If you’re looking to go to college in the United States, there are thousands of options out there, ranging from the Ivy League to community colleges.
But which universities should you pick? To help you with your decision, this list ranks and compares the best universities in the USA for 2022, highlighting the most important factors that you should consider when picking a school.
1) Princeton University, New Jersey
The third-oldest higher education institution in the USA, Princeton University was founded in 1746. The university consistently ranks among U.S. News & World Report’s top four universities and is best known for its rigorous academics and innovative research.
Princeton consistently tops lists of top party schools and has one of the most beautiful campuses in all of academia—meaning you won’t feel too guilty about going out now and then!
2) Harvard University, Massachusetts
Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University is one of the most prestigious and oldest universities in America.
Founded by a Puritan minister in 1636 as a college (effectively meaning university) with just nine students and two teachers, it has grown into one of the largest universities with an astonishing number of 18,300 enrolled students.
In 2016, The Times Higher Education ranked Harvard University 4th best university worldwide – behind only Stanford University (1st), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2nd), and Oxford University (3rd).
The Ivy League school is known for its motto Veritas which translates to the truth. And that’s exactly what you’ll get at Harvard: a quality education from experts within their fields.
3) Stanford University, California
Located in Palo Alto, California, Stanford is often considered one of — if not the — best university in the USA.
The school is research-focused and it’s consistently ranked at or near the top of national and global rankings, including U.S. News & World Report, Times Higher Education, and Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).
It has notable programs like human biology, medicine, and law — but these are more known as backup degrees than primary focuses; students who apply to study engineering are most successful here.
Although it’s located just 45 minutes from San Francisco, Stanford has a quiet and remote feel to it. The campus is beautiful and calm, with more than 7,000 acres of green space and 24 different ecosystems.
The dorms are comfortable but not overly luxurious; even most student housing doesn’t have air conditioning, to encourage eco-friendliness.
Both freshmen and upperclassmen live on campus, which adds to a sense of community among students at all levels of schooling.
4) Yale University, Connecticut
With a world-class faculty and endless academic opportunities, Yale University is a great choice to get your education started.
Housing over 5,000 students from all over the world, Yale offers many resources and high-quality facilities to its students that are sure to impress.
Expect big things out of Yale’s top graduate programs in psychology, computer science, physics, business, law, and medicine.
If you want to learn at one of the best universities in USA 2022 then look no further than Yale!
5) Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has been at the forefront of innovation and research since its founding, and it continues to be one of America’s most prestigious universities.
In addition to offering many undergraduate degrees, MIT also offers more than 160 graduate programs across such fields as engineering, management, and science.
That array will make it a major destination for international students seeking advanced degrees in their fields.
And if you have any doubts about its prominence or prominence among American universities, consider that five alumni went on to become US presidents!
6) Columbia University, New York
In 2022, Columbia University is predicted to be number one in the U.S. The school has a strong research program, especially in its medical and engineering departments, which will help keep it at number one through 2022.
Among Columbia’s innovations are new ways to treat hearing loss, a way to produce solar energy without using silicon (promising more affordable options), and studies into how race influences police stop during a traffic stop.
7) California Institute of Technology (Caltech), California
With a 2022 ranking of number one, the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is top of all US universities.
With US News and World Report giving it a strong set of accolades including the most innovative school and best undergraduate teaching, Caltech is one to watch. Its intense focus on research at every level means that its students find themselves right at home when they do eventually enter an academic career.
The wide-ranging curriculum ensures that no matter your future ambitions or interests, you will leave college with a solid grounding across many disciplines from mathematics to natural sciences and engineering.
Students are also encouraged to explore outside their immediate subject area through interdisciplinary projects which can prove valuable when applying for jobs or graduate programs later on down the line.
8) Duke University, North Carolina
Known among students and faculty as one of America’s most prestigious universities, Duke University is often called the Harvard of the South.
With its stunning Gothic architecture, endless musical performances, and renowned academic programs, it’s not hard to see why.
The university attracts nearly $1 billion in research funds annually and places a high priority on hands-on education.
It also boasts several world-class hospitals under its name that serve patients from across North Carolina.
More than 28,000 students attend Duke University each year, making it one of America’s largest schools by student population—even though only 3% of applicants are accepted.
9) Cornell University, New York
Cornell is located in Ithaca, New York. It was founded on April 27, 1865, and opened on October 7, 1868, as the University of Ithaca.
Cornell’s three campuses are located in New York State: Ithaca (the main campus), Geneva, and New York City.
It has a strong presence in Ithaca with approximately 70% of its student population residing there; however, it also maintains a satellite campus at Roosevelt Island (in Manhattan) known as Cornell Tech that offers both graduate and undergraduate programs.
The institution’s programs are organized into 11 schools, including those focused on business (Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management), and engineering.
10) University of Chicago, Illinois
As a top research university, it’s no surprise that Chicago ranks high on our list of best universities in the USA.
The University of Chicago is well known for being a leader in economic, physical, and social sciences, humanities, and education. There are currently more than 13,000 students enrolled at the University of Chicago (7,000 undergraduates and 6,000 graduate students).
The most popular areas of study include social sciences; biological & biomedical sciences; psychology; economics & business; mathematics & statistics and computer science.
note: A-level scores are required to apply to all departments at Chicago except for Applied Mathematics/Computer Science which requires either an ACT or SAT score.