2025 Best Bachelor's Degree Schools in the United States
When pursuing a college degree in today's world, there are many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our Top Colleges for a Bachelor's ranking - to help you make that decision.
What's on This Page: * Our Methodology
Finding Your Best School Match
We analyzed 1,398 colleges and universities across the United States to determine which ones have the best bachelor's degree programs. Our ranking for the best schools is based on objective factors. We steer clear of subjective measures since they don't give a clear picture when determining how one school compares to another. The following gives more info on what goes into our ranking factors and why we consider those factors.
Average Earnings
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of bachelor's graduates during the early years of their career. After all, your degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.
Taking Out Student Loans
Another factor that we look at to determine a school's ranking is the average debt load that students take on while they are working on their bachelor's degree.
We consider this number in conjunction with average post-graduation earnings to gauge the difficulty bachelor's recipients will have paying back their loans.
More Ranking Factors That Are Important
We also analyze a number of other factors in addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt when coming up with our yearly Best Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking.
On a broad level, other factors that go into our rankings include such things as the demand of the school, the student body caliber, if the school has online options, and the educational resources provided by the school.
To learn more, visit our best colleges ranking methodology page.
More Rankings to View
You may also want to
narrow this list by location to find the best bachelor's degree schools nearest you. Also, check out our other
college rankings to help you with your college decision.
Top Bachelor's Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
2,425
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$62,014
Average Early-Career Earnings
University of Chicago tops this year’s ranking as the best school for bachelor’s degrees in the United States for overall quality. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 2,425 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $62,014 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About University of Chicago
1,361
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$92,822
Average Early-Career Earnings
$63,613
Average Student Debt
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Massachusetts Institute of Technology helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in the United States. MIT is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It awarded 1,361 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from MIT is $92,822 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $63,613.
Full Massachusetts Institute of Technology Report
3,554
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$77,019
Average Early-Career Earnings
$43,918
Average Student Debt
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #3 on our 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States list. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the large private not-for-profit school awarded 3,554 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from UPenn make an average of $77,019 a year. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $43,918 after getting their degree.
Full University of Pennsylvania Report
1,865
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$73,487
Average Early-Career Earnings
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Harvard University. It ranked #4 on our 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States list. Cambridge, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,865 students in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Harvard go into careers with an average salary of $73,487 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Harvard University
2,312
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$60,889
Average Early-Career Earnings
$40,960
Average Student Debt
Out of the 1,398 bachelor’s degree schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Duke University landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Durham, North Carolina, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 2,312 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Duke make an average of $60,889 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $40,960.
Read full report on Duke University
1,971
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$85,305
Average Early-Career Earnings
$59,961
Average Student Debt
Carnegie Mellon University did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 1,971 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $85,305 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $59,961 after getting their degree.
Read full report on Carnegie Mellon University
4,219
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$60,802
Average Early-Career Earnings
$49,473
Average Student Debt
Cornell University did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States ranking, coming in at #7. Cornell is located in Ithaca, New York and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4,219 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Cornell make an average of $60,802 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $49,473 in student loans.
Learn More About Cornell University
2,688
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$58,255
Average Early-Career Earnings
$77,943
Average Student Debt
Northwestern University landed the #8 spot on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States ranking. Northwestern University is a large private not-for-profit school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 2,688 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $58,255 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $77,943 after getting their degree.
Learn More About Northwestern University
2,649
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$60,192
Average Early-Career Earnings
$52,064
Average Student Debt
Columbia University in the City of New York came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States ranking. This large private not-for-profit school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 2,649 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $60,192 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $52,064 in student loans.
Full Columbia University in the City of New York Report
7,444
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$48,655
Average Early-Career Earnings
$84,391
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #10, New York University did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States list. NYU is located in New York, New York and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 7,444 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from NYU go into careers with an average salary of $48,655 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $84,391 in student loans.
Full New York University Report
2,223
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$64,266
Average Early-Career Earnings
$61,942
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #11, Georgetown University did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States list. Located in Washington, District of Columbia, the large private not-for-profit school awarded 2,223 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown is $64,266 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $61,942 after getting their degree.
Read full report on Georgetown University
8,969
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$50,750
Average Early-Career Earnings
$45,210
Average Student Debt
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor ranked #12 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States list. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the large public school awarded 8,969 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from U-M make an average of $50,750 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $45,210.
Learn More About University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
2,440
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$61,239
Average Early-Career Earnings
$62,353
Average Student Debt
Vanderbilt University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States ranking. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 2,440 students in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt make an average of $61,239 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $62,353 after getting their degree.
Full Vanderbilt University Report
1,695
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$58,363
Average Early-Career Earnings
Yale University landed the #14 spot on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States ranking. Yale is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in New Haven, Connecticut. It awarded 1,695 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Yale make an average of $58,363 a year.
Full Yale University Report
1,279
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$63,801
Average Early-Career Earnings
$60,065
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #15, Dartmouth College did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States list. Located in Hanover, New Hampshire, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 1,279 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth make an average of $63,801 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $60,065 in student loans.
Learn More About Dartmouth College
10,103
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$54,379
Average Early-Career Earnings
$26,995
Average Student Debt
University of California - Berkeley landed the #16 spot on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States ranking. Located in Berkeley, California, the large public school awarded 10,103 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley make an average of $54,379 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $26,995.
Read full report on University of California - Berkeley
3,062
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$59,816
Average Early-Career Earnings
$68,021
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #17, Boston College did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States list. Located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 3,062 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Boston College make an average of $59,816 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $68,021.
Read full report on Boston College
2,192
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$53,766
Average Early-Career Earnings
$60,460
Average Student Debt
Brown University did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Providence, Rhode Island, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 2,192 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Brown go into careers with an average salary of $53,766 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $60,460 after getting their degree.
Learn More About Brown University
1,266
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$70,064
Average Early-Career Earnings
$48,355
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #19, Bentley University did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States list. Bentley University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Waltham, Massachusetts that handed out 1,266 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $70,064 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $48,355 in student loans.
Full Bentley University Report
1,699
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$70,459
Average Early-Career Earnings
Stanford University did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States ranking, coming in at #20. Stanford is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Stanford, California. It awarded 1,699 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Stanford go into careers with an average salary of $70,459 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Stanford University
5,642
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$54,432
Average Early-Career Earnings
$45,550
Average Student Debt
University of Southern California came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States ranking. USC is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 5,642 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from USC make an average of $54,432 a year. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $45,550 in student loans.
Read full report on University of Southern California
4,015
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$68,384
Average Early-Career Earnings
$43,126
Average Student Debt
Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus ranked #22 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States list. Georgia Tech is a large public school situated in Atlanta, Georgia. It awarded 4,015 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Georgia Tech make an average of $68,384 a year. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $43,126 in student loans.
Learn More About Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus
4,498
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$61,890
Average Early-Career Earnings
$37,213
Average Student Debt
Northeastern University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States ranking. This large private not-for-profit school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 4,498 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern go into careers with an average salary of $61,890 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $37,213.
Read full report on Northeastern University
1,910
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$50,005
Average Early-Career Earnings
$56,296
Average Student Debt
Johns Hopkins University landed the #24 spot on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States ranking. Baltimore, Maryland is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,910 students in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Johns Hopkins make an average of $50,005 a year. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $56,296 after getting their degree.
Full Johns Hopkins University Report
4,998
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$47,595
Average Early-Career Earnings
$62,240
Average Student Debt
Boston University did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States ranking, coming in at #25. Boston U is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 4,998 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Boston U make an average of $47,595 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $62,240 in student loans.
Full Boston University Report