Wondering to pursue higher studies in the USA? Confused about the top universities in the USA? Then you are on the right page. The land of opportunity, initiators of Rock n Roll, home for Woodstock, is today home for people from all around the globe. To put things in perspective, there are more than 15 countries in the world with a population lesser than the number of Indians in the USA. So, if you pursue higher study in the USA, don’t get surprised to find some of your classmates talking about tandoori chicken in a recently acquired accent. Boasting the Ivy League and seven universities in the world’s top ten list, America has become the most preferred study destination in the world. The liberal and modern study in the USA is tempting Indian students, just like the Pied Piper of Hamlin. Indians are the second largest international students in America with more than 1 lakh enrollments every year.
Do you know?
According to NCES, about 4,000 colleges and universities across the country now welcome international students to study in the United States. According to the QS World University Rankings, 2023, the USA comprises 45 of the top 200 universities in the world.
So, without taking much time let’s dive into the info you wanted…
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List of top 10 universities in the USA
With a significant number of universities listed among the best universities by various well-known ranking organizations, the US has truly set the benchmark for education standards. The following table contains some of the best universities to study in USA:
| University | QS Ranking 2023 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | #1 |
| Stanford University | #3 |
| Harvard University | #5 |
| California Institute of Technology | =#6 |
| The University of Chicago | #10 |
| University of Pennsylvania | #13 |
| Princeton University | =#16 |
| Yale University | #18 |
| Cornell University | #20 |
| Columbia University | #22 |
How to get into top universities in USA?
Admission requirements vary widely among programs and top universities in the USA. Below are some general admission requirements for US colleges:
- A minimum GPA of 3.0-4.0 (~83-100%)
- Academic and professional LOR, based on the program requirements
- Application fees
- Competitive SAT or ACT scores
- CV/resume
- English proficiency test scores
- GRE or GMAT scores
- Official evaluation of scores by recognized foreign score evaluators
- Official transcripts, mark sheets, and proof of degree
- Proof of financial availability to support the expenses in the USA
- SOP
- Translated copies of documents in regional languages
Looking for reasons to study in the USA? Check out the Top 10 Reasons to Study in the USA here!
About the top 10 universities in the USA
In this section, we will discuss the above-mentioned top 10 universities in the USA:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
MIT, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, stands as a global leader in STEM education. With a diverse community, it’s renowned for affordability, innovation, and impactful research.
- Diverse Community: 29.1% of international students, particularly in STEM master’s courses.
- Popular Programs: MS Management Studies and MS Mechanical Engineering.
- Why it’s ranked 1: Globally renowned for cutting-edge research, innovation, and a commitment to excellence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.
Stanford University
Founded in 1885, Stanford in California is a beacon of interdisciplinary education. Its popularity for graduate studies, particularly the renowned Stanford MBA, attracts a diverse global student body.
- Academic Diversity: Seven academic schools and 18 interdisciplinary schools.
- Popular Programs: Stanford MBA, with 40% of graduate students in engineering courses.
- Acceptance Rate: 5.03% for engineering programs.
- Hub for technology and business innovation.
- Strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and entrepreneurial spirit.
Want to know about the Cost of Studying in the USA for Indian students? Check out the blog here!
Harvard University
Harvard, established in 1636, is the oldest U.S. higher education institution. With three campuses, it boasts a rich history, global diversity, and highly competitive acceptance rates.
- Rich History: Founded in 1636, it’s the oldest institution in the United States.
- Global Diversity: Home to 16% of international students from 150+ countries.
- Competitive Acceptance: Rates of 4.7% for undergrad and 10.3% for MBA programs.
- Global leadership in various fields, emphasis on research, and a vast alumni network.
California Institute of Technology (CalTech)
Known for its stringent admission standards, CalTech in Pasadena, California, is a premier science and technology institute with a focus on research and selectivity.
- Research Focus: Renowned science and technology research institute.
- Selectivity: Acceptance rate of 6.7%, admitting fewer than 1,000 undergraduates annually.
- No GPA Requirement: No strict GPA requirement, but most admitted students have a GPA of 3.5.
- Elite for physical sciences and engineering.
- Small size fosters close faculty-student interaction and collaborative research.
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University of Chicago
Situated in Chicago, the University of Chicago is a private research university with highly competitive admissions, offering diverse programs across majors and graduate schools.
- Competitive Admissions: Acceptance rate of 6.47%.
- Program Diversity: Over 52 majors, 45 minors, and 101 graduate programs.
- Popular Courses: Master of Business Administration and Master of Computer Science.
- Academic rigor and emphasis on critical thinking.
University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)
Founded in 1740, UPenn is an Ivy League institution with a reputation for excellence, particularly in its medical and business schools, attracting a competitive student body.
- Ivy League Status: Founded in 1740, a prestigious Ivy League school.
- Competitive Admissions: Overall acceptance rate of 5.9%.
- Popular Programs: Premier Medical and Wharton B-School programs.
- Urban campus with diverse opportunities for students.
- Emphasis on practical applications of knowledge.
