2026 Best Colleges in the United States

1

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Leading the list is Northwestern University, our #1 college in the United States. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,322. Median early-career earnings reach $78,551. Typical student debt is $16,616.

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

A rank of #2 makes Stanford University one of the top colleges in the United States. Located in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Stanford University graduates report median early-career earnings of $100,827. The median student debt is $10,492.

3

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

The strong outcomes at Georgetown University earned it the #3 place in the United States. Located in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,089. Georgetown University graduates report median early-career earnings of $79,632. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete a degree here.

4

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

You'll be in good company at Johns Hopkins University, which ranked #4 this year. Based in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $84,850. The median student debt is $13,426.

5

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

A rank of #5 makes University Of Chicago one of the top colleges in the United States. University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,324. Early-career graduates earn a median of $81,002. Typical student debt is $15,854.

6

Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 97% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Graduates go on to earn a median of $83,388 early in their careers. Duke University students take on a median of $13,296 in debt.

7

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #7 position. University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,686. University Of Pennsylvania graduates report median early-career earnings of $99,682. Typical student debt is $16,155.

8

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley placed #8 among the best colleges in the United States. This public school is set in Berkeley, CA. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $70,847. The median student debt is $14,238.

9

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Located in Atlanta, GA, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $83,560. Typical student debt is $24,323.

10

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #10 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Charlottesville, VA. About 96% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates report median early-career earnings of $69,126. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete a degree here.

11

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Cambridge, MA

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology did well this year, earning the #11 position. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates 96% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. Graduates go on to earn a median of $113,129 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans.

12

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school based in Ann Arbor, MI. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $66,254. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor students take on a median of $19,137 in debt.

13

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University did well this year, earning the #13 position. Located in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Vanderbilt University graduates report median early-career earnings of $77,997. Typical student debt is $13,975.

14

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University placed #14 among the best colleges in the United States. Cornell University is a private not-for-profit school based in Ithaca, NY. About 95% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $75,976. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete a degree here.

15

Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Santa Clara, CA. Santa Clara University posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,293. Graduates go on to earn a median of $79,380 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans.

16

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #16 position. Located in University Park, PA, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a public institution. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790.

17

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans.

18

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #18 among the best colleges in the United States. This public school is set in Madison, WI. University Of Wisconsin Madison posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. The median student debt is $21,813.

19

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California came in at #19 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. About 92% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $75,677. The median student debt is $15,625.

20

The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston
Houston, TX

The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston did well this year, earning the #20 position. Based in Houston, TX, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,748 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,132. Median early-career earnings reach $101,165. The median student debt is $21,988.

21

University Of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN

University Of Notre Dame came in at #21 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Notre Dame, IN. About 95% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. University Of Notre Dame graduates report median early-career earnings of $69,494. Students borrow a median of $19,891 to complete a degree here.

22

Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

Dartmouth College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hanover, NH. Dartmouth College posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,019. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $81,992. Graduates carry a median of $16,989 in student loans.

23

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University did well this year, earning the #23 position. Set in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $75,299. Typical student debt is $11,904.

24

Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Set in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $70,702 in tuition and fees. Boston College graduates report median early-career earnings of $66,132. The median student debt is $18,101.

25

Washington University In St Louis
St. Louis, MO

Washington University In St Louis did well this year, earning the #25 position. Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit school based in St. Louis, MO. About 94% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $68,303. Washington University In St Louis students take on a median of $17,553 in debt.