A new ranking identifies the top colleges and universities in the U.S., demonstrated by this graduation cap and diploma.

These are the top colleges and universities in the U.S.


A new ranking identifies the top colleges and universities as determined by 33 key metrics

What makes a great college or university? Some say an Ivy League reputation, while others focus more on affordability or graduation rates. Now, a new report from WalletHub ranks the top colleges and universities in the U.S. based on 33 key measures.

According to College Board research, average tuition and room and board at a four-year college ranges from $21,000-$48,000 per year. When students and/or their families make that kind of investment, they want to be sure they’re putting their money toward a high-quality education.

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In its ranking, WalletHub compared more than 1,000 higher-education institutions in the U.S. across 33 key measures. The data set is grouped into seven categories, such as Student Selectivity, Cost & Financing and Career Outcomes. The metrics range from student-faculty ratio to graduation rate to post-attendance median salary.

Institutions with the highest admission rates include Stanford, Harvard, Princeton, Yale, and Columbia. Those with the lowest student-faculty ratios include the California Institute of Technology, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford, Princeton, and the University of Chicago.

Schools with the highest graduation rates include Harvard, Yale, the University of Notre Dame, Princeton, and Columbia University in the City of New York.

Laura Ascione

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