Top 100 Universities in USA

Choosing the ideal university is linked to factors like academic offerings, campus life, location, financial aid or scholarships, and extracurricular activities. To learn more about university life and choose the right university, visit the campuses, take virtual tours, and interact with current and former students.

The following factors should be considered when selecting the top university in the United States.

• Academic Reputation – You should check the overall academic excellence of the university along with the quality of faculty, research output, university environment, etc.

• Student-Faculty Ratio – Before selecting the university, you should also check the student-faculty ratio, as a low student-faculty ratio will ensure personalised attention and strong academic support.

• Graduation Rate - Candidates should check the graduation rate of the last 5 years. High graduation rates indicate a supportive and conducive learning environment.

• Research Opportunities—If you want to make your career in research, it is important to check the research opportunities provided by universities. Universities with substantial research facilities foster innovation and cutting-edge discoveries. So, always check the research opportunities that the university provides for international students.

• Alumni Success - Alumni success is also a good factor that international students should consider while selecting the best university. Alum's achievements reflect the university's impact on career growth and professional success.

Let’s discuss the top ten universities in detail:

About

Founded in Boston in 1861, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1916. MIT aims to develop knowledge and educate students in various scholarly areas. A significant component of this mission is Global MIT. It stands for the Institute's mission and dedication to global involvement, both of which are essential to the world's needs in the twenty-first century.

QS Ranking

The QS World University Rankings 2025 have ranked no.1 university in the world.

Courses offered

Popular majors offered by MIT include Science and Engineering, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Economics, Biology, and Chemical Engineering.

Fees

The tuition fee is around $85,960 for 2024–2025.

Admission Requirements

• High School transcripts 

• GPA required: 3.5 (90%)

• English language proficiency:

• TOEFL iBT- 90

• IELTS- 7.0

• Test Scores: 

• SAT- 1520-1580

• ACT- 35-36

About

Harvard University, founded in 1636, is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In addition to being a member of the esteemed Ivy League, this research university is also the oldest in the country.  

QS Ranking

According to the QS Rankings, Harvard University moved from 3rd in 2024 to 4th in 2025.

Courses offered

More than 100 graduate courses and more than 50 undergraduate majors are available to Indian students at Harvard University. Based on historical statistics from Harvard alumni, Business Administration & Management, Economics, Computer Science, Political Science & Government, and other subjects are among the most popular academic tracks at the university.

Fees

As stated on the school website, the 2024–25 academic year tuition fee is $56,550. Housing, food, and student services fees add to this, bringing the total cost of attendance to $82,866.

Admission Requirements

First-Year Applicants

• ACT or SAT results are optional

• To succeed in Harvard studies, one needs a solid command of the English language. On the other hand, first-year students are exempt from taking exams of English language proficiency, such as the TOEFL, IELTS, etc. However, they are free to submit them if they want to.

• Transcripts from high school and school reports

• LOR from two teachers

• Results from the midyear and the end of the school year (for admitted students only)

MBA

• Bachelor's degree comprising four semesters or its equivalent

• GRE / GMAT exam marks

• Academic transcripts

• TOEFL / IELTS / PTE / Duolingo score

• Two recommendation letter

•  CV/Resume 

• Upon application submission, students must participate in an interview round.

About

Stanford University, founded in 1885 and offering top-notch academic programs, is among the oldest American universities for study abroad applicants. Since 2018, it has been ranked in the top 10 universities worldwide. Stanford University is the best option among US colleges for individuals who are willing to pursue undergraduate or graduate degrees outside of IITs and NITs.

QS Ranking 

Stanford University is ranked 6 among national universities in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges.

Courses offered

Indian students at Stanford University can choose from seven schools offering extensive and comprehensive academic programs in business, engineering, medicine, law, and the arts and humanities.

Fees

The Stanford MBA program costs $82,455 for the 2024–2025 academic year.

Admission Requirements

The requirements for undergraduate admissions are:

• Pay the $90 (INR 7500) application fee (or request a fee waiver).

• Submit the Common Application.

• Provide ACT or SAT scores (test optional).

• Submit the School Report form and a counsellor's letter of recommendation.

• Provide official transcript(s) or academic results from all high schools attended.

• Submit two letters of recommendation from teachers.

• Submit the midyear transcript.

• Optional: take TOEFL/IELTS if your primary language in school is not English.

 The requirements for graduate admissions are:

• Pay the application fee ($125 or INR 10,000).

• Hold a 4-year long bachelor's degree.

• Submit transcripts for every post-secondary institution attended.

• Submit a Statement of Purpose (1000 words).

• Take the TOEFL exam and score 89 for engineering and 100 for all other programs.

• Submit 3 letters of recommendation from academic or professional references.

• Take the GRE/GMAT/MCAT/LSAT exams per program requirements.

About

Caltech is a prestigious private research institution founded in 1891 in Pasadena, California. With a 3:1 student-to-faculty ratio, Caltech University is a renowned science and engineering school with one of the lowest in the country. Since 2019, QS has ranked Caltech University among the top 10 universities worldwide.

QS Ranking

It is ranked 10 in National Universities in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges.