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Princeton University
A prominent Ivy League member, Princeton, excels in interdisciplinary research. With a vast campus and commitment to collaboration, it offers prrams in various fields.
- Interdisciplinary Research: Known for collaborative and interdisciplinary research.
- Vast Campus: Sprawling campus with modern facilities in 5 schools, 200+ buildings, and 10 libraries.
- High On-Campus Residence: 98% of undergraduates and 70% of graduate students live on campus.
- Focus on undergraduate teaching and research opportunities.
- Strong emphasis on liberal arts education.
Yale University
Yale, an Ivy League institution, stands out for its value-based education. With affordable tuition and substantial scholarships, it attracts a diverse international student body.
- Best Value School: Ranked first among US News & World Report’s Best Value Schools.
- Affordability: Scholarships bring down tuition costs for international students.
- Global Diversity: 22% of international students, representing 120+ nationalities.
- Strong programs in law, humanities, and social sciences.
Cornell University
Established in 1865, Cornell, an Ivy League university, is renowned for its engineering programs. It offers a wide array of majors and interdisciplinary graduate programs.
- Engineering Excellence: Highest-ranked engineering school among Ivy League institutions.
- Program Variety: 80 undergraduate majors, 122 minors, and interdisciplinary graduate programs.
- Founded in 1865: An Ivy League institution with a rich history.
- Emphasis on both research and practical application.
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Columbia University
Located in New York, Columbia is a private research university with a global reputation. It’s recognized for academic excellence, accommodations, and a diverse international student community.
- Academic Excellence: Renowned for academic achievements and research.
- Global Presence: Over 17,000 international students in 2021, with 1,134 Indian students.
- New York Base: Situated in New York, a hub of opportunities for students. Thus, provides unique access to professional opportunities and cultural richness.
These universities are considered top-tier due to their academic excellence, research contributions, influential faculty, and ability to produce successful graduates who have a significant impact on various fields. Each university has its unique strengths and contributions to academia, making them highly esteemed institutions in the United States and globally.
Ten Top Universities in USA for Arts and Humanities
- Harvard University
- University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
- Stanford University
- Yale University
- Columbia University
- New York University (NYU)
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- University of Chicago
- Princeton University
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Ten Top Universities in USA for Engineering & Tech
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Stanford University
- University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
- Harvard University
- California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- Carnegie Mellon University
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
- Univ. of Texas at Austin
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Suggested read: MIS Courses in the USA.
Ten Top Universities in USA for Life Science & Medicine
- Harvard University
- Johns Hopkins University
- Stanford University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- University of California, San Francisco
- UCLA
- Yale University
- University of California, San Diego (UCSD)
- Washington University
- University of Pennsylvania
Also, read; the Summer Intake in USA blog post!
Ten Top Universities in USA for Social Sciences & Management
- Harvard University
- Stanford University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
- Yale University
- Columbia University
- Chicago University
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
- New York University (NYU)
- University of Pennsylvania
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Ten Top Universities in USA for Accounting & Finance
- Harvard University
- Stanford University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- University of Chicago
- Pennsylvania University
- University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
- New York University (NYU)
- Columbia University
- Yale University
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
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Ten Top Universities in USA for Sports-Related Subjects
- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
- Florida University
- Pennsylvania State University
- The Ohio State University
- University of Massachusetts Amherst
- North Carolina University, Chapel Hill
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Cornell University
- Michigan State University
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Ten Top Universities in USA for Law & Legal Studies
- Harvard University
- Yale University
- Stanford University
- New York University (NYU)
- Columbia University
- University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
- Chicago University
- Georgetown University
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
- Pennsylvania University
The factors that are considered by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) while ranking include:
- Academic Reputation (40%)
- Employer Reputation (10%)
- Faculty/Student Ratio (20%)
- Citations per faculty (20%)
- International Faculty Ratio (5%)
- International Student Ratio (5%)
In conclusion
There you go. Loads of options to choose from. In fact, these top universities in the USA differ in rank because of fractional scores only. Not a major difference at all. Winning an entry into any one of these will serve you for your life. Getting a college pedigree is a big thing in the industry today! The big packages go to them eventually!
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FAQs
The fact that you will be investing a lot of time, energy, and money to get a master’s degree in the US, it is very important to do your research before you complete your studies at any of the master’s colleges in the US. For this, you can keep the following criteria in mind: QS ranking, subjects, tuition fees, and location.
No student pays tuition fees at Berea College, Kentucky. The Tuition Promise Scholarship covers any remaining tuition costs for all admitted students after using state, federal, and institutional aid.
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Anushree Rastogi is a Senior Content Writer at iDreamCareer, bringing over 5 years of expertise to the field of career counseling. She has done a PGDM in Marketing and Finance and possesses a unique blend of skills that allows her to craft engaging and informative content. She is passionate about helping individuals navigate their career paths and has dedicated her career to providing valuable insights through her content. Her commitment to excellence and keen understanding of the career landscape make her a trusted guide for those seeking professional direction. With a flair for clear and engaging writing, Anushree is on a mission to empower others to make informed and fulfilling career choices.
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