are- work-study programs, loans, military students walking on campus, merit based scholarship program and so on.
12. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Founded in 1817, the university is the oldest and largest in Michigan. It is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The university provides the top ranked programs with fascinating scholarship opportunities for international students.
Popular Programs:
- Economics
- Journalism
- Engineering
- Political Science
- Computer Science
- Business Administration
| University Type | Total Intakes | Approximate Tuition Fee | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Research | February | $14,000 to $16,000 | 93% |
Scholarship Opportunities:
- Nearly $2,000 waiver will be given per year if any student attends career training programs in Michigan campus.
- Nearly $2,750 waiver will be given per year if any student attends Michigan community college.
- Nearly $4,000 waiver will be given if any student attends Michigan private college or university.
- Nearly $5,500 waiver will be given if any student attends Michigan public university.
All the above-mentioned information is subject to change at any time depending on the university authorities and departments.
General Entry Requirements of the Top-Ranked Universities in the US
- Completion of a 12-year of education, i.e. Secondary School Certificate (SSC) or O-Levels and Higher Secondary Certificate or A-levels or equivalent degrees.
- All official academic transcripts must be submitted.
- If available, an academic recommendation.
- Workplace recommendation letters (applicable for experienced students pursuing postgraduate and doctoral degrees).
- For applicants from non-English speaking countries, an English language proficiency test such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or Duolingo is required.
- Some programs, such as MBA and engineering-related programs, require appropriate standardized test scores such as the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, or ACT.
- Students must have an undergraduate degree in a related subject with a GPA of 2.75 or higher to be considered for the graduate program.
FAQs
How is the US education system?
Ans: The US is well-known for proving the best education to the students. The main reason is the flourish and structured education of the US.
What is required to study in the US?
Ans: To get an admission in the US, there are some divisions. For undergraduate degrees, students must complete a 12-years of education i.e. Secondary School Certificate (SSC) or O-Levels and Higher Secondary Certificate or A-levels or equivalent degrees and for postgraduate degrees, you must completed an undergraduate degree in a related subject with a considerable degree.
Is it possible to study in the US without IELTS?
Ans: Yes, it is possible to study in the US without IELTS. For details, read our special article- “Is It Possible To Study In The US Without IELTS?”
Final Words
You can achieve a promising future after earning a foreign US degree. A US certification will definitely differentiate the resume of any student because the US is well-known around the world.
There are numerous top-ranked universities available in the US. I hope from the above-mentioned, now you have a clear idea on the top-ranked universities in the US. For you confusion, you are requested to comment below.