Courses offered

Undergraduate students at CalTech University have a choice of 28 alternatives or majors, such as physics, computer science, mechanical engineering, chemistry and many more. Conversely, thirty-course alternatives are accessible at the graduate level.

Fees

California Institute of Technology’s tuition fee for an international student is around USD 60,816. 

Admission Requirements

To have the best chance of getting into the California Institute of Technology, you must:

• Should have a 3.97 or higher GPA from high school

• Obtain all A in high school.

• Achieve a SAT score of 1560.

• Achieve an ACT score of 35.

• Finish in the top 10% of your high school class.

About

Established in 1740, the University of Pennsylvania is a private Ivy League university in Philadelphia, USA. As of Fall 2023, the university has 28,711 students, including 10,610 full-time undergraduates and 13,338 full-time graduate students.

QS Ranking 

The QS World University Rankings 2025 ranked 11 globally.

Courses offered

Nearly 100 undergraduate courses, including university minors, coordinated dual degrees, and dual degrees, are available at the University of Pennsylvania. Health Professions, Business Management, Marketing and Related Programs, Philosophy, and Religious Studies are among the most popular courses offered by the University of Pennsylvania. Some of the world's top undergraduate and graduate programs are available at Penn's 12 schools.

Fees

Indian students at UPenn pay 88,960 USD per year as tuition fees.

Admission Requirements

• Official high school transcripts

• GPA score of 3.9/4 (94%) (recommended)

• GRE/GMAT Scores (optional)

• Work experience

• Interview (offered on availability)

• English Language Proficiency scores

  • TOEFL iBT- 100 recommended

  • IELTS- 6.5 recommended

About

Located in Berkeley, California, the University of California is a public research university established in 1868. 15% of applicants are accepted to the University of California, Berkeley, and their average GPA is 3.8 out of 4.0.

QS Ranking 

According to the QS World University Rankings 2025, the university is ranked 12 in the world. 

Courses offered

The University of California, Berkeley, currently comprises 184 academic departments and annually provides over 350 degree programs to overseas students. Social Sciences, Computer and Information Sciences, Engineering, Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics, Business, Management, and Marketing are a few of the well-liked courses offered at UC Berkeley.

Fees

Indian students at UC Berkeley pay first-year tuition fees of INR 26 L to 34 L for UG courses and INR 22 L to 68 L for PG courses.

Admission Requirements

Graduate requirements for the Indian students are as follows:

• Degree equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree

• Official transcripts

• Evaluation from the recognised international evaluator

• GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or higher (83-86%) 

• English proficiency requirements:

  • TOEFL iBT: 90

  • IELTS: 7.0

• Standardised test score:

  • GMAT score range: 700 to 760

  • GRE score: No minimum score (GRE of admitted applicants: 90th percentile)

• 3 Letters of recommendation

• Statement of purpose

MBA requirements for the Indian students are as follows:

• UG degree in a relevant discipline

• Average GPA: 3.64 (88%) 

• Current resume

• GMAT or GRE score (Average GMAT score: 733)

• Professional work experience (Average professional experience: 5.8 years)

• 2 professional LORs

• Personal essay

• Interview

• English proficiency requirements:

  • TOEFL iBT: 90

  • IELTS: 7.0

About

Cornell University's main campus, located in Ithaca, New York, is a privately owned Ivy League research university. The educationalist Andrew Dickson White and businessman Ezra Cornell established Cornell University in New York in 1865. The university became one of the top organisations in the area because of its early leadership. In 1883, Cornell became the first university to use hydroelectric power for lighting.

QS Ranking

Cornell University is ranked 16 by the QS world ranking.

Courses offered

Cornell University offers 4,000 courses in 100 academic departments. It offers government, political science, economics, engineering, business, computer and information sciences majors every year.

Fees

According to the QS World Rankings 2025, Cornell University is ranked 16th among the top, and its annual tuition fee is $68,380.

Admission Requirements

• 3.5 (90%) in high school

• Interview

• English language proficiency:

• TOEFL IBT: 100

  • IELTS: 7.5

  • PTE: 70

About

Founded in 1890 in Chicago, Illinois, the University of Chicago is a private research university with seven foreign campuses and centres worldwide. Its flagship campus is on Chicago's South Side.

QS Ranking 

The University of Chicago is ranked 21 among National Universities in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges.

Courses offered

The University of Chicago offers undergraduate programs and over 100 postgraduate degrees through its divisions and professional schools. Some popular subjects offered are economics, mathematics, political science, chemistry, public policy, law, molecular engineering, and business.

Fees

With an annual tuition fee of $61,900, the University of Chicago is among the most costly universities in the United States.

Admission Requirements

• Undergraduate degree

• GPA or aggregate: No minimum GPA is required for admission.

• English language proficiency scores:

  • TOEFL IBT- 90–104

  • IELTS- 7.0–7.5

• Test Scores: GMAT/GRE scores are optional.

About

Princeton University's main campus spans over 600 acres and contains over 200 buildings totaling approximately 10 million square feet. Additionally, the university provides academics, staff, and alums with more than 1,000 rental apartments totalling more than 1.2 million square feet. 

