Get more information about where to study in the US

The university or college you choose to go to can have a major impact on the rest of your life, so it's probably a good idea to do some research first. To help with the process, we've compiled a ranking of the best 100 US universities and colleges, according to the recently released QS World University Rankings.

Rank

University

Location

1

QS World University Rank

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)Cambridge

Cambridge, United States

3

QS World University Rank

Stanford UniversityStanford

Stanford, United States

5

QS World University Rank

Harvard UniversityCambridge

Cambridge, United States

10

QS World University Rank

California Institute of Technology (Caltech)Pasadena

Pasadena, United States

13

QS World University Rank

University of ChicagoChicago

Chicago, United States

15

QS World University Rank

University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia

Philadelphia, United States

16

QS World University Rank

Cornell UniversityIthaca

Ithaca, United States

=17

QS World University Rank

University of California, Berkeley (UCB)Berkeley

Berkeley, United States

21

QS World University Rank

Yale UniversityNew Haven

New Haven, United States

24

QS World University Rank

Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore

Baltimore, United States

=25

QS World University Rank

Princeton UniversityPrinceton

Princeton, United States

=38

QS World University Rank

Columbia UniversityNew York City

New York City, United States

=42

QS World University Rank

Northwestern UniversityEvanston

Evanston, United States

45

QS World University Rank

University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor

Ann Arbor, United States

46

QS World University Rank

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)Los Angeles

Los Angeles, United States

52

QS World University Rank

Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh

Pittsburgh, United States

55

QS World University Rank

New York University (NYU)New York City

New York City, United States

62

QS World University Rank

Duke UniversityDurham

Durham, United States

66

QS World University Rank

University of California, San Diego (UCSD)San Diego

San Diego, United States

68

QS World University Rank

University of Texas at AustinAustin

Austin, United States

69

QS World University Rank

Brown UniversityProvidence

Providence, United States

=70

QS World University Rank

University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign

Champaign, United States

81

QS World University Rank

University of WashingtonSeattle

Seattle, United States

=82

QS World University Rank

Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity Park

University Park, United States

=88

QS World University Rank

Boston UniversityBoston

Boston, United States

=88

QS World University Rank

Purdue UniversityWest Lafayette

West Lafayette, United States

=110

QS World University Rank

University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison

Madison, United States

=114

QS World University Rank

University of California, DavisDavis

Davis, United States

=119

QS World University Rank

Rice UniversityHouston

Houston, United States

=123

QS World University Rank

Georgia Institute of TechnologyAtlanta

Atlanta, United States

=140

QS World University Rank

University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill

Chapel Hill, United States

144

QS World University Rank

Texas A&M UniversityCollege Station

College Station, United States

146

QS World University Rank

University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles

Los Angeles, United States

161

QS World University Rank

Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing

East Lansing, United States

167

QS World University Rank

Washington University in St. LouisSt. Louis

St. Louis, United States

=173

QS World University Rank

Arizona State UniversityTempe

Tempe, United States

179

QS World University Rank

University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, United States

182

QS World University Rank

Emory UniversityAtlanta

Atlanta, United States

190

QS World University Rank

The Ohio State UniversityColumbus

Columbus, United States

=207

QS World University Rank

University of Maryland, College ParkCollege Park

College Park, United States

210

QS World University Rank

University of Minnesota Twin CitiesMinneapolis

Minneapolis, United States

=212

QS World University Rank

University of FloridaGainesville

Gainesville, United States

236

QS World University Rank

University of RochesterRochester

Rochester, United States

=247

QS World University Rank

Dartmouth CollegeHanover

Hanover, United States

=247

QS World University Rank

University of Massachusetts AmherstAmherst

Amherst, United States

250

QS World University Rank

Vanderbilt UniversityNashville

Nashville, United States

=272

QS World University Rank

North Carolina State UniversityRaleigh

Raleigh, United States

275

QS World University Rank

University of VirginiaCharlottesville

Charlottesville, United States

=281

QS World University Rank

University of PittsburghPittsburgh

Pittsburgh, United States

=285

QS World University Rank

Georgetown UniversityWashington D.C.

Washington D.C., United States

=287

QS World University Rank

The University of ArizonaTucson

Tucson, United States

293

QS World University Rank

University of California, IrvineIrvine

Irvine, United States

=294

QS World University Rank

Case Western Reserve UniversityCleveland

Cleveland, United States

=294

QS World University Rank

University of Notre DameNotre Dame

Notre Dame, United States

299

QS World University Rank

University of Colorado BoulderBoulder

Boulder, United States

=306

QS World University Rank

Indiana University BloomingtonBloomington

Bloomington, United States

=314

QS World University Rank

University of MiamiMiami

Miami, United States

=328

QS World University Rank

Rutgers University–New BrunswickNew Brunswick

New Brunswick, United States

=334

QS World University Rank

Tufts UniversityMedford

Medford, United States

=334

QS World University Rank

University of Illinois Chicago (UIC)Chicago

Chicago, United States

=358

QS World University Rank

George Washington UniversityWashington D.C.