QS Ranking

Princeton University is one of the best universities in Princeton, New Jersey. It is ranked #22 in the QS World University Rankings 2025.

Courses offered

Princeton University offers both graduate and undergraduate courses. Master of Finance and MSc in Engineering Computer Science are the two most popular courses at Princeton University among Indian students.

Fees

Princeton University's undergraduate tuition fee is 62,400 USD, and its average graduate tuition fee is 60,410 USD.

• Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with 3.0 or 85% (for most courses)

• English language proficiency scores:

  • TOEFL IBT- 108

  • IELTS- 8.0

• Test Scores:

  • GMAT- 600-720+

  • GRE- 163+ [Quant] | 161+ [Verbal]

About

The Collegiate School, originally named Yale University, was established in 1701 by Congregationalist pastors. Intellectual movements, religious ideologies, and the changing face of American higher education influence the University's rich past. Since its founding, Yale University has upheld its mission to educate all members of society, even though its original focus was on the elites and the "clergy" class. Yale University was the epicentre of education and anti-colonial movements throughout the colonial era and significantly influenced the years leading up to World War II.

QS Ranking

Yale University is ranked 23 in the top ten universities in USA.

Courses offered

Yale University offers courses at many undergraduate, graduate, and PhD program levels. It offers various popular courses in the social sciences, engineering, psychology, biology and biomedical sciences, mathematics and statistics, history, and visual and performing arts.

Fees

More than $90,000 will be needed to attend Yale for the 2024–2025 academic year.

Admission Requirements

Given below are the Yale University Admission requirements for 2024-25:

Undergraduate requirements:

• ACT and SAT scores (optional)

• Transcripts of your high school

• Must meet the English requirements

• 2 Letters of reference

• Personal statement

• USD 80 application fee

Postgraduate requirements:

• Transcripts of your high school

• Must meet the English requirements

• Three letters of recommendations

• SOP

• USD 105 application fee

• Resume/CV

• Some programs might have additional requirements, depending on the course.

To aum up, it can be a challenging task to choose the ideal university from the top 100 in the USA. Still, if you do your homework well and know what you want from the options, you can decide wisely. Furthermore, remember that every university has particular strengths, and rankings are just a starting point. Discover the university that shares your passions, interests, and professional goals as you embark on this exciting journey.

If you want to know more about top universities in USA or want to study in USA, we encourage you to speak with our team of expert counsellors at Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC). Our counsellors will provide you with guidance throughout your study abroad. Get help with the application process, SOPs, and filing for a visa. Visit us and get one-to-one counselling, or avail yourself of free video counselling via our website. We will be happy to help you, so please do not hesitate to contact us at application02@meridean.org or 1800-1230-00011.

Question: Why are American universities considered the best?

Answer: The top universities in the world have historically been found in the United States. According to several rating systems, such as the QS World Rankings, the majority of the greatest universities are found in the United States. American universities regularly receive research funding, leading to groundbreaking discoveries and innovation in various fields. US colleges offer numerous undergraduate and graduate programs, allowing students to sample a variety of courses before deciding to specialise in one.

Question: Which are the famous universities in USA?

Answer: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard University,, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Stanford University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of California, Berkeley (UCB), Cornell University, the University of Chicago, Princeton University, Yale University are some of the famous universities in USA.

Question:  What is the top 1 university in the USA?

Answer: Organisations like QS, THE, and many more rank the best universities in America. MIT is ranked the best university in the United States for 2025 by QS World University Rankings. However, US News & World Report reports that Harvard University and MIT are tied for first place in the 2025 Best National Universities rankings.

Question: Can I get free education in the USA?

Answer: Yes, pursuing a free education in the US is possible. Numerous scholarships allow students to receive complete reimbursement for all of their major expenses, including accommodation, health insurance, and tuition fees.

Question: What factors should be considered while choosing a university based on ranking?

Answer: Factors that should be considered are academic reputation, student-faculty Ratio, graduation rate, research opportunities and alumni success.

Question: Which USA university offers the best MS programs?

Answer: The following are some of the best universities for studying MS in the USA:

Harvard University,  University of Chicago, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Pennsylvania, California Institute of Technology, Yale University, Columbia University and many more.

Question: Which courses are offered at the top 100 US universities?

Answer: Renowned colleges offer a wide range of courses tailored to each student's specific interests. They offer classes in business, science, medicine, trade, the arts, sports, and other subjects.

Question: Which USA university offers the finest staff and campus?

Answer: Stanford, Harvard, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology have the best faculty, campuses, and educational resources.

Question: How much does studying in the USA cost?

Answer: In the US, the annual cost of education can range from $7,000 to $55,000. This cost might change depending on the university, degree, and course you select.

Question: Which university is ranked 2nd in the USA?

Answer: Harvard University is ranked second among universities in the USA by the QS 2025 World University Rankings. Situated in Cambridge, USA, it's among the oldest universities. The university prioritises in-depth research while providing top-notch instruction. Famous academics, Nobel laureates, National Book Award winners, etc., teach at this university.