Washington D.C., United States

=358

QS World University Rank

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg

Blacksburg, United States

384

QS World University Rank

Northeastern UniversityBoston

Boston, United States

=410

QS World University Rank

University at Buffalo SUNYBuffalo

Buffalo, United States

=423

QS World University Rank

Washington State UniversityPullman

Pullman, United States

=440

QS World University Rank

University of California, RiversideRiverside

Riverside, United States

449

QS World University Rank

Iowa State UniversityAmes

Ames, United States

=452

QS World University Rank

Stony Brook University, State University of New YorkStony Brook

Stony Brook, United States

=458

QS World University Rank

Colorado State UniversityFort Collins

Fort Collins, United States

=458

QS World University Rank

University of California, Santa CruzSanta Cruz

Santa Cruz, United States

=465

QS World University Rank

University of KansasLawrence

Lawrence, United States

525

QS World University Rank

The University of GeorgiaAthens

Athens, United States

=526

QS World University Rank

Boston CollegeChestnut Hill

Chestnut Hill, United States

=530

QS World University Rank

University of IowaIowa City

Iowa City, United States

534

QS World University Rank

University of ConnecticutStorrs

Storrs, United States

=540

QS World University Rank

University of UtahSalt Lake City

Salt Lake City, United States

=546

QS World University Rank

University of Hawaiʻi at MānoaHonolulu

Honolulu, United States

549

QS World University Rank

Florida State UniversityTallahassee

Tallahassee, United States

=553

QS World University Rank

University of DelawareNewark

Newark, United States

=556

QS World University Rank

University of HoustonHouston

Houston, United States

=571

QS World University Rank

Colorado School of MinesGolden

Golden, United States

=582

QS World University Rank

Florida International UniversityMiami

Miami, United States

=587

QS World University Rank

American UniversityWashington D.C.

Washington D.C., United States

=591

QS World University Rank

Illinois Institute of TechnologyChicago

Chicago, United States

=597

QS World University Rank

Tulane UniversityNew Orleans

New Orleans, United States

=597

QS World University Rank

University of Texas at DallasRichardson

Richardson, United States

=607

QS World University Rank

The University of Tennessee, KnoxvilleKnoxville

Knoxville, United States

=613

QS World University Rank

City University of New YorkNew York City

New York City, United States

=624

QS World University Rank

Oregon State UniversityCorvallis

Corvallis, United States

=624

QS World University Rank

Yeshiva UniversityNew York City

New York City, United States

=628

QS World University Rank

Missouri University of Science and TechnologyRolla

Rolla, United States

=628

QS World University Rank

University of South CarolinaColumbia

Columbia, United States

=654

QS World University Rank

University of South FloridaTampa

Tampa, United States

=664

QS World University Rank

University of OklahomaNorman

Norman, United States

=668

QS World University Rank

Lehigh UniversityBethlehem

Bethlehem, United States

=673

QS World University Rank

Stevens Institute of TechnologyHoboken

Hoboken, United States

695

QS World University Rank

Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteTroy

Troy, United States

=697

QS World University Rank

University of Missouri, ColumbiaColumbia

Columbia, United States

701-710

QS World University Rank

University of Central FloridaOrlando

Orlando, United States

711-720

QS World University Rank

Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia

Philadelphia, United States

Why study in the US?

Studying at one of these top universities in the US will ensure you graduate with a highly respected degree, which can open the door to global job opportunities. Enjoy a range of benefits, such as access to cutting-edge research, diverse academic programmes, and experienced faculty. 

The cultural diversity in the US also allows students to interact with peers from around the globe, fostering cross-cultural understanding and global networking opportunities. The emphasis on innovation and critical thinking encourages students to challenge themselves, preparing them for competitive global careers.

Additionally, US universities often provide extensive support services, including career counselling, internships, and work-study programmes, helping students gain practical experience and enhance their employability. The vibrant campus life, with numerous extracurricular activities, also contributes to a well-rounded education.

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Written by

Craig OCallaghan

As Head of Content, Craig is responsible for all articles and guides published across TopUniversities and TopMBA. He has nearly 10 years of experience writing for a student audience and extensive knowledge of universities and study programs around the world.